Is UNC Preparing to Say Goodbye to the Dean Smith Center? A New Arena May Be on the Horizon

Is UNC Preparing to Say Goodbye to the Dean Smith Center? A New Arena May Be on the Horizon

Change is never easy, especially when tradition is involved. But for North Carolina basketball, a program built on banners, legends, and decades of dominance, the winds of change may be blowing stronger than ever.

This past week, UNC Chancellor Lee Roberts sat down with Jones Angell and Adam Lucas on the Carolina Insider podcast. While the conversation ranged from affordable housing in Chapel Hill to the university’s growth, one particular thread had Tar Heel fans perking up: the future of Carolina Basketball’s home court.

Yes—the Dean E. Smith Center, the arena that has hosted Michael Jordan tributes, Final Four sendoffs, and countless unforgettable moments, might be entering its twilight years.

Cracks in the Ceiling—Literally

Roberts did not explicitly declare that UNC is moving on from the Smith Center, but his words painted a telling picture. He mentioned that simply replacing the roof of the nearly 40-year-old building would cost a staggering $80–100 million. That figure doesn’t even touch the outdated concourses, the cramped restrooms, or the limited accessibility.

And yes, the leaks are real. Roberts admitted that when it rains in Chapel Hill, buckets have to be set out inside the Smith Center to catch the dripping water. For a blueblood program that prides itself on excellence, it’s becoming harder to justify pouring money into patchwork fixes.

The Business of Basketball

The financial argument is equally compelling. Unlike newer arenas such as Raleigh’s PNC Arena (home to NC State and the Carolina Hurricanes), the Smith Center lacks modern revenue-driving amenities.

• No luxury boxes to attract big donors and corporate partners.
• No strong infrastructure for alcohol sales, a key moneymaker in sports arenas.
• Outdated seating arrangements, with many prime seats long tied up by past funding agreements that push students out of the action.
• One narrow concourse for over 20,000 fans—a logistical nightmare on game day.
• Parking headaches that have become legendary among the Tar Heel faithful.

When you compare the costs hundreds of millions for an overhaul versus building a state-of-the-art arena on university-owned land that can generate new revenue streams the logic seems unavoidable.

Reading Between the Lines

Outgoing athletic director Bubba Cunningham recently hinted at the same conclusions. Taken together, Cunningham and Roberts’ carefully chosen words suggest UNC’s leadership already knows the path forward. They just haven’t said it outright.

Roberts even hinted at a timeline, noting that a decision could come by the end of this year. For fans, alumni, and Chapel Hill residents, the writing on the wall is clear: the future of UNC basketball might not lie inside the Smith Center.

Tradition vs. Tomorrow

Of course, this won’t be an easy sell. The Smith Center is more than an arena it’s a cathedral of Tar Heel basketball. Many alumni will push to preserve it, especially since the building sits on campus and has been tied to memories of Dean Smith himself.

But UNC basketball has always been about more than nostalgia. From the Boston Garden-like Carmichael Arena of the ’60s and ’70s to the opening of the Smith Center in 1986, Carolina has never been afraid to evolve. The question isn’t whether fans will accept change it’s how fast the university can make it happen.

The Countdown Begins

By the end of 2025, Tar Heel fans may know if the Dean Dome’s time is almost up. Will UNC embark on building a sparkling new home to rival the best arenas in college basketball, or will they cling to the aging structure out of loyalty to tradition?

One thing is certain: when the leadership finally does make their case publicly, it will mark one of the biggest crossroads in Carolina Basketball history.

For now, fans should enjoy the echoes of the Dean Dome while they last because soon, the sound of progress might drown them out.