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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Photos by Aaron S.Terry, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.86 Sun Bowl Stadium Sun Bowl Dr El Paso, TX 79968 UTEP Miners website Sun Bowl Stadium website Year Opened: 1963 Capacity: 51,500 The Sun Needs to Rise Sun Bowl Stadium opened in 1963, and has hosted the UTEP Miners football team, as well as the annual NCAA Sun Bowl (for which the venue was named), ever since. The Miners previously played at Kidd Field, which is next door and is now used for tailgating before games – Kidd Field only seats 15,000, however, so a new stadium was needed in order for El Paso to get the bowl game. Sun Bowl Stadium currently holds 51,500, but rarely fills up, given the Miners’ on-field performance. It does have some unique features, however, including being able to see Mexico from inside the stadium. Food & Beverage 5 The concessions are by far the best thing about Sun Bowl Stadium. There are plenty of food options, including several varieties of local cuisine, as well as hot drinks, cold drinks, and 5 brands of beer. The main stands offer a limited selection, including hot dogs and smoked sausage, but specialty stands all along the concourse offer additional fare such as burritos, gorditas, brats, burgers, pizza, loaded nachos, brisket, and pulled pork. Prices for these items range from $4 to $10.50. In addition to the main dishes, the generic stands also offer nachos and popcorn, while the specialty stands have churros, funnel cake, pretzels, Cracker Jack, peanuts, kettle corn, corn in a cup or chips in a cup, and cinnamon-glazed nuts; these items will cost between $3.50 and $7 per item. Unlike many college stadiums, Sun Bowl Stadium does sell alcohol (probably because it was built to host bowl games). The five varieties for sale are Bud, Bud Light, Tecate, Coors Light, and Miller Lite ($9 for a 24-ounce can). Non-alcoholic selections include Coke products, bottled water, coffee, cappuccino, and hot cocoa. The soda comes either in bottles or from the fountain, depending on which stand you purchase from. Soda and water will cost between $3.50 and $6.50, depending on size, and hot drinks will run $3 to $5, also depending on size. I am not sure I can recommend the burgers. At $10.50, including chips, they are certainly massive, but have a lot of bun and a disappointing amount of toppings – the burrito or gorditas may be a better choice. Atmosphere 3 Sun Bowl Stadium has several unique features, but is pretty empty during most games. Outside the stadium, there is a giant “M” on the mountain (for “Miners”), also a neat multi-colored light sculpture which can be seen best at night. The stadium itself was built into the mountain, and you can see how the rock was carved away to make room for the stands – this is most obvious on the east side. Check out the video for a quick tour of the facility: The band does some unique formations; for example, making the pick-axe the mascot is famous for. And like many venues, the staff shoots off fireworks after scores, and does a really impressive display after a win. Also, before the team enters the field, in addition to blowing smoke, they shoot off sparks – reminiscent of a welder, or maybe a pick-axe striking rock? The sparks are turned off just before the team comes on the field (which is nice, because we wouldn’t want the players to get burned). Sun Bowl Stadium is built in a bowl design with an open south end – instead of seats, there the team name is painted on the cement. The scoreboard is also on the south end, so all of the seats face it, which makes it easy to see replays. There is also a walkway around the top of the bowl, so you are free to walk around and watch the game from multiple vantage points, or look down on Mexico, which can be seen through the open south end. Neighborhood 3 Sun Bowl Stadium is a little isolated, but is near UTEP’s campus. It is also the closest FBS stadium to Mexico, in case you literally want to cross the border. Most of the restaurants near Sun Bowl Stadium are fast food places spread out along Mesa Street, but there are a couple of upscale places that would make a good hangout before or after the game. The Hoppy Monk is within walking distance of the stadium, and offers myriad craft beers, as well as cigars, wine, and multiple varieties of whiskey and scotch. Landry’s Seafood is further away (on Gateway Blvd West), but is a popular chain with multiple locations in the southwest. The most popular attractions near El Paso are outdoor activities such as the scenic overlooks or the Wyler Aerial Tramway, which offers breathtaking views of the local landscape. If you have time (and your passport), you may also want to visit Mexico, but pay attention to travel advisories. The small group tours are probably your safest bet – they last a couple of hours and allow plenty of opportunities for shopping and sightseeing. There are plenty of hotels in El Paso – Sun Bowl Stadium is a bowl game destination after all. And while there are none within sight of the stadium itself, there are plenty as you head east toward the airport, or west toward New Mexico. Fans 2 The fans who attend cheer loudly and wear team colors, but there aren’t very many of them. The stadium typically looks pretty empty, with an average attendance of well under half-full. At some games, the staff hands out promotional items, such as noisemakers from local sponsors, and it is rather embarrassing when there are way more giveaways than fans. Access 3 Getting around Sun Bowl Stadium is a little odd – parking is free in some areas, but is not very accessible, and some of the bathrooms are inconveniently located. There are several parking lots right next to Sun Bowl Stadium, but they are reserved for those with passes, and are very empty, which is sort of a waste. There is free parking beyond those lots, which is not too far from the stadium, but the entrances on the freeway side are blocked off for some odd reason, so you have to drive all the way around to Mesa Street to access them – it might help traffic flow if you could enter on both sides. If you don’t have a pass and don’t want to walk, there is a parking deck next to the stadium where you can park for $10, but I never recommend parking in decks because they are too hard to get out of. You can enter the stadium from either the north side or the south side, but the south side is probably closer to parking for most fans. There are plenty of bathrooms in the stadium to accommodate the crowd, but some of them are actually under the concourse, so you have to take the stairs to get to them – weird. But the concourse is plenty wide, and has some unique architecture you can look at while you walk around. Also there are plenty of tunnels that lead to the seats, so it is easy to get to and from the concessions. Return on Investment 2 Tickets to UTEP football games are dirt cheap, but unfortunately that does not help draw a crowd. Tickets can be had for less than $13, including Ticketmaster fees, and in fact, the fees are more than the tickets – $5 face value, with the rest going to fees, which means if you buy at the door you would save some money. That said, attendance is severely lacking, so for all the great concessions and unique features, the market isn’t supportive of even that low of a cost. Which is a shame, because the stadium is worth a visit, if not for the team than for its uniqueness. Extras 2 Being able to see Mexico is certainly a rarity, and the architecture is interesting, especially seeing the solid rock that was carved away to make room for the stands. Final Thoughts I do think Sun Bowl Stadium is worth a visit, so unless your favorite team is coming to town, I would recommend attending the bowl game here instead of a Miners home game – the atmosphere should be a lot better in December.

Photos by Lloyd Rothwell, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.29 Suncorp Stadium 40 Castlemaine St Milton QLD 4064 Australia Brisbane Broncos website Suncorp Stadium website Year Opened: 1914 Capacity: 52,500 Bronx Nation at the Cauldron Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane is arguably one of the best football-only stadiums worldwide. Better known as Lang Park, the venue opened in 1914 on the site of a former cemetery, but didn’t become the home of rugby league in Queensland until the 1950s. The stadium gained traction in Australian sporting folklore with the rise of the State of Origin concept which began in 1980, a three-game series between NSW and QLD that has evolved into the premiere event on the annual rugby league calendar. Lang Park was nicknamed “The Cauldron,” and was renowned for local fans euphemistically described as boisterous and parochial. A substantial redevelopment was completed in 2003, resulting in a 52,500 seater where 75% are covered within the drip line – the works have seen Suncorp Stadium regularly mentioned as the best rectangular stadium in Australia. The Queensland Reds Super Rugby franchise and the Brisbane Roar A-League club both relocated to the stadium, testament to the high standard of spectator facilities. Internationals across all three codes, as well as high-profile concerts, also regularly take place at Suncorp. The Brisbane Broncos joined what is now the National Rugby League (NRL) as an expansion team in 1988, along with a Gold Coast Tweed club and the Newcastle Knights . They’ve quickly become a powerhouse, having won six premierships. They are also one of the largest and highly valued football clubs in the country, and hold the distinction of being the only publically owned club in Australia. Food & Beverage 4 Suncorp Stadium is well stocked with many outlets on all levels of the seating bowl, including a Red Rooster branded outlet. There may not be any specialty items, but all the regular offerings are available. Like most sporting venues around the world, the monopolistic nature of concessions leads to high prices – expect to pay up to $10 for a single hot food item such as a burger, while a humble Four ’n’ Twenty pie is around $5. One notable point to be made where Suncorp deviates from the norm is that there are a higher than usual number of healthy choices, including sushi, gourmet salads, and yoghurt. There’s also a small selection of alcoholic drinks, including four different beers. Be aware that if it is your shout at the bar, then as seems to be usual these days a carry tray will cost you an extra dollar. Nevertheless, I am otherwise well satisfied by the food choices, as well as by the service and availability. There used to be a full list of items and prices on the stadium website, but unfortunately this seems to have been removed. Atmosphere 5 The redeveloped Suncorp Stadium compares well to any major football stadium around the world. The stadium design puts the crowd on top of the action, creating an intimate atmosphere while maximising fan engagement and noise. The seating bowl has three levels, all of which provide great views. Even without a capacity attendance, the crowd noise is still high. If possible, circumnavigate the exterior of the stadium prior to entry to ensure you pass through the northern plaza to see statues of Queensland greats Wally Lewis (“The King”), Arthur Beetson, Mal Meninga, and Darren Lockyer, as well as plaques in the concourse listing all QLD State of Origin players and their numbers. There are also video screens at either end, however, I find them just a touch too small and also think they are placed a little low for those sitting in the nosebleed seats. Despite this, the stadium is a great experience. Neighbourhood 5 The nearby Caxton St is packed with restaurants, bars, and cafés, making it the ideal route if you’re walking in from the east. However, my number one choice in the vicinity is actually on the opposite side of Suncorp Stadium. By all means check out the aforementioned strip, but definitely check out the XXXX Alehouse (Corner Black and Paton Streets, Milton). The entrance is a little difficult to spot, as the building appears to face Milton Rd, but the public entrance is down the side and up the stairs – the pub itself is open plan with a balcony and has a good choice of bar food. Brisbane itself is a beautiful city to visit, and in the winter months provides a warmer climate than the chilly southeast corner of the continent. A couple of quick suggestions include South Bank, Queen St Mall, and the Storey Bridge Climb. Fans 4 Queenslanders in general are proud and committed supporters – the Broncos have the largest supporter base of any NRL club, and have an average home crowd of over 30,000. Not only that, the design of the stadium maximises the noise and cheering of the fans. Maroon and yellow are everywhere, and there are numerous Broncos banners throughout the city, reminding visitors that all of the city is behind their team. Access 4 Suncorp Stadium has no specific parking in the vicinity, but public transport by bus and train is well organised, making travel to the venue largely hassle-free; Milton and Roma St are the two nearest train stations, with Milton being the closer of the two. There are commercial parking lots in surrounding suburbs which are located within walking distance if you must drive, but there are no clear directions to rideshare pickups. The concourses inside the stadium cater well to the large crowds, and even when busy don’t feel too crowded; bathrooms are spacious and in good condition. The only possible complaint in this area is the number of stairs to climb in order to reach the higher levels. However, ushers are friendly, helpful and knowledgeable. Return on Investment 4 No doubt the fan experience here is top shelf, but you will definitely pay for the privilege. Expect to pay $50 or more just to get through the gates, with the best seats over $100. In most cases public transport will be included in the price of your ticket, but best to check. The cost does detract from the overall score, but regardless of the cost, this is still one of Australia’s top sporting destinations. Extras 4 There is a large stadium store located on the northern plaza, which is also open on weekdays. Stadium tours are available, but must be pre-booked and are only held on Thursdays – there is an option to book a combined stadium and XXXX Brewery tour which is a great idea. As well as the Queensland greats statues, there are also a number of fan activation opportunities outside Suncorp Stadium. Final Thoughts The Brisbane Broncos are one of the most successful sporting teams in Australia, and Suncorp Stadium is one of the best venues in the land – visiting is a must.

Photos by Dave Cottenie, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.00 Swisher Gymnasium 100 Dolphin Drive Jacksonville, FL 32211 Jacksonville Dolphins website Swisher Gymnasium website Year Opened: 1953 Capacity: 1,452 Phins Up! There are few moments in sports more surprising than the 1970 Final Four appearance by the Jacksonville Dolphins. Led by future NBA star and Basketball Hall of Fame member Artis Gilmore, the Dolphins moved through the tournament defeating Western Kentucky, Iowa and Kentucky to make it to the Final Four. The Cinderella Dolphins made it one step farther defeating the St. Bonaventure Bonnies to make it to the National Championship game. John Wooden’s juggernaut UCLA Bruins would dash the hopes of the upstart Dolphins, but a miracle run was ingrained in the Jacksonville fanbase. The 1969-70 Dolphins also etched themselves in College Basketball history as the first team to average 100 points in a season. Currently, Jacksonville is a small, private university of just over 4,000 students. The Dolphins have been playing basketball since 1949. After playing as an independent and conferences that no longer exist, Jacksonville moved to the Sun Belt Conference in 1976. They currently play in the Atlantic Sun Conference, their home since 1998. The Dolphins call the Historic Swisher Gymnasium their on-campus home and have played there since 1953. They played in the Jacksonville Coliseum from 1969 to 1999, until it was demolished in favor of the VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena, where the Dolphins played from 2003 to 2015. They then returned to campus to the renovated gym. Named after Carl Swisher, the father of Jacksonville University, former chairman of the Board of Trustees and the man instrumental in finding the university a permanent home, the Historic Swisher Gymnasium is a small, intimate venue with a capacity of just over 1,452. The court is named after Billie Nimnicht, a local car dealership owner and big supporter of Jacksonville athletics during his life. One of the smaller schools playing in one of the smallest venues offers an entire different experience than one may associate with NCAA Basketball, but it is one not to be missed, for sure. Food & Beverage 2 The culinary experience at a Dolphins game is not the most extravagant. A simple menu at the one concession stand in the atrium includes hot dogs, popcorn, chips and candy. Beverages include soda, water and Gatorade. Beer and wine is also available, which is not necessarily the norm for a college basketball venue on campus. Although there is little variety and not much more than a snack available, the prices are very reasonable. Atmosphere 3 Definitely not an imposing structure, the Historic Swisher Gymnasium is neatly embedded in the centre of campus at Jacksonville University, steps away from the St. Johns River. A small, arched structure with windows along the curved roofline of the original gymnasium, there is a clear division between where the original gym stands and the additions to it with the latest renovation. Entering Swisher brings fans into the pride of the Dolphins. The atrium outside of the main gym is full of displays and memorabilia of the glory years at JU. A huge display telling the story of the 1969-1970 Dolphins and their run to the National Championship game along with their favorite son, Artis Gilmore, will give fans the opportunity to step into an area of JU athletics they are probably not familiar with. Trophies for the national runner-up are also photo ops for fans. Very smartly decorated, the atrium leads to the main concession stand which also sells some Dolphins gear. To the right is the entrance to the gymnasium, which is flanked by the original dedication plaque from 1953, information on the latest renovation and a curious sign above the entrance welcoming fans to the Artis Gilmore Court. Inside the seating area, it is obvious that Swisher could be a really tough place to play as an opponent. The court runs from east to west and fans enter from the east side with the majority of seating on the north side. The south side of the gym is the Swisher Splash Zone, which is presumably the student section. A very small capacity shows fans that if the gym was full, it could be amazing. The north and south walls hold simple videoboards, which basically only show the score and video of the game. More advanced statistics of the game including player points and fouls, are not shown on the board. To the upper left of the videoboard on the west wall, proudly hang the retired numbers for the Dolphins. The likes of Roger Strickland, Rex Morgan, Artis Gilmore, Otis Smith and Dee Brown. Hanging above the south stands are the Jacksonville Dolphins championship banners, which include 1970, 71, 73, 79 and 86 NCAA Tournament appearances, 2009 and 2010 Atlantic Sun Championships, 1979 and 1986 Sun Belt Tournament Championships, NIT and CIT appearances and the 1970 NCAA Final Four banner. The production at a Dolphins game is very simple. Some music between and fairly simple introductions and promotions highlight the game experience. During free-throws, fans are encouraged to put their Phins Up, and enthusiastically raise their hands and shake them, hoping for a good foul shot. It must be noted, that the specific game that was reviewed was during the winter break, when the campus was fairly empty so the gameday production may be a bit different during a normal game. Neighborhood 3 The Jacksonville University campus is located east of the St. Johns River and adjacent to the Lake Lucina, Monterey, University Park and Arlington Manor neighborhoods of Jacksonville. There are a few spots that are not too far for pre or post game meals. The River House Pub is right on campus and probably the one spot within walking distance. Smoke in the City BBQ, and Louisiana Fish and Chicken are also close. There are a number of fast food restaurants on Merrill Road, which is close to campus. For other sporting options, the Jacksonville Jaguars play at TIAA Bank Field and the Jacksonville IceMen play at the VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena. The Alexander Brest Museum and Jacksonville Zoo are other tourist type options worth checking out. Also, catching the TaxSlayer Gator Bowl during the football playoffs is a great holiday plan. For fans needing to stay in the area, Kings Inn and Regency Inn are decent selections. Fans 2 The Jacksonville Dolphins usually average less than 1,000 fans per game. This makes for one of the lowest average attendances in Division I basketball. That being said, 1,000 fans in Swisher would be terrific with such a small capacity. That being said, it was low attendance that pushed Jacksonville U to move their home games back to campus and leave the bigger, downtown Vystar Veterans Memorial Arena. It will be interesting to see if demand for basketball will force either a move back downtown or an expansion of Swisher. Access 3 Jacksonville University is located east of the St. Johns River and east of downtown. It is west of I-295 and north of the Arlington Expressway. Getting to the university is not terribly difficult. For fans heading on campus for the first time, parking can be a bit of a chore. It is best to arrive early and scope out parking. There are some lots at the end of Dolphin Drive that most would not get to. For fans interested in public transit, there are buses that run along University Boulevard. Fans should check out the Jacksonville Transportation Authority website for fares, maps and schedules. The ticketing window at Swisher is actually outside the building. Getting tickets is not difficult and lines are rarely an issue. Inside, the low attendance means that getting around the gym is not that difficult. However, a full house would make the atrium pretty crowded. The washroom facilities are adequate for the facility as well. Return on Investment 5 Taking in a Jacksonville Dolphins game is one of the most affordable endeavours in sport. A Dolphins ticket is only $10 for General Admission, which all of the seats are, outside of those specifically reserved for season ticket holders. Concession prices are quite good and getting to the game is not costly. Although, not the most complex production, the Dolphins remain Division I basketball and it is a program that has some pedigree to its name. The experience is well worth the tiny investment. Extras 3 An extra mark for the Dolphins city rivalry with the North Florida Ospreys. Florida Gulf Coast is also a decent rivalry. An extra mark for the return to campus for the Dolphins An extra mark for the history of Historic Swisher Gymnasium Final Thoughts Not all college basketball schools are Duke, Kansas or North Carolina. With over 350 Division I programs there is a wide variety of experiences for the sports traveler. Although the Jacksonville Dolphins are one of the smallest programs in the country, the experience at the Historic Swisher Gymnasium should not be discounted. Heading on campus will mean a good time at a price that is far lower than any big program. Follow all of Dave’s sporting adventures on Twitter @profan9 and on Instagram.

