Photos by Andrew Kulyk, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.29 Toyota Stadium 9200 World Cup Way Frisco, TX 75034 FC Dallas website Toyota Stadium website Year Opened: 2005 Capacity: 20,500 A work in progress rises in Frisco The FC Dallas franchise was already a trendsetter back in the early 2000s, when they designed and built one of the first soccer-specific stadiums in Major League Soccer. The size, configuration, and intimate game day experience became an instant hit. The template has since been emulated across the entire swath of the league, with a building boom continuing in existing and expansion cities. FC Dallas took it one step further, adding the National Soccer Hall of Fame, which opened in 2018. This is a resplendent museum and interactive series of exhibits, adding a unique dimension to this complex and making it a true destination even on non-game days. Come 2025, and it will be an entire remake and reimagination of Toyota Stadium. Just about the entire stadium is being demolished and remodeled, side by side, and come 2028, a completely new venue will entertain fans and athletes alike, offering new comforts, amenities, and a canopied roof to shelter patrons from the summer sun and much, much more. Food and Beverage 5 The entire array of concession fare at Toyota Stadium does not disappoint. There is a broad selection of food items, with something for everyone. Concession stands ring the entire main concourse of the stadium. Some examples: The Takis, offering their signature Striker Burrito stuffed with the usual ingredients and tater tots ($18). Their Italian sausage sub is topped with giardiniera ($12). The usual stuff: hot dogs ($6), pretzels/popcorn ($6), souvenir soda ($9), available at most stands. The best bargain these days is a Wild Hero draft beer for only $5. Their Philly cheesesteak and a specialty item called Meatza Pizza Fries ($18). A Coca-Cola BBQ bacon burger goes for $14. Yeah, they do offer Buffalo Wings ($12). There is a local chain selling their feature Corny Dogs, but they're listed on the menu as “CornDog With No Name”. There’s got to be a story behind that flap! Atmosphere 4 There is an actual tailgate scene here at Toyota Stadium. In the parking lots off the west side of the stadium, fans participate in several pregame rituals. The supporters section? Meh. Tucked into one corner on the southwest side of the venue, we can assume the craziness has been muted for one major reason. In 2025, the entire east stand was closed off for reconstruction, and this construction phase renovation has somewhat dulled what would normally be a roaring stadium in a cozy setting. All this should change once the new stadium is completed. Nonetheless, these fans are serious about their sport, support the team in droves, and offers a pretty energetic game day atmosphere, even with the interim stadium configuration. Capacity Crowd at Toyota Stadium. Photo by Andrew Kulyk, Stadium Journey. Neighborhood 5 First-time visitors would normally come here with low expectations. How much joy can one expect from a stadium tucked away in the suburbs, far from the Dallas urban core, and most likely surrounded by acres of parking, soul-crushing suburban plazas, and wide roads of vehicles? Big mistake! The City of Frisco is an upscale bedroom community with plenty to offer. There are plenty of restaurants within easy walking distance, residential condominiums, and lofts in abundance. Frisco is also the home of an AA baseball team, as well as the practice facility for the NFL's Dallas Cowboys. The streetscapes are attractive, the neighborhood is safe, and there is an actual vibe to the district. This really is a must-visit spot with plenty of other attractions and activities. Fans 3 The Dallas faithful do not break attendance records, but one has to say this: these people show up in some oppressive heat and support their team in a venue that currently has just scant comfort for the elements. There are flags everywhere, the supporters tailgate, chant, and cheer. It is probably not the premier MLS venue when it comes to fan energy and support, but a solid one nonetheless. Scarf Display at Toyota Stadium. Photo by Andrew Kulyk, Stadium Journey. Access 4 The Dallas North Tollway gets you here from pretty much anyplace in the Dallas Metroplex, and the network of highways handles stadium traffic with ease. There is a public transportation option via DART bus 308, which runs from downtown Dallas to just outside Toyota Stadium. Check online for schedules. Return on Investment 4 Parking used to be free, but now non-season ticket holders are charged $20 to park in the general Corolla Red, Highlander Green, Sienna Blue, and RAV4 White Lots. Be aware that there are parking ramps in the commercial district south of the stadium offering parking at better price points, and even free spaces on the street if you arrive early enough. As for ticket prices, the numbers vary widely, but use a baseline of $49 to get an average price seat at an average game. Secondary websites offer tickets as low as $13, and it pays to shop. The team also offer a pricier ticket with an “all you can eat” option. National Soccer Hall of Fame Entrance at Toyota Stadium. Photo by Andrew Kulyk, Stadium Journey. Extras 5 We have to give a massive score bump for this for one reason - the National Soccer Hall of Fame. This museum really should be visited without the distraction of an actual game in the stadium, as the facility is a superb look into the Beautiful Game and all the great history of the sport here in the United States. The façade and entry plaza on the south side of the venue are inviting, the exhibits are immersive, and display state of the art. Dallas can claim this attraction as its very own, and that alone propels it to the list of elite venues in MLS. Final Thoughts The “New Toyota Stadium” project is well underway, with construction disruptions and service/comfort compromises sure to affect the fan experience for the next two years. Once complete, the Dallas FC experience promises to be one of the superior ones in the United States. Make a trip here, plan to stay, and take in all that the City of Frisco has to offer.

Photo courtesy of the United Football League The United Football League (UFL)  announced the next evolution in its growth with the announcement of three new teams – which replaced the recently announced as departed San Antonio Brahmas, Memphis Showboats, and Michigan Panthers – to the league. The new/replacement teams are the Columbus Aviators, Louisville Kings, and Orlando Storm. The new Columbus team will play at Historic Crew Stadium , home of the Columbus Crew of Major League Soccer (MLS). The Louisville team will play at Lynn Family Stadium , home of Louisville City FC of the United Soccer League (USL). Lastly, the new Orlando team will play home games at Inter&Co Stadium , home of Orlando City SC of the MLS and the Orlando Pride of the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL). “Today marks an important step forward for the United Football League,” said Mike Repole, co-owner of the UFL, in a news release. “Columbus, Louisville, and Orlando are true football cities with deep sports roots. We’re proud to bring professional football to these communities – in energetic, fan-driven stadiums built to create an authentic gameday experience and strengthen the foundation of this league for years to come.” In addition to the new/replacement teams, the UFL also announced updated team names and new venues for two of its legacy teams. The Arlington Renegades will now be the Dallas Renegades and play their home games at Toyota Stadium , home of FC Dallas of the MLS. The Houston Roughnecks, meanwhile, will be renamed the Houston Gamblers and move their home games to Shell Energy Stadium , home of the Houston Dynamo FC of the MLS and the Houston Dash of the NWSL. Repole joined the UFL ownership group in July 2025, becoming co-owner of the spring league along with FOX, RedBird Capital Partners, ESPN, and Dany Garcia and Dwayne Johnson. The goal in Repole’s joining was to oversee business strategy, brand development, and long-term growth. “We’re heading into this season with new teams, new markets, new venues, and a renewed energy that reflects the momentum building around this league,” said Repole, who leads league business operations through his private equity firm, Impact Capital. The goal in choosing the new teams and new venues was to try and mirror the fan attendance and engagement that has been found with two of the UFL’s most prominent existing teams, the St. Louis Battlehawks and the DC Defenders . ---- Follow Eric Moreno’s Stadium Journey on Twitter at @EricMoreno6477

Photos by Dave Cottenie, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.71 Wells Fargo Center 3601 South Broad Street Philadelphia, PA 19148 Philadelphia Wings website Walls Fargo Center website Year Opened: 1996 Capacity: 20,306 Wings Lax Still Flying Editor's Note: On September 1, 2025, the home of the Flyers and 76ers was rebranded as the Xfinity Mobile Arena in an agreement lasting through the 2030-2031 season to coincide with the rebranding of Comcast Spectator to reflect the growth in their mobile business. For many years, the Philadelphia Wings were one of the cornerstone franchises in the National Lacrosse League. The original Wings played in the old National Lacrosse League for the two seasons that they took the floor in 1974 and 1975. When the league resurfaced as Eagle Pro Box Lacrosse League in 1986 the Wings played in one of the original games on the first day. The league would go through changes, with a period as the Major Indoor Lacrosse League before settling in as the National Lacrosse League in 1998. The Wings were part of all of those iterations. When the announcement was made that the Wings were sold to the Mohegan Tribe and moving to Connecticut to be the New England Black Wolves, it is appropriate to say that the lacrosse community was shocked. It didn’t take long for the parent company of the Philadelphia Flyers, Comcast Spectacor, to dive right into the NLL and bring an expansion team back to Broad Street. The new Wings took the floor in 2018. The original home of the Wings was the venerable Spectrum. When the Wells Fargo Center opened and the Flyers and Philadelphia 76ers moved to the new venue, the Wings joined them. Opening in 1996 as the CoreStates Center, the building is now on its fourth moniker as a result of numerous bank mergers. A massive renovation in 2020 has brought the arena up to modern standards and is favorably comparable to any venue in the National Lacrosse League. The Wings are still attempting to capture the imagination of Philadelphia sports fans and the magic of previous Wings iterations. Food & Beverage 5 One of the major differences found at Wells Fargo Center as a result of the 2020 renovation is a commitment to improving the concession experience. Philly sports fans are now able to experience a premium concession experience. The regular arena favorites are all present, of course, however, they are now joined by many Philly favorites and higher quality items than were found previous to the renovation. Some unique items that can now be found at Wells Fargo Center include Federal Donuts, huge, thin-crust pizza slices at Cuz’s Pizza, Vodka Parm Sandwiches and Italian Pork Sandwiches at 9th Street Italian Sandwiches, Mac & Cheese Balls at Line Change, various Philly Cheesesteaks at First Line Steaks, burgers and milkshakes from Shake Shack and Crab Fries from Chickie’s and Pete’s. Coca-Cola products are the soft drinks of choice at Wells Fargo. Beer selections include Blue Moon, Yuengling, Stella Artois, Miller Lite, Labatt Blue, Bud Light, Coors Light, and Athletic Brewing Co. products. The concession scene deserves to be planned out a bit and a concessions map are available on the Wells Fargo Center website, or here . Atmosphere 4 The Wells Fargo Center is located in the South Philadelphia Wells Fargo Complex and is surrounded by parking. Although there is nothing overly exceptional about the exterior of the building, it is far from unattractive. There is not an overabundance of glass on the exterior of the building, but light-colored siding and brick are the main materials. A couple of photo ops that fans may want to check out on the exterior, aside from the view of downtown Philadelphia, Lincoln Financial Field, or Citizens Bank Park, would include the statue of Wilt Chamberlain at the southeast corner of the building, or the statue of Ed Snider at the northwest corner. Fans entering the Wells Fargo Center will be welcomed by newly designed concourses. Concession stands are grouped in various areas that include some seating areas to visit with other fans and enjoy a drink or eat some food before heading into the bowl. The top sides of the concourse walls feature small murals and headings of numerous neighborhoods in Philadelphia and the surrounding areas which keep the local flavor of the building strong. Several Flyers and Sixers displays may interest fans as well. For Wings games, the smaller merchandise counters are where fans will find a variety of swag items. When fans enter the seating bowl, their attention will immediately be drawn to the massive, concave, four-sided videoboard. Crystal clear and state of the art, the videoboard features long, concave screens to match the long sides of the floor with smaller, more square boards on the ends. The ribbon board that goes with the screen uniquely can be raised or lowered and has flames that shoot out for pregame festivities. The floor runs from south to north with the perfect spot for the center logo picture to be taken, on the east side. A typical, two-level seating bowl separated by luxury boxes is found at the Wells Fargo Center. The seats in the Wells Fargo Center are new and spacious and much better than what was previously in the arena. In the southwest corner rafters hang banners for the Wings. Retired number banners for Dallas Eliuk, Tom Marechek, Jake Bergey, and Kevin Finneran are joined by a banner noting 1989, 1990, 1994, and 1995 North American Cup Championships and 1998 and 2001 Champions Cup Championships. All honors are for previous iterations of the Wings, but it is good that the current Wings have continued to memorialize them. The gameday atmosphere at a Wings game is not dissimilar to that of other NLL teams. The entrance for the players during pregame is highly produced with a hype video, followed by player entrances through a physical, illuminated version of the current Wings logo with plenty of loud music and flames. Music plays throughout the action on the floor and there are plenty of promotions. The Philadelphia Wings Dancers take part in the pregame and perform at points during the game. The Wings mascot, Wingston, can be found traversing the crowd and interacting with fans during the game. Neighborhood 3 The Wells Fargo Center is located in the South Philadelphia Wells Fargo Sports Complex in the South Philadelphia East neighborhood, just across the Delaware River on the other side of New Jersey. There is not much in the way of a neighborhood that would be within walking distance of the arena. Xfinity Live is part of the complex as is the Live Casino and Hotel Philadelphia. There are a couple of spots fans may want to check out for food or drink just south of the complex, including DiNic’s Pork and Beef and The Gatehouse. What the area lacks in pre and post-game food venues it more than makes up for access to other sports. The Wells Fargo Center is shared with the Philadelphia Flyers and Philadelphia 76ers and periodically the Villanova Wildcats. Lincoln Financial Field is home to the Philadelphia Eagles and Temple Owls . The Army-Navy Game often resides at Lincoln Financial Field also. Citizens Bank Park is the home of the Philadelphia Phillies . The Philadelphia Union plays in nearby Chester. There are also several college basketball sports fans who could check out including the Temple Owls , Drexel Dragons , Villanova Wildcats , LaSalle Explorers , and St. Joseph’s Hawks . Checking out the Palestra, home of the Penn Quakers , is a must for college basketball and Philadelphia basketball fans. Fans wishing to stay close to the complex can either stay at the casino or the Courtyard Philadelphia South. Heading into downtown Philadelphia also offers a host of other tourist and food options fans should consider. Fans 3 Assessing the fan situation in the National Lacrosse League is becoming increasingly difficult as attendance figures are often not published. It is safe to say that the current Wings have not enjoyed the same following that earlier versions of the team did. That being said, it seems that attendance at Wings games is on the rise. The game that was attended for review had an odd, 11 am start time and still attracted over 7,000 fans. It is also safe to say that the Wings are not consistently breaking the 10,000 fan mark. Fans that are in attendance are knowledgeable and passionate. Hopefully, the word will spread and the average attendance for Wings games will continue to increase. Access 4 Getting to the Wells Fargo Center is not that difficult. The complex is located on Broad Street, immediately north of I-95 and south of I-76. Traffic can be a bit of a challenge, but it is not terrible. If multiple teams are playing in the complex at the same time, it could be more of a problem. There is plenty of parking in the area. Fans wishing to take public transit can catch the subway to the NRG Station on the west side of the complex. Fans should see the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority website for fares, maps, and schedules. Getting around the Wells Fargo Center is not an issue. With the renovations, all of the seats in the arena were replaced and the replacements are bigger and more comfortable than before. The washroom facilities are more than adequate for the crowd in attendance for Wings games. Stadium Journey recognizes that security protocols for major sports are in constant flux. Stadium Journey highly recommends consulting the Philadelphia Wings and/or Wells Fargo Center websites for the most up-to-date security protocols including bag policy and prohibited items. Return on Investment 4 The Philadelphia Wings put on a good show, with plenty of excitement, in a facility that is as good as any in the National Lacrosse League. The “fastest game on two feet” will engage fans and keep them on the edge of their seats and the Wings do a solid job of putting together a strong gameday package. Wings tickets are not expensive and good seats can be found for $25 with both more and less expensive options available. Concession prices are what one would expect, but the concession experience is excellent. Parking is a bit on the expensive side, but average for other Philadelphia sports experiences. More fans in the stands would provide an even better lacrosse experience and bump the ROI even higher. Extras 3 An extra mark for the recognition and embracing of the Philadelphia Wings past.An extra mark for the return of the NLL to a traditional lacrosse market. An extra mark for the significant renovation of the Wells Fargo Center Final Thoughts With the return of the Philadelphia Wings to the Philadelphia sports scene, thoughts back to the glory days of Philadelphia lacrosse are fresh in the minds of Philly fans. It seems rekindling those days is still a few years away, but with a renovation to Wells Fargo Center, the time is right to head to South Philly and take in some box lax. ----- Follow all of Dave’s sporting adventures on Twitter @profan9 and Instagram .

