About this venue
Harrah's Cherokee Center Asheville is a multipurpose sports and entertainment complex in downtown Asheville, designed to accommodate major sporting events, concerts, exhibitions, and other large-scale gatherings. Its main venue, ExploreAsheville.com Arena, can host up to approximately 7,200 guests depending on the event configuration, while the complex also includes the 2,431-seat Thomas Wolfe Auditorium and additional exhibition and support spaces. This combination allows the center to accommodate events of very different sizes and formats.
Inside the arena, seating and floor layouts can be adapted for individual events, so the experience may differ between sporting fixtures, concerts, and other productions. The spacious arena floor, in-house sound system, and technical infrastructure support demanding productions, while concourses and adjoining areas help visitors move efficiently before and during events.
The complex is located at 87 Haywood Street, Asheville, North Carolina 28801, United States. Harrah's Cherokee Center Garage is directly adjacent to the complex and provides pedestrian access toward Haywood Street, while a passenger pick-up and drop-off area is available in front of the building. For broader transportation options and getting around Asheville, see the city information further down the page.
About the city
Asheville, set at the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, is known as a city where natural beauty and an urban pulse meet in the best possible way. Here, it’s easy to move from the laid-back feel of a mountain getaway to the energy of nightlife, concerts, and sporting events, with a local scene that gives the city its distinctive character. Whether you’re coming for major indoor events at Harrah's Cherokee Center – Asheville or looking for the more intimate vibe of smaller clubs, Asheville delivers an experience that is warm, authentic, and dynamic all at once.
The city takes pride in practical infrastructure that makes it easy for visitors to reach key locations. The local bus network ART (Asheville Rides Transit) connects downtown with a range of neighborhoods, and the central starting point is ART Transit Station, which keeps getting around simple and stress-free. For those arriving by air, Asheville Regional Airport (AVL) is the fastest gateway to the region, with a short ride to Downtown Asheville and the main venues. If you’re traveling by train, a convenient starting point is Amtrak Charlotte Station (CLT), from where you continue to Asheville by road, and the flexibility of car rentals and rideshare services makes planning your trip to an event even easier.
When you’re not in the stands or in the crowd, Asheville rewards curiosity. Stroll through Downtown Asheville and around Pack Square, stop by the paths along the French Broad River, or explore the River Arts District, where creativity is felt at every turn. For a memorable “wow” moment, a visit to Biltmore Estate or a scenic drive on the Blue Ridge Parkway is the perfect addition to an evening filled with music and cheering. That way, along with your tickets, you’ll take home a complete city experience worth remembering.
