Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.00 AT&T Stadium 925 N Collins St Arlington, TX 76011 Dallas Cowboys website AT&T Stadium website Year Opened: 2009 Capacity: 80,000 Dallas Cowboys: AT&T Stadium AT&T Stadium is the home of the NFL’s Dallas Cowboys and is in Arlington, Texas, in the heart of the DFW Metroplex between the cities of Dallas and Fort Worth. AT&T Stadium opened on May 27, 2009, when country singer and Texas’ own George Strait performed in front of 60,188 fans. A few months later on September 20th (4 years to the day after ground was broken at the stadium), the Cowboys played their first regular season game versus the New York Giants – the attendance on this historic night was 105,121. Although AT&T Stadium’s listed capacity is 80,000 people, the standing room only areas on the east and west side, referred to as Party Passes (available for $50), give the facility the potential to hold up to 105,000. AT&T Stadium is one of the premier stadiums in the world, breaking numerous attendance records. Besides being home to the Dallas Cowboys, the stadium has hosted events such as Super Bowl XLV, the NBA All-Star game, the NCAA Final Four, the Big 12 Conference Football Championship, the annual AT&T Cotton Bowl Classic, the Academy of Country Music Awards, the UIL Texas state high school football championships, WrestleMania XXXII, and WrestleMania XXXVIII Food & Beverage 5 AT&T Stadium’s incredible catering is handled by Legends Corporation, which comes through with a few unique items – although the prices are high the tastes are incredible. Some of their unique dishes are chicken waffle sandwiches, Kobe burgers dressed up with either green chiles or BBQ, catfish po-boy sandwiches, prime rib sandwiches, and Frito pie. All of these are outstanding choices, but the high prices may deter some fans from purchasing them. Beside these unique items, AT&T Stadium offers classic fare such as ultimate nachos, jalapeño and cheese sausages, Nathan’s hot dogs, pretzels, refillable popcorn, and peanuts. The venue does cater to a healthier lifestyle as well, with choices including gluten-free turkey sandwiches, vegetarian black bean burgers, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, fruit cups, and whole dill pickles. The venue also serves Pepsi and Dr Pepper products. Miller Lite is a main sponsor of the Dallas Cowboys, so throughout the stadium Miller Lite and Coors are sold at the price of $10. In addition, Shiner Bock, Dos Equis, MGD 64, and Blue Moon are sold for $12, and if you have club seats you will have the same variety of beer along with mixed drinks. The stadium does serve wine in all club bars, including the four upper concourse bars and at the portable beer carts. However, the most popular alcoholic drink seems to be the Cowboy Rita (a frozen margarita) for $20. There is plenty of food around the stadium, however, as with other sport venues the real eating should be done at tailgates or at outside restaurants to save Legends Corporation from eating your wallet. Atmosphere 4 The atmosphere at AT&T Stadium is alive and electric and begins hours before kickoff when the tailgaters enter the parking areas. Since tailgating is limited to designated areas, space is hard to come by, so plan accordingly if you want to participate. But the atmosphere is friendly and festive no matter which team colors you are wearing – the Cowboys provide pre-game entertainment beginning two hours before kickoff, with two stages located at AT&T Plaza (east side of the stadium) and at Miller Lite Plaza (west side). Other pre-game entertainment features the Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders, the Dallas Cowboys Drum Line along with the Rhythm & Blues Dancers, and portable bars and food trucks. The countdown to kickoff begins with an appearance by Rowdy, the Cowboys mascot, riding a motorcycle down the sideline. The attention then quickly turns to the entrance of the Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders from the corner tunnels on the west side of the stadium – the cheerleaders then take center stage and perform to AC-DC’s Thunderstruck, ending their performance with the dance line performing a jump split. The performers then file into the tunnel at midfield on the Cowboys side, before re-appearing for the Dallas Cowboys’ player introductions. Both teams enter the field at the 50 yard-line through the lower club seats on opposite sides of the field – the north sideline of the stadium is the visitor’s side while the south side is for the Cowboys. The game atmosphere itself depends on what is happening on the field, but many people feel that the stadium is so amazingly large that a home field advantage just doesn’t exist – However, this isn’t from a lack of trying by Cowboys fans; the pure massiveness of this venue makes the fans seem sometimes distant from the playing field, with the