Photos by Paul Baker, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.86 XL Center 1 Civic Center Plaza Hartford, CT 06103 Connecticut Huskies hockey website XL Center website Year Opened: 1975 Capacity: 14,750 Husky Hockey in Hartford   Editor's Note: In June 2025 PeoplesBank announced they had entered into a 10-year naming rights agreement with the downtown Hartford arena at a cost of $20 million. The XL Center, formerly known as the Hartford Civic Center, is the largest arena in the state of Connecticut. It was originally built in 1974 as part of a downtown project that included an adjacent mall, convention center, office space, hotel, and parking garage. Some people still refer to the XL Center as “The Mall,” even though the mall portion of the complex was demolished in 2004 and replaced with a 36-story residential tower.   The University of Connecticut has sponsored varsity hockey programs since 1960. They initially competed at the Division Three level in the ECAC conference. The team played at an outdoor rink near Memorial Stadium until 1998 when the school made the decision to upgrade to Division One. The Freitas Ice Forum was built to house the team and served as the Husky's home until the team joined the Hockey East Conference in 2014. At that time, the Huskies moved to downtown Hartford and the XL Center.   Despite the XL Center’s history as an NHL arena, it was never meant to be more than a temporary home for Huskies hockey, while a plan was developed for an on-campus arena. In 2021, UConn announced plans to build a new arena adjacent to the Freitas Ice Forum . The Toscano Family Ice Forum hosted its first women’s hockey game on January 13, 2023, and its first men’s hockey game on January 14, 2023. The school now plays the majority of its games on campus, scheduling only four games a year in Hartford.   The Huskies have yet to qualify for the NCAA Tournament. Seven UConn alumni have played in the National Hockey League.   Food & Beverage 5    The XL Center offers a menu that balances traditional arena fare with local flavor. Depending on your appetite, you can visit Chicken Fry Fry (featuring chicken tenders and fries), Fresh Classics (sausage and pepper sandwiches and nachos), Grill Masters (burgers), or Hot Dog Nation (yep, hot dogs). Dunkin’ Donuts operates a pair of stands featuring their signature coffee and baked goods. Pepsi products are featured at the XL Center. A complete concessions guide can be found here .   Visiting fans looking for a bit of local flavor should seek out Ted’s Cheeseburgers, which features gourmet burgers cooked in a style unique to Central Connecticut: they are steamed. Other notable stands include Randy’s Wooster St. Pizza (featured on Man vs. Food), the Portly Pig, Los Mariachis, and The Sausage Guy (the same one from Fenway Park). Chick-fil-A serves up their legendary chicken sandwiches. Portable carts serve up a variety of snacks, including Carvel ice cream.   Fans looking for an adult beverage will be pleased to find stands dedicated specifically to alcohol sales. Several national beer brands, including Sam Adams, Budweiser, Coors Light, and Blue Moon, can be found throughout the XL Center. Local brewery Two Roads sells a UConn-branded specialty brew, TwoConn Easy Ale.   A new option at the XL Center is the new Sports Bar and Fanatics Sportsbook, where fans can watch games on the 80 televisions hung on its 100-foot-long video wall while placing bets on the action. The Sportsbook Lounge also offers a full-service bar and restaurant featuring a menu of arena favorites. Atmosphere 3   Fans who have visited the XL Center over the years can testify that the sheer size of the XL Center works to spread out the fans and dampen any noise produced by the crowd. For Huskies crowds, however, some life is breathed into the old building. Driven by the student section and pep band, there’s an energy here that the old barn doesn’t often see. With the XL Center’s location 27 miles from campus, the turnout from students can be pretty impressive.   Arena staff put on a nice presentation, with the large video board put to use with hype videos, ads, replays, and crowd shots. There are t-shirt tosses and other contests to keep fans engaged, and the Husky mascot, Jonathan, participates on the ice and interacts with the crowd throughout the game.   Neighborhood 5   Hartford is rarely thought of as a destination city, but there is a lot to do in Connecticut’s capital city. The area around the arena features numerous restaurants and shops, and is filled with people, even on the weekends. Pratt Street, located directly across the street from the XL Center, is lined with many excellent pubs and restaurants, including Urban Lodge Brewery and Vaughan's Irish Public House. Black-Eyed Sally’s on Asylum Street features live music and excellent barbeque. Max Downtown, Sorella, Plan b Burger Bar and Bear's Barbeque highlight some of the diverse and popular options downtown. Hartford suffers from a bad reputation, but the area around the XL Center is safe and walkable. For fans interested in exploring the downtown area, there are some attractions nearby worth mentioning. The Old State House is located a few blocks from the XL Center, and contains exhibits on Hartford history. Tours are discounted for AAA members, and will cost history buffs a mere $3. The State Capitol and Bushnell Park are popular attractions located nearby. The Mark Twain House and Museum and the Harriet Beecher Stowe Center are both located just a short drive from the downtown area. Check out Hartford.com  for more information.   Fans looking for other sporting options in Hartford can pair a Huskies hockey game with a UConn men’s or women’s basketball game  here. The AHL’s Hartford Wolf Pack  also calls the XL Center home, and the Hartford Yard Goats  play a couple of blocks away at Dunkin’ Park. Hartford Athletic FC  plays at Trinity Health Stadium on the Connecticut River waterfront. Of course, the Storrs campus is just over a half hour away.   Fans 3   Crowds for Huskies hockey can vary greatly depending on the time of year, opponent, and even the weather. Stadium Journey visited the XL Center on a beautiful October Saturday afternoon with an announced crowd of about 2,700 in attendance. While a decent crowd, the sheer size of the XL Center makes a decent crowd look tiny. Larger crowds can be expected later in the year after football season ends. UConn hockey generally lands in the middle of the pack in terms of national attendance, drawing around 3,000 fans per game.   Despite the XL Center’s location 21 miles from the UConn campus, a good turnout from the student body can be expected. Driven by the pep band, the students give the building some energy night after night. Locals, youth teams, and alumni help fill the XL Center.   Access 4   The XL Center is in downtown Hartford, easily reached via either Interstate 84 or 91. The arena is only a few blocks away from either highway. Traffic in the city is often difficult to navigate, particularly for weekday games. Be sure to give yourself extra time to arrive, as both highways back up regularly around rush hour and beyond.   There are almost 50 parking lots and garages in the downtown area, all within walking distance of the XL Center. If you want to plan, the XL Center website has a link to the downtown map here . In addition to these paid spots, on-street parking is readily available around the XL Center. Meters are not in operation on weekends.   Once inside the XL Center, fans will enter a spacious lobby. This area was once part of the Civic Center Mall but is mostly empty space now. The ticket office is located here, as well as access to the attached parking garage and the Coliseum Club on the second level. There is a nice display in this area featuring jerseys from every high school hockey program in Connecticut, as well as a display featuring photos from Hartford’s hockey history.   All seats in the Veterans Memorial Coliseum consist of folding stadium chairs. The seating bowl at the XL Center is very steeply pitched, ensuring great sight lines no matter where you sit. Upper-level seats are usually not sold. Since the typical Husky crowd only fills a fraction of the XL Center, getting around is usually not too difficult. The restrooms are clean and large enough for the typical Husky crowd.   Return on Investment 4   Tickets for Husky games at the XL Center are affordable. Center ice sections sell for $23, with end zone seating priced at $18.   Parking in the lots and garages surrounding the XL Center ranges in price from $10-20, with on-street parking available for fans wishing to search for it. On-street parking is free after 6 PM on weekdays and all day long on weekends.   Concession prices are a bit on the high side, particularly for premium items, but are not out of line with other venues in the area.   Extras 3                                                                                                 Banners honoring the 17 University of Connecticut National basketball champions (11 women’s, six men’s) hang from the rafters on one end of the arena. On the other end of the arena, the Huskies have hung their 2000 MAAC championship banner.   The XL Center doesn’t ignore its past as the home of the Hartford Whalers. Banners honoring Whalers division championships, retired numbers, and the Howe family, who all played together in Hartford, hang from the rafters. In addition, the lobby contains a large mural of some of the highlights of Hartford’s professional hockey history.   After every Husky goal, Brass Bonanza, the Whalers’ goal song, plays.     Final Thoughts   The XL Center has its share of critics, particularly those who feel that Hartford deserves another NHL team. While the XL Center is no longer an adequate facility for the NHL, it is an excellent venue for college hockey, even if it is a bit too large for the needs of UConn. With the building of the Toscano Family Ice Forum , the XL Center will host only a handful of games every year, handling those games deemed too big to be held on-campus.   Follow Paul Baker’s stadium journeys on Twitter  and Instagram  @PuckmanRI.

With the changing of the leaves comes college football, and where is a better spot to get your college football fix than Stadium Journey's Obstructed Views. Dave and Paul welcome special guest Andrew Bauhs to discuss one of the most loved college football experiences, the Army West Point Black Knights. Grab a beer and kick back for the latest episode! You can find Stadium Journey's review of Blaik Field @ Michie Stadium and the Army West Point Black Knights football experience here.

