Spectrum Center Pregame Guide
Charlotte Hornets · Charlotte, NC
Spectrum Center is at 333 East Trade Street in Uptown Charlotte, bordered by Trade, Fifth and Caldwell Streets and the Lynx Light Rail line — so the light rail runs along the building and there is no tailgating to arrange. The bag rule is now among the strictest in the league: only small clutches, wallets and wristlets up to 4 by 6 by 1.5 inches, with diaper and medical bags the sole exceptions, entering at the Hornets Fan Shop or the Hornets Box Office entrance near Trade Street Plaza for X-ray. Nearly 30,000 off-street spaces sit within a fifteen-minute walk.
Tips & Fan Reports
A 4 by 6 by 1.5 inch clutch is the entire allowance — anything else is refused unless it is a diaper or medical bag.
The Lynx Light Rail runs along the arena, so the train drops you at the door.
Those exception bags have their own entrances: the Hornets Fan Shop or Box Office by Trade Street Plaza.
Check the event page for the door time; the arena publishes it per event rather than as a standing rule.
Where to Go Before the Game
Trade Street Plaza
The plaza on the Trade Street side of the arena, and where guests with diaper or medical bags enter — either at the Hornets Fan Shop or the Hornets Box Office entrance, both beside it, for X-ray inspection.
Known for Medical bag entry · Fan Shop and Box Office · On Trade Street
The Lynx Light Rail line
The light rail runs along the arena's edge, one of the four boundaries of the site alongside Trade, Fifth and Caldwell Streets — the simplest arrival in Uptown Charlotte.
Known for Runs alongside the arena · Light rail · No parking needed
Uptown Charlotte parking
Nearly 30,000 off-street parking spaces sit within a fifteen-minute walk of the arena, which is what makes driving Uptown workable on a game night.
Known for ~30,000 spaces · 15-minute walk · Off-street
Rules to Know
What Spectrum Center allows, and what it does not.
- Only small clutches, wallets and wristlets not exceeding 4" x 6" x 1.5" are permitted at all arena events, including Hornets home games.
- Exceptions are made only for diaper and medical bags, including breast pumps. Guests with those bags must enter at either the Hornets Fan Shop or the Hornets Box Office entrance, both near Trade Street Plaza, for X-ray inspection.
- The arena is at 333 East Trade Street in Uptown Charlotte, bordered by Trade Street, Fifth Street, Caldwell Street and the Lynx Light Rail line.
- Nearly 30,000 off-street parking spaces are within a fifteen-minute walking distance.
- The arena can be contacted on (704) 688-9000, and door times for a specific event are on that event's page.
- The arena publishes no tailgating policy.
What to Bring
- A bag the gate will accept
Only small bags, clutches, crossbodies, and wristlets no larger than 5 x 7 x 1.5 inches are permitted; the rule applies to clear and non-clear bags alike.
- Only the outside food and drink the rule allows
Outside food, beverages, coolers, bottles, and cans are prohibited, with limited exceptions for medical needs.
- A card or a phone wallet
Spectrum Center concession stands and retail locations are cashless.
- Your tickets on a charged phone
Spectrum Center tickets are mobile with limited exceptions and can be opened in the Hornets + Spectrum Center app or Ticketmaster app.
- A coat for the walk in
January lows average 32°F between the lot and the door at Spectrum Center.
- A rain layer for the walk in
March averages 4.0 inches of rain outside Spectrum Center.
Charlotte Hornets Tailgate Gear
Canopies, grills, coolers, and official Charlotte Hornets gear for the ultimate tailgate.
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How We Checked This Page
Every section below names the source it was read from and the day it was read. Where we could not reach a published figure, the page says so rather than presenting an estimate as a checked fact.
- Pregame
Spectrum Center Charlotte official site: A-Z Guide, Directions & Parking, and the arena bag policy announcement
- Venue policies
Current Spectrum Center A-Z and dining guidance plus official Charlotte Hornets visitor, sensory, concessions, and parking pages reviewed for Hornets game-day policies.
- Weather
NOAA 1991-2020 Climate Normals