Photo by Eric Moreno, Stadium Journey My beloved hometown of San Antonio is known the world over as a true food lovers’ paradise. We – and I almost exclusively use “we” when talking about the Alamo City – were the second city in the United States to be recognized by the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Creative City of Gastronomy . If you want it, we’ve got it. The Best  Tex-Mex in the state? Yep, that’s ours (come at me everyone else; this is the hill I will die on). Great barbecue? We’ve got that, too. The city is also home to a burgeoning food hall, world-class steakhouses, authentic Asian cuisine, and one of the oldest German restaurants  in the country. We are also home to some truly unique dishes that aren’t found outside of this pocket of the Great State of Texas – in a previous story I unveiled the puffy taco  to the wider world. This time around, I will shed light on an even more obscure, equally loved, and sadly vanishing dish: the crispy dog . The long and short of it is that a crispy dog is a plain hot dog stuffed with American cheese, then wrapped in a corn tortilla and deep fried to a nice golden brown. Served up with your dipping sauce of choice (I prefer straight up mustard, but that’s just me), this dish has always been an inexpensive, deeply satisfying way to fill a belly. Humble yet cherished. If you find someone who is from San Anto  of a certain age, they will probably have a story about a maternal member of their family – their mom, their tía , or their abuela  – making this dish for them. If you’ve got that memory deep inside of you, your first bite of a crispy dog is instant nostalgia doused with familial love. Once upon a time you could find the beloved crispy dog right alongside the puffy tacos, enchiladas, and chalupas, etc. These days, however, you will be hard-pressed to find them on any menu. However, the OG of crispy dogs is Ray’s Drive Inn . After more than a half century this place is still alive and well, and still serving up the best version of the crispy dog in Texas. Ray’s is also at least an early server of, and at best the originator of, the puffy taco. Restaurant founder Ray Lopez put the crispy dog on the menu beginning in 1956, and it has been a staple ever since. Ray’s Drive Inn’s crispy dogs come two to an order with the aforementioned side of mustard – the first bite is the best; crispy (naturally), gooey, and savory. It’s a dish that’s truly greater than the sum of its humble parts. My one bit of warning is that these are extremely addicting, so by the time you’re halfway through your second dog, you’re contemplating another order. While the crispy dog may be vanishing from most restaurants, if you can find a place that still offers them up, you’re in for a treat. ---- Follow Eric Moreno's Stadium Journey on Twitter at @EricMoreno6477 .

The great part about taking in games in different parts of this great country of ours is – in addition to the on-field, on-court, on-ice, on-track, etc., action – the chance to partake in some truly unique regional dishes.   I have endeavored to do this in each and every one of my travels; I like to call it having the “food of the place” and it is a ritual that has proven to be both beneficial in enriching my outlook on life and detrimental to my waistline.   My beloved hometown of San Antonio, Texas, has rightfully earned a reputation as being a great food town over the years. Whenever someone makes a visit to the Alamo City, I feel it is my duty to show them some of the dishes that make us truly unique. To wit, this piece on a unique innovation in our Tex-Mex arsenal the puffy taco.   There are dueling stories of how the puffy taco was invented. Both Ray's Drive Inn  and Henry's Puffy Tacos  lay claim to the creation of the puffy taco, which dates back to the late 1960s or early 1970s, depending on who you listen to.   Regardless of the “controversy," one bite of a puffy taco and you'll get why a) San Antonians love them and b) why the restauranteurs are so protective of this dish.   So, what's a puffy taco you ask? Well, let's start with the “puffy” part. You take an uncooked corn tortilla and in lieu of heating it up on a flattop stove, you toss that bad boy ball of goodness into hot oil. Once the masa comes into contact with the frying medium, they almost immediately begin to expand or become puffy.   At that point, depending on where you get them, there are about a dozen different permutations – just like a “regular” taco. This infinitely Instagramable dish has proven to be a hit with just about anyone and everyone who's had the good fortune of throwing one down since day one.   The go-to version is the traditional picadillo (pee-kah-dee-yo) taco, which is seasoned ground beef, potatoes, tomatoes, and spices. This is more akin to what you would think of in a traditional taco and is quite great. If you're lucky though, you can find beef and/or chicken fajita versions, bean and cheese, shredded chicken, and guacamole. They almost always come topped with the traditional “salad” of shredded lettuce, cheese, and diced tomatoes; it's up to you to add any hot sauce or salsa .   A forewarning though, the integrity of your puffy taco “shell” depends wholly upon your filling. Your more sauce laden varieties will probably mean you're gonna have a split right down the middle so be sure you either give it a good haunch over your plate to catch the spillage or wear an outfit you don't mind littering with taco.   The main sporting venue that sells this delicious San Antonio staple is Nelson W. Wolff Municipal Stadium , home of the San Antonio Missions.   Not only does Henry's Puffy Tacos has a scaled-down stand at the ball park, but they also supply one of the team's mascots, Henry the Puffy Taco , naturally. Just like his namesake dish, the Taco has also grown a cult following in the city. Henry the Puffy Taco of the San Antonio Missions If you're a taco “purist,” the puffy version might seem like a gimmicky, novelty item. However, if you just like good eating, this is something you need to have.   On your next visit to San Antonio, do yourself a favor and not only take in a game at the Wolff, but skip the hot dog line and go for something that is truly a taste of the region. Have a puffy taco or two – heck, have three if you've got the room – and get a taste of what San Antonio is all about.

Photos by Lloyd Brown, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.43 Regions Field 1401 1st Ave S Birmingham, AL 35233 UAB Blazers website Regions Field website Year Opened: 2013 Capacity: 8,500 It’s Time for Blazerball! The University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) is the third largest school in the Alabama University System, with more than 21,000 students. Its urban campus is located at the southern tip of Birmingham, Alabama. The school is relatively young, as it was founded in 1969. UAB is particularly known for its cutting-edge medical school. The sports teams at UAB are known as the Blazers, using a dragon as the school’s mascot. The Blazers participate in Conference USA at the Division I level of NCAA competition. The baseball Blazers began play in 1979 and have gone to two NCAA Tournaments and won one Conference USA title. The team has an unusual home schedule, as it splits its games between the on-campus Young Memorial Field and Regions Field , the downtown home of the Class AA Birmingham Barons. The February and March games take place at Regions Field, with UAB returning to their on-campus stadium once the minor league season gets underway. Young Memorial Field opened in 1984 and seats 1,000, while Regions Field opened in 2013 and seats 8,500. This review will focus on Regions Field, with some comparisons to Young Memorial Field included. Food & Beverage 3 Regions Field offers a wide variety of concessions including both generic stands as well as specialty foods through such vendors as the Bud Light Cool Zone and Dreamland BBQ. However, the stadium only offers a single concession stand along the third baseline for Blazer games. The stand offers chicken fingers with fries ($8), cheeseburgers ($8), hot dogs ($4), popcorn ($4), fries ($4) and chips ($2). Beverages include Coca-Cola fountain sodas ($4) and bottled water ($4). Alcohol can be served at UAB games, as it is not located on-campus. Domestic beers are $6. There is also only one concession stand a Young Memorial Field. It sells the same products as Regions Field but cannot sell beer due to its on-campus location. Atmosphere 3 Regions Field has been heralded as one of the top parks in minor league baseball. It salutes Birmingham’s industrial past with the use of brick and steel as its primary elements in its construction, it also salutes the future, as it offers dramatic views of the growing downtown Birmingham skyline, along with Red Mountain and the city’s famous mountaintop statue of Vulcan, the Greek god of metalworking. The stadium offers 8,500 seats, including 400 club level seats and 23 luxury suites. Berm seating is available in the outfield. It also has a 360-degree concourse, which allows you to get different views of the action, as well as to check out the many special food and beverage selections at the park. The park also features a large LED scoreboard/video board in left field. Unfortunately, many of these options are not available at UAB games held at the stadium. The outfield and berm seating are roped off from use by the fans and the concourse is also cut off just after the first/third base points in the stadium. In addition, the Barons team store is closed and there is no Blazer gear available for sale. Another issue is that there is no signage or other recognition that UAB even plays at the stadium… which really cuts down on the college atmosphere of the game. Once the game starts, the scoreboard does show UAB-related information and the PA announcer makes the basic line up and batting introductions. This all adds up to a less than electric atmosphere at UAB games played at Regions Field. By comparison, Young Memorial Field does not offer many of the bells and whistles or dramatic views of Regions Field. However, it definitely lets you know you are at a UAB facility. The entire color scheme of the park is in the green and gold colors of the Blazers. Banners are hung on the outfield wall highlighting the championship years the team has experienced. The dragon logo is prominently displayed on the wall padding and other parts of the park. The seating capacity is much smaller, but that seems to create more enthusiasm within the crowd. Neighborhood 5 Regions Field is located within the Parkside District of Downtown Birmingham. Its construction was seen as a way to revitalize the southern end of the downtown area. It has certainly done that, as the Railroad Park was constructed across the street from the stadium and new restaurants and shops are filling in long abandoned space in the area. Several hotels have been built in recent years to service both Regions Field and the nearby UAB Medical Center. One must look no further than beyond the outfield walls to see all the residential growth in the area, as apartments overlook both center and right field. Young Memorial is by nature a part of the UAB academic campus. It is surrounded for the most part by academic structures. Its newest neighbor is BBVA Stadium, home of the Birmingham Legion of the USL. Fans 3 The fan base differs greatly between Regions Field and Young Memorial Park. Regions Field tends to attract more locals from the communities that encircle the stadium and the family and friends of the players. When UAB is playing a local or major college rival (Samford, Jacksonville State University, Troy University, Alabama or Auburn) there is a more evenly spread crowd of the local community and members of the UAB student body. Other than these key games, the turnouts at Regions Field tend to be in the hundreds, which results in a quite muffled response, even after a UAB score, due the large area the stadium covers. The seating arrangement is on bleachers rather than seats at Young Memorial Field. However, there is a much larger turnout from the student body for games. The on-campus nature of the smaller park seems to also bring more energy to a confined seating area, resulting in a more boisterous crowd during rallies or the team getting out of a tough spot defensively. Access 3 Access to both Young Memorial Field and Regions Field has been impacted by a major construction project impacting the I-20/I-59 interchange. It is best to use your favorite mapping app/GPS for the most current directions, as the project will affect other exits as it progresses. Regions Field only has a 250-space parking lot. However, there are more than 2,500 parking spaces within five blocks of the stadium. Paid parking lots typically charge $5, but lots of on-street parking is readily available for weekend games. Parking is available at a UAB Parking Deck immediately across the street from Young Memorial Field. Return on Investment 4 Both Regions Field and Young Memorial Field offer an excellent return on investment. Admission is $7 at both locations and the concession prices are identical. Parking at both locations is either very expensive or free. Extras 3 Former MLB player and longtime manager Harry “The Hat” Walker served as the first UAB coach for the baseball program. Baseball has a long history in Birmingham, dating back to 1885. For most of these years it was played at Rickwood Park, one of the oldest baseball parks in the country. It is still in use for some college games and the annual Rickwood Classic, a fundraiser to help underwrite the maintenance cost of the stadium. The Barons and the opposition don period uniforms for this throwback game. The Negro Southern League Baseball Museum adjacent to Regions Field is well worth a visit. It is not open on Sundays. Final Thoughts Regions Field provides an excellent atmosphere for baseball at the minor league level, as it offers many amenities not found at other ballparks at the AA level. Unfortunately, many of these same amenities are unavailable to the fans at UAB baseball games. The typical attendance at UAB games is dwarfed by the sheer size (8,500 seats) of Regions Field. This tends to minimize any fan impact on the game. The lack of any UAB branding at the stadium also deters from the fan experience. At the college level, nothing can beat the unique feel of an on-campus facility.

Photos by Michael Davis, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.29 Reynolds Center 800 South Tucker Drive Tulsa, OK 74104 Tulsa Golden Hurricane website Reynolds Center website Year Opened: 1998 Capacity: 8,355 Tulsa Time The Donald W. Reynolds Center is home to the University of Tulsa Golden Hurricane basketball and volleyball teams in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The multi-purpose arena is 138,000 square feet and was first built in 1998. The 8,355-seat capacity of the arena makes it the sixth-largest basketball arena in Conference USA. The basketball program began in 1907 and within ten years the team was playing games out of state. The team has made 16 Final Four Tournament appearances, highlighted by an Elite 8 appearance in 2000. Before joining Conference USA, Tulsa was a member of the Missouri Valley Conference and Western Athletic Conference. Food & Beverage 3 The choices of cuisine are varied. The concession stands sell funnel cakes, French fries, chicken baskets, and burgers along with traditional venue food like popcorn, hot dogs, and bratwurst. The variety is hurt by the fact that Pepsi products are your only choice of beverage. Side vendors also serve up barbecue sandwiches and frozen chill drinks, each of which tastes really good. The number of concession stands is very accommodating. Lines were very small even during halftime, and the stands are adequately placed throughout the arena. There were only two side vendors though. One served the barbecue on one side of the arena while the other sold the frozen drinks on the whole other side. The prices are average, completely normal for any type of sporting event. While the variety is good, some of the quality of things like pretzels and hotdogs is sacrificed for quantity. Atmosphere 3 The atmosphere is pretty fun, with a decent amount of sponsored games that award prizes to certain sections. There were also a couple of on-the-court games at halftime that allowed individuals to win decent prizes. The arena is bowl-shaped with two levels. The bottom level goes all the way around, while the top level is more of a horse shoe. The open end of that horseshoe is an open forum where you enter the stadium that is flanked by concession stands and looks out over the court. The main scoreboard is on the huge video screen hanging out over the court. It is much bigger than I expected given the size of the arena itself. There is also a video screen in front of the scorer’s table between the two teams’ benches that showed various stats for each team throughout the game. This is one of the few arenas or stadiums I’ve been in where I liked the higher level of seating. The view is really great, especially in the middle where you can see the entire court and the huge scoreboard. Individual seats give plenty of room and are comfortable. Neighborhood 1 The neighborhood is definitely on the low end of the spectrum for this venue. I found very little in the way of interesting places to go or things to do around the area. The campus is very pretty, but there was virtually nothing in the way of fan interaction. The average fast food joints are all I could find nearby. Fans 3 It’s difficult to gauge the fans in this venue. The crowd wasn’t very big and at times seemed very disinterested. However, there was a general murmur of support throughout the entire game. The student section is very spirited, waving big yellow sticks and hypnotic, vortex-like signs. Most of the crowd seemed to be made up of students and older alumni, with little in between. However, the crowd can get very loud, very quickly, despite its small size. One dunk, in particular, made the arena go as loud as any I’ve heard. Access 2 The parking around the arena is terrible. Get there early. Otherwise, you’ll be looking for a spot for a long time. The best bet for parking is to find an open spot on a nearby street. There aren’t any parking lots within a considerable walking distance that are open to the single-game fan. Walkways up to the arena and inside it are very spacious and accommodating. The restrooms are clean and have plenty of room. They also each have two entrances/exits to keep traffic jams to a minimum. Return on Investment 3 A ticket in the upper level (which is better, in my opinion, for a good view) only costs $10 or $19 for seats toward the middle of the upper level. Tickets for seats closer to the court go as high as $39 per ticket, which is still pretty affordable. That being said, I don’t think the return on the investment is good unless you go with the cheaper upper-level tickets, especially since the view is better up there. . Extras 1 One of the most entertaining parts of the entire experience was the remote control blimp that was flown around the stands at halftime. It was at least 8 feet long and flew around the big scoreboard in the middle. It was so neat that my fiancee, who was with me, immediately looked up the cost of one on her phone. Final Thoughts The atmosphere is pretty fun and makes a decent fan experience.

Photos by Aaron S. Terry, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.86 Rice-Eccles Stadium 451 South 1400 East Salt Lake City, UT 84112 Utah Utes website Rice-Eccles Stadium website Year Opened: 1998 Capacity: 45,807 The Fuss About the MUSS Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City, Utah is one that Goldilocks might call “just right.” It is in that sweet spot between not too big and not too small – big enough that it doesn’t feel like a high school game, but small enough that getting in and out isn’t a chore, like at Michigan or Nebraska. More importantly, it is in a Power 5 conference. There are lots of mid-size stadiums around the country, but most are in the MAC, Sun Belt, or the like – not so with Utah. So when you visit RES, you can be assured of a high-power matchup with quality teams such as Pac-12 powers like Oregon or USC. Food & Beverage 3 At RES, you will find all of the standard fare at pretty reasonable prices; most items range from $4 to $7, including chicken tenders, burgers, Philly and BBQ sandwiches, hot dogs, and fries. For those with a sweet tooth, RES offers ice cream and churros. A full menu of stadium fare can be found in the online fan guide, which has a listing of which selections are available at which concession stands, so bring your smartphone with you and you’ll be able to find exactly what you’re looking for. Beverages at RES include Coke products and water – no alcohol is permitted in the stadium, legally anyway, probably because the stadium is on campus. One nice thing about RES though is that they let you bring bottled water from home, limited to one factory-sealed container of one liter or less per person. This is actually becoming more common in stadiums across the country, especially in the south, due to health concerns related to overheating and dehydration. Atmosphere 4 Simply put, RES is a great place to watch a football game, and there is plenty of excitement both inside and outside the stadium, including the Ute Walk and Olympic Cauldron Park. Fans who arrive at least 2 ½ hours early can watch the marching band lead the team down 500 South to the stadium, accompanied by the Spirit Team, a group of cheerleaders who hand out t-shirts and other souvenirs to their adoring fans during the walk. Olympic Cauldron Park is located directly south of the stadium, and houses the 2002 Olympic museum, in addition to the cauldron used in those games. There is concern about the future of the park, however, given the school’s plans to expand the stadium at some point. Nevertheless, RES provides a fun atmosphere in a beautiful setting, and Utah is a program that has been on the rise even before the school joined the Pac-12, thanks in part to former coach Urban Meyer. Kyle Whittingham has done a phenomenal job since taking the reins, and has managed to keep Utah competitive in a much tougher league. Neighborhood 4 The scenery around RES is stunning, especially in the daytime, when the mountains are at their most majestic (and most visible). The stadium is also located on campus, so there are a number of fraternity and sorority houses near the stadium, which is a fabulous plus on game days and adds to the atmosphere. As you walk to the stadium, you can’t help but soak up the excitement from these students as they gear up for the contest. In addition, there are plenty of great restaurants and bars near the stadium. Big Ed’s is probably the most popular – about four or five blocks from the stadium; it is the classic college dive bar with fabulous, cheap food, including breakfast items. The Gawd Awful should be at the top of your list. This delectable dish is a mess of hash browns loaded with chili, cheese, and onions, all topped with a fried egg. Fans 4 Knowledgeable and enthusiastic, the fans are a big factor in making this a great college football venue, especially the student section. Monikered the MUSS (Mighty Utah Student Section), they are loud, proud, and geared up with bright red shirts and banners a-flying. Founded in 2002, the MUSS is the university’s student fan club for football and other sports, and you actually have to register to join. In 2004, the MUSS was named one of the top five student sections in the country by ESPN, and the current group is not far from capturing that honor again. Outside the student section, the fans are not quite so riled up, but equally knowledgeable, and are not at all shy about screaming wildly (or booing mournfully) as the occasion requires. This is precisely why Utah broke five football attendance records during the 2014 season alone. Access 3 Since it is on campus, RES is difficult to get to, as many of the nearby roads are closed off, or dead-end at other campus buildings, and many of the parking lots are restricted to students and faculty. Traffic after the game is also pretty intense, and it could take you a while to get away. You may be better off parking further away and walking in so you can avoid some of it. Pedestrian traffic inside the stadium is much easier to manage; the concourse is wider than most and there are plenty of entrances. Given the relatively smaller crowd compared to some venues, bathrooms are easy to get to, and lines inside the stadium are not overly long, since there are multiple refreshment carts and concession stands scattered around inside. Return on Investment 4 If you buy directly from the school, tickets will run upwards of $50 or more, depending on the game. Third party vendors are not much better, since many of the games are marquee match-ups. However, parking is only $10, and food is not overly expensive, so that makes up for the ticket price. All in all, visiting RES is definitely a worthwhile experience for the money given the great atmosphere and all of the extras. Extras 5 The first extra point goes for Rice-Eccles Stadium being nestled in the Rockies; not many stadiums can make this claim and provide such a glorious backdrop. Another point for hosting the Olympics, and having the park to prove it – this will give your trip a nice bit of historical significance. A third point for the giant U on the mountain, which is certainly worth capturing on film. As an added bonus, when Utah wins the U is lit up in red, so even if you don’t love the Utes you just might want to root for them anyway, because it is an awesome sight to behold. Finally, the absolute, completely best thing about seeing a game at RES is that they let you go on the field after the game! How cool is that? It is a totally awesome experience, and definitely makes the trip worthwhile, so it gets two points. And I don’t mean only when they beat BYU or a top 10 team – you can do that after every game. It is an absolute blast, and a definite must; take a selfie on the logo or throw a ball around with your kids or your buddy on a real field. Going out onto the field is certainly a rarity in the world of college football today, and should be on any fan’s bucket list. Final Thoughts Visiting RES is well worth the trip, given the historic significance, the wonderful fan base, the vibrant atmosphere, the mountain scenery, and the opportunity to experience things like going on the field at the end of the game. This stadium will NOT disappoint.