The ongoing saga that is the takeover of Manchester United shows no signs of being resolved anytime soon, and with that, the future of United’s home, Old Trafford, is still up in the air. The stadium is regularly criticized for being in a state of disrepair and in desperate need of an upgrade in facilities. The team seems to be improving on the pitch, and the general consensus seems to be that progress also needs to be made off the pitch, or the club will get left behind. United contending on the pitch again Such is the progress made under Erik ten Hag this season, United are one of the betting favorites to win the league title next season. In the latest Premier League winner odds , United are 9/1 to win their first title since 2013. But such is the strength of their cross-town rivals, most punters making Premier League predictions won’t be putting the red half of Manchester down as their champions tip for next season. That said, a place in the top four is well within United’s capabilities. But with other clubs such as Arsenal, Spurs, and Chelsea, not to mention Manchester City, in the mix. The thorny issue of the quality of stadiums comes into the equation. Those other clubs mentioned above can all offer state-of-the-art facilities for the corporate sector, which generates huge sums of money for Premier League football clubs in the 21st century. Put simply, a football club's ambition on the pitch needs to be matched off it. And in the case of Manchester United, the quality of their stadium isn't keeping up with the team. To the average football fan, Old Trafford looks as good or bad as any other stadium in the country. There’s a seat to sit in, toilets, bars, and program sellers. But football fans rarely look beyond what is in front of them in their seats. They are only there to watch the football, after all. But even though Old Trafford might be okay in the eyes of football fans, it’s far from okay in the corporate world. The ground hasn’t been invested in since 2006, and if any indication of how far down the pecking order Old Trafford has fallen is needed, then look at the bid to host the European Championships in 2028. Old Trafford not shortlisted to be a Euro 2028 venue Old Trafford currently has a capacity of over 74,000, that’s far more than the five Premier League stadiums shortlisted to host matches at Euro 2028. So the question has to be asked, why has the City of Manchester Stadium (Man City’s Etihad), Everton’s not even yet built stadium, St James’ Park in Newcastle, Villa Park, and the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium been selected ahead of Old Trafford? The locations of the stadiums do play a part. But with two stadiums selected in the northwest of England, and Old Trafford not one of them, questions need to be asked why? One conclusion that can be drawn is facilities. The facilities at Old Trafford are way behind those at the Etihad, and they will be behind those available at Everton’s new stadium at Bramley Moore. As things stand, there are no immediate plans to modernise Old Trafford. The bidding parties looking to purchase the club have pledged to invest in the ground. But until a takeover is completed, there can be no upgrades. And while all this carries on in the background, Old Trafford is simply falling further behind.

Tasmania to get New Stadium and AFL Team...maybe Earlier this month, outgoing league CEO, Gill McLachlan, confirmed that Tasmania would be granted the 19th AFL license. The decision was contingent upon the federal government agreeing to kick in the last $240m required to build a new 23,000-seat multi-purpose, enclosed stadium at Macquarie Point on Hobart’s waterfront. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese duly announced that the feds would come to the party and stump up the required amount. The total cost of the stadium is projected to be $715m. The new team, likely to be called the Tasmania Devils, is slated to join the league for the 2028 season, although the stadium may not be completed until 2029. In the interim, Blundstone Arena would be the most likely base for the club. Given the geography of Tasmania, upgrades to University of Tasmania Stadium in Launceston will ensure home games are also played in the north of the state – even after the new venue in Hobart is opened. Australian rules football in Tasmania dates back to the 1860s. As the VFL began to expand into a national competition through the 1990s, the state was naturally a potential market for the league. Several AFL clubs, including North Melbourne, Hawthorn, and St Kilda, have taken home games to the “Apple Isle”, underwritten by the Tasmanian state government over the ensuing decades. While the AFL sought out non-traditional markets for expansion, momentum has gradually coalesced behind the island state finally being granted its team. However, government support, including for a new stadium, was set as a pre-requisites by the league. The additional federal government support was seemingly the last piece of the puzzle to fall into place. However, a political storm over the use of state government funds for the proposed stadium threatens to derail the project – and possibly the hope of Tassie’s AFL dream. A groundswell of public support against the stadium has seen two MPs resign from the ruling Liberals, which has plunged the party into a minority government. The state budget is due to be handed down this coming week, which is likely to include funding for the stadium. The parliament will also need to vote in support of designating the project to be one of state significance to kick-start the approval process. Publicly, Gill McLachlan remains confident that the binding agreement between the AFL and Tasmanian government would hold. Nevertheless, there appears to be real doubt as to whether the deal will move forward after all.

Professional sports have been a part of life in Detroit dating back to the beginning of the 20th century. The Lions, Tigers, Red Wings and Pistons have brought both joy and agony to fans and residents of the Motor City. City of Champions , a new book by Stefan Szymanski and Silke-Maria Weineck, makes the case that sports have played a major role in many aspects of daily life in Detroit. They argue that in many ways, the city’s history with the four main major league teams is closely linked to political power, housing policy, race relations, economic development and financial stability. Each chapter of City of Champions uses a major sports event in the city’s history and links it to how it impacted the city in some way. The chapters are arranged in reverse chronological order, starting with the opening of Little Caesar’s Arena in 2020, and working back to the city’s founding in 1763. This is done to show how past sports events have built the city of Detroit as we know it today. First and foremost, City of Champions is wonderful sports read. The title refers to 1935-1936, when the Lions, Tigers and Red Wings all won the championship in their respective leagues. The authors point to this signature achievement as a force in bringing the city out of the Great Depression, and as an event where Detroit citizens forgot their racial differences, even if it was for a short period of time. The book also looks at the impact of the various team owners have had on the city’s development. Henry Ford was a pioneer in the automobile industry and created the concept of the production line in the mass production of cars. He also was the first business owner to provide healthcare coverage to his workers and to build parks and recreation centers for the city. Unfortunately, he was also antisemitic and a violent union buster who believed in keeping the races separate. The Ford family still owns the Detroit Lions today. Mike Illich made his fortune as the creator of Little Caesars pizza. He was responsible for building many of the sports palaces including Little Caesar’s Arena, as well owning both the Red Wings and the Tigers. As a result, he had a huge influence on zoning issues around the city. Obviously, Detroit is now a very unionized city. It hasn’t always been that way. Henry Ford hired thugs to break up and discourage union formation within the auto industry. In 1952 the Detroit Red Wings powered their way to win the Stanley Cup. Ted Lindsay, a left winger on the team, worked on starting a player’s association in order to have more orderly contracts and to provide medical coverage for players who were permanently injured and could no longer play. He was traded to another team as a result of these efforts. It was many years before the NHL had a player’s association in the NHL. Joe Louis was a sports icon in Detroit, a hometown fighter who went on to win several boxing titles. He also served honorably in the armed forces during World Wat II. He was celebrated in public for these achievements, yet he was shut out of any management positions with the major automakers due to the color of his skin. The Tigers were one of the last teams in the MLB to integrate their lineup. Another chapter of City of Champions investigates the loss of the Lions and the Pistons to stadiums and arenas in the suburbs as a precursor of white flight from Detroit. Detroit’s population has gone down dramatically as a result of both the downturn in the auto industry, as well as white flight. This left the city with greatly reduced tax revenues, resulting in Detroit’s government declaring bankruptcy. The earliest link between sports and the city of Detroit actually dates to 1762. At the time the British maintained a fort in the area. As a sign of friendship, the Iroquois Indians led by Chief Pontiac offered to play a game of lacrosse as a form of entertainment on the Queen’s Birthday Celebration for the British troops garrisoned at the fort. The ball used in the game suddenly was hit out of bounds towards the fort. This was a signal for the Indians to charge on the fort with weapons they had hidden away. In time, the Iroquois turned the fort over to their allies the French. As a result, Detroit became a French settlement. Today, French names on streets, in neighborhoods, and on car brands (think Chevrolet and Pontiac). Today, the city of Detroit’s flag still includes the fleur- de -lis, the symbol of Royal France. These are just a few samples of the links between sports and the city of Detroit. Sports lovers and history buffs will discover many more interesting stories of how Detroit’s history was shaped by sports. We heartily recommend that you add City of Champions to your reading list.

On September 3, the city of Pawtucket held “The Final Inning” at McCoy Stadium, an event to give fans one last chance to visit the old ballpark before it is knocked down to make way for a new high school. The event featured food trucks, live music, and family activities throughout the day. As part of the Pawtucket Arts Festival, the day concluded with fireworks, which were a Labor Day tradition at the ballpark. About 3,000 people attended the party, reminiscing, sharing stories, and snapping photos. Sounds like a great way to say goodbye to a local institution, doesn’t it? But wait, there’s a twist in this tale. Billionaire real estate scion Stefan Soloviev has come forward to express his interest in buying and fixing McCoy Stadium. Soloviev is the chairman of the Soloviev Group and is worth $2.3 billion, per Forbes. He is the son of real estate tycoon Sheldon Solov, who passed away in 2020. Soloviev, who attended the University of Rhode Island, became interested in the property through his son Quentin. “I’m hopefully optimistic that I can pull this off,” he said. “It’s up to the people of Rhode Island at the end of the day, but on my end, I think I can take care of it.” Pawtucket Mayor Donald Grebien has publicly stated that saving McCoy Stadium is “off the table” because city voters overwhelmingly approved a $300 million bond measure to demolish the stadium to make way for a new high school. Pawtucket’s two high schools, William E. Tolman and Charles E. Shea were built in 1926 and 1938, respectively. In this writer’s opinion, Mr. Soloviev would be better served spending his money elsewhere. This may be a surprising opinion from someone who wrote “I Never Got To Say Goodbye.” However, times change, attitudes change, and opinions change. McCoy Stadium has been sitting idle, with little to no maintenance or upkeep, since 2019. A study done while it was still a functional ballpark estimated it would take upwards of $68 million to modernize and renovate the facility. That price has only gone up since then. In addition, affiliated minor league baseball will not be coming back to Pawtucket. Under MiLB’s territorial rules, Pawtucket (and neighboring Providence) fall under the territory of the Worcester Red Sox, since Worcester County and Providence County abut. No new team could relocate to McCoy Stadium without WooSox’ approval. That’s just not going to happen. That leaves independent ball or summer college ball as the only viable options. The New England League and Futures League both operate in the area, but neither of them could adequately fill a 10,000-seat ballpark. Two Indy Leagues, the Atlantic and Frontier Leagues, have footprints that could easily reach Rhode Island, but again, a 10,000-seat dinosaur of a park is just too big for those circuits. Soloviev believes he could get an independent team to move to McCoy. Soloviev has reportedly offered the city $1 million more than the appraised value of McCoy Stadium. Local baseball fans, including the grandniece of former Pawtucket Mayor Thomas P. McCoy (the stadium’s namesake), have launched online petitions, one of which is approaching 3,000 signatures . McCoy made her latest plea before the city council on September 6. In this author’s opinion, if Mr. Soloviev wants to sink millions of dollars into a Rhode Island ballpark, he’d be better served to build a new 5,000-seat park in Providence with all the modern amenities teams ask for today. The price tag would be similar. Also, the city of Pawtucket could use a modern High School to replace its two century-old buildings. Renovating McCoy Stadium is unlikely to attract a new team, and even less likely to host one that is successful. As much as McCoy is beloved in Rhode Island, it’s time to let go.

Photos by Richard Smith, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.43 Gallaudet Softball Complex 800 Florida Ave NE Washington, DC 20002 Gallaudet Bison website Gallaudet Softball Complex website Year Opened: 2012 Capacity: 500 Lady Bisons of DC Gallaudet University is a federally-chartered private university for the education of the Deaf and hard of hearing located in Washington, D.C. The school is named for Thomas Hopkins Gallaudet, a pioneer in the education of the deaf. Founded in 1864, Gallaudet University was originally a grammar school for both deaf and blind children. In 1954 the school became Gallaudet College and in 1986 it was renamed Gallaudet University. The physical campus is on the National Register of Historic Places. The most popular majors at Gallaudet University are business, visual and performing arts, communication studies, physical education, and psychology. The Bison are a member of the North Eastern Athletic Conference (except for the football program which plays in the Eastern Collegiate Football Conference) and play at the Division III level. The Gallaudet Softball Complex opened on March 18, 2011 against D.C. rival Catholic University. Dugouts were added in 2014 and permanent seating in 2017. Lights and a press box are planned future additions. Food & Beverage 1 There are no permanent food options at the softball complex. It looks like a potential concession stand is on design plans. Until any potential upgrade, there is a table setup and a grill for small food offerings. The table may only be there when a baseball game is going at the neighboring baseball field and/or on weekend games. The prices are reasonable. Atmosphere 2 This a pretty simple small college softball field. A small metal bleacher sits right behind the home plate and protective screen. There is a very simple scoreboard located in right center. There is not much else in terms of atmosphere. The university’s baseball field, Hoy Field , is located just a few feet away. If you are lucky, both teams will be in action so you can go from one game to another quickly. Neighborhood 3 The Kendall Demonstration Elementary School, a day school serving deaf and hard of hearing students from birth through grade 8, is located right behind the right center field fence of Hoy Field. The wonderful Union Market is located next to the university campus, although on the opposite end from Hoy Field. The market is worth a stop. The 1930s Union Terminal Market has been renovated into a gourmet food hall with numerous local vendors selling a variety of food products. Favorites of mine are Buffalo & Bergen, DC Empanadas, Peregrine Espresso and TaKorean’s Korean Tacos. Besides Union Market there is very little to do in the immediate neighborhood of Gallaudet University. Be careful driving around before or after the game as there are some dangerous neighborhoods in the area, although many are gentrifying quickly. Not too far away is a stellar cocktail bar, Smith Commons, located in the Atlas Arts District. The dizzying array of complicated drinks will amaze you. And did I mention you are right in the middle of Washington, DC? The amount of attractions, museums, restaurants and other sights are astounding. Spend some time pre or postgame seeing the many things around this great city. Fans 2 Many of the school’s fans are deaf. But this does not mean that they are quiet. Fans of the university can be boisterous and are proud of their school just like at any other university. Other fans at the Galluadet Softball Complex tend to primarily be family or friends of the players. You may see an inconsistent level of fan interaction. Access 3 For weekend games there should be plenty of parking near the Kendall Demonstration Elementary School. Weekday games will take a bit more planning as you will have to find spaces that are open to visitors. The closest Metro station is the NoMa-Gallaudet U New York Ave Station. A few years ago I would not have recommended walking the short distance between the station and campus, but the safety of the area has improved dramatically. One should still use a good amount of caution and use common sense. The biggest problem with using the Metro, is the system itself. The Metro is frustratingly overpriced compared to systems in other cities. But it really does get you to nearly all parts of the city, except for Georgetown. Just be careful on weekends when trains run less often or are in single track mode, as you may encounter some extended wait times. The system is having maintenance, mechanical and money issues so expect delays and other issues at all times. It is unfortunate, but way too true. Return on Investment 3 The price, free, is certainly reasonable. And you will probably not have to pay for parking. So, the value is certainly good. The Division III level of softball is not especially high, but the school’s conference has a nice variety of opponents. Extras 3 The grounds of the university are on the National Register of Historic Places. Take some time to check out the university facilities. Parts of the campus are also on the District of Columbia Inventory of Historic Sites and Historic American Buildings Survey. The Kendall Demonstration Elementary School has a very interesting statue located in front of their main building. Since it is next to the campus, one should check in and look at this large piece of art. The baseball and softball fields also share space with the school’s football and track stadium. The field is very nice and often hosts local recreating soccer games. Final Thoughts The Gallaudet Softball Complex is a pretty simple softball stadium. But the low cost of attendance means that this is a good value for the fan.

