The Charlotte Hornets and the reigning champion Boston Celtics will share a preseason training facility at The Citadel in Charleston this October. This joint camp offers a unique preparation opportunity for both teams ahead of the 2026-27 NBA season.
Both NBA franchises will use the military college's McAlister Field House for their training sessions. The arrangement provides professional-level facilities in a concentrated environment away from their home cities. For the Hornets, it's a chance to install offensive sets and defensive schemes with minimal distraction. Head coach Charles Lee will have extended time to evaluate his roster's conditioning and chemistry. The presence of the Celtics, led by stars like Jayson Tatum, also creates a built-in benchmark for competitive scrimmages.
This camp is a key part of the Hornets' offseason development program. After finishing the 2025-26 season with a mixed bag of results, including that 110-96 win over the Knicks but also a 118-100 loss to Detroit, establishing a strong foundation is vital. Working alongside an elite team like Boston will test their perimeter defense and offensive execution under pressure.
Expect a focus on pace and three-point shooting. Training against Boston's top-tier defense will be an immediate challenge. Players will be competing for rotation minutes, making every drill and scrimmage important. Fans can follow the team's preparation and view the full preseason schedule on our schedule page. The camp should provide early clues about the rotation and which players have made strides over the summer.
Preseason camps set the tone for the grueling 82-game schedule. For a young Hornets squad, learning professional habits in a focused setting can accelerate growth. The experience of practicing daily against a championship contender is invaluable. It forces players to raise their intensity and attention to detail. The goal is to carry that standard into the regular season and improve upon last year's record. With key players returning and new additions integrating, October at The Citadel is the first real step toward that goal.