Photos by Lloyd Rothwell, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.57 Sydney Cricket Ground Driver Ave Moore Park NSW 2021 Australia Sydney Swans website Sydney Cricket Ground website Year Opened: 1848 Capacity: 48,000 Cheer, Cheer the Red and the White The Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) may have only been home to the Sydney Swans since 1982 when South Melbourne relocated to the harbour city, but Australian Rules football was played on the hallowed turf as early as 1881. Indeed the historic Members Pavilion (1886) and Ladies Stand (1896) are visual representations of the venue’s iconic place in Australian and world sport. Given the name, the ground is obviously heavily used for cricket in the summer months. International, interstate and Big Bash League ( Sydney Sixers ) games are all played at the SCG. Prior to venues such as Allianz Stadium and ANZ Stadium being built, the rugby codes were also based here with a constant flow of grand finals and test matches up until the mid-1980s. Furthermore, the SCG was the main stadium when Sydney hosted the Empire Games, the precursor to the Commonwealth Games, in 1938. Modern renovations have kept the SCG at the forefront of stadiums around the world. Most recently the MA Noble, Don Bradman and Dally Messenger Stands were rebuilt incorporating new restaurant style dining and bar areas. The Swans have a long history, beginning life as a foundation club in the Victorian Football League (VFL), however experienced little success as South Melbourne. Their move to Sydney was considered their only hope of survival after a long period of financial instability and uncertainty. Rebirthed as the Sydney Swans, the club experienced a short period as a glamour club before several years in the doldrums, most notably punctuated by 26 losing games in a row. After a gradual rebuild the club finally broke through for their maiden premiership as the Sydney Swans in 2005. They are now consistently regarded as perennial contenders and one of the strongest clubs in the league. Food & Beverage 4 The new MA Noble and Bradman Stands have really helped set a new benchmark for food and beverage at Australian sporting venues; with gourmet burgers and sandwiches, barramundi, oysters and a good selection of craft beers and ciders by the Matilda Bay Brewing Co. Other sections of the stadium have to make do with the likes of hot dogs ($6), hot chicken roll ($10), meat pie ($7), and hot chips ($5.90). Snacks such as crisps ($5.90) and chocolate bars ($4.60) can be purchased from the same outlets. Coke variety soft drinks will cost you $5.60 while bottled water is $4.80. A number of outlets also offer tempura fish and chips ($10.50), salt and pepper squid with chips ($11.50), sushi ($10.50), wraps ($9.50) and sandwiches ($7.60). Domino’s Pizza is available at some points with individual pizzas (Meatosaurus, Hawaiian or Margarita) available. Depending which area of the stadium you are located, you may or may not have access to full strength beer. Nevertheless, prices include Crown Lager ($9), Peroni ($9), Pure Blonde ($8.90), Cascade Premium Light ($6.80), cider ($9), wine ($7.30), and mid strength spirits ($10.20). As you will note, prices across the board are high and continue to rise, however seasoned stadium travellers will know that this is fairly standard for major venues around the world. Atmosphere 5 The history and charm of the SCG cannot possibly be underestimated. It truly is a gem, celebrating historical significance with modern amenity and comfort. The various grandstands are mostly named after Australia’s cricketing legends; Sir Donald Bradman, Monty Noble, Bill O’Reilly and Victor Trumper, with an additional nod to rugby league’s Dally Messenger and Clive Churchill. The Trumper Stand features good views of the city skyline, including Sydney Tower. The Members Pavilion and Ladies Stand create a sensational backdrop – and is a wonderful place to sit if you’re lucky enough to have access to this area of the ground. Despite the obvious dominance of cricket and rugby league historically, the Swans have well and truly found a home at the SCG and are building a history of their own, with a full house at a Swans game a sea of cheering fans in red and white. In more recent years, with their future secured, the club has embraced their South Melbourne heritage. This has only helped build their identity and the majority of AFL fans in Sydney follow the Swans over their new crosstown rival, the GWS Giants. With Driver Ave closed off to traffic, there is always plenty of excitement out on the street as fans buy their tickets and mingle before entering the stadium. There are various stalls set up but if a big crowd is expected, and you’re in a general admission or non-reserved seating area, it’s best to arrive early and grab a good seat while you can. Neighbourhood 5 The Moore Park precinct is located just south of the Sydney CBD. With Allianz Stadium next door there is often an opportunity for an AFL – rugby union / rugby league double header, although be aware of the traffic implications if this is the case. On the other side of the stadium is the Entertainment Quarter / Fox Studios Australia which hosts a number of options for food and entertainment including a Bavarian Bier Café and PJ Gallagher’s, as well as numerous traditional cafés. The surrounding suburb also features impressive parklands including Centennial Park. Venture further afield and you will find a plethora of dining and drinking options in the nearby suburbs of Paddington and Surry Hills. Many of these old pubs have a great history and are worth a stop on your way to the ground. Of course, Sydney is one of the great cities of the world and if you are from out of town, definitely do sightseeing trips to see iconic landmarks such as the Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge. Sydney is defined by water; the picturesque harbour and world famous beaches are quite accessible. Bondi Beach is close by or you can catch the ferry from Circular Quay to Manly Beach for the day. Fans 5 Sydneysiders have grown their knowledge of the game of AFL as the Swans themselves have grown. The Swans remain a popular sporting / entertainment option for fans of all ages. Crowd figures average over 30,000 with the vast majority proudly sporting red and white. Fans are knowledgeable, loud and constantly engaged in the game. The home crowd at the SCG is no doubt a strong advantage for the Swans who take extra delight in winning for their fans. The only negative quirk is that Sydneysiders are often late to any sporting event, and a Swans game is no exception. Access 4 The SCG is centrally located, just south of the CBD. Parking is available in the parklands over the road for $25, with additional spaces in Fox Studios. Like most venues that attract large crowds, access can be a problem. Allow plenty of time to arrive and park, especially if it’s a big game – there will be traffic, especially in the surrounding areas, if not on the major access roads en route. Public transport to Moore Park is quite good, save for the fact that the nearest train stations require a bus connection to the SCG. If you’re travelling from the north or west, you will likely alight at Central Station for the short bus trip. The SCG is walkable from Central, and although it is uphill, there are several nice pubs on the way if you’re so inclined. The east and south are well serviced by buses. In future years light rail will provide a welcome additional option from the south. Once inside, the concourses get quite crowded as people arrive and move towards their seats. Again, allow plenty of time and get there early. Ushers are plentiful and located at numerous checkpoints. Access around the venue is somewhat limited and you are mostly restricted to the general area in which your seat is located. Bathrooms are readily available and well maintained. Return on Investment 4 General Admission tickets for Adults start from around $32, while the highest value Category 1 tickets costing almost $80. There are discounts available for families, children and other eligible concessions. Be aware that if you choose to go the GA route only a small portion of the ground is dedicated for these tickets. Remember that parking, if applicable, and food, are also quite pricey, although fairly comparable to other major venues. In summary, a Swans game is expensive but don’t let that deter you. Extras 5 The SCG is a special place. Extra points are awarded for the Members Pavilion and Ladies Stands which are unique features in a major sporting venue and a constant reminder of the commitment the SCG Trust has to celebrating their history. The venue deserves credit for continuing to improve the spectator experience. The recent changes have also made the ground a better venue for AFL. There are numerous activities and stands throughout the venue for photo opportunities and fan engagement including access to the playing surface after the game. Final Thoughts A Swans game at the SCG is a must for any sports fan – an amazing atmosphere at one of the world’s great stadiums.

Photos by Matt Fiedler, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.00 TPC River Highlands 1 Golf Club Rd Cromwell, CT 06416 TPC River Highlands website Travelers Championship website Year Opened: 1952 Capacity: 70,000 Traveling to TPC River Highlands TPC River Highlands in Cromwell, CT is the home of the Travelers Championship. The tournament is held annually, usually in June. It has been held here since 1984 and has grown in stature over the years. The Travelers Championship was named the 2017 PGA Tournament of the year. More and more top golfers are coming to this tournament. It is now the only PGA event held in New England, and it does not disappoint. There is tremendous food, atmosphere and golf to be seen at this course. TPC River Highlands is not only an outstanding course but it is also an amazing place to come see a golf tournament. Food & Beverage 4 The Travelers Championship offers a good array of food and beverage options. There is your standard sports fare, such as pretzels and ice cream. There are also hot dogs, hamburgers and wraps located in the main Fan Zone, which is near the final three holes of the course. There are some specialty burgers as well as some upscale options. One of the more popular spots is Bears BBQ, which is located in the Fan Zone. The menu at Bears includes brisket, pulled pork, mac and cheese and many other bbq staples. Also available in the Fan Zone is a variety of cocktails and different kinds of beer. Ben and Jerry’s carts are located at various places along the course for fans looking for a sweet treat or some water. In addition to the general food areas, there are the premium seating areas that have their own upscale food. If you want to pay extra for a corporate outing or premium experience you won’t be disappointed by the food and views from those areas. Atmosphere 5 The Travelers Championship does a great job of creating an environment that is conducive to some really fun times. There is honestly something for everyone at this tournament. There are many areas for families and kids. They have a rock wall, mini golf, and various other games to keep kids busy. The excitement coming down the stretch at the end of the tournament is awesome. Of course, that comes from the golfers and their shot making, but the tournament does a great job of enhancing that atmosphere. The 18th green is a spectacle to behold. It comes into a bowl area that provides a perfect spot to just camp out and watch the golfers finish their rounds. The buzz in the air at the Travelers is contagious. The tournament has been able to attract a great field of golfers. Jordan Spieth, Brookes Koepka, Justin Thomas, Bubba Watson, Paul Casey and other big names attended the tournament in 2018. Neighborhood 3 TPC River Highlands is located in the quaint town of Cromwell, CT. The town itself doesn’t offer up a ton of things to do. Luckily though, it is located near Hartford where there are plenty of restaurants, sporting events, and other things to do. As far as safety goes, Cromwell is a very safe area and the neighborhood surrounding TPC River Highlands is a safe and easygoing neighborhood. Fans 5 The fans that flock to TPC River Highlands are very diverse. There are certain groups that form around certain golfers. You have the fans who support Bubba Watson, Jordan Spieth, Rory McIlroy and others. Some fans even choose to follow their favorite golfer around the whole course. The fans are all very passionate about golf. While walking around you can hear people talking about different shots and approaches the golfers were taking. The fans are very courteous and respectful of everyone in attendance. As much as each person has their own favorite golfer, the whole crowd is united in their love of the game. Access 3 Getting to TPC River Highlands isn’t the easiest task. The course is in Cromwell, CT, which is a few towns south of Hartford. The course itself isn’t located immediately next to any of the major highways. To get to the course you have to take a bit of a tough route through the town. Once you get into the parking lot though you will see that there is plentiful parking. Once inside the course it is very easy to navigate. Be warned though that the course does have some big hills if you plan on walking the entire course. Return on Investment 4 The return on investment at the Travelers Championship is very good. Children 15 and under get in free when accompanied by a ticketed adult. There are plenty of free things to do once you get inside the venue. In addition to seeing some of the best players in the world you can demo some clubs, climb a rock wall, and play some corn hole. The only thing that keeps this from being 5 stars is that some of the food is a bit pricey. A burger, fries and a drink can run you around $17-$20. Extras 4 One star goes to the great food that is provided at TPC River Highlands. BBQ, burgers, ice cream and wraps are all top notch and first class. A second star goes to the staff that do a great job in being attentive and making sure everyone knows where to go and how to get there. A third star goes to the fact that the tournament is so kid friendly. It has many activities for people of all ages to enjoy while enjoying a day at the links. A final star goes to the beautiful course and the ending holes that are challenging and exciting to watch. It makes for some very thrilling finishes. Final Thoughts TPC River Highlands is a beautiful course and a perfect setting to host a tournament like the Travelers Championship. This tournament is awesome and if you happen to be a golf fan in New England or outside of it, this is a must-see event. You’ll get great food, great golf, and an awesome atmosphere. Stadium Journey highly recommends it.