Photos by Michael Davis, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.57 Trinity Forest Golf Club 5000 S Great Trinity Forest Way Dallas, TX 75217 Trinity Forest Golf Course website AT&T Byron Nelson Tournament website Year Opened: 2014 The AT&T Byron Nelson Returns Home to Dallas There are two PGA stops in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, the only metropolitan area that host two events. The older of the two tournaments began in 1944 with the event’s namesake, Byron Nelson from Fort Worth, Texas, winning the inaugural event at Dallas’ Lakewood Country Club. The tournament has been played at various courses throughout the Dallas area. In 2018 the tournament celebrated its 50th Anniversary under the current name, with the opening of the tournament being played at Trinity Forest Golf Club in South Dallas – the move returned the tournament to Dallas after 35 years in Irving’s Las Colinas area. The Trinity Forest Golf Club is located nine miles south of downtown Dallas off interstate 45 in the heart of the largest urban forest in the United States. The course is links style and sits on an area of less than 150 acres. Designed by Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw with the intention to bring elite championship golf back to the City of Dallas, the new Trinity Forest Club course features dramatic green complexes and bunkering, with tall native grasses on a rolling meadow. The course is also the home course for the SMU men’s and women’s golf teams; the private course was an instant success, with club memberships owned by Tony Romo and Jordan Spieth. In addition to the golf course, the Trinity River Audubon Center and Trinity Forest Golf Club partnered to implement a Blackland Prairie Restoration Plan, restoring 75 acres of Blackland Prairie with native grasses and vegetation, to create additional habitat opportunities for native plants and animals. Food & Beverage 4 There are plenty of food and drinks throughout the course, either in the built-up suites or in the general-public concessions tents; most tents are operated by local groups as fundraisers. The concessions menu here has variety but lacks the overall wow that has been the staple at sports venues. The prices for various menu items are as follows: smoked chopped brisket sandwich or smoked link sausage sandwich $9, cheeseburgers $8, jumbo hot dogs $5.50, pulled pork sandwiches $8.50, deli hoagies, classic club subs, or chicken Caesar salad wraps $8, and jumbo hot dogs $5.50; a Bavarian Pretzel or peanuts cost $5. The one wow concessions stand would be the Korean BBQ stand called Bibigo – this concessions tent serves Shrimp Kimchi Bao, Sweet and Spicy Chicken Skewers, Jap-Chae (noodles with beef and vegetables), and Bibi-Cones (ice cream cones filled with Bulgogi or Kimchi rice). These items aren’t low in price either, ranging from $8 to $12 each. Coca-Cola is the beverage sponsor of the AT&T Byron Nelson, and sodas cost $5 for 16oz, with Smart Water at $7.50 and Dasani bottled water or Powerade for $4.50 if you want something besides soda. There are also plenty of alcoholic beverages throughout the course – Michelob Ultra is a proud sponsor of the event and is readily available, along with Estrella Jalisco, Texas’ own Ziegenbock, and Houston’s brewery Karbach Love Street. These beers are $8, while a glass of wine is $15. Grey Goose is another sponsor, and their Grey Goose 19th Hole is open to the public and is located at the corner of the 13th green and the 14th tee. This location serves Grey Goose cocktails and soft drinks, and has both an air-conditioned indoor patio and an outdoor patio. In addition, the Katy Trail Ice House Pavilion is another open-to-the-public pavilion that has a beer garden style layout and views of the 4th green and 5th tee. Atmosphere 4 The AT&T Byron Nelson has always been a go and be seen type of event for the DFW Metroplex, with most people’s idea of the event being to attend the golf tournament as a large social event. All ages and backgrounds from all over DFW can be seen walking the course throughout the weekend. From the moment patrons step off the shuttles on South Great Trinity Forest Way, the AT&T Byron Nelson atmosphere begins. The main entrances have photo ops for fans to start their day – for example, last year there was a big 50 sign for fans to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Byron Nelson tournament, and this year (2019) had a Mother’s Day photo set-up, with pink hats given to all the moms in attendance. The tournament’s merchandise pavilion is also at the entrance, for fans to pick up items either before they go on the course or for when they are ready to leave on the shuttles. The box office, will call, and volunteer headquarters are also all near the shuttle drop-off. All patrons being shuttled in and walking thru the main entrance will arrive on the course at the 13th fairway, and there are anti-dust trail paths throughout the course. Fan’s options are to either find a golfer and be part of the gallery around the course, or set up in an area that not only has one green, but offers multiple greens and tees – this set up provides fans with more action, and allows them to get more involved in the golf action being played around the course. In addition, the course provides a kid zone, so parents can watch the golf action without distraction. There are also plenty of photo spots and course information signage creating more of an event than just the golf. Like Trinity Forest’s predecessor at Las Colinas, there are plenty of suites around the course creating a party type crowd around the course. The atmosphere has toned down compared to the course at the Four Seasons, however, a lot of this has to do with the wide-open course at Trinity Forest; Trinity Forest is a link style spreading more fans across the course, instead of the few holes that Las Colinas held for fans to collaborate. The atmosphere has the potential to become even better than it was at Las Colinas, though, as long as the AT&T Byron Nelson continues to improve and give the golf fans of the Metroplex the best place to enjoy the PGA in Dallas. Neighborhood 3 There really is no neighborhood around the Trinity Forest Golf Club located southeast from downtown Dallas. However, since patrons are shuttled nine miles to the course from Fair Park in Dallas, this section will focus on that area. Fair Park is part of the state fairgrounds, and like Trinity Forest Golf Club doesn’t offer much in the immediate neighborhood except The Old Mill Inn Restaurant. This eatery was built in 1936 and serves a variety of southern home cooking options. However, fans here are within a four-mile radius of several great Dallas neighborhoods, so there are plenty of wonderful places for sightseeing, eating, and enjoying yourself during the week of the AT&T Byron Nelson. Deep Ellum, The West End, Trinity Groves, and Uptown are all part of the downtown Dallas experience. Deep Ellum is a neighborhood filled with arts and entertainment venues, and has one of the best BBQ spots in the state of Texas, Pecan Lodge. The Angry Dog is another great little spot for travelers, especially those from Upstate New York, as Binghamton Spiedies are on the menu. Deep Ellum Brewery Company and Braindead Brewing are up-and-coming spots for people who enjoy craft beers. The West End Historic District is also a must for newcomers to Dallas, as this is the area where the Kennedy Assassination happened, near the Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza. This museum gives you the chance to relive the November 22nd day in 1963 or talk to people on Dealey Plaza about a conspiracy theory. There is so much at The West End to choose from; check out this site for more information: https://www.dallaswestend.org. If you are not searching for history, then visit Trinity Groves. Trinity Groves is a revitalized area with various restaurants and shopping. There are plenty of restaurants on the way thru Uptown on McKinney Avenue, but The Rustic on Howell Avenue is a good place because parking is much more accessible than on McKinney Ave. In addition, not many people think of Dallas as serving great pizza, but Campisi’s Restaurant on Mockingbird Lane will change your mind. If Trinity Forest Golf Club was located at the state fairgrounds, the rating for the neighborhood would max out. However, having to travel nine miles to a course that hasn’t been developed, and doesn’t have a safe neighborhood, means a modest average overall neighborhood rating at this time. Fans 4 The estimated attendance for this year’s tournament is about 200,000 for the four-day event. However, the negative reviews from fans that attended last year about the lack of shade and parking, along with this year’s inclement weather, makes the 200K number a modest hopeful reach. In general, though, the golf fans here are passionate – the calls of “Get in the hole!” on the greens are impressive, while the same calls as the players hit off the tee are just silly. But there are plenty of live moments on the course that television just can’t duplicate, such as the roar of a massive golf crowd when an athlete sinks a long putt or aces a hole-in-one during the tournament. In general golf fans have a kind demeanor, as there is no my team vs. your team attitude that other sports tend to engender; golf fans just like to enjoy the day on the course while watching some amazing professional golfers make some incredible shots. Access 3 The Trinity Forest Golf Club is located nine miles south of downtown Dallas, just off Interstate 45 at 5000 Great Trinity Forest Way, Dallas, TX. There are corporate parking lots near the course, but general parking is located at the Texas State Fairgrounds in Fair Park via Gate 15. The entrance to the parking lot is at the intersection of Haskell and Beeman; shuttles to and from the golf course are complimentary and take about 12 to 15 minutes each way. Both the parking lots at Fair Park and the golf course itself can be reached via public transportation by the DART system. The DART system connects DFW airport to points around the city of Dallas, and DART has stops at Fair Park where patrons can access the shuttles to the course. Otherwise, ride the Green Line rail south to Buckner Station, and from Buckner Station take the Route 466 West bus to the Pemberton Hill/AT&T Byron Nelson stop. Route 466 West shuttles will run every 15 minutes from 7 am to 7 pm. For Patrons wanting to use Uber/Lyft, spectators will be dropped off and picked up in a designated lot a short distance from Trinity Forest Golf Club’s main entrance. Then when you are ready to leave for the day, request your ride upon leaving the tournament, and your Uber or Lyft driver will let you know which spot they will be waiting in for pickup. Note that there are security checkpoints in the public parking lots, as well as at the main entrance for the tournament. Once at the gates to the tournament, access flows thru with little wait. Spectators can bring in items such as umbrellas (without sleeves), binoculars, and chairs (without bags). Bags larger than 6” x 6” x 6” will not be allowed in, and mobile devices must always be kept on silent, but there is a designated “Cell Phone Zone” where calls may be placed or answered. The link style course provides fans easy walking and the opportunity to quickly move around to different holes based on the action. Return on Investment 4 Daily Grounds tickets for the AT&T Byron Nelson begin at $45, and there are two single day hospitality (climate-controlled) tickets to choose from: $125 for Harwood District Club tickets (any day) showing views of the number 3 green, or $250 for tickets in the largest structure on the course, the Michelob Ultra Club (day specific), but the latter includes a complimentary buffet with beer, wine, and soft drinks. The 360-view tower has views of the number 5 green, number 6 tee, and the number 15 green. The tournament also offers free daily tickets to Military personnel, First Responders, and Youth (17 years and under). Public parking is free at the Texas State Fair Grounds at Gate 15. Patrons will be shuttled from the parking lots, and spectators will not need a ticket to ride the shuttle (admission tickets are available at the main entrance ticket booth). The concessions prices are typical of events like this, so there isn’t any savings when it comes to food and drinks. However, the new course is easy to navigate and the Salesmanship Club of Dallas will continue to improve the fan experience, to return the highest ROI that was a constant when the tournament was at the Four Seasons Las Colinas. Extras 3 One point for reutilizing a wasted and unusable landfill into the Trinity Forest Golf Club course. The course began as a wasted and unusable landfill while the City of Dallas sat in default on a state-mandated requirement to remediate the land, at an approximate cost of $12 million. By partnering with the golf course developers, the city reduced its remediation burden to roughly $4 million, and used the remaining funds to invest in community projects. In addition, there isn’t anyone that can do fundraising better than the Salesmanship Club of Dallas. The Salesmanship Club of Dallas is the chief fundraiser for the AT&T Byron Nelson, and has been the heart and soul of the tournament since 1968. Since that time the event has raised over $160 million and transformed more than 100,000 lives, making it the most successful charity event on the PGA Tour. And to continue the theme of how much the AT&T Byron Nelson reaches into the local community, the event supports the Bush Institute’s Warrior Open. This tournament began in 2011 for United States military personnel seriously wounded or injured since September 11, 2001 – since 2011, more than 140 warriors have participated in the Military Service Initiative’s Team 43 Sports, which includes the Warrior Open and the annual W100K bike ride. Former President George W. Bush is even a participant in the golf tournament. But the biggest extra from the new venue is being able to witness a different type of golf course. The course itself will continue to improve and become challenging for players, while the course infrastructure will only get better each year, improving the fan experience. For example, the tournament recently added shaded viewing areas with structures and decks to combat the first-year complaints of no shade. Final Thoughts Over the years the AT&T Byron Nelson Tournament, while being played at the Four Seasons Las Colinas, became a Dallas area block party combined with a PGA Tour event. The patrons would settle in a party mood on the first two holes, then finish the celebration at the last two holes. The Par-3 17th hole was the one fans enjoyed most and could change the tournament on a Sunday – the hole’s water hazard, in front of the green, was an easy way for a golfer to lose the tournament. The fans surrounded the fairway and that hole in suites and villas that were set up to party. The Trinity Forest Golf Club, however, gives a much different feel, with its wide-open field where fans can see more than one hole from one spot. The biggest fan complaint in the first year was the lack of shade around the course, so Byron Nelson Tournament officials have erected misting systems and increased shaded areas by bringing in some trees to alleviate this concern. While it is still too early to decide if moving the tournament from Las Colinas to South Dallas was the best decision, the Trinity Forest Golf Club course has the potential to become a great golf venue once the infrastructure develops, and golf patrons adapt to the change that has the PGA back home in Dallas.