Photos by Jon Hart, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.00 Richmond County Bank Ballpark 75 Richmond Terrace Staten Island, NY 10301 Richmond County Bank Ballpark website Year Opened: 2001 Capacity: 7,171 Home of the Baby Bombers In a town where Major League sports rule, Richmond County Bank Ballpark provides a fun, affordable option for baseball enthusiasts. In its two decades of existence, more than 100 Staten Island Yankees, otherwise known as the Baby Bombers, have played in the Majors. EDITOR'S NOTE: The Staten Island Yankees ceased in Nov, 2020. Food & Beverage 4 Richmond County Bank Ballpark hits all the ballpark standards, everything from chicken tenders and fries ($4 each) to grilled foot long hot dogs ($7) to Uncle Louis G Italian ices ($5), to name just a few. There are plenty of adult beverage options as well. Domestic drafts go for $7 while premiums go $9. There are some healthier options behind home plate. A container of hummus and carrots goes for $8. However, you might want to dine before or after the game. Staten Island has some of the best pizza on the planet – New Haven quality. There are no shortage of options. Check out this list: https://www.thrillist.com/eat/new-york/best-staten-island-pizza Atmosphere 4 There’s not a bad seat at Richmond County Bank Ballpark. You can’t beat the ballpark’s view of the adjacent harbor and the New York City skyline. Yes, they toss t-shirts into the crowd and have plenty of promotions. Neighborhood 4 Game changer: Empire Outlets, which offers a plethora of outlet shopping options, just opened and is right next door to Richmond County Bank Ballpark. Very soon, it will be adding excellent restaurants to its repertoire, including Shake Shack, which is extremely popular at Citi Field and exceeds the hype. If you want to leave Richmond County Bank Ballpark mid-game and return, they’ll stamp your hand, so you can indulge. Fans 3 It’s laid-back, minor league summer fun with lots of families and group outings. Loads of tourists are hitting Empire. It’s only a matter of time before they walk a few yards and discover the beauty of America’s favorite pastime at Richmond County Bank Ballpark. Access 5 Richmond County Bank Ballpark is mere steps away from the Staten Island ferry, which is one of the best deals anywhere. The 25-minute ride offers great views of the NYC harbor and the Statue of Liberty. It’s free ! If you’re driving, Richmond County Bank Ballpark, as well as Empire Outlets, offers parking for a fee. It’s possible to find a space on the street, but that will require some patience and persistence, especially on weekends. Return on Investment 4 In an overpriced town, Richmond County Bank Ballpark is downright reasonable. An outfield seat goes for $12 if you order in advance, $14 on the day of. Infield seats are a few bucks more. Again, the ferry ride, an adventure in itself, is free as are the weekend fireworks. Extras 4 In the promotions department, Richmond County Bank Ballpark shines. Most memorably, in 2015, 7,000-plus fans filled the house, many in costume, to salute “Game of Thrones.” GOT series author George RR. Martin was on hand. Just this past season, Richmond County Bank Ballpark hosted a “Billy Madison Night” in which fans received SI Yankees pencil cases. Coming up on August 24th, it’s “Harry Potter Night.” Lastly, every Saturday, the SI Yankees become their alter ego, the Staten Island Pizza Rats. For this, the squad dons special uniforms and pizza is served out of a cone . Final Thoughts In a Major League town, the SI Yankees aka The Baby Bombers aka the Staten Island Pizza Rats offers a fun, affordable alternative to the Mets and Yankees. You can’t beat the views, the free ferry ride and the brand new, elite mall just next door. If that isn’t enough, Staten Island boasts some of the best pizza anywhere. Jon Hart is @ManVersusBall

Photos by Martin McNelis, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.29 Richmond Park 125 Emmet Rd Inchicore, Dublin 8 Ireland St Patrick’s Athletic FC website Richmond Park website Year Opened: 1925 Capacity: 5,340 Revel At Richmond Richmond Park is located in the Dublin suburb of Inchicore, a brisk 20 minute walk from the city centre, encompassing the historic landmarks of The Guinness brewery, Heuston train station and Kilmainham jail. The land was a former British Army facility, which lay derelict for three years following the war of independence, before being used by local side Brideville FC for a year. They moved out in 1930 to let St Patrick’s Athletic in and despite a couple of relocation ideas mentioned by the club’s board of directors over the last 20 years, including an unpopular suggestion of a ground share with Shamrock Rovers, it remains home to the ‘Saints’ or ‘Pats.’ The present capacity is 5,340, with 2,800 of that figure seated. The club are the current EA Sports Cup holders and play in the League of Ireland Premier Division. For a stranger, it isn’t the easiest venue to find, with the offices and main entrance gates set in among terraced housing on a busy main road. When all the gates are open on a match day it leads you down a gentle slope into both the Main Stand and further along into the turnstiles. It is a homely stadium which has signs of both old and modern alterations, offering covered and open seating, along with traditional terracing areas. Behind the left hand goal, known as the Inchicore End, is an industrial unit and behind the other goal, the Shed End, are some modern day apartment flats. Across from the Main Stand, the River Camac runs behind an open terracing, which also has trees overhanging. As the League of Ireland matches are played through the summer months you might find your enjoyment of a match is interrupted by swatting insects away should you watch from this area of the ground. Food & Beverage 3 Standard fast food is available with a variety of options and side orders. You can have a variety of burgers, on its own, with cheese or bacon and these are 4 or 5 Euros. The same with fries, you can have them on their own or cheesy or garlic fries which are 3 or 4 Euros. A sausage and fries is 5 Euros, chicken burger is 4 Euros, jumbo hot dog is 4.50. There is a basic offering of soft drinks, with a couple of hot options like tea and coffee at 2 or 3 Euros each. Atmosphere 3 Once in through the turnstiles there is a walkway which has a handful of entrances into the Main Stand. The players and officials emerge from the tunnel in the centre and the dugouts are situated here too. Facing you on entry there are two portakabins perched on top of each other and this is where you will find the club shop. Going slightly to the left past the shop as you enter allows you to sit behind the goal or access to the terrace across. This area is one of the modern additions to comply with UEFA regulations for European ties. The Saints are regularly in European competition through both their league and cup finishes. The club were fined previously when part of the old wooden structure gave way, but this has since been replaced with a more robust frame. In between both these areas is where you will find the toilet facilities situated. In the centre of the terrace there is a small elevated television gantry. Both sitting and standing in these areas provide a good view of the pitch, but both are uncovered, so are weather permitting. The Shed End is used sparingly and normally for large away followings and it has an old roof which covers most of what is an old terrace area. The Main Stand is the busiest area of Richmond Park and if you’re not in early enough, the only seats available are down near the front. You may find your view obstructed by both the dugouts, the four floodlight pylons and four supporting pillars. On a decent night going behind the goal at the Inchicore seated area is a good vantage point to see a match. Neighborhood 4 The stadium is near the main motorway through Dublin, so is a busy suburb to get in and out the city. There are plenty of shops and pub options that cater to both football fans and local residents. If you’re looking for a place to stay, the Hilton Dublin Kilmainham is a good option and near the ground. Attractions worth visiting include the Kilmainham Gaol (jail), Irish Museum of Modern Art, or take a stroll through the Irish National War Memorial Garden. Of course, no trip to Dublin is complete without a trip to St James’s Gate and the Guinness Storehouse. Restaurant recommendations include McDowells and the Patriots Inn. Fans 3 Depending on the competition and opposition, Saints will get crowds ranging from 800-2,000 for the average home match. The away fans congregate to the right of the Main Stand and despite relatively low numbers they make a bit of noise, which encourages the home fans. At the opposite end of the same stand, the Saints fans have their own group who sing and have a drum, generating a good atmosphere throughout the majority of a home match. Access 4 There is a bus route literally outside Richmond Park with the number 13 and 40 buses running approximately every 10 minutes to and from the city centre. The Luas tram and Heuston train station have stops which are about a 10-15 minutes walk away. If driving by car you would have to park some distance away as the traffic and supporters milling around on a match day slows Emmet Road down to a crawl. Moving around the stadium poses no problem, with the only area restricted by stewards being the covered terrace at the (away) Shed End. Return on Investment 4 The Saints provide average league pricing and good value for the different family categories. Ticketing is on par with other League of Ireland clubs and offers good value with Adults (€15), Students and concessions (€10), and children under the age of 12 with an adult (€5). You can purchase a ticket in advance of the match or get one from the club offices and a steward then scans you in on entry. Extras 2 Transport options are very good, the club shop offers a variety of souvenirs from; kits, jackets, accessories and DVDs which are priced from high (clothing) to €5 (key rings and cup win DVD). Final Thoughts Richmond Park is another intriguing League of Ireland venue, fulfilling some of the basic needs that fans want; homely, scenic and friendly. The club are one of the bigger Irish sides in terms of stature, resources, and success. This is definitely a good ground to tick off the list.

Photos by Meg Minard, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.43 Riverfront Stadium 850 Park Road Waterloo, IA 50703 Waterloo Bucks website Riverfront Stadium website Year Opened: 1946 Capacity: 5,000 Improved Experience at Riverfront Stadium Riverfront Stadium opened its doors in 1946 as Municipal Stadium and was home to the Waterloo White Hawks of the Illinois-Indiana-Iowa League. In 1958, the stadium played host to a Midwest League team and the relationship continued until the end of the 1993 season when the then Diamonds left Waterloo for Lansing, Michigan, where they remain today. Riverfront Stadium hosted the University of Northern Iowa baseball team until the end of the 2009 season when UNI got rid of its baseball program. Currently, Riverfront Stadium plays host to the Waterloo Bucks of the Northwoods League. The Northwoods League is a collegiate summer baseball league, comprised of 22 teams. Players must have college eligibility remaining to play and the league uses wooden bats. In 2015 the team began improving its primary focus at improving the fan experience at Riverfront Stadium. The changes were felt and it was a positive step in the right direction for the team. The city, which owns the stadium, had even earmarked $35,000 in general obligation bond funds for the box seats. The old ballpark has a lot of charm and life left in it and it is an ideal venue for NWL during the months of June and July. Food & Beverage 3 There are two concessions stands, one on the third base side and one on the first base side. They are on the back side of the seating bowl, out of view of the field. A decent amount of traditional ballpark fare is available at generally reasonable prices. Among the highlights is the fry helmet ($9). This concoction of all things fried is served in a helmet and if this is your thing, you can’t go wrong. The helmet nachos ($7.50) are quite popular as well. Among the other items available are: hot dogs, brats, burgers, walking tacos, pizza, veggie burgers, and your typical snacks, most ranging from $3-$5. Pepsi products are the soda choices with your best bet being the 32 oz. Bucks cup for $3.50. Coors Light, Miller Lite, and Keystone Light alumiteks run $4.25 with Mike’s Hard Lemonade, Harder Cranberry, and Redd’s Apple Ale at $5.25 for tallboys. For more options, there is a small bar located on the first base side, near concessions. Atmosphere 4 Upon entering the seating bowl, it’s hard not to notice the wealth of greenery behind the outfield wall with a vast amount of trees taking up the whole area behind the wall, and is very nice on the eyes. A few rows of box seats sit behind home plate and run from dugout to dugout. The majority of the stadium is general admission with the best GA seats being behind the box seats. The GA seats behind home plate are covered and are certainly a nice option in the heat and humidity of the Midwest. Two sections of bleachers are located down the left field line and one down the right field line. Outside of the box seats, all seats are bleachers with the covered being a bit more comfortable because there are backs to them. In the right field corner is the Bud Party Deck. Here, groups of 30 or more can take in a game for $25 which includes all you can eat and drink. The Coors Light Lounge is in the left field corner and is for smaller groups of 15 or more for the same cost. There have been noticeable upgrades made between the 2014 and 2015 season, and all for the positive. The dingy looking green bleachers have fresh blue and yellow paint (the colors of the Bucks) and something as simple as a coat of paint makes an enormous difference. The speakers were upgraded before the start of the 2015 season, making the sound noticeably better. Music is played between innings when promotions aren’t ongoing and the traditional walkup music for the home batters is played. In the past, music was quite often played in between pitches which bordered on the annoying side. If it is still occasionally done, it isn’t even noticeable as it is kept to a minimum. The stadium is also noticeably cleaner than in the past. All these factors make for a fun game day experience. Neighborhood 2 There is very little in the immediate area in the way of food and drink as the stadium is surrounded by a large park area, a cemetery, and a residential area. There are plenty of options around town and within reasonable driving distance. If attending a day game and breakfast is your thing, Morg’s Diner is the place for you. Morg’s has great food at decent prices and is only a few blocks from the stadium. The one drawback is they close at 1 pm. Another great option is Jameson’s Public House in downtown Waterloo. Jameson’s is a great Irish pub and the menu has something for everybody. If you are a fan of Shepherd’s Pie, this is about as good as it gets. Wrestling is big in Iowa. If you are a fan of amateur or professional wrestling, don’t leave Waterloo without visiting the Dan Gable Wrestling Museum. The museum has so much to offer for fans of amateur and Olympic wrestling and also has its own wing for professional wrestling. It is definitely worth a visit. 75 minutes east of Waterloo you will find the Field of Dreams movie site, in Dyersville, Iowa. It’s a bit of a drive but entirely worth the time, especially in July and August when the corn is at its highest. This site from the iconic movie is an absolute must for any baseball fan and is completely free. Fans 4 The passion shown by the fans is very impressive. Gathering at Bucks games is very community oriented and it is a meeting place for friends to catch up and take in some baseball. The Bucks do a good job of incorporating fans into the game through promotions before and during the game. The fans are into the game and generally knowledgeable about what is occurring on the field. Access 3 Waterloo isn’t centrally located to much else and getting to the stadium is a bit of a trek when coming from out of town. Once you are at the stadium though, getting around is very simple. There is plenty of parking available and avoiding the first couple rows around the front of the stadium is a good idea due to potential foul ball issues. Restrooms are sufficient for the average crowd that the team draws although there may be some wait in a packed house. Getting around isn’t an issue with the concessions and restrooms being on the back side of the seating bowl. Return on Investment 5 It’s hard to beat the price of attending a Bucks game. Parking is free and single game tickets range from $5 for general admission to $8 for box seats. With the reasonable cost of food and drinks and constant promotions that give better deals, you get tremendous bang for your buck. Extras 3 The Bucks have a nice team store located near the first base concession stand. Around the park, you will find pennants and other reminders of the Bucks success, a nice look into the past. A nice option, especially for the kids, is the ability to see the teams prepare. Behind the right field Bud Deck are the batting cages. If you arrive early enough, you can watch some of the players taking batting practice up close. Also, along both lines, you can watch the starting pitchers warm up while being literally a few feet away. Final Thoughts Under new ownership, the Bucks have made a concerted effort to make attending a game more fan friendly. The park is much more pleasant to the eye, much cleaner, and the improvement to the sound system and much less intrusion of constant music blaring out of bad speakers has made the game day experience at Riverfront Stadium fabulous. If you find yourself near Waterloo, a trip to Riverfront Stadium will yield a very good time for a minimal amount of money.

Photo Courtesy of Cal Poly Athletics Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.00 Robert A. Mott Gymnasium One Grand Ave San Luis Obispo, CA 93407 Cal Poly Mustangs website Robert A. Mott Gymnasium website Year Opened: 1960 Capacity: 3,032 The Asylum Located smack in the middle of California’s Central Coast region, California Polytechnic State University is a remotely located member of the public California State University system. Far from the bustle of Los Angeles and San Francisco, Cal Poly is surrounded by an oasis of wineries, beaches and mountain charm. The centerpiece of San Luis Obispo, the university is home to over 20,000 students in a town of just over 45,000 residents. San Luis Obispo County however makes up a large coastal county north of Santa Barbara with a population of over 250,000, giving the Mustangs a large local fan base to draw from. Robert Mott Gymnasium (aka Mott Athletic Center), the home of Mustangs basketball, is a portrait of well-maintained longevity. Opened in 1960, the facility manages to look brand new while simultaneously harkening back to an era of low bluegrass basketball played in a quaint fieldhouse. Seating just 3,032, it’s easy to question the need for a larger and more modern arena. But if you asked the Cal Poly faithful, it would no longer be The Asylum. Food & Beverage 2 At first, it’s hard to even tell if food is an option at Mott Gym. The one concession stand (two tables pushed together) is tucked away in one corner of the gym practically underneath the end court bleachers. Operated by two friendly college students, the concessions include tri-tip, Johnsonville brats, hot dogs, nachos (with plenty of toppings), kettle corn and beef sticks. Fortunately, the brand quality is considerably better than the high school concessions stand setup. Aside from the $7 tri-tip, everything is available for under $5. Beverages peak at a $4 Jamba Juice and include coffee, cocoa, Monster energy drinks and a variety of sodas. Atmosphere 3 Nicknamed “The Asylum,” the arena really is a surprisingly raucous atmosphere. What Mott Athletic Center lacks in size, it compensates for with noise. The Mustang fans normally pack the house and get behind their team in green. The seats are packed around the court on all sides with an excellent acoustic setting to deliver maximum noise. The energy is really only limited by the size of the gym. Any small school debate on whether it’s better to have a massive half full stadium or a tiny gym bursting at the seams with fans is encapsulated in Mott Athletic Center. On one end of the court is a small bleacher section mostly packed with a very engaged pep band. Although not large, this group of energetic students play their instruments loud and do their best to impact the game. In front of the band section the cheerleaders also engage heavily with the small, but mighty arena. Overall, the energy in the building is palpable for a Mustangs game. There’s also plenty of activity during each time out with t-shirts flying and typical basketball promotions rolling. Take the butts out of the seats though, and this is just a really nice high school gym that happens to host a Division I college team. Seats are broken into four sections that require walking along the sidelines to go between. Practice hoops hang from the four corners of the court and it would appear all of the bleacher seating retracts into the wall. New video boards have been installed at either end of the court giving a modern feel to the arena and the green and white paint is crisp and looks new. One of the cooler features is a long hall behind the media booth side of the court that acts as the Cal Poly Hall of Fame. This hall consists of glass casing extending from one end of the building to the other. While most of the names here will likely be unrecognizable, you’ll definitely recognize the faces of Ozzie Smith, John Madden, and Chuck Liddell. Neighborhood 4 San Luis Obispo and the surrounding area is one of California’s hidden treasures. It’s likely not on your list of must see cities in the Golden State, but I guarantee the area won’t disappoint. Just up the road from some of the Central Coast’s most popular beaches and surrounded by wineries, rolling hills, breweries and excellent restaurants, the area promises relaxation and comfort. Closer to the arena in downtown San Luis Obispo, you’ll find a gem of a downtown chock full of wonderful pre-game options. If a drink or two before tipoff suits your fancy, there is a myriad of choices nearby. Central Coast Brewery, SLO Brewing Company, The Library, Black Sheep, and Mother’s Tavern are just a few of the choices waiting for you less than five minutes from campus. For food, High Street Market & Deli, Ciopinot, Novo, Big Sky Cafe and much, much more offer delicious options in the immediate area. I would strongly recommend parking downtown and just strolling the beautiful streets to step inside the most tempting locations. Fans 4 Maybe they get credit for the lower capacity of the Mott Athletic Center, but the fans pack the place. I appeared at a game once only to find that no tickets were available. For this reason I’d definitely recommend buying tickets in advance. Outside the arena, a tent is setup and passionate fans congregate in what appears to be a more formal than usual tailgate setting. And it’s not just numbers that make the fans formidable. Once inside the gym the Mustang faithful are passionate, knowledgeable, and loud. Perhaps the recent successful trip to the NCAA tournament in 2014 has boosted their following, but it’s hard not to question if the Mustang’s following has outgrown the venue. Access 3 On a wide scale, San Luis Obispo isn’t particularly close to anywhere. While that makes it a hidden gem of a small town in the central coast, it also means it’s not easy to get to. Driving from any direction will require winding roads up the coast or through the mountains. Beautiful drives for sure, but not an easy day trip from most locations. Once in the area however, it’s incredibly easy to get to the campus and gym. The university is located just off of US 1 and US 101. Parking is a straight shot into a large garage or a large lot if you’re willing to walk a bit further. The Mott is located a bit off the road on campus, so anything other than the garage will be a short walk along a sunken sidewalk. Once inside the gymnasium, it’s small enough that you can easily access any seating. Keep in mind, it will likely be crowded and the bleachers have some long sections where you may have to climb over other spectators to get to your seats. Because of the high school gym layout, you’ll have to pay attention to game action as you walk the sidelines. To cross the baselines in particular, make sure play is safely on the other end of the court. Return on Investment 3 Ticket prices are very reasonable, in the $10-$20 range. Parking is $6 for bigger games, but apparently free for others. Food may not be spectacular, but it’s definitely cheap. Overall this is a relatively inexpensive outing for such a raucous atmosphere. Just be sure to buy your ticket in advance. Extras 2 There aren’t a ton of extras to speak of, but a couple of cool features come to mind. It doesn’t seem like an extra, but a packed gym at such a small size is unique for modern D-I basketball. So many teams nowadays are playing in cavernous arenas that aren’t even half full. In addition, the Hall of Fame is a very cool touch and adds a hint of history to a program and school you wouldn’t normally associate with tradition. Final Thoughts While not the biggest, baddest or most impressive of venues, Cal Poly basketball at the Mott Athletic Center brings with it an experience all its own. Add in the beauty of the surrounding area, and it’s more than worth a trip into town in your best green and gold attire to cheer on the Mustangs.