Photos by Dave Cottenie, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.86 Tait McKenzie Centre 1 Thompson Rd Toronto, ON M3J 1P3 Canada York Lions website Tait McKenzie Centre website Year Opened: 1966 Capacity: 1,200 These Lions Do Yeoman’s Work With over 40,000 students, York University in Toronto is the second largest university in Ontario and the third largest in Canada. When sports teams were established in 1968, the teams were called the Yeomen after the British guards, also referred to as Beefeaters. In 2003 the university decided to replace Yeomen with the gender neutral Lions. Over time the Yeomen/Lions have had a mixed bag of success. In the late seventies and early eighties the Yeomen did have some significant success in basketball with six Wilson Cups as Ontario conference champions. Unfortunately for York, those great teams were met in the National Championship tournaments with the juggernaut from the University of Victoria that won National titles from 1980 through 1986. The York Lions play on the Keele Campus of York University at the Tait McKenzie Centre. The Centre was named after R. Tait McKenzie who was a renowned physician, sculptor, athlete, soldier and scouter. He was also a childhood friend of the founder of basketball James Naismith. CIS Basketball could probably be compared to NCAA Division II in the United States as they are similar in facility size and attendance. The games are pretty much student run, right down to the public address announcer, cameramen, and commentators. Food & Beverage 1 A simple snack bar is all that you will find at a York Lions game. The downside is that you are looking only at soda, chocolate bars, candy, popcorn and water. On the plus side everything is only a dollar. If you are feeling really saucy you can pay $2 for a Vitamin Water. You will not be able to find culinary works of art at a Lions game and you better bring cash if you are eating, but it doesn’t seem out of place. Atmosphere 3 First and foremost, Tait McKenzie Centre is a teaching facility for students. It was designed with students in mind and although it is not a bad facility to watch a basketball game, spectators were not at the front of the line when considerations in the design were made. Upon entering the Tait McKenzie Centre you will be greeted immediately by a temporary table selling tickets and select merchandise. Your credit card will work at this desk, but this is the only one. You then must pass security and go up to the main gymnasium where the Lions play ball. The entrance to the gymnasium is adorned with doors painted with the Lions logo and splits two large sets of bleachers on one side of the gymnasium. Your snack table is in this spot between bleachers as is a promo table and a table offering free game day program line-ups and free basketball yearbooks. The bleachers are mainly plastic seat type benches with no backs with the exception of the top three rows which offer chairs with backs. The three other walls in the gym feature championship banners over the years from all of the Lions teams, most of which were won when the team was the Yeomen. These banners include the six conference championships the Yeomen won in basketball in 1978, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1984 and 1985. There are also three large rectangular promotional banners that help give the gymnasium some character and colour. The scoreboard is better than most in the league. It is a simple scoreboard, but also features a line-up and tracks fouls. The Tait McKenzie Centre is a simple facility, but it is more than adequate for the fans that are there. It is fairly comfortable and has a bit of vibe to it during the game. The game day presentation is also student run. Promotions, direction and music selection are all covered by students. They keep things pretty simple and do a good job. Neighborhood 3 York University is located in the part of Toronto formerly known as North York. The campus is at the northern edge of the city, just a couple of blocks from Vaughn. Toronto being a huge city offers many other sporting and cultural options. However, most are a pretty significant distance from York. If you remain on campus, Canlan Ice Sports houses York hockey teams and York Stadium is the home of York football. York also houses the top tennis and track and field facilities in the province. If you want to see other teams, you are around 20 km from downtown Toronto. There you could find other university sports like Ryerson Rams basketball or hockey at Mattamy Athletic Centre, or Toronto Varsity Blues football at Varsity Stadium or hockey at Varsity Arena. Toronto basketball also has a new home at the Goldring Centre. Professional sports are also in abundance downtown with the Maple Leafs, Raptors and Rock calling Air Canada Centre home, the Blue Jays and Argonauts playing at Rogers Centre, the Marlies playing at the Ricoh Coliseum and Toronto FC playing at BMO Field. As far as pre or post game meals are concerned you are going to want to keep your car. York University has a huge campus and walking may not be an option. Being so close to Vaughn and the Vaughn Mills Shopping Centre there are numerous options available there. These include Alice Fazooli’s, Dave & Busters, and Chilli’s just to name a few. If you are looking for something a little closer, try Hoops Sports Bar on Keele, or La Risata on Steeles. Fans 2 The CIS does a very poor job publishing the game attendance for basketball and hockey games. Therefore it is difficult to get a true handle on the number of fans that are going to games and how it compares across the league. It is fair to say that there are a couple hundred fans that show up to see the Lions. With such a small capacity at Tait, a small crowd does not look too out of place. The fans that are in attendance are loud and proud and support their team with vigour. There is definitely room for more fans, but it does not feel as if the place is empty. Access 4 Getting to York University is not too difficult. For those coming from out of town, York is east of Highway 400 and just south Highway 407 ERT. If possible, when driving take the highways. Steeles Avenue, which is very close to York, is one of the busiest streets in Toronto and can be very slow if you are travelling it during the wrong time. There is plenty of parking on campus, and there is a lot right behind the Tait McKenzie Centre. A little research with a campus map will help you find exactly where you want to be. For those of you interested in public transit, there is a GO station right on the York campus which is a hub for all types of TTC transit. Inside, the washrooms are extremely small and crowded. Choose your washroom visit time very carefully, and avoid halftime if possible. Return on Investment 4 CIS Basketball offers very little in the way of investment. The top ticket to see the Lions is $10. There are discounts for Non-York students, seniors, staff and alumni. Children under the age of 13 are free. Tickets are available at the door or online. Concession prices are very cheap and parking on campus will run you $5. The game action may not be professional or NCAA power conference level, but it is good quality and provides a fun night out with not much hassle. Extras 3 In a league where pre-game introductions simply include music and introductions, two extra marks goes to York for going the extra mile. Player introductions at York include a spotlight, entrance through a York tent and a pair of red, rotating hockey lights. It may not be much, but it’s a little something more. An extra mark goes to the student volunteers at York who run everything including the streaming internet video feed. Final Thoughts York Lions basketball probably won’t be your greatest sporting adventure in life. However, York does provide a solid, family-friendly product and a very cheap price. Getting to see the York Lions is a fun evening and you won’t regret it. Follow all of Dave’s sporting adventures on Twitter @profan9 and Instagram .

Photos by Richard Smith, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.43 Tennis Center at College Park 5200 Campus Drive College Park, MD 20740 Maryland Terrapins website Tennis Center at College Park website Year Opened: 1999 Capacity: 250 Terrapins Playing Tennis The University of Maryland, College Park, was founded in 1856. It is recognized as the flagship school of the University of Maryland system. The university has an enrollment of more than 37,000 students. The University of Maryland offers 127 undergraduate degrees and 112 graduate degrees in thirteen colleges and schools. Notable alumni of the University of Maryland include Muppets creator Jim Henson, ESPN anchor Scott Van Pelt and Seinfeld co-creator Larry David. The University of Maryland currently has 20 athletic teams: 8 men’s and 12 women’s. Maryland is a member of the Big Ten Conference for all sports. The basketball team is the most well-known, although men’s soccer team, women’s lacrosse team and women’s field hockey teams are arguably the most successful on campus. In 2011/2012 the men’s tennis program was discontinued due to financial issues. Currently the team competes only in women’s tennis. The Tennis Center at College Park is a private tennis facility located close to the main part of the University of Maryland campus. It is a 32-court tennis facility featuring indoor, outdoor, hard, red and green clay courts. The Junior Tennis Champions Center, a program to assist and develop young tennis talent is also located at the Tennis Center at College Park. Food & Beverage 1 Some snacks and a snack machine are available inside the entrance to the Tennis Center at College Park. It would seem impolite to eat too much food while watching tennis matches at this small facility. It is best to plan your meal or snack for before or after the matches. Atmosphere 3 There are 32 courts at the Tennis Center at College Park, but the Terrapins only play on the main hardcourt surfaces closest to the main building at the facility. At each court there is a very small grandstand, although most people just watch from hills and sidewalks nearest to the court they want to watch. Match scoring uses the small game markers located on the net. There is a judge assigned to each court for calls. Fans stay quiet during game play but will shout encouragements between the action. That does mean you may hear some yelling during actual game play, since the cheering is for another court. The whole facility is fairly quiet and tree lined. Occasionally propeller planes from the small airpark next door changes the sound dynamics of the matches. That is a bit jarring, but luckily only happens intermittently and not for a long period of time. Neighborhood 3 The Tennis Center at College Park is located near to the Aviation Museum (located at the airpark noted above) and the College Park Metro station. It is not located on the main campus of the university but a few blocks away. The town of College Park is located directly south of the campus along U.S. Route 1. RJ Bentley’s Filling Station, Potbelly Sandwich Works, Jimmy John’s, Ledo Pizza, and Five Guys are all good options in this “downtown” area. Looney’s Pub and Bobby’s Burger Palace are two other great options, and are located in The Varsity building (8150 Baltimore Ave) north of the downtown area, and maybe even closer to the arena if walking. Nando’s PERi-PERi is a new addition to the area and offers their legendary butterfly-cut, flame-grilled PERi-PERi chicken. I prefer the half chicken with the medium PERi-PERi sauce and a side of Macho Peas. The Sheraton College Park North Hotel at 4095 Powder Mill Road in nearby Beltsville is the best lodging choice, but it is not within walking distance of the campus. You will always have the dizzying array of Washington, DC options to choose from. The College Park Station of the Washington Metro is close by and is your best bet for getting to DC, as the traffic and parking situation is not ideal. Fans 2 The bulk of the fans tend to be family or friends of both teams. Since it located away from the main part of the college campus, do not expect to see many students attend the matches. Access 3 The University of Maryland is not far from the Washington Beltway, but it is just far enough away that getting to the stadium is not too easy. U.S. 1 and University Boulevard are full of traffic lights and will be very full of traffic, even on non-game days. There is a small lot in front of the Tennis Center. There is a larger lot entrance just south on the road that has a larger lot and offers a quick rear entrance into the tennis viewing area. If travelling to the game via the Washington Metro, get off at the College Park Station and walk across the street. Return on Investment 3 Tickets and parking are free. Division I athletics is near professional in quality, so for the zero cost of admission you get to see a high quality sports experience for very little. Extras 2 The facility is quite quaint. I liked looking around the facility and seeing the various court surfaces available. Clay surfaces are very cool to watch someone play on, let alone get to play on yourself. The College Park Aviation Museum is worth a stop since it is literally next to the tennis facility. Located across the street is also the Herbert Wells Ice Rink. Final Thoughts The Tennis Center at College Park is a nice facility where one can watch some very high level tennis talent. The only downfall is that since it located far from the main part of the college campus, student fans are not part of the overall experience.

Photos by Marc Viquez, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.29 The Cougar Den 3901 N Kinser Pike Bloomington, IN 47404 Bloomington High School North website The Cougar Den website Year Opened: 1972 Capacity: 3,020 Bloomington’s Cougar Den Bloomington High School North has the distinction of being the last IHSAA Boys Basketball State single-class champion. The Cougars defeated Delta High School 75-54 at the RCA Dome on March 22, 1997, in front of a raucous crowd who were watching an end of an era in Indiana history. The next year the basketball tournament was broken into four classes and the debate on whether Indiana should return to a single-class system has been vehemently debated since that Cougars championship victory over 20 years ago. Today, the Cougars play in a basketball frenzied town that features rivals Bloomington South and Indiana University. Bloomington North features an enrollment of 1,584 students and is a member of Conference Indiana features city rivals Bloomington South who usually draw large crowds to home games during the season. The Cougar Den was built in 1972 with the high school and has a capacity of 3,020. A number that would rank among the highest in many other states, but is behind 145 other high school gyms in Indiana in capacity size. The team plays on Tom McKinney Court, named after the man who coached the Cougars for 17 years and led the team to 9 sectionals, 2 regionals, 2 semi-states, and that last single-class state championship in 1997. Food & Beverage 3 There is one concession stand outside the gymnasium on the main floor offering the usual items found at many other high school gyms. The prices range between $1-$3 and patrons can select from hot dogs, nachos, pretzels, and beef jerky. Pepsi products sell by the bottle for $2 and fans can add cheese or chili to their hot dogs and nacho selections. Atmosphere 4 The layout of the gymnasium follows many of the designs that were created in the 1970s; much smaller than their counterparts of the previous two decades, but still impressive in size and status. There are two sections of seating on both ends with balcony seating overlooking both nets. Past titles of all sports programs are displayed on the east end of the gym, while all former Mr. Basketball jerseys are featured on the west end of the facility. Two simple scoreboards also are displayed on the walls. Outside in the main lobby, there are trophy cases that highlight the Cougars 1997 state championship, the last single-class champion in the state. A parquet floor was installed for the 1997/98 season and new lower-level bleachers and railings were put in a few years ago. The interior of the gym is accented with a nice amount of school colors of gold and burgundy and the upper-level areas offer standing-room-only seats against the railings. Neighborhood 4 The high school is located three miles from the downtown college vibe of Indiana University, about a 10-minute drive by car. There are a lot of great places to eat and visit during one’s time in Bloomington and it all depends on what you are looking for at the time. Mother Bear’s has legendary pizza and is a favorite among locals, but parking can be a “bear” outside the establishment. Upland Brewing Company is headquartered in town and serves two of my favorite beers Free Time Lager and Champagne Velvet Pilsner, plus good pub food. BuffaLouie’s offers some of the area’s best wings that come in 20 different sauces including Lucifer Buffalo, Maple Bacon, Montreal Steak, and Rasta Jerk. Lennie’s and Bloomington Brewing Company is another popular choice of voodoo chili, shrimp and blue crab dip, meatball sandwiches, and pizza. Janko’s Little Zagreb is a steak and seafood restaurant featuring 100 bottles of wine. The nightlife consists of hobnobbing with the college crowd and if that is your thing, then Nick’s English Hut and Kilroy’s on Kirkwood are your two top choices. They also made Buzzfeed’s Best College Bars in America list. Fans 3 The gymnasium was sold out for the game against New Albany during our visit, but that is because of a young man named Romeo Langford who typically plays in front of capacity crowds wherever he goes during his senior year. The home crowd was subtle and surprisingly quiet for its size, but they did make sure that they would be heard after every home team score and fast break. A typical crowd for home games ranges anywhere from 500-1500 per game Access 4 The high school is located near S.R. 37, which in a few years will be part of the I-69 expansion that will stretch from Evansville to Indianapolis, but you will need a GPS to arrive at the gymnasium due to limited road signs. Once inside, the gym is spacious enough to move around, even in front of capacity-sized crowds. Return on Investment 4 The price of admission is $5, concession items range between $1-$3, and parking is free. These prices are in line with other high school gyms in the state and after the game, one gets to enjoy the quaint, college town of Bloomington, Indiana. Extras 1 Bloomington North gets one point for its half-time show that entertains the crowd during a time when other gyms don’t offer such activities. Final Thoughts A nice, serviceable high school gymnasium that when it’s packed is full of basketball hysteria. The local area and prices of admission should be on your radar when visiting Hoosier Temples. ------ Follow all of Marc’s stadium journeys on Twitter @ballparkhunter and his YouTube channel . Email at Marc.Viquez@stadiumjourney.com