At the Stadium Journey Convention, one of the stops was in Aberdeen, Maryland, home of the IronBirds. Grab a beer and join Paul and Dave as they delve deep into the Ripken experience. Is it too much Ripken? Is it not enough? Welcome to the beginning of the second fifty, on Stadium Journey's Obstructed Views! You can find Stadium Journey's review of Ripken Stadium and the Aberdeen Ironbirds game day experience here.

Brett Chaves, the Director of Communication for the Brockton Rox of the Futures Collegiate Baseball League and the new New England expansion team in the Frontier League, talks about the plans for two teams in Brockton for 2024. Audio versions of the Stadium Journey podcast can be found by searching HIAC Talk Radio wherever you look for your favorite podcasts. Video simulcasts of all the Stadium Journey podcasts can be found on Stadium Journey's YouTube page . Join us live as we record every other Tuesday at 7 PM Eastern at danlaw.tv .

Philadelphia features all of their major sports facilities in the same complex, a practice that is unique for major cities. Does this make sense? Should other cities consider the same plan? Grab a beer and join Paul and Dave for the latest episode of Stadium Journey's Obstructed Views. 🏒🏒 You can find Stadium Journey's review of Wells Fargo Center and the Philadelphia Flyers game day experience here.

Photos by Paul Derrick, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.57 Montagne Center 4400 MLK Blvd Beaumont, TX 77710 Lamar Cardinals website Montagne Center website Year Opened: 1984 Capacity: 10,080 Cardinals Got Pep Located near the southeast coast of Texas you will find the city of Beaumont, which is well known for its place in the Texas Oil business. If you are ever in Beaumont look past the seaport and other huge business headquarters and take a look at a hidden gem, the Montagne Center, which is the home court of the Lamar Cardinals. Built in 1984 the Montagne Center seats just over 10,000 people for games. I’m not saying you’re going to see 10,000 people at a game but it is capable of seating that many people. Food & Beverage 2 There is absolutely nothing special to choose from on the food menu, but it is still a respectable selection considering the size of the venue. On the menu you have a choice of a hot dog, hot dog with cheese, hot dog with chili or hot dog with chili and cheese, not a lot of variety but all nicely priced. The snack stand also carries nachos, popcorn, candy, pickles and pretzels, also reasonably priced. The only variety items I found were a sausage link and boudain which is a pork rice dressing stuffed into a pork casing, very popular in the south. I found the boudain to be quite disappointing but was happy at the size for only $4.75. Your drink selections are limited to Pepsi products and are available for $3 for a small and $4 for a large. Overall I would eat before or after the game, but if you’re looking for a snack, something here should do it. Atmosphere 3 The overall atmosphere of the arena is not the best but not the worst I have seen. The arena concourse is nice and has plenty of photos and plaques to commemorate Cardinal players, new and old. Once I walked into the actual arena I was pleasantly surprised by the seating and size of the arena. One of the things that quickly caught my attention though was the pep band. I am going on record as saying the Cardinals have one of the best pep bands I have ever heard. Playing everything from great classics to new age hits, they kept the few fans there bobbing their heads and tapping their feet all night long. Big props to the music department and Lamar on this one. Neighborhood 2 Luckily Beaumont is only an hour and a half east of Houston because in my numerous trips to the city I have found fairly little to do. They do have the South Texas State Fair every year which is the 2nd largest fair in the state of Texas. The fair features a livestock show, commercial exhibition and a carnival. The Beaumont Jazz & Blues Fest is held every year in downtown Beaumont, for all the Jazz and Blues fans. As for great eating I will only recommend one place and that is Sugas Deep South Cuisine & Jazz Bar, absolutely great food and well worth the price. Fans 2 The 2,000 – 3,000 fans that were in attendance were mediocre at best but did know when to cheer on the Cardinals the most. The arena may be a tad too large for a team at this level right now. As the noise made by the fans is hardly heard at all at times due to the size of the arena. The fans do what they are supposed to do but nothing that will blow you away. Access 4 Access to and from the stadium is about as easy and good as it gets. Located just off I-10 you will have no problem spotting the Montagne Center. Parking is free and is in abundance, which is always a plus for me. It also makes for easy entrance and exit to and from the arena. The concourses are very wide which means you should have no trouble making your way around the arena. Bathrooms are plentiful. Return on Investment 3 With tickets ranging from $6-$12, and a meal costing you on average only about $7-$8, Lamar is making a trip to the arena worth the cost. The Southland conference may not be known for hailing any power house hoop squads, but they are growing. I think any basketball fan that enjoys watching some good college hoops will find this well worth the $20 investment. Extras 2 There are not a whole lot of great extras provided at Montagne. One thing I will say is a definite extra point goes to the pep band which in my eyes is one of the best in the land. Another extra point goes out to the beauty of the Montagne Center, by just looking at it you would have no idea it was pushing thirty years old. Final Thoughts The Lamar Cardinals definitely provide entertainment for the money. If you’re in or around Beaumont, it is definitely worth the money to catch the Cardinals in action at Montagne.

What's the fuss over the new MLB Fanatics/Nike Vapor Premier jerseys, and should NHL fans be worried when Fanatics takes over this fall?                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         Audio versions of the Stadium Journey podcast can be found by searching HIAC Talk Radio   wherever you look for your favorite podcasts. Video simulcasts of all the Stadium Journey podcasts can be found on Stadium Journey's YouTube page . Join us live as we record every other Monday on our social media streaming channels.

The Hamilton Bulldogs have a storied, albeit tumultuous, history bouncing up and down through the leagues over the decades. The latest chapter seemed to bring the promise of stability; a position in the Ontario Hockey League as one of the ‘big-market’ clubs, playing in a large arena in a large city. But in the pursuit of that permanency, the Bulldogs are upping sticks and leaving Hamilton for a while. The team, who won the league in the last season before Covid, and then again in the first season after it, will be moving to the nearby city of Brantford for at least three years. The cause is a wholesale renovation of their home FirstOntario Centre, badly needed as the ‘80s-era venue is slated to become the centrepiece of a neighbourhood redevelopment project. The renovation will tear back the arena right down to the studs, before rebuilding it in place. The plan has not been without controversy; American sport development group OVG originally planned to work during the off-season, preventing disruption to playing schedules. However, the group changed their aims abruptly and apparently with little warning to the Bulldogs or their fellow arena tenants Toronto Rock Lacrosse Club and Hamilton Honey Badgers Basketball Club. The 17 500-seat arena should be reopened in 2025, unrecognisable and modern compared to the current state of the facility. The work is to include a completely rebuilt exterior, new concourses, a redesigned seating bowl, new dining and back-of-house facilities, and a new suite level. On a larger scale, the arena will anchor a complete redesign of its city block, with residential, commercial, and cultural development exceeding $500 million. In the interim, the Bulldogs have landed in the nearby city of Brantford, famous as the birthplace of hockey legend Wayne Gretzky. They’ll play out of the Brantford Civic Centre, near the city’s downtown and casino districts. The 3 500-seat arena is to receive $9 million in renovations to bring it up to OHL standards, and will host the Bulldogs for at least three years. Darkly, the Bulldogs have not officially stated they intend to return to Hamilton, though that is the general expectation. Management have complained publicly about the lack of transparency that led to their unexpected removal from the arena. Still, the prevailing thought is that the Bulldogs will return to Hamilton when work is complete. So far, season membership sales in Brantford have been very popular, surpassing 2 000 tickets. But the Bulldogs aren’t the only ones displaced by the construction. The National Lacrosse League’s Toronto Rock, who only moved to Hamilton in 2021, are now searching for a temporary home. The leading candidate is rumoured to be Kitchener’s Memorial Auditorium, but nothing has been announced as yet. On the basketball front, the Hamilton Honey Badgers, part of the young CEBL league, will permanently leave the city. They’ve relocated to the Toronto suburb of Brampton, playing out of the CAA Centre (a former OHL rink itself). Though most expect the Bulldogs and Rock to return to Hamilton soon enough, the future is murky at this point. Meanwhile, for the ageing arena at the heart of Hamilton’s central business district, a new era is set to dawn.

Image Courtesy of Orlando City Baseball Dreamers LLC An Orlando group led by Orlando Magic co-founder Pat Williams is pushing for a Major League Baseball franchise in Orlando. First announced in 2019, the Orlando Dreamers would be either an MLB expansion franchise or a relocated Tampa Bay Rays team situated right in the heart of Orlando's tourism corridor. Williams unveiled plans for a 45,000-seat stadium complex, loaded on a 35+ acre tract of land across the street from SeaWorld Orlando, next to their Aquatica waterpark. Situated off International Drive near the intersection of I-4 and SR-528, the site would also include 6,700 parking spaces in garages as well as office spaces and a 1,000-room hotel. The stadium would also have a walkover bridge to connect to a proposed SunRail station at the adjacent Orange County Convention Center. Image Courtesy of Orlando City Baseball Dreamers LLC The timing of the announced proposal comes after the Oakland Athletics announced they would be moving to Las Vegas to a new stadium there. Tampa Bay continues to hang in the balance with several stadium proposals having fallen through over the past few years. "This market is growing rapidly and growing in all four directions. They tell us a thousand people a day are moving to Central Florida and that doesn't take into account that this year there'll be 80 million visitors," Williams said. "If we do this, [Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings] said, this ballpark has to be a tourist attraction unto itself. He said people from around the world are going to have to put this on their 'checklist.'" Williams' group filed an official motion with Orange County, Florida to request funding for the stadium. Funding would come from a mix of public and private money. The initial price tag for the project sits at $1.7 billion, with $700 million coming from private funding. The remaining $975 million would be funded by a 30-year municipal bond paid for by Orange County's Tourist Development Tax (TDT) funds. No additional funding for the stadium or its daily operation would be required or requested from government sources beyond this initial requested investment. "This stadium would make us the leading candidate for the next MLB franchise. Best media market, best stadium, best location...we have everything here in Orlando," said Williams. "You don't get many chances to add a professional sports franchise to your community. If we don't act now, we may never have this opportunity again." A report by JLL, a national professional services firm hired by the Williams group, states that construction would result in 20,000 jobs and boost the region's economy by $2.7 billion. Once finished, the stadium would increase jobs by 25,000 and generate an annual economic output of $1.16 billion per year to Orange County. Potential growth includes additional events at the stadium, including potential spring training games. “Orlando has proven in the years since the Magic began playing in 1989 that it is every bit a big league sports town,” said Williams. “The Orlando Magic is as popular as ever, soccer fans have embraced the Orlando City Lions, and now it’s time to step up to the plate and make baseball happen, too." Image Courtesy of Orlando City Baseball Dreamers LLC

