NHL to Grant Hurricanes All-Star, Outdoor Games Following Completion of Renovations

The Carolina Hurricanes aren't going anywhere anytime soon.

It was announced today that the Canes and Centennial Authority, the governing body which owns PNC Arena, have agreed to a 20-year lease extension that ties the Hurricanes to PNC Arena through the 2043-44 season.

Carolina Hurricanes Agree to 20-Year Lease Agreement to Remain in PNC Arena

The agreement comes with a lot of extra factors such as renovations to PNC Arena, the development of the surrounding space into a transformative sports and entertainment district featuring restaurants, retail, offices and housing, but also a promise.

That promise? To bring back both an All-Star and an outdoor game to the area.

According to Centennial Authority's lease negotiator, Dan Barrett, the NHL has agreed to bring both events back to Raleigh thanks in part due to the new lease and the planned development/redevelopment projects.

“Dan’s been representing the CA in negotiating this deal," said Hurricanes president and general manager Don Waddell. "He’s got a relationship with the NHL and, as a part of this lease, he talked to Gary Bettman about the two things we talked about: acquiring an All-Star game three years after the renovations are done and then committing to another outdoor game. 

"Dan asked me if we wanted to get a commitment in the next two years [for an outdoor game], and I said, 'Give me five years, we need some time off.'" 

These statements were also corroborated by News & Observer sports columnist, Luke DeCock.

The Hurricanes hosted the NHL's Stadium Series last season, bringing in a sellout crowd of 56,961 fans to Carter-Finley Stadium.

The game itself generated $13.6 million in total economic impact according to Visit Raleigh, but the entire event weekend generated $20.1 million.

The event saw the highest online merchandise sale ever for a Stadium Series and also was the most viewed Stadium Series game since 2019, averaging 1.1 million total viewers.

The NHL All-Star game was last in Raleigh in 2011.

 The event featured four Hurricanes players: Eric Staal, who captained a team, Cam Ward, Jeff Skinner and Jamie McBain, who participated in the Rookie Showcase.

The All-Star weekend generated $11.4 million in direct visitor spending and $49 million in media value according to Visit Raleigh.

In both instances, the Hurricanes and the city of Raleigh proved to be able to accommodate both the event and the influx of fans and which showed both in the viewership and the total economic impact.

Now, with the team being one the very best in the entire NHL and with plans set forth to revitalize the arena and surrounding area, it's the perfect time for more NHL events to take place in Raleigh and Gary Bettman and the league have thankfully realized that.

"The NHL is committed, within reason of course, both on an All-Star game and another outdoor game,” Waddell said.