Photos by Marc Viquez, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.43 The Eel Dome 601 Lankford St Clay City, IN 47841 Clay City High School website The Eel Dome website Year Opened: 1956 Capacity: 3,000 Clay City's Eeel Dome The Eel Dome in Clay City, Indiana, might be one of the top-name gyms in the country. The home of the Clay City High School Eels has produced many memories from sectional tournament play and championship-winning teams from the mid-1970s. Recently, it received much-needed renovations to spruce the old place up for future generations. The gym was dedicated on July 9, 1956, and cost the district $500,000. The 2,300-seat sunken gym was designed by Ralph Legeman and replaced the old gym that had been constructed in 1921. Its first game was on November 2, 1956, against Staunton High School, in which the Eels lost 56-32 in front of a capacity crowd. The boys’ basketball team has captured 10 out of 12 sectional championships at the gym, plus 3 regional titles, including the 1974 team that went 25-1 before falling to Jeffersonville in front of 12,300 fans at Roberts Stadium in Evansville in the semi-state finals. The girls’ program has captured three sectional tournament titles. In 2018, both the Eel Dome and the high school went through a major renovation. The project was completed at $32,000,000 without raising local taxes. The new features at the gym were a wrap-around concourse, new locker rooms for both athletes and PE classes, a training room, a weight room, and public restrooms. The following year, a new basketball court was installed during the summer of 2019. It replaced the original floor that had been installed 64 years earlier. Sections of the floor were made available for purchase to the public through the school. The sections are still available and cost as little as $10 to as high as $100. Food & Beverage 3 Two separate concession stands inside the gymnasium offer a rather standard fare of menu items. Unfortunately, they were closed during our visit due to COVID-19 and it appeared that fans were allowed to bring in their pre-packaged items and drinks. The menu items included hot dogs, nachos, popcorn, candy, and pop. A hot dog is rather affordable at $1.50, one of the cheapest in the state. The concession items are within the average range of many other gyms in the state, and it might be best to grab a bite to eat before or after the game. Atmosphere 4 In comparison to other Ralph Legeman-designed gyms, this place feels much newer than other of its contemporaries. The place offers a little natural lighting, LED lights, an updated balcony, fresh colors of purple and silver, and a nice-looking court and center logo. The one advantage is that the building once featured windows on both sides that are not frosted over to prevent sunlight from causing trouble with shooting on the court. The windows still provided a little natural lighting along with updated LED lighting up above the court and seating bowl. The seating bowl is painted silver with purple bleacher seating, purple coloring is along the baseline on the concourse, and banners welcoming fans to “THE EEL DOME” hang on both sides of the gymnasium. The balcony area is set up for the media and provides a birds-eye view of the court at one end. Before its construction, a stage was located on the court level. All of the boys’ and girls’ basketball championship banners are hung together above the balcony for proper viewing from the stand. This area features the new wrap-around section of the gym that offers four large windowless openings for a unique view of the game on the court. The center court logo is painted with an interlocking CC with a lifelike interpretation of an eel. There is also another logo that mimics the Golden State “City” logo that is placed in certain parts of the dome. Neighborhood 3 Clay City is a small town but features two spots worthy of visiting when in town. Glory Days is a bar and restaurant that is known for good food and reasonable prices. There is a bar area where one can grab a bite and a restaurant portion in the front of the building featuring nostalgic photos from the 1950s and 1960s. However, it is its basketball collection that is the highlight of this establishment. The main lobby offers a museum-like gallery of Clay City and former high school memorabilia from schedules, newspaper articles, letterman jackets, signage, pieces of gym court, magazine covers, team photographs, and school banners. I wonder if the folks at the Indiana Basketball High School Hall of Fame know about this collection. There is also a nice area dedicated to former Indiana State Sycamore Springs Valley High School legend Larry Bird. The other place to eat is Joe’s Garage BBQ which is designed to look like an old beat-up garage that is about to fall over on itself. Inside, folks can enjoy barbecue ribs, pulled pork, brisket, burgers, and award-winning chicken wings. The sides are also a highlight, and plentiful, and include fried jalapenos, sweet potato casserole, fried okra, and mixed greens. Some specials include a pit beef sandwich and a giant smoked pork chop that Fred Flintstone would approve of on his plate. Fans 3 Due to COVID-19, there was a limited number of fans allowed into the gymnasium during our visit. I was locked out when I had to go back to my car for a part of my camera. Normally, the places pack them in for both boys' and girls' basketball games during the winter and the gym is going to host boys' sectional games this year. Fortunately, the small crowds can’t take away from the joy of begging a game or the road of the faithful in the stands. Access 4 The gym is designed for easy access with one main door entering the building and four doors opening to the parking lot after the game. The city itself is located 13 miles south of I-74 at the Brazil exit. During COVID-related times, the concourse and seating bowl is wide open. Return on Investment 4 The cost of a ticket is $5 and concession prices are among the cheapest in the state. A hot dog is $1.50 and nachos are $2, one heck of a deal for fans watching a basketball game. Fans also get to enjoy a sharp-looking, and recently renovated gym, plus enjoy a couple of great restaurants in town. Extras 3 The Eel Dome earns a point for its pristine and sharp look throughout the concourse and seating bowl. Another point is for the recent renovations that included a new court, wrap-around the concourse, and balcony for fans to enjoy. A final point is for the concession pricing. Final Thoughts The Eel Dome is among the best names in all of Indiana high school gyms. It is also a classic sunken gym design that looks a bit more modern and vibrant than many others of its kind. The pricing, atmosphere, location, and local restaurants visiting the gym are an ideal choice during the winter months in Indiana. ---- Follow all of Marc’s stadium journeys on Twitter @ballparkhunter and his YouTube channel . Email at Marc.Viquez@stadiumjourney.com

Photos by Meg Minard , Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.57 The Hangar 45116 Valley Central Way Lancaster, CA 93536 Year Opened: 1996 Capacity: 4,600 Hanging out at The Hangar The Lancaster JetHawks are the high single-A baseball team (California League) of the Colorado Rockies . They have also been affiliated with the Mariners, D-backs, Red Sox, and Astros since their move to Lancaster, CA from Riverside, CA in 1996. They originated in Reno, UT in 1947 under various names and leagues. The JetHawks are named for Lancaster’s rich history of aerospace engineering. The 23-year-old stadium’s name is called The Hangar. A NASA F/A-18 Hornet jet adorns the entrance of the stadium to honor the history of the aerospace industry. The organization provides best in class customer service and a fan feels warm and welcome attending a game at The Hangar. And, the staff actually appear to enjoy working there and making guests and fans feel good about being there. Food & Beverage 4 Plenty of food choices are available at The Hangar. Depending on attendance, all stands may not be open. The concession stands sell different main choices so look around first. Be aware lines can get very long and move slow so get your nourishment early or plan on missing some of the game. Pizza, chicken Caesar salad, pulled pork sandwiches, nachos, build your own tater tots, burgers (including turkey), spicy chicken sandwiches, and chicken tenders and fries round out the baseball specialties ($6.50 – $16). Traditional snacks like hot dogs, peanuts, popcorn, pretzels, candy, etc. are available at most stands. Down the first base outer concourse is a stand selling burgers, cheesesteaks, and beer brats with chips ($8 – $10) as well as a Budweiser beer stand. Ice cream treats include sundaes, helmet sundaes (to share), cones, dessert nachos, apple pie ala monde, and cotton candy ($4.25 – $18). Coca-Cola is soda provider for the JetHawks ($4 – $6). Domestic beer (Bud, Bud Light, Stella Artois, and the like) runs $6.50 – $9.50 depending on size and brand. Craft beer lovers should head to the Golden Road Brewing Patio near section 113 on the third base inner concourse ($9 for 16 oz of one of their delicious brews – $2 off on Mondays). All–in–all a decent selection, just be prepared for the lines that can form. Atmosphere 4 The JetHawks provide a fabulous game day experience. Fans can get seats right smack in front of bullpens (sections 119 and 121 down the third baseline and 118 and 120 down the first baseline. Row A is the very first row (net-free). The first base side is the JetHawks home side. Fans on the first base side get the sun setting in their face the first few innings. The Hanger Bullpens, Photo by Meg Minard, Stadium Journey Nets only go to the end of dugouts. Faded, green, stadium fold-down chairs with cup holders make up the seating areas (two levels of seating with a walkway between the two). Seats are wide enough with plenty of leg room. Some suites are above the second level on each side of press box. Two party decks/tents are located down the third base side that can host large events. A highway is beyond the outfield. The kids bounce house and play area are down the first base concourse. A clear, crisp, easy to read video scoreboard is in left field. It shows score by inning, line up, balls, strikes outs, player at bat with his stats, and an analog clock. Even better, a manual scoreboard is located in right field which brings back some of the nostalgia of visiting minor league ballparks 20 years ago. Misters are in the home dugout; not the visitors. Common in minor league baseball, but still annoying – music is played too loud when the starting lineup is announced so one can’t hear to update their scorecard. Just lower the music volume. The rest of the game the music volume is fine. The JetHawks provide many promotional games throughout the season: Harry Potter Night (scarf giveaway), Christmas in July, Star Wars Weekend, Fireworks Nights, and more. In game entertainment includes all the traditional contests, races, trivia, etc. The mascot, Kaboom, is non-intrusive and yet still provides entertainment for kids and adults during the game. Neighborhood 3 Lancaster is a respectable city to visit and while no night life is walking distance to the stadium there is plenty to see and do in and around town. A few regional fast food restaurants are nearby with In-N-Out being the most popular choice, but don’t shun El Pollo Loco which originated in Los Angeles. If you are looking for a few local options, drive the two miles downtown to the BLVD. Here one can find a collection of ethnic cuisine that includes 1800 Burritos & Tacos, Rio Brazilian Grill, Cuban Express, The Tai Restaurant, Cantarito Salvadorean Restaurant, and more. The BLVD has the MOAH (Museum of Arts and History) and Lancaster Performing Arts Center for some cultural entertainment and there’s often some kind of event occurring in the downtown area. Craft beer lovers will enjoy Bravery Brewery (about 5 miles from the stadium) providing a wide variety of excellent brews. And, when in Lancaster, one must drive over the Musical Road at least once. Closer to the stadium, an IMAX movie theater is nearby (just across Valley Central Way). The Lancaster Marketplace (a shopping center) is just behind the next-door hotels. A Homewood Suites and a Hampton Inn are right across the street from The Hangar parking entrance. Just across Highway 14 is a Best Western. So, plenty of places are available within a ½ mile for those spending the night. The Hanger - Hotel Across the Street, Photo by Meg Minard, Stadium Journey Fans 3 The JetHawks fans consist mostly of families and friends or couples on a date night out. Several groups also attend the games. Die-hard fans are seen throughout the stadium as well as those fans who are simply there for a pleasant evening of entertainment. Average attendance over the last few years run 2,200 – 2,400 and puts them middle of the pack for the California League. Fans cheer when appropriate and express civilized displeasure at disappointing plays and calls. Access 4 Once in Lancaster, getting to the ballpark is extremely easy. It is right off highway 14/138. Lancaster is about 70 miles from Los Angeles. The Hangar is a little further from other South Division California League venues with the Inland Empire 66ers and the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes the closest each at about 1 ½ hour drive. Remember – it’s Southern California – always add extra time to the GPS drive time. Antelope Valley Transit has a bus stop right near the ballpark (Route 11 – Avenue I and Valley Central Way) though it looks like it is does not operate on Saturday or Sunday evenings so getting back from a game may be difficult. Check their website for schedules, maps, and fares. Parking is available for $5 cash. Some of the parking is covered and those carports also double as solar panels, producing an astonishing 98% of the ballpark’s electricity. Just another cool thing about the park and the JetHawks organization. A friendly bag check is performed on entry (non-clear bags ARE allowed), though outside food and beverages are not. Moving around the seating area and on the outskirts of the concourse is open. The only congestion is in the concourse when the lines for the concessions are tremendous. These lines block ease of pedestrian movement through the outer concourse especially during the middle innings of the game. Return on Investment 5 Attending a JetHawks game is worth every sports dollar penny spent (which is not much – especially with their promotional days). Single game tickets range from $10 – $17; a $1 military, senior, or child discount is offered. Daily deals include Bark & Brews – every Monday bring your dog to the park (dogs get free admission ). And $2 off all craft beer in the Golden Road Patio. Tuesday is Community Hero night – BOGO, every Saturday home game has giveaways (hats, backpacks, cool stuff) and more. There’s something going on every day of the week. Parking is $5 (which is equal to or lower than some of the other California League stadiums). And, it’s just an enjoyable evening out. Extras 2 The program handed out upon entry is produced quite well with articles, advertisements from local vendors, information on upcoming events at the ballpark and in the community, rosters, and a scorecard. JetHawks Hall of Fame (HOF) plaques are posted on the concourse columns. Final Thoughts Visiting The Hangar brings back waves of nostalgia of minor league baseball 20 or so years ago where all staff members greet fans warmly. Where after the first few innings you can move around and not have the staff member tell a fan they can’t sit somewhere because it’s reserved (and stadium is 20% full). Between inning games are goofy but fun and the noise volume doesn’t give you a headache nor is it so loud you can’t talk with your neighbor. Yeah, it’s a bit away from the other teams in the California League and the big boys in Los Angeles and Anaheim but it’s so worth a visit. I’m going back.

Photos by Paul Swaney, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.57 The Palace of Auburn Hills 6 Championship Drive Auburn Hills, MI 48326 Detroit Pistons website Year Opened: 1988 Capacity: 21,231 Demolished: 2020 The Palace In 1988, the Detroit Pistons made the move from the Silverdome in Pontiac to the elaborately named Palace of Auburn Hills. Located in a far north suburb, the Palace is located just over 32 miles from Detroit’s city center, the longest distance between an NBA arena and the primary city it represents. The Pistons opened the new arena by winning back-to-back NBA championships in 1989 and 1990 behind the Bad Boys of Isaiah Thomas, Joe Dumars, Bill Laimbeer, et al. Fifteen years later, the cast of Chauncey Billups, Ben Wallace, Rasheed Wallace, and Rip Hamilton brought home the franchise’s third NBA championship in 2004. Following the 2009 season, the Pistons found themselves in a state of constant disappointment, missing the playoffs in six consecutive season despite playing in a rather weak Eastern Conference. This resulted in the team ranking at or near the bottom of NBA attendance by percent of capacity. This in part can be attributed to having the largest arena in the NBA with a capacity of 21,231. No doubt that team performance had a significant impact, but the first rule in real estate is location, location, location. When all of those things converge (isolated location, poor quality on the floor, and an oversized building) it can take away from the overall experience. A berth in the 2016 NBA playoffs hopefully signals the start of better things again for men of Motown. This arena may be out of the way, but once you’ve arrived, it’s a great place to see an NBA game. Food & Beverage 4 The Palace offers up a good variety of food and drinks along their one single concourse which connects upper and lower level seats. There are plenty of local items, and that should be your focus, although prices seem a bit high overall. It’s a long walk all the way around the concourse, so it would be worthwhile to check the Palace concessions list before you make your visit. Specific recommendations include the Open Pit Pork Belly Sliders from Maplewood BBQ ($12) near section 123, Smoked Kielbasa from Dearborn Sausage Company at the Linkery ($10) also near section 123, or more typical items from Championship Grill near section 110. There is also a wide variety of beverages available throughout the area. Fans of local craft beers will be attracted to the Craft Brewhouse located near section 112. You’ll find selections from Michigan breweries like Bell’s, Arbor Brewing Company, Dark Horse, Founders, and New Holland ($9.50). Craft cocktails go for $13.50. Coca-Cola products are available in two sizes ($4.50 and $6.50 for a souvenir size). You can also find bottled water ($4), Monster energy drinks ($6), and Tim Hortons coffee ($2). Atmosphere 4 The Palace of Auburn Hills nails it when it comes to entertainment value. The combination of the announcer, dancers, scoreboard videos, promotions, and in-game entertainment are hard to beat. Seats are comfortable with slightly better than average legroom, but no cup holders. Even from the very back row of the upper seating section you have a good view of the action on the floor. The court design is classic bordered in red with the circular Pistons logo at center court. The center scoreboard is one of the best in the league, with large screens and angled screens so that you have a view of the replays, video montages, and statistics whether you are sitting courtside or behind the baselines. It’s large without being the monstrosity that is taking over at many sports venues these days. John Mason is a name you probably have never heard, but he is a master of the mic as the PA announcer at the Palace of Auburn Hills. His signature call of “Deeeee-troit Baaasket-balllll!” is perfect. He no doubt adds to the overall experience. The Pistons offer a rather good drumline and dance team and you will hear and see them throughout the game during breaks in the action. Hooper, the Pistons’ horse-themed mascot, is also present in the stands and on the court throughout the contest. Look for Hooper to man a t-shirt turret and shoot shirts into the stands. The Detroit Pistons also do a good job of attracting popular (or once popular) artists. In 2016, halftime performers included CeeLo Green, Young MC, The Four Tops, and Uncle Kracker. For seating options, shoot for sections 201 or 230 so you are in the upper section near center court with a view of both benches. These seats provide good value as well as a good perspective of everything happening on the floor below. Neighborhood 3 There’s no doubt that location is the biggest negative of attending a Pistons game, although there are a couple of options for pre or post game food or drinks. Ciccarelli’s 22 Sports Bar is located just across the street from the Palace, and has some of the biggest screens that you will encounter in a sports bar, including HD Theatre Projection screens. There are at least 40 screens in all, and they do a good job of ensuring that the day’s biggest games are up for your viewing pleasure. The food is good as well with sort of a Canadian-Italian undertone to the pub grub, including poutine and arancini mixed in with burgers, BBQ, pizza, and pasta. A mile or so down the road is another classic sports bar, Hoops. They’ve been a mainstay in the area for more than two decades. Go for the wings here, or one of their burgers or sandwiches. If you are looking for additional sports experiences while you’re in the area, check the schedule for the Oakland University Golden Grizzlies who put on a good show in nearby Rochester at the O’rena. Of course during the season there are also opportunities to find doubeheader opportunities with the Red Wings at Joe Louis Arena, and to a lesser extent with the Lions at Ford Field or Tigers at Comerica Park. Auto enthusiasts should make a trip to the Walter P. Chrysler Museum. If you are looking for a hotel near the arena, then the Hawthorn Suites by Windham is your best bet. Fans 3 The Pistons have ranked at 25th or lower in average attendance in the NBA in 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, and 2016. In 2004, the team led the league in average attendance. Sure, that was a championship season, but the point is that the basketball fans in southeast Michigan have the wherewithal to make the trip to Auburn Hills when there is a quality team on the court. Now that the Pistons have once again returned to the playoffs, and have an exciting nucleus, it is time for Pistons fans to return and make an impact in the seats. In the meantime, the benefit of having 5,000 or so empty seats is that you should be able to move around almost anywhere in the upper section to choose your seat. Seat assignments are more strictly enforced in the lower sections. The fans that come to the Palace are knowledgeable of the sport and show good etiquette. You won’t see fans walking around very often while the ball is in play. Access 3 Getting to the Palace is not too difficult. It is located immediately east of I-75 and west of Highway 24. The local police and Palace officials do a terrific job of moving traffic out when the event is over. This is a huge bonus considering that arenas and stadiums that are in more rural areas tend to have more difficult times getting traffic moving slowly. During the week you can expect some rush hour traffic all around the Detroit metro area so plan accordingly and give yourself extra time. Parking will cost you $15 for Pistons games, and unfortunately you don’t have many options as there is no street parking to speak of, but there is plenty of room in the large lot surrounding the Palace. This price point is about average compared to the rest of the NBA. Given the low attendance, it may be wise to cut that cost down a bit to attract more fans. Inside The Palace, the abundance of stairs is a bit daunting. Sharing one concourse for both the upper and lower bowl increases traffic and the concourses are not that wide to begin with. Washroom facilities are adequate, although you will find lines for both men’s and women’s restrooms during peak periods. Return on Investment 4 Tickets for Pistons games can often be found for as low as $8-$12 on ticket marketplaces. Parking is near league average at $15, and food and beverage prices are about right, maybe slightly on the high side. Overall, everything is priced at about what you would expect. Look for daily deals in the Pistons team shop as well, especially as the season winds down. Extras 4 An extra mark for PA announcer John Mason who brings so much to the Pistons experience. An extra mark for the Palace being the first major arena being built while being completely privately financed. An extra mark for Hooper and his slapstick routine that he plays with visiting players during the warmup. One final extra point for the three championship banners and many retired jerseys hanging from the rafters at the Palace. Final Thoughts The Detroit Pistons are a proud franchise that seems to be on a resurgence. While the location isn’t ideal, the facility and in-game entertainment more than make up for any hassle in making the drive up to Auburn Hills.

