Team picked for Hornets’ training center

Image: Charlotte Hornets

The NBA’s Charlotte Hornets have announced key project partners for their new state-of-the-art performance center, to be constructed at a site adjacent to Spectrum Center.

NBA.com said that in addition to the City of Charlotte, who approved the project in March, key project partners include industry-leading strategic management consulting firm CAA Icon, global sports and entertainment venue design firm, Populous, and construction firms, Gilbane Building Company and Charlotte-based R.J. Leeper.

Construction work on the Charlotte Hornets Performance Center is scheduled to begin in early 2025 and when completed will feature over 160,000 square feet of training, administrative and retail space.

The Charlotte Hornets are an American professional basketball team based in Charlotte, North Carolina (US). The Hornets compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the league’s Eastern Conference Southeast Division, and play their home games at the Spectrum Center.

The Spectrum Center is an indoor arena located in Uptown Charlotte, North Carolina (US). It is owned by the City of Charlotte and operated by its main tenant, the Charlotte Hornets of the NBA. The arena seats 19,077 for NBA games but can be expanded to 20,200 for college basketball games.

Image: Charlotte Hornets

Hornets Sports & Entertainment Co-Chairmen Rick Schnall and Gabe Plotkin said, “Following the first phase of our Re!magine Spectrum Center project, the new performance center is the next step as we work toward our vision of building the premier franchise in the NBA and operating world-class facilities.

“This performance center will provide our Hornets players with NBA best-in-class facilities to improve all aspects of their performance, training and health. We remain dedicated to investing in this community, and the City of Charlotte, and the development of this site is a key aspect in that.

“Our building partners are truly some of the best in the business – both here in Charlotte and around the world. We appreciate the collaboration of all parties involved and cannot wait to break ground on this project.”

The Charlotte Hornets Performance Center will include over 100,000 square feet of training, practice and recovery space as well as 35,000 square feet of administrative offices for the team’s business operations.

In addition, the Performance Center will feature up to 2,500 square feet of ground-level retail space and a public plaza on the corner of Caldwell and 5th Streets, aiming to further revitalize the area surrounding Spectrum Center in Uptown Charlotte.

Image: Charlotte Hornets

The Charlotte Hornets Performance Center is expected to be open for the 2026-27 NBA season.

The Hornets said they remain committed to fully funding costs that exceed the $30 million provided by the City of Charlotte. The deal, which leaders hope creates a thriving district along Trade Street, was part of a larger agreement that keeps the team in Charlotte through at least 2045.

City of Charlotte Assistant City Manager Tracy Dodson said, “We’re excited to see the project team come together and the positive momentum for this project which will start to transform this part of Uptown by injecting needed retail and public gathering spaces, as well as helping to attract additional investment in Uptown.

“The Charlotte Hornets are an important part of Charlotte’s entertainment and economic ecosystem, and this is a great opportunity for the Hornets to expand their presence and support their players with a world-class facility.”

Jonathan Mallie, Senior Principal, Populous “We’re thrilled to partner with the Charlotte Hornets to design their state-of-the-art practice facility, elevating the organization and strengthening their position to become one of the premier teams in the NBA.

“The team’s presence in Uptown Charlotte will serve as a beacon of player performance, designed to attract the league’s greatest athletes.”

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