Raleigh, N.C. (Jan. 28, 2026) – Raleigh is undergoing an exciting transformation, furthering the city’s status as a vibrant destination for conventions, meetings and events. With expansions and developments on the horizon, these signature projects underscore Raleigh’s commitment to building a dynamic, world-class destination.

“Numerous transformative investments for the future of Raleigh are underway,” said Dennis Edwards, president and CEO of Visit Raleigh. “These new and enhanced projects will bring thousands of new visitors, driving more restaurant reservations, hotel stays and traffic to local businesses. Raleigh’s position as a vibrant, nationally competitive destination for meetings, sports, events and tourism has never been stronger.”

Raleigh Convention Center (RCC) is preparing for a dramatic expansion. With an anticipated opening in 2029, this development targets LEED Gold certification and will feature:

• An additional 298,100-square-foot facility, bringing the RCC’s total to 798,000 sq. ft.
• 50,000 sq. ft. of divisible flex space, an 18,000 sq. ft. ballroom and 13 new meeting rooms

Making way for the RCC expansion, Red Hat Amphitheater is getting a new home. Following the 2026 concert season, Red Hat Amphitheater will open in 2027 at its new location, one block away, with exciting new amenities.

Breaking ground this spring, the 29-story Omni Raleigh Hotel is slated to open in late 2028. Located between the RCC and Martin Marietta Center for the Performing Arts, the Omni will cater to Raleigh’s high-end business, convention and leisure stays. Notable amenities include:

• 600 guest rooms, 61,000 sq. ft. of meeting space, 20,000 sq. ft. ballroom and a rooftop pool
• Several restaurants – including the first Bob’s Steak & Chop House in North Carolina, rooftop poolside restaurant and a sports bar with golf simulator
• Resort-style wellness facility

Reaffirming its role as one of Raleigh’s most versatile and innovative sports facilities, Lenovo Center is undergoing major upgrades, modernizing experiences for visitors and entertainers alike. This enhancement will include:

• Expanded main concourses, redesigned seating and a new upper-level “View Bar”
• Development of a mixed-use Lenovo Center District with 200,000 sq. ft. of retail space
• A 150-key hotel, 4,300-seat ballroom and new food and beverage offerings
• Multiple parks, plazas, promenades and tailgating spaces for visitors to gather

Beyond downtown entertainment and convention developments, several boutique hotels are also slated to open in the coming years, offering eclectic and elevated hospitality options:

• Village District’s 150-room Oberlin Hotel, opening spring 2026, takes cues from the neighborhood’s history, incorporating artwork and elements that nod to its heritage. The hotel’s refined design and exceptional level of service will provide a modern, welcoming space for all guests.
• Raleigh native, singer/songwriter and Grammy-nominated musician, Tift Merritt, and Daniel Robinson, co-owner of The Durham Hotel, are renovating and restoring The Gables, a charming motor lodge from 1928, scheduled to reopen in the summer of 2026.
• Opening in Cary in the fall of 2027, the 186-room Pagemore Hotel at Fenton will feature curated art installations, live music programming and a cutting-edge Culinary Theatre where food takes on the role of performance art.

About the Greater Raleigh Convention and Visitors Bureau (Visit Raleigh):
As the official destination marketing organization for Wake County, Visit Raleigh is responsible for promoting Wake County as an attractive travel destination and enhancing its public image as a dynamic place to live and work. Through the impact of travel, the organization strengthens the industry and community's economic position and provides opportunities for people throughout Wake County. Raleigh, N.C./Wake County welcomes 19 million visitors annually, whose spending tops $3.4 billion. The visitor economy supports more than 26,000 local jobs in Wake County and generates $321 million in state and local tax revenues, saving each Wake County household $720 in taxes annually. visitRaleigh.com

Media Contact:
Visit Raleigh
Hannah Hankins
Public Relations and International Tourism Manager
919.819.8292
hhankins@visitRaleigh.com

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