Photos by Matt Colville, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.14 Robinson-Hale Stadium S Capitol St Clinton, MS 39056 Mississippi College Choctaws website Robinson-Hale Stadium website Year Opened: 1985 Capacity: 8,500 The Choctaws of Clinton, Mississippi Situated about 15 minutes west of Jackson, Mississippi is the nice, quaint, picturesque town of Clinton, home of the Mississippi College Choctaws. MC, as locals call it, opened its doors in 1826 and is Mississippi’s oldest college, along with being the second-oldest Baptist affiliated college in the U.S. The Choctaws first fielded a football team in 1907, and up until the 1930s regularly scheduled matchups against the likes of Mississippi State, Ole Miss, and LSU. Since 1972 Mississippi College has been a member of Gulf South Conference (GSC) of NCAA Division II; the Choctaws have won one D2 National title (1989) and four conference titles. GSC has become a football rich conference in recent years with member schools Delta State, Valdosta State, West Alabama, West Florida, and West Georgia constantly being ranked in the D2 football polls. On the west side of campus right off Interstate 20 is Robinson-Hale Stadium. Originally opened in 1985, Robinson-Hale Stadium underwent major renovations in 2011 – the renovation brought the capacity up to 8,500 making it one of the largest stadiums in Division II, and MC is constantly ranked among the top ten teams in the country in terms of average attendance each season. The stadium honors two men who helped establish the football program at Mississippi College; Stanley Robinson served as head coach and athletic director for 36 years, while Edwin “Goat” Hale is a former quarterback for the Choctaws (1915-16;1920-21) and is also the first Mississippi native to be elected to the College Football Hall of Fame. Food & Beverage 2 The stadium is set up with the home stands sitting on one side and the visiting stands sitting on the other, but there are only two concessions stands in operation, one on each side. The basic ballpark fare can be found at both and prices are reasonable, with costs being hamburgers $4.50, nachos and hot dogs $4, popcorn $3, and chips or Coca-Cola products in cans for $2. As usual for a religious college no alcohol is available at Robinson-Hale Stadium. Atmosphere 3 With a seating capacity of 8,500 Robinson-Hale Stadium is currently the eighth largest D2 on-campus football stadium in the country. Its most recent renovations occurred starting in 2006 with the installation of a state-of-the-art synthetic playing surface and a new track, followed by new iron fencing, new ticket booths, and new entrance gates added in 2011, and finally a new HD scoreboard installed in 2014 – much like the Choctaws basketball team next door, however, the scoreboard doesn’t show much in terms of replays. Robinson-Hale Stadium is set up like most stadiums of this size, with home fans sitting on one side and the visiting fans sitting on the other. The field faces north and south with the typical metal bleacher seating; the Choctaw fans sit on the stands to the east, while the visiting fans sit on the side to the west. The press box is located on the east side about 40 rows up, and at Robinson-Hale Stadium the home stands are kind of built into a hill, so when you enter you enter midway up the bleachers and can either go up or down, making the stadium seem to double in size when you enter. The home side definitely looks more modern and up to date then the visiting side does, though those stands do tend to fill up because Gulf South Conference teams travel pretty well. The home side extends from goal line to goal line, which accounts for about 80% of the 8,500 seats at Robinson-Hale Stadium, but the visiting stands only extend between the 40-yard lines. In addition, if you purchased a ticket from the home side ticket booth you are not free to walk to the visiting side, and vice versa, so make sure you know what side you want before you come inside. There is a small concessions stand on the visitors side but not much else. The view to the north at Robinson-Hale Stadium doesn’t provide much besides a view of the woods, but the view to south provides a back drop of the golf ball-shaped A.E. Wood Coliseum , home of the Choctaws basketball team, to the southeast. The MC parking garage is directly behind the south end zone and Frierson Field, home of the Choctaws baseball team, is to the southwest; about 100 yards behind the parking garage you can see I-10. There are various people tailgating in the south parking lot and in the south parking garage, and the four-story parking garage provides excellent views of the field from the upper levels free of charge. Many fans took advantage of that fact and tailgated and grilled out by their cars with plenty of shade and excellent views of the field, while fans in the stands had to endure the elements of a hot Mississippi September afternoon; it was almost like a party atmosphere in the parking garage though, with a lot of fraternities and college kids. There are no banners or anything at the stadium signifying past athletic feats, but there is one banner outside the stadium honoring former Choctaw and New Orleans Saints running back Fred McAfee. McAfee, perhaps the school’s most distinguished athlete, had a 15-year NFL career as an all-pro kick returner and was elected to one Pro Bowl in 2002. McAfee was eventually inducted into the New Orleans Saints Hall of Fame, Division II Sports Hall of Fame, Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame, and Mississippi College Hall of Fame. Neighborhood 3 Clinton is a nice, small, neat little college town, located about 20 minutes west of downtown Jackson. The town of Clinton was founded in 1823, with Mississippi College being founded three years later. The town was overrun with Union officers during the Civil War which destroyed much of the town, however, in the years after the war the college and the town underwent a massive reconstruction phase that resulted in hundreds of new antebellum homes, most of which are still standing. Most of the buildings on campus were built in the years following the war, and they are made with beautiful white marble columns. Perhaps the most historic building on campus is the Provine Chapel; opened in 1860 it is the only building on campus that predates the war, and was used as a Union hospital, as well as the first floor being used to house future president Ulysses S. Grant’s horses. I recommend getting to the game early and giving yourself ample time to walk around the campus – it is very small, but scenic. Historic Olde Town Clinton is just a couple of blocks north of campus, and is Clinton’s downtown area. I suggest walking from campus to the downtown area, as it is just a couple of blocks north along Jefferson Street. The street is lined with many beautiful antebellum homes, and with its brick-lined streets provides a very picturesque setting. In addition there are numerous mom and pop shops and small art galleries in the downtown area; a majority of the shops in this area are closed on Saturdays but there is one sit-down restaurant called 303 Jefferson (the name is the same as its address), which would be a good place to get a drink or get a hot meal. There is also a large bookstore with a cafe attached to it, but that is also closed on Saturday nights – it would be nice if some of these shops and eateries were open later. However, the road headed into campus (Highway 80) has all the regular fast food chains, so you should be able to find plenty to eat. For lodging the area south of campus has several hotels (Fairfield Inn, Hampton Inn, etc.) and you are only a short 20-minute drive from Jackson, where additional lodging and restaurants can be found. For something to visit while in the area, I recommend making the 30-minute drive west to Vicksburg, which is also a very historic town, so history buffs can spend a weekend walking around the downtown area and the Vicksburg Military Park, which was the site of one of the most important battles in the Civil War. You pay per vehicle and can drive all around the different historical areas of the park, so one could spend hours here and I highly recommend it. Fans 4 Last season the Choctaws averaged about 4,100 fans per game, and this season the average is slightly lower at about 3,400, but this is partly because Homecoming and Senior Night haven’t happened yet; those two games usually account for a huge spike in attendance. I was pleasantly surprised to find the Student Section pretty full, with many fans engaged and into the game – between the people tailgating in the parking lot and in the garage, it definitely raises the score one point. It was great to see a nice turnout for this level of football, with fans treating it like their own D1 football game. Because of the close proximity between the schools in the Gulf South Conference, and because of the easy access into Clinton, many rival fans turn out for games which can create a raucous atmosphere. In fact, for some games like when Delta State comes to town there are just as many opposing fans as Choctaw fans. Access 4 You will not find a more accessible college anywhere in the state than Mississippi College. Conveniently located in the center of the state, you are within a 3-4 hour drive to anywhere in Mississippi. The main road into Clinton is I-20, and you would take this road if traveling from the east or west. Note that I-20 can have horrendous traffic, especially at the I-55 junction, so take this into account, though it shouldn’t be a problem on a Saturday. Mississippi College’s campus is located on the far west side of town, so take Exit 35 and you will see the large golf ball-shaped dome; this is A.E. Wood Coliseum , home of the Choctaws basketball team. The football stadium is located right next to the coliseum and the baseball field, and there is plenty of parking around the coliseum and its surrounding lots. Highway 80 runs from Jackson right into campus, but it takes you through a rough section of town in the south Jackson area. However, if you want to take the scenic route the historic Natchez Trace Parkway also runs right through Clinton – this two-lane road is very peaceful and completely void of red lights and commercial traffic. The Trace has tons of areas you can pull off and visit such as Indian mounds, old cemeteries, historic houses, natural trails, campgrounds, etc. so if you have the time, I suggest driving down the the Trace just for its scenic beauty alone. Just make sure you go the speed limit though – the whole parkway is administered by the National Park Service and the speed limit is between 40 and 50; you will have to pay a pretty hefty fine if you are caught speeding. Return on Investment 3 Tickets were priced as follows: $10 for general admission which allows you to sit anywhere in the grandstand, and is about an average price for this level of college football – the whole stadium is bleacher seating on both sides, except for a few chairbacks in front of the press box. The chairbacks cost $15, or you can purchase a season ticket package for the chairbacks at $75. Parking is free here and concessions prices are reasonable, so although you aren’t going to be watching future NFL stars on the field, I consider it a good return on investment with another plus being the easy accessibility. So if you are in the Jackson area on a Saturday night in the fall I would definitely recommend a trip to Clinton for a Choctaws football game. Extras 3 One extra for the level of competition that comes through here on a yearly basis – though the Gulf South Conference isn’t the SEC or a power 5, it is one of premier conferences in D2 football. Fans get to see some pretty good football come through Robinson-Hale Stadium on a yearly basis, with teams like Valdosta State who have won four D2 National titles, or Delta State who have over 10 playoff appearances and who played for the National Title in 2000, or newcomers like West Florida who reached the D2 National title Game in just their second year. So, fans attending games here are watching players who could play D1 football, or at the very least compete with some of the teams in the lower level conferences at the D1 level, so the level of competition is quite high. Another extra point goes to the campus itself – I recommend just walking around the campus and the town of Clinton before the game as the area is very pretty. The campus and downtown area cover just a couple of blocks, so you could easily walk around downtown Clinton for 30 minutes or so before the game. Another extra goes for the accessibility; Mississippi College’s campus is one of the most convenient campuses I’ve ever visited. You could go from driving on the interstate, to parking, to sitting down in your seat in less than 10 minutes, as Robinson-Hale Stadium is literally 100 yards or so from the interstate. Final Thoughts Robinson-Hale Stadium remains an excellent place to watch a football game. Though you will not find a lot of frills or excitement, you will get to see some exciting football during most games from a D2 conference powerhouse. There is always guaranteed to be a good turnout for a Choctaws game, and the college has a beautiful historic campus; the downtown area also provides a nice setting, and this campus remains one of the most accessible college campuses I’ve ever been too. So, if you are in the Jackson, MS area on a Saturday in the fall then I recommend a trip to Robinson-Hale Stadium.

Photos by Marc Viquez, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.57 Rothman Center 1000 River Road Hackensack, NJ 07601 FDU Knights website Rothman Center website Year Opened: 1987 Capacity: 6,000 FDU Basketball Shines in North Jersey George and Phyllis Rothman dedicated the Rothman Center on September 9, 1987, as the home of the Fairleigh Dickinson University basketball program. The self-made millionaire donated the entire $1 million to cover the cost of the building that is the centerpiece of athletics on campus. On February 9, 2007, the naming rights to the athletic venue inside the building were renamed the Stratis Arena after a generous donation from alumna Mary Kay Stratis. The arena holds just a tad under 3,000 that, includes 500 chairback seating bleachers and enough parking spots for more than 2,000 vehicles. The building consists of four playing courts, a six-lane, 200-meter track, and the Stratis Lounge that overlooks the main arena and can seat up to 150 guests. Its trademark feature is its tent-like roof design that has hosted three former presidents (George H. W. Bush, Bill Clinton, and Barack Obama) along with an array of campus events, trade shows, and entertainment options. The Knights are members of the Northeast Conference and have made five NCAA Basketball Tournament appearances since 1985. The team has not ranked higher than 15 each year and has yet to win in the postseason tourney. The program's only victory in a tournament was in the NAIA in 1952. Food & Beverage 2 There is a small concession area that serves hot dogs, nachos, and popcorn. There is, at times, pizza offered at the arena, along with frozen treats. The prices are relatively inexpensive and will tide your hunger over until you can grab a bite to eat after the game. Atmosphere 3 The Rothman Center is an interesting-looking building with a roof that is somewhat unique compared to other basketball arenas in the area. The ceiling roof comes together in a series of tan and dark brown triangular pieces that contrast beautifully with white-washed walls. A standard pull-out bleacher section pulls out from both sides. Various championship banners hang from the rafters, along with a centerpiece scoreboard that adds a nice touch to the building. The fans are close enough to the action on the field that you can hear every squeak of a sneaker or drop of sweat fall to the court. When it comes to a pure basketball environment, it is here at the Rothman Center. Neighborhood 3 The FDU campus stretches between the cities of Teaneck and Hackensack. These two cities are a mix of residential and urban. The best part about attending an FDU game is that you are close to many places to eat and shop. The Shops of Riverside is a mall that features well-known chain franchises, including P.F. Chang’s, Cheesecake Factory, Friday’s, Smashburger, and Houston’s. There is also a Hooters and several other local pizza parlors nearby, but the best place for a pie is at Brooklyn Coal-Oven Pizza. It is a must before or after the game with their coal oven pizza and in-house mozzarella, which give their pizza a kind taste at a low price. Also, try the fried ravioli, a somewhat rare treat in this part of the country. If you’re in the mood for more Italian food, then Donn Pomodoro is an excellent choice, especially for brunch on Sundays. Fans 2 A typical crowd for an FDU game is anywhere from 300 to 500 games in an arena that seats about 5,000. The student section does its best to provide a home-court advantage against conference rivals LIU Brooklyn, Wagner, and Saint Francis, but the rather intricately detailed facility deserves more than the sparse crowds. Access 3 The Rothman Center is located on the Metropolitan Campus of FDU and is accessible by either Route 17 or the Garden State Parkway. The arena is on Hackensack Ave. S exit of Route 4 on Temple Ave. There is plenty of parking in the lot, and once inside, it is very easy to get around to all parts of the arena. Return on Investment 3 Visitors have the option of purchasing general admission tickets for $10, reserved seating for $15, or premium courtside seating for $25. The parking is free, and concession items are relatively inexpensive. However, with crowds hovering around 300 to 500 people per game, an FDU game is for the die-hards and alumni only. Extras 2 The arena’s tent-like shape roof and ceiling add a distinctive look to the building, along with the championship banners. The ticket prices are relatively inexpensive, and parking is free for all games. Final Thoughts A game at the Rothman Center is accessible if in North Jersey and won’t break your bank when it comes to pricing–even with its unique roof design and other features–but might be only for the die-hard fan or alumni. ----- Follow all of Marc’s stadium journeys on Twitter @ballparkhunter and his YouTube channel . Email at marc@stadiumjourney.com

Photos by Matt Colville, Stadium Journey / Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.71 Rugg Arena at Heidelberg Gymnasium 1500 Peachtree Street Jackson, MS 39202 Belhaven Blazers website Rugg Arena at Heidelberg Gymnasium website Year Opened: 1950s Capacity: 500 D3 Blazers Belhaven University is a small private Christian university located in Jackson, MS. The college was founded in 1883 through the merger of two schools, Mississippi Synodical College & McComb Female Institute. The school’s current location opened in 1894 in the mansion of former Confederate Colonel Jones S. Hamilton. The mansion was named Belhaven, and hence is how the university got its name. In 1927 a lightning strike destroyed the mansion, which housed the university’s only classrooms – the columns that stand today on the west side of the campus are the only remnants of the old college. The college was originally an all-female institute, however in 1954 males began being admitted the school, with a basketball program being established two years later. The college has a current enrollment of a little over 4,200 students, and fields 15 sports that compete in Division III’s American Southwest Conference (ASC). The Blazers are an odd man out in the conference, as 11 of the 13 schools that compete in the conference are from Texas. Rugg Arena at Heidelberg Gymnasium currently seats around 500 people and is named for Charles A. Rugg, coach of the Blazers basketball team from 1964-1986. The arena originally opened in the 1950’s, but was renovated with the addition of Heidelberg Gymnasium in 1999. The facility now houses a separate gymnasium for intramural teams, weight rooms, an athletic training facility, and locker rooms for football. Food & Beverage 0 There is one permanent stand located in the gym but it was closed during the most recent game I attended. The stand is open for most games though, the reason it was closed on this particular night was the game being during Christmas break and most of the students not being on campus. Atmosphere 2 Rugg Arena at Heidelberg Gymnasium is nice and small and definitely suits the team well, but it’s basically the same style setup you would find at a local city sportsplex or rec center. It’s a squared shaped building in the center of campus with the court facing east and west with one entrance on the south side of the building. As soon as you walk into the building you find yourself already on the concourse less than 20 feet from the playing surface. There is one set of restrooms on this side as well as a small trophy case, plus 6 rows of bleacher style seats on this side of the building which take up the entire south side of the court. The arena has regular bench seating with the seats painted the Blazers colors of green and gold. The north side of the building is filled with the team’s benches and scoring tables, so there is no seating on that side of the arena. Neighborhood 3 Belhaven’s campus is located in a mostly residential area north of downtown. The campus is located a couple blocks from their biggest rival and the team they played on the most recent night I attended, the Millsaps College Majors. While there is nothing within walking distance of the college, just a short drive north will take you to the Fondren District – located near the Ole Miss Med School this is Jackson’s nightlife area, and you will find numerous restaurants and bars on this one block strip, my favorite being Fondren Public. Bocce ball, corn hole, shuffle board, over-sized Jenga and multiple board games can be played inside and outside the bar, so this eatery has a really cool feel to it. There are numerous other bars and restaurants located in Fondren as well, however, such as Pig & Pint (known for its BBQ), Walker’s Drive In, Babalu Tapas & Tacos, and Sal & Mookie’s Pizza. But another bar in the area I recommend checking out is Brent’s Drugs – from the outside it looks like a regular pharmacy, and with the soda fountain inside it’s very reminiscent of a 50’s-style diner. However, in the back there is a speakeasy style bar that was used during the prohibition era – it’s a very interesting bar and it gets pretty packed at night. There are also numerous bars in the downtown area, a couple of miles south of campus, such as Hal and Mal’s, Fenians, and Old Tavern on George Street. In addition, Underground 119 is a cool underground blues bar located in downtown as well. However, the downtown area is not exactly the safest area so use caution when walking after dark. Lakeland Drive is located about a mile north of Belhaven’s campus and you can find all the usual chain restaurants and lodging in that area. For attractions in the area I recommend checking out the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame, which is a very nice interactive museum that doesn’t get too packed during the week, and you could spend hours just walking through all the different exhibits located in the museum. The Hall of Fame is located on Lakeland Drive right next to historic Smith-Wills Stadium, former home of the Jackson Mets and current home of the Belhaven baseball team. Fans 4 One good thing about playing in such a small arena is that the fans are right up on the court engaged in the action, with the farthest rows of seats located only about 15 feet from the court. On the night I most recently attended the Blazers played their crosstown-rival Millsaps College and it was a packed house. Fans were very into the game with the crowd a mix of alumni, students, and teachers from each school. However, the reason fans packed the house on this particular night was because of the rivalry match-up; most games at Belhaven get maybe only about 100 fans in attendance. Access 3 The campus is located north of downtown a couple of blocks west of Interstate 55. If coming from any direction I-55 will be your best option – take the Fortification Street exit and then turn north on Greymont Street, which will run you right into campus. Once on campus Rugg Arena at Heidelberg Gymnasium can be difficult to find as it looks just like the rest of the buildings on campus. The gym is located on the north side of campus right next to the brand new football stadium that opened in 2016. Once inside the arena the concourse is easy to navigate and you should have no trouble walking down and taking a seat. The seating bowl can only hold about 500 fans so walking the concourse, or trying to find somebody in the crowd, won’t be difficult at all. Return on Investment 5 Admission is free, parking is free, and there was no concessions stand open on the night I most recently attended, so this makes a great value for fans. I was able to watch a cross town rivalry game between two schools, one of which was undefeated, for absolutely free. Extras 2 One extra for closeness of the game action – you feel as if you are on top of the action the whole game, and it definitely enhances the atmosphere in the building to be able to sit that close. Another extra point for the World’s Oldest Singing Christmas tree, which is performed on the Belhaven campus every December. What is a singing Christmas tree you ask? It’s exactly what it sounds like – a giant Christmas tree with platforms where people stand and sing. When the Singing Christmas tree started in 1933 it was a first of it’s kind, and today the wood and metal structure can hold over 100 people. Over the years candles have been replaced with LED lights that change colors in various patterns and sequences according to the Christmas carol being sung, which creates a visual spectacle. The tree is set up at the football stadium next door and there are two performances each year. If in the Jackson area on these particular dates (usually during the week after Thanksgiving) I highly recommend checking out the tree. Final Thoughts Rugg Arena at Heidelberg Gymnasium is a very basic, high school-style gym that is small but suits the school quite well. It’s not a bucket list experience that you must visit, but if you are in the area and want to experience a lower-level basketball game then check out a game at Rugg Arena. The Belhaven campus is beautiful campus and is worth checking out.

