NC State Football Parking Safe Through 2026 as Lenovo Center Development Moves Forward
RALEIGH - NC State fans can breathe a little easier: the ambitious, billion-dollar development project surrounding the Lenovo Center and Carter-Finley Stadium won’t disrupt football parking in 2025 - or even in 2026.
That’s been a major concern since the Carolina Hurricanes, who operate out of the Lenovo Center alongside NC State men’s basketball, announced plans for a sweeping redevelopment of the 80 acres around the arena. The project includes everything from parking decks to retail, office space, a hotel, and housing - a full-scale transformation of the area that’s home to some of the Triangle’s biggest sporting events and concerts.
Originally, shovels were expected to hit the ground shortly after the 2025 football season, with at least one parking deck ready in time for kickoff in 2026. But recent updates from the Hurricanes and NC State have clarified the timeline: construction will officially begin in 2026, and more importantly, it will be staged in a way that doesn’t interfere with football parking for that season.
That’s a big win for Wolfpack fans, who’ve made it clear that parking - and the tailgating culture that comes with it - is sacred ground.
A Tale of Two Letters
Earlier this month, NC State fans received two slightly different letters about the development timeline. One stated that “redevelopment plans will not start before the end of the 2026 football season.” The other, more precise version, clarified that “district development construction will not impact parking for the 2026 football season.”
That distinction matters. While work on the surrounding development will begin in 2026, the staging and sequencing will be done with football season in mind - ensuring that the gameday experience around Carter-Finley remains intact.
Hurricanes Hold the Keys
The Carolina Hurricanes hold the development rights to the 80-acre district, a piece of the deal that extended their lease and secured $300 million in funding for arena renovations. The City of Raleigh has already approved rezoning for the site, but each individual project still needs to go through the permitting process.
The first phase of arena renovations is already underway. Fans attending basketball and hockey games in early 2026 could see the results of that work, including a new view bar and concourse upgrades on the 300 level, revamped arena-level suites, and a new multi-purpose event room.
But not everyone is thrilled with the pace of progress.
Doyle Parrish, chairman of the Centennial Authority’s building committee - the group that owns the arena - voiced frustration at a recent meeting. “We are a year-plus into the project and $100 million into the project and we really haven’t had much to show off,” Parrish said. He pointed to the lack of finished features like the view bar and new suites, which are still under construction despite the early investment.
Parking: The Heart of the Conversation
When it comes to this development, parking isn’t just a logistical detail - it’s the heartbeat of the NC State football experience. Tailgating culture is a point of pride in Raleigh, and Carter-Finley’s sprawling lots have long been considered among the best in the country.
“We have unbelievable parking and anything that changes is going to change that,” NC State athletics director Boo Corrigan said back in July. “I think that is the single biggest issue: people are worried about the parking.”
Corrigan doubled down in August, calling NC State’s setup “the best parking in college football.” He noted that other schools may boast about their tailgating scenes, but often that’s because they don’t have much parking to begin with.
“It will change,” he said. “It’s not going to change tomorrow.
It’s going to change over time. As it does change, we're going to be a part of it.”
What’s Coming Next
The first phase of the development includes two three-story parking decks that will add 1,800 spots and overlook a brand-new tailgate area. That’s a nod to tradition - an attempt to modernize without losing what makes NC State football Saturdays so special.
Right now, sections 317-319 inside the Lenovo Center are still under construction. That area is expected to feature a new view bar with seating above it, another piece of the fan experience puzzle that’s slowly coming together.
Construction officially began on July 1, following the signing of final contracts. The Centennial Authority has been discussing renovations for over a decade, and while progress has been slow, the vision remains bold.
For now, though, the message is clear: tailgating at Carter-Finley isn’t going anywhere - at least not yet. Fans can expect their usual parking spots and pregame rituals to remain untouched through the 2026 season, even as cranes and construction crews begin reshaping the landscape around them.
The future’s coming, but NC State is doing everything it can to make sure it doesn’t trample over the past.