fans in the 400 sections being high up and far away from the playing surface. However, the incredibly large video screen does bring the action closer for fans in the upper level. The Cowboys also offer party passes for every Cowboys home game throughout the season. The holders of these passes have access to the east and west platforms of the stadium, which is a standing room only type of access that gets the holder into the stadium, but without a seat – stadium ushers have been advised to check tickets closely because of the party pass option. Party pass holders will line up early to enter the stadium as they rush to claim their standing space, as it doesn’t take long for those areas to fill up, leaving some pass holders ending up watching the game on the large video screen. Overall, the stadium, fans, and the amazing architectural structure, with its retractable roof and doors, provides a good atmosphere to see a game. However, don’t expect to have the roof or the doors open during the game, as they are customarily kept closed due to the Texas weather. The fantastic artwork located throughout the stadium also adds an interesting touch and brings another reason any sports fan would enjoy their visit to AT&T Stadium. In addition, the facility now has its own mobile app that can provide real-time information during your game day experience. Neighborhood 3 AT&T Stadium is within reasonable walking distance of the Arlington artery of restaurants on Collins Street – there is no public transportation in the city of Arlington, so there is plenty of foot traffic going to and from these restaurants. The Tailgate Tavern (located on the other side of Walmart) is close to AT&T Stadium, but is highly overpriced, crowded, and has slow service. The better choice is to look on or across Collins Street from the stadium – there you have Fishbone Grill and Airway Burgers, along with many popular fast food and chain restaurants such as Buffalo Wild Wings, Wendy’s, Subway, etc. Another good spot in the neighborhood is Lincoln Square, an area of restaurants and shops approximately a quarter mile from AT&T Stadium on the corner of Interstate 30 and Collins Street; Lincoln Square offers Catch-A-Ride if you spend $40 (for example by buying a simple gift card), meaning parking will be free and you can ride their shuttle to and from the stadium for $5. However, due to the traffic congestion I would forget the shuttle and make the walk instead. If you prefer to be away from the congestion of Collins Street, but still want to find a couple of restaurants that would be a good pre or postgame hangout, you can visit the old downtown area of Arlington between E. Abram Street and E. Division St, only a couple of miles from AT&T Stadium. In this small area there are plenty of options such as Flying Fish, Twisted Root Beer Company, J Gilligan’s Bar and Grill, Babe’s Chicken, and Grease Monkey Burger Shop. There are also two local craft breweries to visit here as well: Legal Draft Beer Company and Division Brewing. The most popular place around AT&T Stadium’s neighborhood is Texas Live. Texas Live is a $250 million world class dining and entertainment district opened in 2018 next to Globe Life Field (home of the Texas Rangers) There are plenty of food and drink options inside Texas Live such as Lockhart Smoke House, PBR Texas, Pudge’s Pizza, and Troy’s, as well as the outdoor concert venue Arlington Backyard. Loews Texas Live Hotel provides a close luxury hotel besides the Sheraton-Arlington; there is construction currently going on for another Loews Hotel and parking garage across from the current hotel. AT&T Stadium is only a short distance from Globe Life Field, Six Flags over Texas, and Hurricane Harbor in an area known as the Entertainment District. For lodging, consider a stay at the Sheraton (1500 Convention Center Drive) or Courtyard by Marriott (1500 Nolan Ryan Expressway). Fans 5 Every Cowboys fan seems to have a reason why they “bleed Cowboy blue” – for some being born and raised in Texas is reason enough, while for others it might be that their hometown doesn’t have an NFL team, but television brought the Cowboys into their homes and hearts. Cowboys fans are knowledgeable, passionate, and they take every win or loss by their team very personally. Many fans seem to have traveled to Texas specifically for a Dallas Cowboys home game, because it is on their bucket list and has been a life-long dream. It is truly amazing to witness fans coming from all over the world to AT&T Stadium, just to see the star on the field and be in the presence of their extended Cowboys family. Access 3 AT&T Stadium is located about 20 minutes south of DFW International Airport, and although the facility is at the center point between Dallas and Fort Worth, there is no public transportation to or from Arlington. Therefore, transportation can become a bit expensive – an Uber/Lyft