Photos by Paul Baker, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.43 SNHU Arena 555 Elm St Manchester, NH 03101 Manchester Monarchs website SNHU Arena website Year Opened: 2001 Capacity: 9,852 Uneasy lies the Crown Not that long ago, the Manchester Monarchs were one of the more successful teams in the American Hockey League. The team was a perennial contender for the Calder Cup, sent dozens of players to the parent Los Angeles Kings, and played to near capacity crowds night after night at the Verizon Wireless Arena (now named the SNHU Arena). The Kings’ 2012 and 2014 Stanley Cup teams consisted mostly of players who came up through Manchester. In the summer of 2015 the Monarchs were swept up in the great western migration of the AHL. The Kings, who owned the franchise at the time, decided that having a team on the other side of the continent wasn’t working for them, and moved their primary affiliate to Ontario, California , 45 miles away from the Staples Center . The Monarchs, located over 3,000 miles away in New Hampshire, never stood a chance. The Kings offered Manchester a consolation prize in the form of the Ontario ECHL franchise, which they also owned. New Hampshire hockey fans were slow to warm to the lower level of hockey. Attendance dropped by 20 percent in the Monarchs’ initial ECHL campaign, and has continued to slip in each of the team’s four seasons in the ECHL. In January of 2019, the team’s owners, PPI Sports, who purchased the team in 2016, announced their desire to sell the team. The Monarchs have won one division title and made the playoffs in each of their first three seasons in the ECHL. Food & Beverage 3 Only a pair of permanent concession stands are open, selling hot dogs, burgers, chicken tenders, Italian sausage and pizza. Some unique items, including meatball subs and Caesar salad are also sold at these stands. Snacks, including popcorn, pretzels and peanuts, as well as healthier snacks such as fruit cups and parfaits, round out the menu. Fans looking to save a few dollars can purchase a Kids Meal Deal, which contains a hot dog, kids popcorn, oreo cookie and Tum-E-Yummie. Several portable stands sell Carvel Ice Cream and Dippin’ Dots. Check out one of the beer stands, where a carving station is set up selling freshly sliced roast beef sandwiches. Coca-Cola products are featured at SNHU Arena. Several brands of beer, including Coors Light, Bud Light, Miller Lite, Sam Adams and Labatt’s are sold here. Atmosphere 2 The game day atmosphere is where fans who have not visited Manchester in a while will notice the greatest difference. Not only have the crowds decreased, but many aspects of the game day presentation have disappeared as well. The kids’ zone remains on the concourse, but now consists solely of a single inflatable slap shot cage. The team’s mascot, Max, is hardly seen during the action anymore. No matter how hard they try, a crowd of under 3,000 in a 10,000 seat arena just can’t generate a whole lot of sustained noise or energy. The closed-off upper deck, covered by tarps on both ends, remind long-time fans of better days in the past. The arena’s scoreboard, once considered state of the art, now looks woefully outdated when compared to modern video boards present in so many arenas today. Neighborhood 5 Manchester is New Hampshire’s largest city, located about an hour’s drive northwest of Boston via Interstate 93. SNHU Arena is located on the western edge of the city, adjacent to the downtown region and the Merrimack River. The area around SNHU Arena is safe and walkable. Visiting fans looking for places to eat or drink will find no shortage of options close by. The Central Ale House, located a block from the arena, is a self-serve, pay by the ounce bar with a wide variety of adult beverages to choose from. The Red Arrow Diner is perhaps Manchester’s most famous eatery, having been open for close to a century. During presidential elections, it’s a favorite stop for politicians campaigning in the area and locals alike. There are many hotels located in the downtown area as well. Baseball fans will enjoy the view at the Downtown Hilton, which overlooks Northeast Delta Dental Stadium , home of the AA New Hampshire Fisher Cats. Fans 2 Fans in New Hampshire have not warmed up to ECHL hockey after many years of watching the AHL. Near the end of the 2018-19 season the Monarchs were averaging just over 2,400 fans per game, which ranks them 26th out of the 27 teams in the ECHL. It’s a decrease of 50 percent from the team’s first year in the league, and a far cry from the several years the team averaged over 8,000 fans in the early 2000s. New Hampshire hockey fans are very knowledgeable and passionate, and know their sport. A typical Monarchs crowd will look very much like most minor league hockey crowds, full of families and youth groups mixed in with the die-hard fans. Access 5 SNHU Arena is really simple to find, located about a quarter mile off of Interstate 293 on the edge of downtown. Simply take exit 5 (Canal St.), cross over the Merrimack River, and follow Granite Street up the hill through three sets of traffic lights. The arena will be on your right at the corner of Elm Street. There is a great deal of on-street parking available in the immediate area of SNHU Arena for those fans wanting to save a few dollars. In addition, there are ample garages and lots available for visiting Monarchs fans. A complete map of parking options can be found here . There is no entry lobby at SNHU Arena, which is a glaring omission when visiting during the frigid New Hampshire winter. After passing through a stringent security check, fans will find themselves in front of the arena’s stage and pro shop. A pair of staircases lead to the main concourse. The Monarchs have closed the upper deck due to the small crowds present at Monarchs games. The concourse circles the entire arena, and is easily passable, despite becoming narrow in some spots. Restrooms are more than ample for current Monarchs crowds. Return on Investment 3 Tickets to Monarchs games are sold for $20, which will get you a seat anywhere in the lower bowl. Paying an extra dollar gets you a seat in one of the two center ice sections on either side of the ice. Seniors receive a two dollar discount, children a six dollar discount, and college students a ten dollar discount. Parking in the many garages a short walk from the SNHU Arena costs ten dollars, but frugal hockey fans should search the area around the arena for on-street parking. Meters run until 8 pm Monday-Saturday. On-street parking is free on Sundays. Concession prices are a bit on the high side, but are not unreasonable when compared to other venues in the area. Extras 2 The Kings kept the Calder Cup Banner that the Monarchs won during their final AHL season in Manchester at the SNHU Arena. Hanging next to the Calder Cup banner are two banners listing all the players who played in both Los Angeles and Manchester. Located on the concourse is a display honoring the history of New Hampshire hockey. Final Thoughts It’s sad to see how far support for the Monarchs has eroded in this excellent hockey market. After years of declining attendance and interest, the team is being sold for the second time in three years. The outgoing owners have stated a desire to find local ownership that will keep the team in New Hampshire, but it may be too little too late. At this point, the only thing that may be able to save the team would be an affiliation with the nearby Boston Bruins. Follow Paul Baker’s stadium journeys on Twitter and Instagram @PuckmanRI.

Photos by Pete Dowell, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.86 Sahlen's Stadium at WakeMed Soccer Park 201 Soccer Park Dr Cary, NC 27511 North Carolina FC website Sahlen's Stadium at WakeMed Soccer Park website Year Opened: 2002 Capacity: 10,000 Where's the Excitement Sahlen’s Stadium at WakeMed Soccer Park was originally called State Capital Soccer Park when it opened in 2002. The soccer park has three FIFA regulation fields, one game field, two practice fields and four non FIFA regulation fields in the soccer park complex. The main game field is what was referred to by the using of the soccer parks name (State Capital / SAS / WakeMed Soccer Park) before the main game field received a name. State Capital Soccer Park’s first professional team was The Carolina Courage of the defunct National Women’s Soccer League (WUSA). State Capital Soccer Park was renamed SAS Soccer Park in 2002, renamed WakeMed Soccer Park in 2008 and in 2017 the main game field at WakeMed Soccer Park became Sahlen’s Stadium after Sahlen Packing Company gained the rights to the naming of the main game fields stadium. North Carolina FC of the United Soccer League USL (formerly the Carolina RailHawks of the USL) has been the premiere professional team at Sahlen’s Stadium since 2007. Sahlen’s Stadium was built specifically for FIFA regulation soccer and can seat 10,000 fans. There is not a bad seat in the stadium. North Carolina FC is in the process of trying to win a bid to join the MLS and become one of the elite USA soccer teams and build a state of the art stadium in downtown Raleigh, NC. The Sahlen’s Stadium at WakeMed Soccer Park experience is very tame by general pro soccer standards and may be an issue for admittance into the MLS. Food & Beverage 3 Sahlen’s Stadium at WakeMed Soccer Park offers many of the low end basic stadium food like hot dogs, chips, peanuts, soda’s and beer that mostly can only be purchased with cash. Local chain Backyard Bistro provides higher end foods like pulled pork sandwiches. The lines at the soccer park move fast and the concessions workers are very friendly and helpful. There are two different food stands. One stand has hot dogs and items like candy and chips while the other stand run by Backyard Bistro has items like fries and pulled pork sandwiches. The ice vendor where flavors can be added to the shaved ice is very popular at the game. All of the foods are well prepared and taste fine. A multitude of sodas are offered in the bottle at the main concession stand while Budweiser is the beer served out of a separate cart. I recommend trying a flavored ice treat. The flavored ice is a big hit with everyone at the park. Atmosphere 3 The atmosphere is very tame. The people in attendance are not invested in the game’s outcome and seem to be happy to just spend time out of the house with friends and / or loved ones. The stadium is very well maintained but very basic. A mix of metal bench seating with no backs, molded seating on metal benches with no backs, and molded seating with a back are available. Your seating will be determined by the type of seat you purchase for the game. There are only two built in structures for the sale of fan merchandise / food. There is a small but adequate digital score board / entertainment screen that shows scores, replays of the action and crowd shots.There is a built in second level press box and a second level premium seating.There is also third level seating that was not used during this game.This stadium feels more like a nice non-university college field than a pro team’s home field. The Oak City Supporters and Triangle Soccer Fanatics are support groups that are passionate about their team and prove it the entire game. The support groups are located in the south stands in sections 204 – 205 and are the highlight of the game as they jump around and belt out songs that fit how they feel about their team and what’s going on during the game. It was Wizard night the evening of this review and at half time two teams played Harry Potter’s favorite game Quidditch. No one paid any attention to the half time game. I recommend sitting in either of the mid field sections 105 – 106 & 305 – 306 so that you can get an even view of the entire field.During evening games sections 301-310 get a direct blast of sunlight while sections 101-110 get some shade and are the place to sit for evening games.There is an area called The Owners Club that has premium seating that will provide shade and it’s located behind sections 303 – 308. Neighborhood 4 Sahlen’s Stadium at WakeMed Soccer Park is located in Cary, NC a suburb of Raleigh, NC. Sahlen’s Stadium at WakeMed Soccer Park is located in the middle of a green area that transitions from HWY 40 to the shopping and homes of Cary, NC. There are a few places to eat within a mile drive of the stadium but nothing so close that it would be an easy walk. A short drive of five or less miles from the stadium will provide food choices ranging from fast food chains to a fancy four course meal restaurants. If staying in town for a few days during the soccer season I would recommend one of the free outdoor activities that can be found at one of the local nature and wildlife areas or one of the small local museums. Cary, NC is not a hotbed of action but does have many beautiful natural sites and is just outside of Raleigh which has loads of things to do. Raleigh, NC has natural sites, world class experiences and museums all within 10 – 15 miles of the stadium. I recommend trying Bella Monica for an early dinner before a game. Bella Monica is a mid-range priced Italian restaurant located just under five miles from the stadium with great food. I also recommend Dave & Buster’s for before or after a game for okay food with games and fun just 2.5 miles from the stadium. I recommend fishing, hiking, picnicking, and boating at Lake Johnson. Lake Johnson is located five miles from the stadium. I also recommend art viewing at the North Carolina Museum of Art. The North Carolina Museum of Art is located five miles from the stadium. I recommend staying at Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites Raleigh / Cary. Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites Raleigh / Cary is located 4.5 miles from the stadium and provides all the mid-range amenities and comforts that this chain is known for.I also can recommend Best Western Plus Cary Inn.Best Western Plus Cary Inn is located five miles from the stadium and provides a safe and comfortable place to rest if you have a lower budget. Fans 2 Most of the fans seem to be indifferent concerning the outcome of the game. According to Soccer Stadium Digest North Carolina FC is in the middle of USL attendance ranking #17 out of 33 USL teams. So far in 2018, the 10,000 seat Sahlen’s Stadium at WakeMed Soccer Park is averaging 3,693 seats filled per game. Besides the Oak City Supporters and Triangle Soccer Fanatics support groups the fans don’t get very loud or excited for most of the game. Most of the fans seem happy to be out of the house. Fans somewhat watch the game but mostly just enjoy the soccer parks food and sights. Access 4 The stadiums lower areas are very accessible and have ramps and special seating for handicapped people. The stadiums upper level seating only has cramped, steep steps for access. The North Carolina FC provides transportation with snacks free of charge to fans on game day to and from the game. Go to North Carolina FC Express to see the multiple pickup and drop-off locations and requirements to ride. Free General Parking is located in Lot C. There are many lot attendants to direct fans through the paved and unpaved parking area on game day. A map of the parking areas can be found at North Carolina FA Parking . There is one entrance with a few workers scanning tickets for entrance. There are off duty police officers providing security and lightly checking purses and bags coming into the stadium area. There are no digital tickets and tickets purchased online can be picked up at Will Call or printed at home. The entrance area is where the concessions stands are located and the area is large enough that fans move around freely shopping, looking around and finding their way to their seats. There is a great view of the field as soon as you have your ticket scanned and enter the stadium as well as concessions and bathrooms. All of the facilities are clean and well maintained. Return on Investment 3 Sahlen’s Stadium at WakeMed Soccer Park provides entertainment that the whole family can go to. This entertainment might be slightly pricey for some considering the tame atmosphere of this venue. The cost of admission for regular season games range from $10 – $69 per seat. The cost of a food item (hot dog / sandwich) and a drink item (soda / beer) together will range from $10 – $20. The parking is free. The entrance prices are okay but the entertainment is less than what live pro sports should be. Money can be saved on tickets by purchasing season tickets or a multi game flex package. Extras 1 Minor league soccer always surprises me with the number of in-game promotions. Unlike minor league baseball or hockey, there are no game stoppages during which to run promos.The team, like other NASL and USL teams, announce games and contests while the ball is in play. Final Thoughts I went expecting more excitement and fan participation and what I got was a tame unappreciated soccer game.I’m not sure if the atmosphere that I experienced will be helpful in North Carolina FC’s push to become one of the newest MLS teams in the near future.

Photos by Marc Viquez, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.71 Salem Kiwanis Field 731 Indiana St Salem, VA 24153 American Legion Post 3 website Salem Kiwanis Field website Year Opened: 1932 Capacity: 5,000 An Old Classic in Salem, Virginia When I was driving to Memorial Stadium in Salem, Virginia, I stumbled upon another ballpark. I had thought I found the correct baseball stadium but quickly found out that I was someplace else. I was about a half mile from my intended destination, but this older venue caught my eye. It had some character and quirky dimensions and looked like it had been here for quite some time, the ballpark was Salem Kiwanis Stadium. Originally known as Salem Memorial Ballpark, the ballpark debuted in 1932 and offers a seating capacity of 5,000. It served home to numerous minor league franchises that included the Salem Friends, Rebels, Pirates, Redbirds, Buccaneers, and the Avalanche. The stadium’s current name was changed in 1995 since the new stadium’s site was previously owned by the Kiwanis Club; the old park took the Kiwanis name shortly after Memorial Stadium debuted. The University of Roanoke, Salem High School, Andrew Lewis Middle School, USSSA Events, American Legion Post 3 and the Roanoke Rails (Carolina-Virginia Collegiate League) all utilize the 87-year-old stadium for games and practice. A full-time staff does nothing but upkeep the stadium that is home to 200-300 games between January and November. The facility also has time to host a variety of non-baseball events that include music, food, and beer festivals. Perhaps the stadium’s darkest moment occurred on August 22, 1974, when Pittsburgh Pirates top prospect Alfredo Edmead was fatally killed after diving for a pop fly in right field and colliding with his second baseman in a game against the Rocky Mount Phillies. The game was stopped for 20 minutes and a crowd of 937 on hand were unaware of the severity of the incident. Edmead would be pronounced dead at the hospital and the following year a plaque was erected at the stadium in his memory that is now located at Salem Memorial Stadium up the road. The influx of baseball gives the old-time ballpark much needed service and perhaps provides a nice alternative to the minor league ballpark just less than a mile up the road. However, unlike many other older venues that meet the wrecking ball after a modern facility is built, Kiwanis Stadium kept on being home to baseball in the Roanoke Valley. Food & Beverage 3 The ballpark offers a small concession stand that offers more than enough items to keep you full during a ball game. They include hot dogs, chili dogs, barbecue sandwiches with slaw, nachos, super nachos (chili, onions, and jalapenos), hamburgers, popcorn, peanuts, and pretzels (salted and unslated). A hot dog is the cheapest item at $2.50 and the super nachoss will cost $5. Pepsi products are available and also include Dr. Pepper, Root Beer, and Orange Crush sodas for $2 to $3 each. If you want something do dessert the concession stand offers ice cream sandwiches, nutty buddy, freeze pop, and bomb pop for $1 each. Atmosphere 3 There is a sense of history at the ballpark that includes old, wooden seats with chipped paint that creak when you pull them down, a covered grandstand that dominates the grandstand, and quite a large amount of foul territory behind home plate. The area behind home plate also includes light towers that are in play and are padded for protection. The foul territory is due mostly to the design of the grandstand that does not feature a traditional curve and is embedded into a hill. This is partially due to the stadium being home to high school football, so less of a curve is beneficial for the gridiron, but it does make an impression to first-time visitors during the summer months. The entire grandstand is spread almost flat against the grassy hill behind it. The seating underneath the grandstand appears to be at least 60 to 70-years-old and are colored blue and scarlet red. There is bleacher seating down each baseline that is not covered by the roof of the grandstand. A simple scoreboard exists in left field and the views of the Allegheny and Blue Ridge Mountains dominate the scenery in the distance. Neighborhood 3 The home of the Salem Red Sox, Memorial Ballpark, is located just up the road less than a mile away from Salem Stadium, if scheduling permits, one can enjoy a doubleheader during a visit to the city. The town of Salem does offer enough activities to enjoy during an overnight stay or if you have a few days on your journey. There are plenty of attractions that include the Salem Historical Museum, Salem Market, and Longwood Park. The Salem Fair takes place the first week of July and includes fireworks during Independence Day. Dixie Caverns allows visitors to explore underneath the earth and a quick ride to nearby Roanoke features the Pinball Museum and Valley Greenways. Restaurant options in Salem include Blue Apron, Mac and Bob’s, Cafe Xpress, Macado’s, Local Roots, and Zorbas. If you are a craft brew enthusiast, they have you covered with Parkway, Olde Salem, and Big Lick Brewing Company. Salem offers a majority of major and regional hotel chains for your lodging pleasure. A majority of convenient locations are off of I-81 that runs north and south of the Roanoke Valley. Fans 2 American Legion games attract a loyal audience of family members, friends, coaches and peers from school. Despite the massive size of the stadium, the atmosphere is up close and personal. You could hear every banter, the ping of the ball off the bat, and the ball in the leather of the glove. The cheering from the fans provides a nice backdrop to all of this and one needs to be reminded to sit back and relax–similar to taking in a game at Mirmow Field in Orangeburg, South Carolina. Access 3 The parking lot is located behind the left field corner of the stadium and it does require somewhat of a steep climb to the main entrance of the stadium–it was built in a hill. There is a ramp that leads patrons to the main concourse. Once inside, there is plenty of room to move around and find the right spot for the game. Return on Investment 3 The price of a ticket for legion baseball is $8 a person, that price could differ for other events at the stadium. Not a terrible price, but the cost of a Salem Red Sox game up the street is $8 for general admission. The parking is free and concession prices are inexpensive. The investment is enjoying a baseball game at an old cranky ballpark that has a lot of life left in it. Extras 2 Salem Kiwanis Stadium earns a point for its views of the Blue Ridge and Allegheny Mountains–a beautiful backdrop in any stadium. The ballpark receives a second point for its odd dimensions that includes being built into a hill and offering old, wooden seats that could probably share quite a bit of history if they had the ability to talk. Final Thoughts I discovered Kiwanis Stadium by accident and its great to know that the place is still standing offering many days of baseball during both the spring and season. Its location near Memorial Stadium also makes it viable for a quick trip inside for a game. A ballpark of its caliber is definitely past its prime for the professional ranks, but it’s nice to know that if you ever want to step back in time, you have the ability in Salem, Virginia.

Photos by Andrew Kulyk, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.43 SaskTel Centre 3515 Thacher Ave. Saskatoon, SK S7R 1C4 Saskatoon Blades website SaskTel Centre website Year Opened: 1988 Capacity: 15,195 Blades of Glory True story. Back in 1983, a Saskatoon-based investment group put together a deal to buy the NHL St. Louis Blues and move them to Saskatoon, a city that was off the grid for most hockey fans. Plans were put in place for a new arena to replace a dated historic downtown venue that had served the city well. Front office staffers were hired, and moving plans were put in place. And then it all derailed when the NHL Board of Governors refused to support the move. Lawsuits went flying from all sides, and in the end the Blues stayed put in St. Louis. Out of the disappointment of that debacle came a gleaming new arena and showplace for hockey in Saskatoon, an arena initially dubbed Saskatchewan Place. Fans who liked the old and creaky downtown barn weren’t happy with the move. But with numerous renovations, expansions, and now a showplace for some major events, the arena is now embraced within the community. Their principal tenants, the WHL Saskatoon Blades, are one of the charter franchises of the Western Hockey League, now going on 50 years as an anchor of that junior league. Add the newly relocated Saskatchewan Rush of the National Lacrosse League (NLL), a team drawing sellouts, including opening up the upper deck. Food & Beverage 3 Concession stands are amply scattered throughout the single main concourse, and nothing exceptional really stands out among the food choices. A barbecue stand offers BBQ brisket on a bun, BBQ chicken burger, and BBQ pulled pork sandwich ($6.75) along with BBQ pulled pork poutine ($6). There are also the standard hot dogs, foot longs, burgers, pizza and fries. Taco in a bag ($4.75) seems to be a popular item in these parts, and also a mention for the parmesan garlic fries ($5). One can also have the kettle chips topped with parmesan garlic if you ask. Pepsi products are served, and the beer selection is skimpy. Atmosphere 3 The biggest minus is the sheer lack of big crowds to ramp up the noise. With the size of the building, on most nights the upper deck is cordoned off with a huge curtain, placing the patrons in the lower seating areas. Even with an average crowd of 5,000, that does not fill the place, so the energy and noise is a bit muted and subdued. The fans who do make it here are spirited and knowledgeable. This is a Canadian prairie city with a good number of favorite hockey sons who made it big from this region, and another good number of marquee players who came through here. Neighborhood 2 Ugh. Place an arena in the middle of an industrial and office park, surround it with acres of parking, road access right through these desolate parks and onto area freeways, and to top it all off, the flatness and emptiness of airport runways just a mile or so to the southwest. There is absolutely no charm or elegance at all to the Sasktel Centre neighborhood, and one could only imagine how much nicer things would be if this identical structure was placed somewhere downtown, where there seems to be ample space. Most of the good eateries are a couple miles south of the arena straddling Circle Drive (Rt 16). Recommendations include Fox and Hounds Pub and Brewery, or Birmingham’s Vodka and Ale House. Try Grainfield’s Family Restaurant if you’re looking for comfort food and some local memorabilia, and even a treasure trove of trivia on the menu. Fans 4 The fans who support the Blades, and for that matter, supporters of visiting teams who make the trip for nearby rival cities like Swift Current and Prince Albert, are passionate and know their hockey. A good game night presentation adds to the fun, with a big furry white haired mascot named Poke Check working the crowd. There is just the appropriate level of music bumps and clever videos without being overwhelming. Access 4 If you have a car you are golden. Head north from the city and follow the signs to the arena off of the well marked road off of either Highway 11 or Highway 16 which split off just before the arena exits. There is parking on all sides of the arena and entry and exit from the parking lots are seamless. There is express shuttle public transportation service from the City Centre Transit Hub to SOME events at the Sasktel Centre. Best to check in at the City Centre Transit website before making plans to ride the bus. Return on Investment 5 Tickets start from $10, and run up to as high as $31 for the top tier premium seats. Here’s an advance notice – purchase them before the day of the game and you’ll save $2-$3 per ticket. Parking is free, with the exception of a small VIP lot where patrons can pre purchase parking right outside the door. With vast amounts of parking surrounding the building that seems like a waste of money. Concession prices are on the reasonable side. Extras 3 Saskatchewan’s true favorite son is hockey icon Gordie Howe, and his statue is on the entrance plaza on the west entrance to the building, providing a good photo opportunity. WHL division and championship banners hang smartly across the rooflines of the seating bowl. And another star for a series of bronze plaques in one section of the end zone concourse, memorializing the two IIHF World Juniors that this building has hosted, along with the Brier Curling Championships. The venue was also the host for the 2013 Memorial Cup. Final Thoughts In a league which runs the gamut of arenas from little more than an oversized community rink to the opulence of Edmonton’s Rogers Place , Saskatoon has itself a venue which has weathered well in its 30 years of existence, and has a “big league” feel even as a host for a junior team. The addition of indoor lacrosse has bolstered the building’s standing, even though the NLL is for the most part a shambles with its shifting franchises and lack of national sports legitimacy. No matter, fans pack the place. All in all, a visit to the Sasktel Centre is a must do when visiting the region.