Photos by Paul Baker, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.00 Gillette Stadium 1 Patriot Place Foxborough, MA 02035 UMass Minutemen football website Gillette Stadium website Year Opened: 2002 Capacity: 65,756 (2016) A Campaign Far From Home For The Minutemen When the University of Massachusetts announced that they would be moving their program up to FBS, the top level of collegiate football, they had a problem. Their longtime on-campus home, McGuirk Alumni Stadium , did not meet minimum standards for an FBS facility. While McGuirk Stadium was renovated to bring it up to minimum standards, the team played at Gillette Stadium, better known as the home of the New England Patriots of the National Football League, for the 2012 and 2013 seasons. Once work on McGuirk was completed, the Minutemen continued to play half of their home schedule at Gillette. The school and stadium had a contract that called for a portion of the school’s home games to be played in Foxboro through 2016. UMass will be playing all of their home games on campus in 2017, and have a single game scheduled at Gillette Stadium (against Brigham Young) in 2018. While they were a member of Division 1-A (and subsequently FCS), the Minutemen were very successful, winning 22 conference titles, appearing in two bowl games, eight NCAA tournaments, and three title games. UMass won a Division 1-A National Championship in 1998. The UMass program has struggled since their elevation to FBS. With the Gillette Stadium portion of their 2016 home schedule complete, they are 2-18 in Foxboro. Overall, their record is not much better, as they have complied a 5-31 record since 2012, a winning percentage of .139.   Food & Beverage 4 For Minutemen games, Gillette Stadium scales back their concessions due to the smaller capacity of the venue for college football. This does not mean that Minutemen fans have limited menu selections. Enough of the 38 permanent concession stands are open here to ensure that the entire concession menu is available and lines do not get too long. Gillette Stadium’s food offerings hit all the expected notes. Stands are organized by the type of food offered at each one. Minutemen fans can choose from Fried Tenders & Wings (chicken products), Stadium Grille (burgers, cheesesteaks and grilled chicken), Market Fresh Deli (Wraps, sandwiches and salads), Backyard BBQ (pulled pork, pulled chicken and brisket), Italian Sausage (sausages, bratwurst and hot dogs) and Stadium Pizza (Papa Gino’s pizza). The Lighthouse Grill behind The Fort offers burgers, chicken tenders and pizza. Fans may have to search a little to find their desired items, but the quality is worth the effort. Fans looking for healthier alternatives will find wraps, sandwiches and salads at the Market Fresh Deli stand. Items such as turkey burgers and Kosher hot dogs can be found throughout all stands as well. Several portable stands are open to augment the menu. Food carts offer items such as nachos, Friendly’s Ice Cream, Kayem hot dogs and assorted snacks. Pepsi products are featured at Gillette Stadium. Fans looking for adult beverages can choose from several national and international brands, including Bud Light, Coors, Shock Top, Heineken, Guinness and Bass Ale. Many fans will seek out the popular Beers of New England stand, which features local microbrewed favorites from Sam Adams, Harpoon, Long Trail and Allegash Breweries. Be warned that you will be paying NFL prices for concessions here at Gillette Stadium. Atmosphere 2 One commonly heard complaint about the gameday atmosphere at Gillette Stadium is that even when there is a solid crowd of 20,000 here for a UMass game, any energy generated is swallowed up by the sheer enormity of the facility. For Minutemen games, the entire upper deck of Gillette Stadium is closed off, along with portions of the lower deck. The large empty spaces do indeed put a damper on things here. With Gillette Stadium’s location 92 miles from UMass’ campus in Amherst, it’s amazing that so many students make the trek east. Still, the student section remains only half filled. Despite the best efforts of the marching band, cheerleaders, dance squad and stadium personnel, 50,000 empty seats tend to minimize any noise and energy generated here. Neighborhood 4 Any long time visitor to Gillette Stadium and its predecessor, Foxboro Stadium can tell you what a wasteland the area around the Stadium used to be. That began to change in 2007 with the development of Patriot Place, an open air shopping center and entertainment venue located on the former site of Foxboro Stadium. Today Patriot Place consists of dozens of retail stores, over a dozen restaurants, entertainment venues including a bowling alley, theater, and concert venue, a nature trail, cranberry bog, four star hotel, outpatient health care center, and the Patriots Hall of Fame. Fans coming to Gillette Stadium for a Minutemen game who do not wish to partake in the tailgating scene can choose from eateries ranging from the upscale (Davio’s Steakhouse, Twenty 8 Food and Spirits), to national chains (Red Robin, Five Guys Burgers). Choices run the gamut here, from American fare (CBS Scene, Toby Keith’s I Love This Bar and Grill), to fine seafood (Skipjacks, Blue Fin Lounge), to sports bars and night clubs (Bar Louie). If you would like to enjoy some shopping before the game, the stores at Patriot Place do not focus solely on sporting goods as you might expect from a mall located at a football stadium. In addition to the dozens of stores here, the Showcase Cinema de Lux shows first run movies in their theaters, Showcase Live contains a 16,000 square foot concert hall, and Splitsville is a combination bowling alley/restaurant/night club. With Patriot Place remaining open after games, fans are not obligated to leave immediately after the conclusion of the game. While Gillette Stadium’s “neighborhood” may not be an organic one, everything you need or want can be found there. You can’t ask for much more than that. Fans 2 Despite initial projections, fans just have not flocked to Gillette Stadium as the administration had hoped. Over the five years that UMass played in Foxboro, the team averaged about 13,000 fans per game. The two hour drive from Amherst, the longest distance between any campus and home stadium in the country, has limited attendance in a major way, as has the team’s lack of success since moving up to FBS. On the plus side, those students who travel the two hours to see the Minutemen play really want to be there, and are enthusiastic in their support of the home team. Access 4   Any local football fan can tell you about the nightmarish traffic at Gillette Stadium for Patriots games and concerts. Fortunately for UMass football fans, getting to and from Gillette for Minutemen games is much easier. Gillette Stadium is located on Route 1, a four lane highway near the intersection of interstates 95 and 495. The legendary traffic jams for Patriot games here are not an issue with the smaller Minutemen games. The 16,500 parking spaces surrounding the stadium are more than enough to handle a typical UMass crowd. Once fans arrive at the stadium, they will enjoy plenty of room to tailgate, wide and well-marked pedestrian walkways leading to both the stadium and Patriot Place, and nicely manicured grounds. For fans who can recall the old dirt parking lots and cold metal bleachers of the old Foxboro Stadium, this is a different world, indeed. Fans will enter Gillette Stadium through one of three entry plazas. The two entry plazas on the west side of the stadium deposit fans on the main concourse above the 100 level seats. The third entrance is located by the Patriots Hall of Fame, and fans entering here will find themselves at the base of the bridge and lighthouse. Ramps lead up from here to the 100 level concourse. The 100-level concourse completely encircles the field and is more than wide enough to handle traffic for the typical Minutemen crowd. Lines at concession stands and restrooms are manageable, even during halftime. Return on Investment 3 Tickets for UMass games at Gillette Stadium cost $25 for all seats. Fans wanting a more upscale experience can purchase seats in the Putnam Club for $50. Parking for Minutemen games is free. Fans used to the high NFL and concert prices at Gillette Stadium will be very pleasantly surprised. Unfortunately, if purchasing concessions during a UMass game, you will be paying NFL prices for food and beverages. Extras 2 An extra point is awarded for the opportunity to catch some big time college football in a state of the art facility, a rarity in this part of the country. UMass’ presence at Gillette gives fans who cannot afford to come to Patriots games a chance to experience this stadium. A second extra point is awarded to the diehard fans who travel two hours each way to cheer on their favorite team. Final Thoughts Gillette Stadium is a fine facility, one that annually finishes in the top ten of Stadium Journey’s rankings of all NFL facilities. It’s simply too big and too far from the UMass campus in Amherst to be a viable home for the Minutemen. For the 2017 season UMass will play all of their home games at the on campus McGuirk Stadium, and going forward will only play marquee games at Gillette.

Photos by Meg Minard, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.14 Magness Arena 2240 Buchtel Blvd Denver, CO 80208 Denver Pioneers website Magness Arena website Year Opened: 1999 Capacity: 7,200 Crimson and Gold University of Denver (DU) Pioneers are more known for their ice hockey, lacrosse, and skiing teams; not so much their basketball team. That doesn’t mean a fan should forego attending a basketball game at the impressive Magness Arena which opened in 1999. The school colors of crimson and gold are proudly displayed in the arena and along the walkways outside the venue. DU Pioneer murals and banners are prominently hung along the concourse walls and from the rafters above the court. Most of the banners and the history shown in the concourse (there’re many to see and view) are not of the men’s basketball program but from the other fine sporting teams and programs the University of Denver has developed. Take some time to stroll the concourse to see and read the DU Pioneers’ accomplishments presented here. Beginning in 1904 the basketball team played at a regional level. After WWII, the team was in an NCAA Div 1 position until 1979 when they moved to Div II and NAIA levels. The Pioneers moved back up to Div 1 in 1998 and have been in the Sun Belt Conference, the Western Athletic Conference and are currently a member of The Summit League (beginning in 2013). Food & Beverage 3 Although not all food concession stands are open for a basketball game at Magness Arena, there is still enough open for a snack or meal when attending a match. Three choices of burgers with fries or a chicken finger basket go for $8.75, fish and chips are $9, pizza, bratwurst or a hot dog run $4.50 – $5.50. Snacks include popcorn, nachos, candy, and soft pretzels ($3.50 – $5.50). Pepsi is the soft drink provider with drinks running $4.25 – $6.50. Bottled water and hot chocolate/coffee are also for sale ($4). Alcohol is served at Magness Arena. The concession stands offer the domestic Budweiser and Coors brands, while Shock Top, Canadian Molsen, and Colorado Native are available at some stands ($7.75). A separate cocktail kiosk offers hard liquor, beer, wine, hard cider, and margaritas ($7.50 – $9). Visa, MasterCard, and cash are accepted at all stands. Atmosphere 3 Magness Arena provides an enjoyable, safe environment in which to watch a game. All seats are crimson colored and are either cushioned folding chairs or stadium-style, fold-down seats (cushioned as well). Most have cup holders and except for court side or handicapped sections, legroom is minimal. The seating area surrounds the court, however, for low attendance games, the end zones are blocked off with black curtains. Select seats in section 11 if wanting to face the logo center court and look at the player benches. A four-sided, center hung video board televises the game live and the quality is pretty crisp and clear. Two LED video boards which display players on court and their stats (points, assists, rebounds, fouls, etc) are mounted in opposite corners of the arena and dot matrix scoreboards are in the opposite corners of the venue. Cheerleaders and a pep band are present. Giveaways include things like T’s for 3’s or if the Pioneers get 80 points or more, everyone gets a coupon for a Smiling Moose sandwich. Half time entertainment at the game of this review was a basketball contest between two local elementary schools (always enjoyable to watch). The music is a tad on the loud side (sometimes can’t hear what the announcer is stating clearly) but for the most part is only played on breaks and at half time. Magness Arena is kept chilly so remember to bring a jacket and gloves (yes, even to a basketball game). Neighborhood 3 I did not notice a hotel within walking distance (1/2 mile) to the arena. However, there are many along the RTD light rail line. There’s a LaQuinta Inn & Suites one light rail station away (without light rail, it’s maybe a 1.2 mile hike to DU). Many eating establishments are within walking distance (1/2 mile or less) of the University. Fast food chains of Qdoba, Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream, Starbucks, Jimmy John’s, etc are close by. Two non-fast food places I can recommend are Crimson and Gold Tavern and Spanky’s Urban Roadhouse. Both are sports bars with 5+ TVs showing a variety of sporting events. Food and service is fine at both places, nothing fancy – a good salad or burger and a beer. Jerusalem Restaurant, an award winning Middle Eastern inn, is just a few blocks away and also worth a visit. For those into craft brews, Fermaentra, a small, independently-owned brewery is also just a few blocks away and offers a variety of artsy, world class brews. Plenty of sporting venues are in the Ritchie Center (the sports complex of the University of Denver – including Magness Arena) and surrounding area: lacrosse, tennis, gymnastics, soccer, and more. Take a stroll through the campus and neighborhood to see the playing fields and the buildings that are rich with beauty and tradition with 21st century buildings mixed with those built from the 1890s – 1950s. The Pepsi Center is a little over 6 miles from Magness Arena (and accessible via the light rail) so if in town and a little Nuggets action is desired, take the E line down or head south on I-25. Fans 3 Pioneer basketball fans are a delightful mix. The biggest fans are the players, cheerleaders, and pep band. Lots of families with children in tow are present. Some students attend – not many – I expect when the Pioneers play local rival Colorado College this may increase, even in basketball. Plenty of alumni and retired fans attend the games as well. All fans are respectful of visiting fans, players and each other. It is a safe place to visit. Access 4 Getting to the arena is extremely easy via either light rail or vehicle. Light Rail lines E, F, H drop you off at the University station. The light rail fare went up on 1/1/2019 ($10.50 all-day pass) so it is actually less expensive to drive and park ($5) and since the basketball arena doesn’t fill up, it’s pretty easy getting out after a game. The arena is right off the I-25 / University Ave exit. In addition, one can find neighborhood parking just two blocks away at no charge. Some close-by metered parking can be found which is monitored Mon – Sat; free on Sundays. Denver International (DIA) is the closet commercial airport about 30 miles from the university. The concourse does not get packed during half time so people movement is free flowing. Plenty of clean restrooms are handy with almost no lines. Return on Investment 4 Individual tickets run $12 – $17, so it’s very affordable sports entertainment. With the ability to park for free ($5 at the most) and average concession prices, attending a game is worth the price. Hopefully the team will start winning more games and then the dollars spent will become an even better entertainment investment. Extras 2 The court has a picturesque city skyline with mountain peaks in the background, quite fitting for Denver. A small merchandise stand with clothing and trinkets is on right upon entering the west entrance (the side across from the soccer and lacrosse fields by the carillon tower). Final Thoughts Watching some basketball at the University of Denver offers an opportunity for fans of any age to enjoy college level play at very affordable prices. Minimal student influence deprives the game of some college atmosphere, but the experience is still a positive one.