Andrew Bauhs of College Football Tour joins us again this week as we talk about the changes in college football and his never ending quest to see every stadium in the country! 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 .

This week the podcast crew counts down the ballparks of the Frontier League. Which one comes out on top according to our FANFARE score? Which ballparks come up short on their gameday experience? How about the new ballparks in New Jersey and New England? __________________________________________________________________________________ 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 Marc Viquez, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.43 The Tank 6760 IN-42 Eminence, IN 46151 Eminence HS Eels website The Tank website Year Opened: 1957 Capacity: 1,400 Welcome to The Tank The Eminence Eels are one of the last small-town high school basketball teams in the state of Indiana. The town is situated 34 miles southwest of downtown Indianapolis and was able to fend off consolidation from the 1950s to the 1970s. The 7-12 school has a total enrollment of 189 students. Its basketball teams play in The Tank, built in 1957 and proven to be long-lasting compared to its previous gyms. The Eels’ first gym was built in 1920 for $5,000 and provided the team with a gym to call their own. It burned down after a Tuesday night practice on December 14, 1928. The destruction was estimated at $3,800, above the cost of insurance. A new gym was constructed a few years later that would have a seating capacity for 500 people, but that too would be destroyed by ablaze by an overheated coal stove that was attempting to heat the gym for a game on February 12, 1955. A favorable wind prevented the blaze from spreading to nearby classrooms. The fire exceeded the $25,000 in insurance on the building, also damaged other parts of the school, and stocks were sold at $10 to the public to fund the new basketball facility. The basketball team would be homeless and played home games at nearby Monrovia High School for two years before moving into their current home in November 1957, and they have been there ever since. The Tank has outlived all its predecessors combined as it enters its 64th season. The most extensive renovations took place in September 2009 to the tune of $110,000. It included the walls painted, the wooden bleachers and floors sanded and refinished, and new red and blue covers and end caps for the bleacher seating. There was also a fresh coat of paint for the stage and ceiling, new stripes and logos on the court, and six new basketball goals that replaced the original backboards. Eminence is one of two high schools in the country named the Eels; the other school, Clay City is 45 miles down the road to the west. Both schools get their name from the nearby Eel River, and surprisingly, there are no eels found in the river or anywhere in the state. The boy’s basketball team captured four sectional championships and one regional title in 1962. The Eels have also won several conferences, invitational, and conference championships. Food & Beverage 3 There is a small concession window just outside the gym in the main lobby that has limited menu items. However, they include the standards of hot dogs, nachos, candy, snacks, and cola. There isn’t enough to keep you full and it is suggested that you grab something to eat before or after the game. Atmosphere 4 Despite its size and the current pandemic, The Tank does not disappoint when it comes to its energetic crowd and ambiance. The 1,400-seat bleacher seats are 4 feet off the ground, providing fans with an ideal view of the court, where they focus heavily on the hometown Eels. A stage is situated at one end with a red curtain. The 12-row sections are colored in royal blue and red with a small walkway on top. There is also a series of large wooden archways that hold up the roof, and provide a unique look from the stands. Staircases are on both sides of the seating section to provide easy access. The colors and logos are sprinkled throughout the venue that includes the school’s giant eel logo at the center court, the school’s official seal on one side of the wall, a “Welcome to the Tank” sign near the entrance, and a collection of sectional, regional, conference, and tournament banners above the doorway entrance. There are also many red and blue stripes to add to the aesthetics of the small gym. The outside lobby features a trophy case with memorabilia that includes photos, banners, basketballs, and trophies. A small table is set up for collecting tickets, and there is even merchandise for the kids available at another table. The concession stand and bathrooms are also both outside the gym doors. A light show is performed when the Eels enter the court that features music and a player introduction. A few other schools have similar introductions of their players, but the small confines and acoustics get the already passionate crowd a little more pumped up for the contest. Neighborhood 2 According to the school’s website, the area is almost entirely agricultural with a family atmosphere. Community support is strong, and they take pride in being a smaller rural school corporation. The town was laid out in 1855, and two years later its post office opened that is still in operation. The high school was founded in 1885, and the current building was constructed in 1931. There have been multiple additions to the school since, including the gym after the fire in 1957. However, there is not much to see in town besides a basketball game. Once you enter Eminence, you are almost about to leave Eminence. The town is 3 miles south of I-70 at Exit 51 and about 35 miles away from downtown Indianapolis. It does not have anywhere to eat, and the closest spots are towards the intersection. Fans 4 The small community gets behind the basketball team, and it is evident even when a limited amount is allowed inside the building. The fans provide an atmosphere that isn’t too far removed from a normal year of high school basketball. The small gathering showed their dismay when a tight contest slipped away from the Eels in the fourth quarter of play. Access 3 The high school is located 3 miles south of I-70 and is easy to locate once you have entered the town. The setting is easy to access with the staircases and could get somewhat cumbersome during larger crowds in the building. That was not the case during our visit and fans are up close to the action in the lower seats on each side. Return on Investment 4 The price of a ticket is $5 a person, and snacks are inexpensive. However, the gym has that wow factor and is a small drive from downtown Indianapolis. One great thing about many Indiana gyms is that they are not too far a drive from larger cities. It is also a great value to enjoy one of the last great small Hoosier temples. Extras 4 The Tank earns points for the light show that introduces players at the beginning of the game. It is a great way to get the crowd hyped before the contest. The second point is the wow factor of its design, colors, and setup. The third point is for the main school building which greets patrons when they pull into the parking lot. The final point is for the wooden arches that hold up the gym’s ceilings. A unique look that gives this small town a gym its distinction. Final Thoughts Small-town basketball is alive and well in Indiana at The Tank. The home of the Eminence Eels is a throwback experience and a reminder that a small school can rank with bigger schools in terms of atmosphere and fan participation. The Tank is a short drive from Indianapolis and easy to add to your high school basketball gym tour. _____ Follow all of Marc’s stadium journeys on Twitter @ballparkhunter and his YouTube channel .

Photos by Aaron S. Terry, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.14 Thomas A. Robinson Stadium Nassau, The Bahamas Bahamas Bowl website Thomas Robinson Stadium website Year Opened: 1981 Capacity: 15,023 Bowling in the Bahamas Thomas A. Robinson National Stadium opened in 2012, and seats 15,000. The $30 million venue was a gift to the Bahamas from the People’s Republic of China, and replaced the original Thomas Robinson Stadium, which is located nearby. The multi-purpose facility hosts mostly soccer matches, but also other sporting events, such as the Bahamas Bowl, and features plastic chairback seating on both the east and west sides, as well as an oval track around the field. The stadium is named after Thomas Robinson, former sprinter at the University of Michigan, and first Bahamian to win a medal in international competition. Robinson competed in four Olympics in the 50s and 60s, and was inducted into the Michigan Men’s Track & Field Hall of Fame in 2006. Food & Beverage 4 During the Bahamas Bowl, Thomas A. Robinson Stadium offers a wide array of food and beverage options from Tiki huts located in the southwest corner; this is the only part of the stadium that has any concessions. Food selections range in price from $2 up to $10, depending on whether you want just a snack or a full meal. There are generic stands that sell a variety of items, or specialty stands run by local restaurants that offer Bahamian fare. The lines are a little longer at the specialty stands because the food is very fresh – for example, you can watch the chef chop fresh fruit, conch, and vegetables right in front of you. The generic stands offer items such as sandwiches, chicken wings, fish fingers, hot dogs, meat balls, macaroni, fried fish, conch fritters, chicken legs, and seafood salad, as well as snacks such as fries, ice cream, small cakes, cotton candy, and popcorn, while the specialty stands have jerk chicken or pork, stewed chicken, curry mutton or curry chicken, ox tail, boiled or fried fish, conch, and plenty of other seafood options. Drink options include coffee, tea, bottled water, Coke products in cans, smoothies, beer in cans, and milo (a chocolate malt beverage). Beer costs $5, but you get a discount if you buy three or six at once – brands available include Coors, Heineken, and Guinness, as well as local favorites Radler and Kalik. Smoothies cost $8, and come in a wide variety of fruit flavors. Coffee, tea, and milo are only $1, and sodas/bottled water are $2 – Bahamas Goombay Punch is the most popular soda choice. Atmosphere 3 The crowd is very small during the Bahamas Bowl, but the staff does a good job of providing a fun atmosphere, regardless. The seats are set pretty far back from the field, mostly because of the track, but also because the stands are raised. This makes it pretty easy to see the action, however, and since the venue is so small, there really isn’t a bad seat in the house. The venue also has large scoreboards behind each end zone, which are easy to see from anywhere inside the stadium. Fans who attend the game will be rewarded with plenty of giveaways, including free t-shirts and pom-poms, as well as a Junkanoo performance during halftime, featuring traditional Bahamian costumes, dancing, and music. You will also find local companies giving away samples of things like personal care products. In addition, you can check out the fan fest, located in the southwest corner, which has football-themed games and a bouncy house for the kids. And no matter which teams are invited, you will always see plenty of orange and white, in the form of Popeye’s flags, banners, and on-field logos. There are also plenty of Bahamian flags, as well as one or two US ones (both national anthems are played before the game begins). Neighborhood 4 The stadium is in the Bahamas, which is hard to knock. However, not everything here is a resort area. Thomas A. Robinson National Stadium is located outside Nassau (the capital city) on New Providence, the Bahamas’ 11th-largest island. The 21-mile long island features some amazing resort areas, especially on the east end near Paradise Island, where you can participate in unforgettable experiences such as literally swimming with dolphins. The stadium, though, is located in a more rural area near the center of the island, close to a large lake. To get there you may drive through some pretty run-down neighborhoods, and there isn’t much in the immediate vicinity. The scenery is beautiful, however, with gorgeous palm trees and other tropical vegetation in view as you look out during the game. There are lots of great restaurants located in the resort areas along the beach, or in Nassau proper. There are also plenty of things to do on the island, depending on how much time you have or how much you are willing to spend; for example, snorkeling, cruises, fishing, etc. Or if you happen to be a landlubber, there is a zoo near the stadium showcasing wildlife from all across the Bahamas. Be aware that many of the activities, such as snorkeling or the dolphin and sea lion experiences, take several hours and start early in the day, so you probably won’t have time for them on game day. That said, you may want to plan for several days, if possible. The nicest resorts (and most expensive) are near Paradise Island, which is pretty far from the stadium. Cheaper (and closer) accommodations can be found in the Cable Beach area or in Nassau. Be aware that if you come from the US, you probably won’t want to rent a car, since they drive on the left down here and you probably aren’t used to that. Cab fare can easily run over $100 per day, depending on how close you are to things, so be sure to plan ahead for what you want to do/where you want to stay. Lastly, note that Bahamian dollars are interchangeable with US ones – just be sure to offload your Bahamian ones as much as possible before you leave, as it will be very difficult to exchange them back home. Fans 2 Since this is an away game for both teams, and a pretty far away one at that, there aren’t many fans who show up – perhaps only five or six thousand in total (which is about one-third full). You will see some fans of the two participating schools, but more than half are Bahamian locals here to enjoy American football. The fans do get pretty loud, and the announcer does a really good job of making every play matter, and keeps the fans engaged with gusto and passionate play calling. A big part of the crowd noise is actually a result of the overhang on each side, which keeps the sound in, and makes it seem much, much louder than it should, given how few fans are actually here. Access 4 Thomas A. Robinson Stadium is a cinch to get in and out of, and easy to move around, because it is small and isn’t very crowded. A lot of fans get to the stadium via shuttle buses as part of tour packages, and others come via cab (namely Americans who didn’t rent a car because they don’t want to drive on the left). That said, there aren’t many cars coming in and out, so if you do choose to drive, parking won’t be too much of an issue, and most of the parking is free right outside the gate (although there are a couple of areas where you have to pay $5). The main entrance into the stadium is from the southwest corner, which includes the main ticket office (a small wooden shed outside the stadium), as well as will-call for the two visiting teams (each team has its own table). There is a slight snarl in this corner, because the fan fest and all of the concession stands are here, but once you get past those, the stadium is practically deserted. Also, there are smaller entrances along the east and west sides if you want to avoid the southwest corner altogether. Return on Investment 3 Getting to the Bahamas can be pretty expensive, but is definitely worthwhile. Attending the bowl game here may be a different story, however – since this is generally not a marquee matchup, unless your team is in the game, it may not be that interesting. The stadium is easy to get around and provides local fare, but you can find that elsewhere on the islands. Also since the crowd is so small, there won’t be a lot of energy, so I am not sure I would go just for the game. But if you want an excuse to visit, football is always a good one. Just don’t forget your passport, and make sure you plan to stay at least a few days so you can take in some of the sights. Tickets can be purchased at the door for as little as $10 if you don’t buy beforehand, and you can pretty much sit wherever you want, since it won’t be full. I would not recommend buying tickets from the participating schools, however, as you will have to pay $40 or more. Extras 2 Being able to watch a real football game (not soccer) in another country is pretty neat. Also, the weather and location are hard to beat – the great thing about the stadium is that even though it is pretty hot, the overhang on each side of the stadium protects you from the elements, and creates a nice breeze through the seats, making it seem much, much cooler than you might expect. Final Thoughts Bowl games are a lot of fun, and there are a lot of destinations to choose from. Attending the Bahamas Bowl isn’t a bad choice, especially if your team is playing here, so consider a visit to the islands. There is so much to do here, and the bowl staff does try to put on a great show for you. Besides, where else can you watch American football at a soccer field?