Photo Courtesy of Bison Illustrated Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.00 Scheels Center 1600 University Dr N Fargo, ND 58102 North Dakota State Bison website Scheels Center website Year Opened: 1970 Capacity: 6,000 Bison Basketball Winters in Fargo, North Dakota are notoriously long, dark, cold, and brutally windy, but that doesn’t stop the devoted fans of NDSU from coming out to support their beloved Bison basketball team. Sporting their green and yellow, Bison fans escape the cold by staggering into the Scheels Center a multi-use sports complex outfitted for numerous sports including basketball and track. The arena first opened for the 1970-71 season, and despite a few technological upgrades, it has remained fairly unchanged. Many details throughout the arena make the age very noticeable, a fact that does not escape the attention of the NDSU athletic department staff. They are on the verge of securing $32 million in private donations in order to improve the Bison Sports Arena, among other athletic buildings around campus. Until the renovations are complete, Bison fans are left to cope with an arena that struggles to identify itself as a basketball arena, instead of a multi-use sports complex. Food & Beverage 2 The Scheels Center offers your normal concession food choices, and not much more. They offer hot dogs, popcorn, and candy as their mainstays. However they do offer brats in both regular and Cajun flavor. The Cajun brat was a little soggy and not overly spicy, but fairly tasty nonetheless. If you find your Cajun brat too spicy, the concession stand offers Pepsi products to alleviate the burn, however, no alcohol is served in the arena. Drinks, like the food options are all very inexpensive. Most items at the main concession stand are priced between $2 and $4. The crowd favorite appears to be the Dippin’ Dots stand that is set up right before tip-off. The lines swelled at their stand during halftime, so if you are craving some ice cream, get down there quickly. Atmosphere 2 Since the arena is a multi-sports complex, they struggle providing the intimate fan experience like some arenas can offer. With the indoor track encompassing the court, the building is much larger than need be for basketball. The staff has gone to great lengths to make the arena not feel as cavernous by shutting off the lights behind the bleachers. The staff also installed large banners that provide a better sense of a closed off feeling, but it is still hard to forget that you are inside an indoor track. The majority of seats throughout the arena are wooden bleachers; they do have some seats with backs. Among the sections with backs on the seats, some do have obstructed-views due to support beams. Most of the atmosphere in the building is provided by the school’s pep band. They are small in number but large in sound. NDSU also has a large contingent of cheerleaders that are involved throughout the entire game. Most of the technological features in the arena were updated in 2005. They have two video boards that face each side of the court, and two digital scoreboards that are located at each end of the court. The sound system however left much to be desired. It was quiet, hard to hear, and not very clear. Neighborhood 3 The Scheel Center is positioned right in the heart of the NDSU campus. The campus is located in a mostly residential section of Fargo; however there are several bars and restaurants around campus that you can visit before or after the game. The resounding favorite seems to be The Turf Restaurant & Bar located about a mile from the arena. At The Turf, you can pick up a huge 32 ounce tap beer for less than five dollars, which goes great when coupled with their jalapeno cheese nuggets. There are also many fast food restaurants around too, including McDonalds, Taco Bell, Subway and Jimmy Johns. Fans 4 The fans are very knowledgeable and friendly in Fargo. They are more than willing to help you out by providing advice on where to go, what to see, and what to do while in town. The fans are not overly loud while in their arena, but that could be due to the fact that there were very few students in attendance during my most recent visit because it was a holiday weekend. Bison fans do have a tradition of standing until their beloved Bison make their first basket which provides a strong sense of solidarity between the fans and their team. Access 4 There are a number of parking lots around the arena and few, if any, charge fees to park. Once inside the arena, there is plenty of space to walk around without bumping into people, so much space in fact that many kids are running around, and some even throw a football around. In the arena, there are only a couple restrooms, but they are well-kept, clean, and stay relatively empty except during halftime. Due to the fact that the concourse, restrooms, concessions, and playing surface are all on the same level, the arena is very handicap accessible and allows ease of movement throughout. Return on Investment 4 Tickets to a Bison basketball game will run you between $10-$15 for general admission adult’s ticket and $5 for youth tickets. When you combine the price of the ticket, free parking, and inexpensive concession stands, a family of four can go to a Bison basketball for about the same price, if not cheaper than, a trip to the movies. Taking in a Bison basketball game is a great way to spend a cold winter’s night in Fargo without breaking the bank. Extras 2 One hidden gem of the Scheels Center is the Bison Hall of Fame that is hidden underneath the bleachers. It hosts a number of the NDSU trophies that they have won throughout the years. The Bison Hall of Fame also houses old field turf from one of the endzones of the Fargodome, which is the home of the famed Bison football team. The hall of fame is a definite must-see if you visit the arena.

Photos by Greg Johnston, Stadium Journey Stadium Info Fanfare Score: 3.57 Scotiabank Centre 1800 Argyle St Halifax, NS B3J 2V9 Halifax Thunderbirds website Scotiabank Centre website Year Opened: 1978 Capacity: 10,595 You’ve Been Thunderstruck Halifax, Nova Scotia has quickly become an enticing city for attracting professional sports franchises.​ Following the lead of the Halifax Hurricanes (National Basketball League of Canada) and HFX Wanderers (Canadian Premier League), along with rumors of the Atlantic Schooners (Canadian Football League) kicking off play in a few years, Curt Styres pursued an opportunity to relocate his National Lacrosse League’s (NLL) franchise. ​The Halifax Thunderbirds commenced play at Scotiabank Centre in 2019 after twenty-five seasons competing in Rochester, New York. Formally known as the Knighthawks, the team celebrated much success on the field winning five championships (1997, 2007, 2012, 2013 & 2014) and ten division titles. In an unusual turn of events, the Knighthawks are still in existence, but now as an expansion team with new owners, players and logo. The records and championships belong to the Thunderbird franchise. What is a thunderbird? In Indigious cultures, a thunderbird is a mythical creature, and a symbol for strength and power. A fitting name for a team playing an indigious game on native lands. Originally opened as the Halifax Metro Centre in 1978, Scotiabank Centre has undergone multiple renovations to keep the venue up-to-date and attract major events. The most significant renovations came in 2015, inconsequentially, when the Scotiabank took over the naming rights. With the addition of the Thunderbirds, the arena is now home to three major tenants, including the Halifax Mooseheads (QMJHL) and the Halifax Hurricanes . With a capacity of 10,500, Scotiabank Centre is amongst the smallest in the NLL. Food & Beverage 4 Scotiabank Centre offers an expansive variety of unique food options that rival venues with higher capacities. Canadian and Maritime classics such as Poutine (Cavendish fries, beef gravy and cheese curds) and Donairs (spiced beef shaved from a spit and served on a gyro with tomatoes, onions and donair sauce) are available ​a-la-cart ​ or in a combo with chips and a Pepsi product. Other unique offerings include: mac & cheese (with or without fried chicken), footlong hot dogs, $5 sandwiches, a butter chicken bowl and burrito bowls. Look for most of these concessions in the wide plaza area behind section nine. Traditional stadium food choices include: individual pizzas, hot dogs, hamburgers, chicken fingers, nachos, popcorn and candy. Alcoholic beverages are $7.25 for a 14-ounce domestic draft (Bud, Bud Light & Alexander Keith’s), and $2 more for 20 ounces. Alexander Keith’s also has their own kiosk offering craft brews, including the Lunenburg Coffee Stout and Highland Pilsner starting at $8.25. Cocktails can be “shaken or stirred” at the bar located outside section eight. Vendors rarely walk the seating area, so you’ll likely need to visit a concession stand for a desired item. Outside food and beverages are not allowed in the arena. Bring an empty water bottle and fill it up at one of the multiple water fountains available around the concourse. Overall, the concessions are well maintained and clean, with enough food and drink options to satisfy your cravings. Atmosphere 4 Largely due to its downtown location, with plenty of bars and restaurants nearby, the game day atmosphere outside Scotiabank Centre can prepare you for the thrilling action on the field. With the brick and glass bottom, concrete paneled top, and hints of the concrete seating area viewed from underneath, the arena is clearly distinguishable from Citadel Hill and Brunswick Street. Topography slopes down quickly around the sides of the building where the architecture is not as pronounced. However, large illuminated “Scotiabank Centre” signs were added to the blank facade, which can clearly be seen from Rogers Square, located a few blocks away down Grafton Street. Once inside Scotiabank Centre there is a “big-event” feel to the atmosphere. Walking around the concourse provides a variety of visual experiences. The side concourses are closed off from viewing the game; however, walk to the ends of the arena and suddenly you’re one with the crowd and have a full view of game action. The lower seating bowl offers great viewing angles to catch all the plays, without fans in front of you obstructing your view. The playing field is surrounded by 16 to 22 rows of seats; however, legroom is an issue no matter where you sit. If you consider yourself of average height or taller, avoid rows 19 thru 22. These rows were not part of the original arena design, but instead were squeezed in as part of a renovation years ago. This renovation closed off a walkway inside the seating bowl, resulting in more congestion on the concourse. Also, be aware of some obstructed view seats in sections 13 thru 17 (rows Q through S) due to metal posts supporting the skyboxes. An upper level is located on both sides of the playing field, consisting of 21 rows with decent viewing angles in the lower rows. Avoid seats next to the aisle in rows A thru G since the railing located at the bottom of the aisle may be right at your eye level. Also, stay clear of the top 16 rows (rows H thru W); hanging skyboxes diminish the game atmosphere and the scoreboard/video board over centre ice is not visible. A scoreboard and video board is projected on the backside of the skyboxes, but the acoustics are awkward and you feel distant from the action. Over forty skyboxes are located in a horseshoe style around the field of play. Handicap seating is available nearly all the way around the seating bowl at the concourse level. New seats were added as part of the 2015 renovations. They are larger, padded, comfortable, and are equipped with cup holders. The four-sided scoreboard hanging from the rafters is new as of 2019. This crisp, clear jumbotron is a welcome improvement and accentuates the atmosphere as exciting graphics are displayed after a big play. Scoreboard at Scotiabank Centre, Photo by Greg Johnston, Stadium Journey The Thunderbirds have done a fantastic job celebrating the roots and culture of the Maritime region, not just through their name and logo, but also during the pre-game ceremony. Prior to the Thunderbirds taking the field, a high-tech video production introduces the players and creates a sense of what’s to come. Afterwards, bagpipers play and march from the concourse to the field where traditional Scottish dancers represent and help celebrate the Scottish roots of Nova Scotia. In-game promotions and entertainment keep you involved during breaks in the action. Free programs with information regarding both teams’ players and records are available on the concourse. The Thunderbirds’ dance team performs a few times prior to the game and during game breaks.The Thunderbird mascot, Bolt, roams the arena stopping for selfies and other fan interactions along the way. Arena acoustics are fairly good, unless you are seated in the back rows of the upper level. Upbeat music is played seemingly non-stop during play which is an NLL staple. The music helps keep the crowd’s energy up. The fans especially seem to respond well with loud rhythmic clapping whenever a classic Maritime song like “Barrett’s Privateers” (by Stan Rogers) plays over the loudspeaker. Neighborhood 5 Halifax has a rich history to learn and explore. As stated by the public address announcer prior to a game, Halifax lies on Indigenous lands belonging to the Mi’kmaq before the British settlers arrived and developed the area. For a few hundred years, Halifax was an important British army and navy base to help protect against potential French invaders. Halifax Harbour is naturally protected from the ocean, and is the second largest natural harbour in the world. Thousands of immigrants came to Halifax to find work in the fishing, shipping, and trading industry created by the protected harbour. In 1912, Halifax played an important role in rescue efforts following the sinking of the Titanic. In 1917, the city suffered a tragic event itself, when two ships collided in the harbour. One of those ships was full of ammunition, causing an enormous explosion that killed 2,000 people and destroyed a large part of the city. Check out the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic to learn about these fascinating events. Downtown Halifax is located on a steep hill, which slopes from the Halifax Harbour to Citadel Hill. The arena is integrated into the hill, which makes the arena look smaller from the outside than it actually is. Downtown Halifax is evolving into a popular destination again after years of dormant construction throughout the 1990’s and early 2000’s. If you want to grab a drink and a bite before or after the game, Argyle Street is a great area full of options with Antojo, Pint Public House & Gahan Restaurant all excellent choices. For a relaxed atmosphere during your stay, take a walk on the boardwalk along the Halifax Harbour; see some historic architecture, high-end restaurants, and the Halifax Seaport Farmers Market. All of these destinations are within a 5-15 minute walk from the arena, making it a great location for the season ticket holder or a tourist. The Hampton Inn by Hilton and the Prince George Hotel are both located less than a block away from the arena. Plenty of other hotel options are scattered around the city depending on your desired price range and location. Fans 3 The Thunderbirds first game in Halifax came less than a year after the relocation announcement in early 2019. So naturally the franchise needed to work hard to attract and develop a loyal local fan base. In such a short time, it’s obvious the marketing folks have done a great job promoting the sport and franchise to a wide range of demographics. Every home game has a promotional theme including First Nations Night, University Student Night, a Salute to Veterans Night, among others. Through the first few home games, Thunderbirds attendance has averaged 6,500 spectators. Though some markets draw over 10,000 patrons per game, Halifax attendance ranks a respectable 8th out of the 13 franchises. Thunderbirds attract fans of all ages, from young families, young adults on a date, and long-time friends. Fans tend to be pretty quiet and respectful outside of a home goal or a big hit. The crowd (with help from the public address announcer) could easily create some unique traditions or chants during the game, and there’s little doubt the scores have potential to improve as the loyal fan base continues to develop. Access 4 Direct flights to Halifax are available from most major Canadian cities, and a few American cities in the Eastern Time Zone. Though Halifax looks close to the United States on maps, a drive from Portland, Maine would take around ten hours due to a lack of a direct route. However, the drive is beautiful no matter where you are coming from. When you arrive downtown, you are only minutes from the arena. It is easy to get there by foot or car. Two parking garages are within a block of Scotiabank Centre for $8, and metered parking is free on weekends and after six pm on weekdays. Metro Transit is another great way to get to the game. Several routes from all over the municipality converge into downtown for $2.75. Halifax is known for wet and icy winter weather conditions. Fortunately pedestrians can stay dry and not risk slipping on ice by using the “Halifax Link” indoor path system. See ​ Halifax Link’s map here . Though there is not a dedicated main entrance, the most popular entrance is on the low (east) side of the arena. Stairs or ramps take you into an atrium where the Box Office, Will Call, and entrance to the Nova Scotia Sport Hall of Fame are located. However, prepare for a stair-hike if you enter the arena from this atrium. The entrances along Brunswick Street may be easier and less congested if you already have your ticket. The easiest wheelchair accessible entrance is from the Brunswick and Duke Street corner where the doors are level with the concourse. Once doors open, access around the arena is simple and straightforward. The concourse is a continuous 360 degrees around the field on an even level. Finding your seat should not be difficult, as plenty of helpful signs point you to the sections. The east side of the arena is open, wide and grand. Part of it was an alleyway that used to separate the arena and the former convention centre. This additional concourse space has a relaxed feel with tables to stand at and enjoy your drink and/or meal. Restrooms are clean and fairly large due to a 2015 renovation. Some restrooms are located on another level of the arena, so watch for signs. Return on Investment 3 Tickets can be purchased at the box office inside Scotiabank Centre or online through the team website. Ticket prices are more expensive than Halifax residents are used to for other local sports teams, and the “best seats” appear to be slightly higher than other NLL franchises in similar markets. An adult seat ranges from $28-$81 depending on your seat location preference. University student tickets range from $17.25-$23. Children 12 and under are a flat rate $23. And accessible seating is a flat $11.50 per ticket. Tickets for an applicable promotional night can save you around 50% on tickets. Purchasing group tickets saves money and includes incentives like field admission prior to the game. Other ticket buying options include discounts for fundraiser nights, senior citizens discount games, two-game rivalry pacts, season tickets, and “family section” tickets, which is a family season ticket in a dedicated area close to washrooms. Extras 2 An extra point for the incredible job the franchise does recognizing and celebrating the many historical and cultural aspects the Halifax region represents. Another for the Nova Scotia Sport Hall of Fame. The entrance is through the atrium, and admission is free with a game ticket. The Sidney Crosby exhibit is a must see.” Final Thoughts Indoor lacrosse is one of the most high intensity and thrilling sports you can watch. The game has a long history, as it was first introduced by the First Nations and now is the official summer sport of Canada. For fans who have yet to witness an NLL game live, it’s well worth spending an evening with loved ones or great friends to take in the excitement. Hopefully the Thunderbird franchise will continue to develop fan experience to maintain and build the local fan base.

Photos by Gregory Koch, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.00 Shaw Field 3700 O Street NW Washington, DC 20007 Georgetown Hoyas website Shaw Field website Year Opened: 1996 Capacity: 1,625 Hoya Soccer at Shaw Shaw Field, formerly known as North Kehoe Field, is the home to the Georgetown Hoyas men’s and women’s soccer teams. Although it opened in 1996, it was only used for practice for the first five years of its existence. In 2001, the Hoyas began playing their games there as well. Shaw Field underwent significant renovations in 2012, including a new scoreboard and an updated seating area with chair backs. Georgetown’s school colors, blue and gray, date back to just after the Civil War, when Union blue and Confederate gray were chosen in an effort to unify both the school, which had students who had fought on both sides, and the nation as a whole. Food & Beverage 3 There is a small tent at one end of the concourse that serves your basic concessions. Those looking for a main course can buy hot dogs ($3), nachos ($5), or hamburgers ($5, with cheese optional at no additional cost.) Snacks include popcorn ($4), pretzels ($3), chips ($1), and candy ($2-$3.) Lemonade and Powerade (listed on the sign as Gatorade) are $4 each, while bottled water and soda are $2 each. Credit cards and cash are accepted. Concession Tent at Shaw Field, Photo by Gregory Koch, Stadium Journey Atmosphere 3 All seats at Shaw Field are chair backs bolted onto bleachers, and all of them are on the same side of the stadium. Seating is general admission, so be sure to arrive early if you want to stake out your choice of seats. There is a scoreboard in the corner of the field which also shows the number of shots each team has taken so far. The Hoyas have previously held unusual promotions at soccer games such as Millennial Day, where the first 500 fans in attendance (basically anyone who arrived on time) received participation trophies and no verbal communication was permitted in the “Millennial Communication Section,” only texting. However, these have been the exception rather than the rule, and usually there is not much going on other than the game itself. Part of this is due to the nature of soccer, with no interruptions, but there is also no halftime entertainment or other things going on like you would see at some places. However, considering this is college soccer we’re talking about, not basketball or football, this is about what you’d expect. It would be nice to see the team do more of these unusual promotions, or at least some sort of regular promotions to improve the atmosphere, but for now, they’re few and far between. Neighborhood 5 Shaw Field is located in the middle of the Georgetown campus, and you’ll probably have to head off campus to really do anything. However, the Georgetown neighborhood (which lends its name to the school, not the other way around) is one of the best in D.C. There are numerous restaurants ranging from casual sandwich shop Booeymonger’s to luxurious upscale restaurants such as 1789, and everything in between. All of this is located just a short walk or drive away from the University. If you’re willing to head downtown to the National Mall area, the District has so much more to offer, and the best part is that most of it is free. Whether it’s taking in the sights and monuments on the Mall itself, or visiting one of the many museums such as the various Smithsonians, there’s something for everyone. All of the government-run attractions are free, but some of the private ones are not. Just keep in mind if you wish to tour the White House or Capitol, you will need to book in advance. Fans 3 Although college soccer really isn’t all that popular in most of the country, the Hoyas manage to draw a decent crowd to Shaw Field, consisting of everyone from longtime Hoya supporters to families with young children. The place rarely comes close to filling up, but it won’t be deserted, either. There is a small student presence at most games, and they will typically stand behind the goal. Unfortunately, they don’t seem to get too involved. Fans can get loud and involved at times, but at other moments it will be dead silent here. Small Student Section at Shaw Field, Photo by Gregory Koch, Stadium Journey Access 3 Parking for Shaw Field is available in the Southwest Garage, just past the entrance gates to campus. Parking is free on weekends but is a pricey $5/hour on weekdays. Once you exit the garage, you will need to walk up a large hill and several flights of steps to get to the stadium. The good news is that once you’re in the stadium, you should have no problem moving around. There are no permanent restrooms at Shaw Field, just a few port-a-potties outside it. Return on Investment 2 Tickets are $10 for adults, or $5 for youth and military. This is a bit on the high end for college soccer, and admission is even free at many places. How much you pay for parking will vary widely depending on when you visit, so if possible, come on a weekend or university holiday to maximize your value. Extras 2 There are free programs and roster cards available at the entrance. The programs are quite impressive for college soccer. Shaw Field is also perhaps the only sporting venue in the world where you can experience a helicopter delay. The helipad for Georgetown MedStar Hospital is located directly behind the goal, and for safety reasons, the game must be delayed, and that side of the field cleared, whenever a medical helicopter is arriving. Final Thoughts College soccer isn’t as popular in most of the country as other sports like basketball or football. However, Shaw Field is a nice place to take in a college soccer game, and the crowds are decent most games given the size of the stadium. While it would be nice if ticket prices could come down a little bit, a trip here is still a fun way to spend an afternoon.

