The Bojangles Coliseum in Charlotte, North Carolina is a multi-purpose arena that hosts various events throughout the year including concerts, sporting events, and more. With a seating capacity of around 9,600 for basketball games and 13,000 for concerts, a common question is whether the venue has seats or is standing room only.
Quick Answer
Yes, the Bojangles Coliseum does have seats for attendees. The arena has permanent stadium-style seating installed around the main floor area facing the central stage and basketball court. There are no standing room only or general admission sections without seats in the Coliseum.
More Detailed Answer
The Bojangles Coliseum was originally constructed in 1955 and known as the Charlotte Coliseum and Ovens Auditorium. After renovations and expansions over the decades, the venue now contains over 300,000 square feet of space and modern amenities while retaining its classic charm.
When used for sporting events like basketball, there are retractable seats on the floor level to bring spectators closer to the action. The permanent arena seating is arranged in three tiers above the floor area with an upper and lower bowl as well as luxury boxes and club seating. Most seats in the arena have cushioned chairbacks and many sections have been replaced with new seating in recent upgrade projects.
For concerts, the lower bowl and floor level seating typically remain in place to bring audience members closer to the stage. The upper decks provide further elevated viewing areas. Large acts will sometimes have general admission standing room only areas on the arena floor in front of the stage. However, the bulk of the Coliseum’s capacity is in permanent individual seats, not open standing room.
Seating Capacity and Layout
The Bojangles Coliseum has a typical seating capacity of 9,600 for sporting events when configured with the retractable seats on the floor level pulled out. For concerts, the capacity increases to around 13,000 since the floor level can accommodate more people without seats installed. The seating totals vary based on the specific event setup.
The permanent seating areas are arranged with multiple levels of luxury suites and club seats closest to the floor. There are 24 luxury suites holding 6-12 guests each and 1,888 club seats. Above that are the lower and upper bowls containing the majority of standard arena seating.
Seating Section | Number of Seats |
---|---|
Floor Seating | 2,400 retractable seats |
Lower Bowl | 5,006 seats |
Upper Bowl | 2,100 seats |
Luxury Suites | 300 seats in 24 suites |
Club Seating | 1,888 seats |
This brings the arena’s total permanent seating capacity to around 11,700 not counting any general admission floor sections that may be included for specific shows or events. The Coliseum can hold over 13,000 when configured for maximum concert capacity.
Amenities for Seated Guests
The permanent stadium seating at Bojangles Coliseum provides comfortable and convenient amenities for guests attending events.
Features include:
- Cushioned seats in all sections make sitting enjoyable during long events
- Chairbacks on all lower bowl and club seats add extra support
- Cupholders built into many armrests give fans a place to set drinks
- Dedicated seating aisles and rows make accessing seats simple
- Elevators transport guests who need assistance to upper levels
The Coliseum also underwent significant renovations in 2015 that upgraded many of the arena’s amenities. This included installing new LED video displays, expanding concourses and concessions areas, and improving Wi-Fi connectivity throughout the venue.
Seating for Differing Events
The Bojangles Coliseum configurations and seat availability varies depending on the type of event being held.
Basketball Games
For basketball, the retractable floor level seats are extended to bring fans closer to the court. College basketball is the most common hoops event held. The seating capacity is typically set up for 9,600 attendees.
The first few rows on the sideline opposite team benches offer some of the best views and are highly coveted seats. The lower bowl also keeps spectators closer to the action. Upper bowl and suite level seats are further away but still provide great elevated sightlines.
Concerts
When hosting concerts, floor-level retractable seating is usually retracted to open up the general admission pit standing area in front of the stage. Capacity can be expanded to 13,000 for shows. Lower bowl seats are premium spots that immerse fans in the performance but upper sections also feature strong views and sound.
Other Events
The Bojangles Coliseum also hosts family shows, conventions, graduations, special events, and more. Seating configurations are shifted around as needed. For conventions, more floor space may be utilized and seating condensed to allow for exhibit halls and booths. Most events make use of the arena’s permanent stadium chairbacks and bleachers.
Notable Events
Some of the most famous events hosted at the Bojangles Coliseum demonstrate how the venue utilizes seating for different occasions.
NCAA Basketball Tournament Games
The Coliseum has hosted early round games for the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament numerous times, most recently in 2011. The floor level retractable seats create a more intimate environment for tournament action. North Carolina, Duke, and other top teams have played tournament games there.
Concerts
Top artists like Prince, David Bowie, Bruce Springsteen, and Bob Dylan have played concerts at the Coliseum over the years. The general admission floor creates room for thousands of fans to crowd the stage area. Stadium seating offers ticketed chairbacks for big acts.
Democratic National Convention
When Charlotte hosted the 2012 Democratic National Convention, the Bojangles Coliseum was utilized as the event’s media center. The arena floor hosted news studios and production facilities. Stadium seating gave reporters and media ideal sightlines to observe convention proceedings.
Professional Wrestling
WWE Monday Night Raw, SmackDown, and pay-per-view events have been held at the Coliseum. Its seating lends itself perfectly to the theatrical action of pro wrestling. Fans can get close to the ring on the floor level and also enjoy the spectacle from arena bleachers.
Conclusion
So in summary, the Bojangles Coliseum does contain permanent stadium-style seating in order to accommodate thousands of fans and attendees. The flexible floor plan allows for retractable seats to be pulled in and out depending on the event. Concerts sometimes utilize standing room only spaces, but the bulk of the arena’s capacity is permanent individual chairs with cushioned backs and armrests for comfort.
The venue has undergone renovations over the years that upgraded amenities and seating while retaining historic charm. Fans get great views of the action from all levels of stadium seating. Luxury suites and club chairs offer premium options for top-tier seating. Ultimately, the Bojangles Coliseum provides the ideal layout to enhance any event with chairs and bleachers tailored to maximize enjoyment and convenience.