Photos by Richard Smith, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.29 Waldron Family Stadium College Ln Emmitsburg, MD 21727 Mount St. Mary’s Mountaineers website Waldron Family Stadium website Year Opened: 2006 Capacity: 1,000 Mount Soccer In between Washington, DC and Gettysburg, PA sits the second oldest Catholic university in America. Mount St. Mary’s sits on 1,400 acres at the base of the Catoctin Mountains. Shockingly the sports teams at university use the Mountaineers moniker. The soccer team had been around from 1988 through 2012, when it was discontinued for financial reasons. In 2018, the team came back to the campus. Basketball is one of the biggest sports at the college in terms of success. Mount St. Mary’s has had some success in other sports, most notably track. In the 1988 Olympic Games, Mount St. Mary’s athlete Peter Rono won gold in the 1500 meters run. Waldron Family Stadium was opened in 2006 and is named in honor of Trustee Emeritus Eugene Waldron, and his family. Food & Beverage 3 There is a small, but nice concession stand at Waldron Family Stadium. You will not want to have your entire meal at this stand, but if you are in the mood for $2 sodas and $2 hot dogs, then this is the right place. There are some nice table seating options right in front of the concession stand where you can still watch the game action. Atmosphere 3 The Waldron Family Stadium is a pretty simple facility with a few sets of grandstands on one side of the field. It offers a nice view at a nice level off of the field. There are seat backs in a few of the sections closest to the press box. The field is an all-weather synthetic field turf that also is the home to women’s lacrosse and the university’s soccer programs. The stadium also offers great views west towards the rest of campus and the sloping mountains of western Maryland. To be fair, the game I attended was a rainy, cold, messy affair. I have been to other soccer games at the stadium and they draw better than the one I attended, although not as well as the more popular lacrosse program. Please note that some of the images in the gallery are of the stadium during a lacrosse game. Neighborhood 3 There is nothing within walking distance to the campus. You will need to make a short drive into town to find any food or drink options. Emmitsburg is a pretty small town, but does have some interesting places that draw people to the area, besides just the university. The town is the home of the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial, National Emergency Training Center, and Emergency Management Institute. Also in the immediate area are some very notable Catholic attractions. It is a Catholic pilgrimage site and is the location of the Basilica and National Shrine of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton as well as the site of the National Shrine Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes. A trip to the area demands a visit to the grotto even if you are not religious. It would be hard not to be impressed with the quiet awesomeness found here. Nearby Thurmont also has some attractions of its own, including Cunningham Falls State Park and Catoctin Mountain Park, which contains the presidential retreat of Camp David. Just note if you are hiking in the woods and see signs to turn around or be shot, these are not jokes. Frederick is about 30 miles away, while Baltimore (60 miles) and Washington, DC (70 miles) are the closest large cities. Back in Emmitsburg, the best food option is the The Ott House Pub in downtown. This bar and restaurant is a great mix of locals, firefighters, and university students. The food menu will not blow you away but their wings, as well as their hot roast beef sandwich, will certainly hit the spot. Check to see if they have a local beer from Flying Dog Brewery on tap. Gettysburg is 13 miles north. If you have time to visit the massive amounts of memorials and battlegrounds you should do so. Just plan ahead as crowds are huge at many times of the year. Fans 3 The fans here at the Mount tend to be knowledgeable, smart and respectful. Access 4 Sure, Emmitsburg can feel like it is in the middle of nowhere, but it really is not. There is a major highway, Route 15, which divides the campus. This route runs from Frederick in the south, northwards towards Gettysburg in Pennsylvania. Waldron Family Stadium and the rest of the PNC Sports Complex is located on the east side of Route 15, while the main part of the university campus is located on the west side. A well lit and secured tunnel connects the two parts of campus. There is also plenty of free parking. Return on Investment 4 Prices are fairly cheap with $8 for general admission. Those are bargain prices, especially for a Division I level sports team. Tickets are available at the gate on game day only. Extras 3 Check to see if there are any other games in the PNC Sports Complex while you are at a game. Check out the massive field of solar panel arrays that the university has installed near the athletic complex. The solar farm produces more than 22,000,000 kilowatt hours of emissions-free electricity per year. The view is another extra. Although not large mountains, more like large hills, the mountains that the university sits along are very nice and offer great views. Final Thoughts Mount St. Mary’s Waldron Family Stadium is a simple, but well-appointed venue to watch a good level of soccer action. With extremely fair prices and good concession offerings this stadium is a must visit.

Photo courtesy of the Texas Bowl On Wednesday, December 4th, Lone Star Sports and Entertainment and ESPN Events – the joint partners that present and own the annual Texas Bowl  – announced a new a new title sponsor that will begin this season. Texas based company Kinder’s will serve as the new title sponsor for the game , which will feature a matchup of a Big 12 team against an SEC team at NRG Stadium in Houston on December 31st. According to a news release, Kinder’s is recognized as “a leading provider of premium quality sauces and seasonings” and has been in business for over 75 years. Founded by World War II veteran John Kinder in San Pablo, CA in 1946, the company is known for its lines of barbecue and wing sauces, as well as its spice rubs. “We are beyond excited to announce our partnership with the Texas Bowl ,” said Kinder’s Co-CEO & Chief Brand Officer Jim Hart in a news release. “At Kinder’s we appreciate the kind of obsession it takes for these athletes and coaches to get to this level. We aspire to bring that same passion and commitment to everything we make, and it is a privilege to be part of providing the stage for them to showcase their incredible talents.” This will be the 19th edition of the Texas Bowl – the 2023 edition saw the then # 22 ranked Oklahoma State Cowboys defeat the Texas A&M Aggies by a score of 31-23 in front of an announced crowd of over 55,000. According to Texas Bowl representatives, since 2014 the contest has become the most-attended bowl game outside of those participating in the College Football Playoffs. “We are thrilled to welcome Kinder’s to our family here in Houston as the title sponsor of the Kinder’s Texas Bowl,” said Lone Star Sports & Entertainment General Manager David Fletcher. “Everything is bigger in Texas, especially the passion for food, family, and football, so to have an opportunity to work with a partner like Kinder’s who values each of those to further enhance the experience for fans, teams, and our community, it is truly special.” Kickoff for the 2024 edition of the Kinder’s Texas Bowl is scheduled for 2:30pm, and the game will be simulcast on ESPN and ESPN+. ---- Follow Eric Moreno's Stadium Journey on Twitter at @EricMoreno6477 .

Lloyd Brown joins us this week to talk about the FCS stadium experiences. Audio versions of the Stadium Journey podcast can be found by searching HIAC Talk Radio wherever you look for your favorite podcasts. Video simulcasts of all the Stadium Journey podcasts can be found on Stadium Journey's YouTube page . Join us live as we record every other Tuesday at 7 PM Eastern at danlaw.tv .

McCoy Stadium Sunset. Photo by Paul Baker, Stadium Journey. Since the relocation of the Pawtucket Red Sox to Worcester, MA, baseball fans have wondered what was to become of beloved McCoy Stadium . Rumors circulated about an independent baseball team moving to the old ballpark or of a plan to convert the facility into a soccer stadium, but nothing came to fruition. The answer finally came this past November, when Pawtucket voters approved a measure to demolish the stadium and build a $300 million high school on the site. The Pawsox had planned to close out their time in the Ocean State with a final season in 2020, but the COVID-19 pandemic forced the cancellation of the entire season. Many fans felt that they never had a chance to say goodbye to their team or the ballpark. Before McCoy Stadium comes down, the administration of Pawtucket Mayor Donald R. Grebien wants to give fans one last chance chance to enjoy the stadium. PawSox Celebrate a walk-off home run in McCoy Stadium's final game. Photo by Paul Baker, Stadium Journey. Barry Richard of 1420 WBSM reports that there are plans for a final celebration at McCoy. "We are planning on having it around this coming Fourth of July and hoping to make it a multi-day celebration," stated Pawtucket Administration Spokesperson Grace Voll. For many years, a highlight of every PawSox season were the fireworks held on and around the Foruth of July. "The goal is to tie it into the fireworks display, but I don't have anything confirmed, and that could change," Voll said. Voll said nothing is definite yet regarding the ultimate demolition of McCoy Stadium. "We still don't have a timeline on demolition. I would say it is more likely to happen after the summer," she said. McCoy Stadium closed with a whimper. Sending it out with a bang seems a much more appropriate way to say goodbye to this Rhode Island landmark. McCoy Stadium Grandstand. Photo by Paul Baker, Stadium Journey.

Photos by Aaron S. Terry, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.86 JMU Convocation Center 895 University Blvd Harrisonburg, VA 22807 James Madison Dukes website JMU Convocation Center website Year Opened: 1982 Capacity: 6,426 Hail to the Dukes! From JMU Sports website: The Convo, as it's known around campus, previously housed the department's men's and women's basketball programs since 1982 before those programs moved to the Atlantic Union Bank Center in 2020. Renovations were announced in March of 2022 and completed late summer of 2023. ---- JMU Convocation Center was built in 1982, and has been home to James Madison University’s men’s and women’s basketball programs since that time. The facility has a capacity of 6,426, and is used for numerous other gatherings besides basketball, including concerts, conventions, and JMU’s winter commencement ceremony. The venue is also one of the rotating host venues for the CAA women’s basketball tournament, and has hosted that tournament six times since 1987; it has also hosted the CAA men’s basketball tournament once. JMU is currently fundraising for a new convocation center that will replace the current facility. The new basketball venue will include box seats and other amenities that are expected to boost attendance at games, and will also include training and workout facilities, locker rooms, offices, and practice space, as well as improved technology, sightlines, media space, and concessions. However, no timeline for the project will be announced until the university’s fundraising goals are met. Food & Beverage 3 JMU Convocation Center offers a decent selection from several cookie cutter stands near the main entrance. Main dishes include barbecue sandwiches, Papa John’s pizza, and hot dogs or veggie dogs for around $3 to $5, and gluten free buns are available for all items. Snack items include nachos, soft pretzels, popcorn, kettle chips, king-sized candy, or blow pops at prices ranging from 50 cents up to $5. There is also a kid’s meal for $6, which includes a hot dog, chips, apple slices, and a prize. The drink selection at JMU Convocation Center is a little more sparse, but includes the basics such as fountain soda, bottled water, coffee, and hot cocoa, priced at $2.50 and up depending on size. Atmosphere 2 JMU Convocation Center provides a typical atmosphere for college basketball. The band is particularly active, with lots of singing and dancing around during the game. Unfortunately, attendance is such that often the band is making more noise than the rest of the crowd. In terms of set-up, JMU Convocation Center has most of its seating along the sidelines, with only a small section behind and above each backboard; one of these is reserved for the band, while the other is general admission. There are actually several different types of seats, though, in case you have a preference; reserved seats are hard plastic with chair backs, while general admission seating is mostly on wooden bleachers without chair backs, except for the aforementioned section behind the backboard, which consists of thick, padded benches. JMU’s staff provides the typical entertainment during breaks in the action, including contests that feature fans wearing flippers trying to shoot lay-ups, or fans bowling using basketballs and giant inflatable pins. JMU’s mascot, Duke Dog, also does a great job keeping the fans entertained, including playing one-on-one with kids before the game, and there are also cheerleaders on hand to help rev up the crowd, including a halftime show featuring junior cheerleaders from area clubs. Neighborhood 3 JMU Convocation Center was the first building at JMU to be built on the other side of I-81 from main campus, and therefore feels a little isolated, with only parking lots, other athletic facilities, and a few dorms in the immediate vicinity. However, there are a couple of great restaurants in town if you are looking for a bite to eat, and there are several attractions in the area if you are here for the weekend. Harrisonburg is not a metropolis by any means, but it does have several of the typical small-town attractions you have come to expect in places like this, for example the Virginia Quilt Museum. Alternatively, if you are a history buff (or aspire to be one), you can visit the Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library and Museum, which is located in Staunton (about half an hour southwest of Harrisonburg). The closest hotel to JMU Convocation Center is the Days Inn, but there are many more choices one exit further north on I-81, for example Candlewood Suites. In addition, if you are looking for a bite to eat, Anthony’s Campus Pizza and Corgans’ Publick House are both worth a visit; Anthony’s is very popular with the students, while Corgans’ serves Irish and American fare, and features live music. Fans 2 Due to the small crowd size it sometimes seems as if the band is making more noise than the fans. While the official average attendance at JMU basketball games is around 2,900, in reality it is a lot less, and the fans tend to be fairly spread out, so it is hard to feel a lot of camaraderie with your fellow Dukes fans. On the plus side, a lot of fans do wear team gear, so you will see lots of purple. In addition, many fans wave towels or cards emblazoned with the number “3” after exciting plays, so you can expect at least some occasional bursts of energy. Check out the video below to get a look inside JMU Convocation Center during a game: Access 5 Getting to JMU Convocation Center is a piece of cake, given that the venue is a literal stone’s throw from I-81. Also, there is free parking available in the lot right next to the arena on the south side; parking is available on a first-come, first-serve basis, but given the crowd size there should always be enough room. Getting in and out of, and around JMU Convocation Center is similarly easy; there are entrances in all four corners, though most fans use the main entrances on the south side, next to the parking. In addition, there are plenty of bathrooms inside to accommodate the crowd, and no lines at the concessions. Getting to and from your seat is also easy, since the aisles are fairly wide, and there are ramps if you need them. Return on Investment 3 Despite the small crowd, the only tickets usually available are the $10 general admission seats, since the reserved seats are only given out to donors. You can’t really move down into the closer seats, either, since the venue has staff members stationed at the bottom of the general admission section. Nevertheless, with free parking and reasonable concessions, attending a JMU basketball game is a fairly cheap date, and a good way to see some college hoops, as long as you don’t mind the lack of fans or relatively low level of energy. Extras 2 JMU Convocation Center has some great décor in the concourse, with lots of Dukes-themed signage and images. Take a stroll past the concessions stands and you will find trophies on display, and above the court you will see banners hanging to commemorate past championships and tournament appearances, as well as plenty of purple. Final Thoughts The James Madison Dukes currently compete in the Colonial Athletic Association, and have had some ups and down in recent years in terms of on-court performance. However, the school is serious about improving the athletics programs here, as evidenced by their sizeable planned investment in a new basketball arena, so things should start looking up for JMU basketball in the coming years.