Photos by Marc Viquez, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.43 Shields Field 1300 East Washington Center Rd Fort Wayne, IN 46825 Fort Wayne FC website Shields Field website Year Opened: 1963 Capacity: 3,200 Protecting the Fort and Lower Level Soccer Ft. Wayne FC operates in the Great Lakes Division of USL League Two, the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid. The club plays its home matches at Shields Field at Bishop Dwenger High School. The stadium has a capacity of 3,200 spectators for home matches. The club was founded by a group of eight local businessmen looking to provide a stepping stone for young, talented players in the area. FWFC was to have begun operations in 2020 but was delayed a season due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The club debuted in front of 2,700 people for its first match and later drew over 3,400 for an international friendly against Chivas U20. The organization hopes to break ground on its own 7,500 soccer-specific stadium and have it operating by 2024. It will also include the plan to jump up the USL League One. The eight-man ownership group includes local soccer icon DaMarcus Beasley who played a 20-year professional career in the US and internationally and made 126 appearances for the US Men’s National Team. Food & Beverage 3 All concession items require fans to purchase tickets at a dollar each. The stadium will not accept either cash or credit cards. The decision was to have lines and services move more efficiently at matches. There are two areas for beverages sales at the stadium, and there is more than enough staff on hand to make sure that your order is expedited efficiently and quickly. Fans do not have to wait long in lines for food and beverages. Items at the game include brats, hot dogs, and kettle chips from 2 to 5 tickets. Local 800 Degrees Wood Fired Pizza offers slices that cost 5 tickets. Beer options include Bud, Bud Light, Modelo Especial, and Bud Light Seltzer for 5 or 6 tickets. Landing Beer Company items are 7 tickets, and wines are 5 tickets. Pepsi products cost 3 tickets for bottled sodas and water. Atmosphere 4 There is quite an impressive atmosphere for this level of soccer, and nice to see such an exuberant amount of people at the game. When attracting well over 1,000 people to a fourth division soccer match, it’s hard not to notice everything from the cheering, staff interaction, and the little things that sometimes get overlooked at this level in other cities. The high school football field is spruced up nicely for matches, and much of the school’s logos and colors have been replaced with FWFC banners and signage. You never feel that the club is relegated to second-class citizens at the venue, which features a nice entrance into the main grandstand. The club’s colors and the crest are everywhere from flags, merchandise tents, banners on the press box, and international and homemade flags hanging over the railing. The supporters’ group, Three Rivers Regiment, can be found cheering on the team, waving flags, and banging the posts onto the aluminum bleachers. A small group plays the drums throughout the game and lets off a little smoke after a home goal. Players are introduced through an inflatable tunnel with music as they make their way to the center field. They are accompanied by local area youth soccer players and remain there until after the National Anthem has concluded. The crowd waits for kickoff, and the next 45 minutes are focused on the action on the field. Neighborhood 3 The stadium is 1.6 miles north of the Allen County War Memorial Coliseum, and depending on when you are in town, can also enjoy either a Ft. Wayne Komets hockey or Ft. Wayne Mad Ants basketball game. The stadium is also near two main intersections and close to interstate exits. Shield Field is near an abundance of chain restaurants, retail outlets, and berries lodging options. You could want almost everything within a couple of miles from the building, including coney dogs, barbecue, craft beer, and Tim Horton’s coffee. Mister Coney has been a mainstay for over 50 years and offers their take on the coney dog that is a bit meatier in texture than what you would find downtown. Mission BBQ is a Maryland-based chain but provides an array of smoked meats and 8 varieties of barbecue, with portions of their proceeds going back to first responders. 2Tom’s Brewing Company has a range of beers and offers a laid-back atmosphere perfect for games of all ages. Glenbrook Square Mall is one of the largest in the area and is surrounded by familiar chain restaurants and shops. Tim Horton’s has a location here featuring its coffee that is widely consumed up north in Canada. You can also make a trip downtown for a Ft. Wayne TinCaps game at Parkview Field during the summer months. Fans 4 Soccer fans have been quite loyal to the club this season. The attendance figures for regular-season matches are near or well over 1,000 people a game. A friendly against Chivas U20 attracted 3,600 people during its inaugural season. Even on a rainy and overcast day, an impressive crowd was out to support the club at its last home game of the season. Access 4 The stadium is at the corner of East Washington Center Road and North Clinton Street. The field is accessible and a little over a mile from Exit 312 (Coldwater Road) off of I-69. There is plenty of parking for matches that include police assistance exiting after the game. Return on Investment 3 The cost of a ticket to a match is $10 a person and $5 for children. There is a $5 charge for cars, something uncommon at this level of soccer. Food prices cost anywhere between $2 to $5, and alcoholic drinks will set you back anywhere from $5 to $7–buckets of beer are 20 tickets. There is a selection of shirts and jerseys; t-shirts cost $19.99, and home and away jerseys are $56.99. All game day programs are free, and fans receive a free scarf while supplies last upon entering the stadium. . Extras 3 The club earns a point for its game-day atmosphere. A large group of volunteers makes sure the fan experience runs smoothly from fast lines at the concession stands, customer service questions, and proper setup for matches. A second point for a nice collection of team merchandise that is not that expensive. A final point for creating a vibrant atmosphere for lower-division soccer in the United States. Final Thoughts I did not know what to expect from a Ft. Wayne FC match, but I was pleasantly surprised by the crowd size, game-day operations, and professionalism of the club. Soccer at this level is a mix of bad and I have had my share of experiences the past 25 plus years; it is usually not operated like this and at times is below a middle school football game. For that, it made a fan out of me and an experience I truly treasured. I think we will be seeing some great things from this club in the coming years. Follow all of Marc’s stadium journeys on Twitter @ballparkhunter and Instagram .

Photos by Chris Green, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.43 Silver Spurs Arena 1875 Silver Spur Ln Kissimmee, FL 34744 Year Opened: 2003 Capacity: 8,000 Indoor Soccer Fever For a city like Orlando, attracting sports fans to games is something of a hassle. You have to compete with the constant flow of events, conventions, concerts, and the ever-present theme park industry for attention. So for indoor soccer to arrive in the Central Florida area just south of the city in Kissimmee, there had to be some interest. The success and fervor around Orlando City SC and Orlando Pride is very well known. However, would fans flock to Silver Spurs Arena for the indoor version of the sport? Opening night for the Orlando SeaWolves brought nearly 2,500 fans to the 8,000-seat facility. Subsequent games have seen crowds of approximately 1,500 fans per game. Somewhat of a hidden gem, the Orlando SeaWolves have the foundation for another successful soccer franchise in Central Florida, and the experience for fans at games reflects that potential. Food & Beverage 3 Silver Spurs Arena offers a few different food options at their concessions stands. For drinks, beer and alcohol prices run anywhere from $6 to $14. Soda, water, Gatorade, and coffee all run $3. Main dishes include chicken tenders with fries ($9), cheeseburgers with fries ($9), hot dogs ($4), or turkey wraps ($9). A side of fries by themselves costs $5. Other sides and smaller dishes include popcorn or nachos for $4, a pretzel for $5, chips for $2, and candy for $3. While nothing really stands out here above your average stadium concessions options, prices are relatively fair, and everything is served hot and with a smile from the friendly staff on site. Atmosphere 3 Silver Spurs Arena isn’t exactly one that is chock full of history, having only been in existence since the middle of the last decade, nor does it feature sports memorabilia from historic seasons past. That said, it does feel cozy, and the sound flow means loud crowd cheering reverberates well throughout. So while the attendance may only be 1,500, it can sure feel like a lot more are there. The supporters section in the end zone also has all the hallmarks of a traditional soccer supporters group. A modest sign showcasing their logo, fans playing instruments and singing various chants throughout the game, and even smoke whenever a goal is scored are all present. The “Wolf Pack” surely makes game day fun, keeping the feeling of a traditional soccer game experience well alive indoors. Neighborhood 3 The fact that you’re not far from Orlando proper means you aren’t far from plenty of entertainment. However, right around the arena itself, one will find limited food and shopping options. Rodeo Diner and Chicken Spot are located right next to McDonald’s and Denny’s along US-192, the main road outside the arena. For lodging, Quality Inn & Suites Heritage Park and Travelodge by Wyndham Kissimmee East are your two best options. For seeing the sights, Walt Disney World Resort is only 15 minutes away, while NASA and Cape Canaveral are just an hour east near Cocoa Beach. Fans 3 The crowds may not fill in like other professional sports in Orlando, but that is to be expected with a brand-new franchise. The arena also is away from the city center, meaning there isn’t a fan march from downtown like those seen at other pro soccer events. That said, the fans who do go to Orlando SeaWolves games are extremely passionate and are often fans of the sport itself rather than just casual fans. They’re also loud, which makes for a great experience on game day. When goals are scored, the fans erupt with cheers that make it feel like a packed arena. Hopefully, with continued success and exposure will come the bigger crowds that central Florida is known for when it comes to soccer. Access 4 To get to Silver Spurs Arena, a simple drive south on I-4 will take you to exit 244. From there, a turn to the west on US-192 will lead you right to Osceola Heritage Park where Silver Spurs Arena is located. Parking is plentiful on site and costs $10, cash only. Signs are also plentiful on site to help direct you once you get on property, as there are several different venues located at Osceola Heritage Park, including Osceola County Stadium, home of the Florida Fire Frogs. Return on Investment 4 Ticket prices for Orlando SeaWolves games range from $12 in the end zone and supporters section to $30 on the sidelines. Adding in $10 for parking, an Orlando SeaWolves game is much less expensive than other major sporting events in the greater Orlando area. The excitement of indoor soccer is also well worth the price of admission. Extras 4 Silver Spurs Arena’s main entrance features a pop-up team store where fans can pick up some SeaWolves Swag before and during the game, and there are also some giveaways during the game. During breaks in between quarters, fans are selected from the stands to participate in games on the field of play for entertainment. There are also various vendors set up in the main lobby and along the upper concourse. Final Thoughts If you’re looking for an evening of sports in Central Florida but don’t want to fight downtown traffic or pay the high ticket prices of other pro teams, the Orlando SeaWolves are a perfect choice. This brand-new franchise is growing in a market that is soccer-crazed. The excitement of indoor soccer is also something that is growing, with large crowds across the league marking a growth in the sport. For sure, the Orlando SeaWolves are a team to be seen in person, and indoor soccer a sport to be experienced the next time you’re in Central Florida.

,Photos by Marc Viquez, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.86 Slater Family Ice Arena 417 N Mercer Rd Bowling Green, OH 43403 Bowling Green Falcons hockey website Slater Family Ice Arena website Year Opened: 1967 Capacity: 5,000 Bowling Green State’s Hockey Madhouse At the beginning of the decade, there was serious talk about Bowling Green State University dropping its hockey program for the school to save between $6-$10 million. The news was shocking for the fans of the club due to its tradition and the 1984 NCAA Championship club that defeated Duluth-Minnesota 5-4 in four overtime periods. Would hockey come to an end after 25 years since winning the school’s lone NCAA championship? At the time, the Falcons hockey program was in mired of a 12-season losing streak, top players were not coming to the school, and the arena needed major renovations at a $4 million clip. This is where the program’s tradition from hockey to figure skating royalty stepped in to create the Bring Back the Glory Campaign. A move that would indeed accomplish that task to continue hockey being played in the building for the foreseeable future. Notable alumni Rob Blake, Garey Galley, Alissa Czisny, Tom Blakeley, Steve Green, Scott Hamilton, and the club’s first head coach Jack Vivian all helped and donated money in the grassroots campaign to help with facility improvements, athletic scholarships, and more. The first stage of renovations was completed before the 2010/2011 season that included new rubberized flooring in the lobby to allow skaters to wall back and forth between the renovated locker rooms and the new multipurpose facility that was once the old curling rink. Other changes included new lighting, an improved ventilation system, and three new compressors. Renovations in 2017 included replacing the dasher boards, glass, and netting, along with the entire floor and the majority of the cooling system, which has been in place for nearly 50 years of the arena’s existence. At this time, there is a silent phase to enclose the south end of the building to add three new suites, a Falcon Club seating area with a full-service bar, and twin ribbon video boards for $7.5 million. Hockey at Bowling Green State began as a club sport in 1963 and four years later the BGSU Ice Arena debuted with a seating capacity of 2,863. When Falcons hockey became a varsity sport in 1969 it ushered in a wave of success that resulted in 9 NCAA Tournament appearances from 1977-1990, the school’s lone NCAA championship in 1984, and multiple future NHL players. In 1989, the building’s capacity increased an even 5,000 for hockey games. The arena gets its name from alumni Scott Slater, the head of Toledo glass engineering and contracting company, who donated $2 million towards renovations, and BGSU’s trustees voted to rename the hockey arena after Mr. Slater’s family in 2016. The Falcons are coming off their first NCAA Tournament appearance in 29 seasons and it is quite the change from just a decade ago when the program was on its deathbed. The donations, grassroots efforts from notable alumni from hockey to figure skating, and the fans and students should be applauded as hockey is alive and well on the campus of Bowling Green State University Food & Beverage 3 The food and beverage options are somewhat basic at the hockey game and include hot dogs, bratwurst, nachos, and Coca-Cola products. These are nice little snacks to have while watching the game and are perfectly affordable for anyone’s budget. However, if you are really hungry it might be best to grab something to eat somewhere near campus, especially across the street at BG Burgers. Beer is sold in the building and features 20 oz aluminum bottles of Budweiser, Bud Light, and Bud platinum, in Yuengling. Each bottle sells for $7 and seems to be a popular choice for many fans during the event. As with other Bowling Green venues, their locally-produced Stadium salsa is served on the nachos. Atmosphere 4 It does not take long to realize that this is indeed a hockey school and many in attendance are true college hockey fans. The horse-shaped seating bowl consists of orange bleacher seats. An average crowd is somewhat near capacity against many teams coming into town except a few notable rivalries from Detroit Tec, Miami (Ohio), or the boys from Ohio State. The student section begins filling up at the north end and right behind them the band takes their place prepping for tonight’s game. When the opposing club enters the ring during player announcements students hold up newspapers and shout: “Who’s that, never heard of you!” at the top of their lungs. Once play has begun the majority of the crowd focuses on the action on the ice and cheers and jeers appropriately. The south end features tabletop seating against the glass that is intended for groups of four or more with wait service. This area is also open up to a few concession kiosks, one of the main entrances, and the official team store. This section has to be roped off after each period to allow the Zamboni to make its entrance onto the rink to surface it. This area does get a little congested during times but it adds much of the excitement to the game. The arena also features low-level seating that Harkens back to old-time hockey from the 1960s or 1970s, or whatever your definition of old-time hockey is depending on your age. There is a sense of this being an old barn or just a typical hockey rink but based on the amount of action and fans in place during a game it is quite a special place to take in an evening of hockey. The walls are decorated with famous alumni who have made their way to the National Hockey League, represented the U.S. at the Olympics, or who have captured the Hobey Baker Award as being the top college player in NCAA hockey. There are also murals and retired jerseys hanging up of Nelson Emerson, McPhee, and Brian Holzinger. The concourses are very narrow and feature the majority of the concessions and a few tables are set up for anyone who wants to enjoy the iconic chuck-a-puck contest or perhaps grab an extra pen key chain from one of the many businesses who come to the game. Neighborhood 3 The Slater Family Ice Arena is located on the BGSU campus within a few yards of other athletic venues including Doyt L. Perry Stadium , Stroh Center , and the baseball and softball fields. Just across the street from the basketball arena are various fast-food chains and hotels. Downtown is about a mile west of campus which offers a few more options. BG Burgers is across the street from the building and features locally-sourced burgers where customers can build their own or choose from special menu items. They also have chicken wings, Panini sandwiches, or desserts from The Cheesecake Factory. However, they are open until 10 pm (11 pm on weekends); it might be wise to grab something before the game. City Tap and The Attic is in historic downtown that offers its range of freshly made burgers plus many craft beers on tap from $4.50 to $5.50. The Jackie O coffee blonde is quite tasty but their grill closes before 10 PM on weekends. The downtown core features buildings constructed during the city’s “brief boom” from the late 19th century to the early 20th century. The storefronts have been kept intact while the interiors have been altered into bars, restaurants, shops, and other forms of retail. One of them is Grounds for Thought, an impressive coffee shop and used book store that is quite large and busy with customers playing board games, using their computers, having something to eat or drink, putting a puzzle together, or catching up with some reading. Fans 5 The Falcons, as of last season (2018-2019), averaged around 2,300 people in gangs in a 5,000-seat building; that is somewhat down from its heyday of the 1990s. However, the place never feels empty nor like a dirge and that’s because many who are in attendance are true hockey fans there for one purpose and one purpose only, you’re there to cheer the Falcons to victory. This is not a night out for social gatherings but rather a night specifically designed for college hockey. Access 4 The building is located off I-75, about a fourth of a mile from the exit ramp. The parking is ample and workers help guide motorists to the proper parking spot near the building. Follow the crowd heading to the game and you will have little trouble finding the entrances. The seating bowl can become congested but there are enough entrances from the main concourse to help guide visitors to the restrooms and exits. It might be beneficial to leave your seat for something to eat or use the bathroom before certain areas of the concourse are temporarily roped off for players to make their way to the dressing rooms or for the Zamboni to make its way on the ice for surfacing duties. Return on Investment 4 Ticket prices for games range in price at $15 to $22 if purchased in advance. These prices change from $17 to $24 if purchase the day of the game at the box office. However, it should be noted that games against Notre Dame and Miami (Ohio) will fetch higher pricing of anywhere between $24 to $35 if purchased the day of the game. If you happen to be in town during the exhibition season all tickets are $5 apiece. Extras 4 Slater Family Ice Arena earns a point for deep hockey traditions that are on display throughout the concourse featuring gold medal Olympians, former NHL players, and NCAA college All-Americans. The arena earns a second point for keeping fans roped off on the concourse during intermissions for the Zamboni to make its way onto the ice and for players to make their way to the locker rooms. Fans can line up against the rope to reach their hand out for a lucky handshake. The low ceiling gives the building a nice charm and creates a home-ice advantage with the noise decibels bouncing off during games. The last point is for the student section singing Summer Nights at the start of the third period. A tradition when the song became popular in 1977 and one that has maintained its course in Bowling Green hockey tradition. Final Thoughts It is amazing to think that the BGSU hockey program was on its deathbed a decade ago, but donations and grassroots efforts from notable alumni, fans, and students have kept hockey alive and well on the campus of Bowling Green State University. _____ Follow all of Marc’s stadium journeys on Twitter @ballparkhunter and Instagram .