Photo Courtesy of SSU Athletics Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.57 Tiger Baseball Field 3219 College St Savannah, GA 31404 Savannah State Tigers website Tiger Baseball Field website Year Opened: 2012 Capacity: 800 Savannah State’s Simple Stadium Unless you live in or around Savannah, Georgia, you probably know very little about Savannah State University. The school is an HBCU located on the outskirts of Savannah. SSU’s Tigers compete in the MEAC, a Division I conference composed entirely of HBCUs. Prior to joining the MEAC, the athletic program enjoyed success at both the D2 and D3 levels. Of course, moving up to D1 meant less success (at least initially), but the Tigers managed to win three conference titles in just their first four years in the MEAC. One of those conference championships came in 2013, and it belonged to the baseball team. The Tigers baseball team won their division and the MEAC tournament on their way to their first NCAA regional appearance. The baseball program is certainly on the rise, but it’s important to remember where they came from, especially when talking about their stadium. Since the team so recently joined Division I, Tiger Baseball Field is still a low-budget facility. As the team continues its rise, I would expect the facility to improve with it. For now, the small and simple facility provides an easy way for fans to watch the team. Food & Beverage 3 Concessions are located behind the third base dugout in a small brick building. Here you’ll find the basic stadium fare with good pricing. Hot dogs are only $2, as are Coke products and water. The most expensive item on the menu is a basket of five wings for $4. Honestly, there’s nothing wrong with this concession stand. There are no local specialty or luxury items, but you won’t overpay for your food here. Atmosphere 2 Again, I have a hard time knocking this facility. The school recently moved up from Division II and made the necessary improvements to field a competitive team. There just isn’t much to this stadium. The seating area is made entirely of metal bleachers and comes complete with a tiny box in the middle used for announcing and keeping score. Fans can also sit around the stadium in the lawn areas. The sound system is…well, kind of distracting. There is a single speaker mounted on the aforementioned brick building. Since it’s so far away from the seating area, the speaker needs to be quite loud. For those seated the appropriate distance from the speaker, this works well. On the other hand, if you sit on the third base side of the bleachers, you won’t be able to hear much during announcements and music. The scoreboard sits behind the right field fence. It’s a simple nine-inning scoreboard that covers all the necessities. Stadium lights are one of the few luxuries of this field. Not all D1 baseball fields boast stadium lighting, so I suppose that makes this facility a bit nicer. Neighborhood 3 Let me start this section off by saying that at Stadium Journey, we rate a neighborhood first and foremost by what is in the immediate area. I say this because if Tiger Baseball Field were anywhere near downtown Savannah, this would easily be a 5. The fact is, downtown Savannah is a 15 to 20 minute drive from the SSU campus. Within the immediate area, you’ll see a dollar store, a seafood market, and a sports bar. With the sports bar being a possible exception, these aren’t exactly the places you want to see after the game. Now let’s talk about downtown Savannah. If you’ve never been, surely you’ve heard from people how great it is. Everyone has their favorites in Savannah, and you should absolutely look around the area. There’s no shame in acting like a tourist in a city like this. Fans 1 Every fan here is a friend or family member of a player which isn’t always a bad thing. At this field though, there just aren’t enough fans to speak of. I don’t expect parents to be getting up out of their seats and yelling, but most are content in their own conversations. I hope that if the team becomes more relevant, some students might come out to the games. For now, though, there just isn’t much of a fan base here. Access 4 I-95 runs about 20 minutes away from the city, making it easy access from anywhere on the east coast. You’ll take I-16 to I-516, which will lead you right to the campus. Once you get to SSU, you must talk to a guard who shows you where to park. Parking is free and is just across the street from the game. Return on Investment 4 There is no cost to attend a Savannah State baseball game, and with concessions being so cheap, you probably won’t spend more than $10 to eat and see a game. Do you get a good return on your investment? I suppose since you’re investing very little, the answer is yes. Extras 1 The only thing of interest around the stadium is the Blue Angel replica plane displayed near the complex. It was donated by the Naval Air Force Museum to SSU’s Navy ROTC program. Final Thoughts There just isn’t much to this stadium. It’s not anyone’s fault, per se. This is just a small school that is relatively new to D1 athletics. That doesn’t mean it’s a bad stadium or not worth the experience. If you live near Savannah and enjoy baseball, you should absolutely come to a free game at SSU.

Photos by Andrei Ojeda, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.86 Titan Gym 800 North State College Blvd Fullerton, CA 92834 Cal State Fullerton Titans website Titan Gym website Year Opened: 1964 Capacity: 4,000 Where Titans Clash Named for the school’s nickname, Titan Gym was built in 1964 and seats 4,000 fans. Despite its age, a number of improvements in recent years have kept the gym serviceable for Division-I basketball. A new scoreboard, chair backed seating, and a redesigned floor are just a few of the renovations since 2012. Food & Beverage 2 A concession stand outside the main entrance serves up dogs, snacks and beverages at reasonable prices and includes hot dogs ($3.50) and polish dogs ($4). Both also come as combos with a bag of chips and a 16 oz soda for $2 more. Pepsi product fountain beverages are available in three sizes, 44 oz ($4.50), 32 oz ($3.50), 24 oz ($2.50). Coffee is also available for $2. Snacking options include nachos with cheese and jalapenos ($3.50), churros ($2.75), soft pretzels ($2.75, $3.25 with cheese), peanuts ($4.50), assorted candies ($3), sunflower seeds ($2) and chips ($1.50). Gatorade ($3.50) and bottled water ($2.50) are also available. If all you’re looking for is snacking options or bottled drinks, another snack stand is set up inside the arena just inside the concourse of the main entrance. Atmosphere 3 Several chants are heard inside of Titan Gym, some of which are choreographed after free throw makes. Banners honoring retired Titan hoopsters as well as national champion teams, along with murals of various student-athletes adorning the walls, definitely adds to the gym’s intimacy. In some ways the layout of the gym resembles that of Cal State Northridge’s Matadome . Despite the size of the venue, it holds sound extremely well and has a rather vibrant atmosphere. The dance team, winners of 14 National Division I Jazz Title’s , is always at peak performance, treating fans to a variety of dance routines to the tunes of various genres. This is quite impressive given their lack of local exposure compared to the more renowned local programs, USC and UCLA. Tuffy, Fullerton’s mascot, is a furry grey elephant voted upon by the students, and is very active throughout the game and in the stands, and is always happy to interact with his fans. The Stampede, the student section is rather sparse and lacks some of the traditional rituals at college basketball games. Also lacking in the section is the presence of student section specific shirts. This section could have used either some blue or orange. Neighborhood 3 The surrounding area around campus has a vast variety of pre and post game dining options, including your standard chains KFC, Panera Bread, and Five Guys Burgers and Fries. BIGS Fullerton is probably the best place nearby to pick up some wings. Beyond just the wings, they have weeknight specials as well as all sorts of fried pub food including sweet potato and curly fries. They offer over 40 beers on tap, so it could make for some good times. Oggi’s, a brewhouse that not only specializes in pizza but has a full dining area with multiple screens to view other sporting action, has several chains in Orange and San Diego counties, including Fullerton. Cal State Fullerton is a mere 10-15 minute drive from Anaheim so if you’re looking for other entertainment and dining options, downtown Disney is another option. If you don’t plan to pay the mouse a visit, parking for up to 2 hours is free, 4 hours with validation from local venues. Fans 3 As with most athletic programs, the fan support is a reflection of the product on the court. Though not filled to capacity, those who are in attendance are very active often making plenty of noise in their attempt to rally behind the home five. Because no seat is far from the action, any kind of unified noise the fans can create will definitely be felt by the players on the court. Access 3 The stadium is just minutes off of the 57, which quickly connects to the 5 and 91 freeways. Unfortunately the gym is not easily identifiable once you arrive on campus, so make sure you have some time to walk the campus and find it. CSUF is easily accessible from several major streets, however, you may want to do a quick online search before heading out as construction is being performed in several areas, particularly on State College Blvd south of campus. Parking for Titan Gym events are available on a “Park and Pay” basis for $2 an hour, with daily permits for $8. However, if the game you are attending is a weekend game, you may be in luck with some free parking. There is only one main concourse accessible to fans inside the main entrance. Fans wanting to access the concourse or seats will be walking behind the baskets or along the sidelines behind the courtside seats. Fans are permitted to walk outside the concourse to purchase concessions as well as stretch and walk around so long as they maintain their ticket stub. The restrooms are rather small, but with the size of the venue, fans are unlikely to experience any backups. The stalls actually have foot pedal flush values, something you don’t see every day. Return on Investment 3 Season ticket packages for men’s basketball are available for $468 for courtside seats and $168 for reserved sideline seats. Each season ticket package includes a per-seat donation to the basketball program. Otherwise, courtside seating is $40, reserved seating with chair backs along the sidelines are $13, general admission bleacher seating behind the baskets are $10, $8 for seniors 65 and older and $6 for children 6 and younger. All of these are reasonable prices for Division-I college basketball. Most seats are extremely close to the action, with sideline seats only 8 rows and general admission seats 15 rows deep so you’ll get a relatively good vantage point regardless of your seat. Extras 3 In the lobby of the gym, you’ll find the Titan Hall of Fame. Plaques commemorating the great athletes that contributed to the Fullerton program are recognized. Greg Bunch and Leon Wood are the two men’s basketball players that are honored here. Along the north side rafters, fans can spot the retired numbers of former Fullerton basketball numbers. These include Bruce Bowen (25), Cedric Ceballos (31), Greg Bunch (30), Leon Wood (20), Josh Akognon (1), Scott Cutley (2) and Rodney Anderson (4). Along the rafters on the south sidelines fans can spot the national title banners won from all of Fullerton’s athletic programs. Of course, when Tuffy isn’t busy hexing the visiting team he is roaming the stands always happy for photo opportunities with fans during breaks in the action. Final Thoughts The CSUF Titans are known nationwide for their dominant baseball program, who play at Goodwin Field, but their basketball program is worth checking out. The gym offers an intimate feel with no seat being far from the action. CSU Fullerton has produced some quality NBA players and perhaps eventually the basketball program may be that so-called Cinderella team that dances in March. Be sure to take some time to walk this beautiful campus, as well as the neighborhood before setting foot in the gym. Once inside, don’t be fooled by the small gymnasium as once the game starts, it has a rather big campus feel. Follow me @ good_drei on Twitter and Instagram for other pictures and happenings in L.A. and SoCal.

Photos by Gregory Koch, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.86 Tommy Lasorda Field at Meiklejohn Stadium 3331 River Fields Dr Philadelphia, PA 08105 Penn Quakers website Meiklejohn Stadium website Year Opened: 2000 Capacity: 850 The Might of the Penn and Lasorda The University of Pennsylvania's baseball team has called Meiklejohn Stadium home since 2000, although it has been known by several names since it opened. Originally known as Murphy Field, it changed its name to Meiklejohn Stadium in 2006 in honor of a donor who financed a major renovation. Later, it underwent another renovation, and in 2023 formally changed its name to Tommy Lasorda Field at Meiklejohn Stadium. Lasorda has no connection to the school, but Penn alumnus Warren Lichtenstein, who financed the renovation, was close friends with the former Dodgers skipper, who is a native of the area. Meiklejohn Stadium is tucked away in the River Fields Complex, along with several other Penn athletic facilities. It is surrounded by a power plant, an interstate highway, the Schuylkill River, and some train tracks. There are enough trees to make the setting seem at least somewhat more rustic than it actually is, and despite the unusual setting, Meiklejohn Stadium manages to be a nice place to see a game. Food & Beverage 0 There is no food or drink for sale to the general public at Meiklejohn Stadium. When Stadium Journey visited, there was a hospitality area for the donors who supported the Tommy Lasorda Field project which provided them with food and beverage, but as we attended the day of the dedication, it is unclear if this will continue. In any case, this area was only open to donors. Some of the parents of the players will bring food to share and may set it up on a table, but again, this is not for the general public. Fans are permitted to bring their own food and drink. Atmosphere 4 Meiklejohn Field is a unique ballpark in an unusual urban setting. The power plant down the right field line hums throughout the game, trains can occasionally be heard blowing their horn on the tracks, and cars drive by on the Schuylkill Expressway beyond the outfield fence. Despite this, Penn somehow makes the setting work. The field is surrounded by a seating bowl, and surprisingly for this level, all seats are chairbacks. Rather than walking along concrete in the seating area as you would at most stadiums, the ground here consists of white crushed stones, making for a unique visual environment. The public address announcer is passionate but not over the top, and helps get the crowd into it. Music is played during breaks in the action, as is standard. If you didn't know where you were, the atmosphere would seem pretty similar to that of many northeastern college baseball venues, but the fact that it is nestled in the middle of the city in an environment that seems part urban park, part just urban, makes it unique. Neighborhood 5 Meiklejohn Stadium s located in a park next to several other Penn athletic venues in the University City Neighborhood of Philadelphia. Within a short walk, you can find numerous restaurants ranging from pizza to burgers to chicken to bars, and much more. Most of this can be found north of the stadium, as the university hospital is located directly to the south. The Schuylkill River is directly to the east, but there are plenty of options as you head west along the streets as well. The New Deck Tavern is one favorite, as are the White Dog Café and highly rated Mexican restaurant Cucina Zapata. Fans 3 Penn baseball attracts several hundred fans a game to this small stadium. While friends and family of the players make their presence known. plenty of alumni and other Penn fans also show up. Going to a game here is a social activity for many of them, and a chance to hang out and talk, but they can be passionate and loud at times as well. The crowd is slightly larger than your typical college baseball crowd in this area, although not necessarily as passionate. Access 2 Meiklejohn Stadium is located in the River Fields Complex and finding it can be tricky if you are not using a GPS. The Waze app took us right to the stadium when we punched in the name, but others have reported trouble in the past. There is a lot right next to the stadium, and others elsewhere in the River Fields Complex when that fills up. It is not clear if you need to pay for parking and even security was unsure. In the past, fans could park for free at Penn games, but several fans have reported receiving tickets this season, so we were advised to pay just to be on the safe side. Parking is paid in advance at the kiosk, for $4 an hour up to $13 for the whole day. If you are staying for the whole game, you will probably pay the max rate. Remember to put the ticket on your dashboard before you go in to the stadium. Both a portable restroom and a real one in a trailer are located near the entrance, although there may be a wait at times. To get there from the seating area, you either need to walk all the way around and back, or walk up to the top of the seating bowl and down a steep hill, then do the reverse on your way back. Return on Investment 4 Admission to to Penn baseball games is free. There is no charge for concessions because there aren't any. This means that the only charge will be for parking, which is quite pricey, assuming there is indeed supposed to be a charge. However, a Penn game is still a good value even with the cost to park. Extras 2 Free programs are available in a box on the side of the press box. The Penn batting cages and bullpens are right by the entrance, so fans can watch the players before the game up close. Final Thoughts Tommy Lasorda Field at Meiklejohn Stadium is in one of the most unique settings in college baseball. Despite this, and perhaps in part because of it, a visit here is an enjoyable experience for any fan of college baseball.

