Going to a game...need a little advice

[Kemba_Time]

So me and some friends are planning on going to the T-Wolves game in late March. We will be driving down from the Piedmont area and none of us have much experience with Bobcats games, so hopefully some of you regulars can help us out.

1) Since we are playing so poorly, I'm assuming that in late March TWC will be pretty empty. So should we just buy the cheapest possible tickets and find better seats once we get in, or should we invest a little more to ensure we can actually see the game?

2) How early should we arrive in Charlotte and what is the parking like?

Thanks in advance.

[Let's Go Cats 218]

You don't have to show up too early... maybe 30 minutes before tip? The best parking, IMO, is on the other side of the huge CATS bus station. There is a little fenced in lot immediately on the other side of the station from TWC Arena. Last time I was there it was $5 and is a 2 minute walk to the arena. It is at the corner of 4th and S Brevard St.

Even though we're not playing well, the ticket-checkers are still tough. Id say go to 216, 217, or 218 and you'll have a heck of a time. It's right in front of the bar and it's lower than any other upper-deck seat...and for the same price as the nosebleeds!! Best kept secret at TWC.

Have fun and GO CATS!

[SWedd523]

I know a lot of people like to try and move down, but I prefer to just stay wherever I'm sitting. All of the upper level spots I've been in have great sight lines so you shouldn't be worried about being able to see the action unless you have bad eyes. I always like to get there about 30-60 minutes before tip, but it's just my nature to be places early. You'll be fine as long as you get there before tip because the crowds don't start filing in until around then.

As for parking, I second what LGC has to say. I park in that very same lot. Very cheap for being so close.

[Twan's Kin]

Take a small towel or some tissues so you have something to cry into during the game.

[Kemba_Time]

Alright thanks for the insight guys. Much appreciated.

[Veteran_Picksetter]

Alright thanks for the insight guys. Much appreciated.

The parking lot these guys mentioned at 4th and Brevard has been a great value in my experience, and it is close to the arena. It might be tricky figuring out how to get into it your first time, especially with traffic on your back. 4th and Brevard are both one-way streets at that spot, if memory serves. I would definitely familiarize myself with that block and the location of the lot entrance via an aerial view photo before driving down. Even if GPS leads you there precisely(I have no idea), some of it might seem counterintuitive if you are primarily a suburban driver like me.

The arena is very cool, and it would be worth it to get there early just to tour it a little bit before the game.

Also, I don't know how familiar you are with downtown Charlotte these days, but there are some nice things to do within walking distance of the arena, at least compared to how Charlotte used to be.

I've never had a bad seat in the place. I will say that, being a tall guy, in some of the lower level behind-the-basket seats I feel like I need to hunch down in order to let others see behind me. But that is definitely NOT the case in the upper level seats I've had. Up there I can often stretch out, especially on weeknight games against teams with no superstar.

I don't know if your ears are sensitive. The intro's are a little loud. Just be prepared.

[Veteran_Picksetter]

I hope to be at that game myself.

[Veteran_Picksetter]

Oh, and the main arena entrance you would be entering from that parking lot is pretty cool, with a ginormous mural indicating N.C.'s basketball roots. I like to take people through that entrance their first time at TWC. Or you could enter through the team store on that same side and check out all the Bobcats merchandise.

[Kemba_Time]

Sounds good. I go to a few Panthers games each year so Charlotte isn't too unfamiliar. I did go to one Bobcats game many years ago when we were in the old arena, but obviously a lot has changed. And we don't have a huge budget, so at this point we are deciding between the cheap upper deck corner or the slightly more expensive upper deck center court. Probably will go with the latter.

[Veteran_Picksetter]

Upper deck Center Court: I sat there a few weeks ago. I'm impressed with how "steeply" one can look down into the rim from those seats.