The crew discusses the arms race between cities for bigger, better, and more luxurious stadiums. Will the common fan get priced out? Audio versions of the Stadium Journey podcast can be found by searching HIAC Talk Radio wherever you look for your favorite podcasts. Video simulcasts of all the Stadium Journey podcasts can be found on Stadium Journey's YouTube page . Join us live as we record every other Tuesday at 7 PM Eastern at danlaw.tv .

The podcast crew is joined by Melissa Burgess from The Victory Press to discuss the inaugural season of the PWHL. How did the first season go compared to how we thought it was going to go, and what comes next?                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         Audio versions of the Stadium Journey podcast can be found by searching HIAC Talk Radio   wherever you look for your favorite podcasts. Video simulcasts of all the Stadium Journey podcasts can be found on Stadium Journey's YouTube page . Join us live as we record every other Monday on our social media streaming channels.

Photos by Conrad Klank, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.71 Indian Wells Tennis Garden 78200 Miles Ave Indian Wells, CA 92210 BNP Paribas Open website Indian Wells Tennis Garden website Year Opened: 2000 Capacity: 16,100 Playing in the Garden The Indian Wells Tennis Garden is the home to the annual BNP Paribas Open Professional Men's and Women's tennis tournament. Located in Indian Wells, California, about two hours east of Los Angeles, this 54-acre facility plays host to the top ATP and WTA players from around the world for two exciting weeks in March. The BNP Paribas Open is one of the prestigious ATP Masters 1000 and WTA Premier 5 events, one of only three of its kind in the United States along with Miami and Cincinnati . Backed by a small group of tennis and sports enthusiasts, this facility has quickly grown into the incredible event that it is today. The most eye-catching feature, by far, of this beautiful park, is the 16,100-seat Stadium Court 1, which is the second largest tennis specific stadium in the world, second only to Arthur Ashe Stadium at the US Open . In addition to the impressive capacity of Stadium Court 1, it also features 44 luxury suites, a full media workroom, and the players� locker rooms and restaurant. After Stadium Court 1, there are seven additional smaller temporary stadiums, which host the other tournament matches. Outside of watching tennis, there are a number of other great things to do around the grounds, ranging from eating and drinking, to demoing racquets, to shopping the boutiques, to even getting a free massage. Additionally, this is one of the most fan friendly events in the world with improved seating and visibility around the practice courts and mini soccer field, as well as the new updated digital practice schedule board located right outside of court 3. Food & Beverage 5 If you've never been to a tennis tournament you'll be in for quite a treat as the food offerings are quite different than one would expect at a baseball or football game. If you're expecting concession windows, ice cream carts, and beer guys patrolling the aisles, you may or may not be pleasantly surprised with the incredible variety and quality that is offered at professional tennis tournaments, especially at this one. Not that the typical stadium fare of hot dogs, peanuts, popcorn, and nachos won't be found here, it's just that stadium food is taken to a whole new level. Depending on what you're in the mood for, you could have an authentic gyro, a footlong loaded with BBQ beef brisket, pizza, specialty bistro sandwiches, and even fish and chips, just to name a few of the unique food offerings found at the BNP Paribas Open. Once you've found something that tickles your fancy from the food court, find a place to get a refreshment, a little shade, and a spot to eat. There are two large beach-themed Corona bars, and a massive Don Julio bar with plenty of shaded tables and chairs at the center of the food court. If you're looking for a little more elbow room than your seat but don't want to miss a second of the action on the court, grab a couple of adirondack chairs in the Corona Plaza where the top three matches are being shown on the large video boards with stats and scores scrolling across the bottom. Atmosphere 5 As with food and beverage, the atmosphere at professional tennis tournaments is very unique. One moment you can be courtside engrossed in a fantastic third set match biting your fingernails, the next you can be socializing with friends in the food court. There are a number of different atmospheres within the grounds of the tournament depending on the setting. There are numerous massive murals of tennis players and images all around the buzzing and excited grounds. While it is important that you stay quiet while play is going on, don't underestimate the amount of excitement that shows at this big time tournament. Make sure to stake out some first or second row seats for an outer court match, so that you can get the up close and personal feel that is so special about these tournaments where you don't have to have a ticket to the outer courts. Additionally, in the evenings, live music, interviews, player autograph sessions, and trivia are available around the grounds. Neighborhood 5 While there isn't much to do in walking distance of the tournament, there are a ton of wonderful places to eat, drink, and things to do just a short drive away. There are two areas that I recommend, first is El Paseo where there are easily over a hundred places to visit. This upscale shopping and dining area is the perfect place to visit before or after going to the tournament or for a break in the action. There is something here for every budget and taste bud. Don't plan to do much shopping later in the evening as most of the stores close rather early while the restaurants stay open a little later, so shop first, eat second. If you like fresh seafood, make sure to eat at Pacifica. For unique specialty pizza, Wolfgang Puck Pizza Bar. And for a steak, you have to go to Mastro's Steakhouse. This is typically the best area for player spotting so keep your eyes peeled for your favorite player getting a bite to eat. Lastly, even if you aren't a big art buff, make sure you stop in at one or two of the many art galleries in the area. If you're willing to drive just a bit further (15-20 minutes), I recommend visiting the North Palm Canyon shopping district. Similar to El Paseo, you will find a number of great shopping and dining options, however the things you will find here won't be nearly as upscale, but much more unique. Be sure to get an omelet for breakfast at Pinocchio in the Desert, have a burger at Hamburger Mary's for lunch, pick up some souvenirs at Just Fabulous, have some authentic chicken parmesan at Kalura Trattoria Italiana or authentic Mexican at Maracas, and get your picture taken with the giant statue of Marilyn Monroe. As you can see, there's a ton to do in the Palm Desert/Palm Springs area, so don't forget to plan an extra day or two just to be a tourist. When you're looking for a hotel, be sure to book early as rooms go fast with only a limited number of resorts available. There are some great options near both entertainment areas mentioned. The top recommendation in Palm Desert which not only has a tremendous tennis facility to get a work out during your stay, but also typically hosts player exhibitions and practice sessions while the tournament is in town, the La Quinta Resort. If you're interested in relaxing more away from the tournament crowds, the Renaissance in Palm Springs is highly recommended with a tremendous pool deck. Fans 5 Tennis fans are some of the best sports fans in the world. It's not uncommon to see fans travel all over the world to follow their favorite players. Since tournaments are played in so many places, it takes a lot of dedication to follow the sport, and tennis fans don't disappoint as they have showed up in record numbers. The 2013 BNP Paribas Open set a new tournament attendance record of 382,227 as well as new single day and night session records on the middle Saturday of the tournament. Access 4 Getting to the tournament from out of town, you have a few options. If traveling by air, the nearest airports available are Palm Springs International Airport (17mi), San Bernardino International Airport (70 mi), Ontario Airport (87mi), and Los Angeles International Airport (139mi). For the experience with the least hassle, Palm Springs International Airport would be the best choice. With shuttles and taxis available to transport you to your nearby hotel, this would be the best route. However, it will be without a doubt the most expensive and probably not the most convenient as far as flight times. If you decide to fly into one of the other airports, rent a car and drive yourself to the tournament. The key to saving yourself the most trouble is to make sure you arrive to the tournament early to avoid the troublesome traffic. With only a couple of roads leading to the tournament site, congestion is extremely likely and time consuming. The next issue is the long walk from the parking areas that is probable in delaying you further from entering the tournament. Parking right next to the tournament grounds in the official general parking is $15 per day. The biggest thing to keep in mind here is just to give yourself extra time to drive to the tournament and get into the grounds, as it can possibly be a long process. If possible, I highly recommend booking one of the nearby hotels, which offer a shuttle to and from the grounds for a much more stress free day. When it comes to the access inside the tournament grounds, it's important to keep in mind that with such large numbers in attendance, it is likely that restrooms will back up and form lines. Like at a basketball game, to beat the halftime restroom crowds, you head for the stands a few minutes before the half, it might be wise to try that strategy here. Also, I recommend avoiding the lines for the restrooms located in Stadium Court 1. Instead, search out the restroom stands located around the grounds. Lastly, it is important to be patient when trying to attend a match in one of the smaller stadium courts around the grounds, especially during a highly touted matchup as crowds will quickly form and congestion at the entrances is possible. Return on Investment 4 As with any professional tennis tournament, it has to be understood that there really aren't too many "economical" options. Plain and simple, it's expensive. Having said this, for the money, a ton of entertainment is provided. In comparison to other sporting events where you get to see the best in the world it is about on par if not a slightly better return on investment. Keeping in mind that a single ticket to any given day session will entitle you to see at least 3 matches and around 7 hours inside the gates, this is far superior to seeing one game of another sport for around the same price. The same concept goes for the food and beverage. While it can be expected that prices will be slightly higher, more variety and better products are also on hand when compared to a more mainstream sporting event. For tickets to the BNP Paribas Open, the cheapest and most convenient options are available directly through the tournament's ticket office . In addition to daily tickets, they also offer different kinds of mini packages for any number of people and days, as well as hotel packages. One of the great perks included in select packages is access to the VIP, air-conditioned, Emirates Club Lounge. Extras 5 This tournament is filled to the brim with extras that tennis fans just aren't used to. The spectacular views from any vantage point of palm trees, desert, and mountains are breathtaking. The official instant replay technology that's available on all eight match courts, the most of any tournament in the world. The unique mini soccer field and adjacent outdoor player-dining patio, perfect for spotting your favorite player having fun off the court. Along with the views outside of the grounds, the beautiful landscaping inside the grounds makes for a wonderful combination for the backdrop to the action on the court. Final Thoughts Top 5 things to make sure you do while at The BNP Paribas Open at The Indian Wells Tennis Garden: Smell the lemon trees Go to the top of the stands to get the best views of the desert Get autographs at the soccer field and practice courts Watch a match in every stadium court for a different atmosphere Shop the boutiques and exhibits Things to keep in mind when attending The BNP Paribas Open: Be sure to pack a small bag to take into the tournament to store your extra long sleeves and long pants since the weather varies and it will undoubtedly get cool in the evenings in the desert (small bags are allowed in the tournament after a brief inspection, of course) Bring a camera and autograph pen (necessities when your favorite player is on the practice courts) Since spring forward occurs during the middle weekend of the tournament, it is wise to attend the evening sessions during the second week (the tournament grounds are so beautiful that you'll want as much daylight as possible to be able to enjoy it)

It's the annual look back at our travels this year. What were our favorite venues, games, biggest surprises, and cities of 2023? Audio versions of the Stadium Journey podcast can be found by searching HIAC Talk Radio   wherever you look for your favorite podcasts. Video simulcasts of all the Stadium Journey podcasts can be found on Stadium Journey's YouTube page . Join us live as we record every other Tuesday at 7 PM Eastern at danlaw.tv .

Food, Family, and Football….Oh My! The Thanksgiving holidays are just around the corner. It is a time to get together with our families, count our blessings, and share in a feast of turkey, stuffing, and pumpkin pie. It is also a time to tear those same families apart, as it is college football’s rivalry weekend. The games scheduled for this hallowed holiday decide bragging rights for the next year between husbands and wives, brothers and sisters, your family, and the in-laws. Even though many of these teams will be moving to different conferences in the New Year, these rivalries figure to survive the chaos of conference realignments and NILs. Here's the lineup of Thanksgiving weekend’s top matchups and this year’s game site: Ole Miss @ Mississippi State Davis Wade Stadium Texas Tech @ Texas Darrell Royal Texas Memorial Stadium Oregon State @ Oregon Autzen Stadium Vanderbilt @ Tennessee Neyland Stadium Alabama @Auburn Jordan-Hare Stadium FSU @ Florida Ben Hill Griffin Stadium Cal @ UCLA Rose Bowl Notre Dame @ Stanford Stanford Stadium Kentucky @ Louisville Cardinal Stadium Washington State @ Washington Husky Stadium Georgia @ Georgia Tech Bobby Dodd Stadium UNC @ NC State Carter- Finley Stadium Northwestern @ Illinois Memorial Stadium Wisconsin @ Minnesota Huntington Bank Stadium Indiana @ Purdue Ross-Ade Stadium Clemson@ South Carolina Williams-Brice Stadium Arizona @ Arizona State Mountain America Stadium Virginia Tech @ Virginia Scott Stadium Tuskegee @ Alabama State New ASU Stadium Southern @ Grambling Caesars’ Superdome