can easily cost $80 to $100 if you are staying at a downtown hotel in Dallas. Besides the cost, be prepared to wait at least an hour to be picked up – Uber/Lyft drop-offs and pick-ups are located on the west side of the stadium, off N. Collins and Cowboys Way. However, there is also a Cowboys bus that shuttles fans from downtown Fort Worth to AT&T Stadium, leaving from Vickery Park & Ride and accessed from the 200 block of W. Vickery Blvd, just south of the T&P rail station. The Dallas Cowboys have the highest average parking cost in the NFL at $75 per vehicle, so renting a car isn’t much cheaper. AT&T Stadium owns 15 parking lots with about 12,000 parking stalls, and the Texas Rangers parking lots add another 12,000 spaces, meaning the rest of the parking comes from local businesses, churches, and private homes renting out their lots, and the further away from the stadium you get the cheaper the cost. The Walmart parking lot is NOT an option, as cars will be towed. Also note that during the early part of the Cowboys schedule the Rangers are still in season, so on game days when both teams are in action parking and traffic issues will be multiplied, so be sure to leave yourself additional travel time. Various nearby hotels in the Arlington area and around DFW airport do provide free or low-cost shuttle service to AT&T Stadium. There are also a couple of hotels within walking distance of the stadium if you can book a room early, most likely as soon as the NFL schedule is released. There are ten guest entrances into AT&T Stadium, however, I recommend that you enter the stadium at the gate stated on your ticket – the main concourse of the stadium is split in half because of the premier club seating, which may prevent you from walking across to the other side, forcing you to go up to the 400 level and then back down to the main concourse. AT&T Stadium has a wide concourse, plenty of concessions stands, two large pro shops on the main concourse, and two smaller shops in the upper level for Cowboys fans to add souvenirs to their collections. The facility is also a premier venue that is fully ADA accessible, the concourses and restrooms are well kept, and there is plenty of legroom in the seating sections. The stadium security/gate procedures follow the NFL’s ‘clear bag’ policy, and it’s best to familiarize yourself with these rules ahead of time to avoid unnecessary headaches. You may want to read the policy, as many fans are sent back to their cars for not complying. Return on Investment 3 The Cowboys average ticket price is $99, below the league average of $107, according to Statista. However, I’m sure that is including the party passes – add in the highest average parking cost in the league and attending a Cowboys game can be expensive. The $50 party passes offer a way to get into the stadium, but this option doesn’t guarantee seeing the game live – the $50 ticket is standing room only located on the two end zone platforms of the stadium, and most fans on these platforms end up just watching the game on the video board because the platforms are overcrowded throughout the game. These party pass tickets are more for fans that want the feel of being at the game rather than those who really want to watch it. Nevertheless, the return on investment at AT&T Stadium can be manageable, if plans are made in advance, as ticket prices can vary based on the opponent or date of the game. The phrase, “you get what you pay for” may be the best way to describe the return on investment when attending a Cowboys game at AT&T Stadium. Extras 5 AT&T Stadium has several extra elements which help push the overall game day experience over the top. First, the Cowboys do not retire jerseys to honor their past greats, as they have the Ring of Honor – the ring currently has 22 names of legends and continues to grow. This is a great extra element, to be reminded of past Cowboy greats like Troy Aikman, Emmitt Smith, Roger Staubach, and Tony Dorsett, among others. There is also a nice statue of Tom Landry near the ticket booth and pro shop. The Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders also deserve a mention as one of the most prolific cheerleading organizations in any sport. These young women are not only beautiful, but are well-educated, hardworking, talented, and are truly great ambassadors for the NFL, visiting local hospitals, supporting charities, and traveling overseas to visit and support U.S. troops through their USO tours. In addition, the Dallas Cowboys art collection, located throughout the inside of the venue, features 27 different works of art from various artists. Fans can also enjoy the array of large glossy historic photographs that can be found throughout the venue, depicting some of the greatest moments in Dallas Cowboys history. AT&T Stadium also offers four different types of stadium tours – VIP guided, unguided, audio art