𝗕𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗞𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗩𝗜𝗦𝗜𝗢𝗡: 𝗨𝗡𝗖 𝗥𝗘𝗩𝗘𝗔𝗟𝗦 𝗚𝗥𝗢𝗨𝗡𝗗𝗕𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗞𝗜𝗡𝗚 $𝟮𝟱𝟬 𝗠𝗜𝗟𝗟𝗜𝗢𝗡 𝗣𝗟𝗔𝗡 𝗧𝗢 𝗥𝗘𝗜𝗠𝗔𝗚𝗜𝗡𝗘 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗗𝗘𝗔𝗡 𝗦𝗠𝗜𝗧𝗛 𝗖𝗘𝗡𝗧𝗘𝗥 — 𝗔 𝗡𝗘𝗪 𝗘𝗥𝗔 𝗙𝗢𝗥 𝗧𝗔𝗥 𝗛𝗘𝗘𝗟 𝗕𝗔𝗦𝗞𝗘𝗧𝗕𝗔𝗟𝗟 𝗕𝗘𝗚𝗜𝗡𝗦

𝗕𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗞𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗩𝗜𝗦𝗜𝗢𝗡: 𝗨𝗡𝗖 𝗥𝗘𝗩𝗘𝗔𝗟𝗦 𝗚𝗥𝗢𝗨𝗡𝗗𝗕𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗞𝗜𝗡𝗚 $𝟮𝟱𝟬 𝗠𝗜𝗟𝗟𝗜𝗢𝗡 𝗣𝗟𝗔𝗡 𝗧𝗢 𝗥𝗘𝗜𝗠𝗔𝗚𝗜𝗡𝗘 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗗𝗘𝗔𝗡 𝗦𝗠𝗜𝗧𝗛 𝗖𝗘𝗡𝗧𝗘𝗥 — 𝗔 𝗡𝗘𝗪 𝗘𝗥𝗔 𝗙𝗢𝗥 𝗧𝗔𝗥 𝗛𝗘𝗘𝗟 𝗕𝗔𝗦𝗞𝗘𝗧𝗕𝗔𝗟𝗟 𝗕𝗘𝗚𝗜𝗡𝗦

Chapel Hill, N.C. — October 16, 2025

In a monumental announcement that sent shockwaves across college basketball, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill has officially unveiled an audacious, $250 million plan to redesign and expand the historic Dean E. Smith Center — a project that university officials are calling “a bridge between legacy and the future.”

The project, set to begin construction in 2026, marks the most significant transformation in the arena’s 38-year history. The Smith Center, affectionately known as “The Dean Dome,” has been the heart of UNC Basketball since its opening in 1986. Now, as the Tar Heels prepare for the next era of competition and fan engagement, the university’s vision promises a state-of-the-art facility that blends modern technology with deep Carolina tradition.

“This is more than a renovation — it’s a reimagining,” said UNC Athletic Director Bubba Cunningham during a press conference packed with media, alumni, and former players. “We’re honoring Coach Dean Smith’s enduring legacy while ensuring that future generations of Tar Heels can experience basketball at its very best.”

A Vision Rooted in Legacy

The redesign will preserve the spirit and symbolism of the Dean Dome — including the iconic rafters where championship banners hang — but the interior will undergo sweeping modernization. Plans include expanded seating, enhanced acoustics, luxury suites, and interactive fan spaces that immerse visitors in UNC’s storied basketball history.

Architectural renderings reveal a sleek, glass-fronted exterior designed to reflect the North Carolina sky, creating a stunning visual connection to the university’s “Carolina Blue” identity. A new atrium, titled “The Dean Smith Legacy Hall,” will honor past Tar Heel greats — from Michael Jordan and James Worthy to Tyler Hansbrough and Armando Bacot — through digital exhibits and interactive storytelling zones.

“This project is about connection,” said Chancellor Kevin Guskiewicz. “Connecting past and present, connecting campus and community, and connecting our fans to the very soul of Carolina basketball.”

A Hub for the Next Generation

Beyond aesthetics, the new Smith Center will integrate cutting-edge technology aimed at enhancing both athlete performance and fan experience. Upgraded training facilities, sports science labs, and AI-driven analytics systems are expected to elevate UNC’s basketball program to new competitive heights.

Additionally, the arena’s new sustainability-focused design will include solar panels, rainwater harvesting systems, and a carbon-neutral operations plan — positioning UNC as a leader in environmentally conscious sports architecture.

The redesigned venue will seat approximately 25,000 spectators, a significant increase from its current 21,750 capacity. It will feature an immersive 360-degree scoreboard, dynamic LED lighting, and a redesigned student section that brings fans closer to the court.

“Tar Heel Nation deserves a home that feels alive, electric, and ready for the future,” said head coach Hubert Davis. “The new Smith Center will not only inspire our players but will also ignite every fan who walks through those doors.”

Community and Culture at the Core

The university emphasized that the project isn’t just about basketball — it’s about community. Plans include open public areas, a year-round Carolina Basketball museum, and event spaces that can host concerts, graduations, and local gatherings.

To ensure accessibility, UNC also announced a partnership with Chapel Hill Transit to create enhanced transportation routes and parking solutions, easing game-day congestion and promoting eco-friendly travel options.

Funding and Timeline

The ambitious $250 million project will be financed through a mix of private donations, corporate sponsorships, and university fundraising initiatives. A public campaign titled “Forever Carolina: Building the Future of the Dean Dome” will launch next month, encouraging alumni and fans worldwide to contribute.

Construction is slated to begin in mid-2026, with completion targeted for late 2028 — just in time for UNC’s centennial basketball season.

A New Chapter Begins

As the announcement concluded, the crowd inside the Dean Dome erupted into cheers, led by former Tar Heel legends who returned for the occasion.

“Coach Smith taught us to always think of the next play,” said Michael Jordan, appearing via video message. “This is UNC’s next play — and it’s a championship one.”

The future of the Dean Smith Center is officially in motion — and with it, a new era of Tar Heel basketball begins, rooted in tradition, driven by innovation, and powered by

an unbreakable Carolina spirit.