The annual home opener is already an exciting time for any NBA team. For the Charlotte Hornets this year, there’s an extra bit of buzz in the air now that Phase I of Re!magine Spectrum Center will be officially coming to a close just in time for this Saturday’s game against the Miami Heat.

“There’s a lot of excitement in Charlotte and certainly a lot of excitement and energy around the Hornets organization,” said Shelly Cayette-Weston, Hornets Sports and Entertainment’s President of Business Operations. “It starts from the top and it’s driven from the passion of our ownership, Chairmen Rick Schnall and Gabe Plotkin. They really have a focus and commitment to creating a winning culture right here in Charlotte and I think you see that in so many ways. We’re continuing to find ways that we can elevate [and] doing that through our fan experience upgrades. We’re just really focused on creating a winning culture on and off the court.”

Doors will open at 5:30 p.m. for Saturday’s game, allotting fans the chance to enter Spectrum Center earlier than usual to experience the upgrades. Included in the Phase I upgrades are more grab-and-go frictionless food stations at every level of the arena, a remodeled lobby near the Trade Street Entrance, a new Light-Rail Entrance next to the Hornets FanShop, innovative technology that allows fans to enter and exit quicker, brand-new Event Level Clubs and Novant Health Suite Level upgrades. Though bags will no longer be checked upon entry, they must be 5 inches x 7 inches or smaller, with exceptions made for diaper bags and medical devices. 

“My favorite part of the upgrades is that there’s just something for everyone,” added Cayette-Weston. “For everybody that walks through this building, there’s going to be upgrades. There’s something at every single level for every single fan. That, for me, is the most important piece. We need to see and hear our fans’ feedback because that’s the main reason we did all these renovations. They’re truly our focus. And there’s even more to come next year.”

On the court, the Hornets are off to a 1-0 start for the fourth straight season, following Wednesday’s 18-point comeback victory in Houston. While another win in Atlanta on Friday night would only generate even more anticipation for the Home Opener, Cayette-Weston emphasized that long-term success is the organization’s goal. “First of all, it feels great to be undefeated. We’re focused on the process and the progress because for us, we want sustainable success and to be a sustainable winning franchise. It's about building something. This first win allows us to see some success from that and it feels good.  

Every fan in attendance for Saturday’s home opener will also receive a white ‘Carolina Strong’ T-shirt and Hive Mentality Rally Towel. A different version of the ‘Carolina Strong’ T-Shirt will be available in the Hornets FanShop for $35 with all net proceeds going to Hurricane Helene relief efforts. Additional highlights will include a live jazz band performance outside the arena, a full-roster introduction and player pre-game address before tipoff, and a special halftime ceremony to honor longtime public address announcer Pat ‘Big Pat’ Doughty, who passed in July 2024.