Photos by Meg Minard, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.86 Toyota Arena 4000 East Ontario Center Ontario, CA 91764 Ontario Clippers website Toyota Arena website Year Opened: 2008 Capacity: 9,736 AC Clippers We Are IE The Agua Caliente Clippers of Ontario are one of the newer teams in the G League beginning operation in 2017. They are affiliates of the Los Angeles Clippers who are just 45 miles west of Ontario. The G League (Gatorade League) is the developmental basketball league (minor league) of the NBA. The Agua Caliente Clippers play their home games at the impressive looking Toyota Arena (formerly known as Citizens Bank Arena). The Toyota Arena, operated by the city of Ontario, boasts being the largest and most modern arena in the Inland Empire region as well as hosting over 125 events each year. Other sports teams who call the Toyota Arena home are the Ontario Reign (AHL – American Hockey League) and the Ontario Fury (MASL soccer). The team name comes from the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians, a federally recognized tribe with resorts and casinos in Palm Springs who are a significant sponsor of the Clippers. Note: In July 2022, the team name changed from Agua Caliente Clippers to Ontario Clippers. Food & Beverage 3 One main concession stand and a few stand-alone food carts are open for Agua Caliente games. Dawg Gone, the major stand just inside the main entrance offers a variety of hot dogs, bratwurst, sausage, and chicken tenders $5.75 – $10.50 Veggie trays and fresh fruit cups cost $5.75. Snacks such as popcorn, nachos, pretzels, peanuts, candy, cotton candy run $5 – $8.75 (the highest is for bottomless popcorn). Coca-Cola is the soft drink provider with choices running $5.75 for a regular and $7 for a souvenir cup/$2 refills. A few stand-alone food carts dot the east end of the concourse providing ice cream, nachos, and other additional snacks. Just one full bar complements the concourse concessions offering a large variety of beers including local craft brews as well as wine and cocktails. Expect to pay $12 – $14 for beer and up to $14.50 for a premium cocktail. The self-order kiosk is not in operation during an Agua Caliente game as the crowd is much smaller and not all the concession stands are open. During a Clippers game, concessions are only open on the east side A very small merchandise area sells Agua Caliente Clippers merchandise. Atmosphere 2 The Toyota Arena has quite a sleek looking exterior with tall glass atrium entrances with the rest of exterior dark grey on the bottom, beige on top. Palm trees line the front and east sides. No benches are provided outside to sit and wait for friends but the southside main entrance handicapped walkway has a ledge that can be used. The concourse wraps around the entire seating area, however, the west end of the concourse and seating area is not used and is a ghost town during an Agua Caliente game. Fans enter the seating area midlevel and go down to seats (rows run A – N). Handrails are provided. Most of the upper level seating is curtained off with only the sections facing center court open. Twenty-four suites are edged between the two layers of seating. No fans occupied any of them during this review’s match up. Extremely comfortable, wide, blue-cushioned seats with cup holders and minimal legroom furnish the arena. Two rows of floor seats round three sides of the basketball court. The temperature is comfortable; depending on your heat/cold tolerance – a long sleeve t-shirt may be all that is needed. The music selection is not too loud and is played throughout most of the game. Several promotions and giveaways are offered at an Agua Caliente game. T-shirt tosses, shoot a basket for money during one of the breaks, an autograph session at the end of the game, different dance studios entertaining the fans at half time are just some of the treats provided to the fans. Neighborhood 4 The surrounding area resembles a business park with office buildings dotting the nearby streets. Currently under construction right across the street from the arena is an Element by Westin hotel. Other plans for the same nearby area are to build residential town homes and dwellings, restaurants, brew pubs and a shopping center. A few nearby places to eat include Hamburger Mary’s (not recommended as service is slow and the food not worth the price), Benihana’s and El Torito. Ontario Mills, one of the top shopping malls in Southern California, is within a few minutes’ drive and provides a surplus of dining options ranging from coffee to fast food to casual sit down as well as an AMC move theater and 200+ shops. An excellent hotel to stay when visiting the Toyota Arena is the LaQuinta Inn and Suites. It provides a free shuttle to/from the Ontario International Airport and even to the arena, which is a little over ½ mile away. It’s spotlessly clean and provides a good breakfast in the morning. Lodging adjacent to Ontario Mills include all the usual chains like Hyatt, Hampton Inn, Country Inn and Suites, Ayres, Aloft. Most hotels provide a shuttle drop off to the arena. Other places for entertainment can include the Whispering Lakes Golf Course for those golf enthusiasts, the Planes of Fame Air Museum for aviation history buffs, and the Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden is just about 15 minutes outside of town. One unique and unusual place to visit in Ontario is the Graber Olive House, home of the renowned Graber Olives. Guides tours particularly during harvest time Oct – Dec (also the beginning of the hockey season) are offered. Fans 2 The Agua Caliente Clippers draw very few fans. Those that do attend, understand and appreciate the game on the court. It would be nice to see more fans at the arena for basketball especially since the parent team is so close. Access 4 Getting to the Toyota Arena is relatively easy. It’s less than 2 miles from the I-10 and I-15 interchange and less than 3 miles from the Ontario International Airport. Parking is plentiful and costs $10 for a Reign game. Parking attendants look like they do a thorough job of directing traffic to and from spots. Rideshare drop off and pick up is on the north side of the arena on Ontario Center [road]. OmniTrans offers bus service (Route 81) with the closest stop at Concours St and Mercedes Ln. However, it doesn’t look like service is offered late at night to get back after an evening game. Check OmniTrans for schedules and fares. Gates open one hour prior to puck drop and entrance to the arena includes the typical security check. At this time, clear bag regulations are not enforced. Traversing the concourse is easy with more traffic during intermissions and at the end of the game. Handicapped seating is available at the top of the first level of seating and above the second level. Restrooms are plenty clean and available throughout the venue. Lines will form between periods. Return on Investment 3 An evening out at an Agua Caliente Clippers game is an affordable sports choice for fans in the Inland Empire region. Tickets range from $12 (end seat) – $100 (floor seats) plus an additional $4 service fee. Concession prices are on the major league level. $10 to park is high for G-League, as is a $12 beer or $14.50 cocktail. To combat some of these expenses, the Clippers do offer value packs: Chick-fil-A 4 for $44 includes 4 tickets and Chick-fil-A meal vouchers on select dates, and $5 Bud Light Thursdays. The organization has giveaways throughout the season and many theme games. Since the Clippers in no way sellout, get the end seats and then move over after the first quarter. Extras 2 The half time entertainment and theme games are quite enjoyable. The Toyota Arena is an attractive looking building and it does provide comfortable seats for watching basketball games. Final Thoughts Attending an Agua Caliente basketball game is a stark difference than attending a Reign game at the same arena. Hopefully, as the G-League and minor league basketball gets more popular, more fans will come out the Toyota Arena to watch the Clippers.

Photos by Andrei Ojeda and Meg Minard, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.71 Toyota Arena 4000 East Ontario Center Ontario, CA 91764 Ontario Reign website Toyota Arena website Year Opened: 2008 Capacity: 9,736 Together We Reign Affiliate of the NHL LA Kings, the Ontario Reign are an AHL hockey team playing in Ontario, CA. AHL hockey (American Hockey League) is kind of like AAA in baseball, the highest level before reaching the pro’s. The Reign play their home games at the sleek looking Toyota Arena (formerly known as Citizens Bank Arena). An ECHL hockey team called the same name, Ontario Reign, played at the same arena until the 2015 minor league hockey shake-up, during which the LA Kings moved their AHL affiliate from Manchester, NH to Ontario and the ECHL Reign moved to Manchester with each keeping the former team’s name. The Toyota Arena, operated by the city of Ontario, boasts being the largest and most modern arena in the Inland Empire region as well as hosting over 125 events each year. Other sports teams who call the Toyota Arena home are the Agua Caliente Clippers (G-League basketball) and the Ontario Fury (MASL soccer). The Ontario Reign provide quite an entertaining evening of hockey. Food & Beverage 4 Plenty of appetizing food is available for purchase at the Toyota Arena. Dawg Gone (hot dogs, bratwurst $5.75 – $10.50), Urban City Taqueria (Mexican $7.75 – $10), The Pizza Joint (pizza and chicken wings), Fuel Filling Station (burgers, chicken tenders $10.50 – $11 served with fries), and Good Guy’s Sandwich Co (sandwiches, mac ‘n cheese $5.75 – $12.75) round out the permanent concession stands. Snacks are offered at all of these. Coca-Cola is the soft drink provider with choices running $5.75 for a regular and $7 for a souvenir cup/$2 refills. Stand-alone food carts dot the concourse providing ice cream, nachos, and other additional snacks. Two bars complement the concourse concessions offering a large variety of beers including local craft brews as well as wine and cocktails. Expect to pay $12 – $14 for beer and up to $14.50 for a premium cocktail. Something I had not seen before, but I understand this is popping up more and more at sports venues, is a self-order concession stand kiosk, where fans can use digital display systems to order and pay for food thus reducing wait time at the traditional concession stands. Atmosphere 4 The Toyota Arena has quite a sleek looking exterior with tall glass atrium entrances with the rest of exterior dark grey on the bottom, beige on top. Palm trees line the front and east sides. No benches are provided outside to sit and wait for friends but the southside main entrance handicapped walkway has a ledge that can be used. As nice and bright and beautiful as the exterior is, the interior is unexpectedly dark; both the concourse and the seating area. The dark concourse wraps around the entire seating area with views of the ice rink only available behind one of the goal nets as the rest of the entrances to the seating sections are draped with black curtains. I’ll guess this is done more for the concerts performed at the arena than for hockey games. Fans enter the seating area mid level from the concourse and go down to seats (rows run A to O). Or climb some steps from the concourse for seats in second level (rows A up to N). Handrails are provided. Twenty-four suites are edged between the two layers of seating with the remaining twelve suites located above the second level near the northeast entrance corner. Extremely comfortable, wide, blue-cushioned seats with cup holders and minimal legroom furnish the hockey arena. It’s chilly in the rink during the hockey game so be sure to bring extra layers. The music selection is upbeat but too loud to have a conversation with your neighbor. No closed captioning is offered nor are the goal and assist scorers’ names displayed on the scoreboard. That information is only announced audibly. The scoreboard is center hung and is the perfect size for the rink. It provides a video of the game action, and the basic hockey information such as goals, time left, period, penalties, SOG, and time outs remaining. Local restaurants and businesses sponsor seat or section promos and giveaways for which the fans go bonkers. When an opposing player gets called for a penalty, all fans shout “Get in the Shed” as he’s skating to the box – sponsored by Tuff Shed. Intermission entertainment includes local dance clubs and acts and youth hockey clubs. The organization has theme nights like a Wild West Night or Comic Hero Night. A newer feature of the Toyota Arena is the outdoor North Patio where pregame Beer fests and other merrymaking is offered on select nights. It is an altogether fun time at a Reign game; one worth going to more than once a season. Neighborhood 4 The surrounding area resembles a business park with office buildings dotting the nearby streets. Currently under construction right across the street from the arena is an Element by Westin hotel. Other plans for the same nearby area are to build residential town homes and dwellings, restaurants, brew pubs and a shopping center. A few nearby places to eat include Hamburger Mary’s (not recommended as service is slow and the food not worth the price), Benihana’s and El Torito. Ontario Mills, one of the top shopping malls in Southern California, is within a few minutes’ drive and provides a surplus of dining options ranging from coffee to fast food to casual sit down as well as an AMC move theater and 200+ shops. An excellent hotel to stay when visiting the Toyota Arena is the LaQuinta Inn and Suites. It provides a free shuttle to/from the Ontario International Airport and even to the arena, which is a little over ½ mile away. It’s spotlessly clean and provides a good breakfast in the morning. Lodging adjacent to Ontario Mills include all the usual chains like Hyatt, Hampton Inn, Country Inn and Suites, Ayres, Aloft. Most hotels provide a shuttle drop off to the arena. Other places for entertainment can include the Whispering Lakes Golf Course for those golf enthusiasts, the Planes of Fame Air Museum for aviation history buffs, and the Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden is just about 15 minutes outside of town. One unique and unusual place to visit in Ontario is the Graber Olive House, home of the renowned Graber Olives. Guides tours particularly during harvest time Oct – Dec (also the beginning of the hockey season) are offered. Fans 4 Reign fans are pretty hardy and passionate. They like to drink (though they’re not obnoxious) and they like to yell at the ref, especially when a call is made against a Reign player. They often become seat coaches as the third period rolls around. Lots of Reign and LA Kings jerseys are worn by fans. They are as interested in the action on the ice as they are in winning a Double-Double from In-N-Out. Have no fear, they are very respectful to other fans in the stands. The AHL Ontario Reign have generally been in the top five of average attendance records since their 2015-2016 initiation averaging between 7,600 and 8,500 a game over the last few seasons. So, they certainly support their team. At the game we visited, most fans stayed all the way to the very end of an exciting overtime game. The only disappointment I have is very few fans bring cow bells. Only a handful; it’s quite wimpy for such a strong crowd. Access 4 Getting to the Toyota Arena is relatively easy. It’s less than 2 miles from the I-10 and I-15 interchange and less than 3 miles from the Ontario International Airport. Parking is plentiful and costs $10 for a Reign game. Parking attendants look like they do a thorough job of directing traffic to and from spots. Rideshare drop off and pick up is on the north side of the arena on Ontario Center [road]. OmniTrans offers bus service (Route 81) with the closest stop at Concours St and Mercedes Ln. However, it doesn’t look like service is offered late at night to get back after an evening game. Check OmniTrans for schedules and fares. Gates open one hour prior to puck drop and entrance to the arena includes the typical security check. At this time, clear bag regulations are not enforced. Traversing the concourse is easy with more traffic during intermissions and at the end of the game. Handicapped seating is available at the top of the first level of seating and above the second level. Restrooms are plenty clean and available throughout the venue. Lines will form between periods. Return on Investment 3 An evening out at an Ontario Reign game can be expensive compared to many other AHL venues. Tickets range from $24 – $28 (upper corner defending end) to $80 – $102 (on the glass). These prices include the $3 service fee the Ontario Reign adds to each ticket. Concession prices are on the major league level. $10 to park is high for an AHL arena, as is a $12 beer or $14.50 cocktail. To combat some of these expenses, the Reign do offer value packs. Chick-fil-A 4 for $64 includes 4 tickets and a Chick-fil-A meal (Wednesdays and Sundays), $2 Bud Light Fridays, Family Fun Pack where tickets start at $27 and include a hot dog and a soda, and more. Check the Reign website for details on these offers. All that said, it IS a fun, exciting time at a Reign game and the prices here are much lower than their parent club, the LA Kings, 45 miles to the west. Extras 3 The Ontario Reign will host the 2019-2020 AHL All Star Game at the Toyota Arena, something that is always an enjoyable time. Retaining the team name of Reign after moving from Manchester deserves an extra mention. Several banners hang from the rafters, including ECHL Reign Division Championships, the Manchester Monarchs 2014-2015 Calder Cup Championship, and a banner for the 2015-2016 AHL Division Championship. Final Thoughts I like it here. It’s a good minor league hockey environment. One worth visiting again.