Photos by Dave Cottenie, Stadium Journey. Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.43 Sleeman Centre 50 Woolwich St Guelph, ON N1H 3V1 University of Guelph website Sleeman Centre website Year Opened: 2000 Capacity: 4,715 The Frosty Mug Runneth Over The rivalry game. The mythical, much anticipated annual matchup which is only surpassed by a championship. It seems that the college atmosphere is the best place for the rivalry game. Too often in professional sports, the scarcity which made the rivalry game great has been abandoned for the lure of the dollar bill. The best rivalries seem to have long-standing, obscure trophies attached to them. The Little Brown Jug, Paul Bunyan’s Axe, The Wagon Wheel, the Old Oaken Bucket, the Old Oil Can and the Old Brass Spittoon come to mind. Canadian university sports have gotten into the act and now have some games which are taking the nation by storm. Led by the resurgent Panda Game, the annual football clash pitting Carleton University against the University of Ottawa, the rivalry game has stretched across university hockey as well. Calgary’s Crowchild Classic, St. Catharines Steelblade Classic and Kingston’s Carr-Harris Cup are drawing record breaking crowds for USports hockey. Among those relatively new rivalries is the amazingly named Frosty Mug. In 2020, the University of Guelph held the 11th Frosty Mug. Although originally thought of as a one-off game played at the much larger Sleeman Centre, home of the Guelph Storm of the OHL, and featuring the Waterloo Warriors as the opponent, more than half of the games have pitted the Gryphons against nearby Waterloo, Ontario’s Wilfrid Laurier Golden Hawks, including the most recent four games. The annual classic has consistently improved on the ice and at the turnstile and has become one of a handful of marquee USports hockey games. Food & Beverage 4 Concession options are about what you would expect for an Ontario Hockey League venue. With a capacity crowd all concession stands are available, which is not always the case for a one off game like this. The beer selection is fantastic, with the focus being on Sleeman products, which are brewed in Guelph about 10 minutes from the arena. Draught Picks is the in-arena restaurant and offers a variety of food options on a first come first served basis for seating. Atmosphere 4 The Sleeman Centre was built in 2000 on the site of a former Eaton’s department store. It is built within an indoor shopping mall and most of the entries into the facility are within the Old Quebec Street Shoppes mall. Inside the arena, there is a single concourse which wraps around and behind the seating bowl. The ice surface runs from east to west, with the best view of the centre ice logo (of the Guelph Storm) from the north side. Club seating and luxury boxes sit above the seating bowl on three sides of the arena. The south side of the arena also features Draught Picks, a full service, in-venue restaurant. Above centre-ice is a state of the art video board, which is transformed with Guelph Gryphons content for the Frosty Mug. With the Sleeman Centre serving mainly as the home of the Guelph Storm, championship banners from the OHL team and previous iterations of junior hockey in Guelph dominate the rafters. Markings around the concourses follow suit. However, with the popularity of the annual Frosty Mug, it would be nice to see some recognition for the event, similar to the way the Beanpot has a permanent presence at TD Garden in Boston. The game day production for the Frosty Mug is different from other OUA games or even OHL games. The event is billed as the party of the year for University of Guelph students and it is treated as such. The noise level is loud throughout the game and the music is carefully selected to encourage the sing-along, dance party which ensues when “Sweet Caroline” or “Mr. Brightside” are played. In an odd occurrence, the crowd belted out the lyrics to John Denver’s “Take Me Home, Country Roads” when played over the PA, a song traditionally associated with Wilfrid Laurier University. The Guelph Gryphons figure skating team performs during the first intermission and promotions are speckled throughout the game and during the intermissions. Gryph, the Gryphons mascot, has a significant role in the game, shooting t-shirts into the crowd, leading the team on the ice and interacting with fans, players and even the opposition. Neighbourhood 5 The Sleeman Centre is located in the centre of Downtown Guelph. There are plenty of locations within walking distance of the arena for pre and post game fare: Bobby O’Brien’s, McCabe’s Irish Pub & Grill, The Ward Bar, Robusta Cafe & Lounge, Buon Gusto, Royal Electric Bar & Public Eatery, La Cucina, Bin 23. The Albion Hotel and Western Hotel Burgers & Steaks are some of the options that can be found around Macdonell Street and Wyndham Street North, an easy walk from the Sleeman Centre. The Sleeman Centre is also home to the Guelph Storm of the OHL and the Guelph Nighthawks of the CEBL. The University of Guelph campus is just four kilometres away and other athletic teams play on campus. The remainder of the hockey team’s games are played at the Gryphon Centre Arena, the football team plays at Alumni Stadium and the basketball teams play at the Guelph Gryphons Athletic Centre. As far as other entertainment options, the River Run Centre is on the opposite side of Woolwich Street from Sleeman Centre. The Old Quebec Street Shoppes offer some shopping options and The Guelph Concert Theatre offers some musical acts. The Guelph Civic Museum may also be of interest. For fans needing a place to stay near the Sleeman Centre, Western Hotel & Executive Suites is right there and the Holiday Inn is a very short drive away. Fans 5 Simply put, the Frosty Mug is now the annual highlight to the OUA hockey schedule. From the 2016 edition to the 2020 edition, the Frosty Mug has eclipsed the previous year’s attendance record, culminating in an attendance in 2020 of over 4,900. Of the seven highest attended OUA hockey games, the Frosty Mug holds down places three through seven. The Frosty Mug also holds attendance records in the top 15 USports hockey games in Canada. The Frosty Mug is billed as the party of the year and the fans have brought the game to the point where it is doubtful that the attendance records can be pushed even more, with the game attracting more than the Sleeman Centre’s capacity. Although there are some visiting fans that make the journey to Guelph, make no mistake that the Frosty Mug is a Guelph Gryphons game and the fans are loud and proud, even to the point of being reminded to keep cheers within the confines of the OUA Code of Conduct. Access 4 The Sleeman Centre is located in Downtown Guelph, south of the Eramosa River. It is basically enclosed by Woolwich Street, Macdonell Street and Wyndham Street North. It is about 3 kilometres from the junction of highways 6 and 7, the major arteries into the city of Guelph. If timed correctly, getting to the arena by car is not overly difficult, however some downtown turns will take some time the closer fans get to puck drop. An added bonus of the Frosty Mug is that there are so many students that go to the game, parking is not an issue at all. In fact, parking in can be found for free in one of the parking garages adjacent to Sleeman Centre. Public transit can be found immediately across Macdonell Street as the hub of Guelph Transit. Fans should check out the Guelph Transit website for fares, schedules and maps. The past few years, the Frosty Mug has been a complete sell-out, so the necessity of visiting a ticket window is not necessary. Getting around the concourses can be a real challenge with all of the people at this game. Concession lines are seriously long, especially for beer. Washrooms can also be busy, but it is not terrible. Return on Investment 5 Tickets for the Frosty Mug go for $15. Although it is more than a regular Gryphons hockey game, $15 is an excellent price for an event of this magnitude. Concessions are what one would expect for an OHL game, but not too expensive. Parking can be found for free also. The atmosphere at the Frosty Mug is nearly beyond description and at the very least, exciting. In the end, the Frosty Mug offers a tremendous value and an unbelievable return for the investment. Extras 4 An extra mark for the annual incorporation of the Guelph Gryphons figure skating team into the Frosty Mug, who perform to a rousing ovation during the first intermission. An extra mark for the building of the Frosty Mug game, which began with a modest attendance of over 1,100 to a game that eclipsed its own attendance record each year since. An extra mark for the Frosty Mug settling into a rivalry game format with the Laurier Golden Hawks playing in over half of the matchups, including the most recent four. An extra mark for the Frosty Mug itself. Both teams play for a glass mug. Like the best rivalry trophies, nothing too fancy. Final Thoughts Among the rivalry games found in USports, the Frosty Mug is taking its place among the elite matchups annually. The University of Guelph has done a fantastic job marketing the game to the point where the fans are regularly selling out the game. With more spirit and atmosphere than just about all other USports hockey games, the Frosty Mug is a spectacle to be seen for sure. Hopefully, the future of the game remains strong and other teams are able to recreate the magic that has been found in Guelph and continue to grow the game. Follow all of Dave’s sporting adventures on Twitter @profan9 and on Instagram .

Photos by Steven Kee, Stadium Journey When in London, it may be difficult to attend every single soccer match, but it's not hard to take a tour of some of the famous pitches of the English Premier League. Stamford Bridge is the home of Chelsea Football Club and well worth the visit regardless of which side you root for. Stamford Bridge is located in Fulham, South West London, and is the 8th largest field of its kind, with a capacity of 41,631. The stadium opened in 1877 and was used by the London Athletic Club until 1905 when Chelsea was organized. The pitch has changed dramatically during the last 113 years. The tour runs for about 60 minutes and opens up the world of the football club, which is both informative and innovative. Tour guides handle questions from visitors and take you through the stadium areas, including the stands, press room, players dressing rooms, the tunnel, and dugout areas. Two recent features visit “The Bridge” a cut above many other sports facility tours in Europe and North America. The first is a multimedia device that can be operated in certain areas of the stadium that can provide video and statistics. The images of famous plays, action shots, and team history send visitors back in time to the early years of the club. The device can also be used to transport visitors to certain experiences of the stadium as if they were part of the club on the field or supporters in the main stands. The 360-degree video sends you to either the Chelsea dressing room before a match, the players' tunnel before a match, or cheering with supporters in the shed and upper tier deck of the stadium. The creative VR aspect of this part of the tour is a brilliant piece of evidence of what a stadium tour can be with the proper use of technology. It puts you in the middle of certain aspects of the stadium without being there on Saturday to cheer on the Blues. The handheld device also has a feature called a shirt-dash cam that can be held up to a player's number in the locker room and displays videos and photos of their respective career. The club’s museum is also included in the tour and is as brilliant as the stadium, itself. There are multiple types of tours to choose from during your visit, but the media tour is £28 for adults and £20 for children 16 years old or under. Tours operate every 30 minutes from 10 AM to 3 PM daily. Stamford Bridge Stadium Tours and Museum Stamford Bridge, Fulham Road, London, SW6 1HS https://www.chelseafc.com/en/stamford-bridge/stadium-tours-and-museum0 Open Monday-Sunday from 10:00 am-3:00 pm.

Photos by Lloyd Rothwell, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.57 Spotless Stadium Grand Parade Sydney Olympic Park, NSW 2127 Australia Greater Western Sydney Giants website Spotless Stadium website Year Opened: 1998 Capacity: 25,000 Giants of Sydney Spotless Stadium at Sydney Olympic Park was built to serve as the main baseball stadium for the Sydney 2000 Summer Olympics and as the new Sydney Showground, home of the Royal Agricultural Society. This boutique stadium currently has a capacity of 25,000. A number of teams and sports have utilised Spotless Stadium over the years. The Bulldogs of the National Rugby League (NRL) called the Showground home for the 2001 season before moving across the boulevard to ANZ Stadium . For the summer of 2014/15 the Sydney Thunder, who had previously been based exclusively at ANZ Stadium, played several games at the venue, with the experiment likely to continue. The Greater Western Sydney (GWS) Giants entered the AFL in 2012. GWS represents Western Sydney, southern New South Wales and the ACT (each season they shift several home games to Canberra). With Western Sydney playing an increasingly large role in the national consciousness, it made sense to base the city’s second AFL club west of the Anzac Bridge. Initially the club had ties to the Blacktown area in the far western suburbs. They’re now based mostly at Homebush. Critics have been quick to jump on this, but the reality is that the Giants are still cementing their foothold in the region. They’ve got a significant battle on their hands too. Sydney is a notoriously fickle market, with rugby league and football (soccer) traditionally more popular than AFL. Plus they are competing with their popular crosstown rivals, the Sydney Swans . GWS predictably struggled through their first couple of years, but have gradually matured into a respectable force on the field with a pleasing game day stadium experience. Food & Beverage 5 Simply put, the food items at Spotless Stadium are streaks ahead of those normally found in Australian sporting venues. It’s a refreshing change to see such a wide variety of options, all of reasonable quality. The one thing that does meet pre-conceived ideas of stadium food at Spotless Stadium is the price, but the choices available make the dent in your wallet much easier to take. They say variety is the spice of life and that is true at Spotless Stadium. Take your pick of outlets including Mick’s Bakehouse (pies), Wally’s Hot Dogs (hot dogs), Jimmy’s Catch (fish and chips), Kebabish (kebabs), Bell’s Kitchen (burgers), Wok ‘n’ Bowl (Asian), and Subway. Quality is universally good, but expect to spend somewhere around $15+ per person for a decent meal and a drink. The Dessert Bar is also universally popular, yes, even at the footy in the winter. Any queues are well managed, with the longest wait likely to be for an ice cream. The offerings at the bar are fairly standard. Tap beer is Carlton Mid ($6), with Cascade Premium Light ($6). Red, white and sparkling wine are $6 while mixed drinks (Beam and Cola, CC and Dry, and Vodka) are $8.50. Soft drinks are priced at $4.50. The pies at Spotless Stadium are among the best you’ll experience at a sports stadium – there’s no soggy lukewarm pre-packaged pies here. Grab one on your way to your seat as a starter and then choose a main depending on what you feel like on the day. If you’ve got the kids with you then they’ll want dessert too. Atmosphere 3 The Giants as a club have worked very hard to create a memorable experience at Spotless Stadium. Expect plenty of opportunities for engagement and special events. Average crowds are still only around 10,000, but with on-field performances quickly improving, hopefully this number will grow. There’s generally a healthy smattering of opposition fans now living in Sydney who take the opportunity to see their team play live. The vast majority of the crowd at Spotless Stadium are currently accommodated within the seating bowl, with only a smattering in the stands. All the seats in this area are on a gentle slope and therefore are fairly close to the action while offering a good view of the entire playing surface. There’s a single large video screen at the northern end of the stadium and a small number of televisions behind the ground level seating on the eastern side. Both teams have their benches on the western side of the ground. Expect a pregame build up with interviews from the GWS media department, typical crowd engagement activities in between quarters, and junior AFL during halftime. These are fairly standard, however the Giants often have special promotions and post-match entertainment, and kick-to-kick on the ground after full time. The most recent match we attended saw Aussie rocker Shannon Noll performing at the main break and after the final hooter. The majority of home team fans are on the southern and western sides of the ground. As these areas have stands behind them they also hold the noise better. Sit here to make the most of the atmosphere, or if you want an afternoon in the sun, sit on the eastern side. If the kids are with you sit at the northern end where there is an interactive play zone under the scoreboard. Neighborhood 4 The Sydney Olympic Park precinct has over the years been transformed from simply a sports park to an entertainment destination. The park is a popular location for any number of social and family events, in addition to concerts and sporting contests. There are plenty of dining options nearby. There are restaurants covering fine dining, sushi, Thai, Vietnamese, Japanese, Italian and modern Australian, along with numerous fast food chains. Personally I think the Ribs ‘n’ Rumps chain offers among the best steaks in the business, so if I’m looking to eat before or after a GWS game, that’s where I’d be headed. A large portion of the surrounding area is other sporting venues; ANZ Stadium, Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre, Allphones Arena and more. The precinct hosts more than 5,000 events each year, which obviously means that there are often multiple events occurring on game day. This has positives and negatives. The big plus is that particularly when there are major events on, the Park will have more of a buzz about it. You may even have the option of seeing a GWS match before heading over to ANZ Stadium for a rugby league or rugby union game. The most recent day we attended, the NSW Waratahs were playing a night game at ANZ offering a great doubleheader opportunity. More generally, Sydney Olympic Park is located in the inner western suburbs of Sydney, 16km from the Central Business District. Hotels on site include (in decreasing star rating order) Pullman at Sydney Olympic Park, the Novotel Sydney Olympic Park, Quest Apartments, Hotel Ibis, and Ibis Budget Hotel. Dorm style accommodation is also available in The Lodge, managed by the YMCA. Fans 3 GSW has been slowly building their fan base as their identity grows. Thankfully they are starting to offer a more competitive and consistent product on the field, meaning they’re more likely to attract and retain casual fans. One negative we found was that lots of fans arrived late and were still getting to their seats for much of the first quarter which is a bit off-putting. Previously averaging around 10,000 per home game, this number appears to be rising as the Giants improve on the field and develop a lasting relationship with the community. An extra 5,000-7,000 fans per game would be an awesome prospect. The hardcore GWS fans can be found at the southern end of the ground with the opposition cheer squad at the northern end. The venue is very family friendly which bodes well for the future. The atmosphere amongst the fans has definitely improved in recent times. Access 3 Sydney Olympic Park is centrally located within Sydney, with several options for transport. Public transport to the area is good, with driving also possible. Access is possible by both train and bus. The Sydney Olympic Park train station is almost next door. The T7 line is accessible via Lidcombe station. If numerous events are on, then expect some congestion both within the major roads leading into the area and the various parking stations. Unfortunately there’s not really any escaping the $25 daily parking fee. The best advice is to arrive early and allow extra time if possible. Probably the easiest parking station to access for Spotless Stadium is the large P1 on Edwin Flack Ave, but all others are somewhat within walking distance. Either prepay online or before the game to avoid lengthy queues postgame. Once you’ve parked you’ll have a gentle level stroll towards the burnt-orange light towers of Spotless Stadium, with ANZ Stadium on your right and Allphones Arena on your left. All entry is through the southern end of the stadium with standard bag checks. Tickets are available online or at the gate. There’s plenty of ticket windows open with minimal wait if you haven’t elected to buy your tickets online. Once inside the stadium Spotless is easy to circumnavigate with plenty of options to stand and watch from different vantage points. The venue is wheelchair friendly and bathrooms are plentiful, clean and not at all busy. Return on Investment 4 A visit to Spotless Stadium is not cheap but compares well to other national level stadiums and sports when it comes to value for money. This venue is very pleasant and has been well maintained. Expect more once GWS builds a larger and more committed fan base. The cost of parking is the only realistic negative here. Cheapest Adult Ticket: $27 Parking: $25 Pie: $5 Drink: $4.50 TOTAL: $61.50 The big plus here is that it’s relatively economical to take children and there are great family ticket options. You’ll also find the obligatory Footy Record program for sale inside the entry for $5. Extras 3 The child friendly AFL Playground at the northern end of the ground is a fantastic idea. Plenty of families can be found in the area beneath the scoreboard having a kick, further reinforcing the concept of AFL football. Merchandise is available at several points around the venue, with plenty of the fan base decked out in Giants gear. Following the match we attended there was entertainment and an autograph session, plus the crowd was allowed to have a kick on the playing surface. Final Thoughts GWS at Spotless Stadium has always had the potential to be a great stadium journey. The giant improvements in consistency on the field sets the club up nicely for the future. Additional growth in fans will only solidify the experience that now exists.

Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.00 St James’ Park Strawberry Pl Newcastle upon Tyne, England NE1 4ST United Kingdom Newcastle United FC website St James’ Park website Year Opened: 1880 Capacity: 52,387 A Day in the Park Newcastle United fans have long been starved for success, punished by eccentric owners, baffling decisions and under-achievement. However, they have never wanted for excellent shelter. St James’ Park first became home to Newcastle United in 1892 after two local clubs, Newcastle East End and Newcastle West End decided to merge, thus becoming “united.” St James’ Park has grown from a modest base to become a beacon of the North-East of England, dominating the skyline in a manner befitting of a town which is intoxicated by football. There were a series of renovations at St. James’ that increased capacity to 35,610 in 1995 and expansion took place on the Milburn and Leazes Stand at a cost of £42 million that increased capacity to 52,404. St James Park is comprised of four stands: The Leazes Stand (North), The East Stand, The Gallowgate Road End (South) and the Milburn Stand (West). Away supporters are housed in the Sir John Hall Stand where 3,000 tickets are allocated to the section that is somewhat far from the pitch in terms of proximity. Food & Beverage 3 This is a mark of standardised, pricey Premier League fare, with little space for originality. A pie and a drink will bring you little change from a £5 note. For something cheap but heart-warming you might want to indulge in a cup of Bovril – the quintessential half-time meal for the English football fan. Ingrained in the stadium complex, Shearer’s Bar (named after club legend and record goal scorer Alan Shearer) offers something a bit more up market. Pub grub, pool tables and various television screens are situated across a three-floor complex. Most main meals cost £5. A deal of two for £6.95 is also offered on select dishes. It’s perfectly situated for a pre-match refreshment. Luckily, as you will find out, many more exciting delights await outside the ground. Perhaps it is appropriate to enjoy a Newcastle Brown Ale, the club’s iconic sponsor. Atmosphere 5 Uniquely for such a prominent Premier League club, St James’ Park is the centrepiece of the city with everything else revolving around it. This makes for an excellent atmosphere as both the city and its one and only football team merge wonderfully. The club’s famous black and white stripes are ubiquitous. This is a city that seems to be either watching football or talking about it seven days a week. The sense of occasion is never dimmed. Once in the ground, the enormity of the place speaks for itself – few cheap thrills and gimmicks are required. By the time the teams emerge to Mark Knopfler’s “Local Hero,” the heart rate certainly rises by a few beats. Neighborhood 4 The stadium’s prominence in the city also means that you are only a short walk away from a smorgasbord of facilities. Adjacent to the ground is Stowell Street, better known as “China Town.” Here you will find a mind-blowing array of Chinese eateries. Otherwise, the city centre is five minutes away. Finding something not to your taste is nigh-on impossible. Newcastle really cannot be matched for its convenience. A few pubs to check out during matchday are A Head of Steam, O’Neill’s and The Lounge Fans 5 This is where Newcastle United Football Club is in its element. “Toon” fans have long been regarded as some of the most intransigent supporters in the country. In spite of a famine of success for decade after decade, support rarely shows any sign of declining. Away fans are placed in the Sir John Hall Stand. They have long spoken its unparalleled spaciousness which makes up for being seated in the Gods. Furthermore, Newcastle is one of the longest away trips generally, so you can often count on visiting support being at its most visceral, providing the edge that all great football matches need. Access 4 Few faults are to be found here. For long-distance fans, Newcastle airport is seven miles from the city centre. The train station is a ten minute walk from the ground. Perhaps your simplest bet for travelling around the city is the metro system. A “Daysaver” ticket can be purchased for £3.50 which gives you unlimited travel. Alight at Monument station when going to the ground. It is possible to park almost in the shadow of the stadium but you would be advised to find somewhere a little further out as the exiting masses will make driving near the stadium an unmitigated nightmare. You may want to consider the Park and Ride system – signposted as you enter Newcastle. This will allow you to deposit your car and take a metro service into the city centre, eliminating the pain. Newcastle University provides a consummate guide for travel of all dimensions. Once at the ground, do bear in mind that supporters in the top tiers will have to face football’s version of Everest with seemingly endless flights of stairs. It is balanced out however by the extraordinary sense of accomplishment once you have wheezed your way to the top. Return on Investment 4 Newcastle’s pricing is not out of touch with its contemporaries. A well-placed seat in the corner of the ground shouldn’t be more than £30. Bearing in mind the vibrancy and breadth of facilities to be found in the city, boredom should be the least thing on your mind. Newcastle should be high on your list when considering Premier League venues to visit. Extras 3 Programmes are available for £3, providing all the essential match-day information. Daily stadium tours are also offered at a price of £10 for adults and £7 for concessions. You will have to pay a little more if doing it on a matchday. Where things fall down is the lack of big screens in an otherwise modern football ground, save for a humble display of the allotted match time. Televisions are available on the concourses however, where you can watch the rest of the day’s results arrive.

