UNC's Arena Overhaul: Multi-Site Plans, Big Costs, and a 2028–31 Timeline
UNC released a comprehensive arena study weighing six paths to update or replace the 40-year-old Dean E. Smith Center. Three leading options—Carolina North, Odum Village, and Renovate—carry total costs from about $591M to $786M and potential annual net revenues around $41.6–$62M, with debt service near $25–$29M per year; a fourth option, Repair & Maintain, would be cheaper but could produce a deficit. The plan also evaluates mixed-use potential and the disruptions a renovation would cause. UNC emphasizes presenting all options rather than steering to a single path, with a renovated arena likely for 2028–29 or a new arena around 2030–31.