Photos by Andrew Kulyk, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.14 Toyota Center 7016 W. Grandridge Blvd. Kennewick, WA 99336 Tri-City Americans website Toyota Center website Year Opened: 1988 Capacity: 6,000 Bringing Together the Tri Cities The Tri City Americans, representing the adjoining cities of Kennewick, Pasco and Richland in the State of Washington, are one of the flagship original franchises of the Western Hockey League. Its origins began in Calgary, before city hopping to several locations throughout British Columbia, with a 5-year stop in Billings, Montana along the way. They have been located in Tri Cities since 1988, and have played in the Toyota Center in the bedroom community of Kennewick since the arena opened that same year. The facility also doubles as a theatre, offering a season of Broadway musicals and other stage shows. The team has had a colorful history in the community, having experienced numerous ownership changes and various attempts to move the franchise out of the region despite robust fan support. For the past decade and more the team has been co owned and run by former NHL stars Olaf Kolzig and Stu Barnes, both of whom played for Tri Cities and have deep ties to the franchise and the community. The team has never won a league championship, its closes brush with glory coming in the 2009-10 season when they lost in the WHL finals. Their biggest rival is from across the state. The Spokane Chiefs are just a two hour drive from Kennewick. Both fan bases travel well, and games featuring these two teams are often exciting and heated both on the ice and in the stands. A New Year’s Eve clash has become an annual tradition. Food & Beverage 5 Quite honestly, the vast selection and presentation of the concession fare is quite astonishing for a team at this level. The food at Toyota Center is amazing. The beer is amazing. Concession stands and vending carts are everywhere, and the smart fan visiting for the first time should do a 360 around the concourse before deciding what to eat because the choices are so many. Choices include Coke products and bottled water ($3) and popcorn helmets ($8, with $4.50 to refill). The Mexican stand offers two enchiladas or two tacos for $8.50, along with burritos, taco salad or chips salad. There is actually a coffee barista stand offering various lattes and cappuccinos along with Americano coffee in all sorts of flavors ($3-$7). Another stand offers gourmet sausages with a basket of fries ($8). A Baskin Robbins ice cream stand has a single scoop ($4), and a double ($6). A hand carved NY Strip sandwich comes with chips ($10) or potatoes ($12) and looks amazing. Papa Johns sells pizza in oversized slices ($4). They fry up bags of mini donuts in all sorts of flavors ($5/dozen). Poutine, a dish consisting of fries, gravy and cheese curds can be purchased for $6. Arena standards such as burgers, chicken strips and chicken sandwich baskets with fries are available for $8. A Chinese stand offers sweet and sour chicken, General Tso chicken or teriyaki chicken complete with chopsticks ($8). Local craft brews are sold throughout the facility, including a special brewed Americans Amber, made especially for the team. On the suite level is a large seating area with tables, open to any ticket holder, offering a concession stand and bar service for fans wishing to dine in prior to the game. The portions are huge, the service friendly, the choices almost endless. Outstanding. Atmosphere 5 You’d think with such mediocre on ice results all these years, and a team tucked into an American corner of a league which has a massive Canadian footprint, that things would be pretty sedate here in Tri City. Not so. There are fans clanging cow bells, a mascot named Winger who works the crowd and exhorts the loud support, a game night presentation which is light on kiss cams, electronic cheer sequences and canned music, instead letting the fans own the cheers. One super fan, a guy named Scott, is dressed in Ams gear and a kilt, waving an oversized flag of the State of Texas for some inexplicable reason, and dons a helmet which lights up and flashes every time the home team scores a goal. He tosses confetti and the fans eat it up. It’s a fun building to watch a game. Neighborhood 3 Think of Kennewick as one big sprawl suburb, a big bedroom community with no real downtown to speak of. The Toyota Center is tucked behind a large boulevard of strip plazas and malls. Drive behind this cluster of retail, and you’ll find yourself in this large mixed use office, hotel and apartment district with windy single lane streets and roundabouts. Much of the development is new and there are acres and acres of vacant land just east of the area ripe for new development. It’s not exactly a quaint walkable neighborhood, and the arena itself is surrounded by ample, well groomed and landscaped parking lots. The locals recommend a few good sports hangouts not too far from the Toyota Center, including Kimo’s Sports Bar and Brewpub, Ivar’s Seafood Bar and Uncle Sam’s Saloon. Fans 4 These aren’t your average, minor league, come for the cotton candy and beer type of fans. They understand the game and have a real passion for their team. The Tri City Americans enjoy pretty large support from the community, and the team engages that community in many ways, mostly through its superior customer service platform. Walk anywhere in the arena and it feels like one huge local family. Out of towners are easily spotted, and concession workers, ushers and game day staff go out of their way to make you feel welcome and at home. On the night we visited, they were offering professional photo ops with a former Ams star, complete with a portable studio and backdrop. The line snaked its way around the concourse for a chance to snag a photo with the player. Nobody complained. The fans were eating it up. It’s a love affair between the Ams and this community. Access 4 Getting in and out of the neighborhood surrounding the Toyota Center is really easy. Enter from the west at the marquee along North Columbia Center Boulevard and it takes you right into the arena neighborhood. There are also access points from the south and the north. There are multiple parking lots surrounding the venue and ingress and egress is a snap. Parking is shared with the nearby Three Rivers Convention Center. There are no public transportation options, so car it is. Return on Investment 4 Adult tickets run $20, except for select premium games where the price goes to $23. There are discounts given to seniors, teens, and youths. Check out the team website and you might find some geared promotions, including a two for one Tuesday special and some four pack deals. Parking at the arena is free. We already raved about the concessions and the prices won’t kill the wallet. Extras 4 We will award one star for Stu Barnes and Olaf Kolzig, who have stepped in to give this franchise stable ownership and a consistent product. Their banners hang proudly from the rafters. And why not! Two stars go to the game day staff. We can’t emphasize enough how important it is for arena staff to treat their guests and fans with respect and courtesy. The Tri City Americans go the extra mile to make their fans feel welcome. The one thing they police very carefully? They stringently guard the alcoves to make sure fans don’t walk up and down the aisles while play is in progress. But do so in a very polite and upbeat way. Interestingly, we saw most fans in their seats stay put until a break in the action, leaving the aisles unobstructed. They take their hockey seriously here. Add one star for the one goofy media timeout fan participation thing, where the PA announcer asked all the “men” to step forward to do the dance off. What that meant was time for the youngsters to take their shirts off and wave them up above their heads. Never saw so many shirtless kids at one time in one place other than the beach. Final Thoughts The WHL is one of those vast Canadian based leagues with but a small footprint in the United States, mostly here in Washington. The Tri City Americans don’t try to emulate their Canadian counterparts – other than a Canadian flag in the rafters and poutine on the menu, their whole mojo, logo, colors, event presentation, exudes “Americans.” Don’t underestimate the Tri City Americans. It is a super hockey experience, played in a fairly middle aged arena which has the look and feel of an old hockey barn. Make your way there and take part in the fun.

Photo Courtesy of Tyler Smith Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.86 Truist Arena 500 Nunn Dr Highland Heights, KY 41099 Northern Kentucky Norse website Truist Arena website Year Opened: 2008 Capacity: 9,400 Valhalla Wasn’t Built in a Day Opened in 2008, BB&T Arena ushered in the new era of Northern Kentucky Norse basketball. The school announced its intentions to move the school’s athletic programs from the Division II level, where they had great success, up to Division I. However, that era came a bit later than expected after the arena proved a bit too nice for the Ohio Valley Conference. Luckily, the Atlantic Sun would step up and accepted NKU months later in December 2011. After playing three of the NCAA-required four probationary seasons in the A-Sun, including 2015 where the conference allowed the Norse to play in the conference tournament earlier than required, the Norse announced the surprising news that the school was abruptly moving its teams to the Midwest-based Horizon League for the 2015-2016 season. Note: The arena name changed to Truist Arena in April 2022. Food & Beverage 3 With smaller crowds, for now, the arena has one main concession stand open in the corner outside section 108. It’s a small menu with the basics like burgers, hot dogs, Papa John’s pizza, popcorn, and nachos. Prices are slightly higher than expected at a small college, but still in line with most arenas ($4-$8 for most items). Like the other Cincinnati-area schools, NKU serves alcohol at its on-campus arena with Budweiser and Bud Light on draft ($7 for 20 oz) at the main concession stand and also at a smaller beer-specific stand outside sections 105 and 106. The main stand does offer a couple premium beers (also $7), including cans of Stella Artois (16 oz pour), and an area beer in Cougar Bait (an American Blonde Ale; 12 oz pour) from Lexington, Kentucky’s Country Boy Brewing. On the student section side, there’s a small stand without beer sales tucked behind section 101. On the open platform above the seats, there’s a small ice cream stand. I’m assuming there’s a contingency plan for when the upper deck seats are used but even now there could probably be something done to get the line at the main stand moving quicker. Observing the stand outside of halftime showed the lines still backed up, blocking the concourse path. Atmosphere 3 Designed in part by local firm GBBN Architects and 360 (now HOK Sport), seating at BB&T Arena is configured for 9,400 with a complete lower bowl and a 3/4 upper deck. The seating bowl offers great views from every angle. The place is modern, bright and comfortable and is one of the nicer venues among mid-major programs.. Like many basketball-centric schools, BB&T Arena serves as not just the home of the men’s and women’s basketball programs, but also as the spiritual home of all the university’s athletic programs. This is exemplified in the NKU Athletics Hall Of Fame near the arena’s main entrance on the north end. All of the school’s championships and star players from the Division II era are recorded here. It really shows just how successful the school was and how it aided their ambition to step up to the Division I level. In their time as a Division II power since the early 70s until 2012, Norse athletic teams racked up 50 conference titles in the Great Lakes Valley Conference, 25 NCAA regional championships and three national titles. The trophies spill out into another case in the concourse. As crowds increase hopefully the school will consider moving the inflatables outside of the arena area and give that space to the students or some sort of standing perch. It is odd to see that stuff taking up space while the game is going on. Neighborhood 2 The campus was built in the early 1970s, and the architecture reflects the concrete brutalist-inspired structures popular at that time, but the campus is also being augmented with modern glass and steel buildings like Griffin Hall . NKU is still very much a commuter campus, so there’s not much life on it outside of class hours, though the university has put an effort into growing that. The surrounding town of Highland Heights is a car-centric suburb. Along with the grocery and drugstores, there are a number of shops and restaurants that dot the strip malls along Alexandria Pike (US 27). There are some decent spots nearby like local favorite Frisch’s and fast-casual chains like Chipotle and Smashburger. Fans 2 It is natural that NKU’s crowds are going to be smaller for the near future. You don’t build fan loyalty overnight and the school is still in the nascent years of its D-I era. Add in that they’re fighting for attention in a region crowded with college basketball from the likes of Kentucky, Louisville, Cincinnati, and Xavier and it’s quite the uphill fight for the young program. Nonetheless, it is still a bit disappointing to see the lack of student turnout. Perhaps the oversized student section exacerbates things, but the empty bleachers are surprising. In fairness, along with fighting to get locals to care and become invested in Norse basketball, NKU is trying to shift away from being a commuter school, and currently has only 16% of its 15,000 students in university-related housing. Access 4 NKU is located about seven miles south of downtown Cincinnati, Ohio. The campus is quite easy to reach as it sits near the intersection of Cincinnati’s beltway (I-275) and Kentucky SR-471, which starts downtown as a spur from I-71. From the city’s airport in Hebron, KY it’s just 15 minutes on 275E to the campus. After turning on Nunn Drive or using 3 Mile Road/University Drive exit from 275 (East only), the NKU Soccer Stadium and the arena are the first pieces of the campus you’ll encounter. Parking is simple as the main Welcome Center garage sits next to the arena across University Drive along with a couple of surface lots. From the garage second level, there’s an elevated walkway straight to the arena’s main entrance that also serves as one of the campus’ major visual landmarks. The surface lots next to the arena, Lot O, are generally reserved for donors and premium ticket holders with the exception of accessible parking spaces. There is also designated accessible parking in the surface lots next to the garage. Return on Investment 3 Tickets are $10 ($12 day of game) and parking is $5, which has to be one of the best sports deal in this area. Add in some snacks and a group of four can have a night out for around $70 total. With the school’s investment in the program, the Norse should continue to improve on the court, and with time should hopefully turn into a decent mid-major team. While this review was based on a men’s game, I’d advise basketball fans to look at attending a women’s game, as well. The women’s team has historically been the more successful of the two, winning two of the school’s three national titles, and continues to fare better in the D-I transition. Extras 3 One point for the Norse nickname and theme. It’s a unique choice amongst Division I schools and the school has done a nice job of utilizing Norse imagery to add to the school’s sports culture and atmosphere. Even with the smaller crowd, you’ll still see a number of students and fans wearing Viking hats and the school mascot, Victor E. Viking, is all over the place. As well, the upper-level seating is divided into the Thunder and Lightning Decks. One point for the move to the Horizon League. The A-Sun was a means to an end in the transition to Division I, but the Horizon offers many benefits as the school wraps up its probationary stage and works toward that eventful NCAA tourney berth. One point for the Hall of Fame. It shows that NKU has been excelling at sports long before the arena was built and provides major context to the history of Norse athletics. Final Thoughts There are the makings here for a great basketball atmosphere but it’s going to take time and, really, stakes. There are tons of schools that would love to have a facility this nice and the Norse fans will hopefully come around and make this a tough place for teams to play. I’m looking forward to seeing what the crowds look like here in a couple seasons when the Norse are fighting for Horizon League tournament position and have a shot at the NCAA’s.

Photos by Martin McNelis, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.43 Turners Cross Curragh Road Cork, Co. Cork Ireland Cork City FC website Turners Cross website Year Opened: 1897 Capacity: 7,100 Cork City The city of Cork, known as ‘the rebel county,’ is synonymous with sport, from gaelic games to rugby and football. The professional football teams in Cork have had many guises over the generations, from Cork Hibs, Cork Celtic and even a post World War Two side called Cork City. However, the current football team were established in 1984 and are known as ‘the Rebels’ or ‘the Leesiders.’ Throughout their relatively short history, the club have had several homes, from Turners Cross, Flower Lodge (also known as Christy Ring Park), Bishopstown and then back to Turners Cross in 1996. The club also played a European tie against Bayern Munich in 1991 at the local rugby stadium, Musgrave Park, and utilised Shelbourne’s Tolka Park to fulfill a couple of league fixtures that same year too. Cork City have had notorious and high profile financial issues over the last thirty two years, which came to a head in 2008 as the country’s economic crash bit hard into the football clubs. Cork went into administration (referred to as examinership in Ireland) and were spared going out of business by a supporter-led takeover known as FORAS – Friends of The Rebel Army Society. Despite a temporary reprieve, it wasn’t enough to prevent a court battle which saw the club forced to start in the second tier of Irish football in 2010, but the recovery has been quick and the club now operate on a more sound and secure financial footing. Boasting some of the best facilities in the League of Ireland, they also play to one of the biggest average attendances. The last two years under manager John Caulfield, himself a former cult hero with the club, have seen the team challenge a dominant Dundalk side, finishing as runners up in the league and cup in 2015. With the current campaign reaching its conclusion they still have the opportunity to right the wrongs of last season. Turners Cross is situated just over a mile outside the city centre and is nestled in the midst of a modern housing estate. It has been used for both GAA games and football over its 120-plus years. From having mainly grass embankments with an old covered ‘shed,’ a two year modernisation programme was completed in 2009 and leaves it as one of only two stadia in the country with four fully covered all-seater ends, the other being the Aviva Stadium, which is used predominantly for international football and rugby. The stadium has held some youth fixtures and finals over the years, along with minor international matches. Most notable though is the full international played at Turners Cross in May 2016, as Ireland lost 2-1 to Belarus in a friendly prior to European Championship Finals in France. Food & Beverage 3 There are a couple of points within the stands for fans to buy food, both hot and cold. All are easily accessible, with reasonable sized queues, though it’s best to avoid going just before half time which is the busiest period. The popular food ranges from chips at €3, burger & cheeseburger at €4, jumbo hot dog at €4, chicken burger €4 and fish €3.50. Tea, coffee and other soft drink are priced at €2, with cans €1.50 and Lucozade €2.50. Atmosphere 4 With the four stands occupied, even half full, Turners Cross is a great venue to watch football. Like other League of Ireland clubs there is a very close-knit community link among the supporters. There is an expectancy for the team to deliver without it being a demand or arrogance among fans. There is an evident passion within the crowd, none more so than the ‘Commandos 84’ ultra group who congregate behind the Joe Delaney Stand in what is the most recently-built stand. The Donie Ford Main Stand is where the majority of the activity is, as this is where you will find the corporate area, media facilities, Police control box and more. It is a popular area with a lot of fans; indeed, it is the designated family section too. There is a small television gantry perched on top of the stand and the players dugouts are on this side. On the left is the St Anne’s Stand which predominantly houses the away supporters with an access turnstile area designated for them. The league sponsor SSE Airtricity run competitions with selected fans to try and kick the ball through a hole from distance, with prizes being match tickets to a future fixture. There are also youth sides playing four a side with small goals for around ten minutes of the interval. By and large sitting in any part of Turners Cross provides a decent view of the pitch. If you were to find yourself sitting in the front row of any one of the four stands means you will be at pitch level and maybe not ideal. If the sun is out, which is something of a novelty in Ireland, you may find yourself squinting if you are sitting in the Joe Delaney Stand! Neighborhood 3 Set among housing a mile from the city centre, there are shops and a couple of pubs literally outside the ground, mainly for home supporters. They are busy, but the service is good and you may be able to get a seat as well. It is a busy city, but laid back. There are a couple of shopping centres, plenty of bars, cafes, restaurants and some fast food options. The latter is always welcome after a few drinks and watching the football. Fans 4 Cork City have a passionate fan base, with a lot of flag bearers, singing, drums and occasional pyrotechnics! It can be a colourful and noisy experience and this is pretty much throughout the full ninety minutes. The club have been playing to an average home gate of just under 3,000, having nearly reached 5,000 for fixtures versus Dundalk and Shamrock Rovers and a near sell out for their Europa League Qualifier against KRC Genk of Belgium. Access 4 The stadium is very accessible in terms of getting to it and moving around inside it. The only end that you would struggle to get near would be next to the away fans. If for whatever reason you wanted to sit in a different area, by and large you could find seats in three of the four stands. The number 203 bus to Ballyphehane stops on Patrick’s Street at a cost of €1.80 and passes right by the ground, while Kent train station is five minutes’ walk from the city centre and there are a couple of taxi ranks en route. Taking the latter option would set you back no more than €10 to Turners Cross. There is street parking directly outside the ground and around the streets nearby. It can be busy, but the traffic flows away from it with ease. Tickets can be bought online from Ticketmaster.ie and from a couple of designated local shops in the lead up to any home fixture. You can also walk up on the night and buy from the cabins outside the Joe Delaney Stand. This area is well stewarded with minimum fuss trying to enter. Return on Investment 4 The club run a very fair ticketing policy with adults priced at €15, youths aged between 13-18 at €10 and under 13s and pensioners at €5, making it affordable for all age levels. From the admission cost, programme and prices of food and drink, Cork City offer a good return for your outlay. Extras 2 The match programme costs €4 and is full colour, great value, an informative read and overall very well produced. The club are also still selling a book about the 2008 collapse and subsequent take over in 2010, called “Death of a Football Club” and written by former player Neal Horgan. It is a very honest account of what was happening behind the scenes, told first hand by an employee affected by the whole situation. Final Thoughts As one of the biggest and best-supported clubs in the country, not to mention the fact it has a full complement of stands, Turners Cross is a recommended visit. The city itself is also steeped in history and a very popular tourist destination.