Photo courtesy of the UFL On Thursday March 14, the recently revamped United Football League (UFL)  announced that the host site of the 2024 UFL Championship Game will be the home of the St. Louis Battlehawks, The Dome at America’s Center . The game will take place on Sunday, June 16 with kickoff scheduled for 5pm ET on Fox.   “Selecting the championship game location is more than just the stadium, but the community and the fanbase that surrounds it,” said UFL President and CEO Russ Brandon. “This is why we are proud to bring our Championship to St. Louis – a city that has loved and embraced spring football from the start.”   The new spring football league emerged from a merger between the United States Football League (USFL) and the XFL . The current league is comprised of eight teams who will take part in a 10-game schedule this season, culminating in two conference playoff games before the championship. The league is comprised of teams from each former league: the Arlington Renegades , Birmingham Stallions, D.C. Defenders , Houston Roughnecks , Michigan Panthers, Memphis Showboats, San Antonio Brahmas , and St. Louis Battlehawks.   “After setting league attendance records for all five St. Louis Battlehawks home games during the 2023 season, we’re thrilled to welcome the UFL Championship game to the Gateway City in 2024,” said Kitty Ratcliffe, President of Explore St. Louis . “St. Louis is the ideal home for this title game, and The Dome at America’s Center stands ready to welcome UFL fans from around the nation for what promises to be a signature event for the region.”   In 2023 the Arlington Renegades won the XFL Championship with a 35-26 victory over the D.C. Defenders, while the Birmingham Stallions won 28-12 over the Pittsburgh Maulers for their second consecutive USFL Championship.   “Both the XFL and USFL had incredible Championship games last year with some of the most exciting play of the season – and I expect it to be even better this year,” said UFL Executive Vice President of Football Operations, Daryl Johnston . “I'm so excited for our players and coaches that will have the opportunity to compete for a Championship in a setting like The Dome. It will be an experience like none other for the teams lucky enough to play in the UFL Championship game.”   The Battlehawks proved to be one of the more successful teams last season, leading both leagues in fan attendance with a total of 175,121 fans for their five home games in 2023; this included a record-setting 38,310 that turned out for their home opener.   “St. Louisans are excited to welcome the UFL championship game and tens of thousands of enthusiastic fans to our city,” said St. Louis Mayor Tishaura O. Jones . “Soon, UFL fans from across the country will learn: Kaw is the law.”   The Renegades, led by College Football Hall of Famer Bob Stoops , and the Stallions, led by Skip Holtz , are again expected to be contenders for the championship in the new league. The inaugural league will kickoff on Saturday, March 30 with a clash between the two reigning championship teams.   “To have our fans see us in that game would be awesome,” said Anthony Becht , Head Coach of the Battlehawks. “There's no doubt the Dome will be rocking. This also puts a little more added pressure on us to do what we need to do to be in that game, but everybody's end goal is to get into the Championship, so our focus remains the same.” ----- Follow Eric Moreno’s Stadium Journey on Twitter at @EricMoreno6477 . Visit Eric Moreno’s writer’s portfolio site at ericmoreno.contently.com .

Photos by Chris Tuck, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.57 Stade de la Licorne 25, Rue du Chapitre Amiens 80000, France Amiens SC website Stade de la Licorne website Year Opened: 1999 Capacity: 12,097 Groundhopping in the Somme It took Amiens Sporting Club 116 years to reach the top flight of French football. They finally achieved their dream in 2017, finishing as runners-up in Ligue 2 (a 96th-minute winner in their final game confirmed promotion). Boss Christophe Pelissier went down in history and the move to their sparkling new stadium in 1999 was vindicated. Previously, a single Couple De France final appearance in 2001 had been their peak, a 5-4 defeat on penalties to Strasbourg was hard to take. It was RC Strasbourg again providing the opposition for our visit on a cold November evening. The Stade de la Licorne, 3k to the west of the city, is a striking structure, small in capacity but a giant in character. The transparent roof which peers inward over the pitch is an impressive and innovative feature, particularly imposing at night. The stadium, which opened in 1999, has a sponsorship naming rights deal with ‘Credit Agricole’ a network of French co-operatives. Fierce WW1 battles and German occupation in WW2 catapulted Amiens (capital of the Somme region) into the world’s psyche. Before that author Jules Verne lived and worked in Amiens and in latter times current French president Emmanuel Macron was born here. With civic pride dented by factory closures and public sector cuts, right on cue, their football team has risen to life. Editor's Note: Amien SC is currently in Ligue 2. Food & Beverage 3 Sustenance options in the immediate locality and around the perimeter of the stadium are limited. Eat and drink in town or inside the stadium. Once in the ground, there are temporary structures selling drinks and hot and cold snacks. Pay 1 Euro for a branded reusable cup and a beer costs 3 or 5 Euros (small or large). The ‘huts’ also sell soft drinks at 2.50 Euros and snacks including crisps and chocolate bars. The grandly titled ‘Les Arts de la Fete’ behind the south stand sells hot food including Frites for 3 Euros, Frites plus Saucisse, merguez ou piluet for 6 Euros, or baguettes. Atmosphere 4 Despite being open for 20 years (the inaugural match was a champions trophy match in July 1999 between Nantes and Bordeaux) the place still feels fresh and new. The current capacity of 12,097 could be developed to 20,000 in the future should it be needed. The highest attendance so far saw 12,737 squeezed in for a match v Olympique Marseilles. The stands are almost identical on three sides with a larger version including a second tier forming the main stand. The leg room is excellent, and all seats are comfortable with an element of cover from the curved roof but this would not necessarily be enough to stop a soaking. Two scoreboards, one at each end keep supporters up to date with club news. (Watch a brief clip of the inside of the ground here. ) The views, too, are superb. The intimacy of the venue together with the bright white seats and curved glass backdrop ensures a real wow factor as you enter the arena. Neighbourhood 3 As with most out-of-town venues, there is little to see in the immediate surrounding area. Centrally, the old town is worth staying for, with the 800-year-old cathedral the centerpiece. This UNESCO 13th-century gothic monolith towers over the old town and inside it is simply magnificent. Starting slightly north of the cathedral there is the Quartier Saint-Leu, a fashionable area where the old textile mills were once based. This is an excellent area to eat, with a collection of restaurants nestled on the banks of the Somme River. Our recommendation though is in the middle of town, an English-style bar called Au Bureau. There’s a great menu and a seat upstairs provides some great views over the pedestrianised shopping area. A couple of streets away, the pub Le Charleston has sporting themes on the walls and serves blonde Leffe, a must when in northern Europe. After the game back near the station, ‘Le Towers’ the Irish bar has friendly staff and a good range of beers. Other central attractions include Maison De Jules Verne, the house where Verne lived, renovated (but with various parts of the interior preserved) now a museum, and the Belfry d’Amiens. Climb the tower and enjoy the views for just 4 Euros. Two memorials to the wars can be found along Rue de Noyon just opposite the station. Fans 3 Whilst the city does not have the feel of a footballing hotbed, the fans here love Les Licornes (The Unicorns). Recent average attendances include 2017/18 (9,521), 2018/19 (11,043), and 2019/20 (currently 12,134). Rivals include Lens, Lille, and Strasbourg. No printed programme or team sheet for fans is a disappointment, whilst not a surprise in mainline Europe it’s a missed opportunity to connect with fans and visitors. The most vociferous fans are based at the north end of the ground. The north and south stand behind each goal and also have special sections for diehard fans with flags and scarves etc. Away fans are in the corner of the south stand and enjoyed themselves on our visit as Strasbourg ran out 4-0 winners. Access 3 Amiens is situated in the industrial north of France in the Hauts-de-France department, a two-hour drive from Paris. Arriving on the Eurotunnel into Calais it’s just a 90-minute drive if you are happy to pay 11 Euros each way on tolls. From Paris or Calais it’s the A16 that will get you to the city. There is a large car park at the stadium. The main train station is Gare de Amiens where you can take an ER service to Paris Gare du Nord in just over an hour or it’s just 80 minutes from Lille. Alternatively, the Gare de Saint Roche which is closer to the stadium has TER (a regional brand on SCNCF) services to Albert, Abbeville, and Calais. The nearest airports are Paris Beauvais Airport (60 km) & Roissy Airport (160 km). Once in the centre of Amiens, it’s a long walk, taxi, or bus out to the ground. Take the bus (N4 or 16) from Rue au Lin, opposite the Belfry, just up the road from Le Charleston. The bus takes around 15 minutes to the Hippodrome next to the stadium. Match tickets can be purchased easily through the club website. Book early however as most Ligue 1 games are close to sellouts each match day. Reductions were available on our visit. Category 1 – 6 tickets normally 17.50-32.50 reduced to 10 Euros to 17 Euros. Return on Investment 4 Visiting from the UK, Eurotunnel single tickets can be purchased for as little as £30 each way. Then, petrol money, hotel, beers, and reduced-price match tickets mean the visit can be done on a tight budget. Extras 4 The clubs’ social media is excellent with the Twitter account @AmiensSC in particular very good. A treasure hunt in the city centre organised a few days before the game is just one example of some innovative work. Two fan accounts on Twitter @AmiensSCUnited and @Amienois1901 are also informative and helpful and worth a follow before you visit. There is a club shop in the city centre selling all the usual merchandise. Replica shirts are quite expensive as is normally the case, a scarf at 15 Euros is perhaps a more affordable souvenir. Amiens previous home Stade Moulonguet in the south of the city has not been demolished and can still be visited. It is now the home of their second team (Amiens SC 2) who play in the National 3 league. Final Thoughts If you love your history and your eclectic football stadia, then put this one on your groundhopping list. The city of Amiens is small enough to explore in a day and if you visit whilst the Christmas market is on, the old town feels almost magical. The Somme region is rich in wartime history and so it’s a good place to base yourself if you want to take in the battlefields and monuments in the area. The stadium design has to be seen, it has the feel of some Middle Eastern grounds and our recommendation is to visit for a night game. By day it looks fairly ordinary, like an old shopping centre but when the lights come on, like the football club itself, this fine stadium comes to life.

Photos by Spezia Calcio Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.00 Stadio Alberto Picco Viale Nicolò Fieschi La Spezia, Italy 19100 Italy Spezia Calcio website Stadio Alberto Picco website Year Opened: 1919 Capacity: 10,290 Stadio Alberto Picco The stadium of Spezia Calcio is the oldest among those of Serie B. It opened in 1919, and is approaching its 100th anniversary. The facility is named after Alberto Picco, the first player to score a goal with Spezia Calcio and a man who tragically died during World War I, as remembered with a plaque placed near the Tribuna Centrale. Reaching the stadium from Viale Nicolò Fieschi the arc in gray stone with two columns and two statues of athletes that is among the sectors Distinti and Curva Piscina is what will catch the eye of fans. The work dates back to the 1930s, the same period as the Tribuna Centrale (in which there is also the sector Tribuna VIP). Its architecture is reminiscent of those of British stadia. Completing the Stadio Picco are the two curves. One is called Ferrovia and is reserved for the home fans. It is formed by concrete steps and was built in the 1960s. The area for the visiting fans is called Piscina. It is formed by a metal prefabricated structure that was erected in the 1980s. During the 1990s, the sectors Distinti and Curva Ferrovia were renovated. With the return to Serie B in 2006/2007 (the Spezia Calcio had played for the last time in the second series of the Italian league in 1950/1951) more work was performed on the stadium to adapt to the lighting, the field, and for overall safety. The pitch of Stadio Picco was completely replaced before the 2011/2012 championship. Initially with a synthetic field then between December 2013 and January 2014, a field with a mixture of synthetic and natural. In Serie B 2014/2015 only three other facilities have a synthetic pitch: Pro Vercelli , Trapani and Virtus Entella. Food & Beverage 3 Between the Curva Ferrovia and the Tribuna Centrale is a small refreshment point that fans in the tribune can visit before the kickoff and during the halftime break. All drinks are served in paper cups. The coffee costs 1 euro, while the sandwiches (which are not very big) cost 2.5 euro. There are also the classic sweet or salty snacks available. If you want to avoid standing in queue for most of halftime to get something to eat, then you have to reach the concession area just before the break or the beginning of the second portion of the game. It may be worth missing some of the first half of the match to get a snack if you need it. Outside the stadium, before and after the match, there are the classic peddlers available. Atmosphere 4 Each sector is detached from the others. The Centrale and VIP Tribune are most reminiscent of the architecture of the British stadia. They have gray numbered seats. The only downside of this part of the stadium is the columns that support the roof and can present an obstructed view. The sector Distinti, which is also covered, is characterized by orange plastic seats and are white at the ends of the structure. This area also hosts the positions reserved for television cameras, while journalists are placed in the Tribuna Centrale. The capacities of the individual sectors are Tribuna Centrale (1,064); Tribuna VIP (112); Distinti (3,100); Curva Ferrovia (4,014); and Curva Piscina (area reserved for guest supporters, 2,000). In the advertising billboards on the sides of the two ports there are also clocks that show the minutes left in the match. Neighborhood 2 The Stadio Alberto Picco is located in the area of the city where there is the Naval Arsenal, one of the most important and ancient bases of the Italian Navy. It is characteristic that the silhouettes of ships will pop up behind sectors Distinti and Curva Piscina. However, the center of the city is only a few hundred meters away so there are plenty of places to eat or drink in the neighborhood. Fans 3 The most ardent fans of Spezia Calcio follow home games from the Curva (although in the 1980s, before the restructuring of Distinti and Ferrovia, the fans occupied the Curva Piscina). Scarves, flags and banners with the team colors of black and white are seen throughout the venue. The best matches to see are those against neighboring teams of Tuscany including Livorno , Empoli , Lucca, Pisa, Carrara, Massese, Arezzo, Pistoia and Prato. Access 3 The train station of La Spezia Centrale is situated just over one kilometer and is therefore easily accessible on foot. The nearest motorway exit is to La Spezia-Santo Stefano Magra on the A15 (connects La Spezia to Parma) and A12 (connecting Genoa to Livorno) and is a few kilometers away. Return on Investment 4 Ticket prices to watch a match at Stadio Alberto Picco range from 40 euro in Tribuna Centrale to 15 euro in the two curves. If fans are less than 14 years old, then the price is only one euro for Curva Ferrovia, Distinti and Tribuna Centrale. This is the cost in euros of season tickets to follow all home games of Spezia Calcio for 2014/2015: Tribuna Centrale (430); Distinti (260); and Curva Ferrovia (130). There are great deals to reduce the season price that can be found on the team’s website. Extras 2 During the Second World War, between December 1943 and July 1944, central and northern Italy played a football tournament involving 60 teams. For the city of La Spezia a section of the 42nd Corps of Firemen took part and won the final round playing against Torino and Venezia. A plaque on the outside wall of the Stadio Picco remembers that team. In January 2002 the FIGC, the Italian Football Federation, awarded Spezia Calcio with an honorary patch that commemorates the victory in the tournament. The nearby Cinque Terre, a World Heritage Site, is a stretch of the Ligurian coast that goes from Riomaggiore to Monterosso.

Photos by Aaron Terry, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.86 StubHub Center 18400 Avalon Boulevard Carson, CA 90746 Los Angeles Chargers website StubHub Center website Year Opened:  2003 Capacity:  27,000 Under Cover in LA Built in 2003, StubHub Center currently holds 27,000 fans, and serves primarily as the home field for the LA Galaxy of MLS, but for the past several seasons has also hosted the LA Galaxy II of USL.  But in 2017 the NFL’s Los Angeles Chargers moved in, and that team plans to call the facility home for a couple of years while their shiny new stadium in Inglewood is being built; the new venue (Los Angeles Stadium at Hollywood Park) will be shared with the Los Angeles Rams . While StubHub Center is very small as NFL stadiums go (about half the size of the next closest, the Oakland Raiders’ Coliseum ), the Chargers so far have had a very difficult time filling it, officially bringing in only about 25,000 per contest last season (2017).  This statistic, however, is made worse by the fact that it often seems like there are more visiting fans in attendance than home fans. Food & Beverage   4 On the plus side, StubHub Center has all the food options you could ever want at a sporting event and then some, but of course all this variety comes with the high prices typical of pro sports in America today. Each of the concessions stands at StubHub Center seems to offer something different; I did not see any repeats as I walked around the concourse.  And in addition to the freestanding vendors, there are also several food trucks which offer even more unique items, such as Korean BBQ and Sushi Burritos (which are exactly what they sound like – traditional sushi rolls the size of Mexican burritos). But the crown jewel of the concessions here just may be the Chargers Beer Garden, complete with hammock chairs and picnic tables, in addition to a huge selection of alcoholic drinks. One possible downside is that your more basic food options are actually a little hard to come by at StubHub Center – while you can find staples such as chicken tenders or pizza, a lot of the other staples like burgers and hot dogs only seem to come in upscale versions with higher price tags.  For example, you can find several stands and food trucks serving gourmet burgers, gourmet hot dogs, upscale tacos and nachos, and even gourmet grilled cheese sandwiches.  In addition, there are also tons of other non-traditional options, too many to name them all in fact.  Selections range from bulgogi, kimchi, and poké bowls to French dip sandwiches, pasta, and cannolis, as well as more basic items such as empanadas, ice cream, cookies, and more.  Most main dishes will run you $10 or more, however, so the cost per person to eat here is probably around $25 for a meal. The drink selection at StubHub Center is equally wide, and includes everything you might expect such as bottled water, soda, milk, hot cocoa, coffee, and smoothies, as well as beer, wine, and mixed drinks, including frozen cocktails.  The beverage prices are a little more reasonable, however; for example, beer starts at just $5, but you can pay more to find craft brews and beer on tap, while wine starts at $9 and mixed drinks start a little higher.  Note that the staff does let you bring in an empty bottle (or cup) that you can fill with water during the game. Atmosphere   5 Despite the smallish crowd, the staff here at StubHub Center seems to pull out all the stops to create a good time for fans, and there are tons of amenities here that most other NFL stadiums do not offer.  For example, on the plaza before the game you can get pumped up with a concert by Chargers singers, and there are also tons of picnic tables and other seating (some of it covered) you can take advantage of.  StubHub Center also has several cooling fans dotted around the concourse, which are a great boon in the hot California sun. Besides the unique offerings, the Los Angeles Chargers also offer the traditional football amenities fans have become accustomed to at pro sports, such as flame and smoke spurting forth when the team comes onto the field, the occasional jet flyover, the cheerleaders, and the Chargers band which performs during various breaks in the action, as well as the cannon which goes off after every Chargers score. One sad bit of nostalgia – the famed sing-song chant from San Diego (San Dee-eh-go Char-gers!) has not been carried over into the new city (not even with a name change), so long time fans may be disappointed; perhaps a new chant will emerge someday. Neighborhood   4 Los Angeles is a great city, but StubHub Center is actually located 14 miles south in Carson, so you will have to trek a little bit if you want to soak in the fun and craziness of LA.  That said, you will find plenty to do closer to the stadium if you come for the day or weekend, along with hotels and lodging options to fit any budget. The closest restaurants to StubHub Center (within walking distance) are old-style diners such as Dandy Lion Restaurant and R & R Soulfood, but there are plenty of upscale options to the south along I-405, such as Olive Garden.  And if you are looking for ethnic cuisine, there are a ton of options within a few miles of the venue, ranging from Hawaiian to Mexican and Vietnamese.  In addition, if you are looking for a quick bite right before you go inside, there is a Kentucky Fried Chicken just outside the main entrance, on the west side of Avalon Blvd. Alternatively, if you are looking for something truly unique, check out The Proud Bird next to LAX airport; this aviation-themed restaurant and event space features WWII planes and other museum exhibits inside and out, and would be a great place to stop in before or after the game. If you plan to be in town for the weekend, going on a whale watch from one of the nearby beaches is a great option, especially for games in September or October, which are better months for whale migration.  But if indoor activities are more your bag, Carson is also home to the International Printing Museum and the Porsche Experience, either one of which would be a great time for the whole family. Fans   3 It is very disappointing that Chargers fans are not able to sell out this relatively small venue (smaller than many college football stadiums, actually, even some of the ones in the MAC).  Also, at times there seems to be more visiting fans than home fans, so you may not see very many powder blue jerseys. Access   3 Traffic around LA is terrible, but fortunately Carson is not that bad, given its location about 14 miles to the south.  And thankfully, football season comes after the tourist season is mostly over, so traffic here should be a little easier in the fall – NFL stadiums actually tend to do fairly well traffic-wise, though, given that most games are on Sunday, while the roadways around these big-city venues are built for (and used to) handling the much heavier weekday traffic. Parking at StubHub Center is pricey – in the main lots right next to the venue you will pay $100, but fortunately you can park right across the street (on the west side of Avalon Blvd) for $40 at nearby churches or in people’s yards, if you get there early.  When heading home, however, I would strongly recommend that you avoid driving on Avalon Blvd – if possible cut west down the side streets for several blocks, and then make your way to the freeway from there; I-110 and I-405 are to the west of the stadium anyway, so it makes sense to avoid the gridlock immediately surrounding the venue. Despite the fact that StubHub Center does not even sell out, the venue is really crowded, especially during halftime – you could find yourself in line for quite a while.  The beer garden is a little less crowded, however, so that might be a good spot to hang out if you need a break from the crowds. Return on Investment   4 Even if you buy them from ticket resellers you might pay close to $100 (or more) for a Chargers game, which is a lot of money for a sporting event.  However, that is typical of the LA market, and is not far off from many other pro football venues. I would suggest though that you pay attention to where your seat is located, and not just buy the cheapest ticket like I did – the weather is very, very hot in LA, especially if you attend a game in September or October, so if possible I would try to sit in the highest rows on the west side of the stadium, or in the upper deck on the east side, so you can sit under one of the roofs.  Anywhere in the 200 or 300 sections would be great, or in the highest rows of sections 107 thru 115 – StubHub Center is such a small facility that even if you sit that far up you won’t be very far from the action, and you will be able to see the game better from up there anyway, given that you can’t see the whole field if you sit too close. Add in the high cost of parking and concessions to the ticket price, and this could be an expensive outing especially if you have a big group.  However, you will get to be a lot closer to the action on the field here than at other NFL venues, so for a lot of fans this could be a worthwhile trip.  And it is sure to be a fun day, given all the nice amenities StubHub Center offers. Extras   4 The beer garden and full-size restaurant/tap room inside are a plus, as is the entertainment before and during the game, such as the pre-game concert and the Chargers football toss).  StubHub Center truly offers a carnival-like atmosphere, which in addition to the cooling fans and the multiple seating areas inside the venue will make for a great visit that goes beyond just the action on the gridiron. Final Thoughts The Los Angeles Chargers will soon move on to their mammoth new home in Inglewood, so you don’t have much longer to enjoy this cozy NFL venue.  If you plan to be in the LA area anytime soon, be sure to take in a football game at StubHub Center – the venue offers a lot, and if you pick the right game, you can even see your favorite NFL players up close.