tour, and guided art tour. The venue also opens for a limited number of days during the season for Rally Days, which offer fans the chance to take a self-guided tour, meet former Cowboys players, take pictures with the Super Bowl trophies, and enjoy appearances from the Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders. Final Thoughts AT&T Stadium has been the home of Dallas Cowboys football for a decade. However, the stadium continues to be a leader in providing top notch entertainment year-round. The facility is the blueprint for other new NFL venues such as Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta and U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, but AT&T Stadium is still very impressive to all fans, especially newcomers, as they walk in for the first time. There is no argument that the AT&T Stadium experience comes with a higher price than other stadiums around the NFL, However, a trip to watch a Dallas Cowboys game in the Mecca of sports venues should truly be at the top of any football fan’s bucket list.

Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.86 T-Mobile Arena 3780 S Las Vegas Blvd Las Vegas, NV 89158 Vegas Golden Knights website T-Mobile Arena website Year Opened: 2016 Capacity: 17,500 The Home of Lady Luck and Pucks The NHL’s shiniest new franchise, the Vegas Golden Knights, also have the shiniest new ice palace to perform in for their loyal subjects. T-Mobile Arena is located at the southern end of the Vegas Strip and opened in April 2016. The arena was built even before the franchise was awarded in June of that year. Like most entertainment venues in Sin City, it will host a wide variety of events, ranging from sports, to concerts, beauty pageants and awards shows. The building has a capacity of 17,500 for ice hockey, 18,000 for basketball, and 20,000 for concerts, boxing and MMA matches and conventions. The arena was created by two giants in the entertainment industry, MGM Resorts International and AEG, who teamed up with noted sports architectural firm Populous to design a venue that works well both as a sports facility and an entertainment venue. Many NHL traditionalists questioned the selection of Las Vegas as an expansion location, as they hoped Quebec City would receive the nod. Others felt that a top tier professional sports team would not locate in a city known for gambling (the Golden Knights are the first to do so, with the Oakland Raiders relocating in 2020). To answer its critics, Las Vegas pointed out that the city has had a relationship with the NHL since 1991. It has hosted pre-season games between the LA Kings and NY Rangers as well as the Kings and Colorado Avalanche. The NHL Awards have been held in Las Vegas since 2009. The city showed that there was sufficient support for a successful franchise by gaining commitments for 13,200 season tickets before the franchise was even awarded. They also pointed out that Las Vegas has much more of an entertainment mecca than a gambling mecca in recent years. The numbers of hotel rooms available and excellent airline connections were also cited in the selection of the city. Food & Beverage 3 T-Mobile Arena serves a wide variety of quality foods, but charges a premium price for the simplest items When people think of Las Vegas, they think of glitz and glamour – something out of the ordinary. The food and beverage selections at T-Mobile Arena will not disappoint that expectation. The concession offerings go by the names of eNVy Pizza, Silver SnoQue, BruHaus, the Jack Daniels Lounge, the Shake Shack, Neon Eats and a Hollywood favorite, Pink’s Hot Dogs. The food quality is excellent, but the prices charged by the concession outlets are priced at private club levels. A sampling of some of the basic food prices includes hot dogs ($7), BBQ sandwiches ($16), and popcorn ($8). Beverage selections include 20-ounce domestic beers ($13), wine ($13), Coca-Cola sodas ($4), bottled water ($5), and tea ($4). A plus to the design of the arena is that all concessions are located on open concourses so that you will not miss any of the action on the ice while grabbing your food or drink of choice. Atmosphere 4 When you are building a new venue in Las Vegas, a simple utilitarian building will just not do. The ownership’s expertise in entertainment, along with Populous’ expertise in venue design has created a great facility for hockey fans in Las Vegas. The exterior of the building reflects the two sides of Las Vegas. The front side faces the Strip and it offers the neon, the massive message boards, numerous picture windows offering dramatic views of the Strip and very active gathering area known as The Park. The back or west side of the building is dramatically different. It has very few windows, and utilizes various metallic bands in different hues to mimic the colors of the desert and mountains just outside of Las Vegas. The interior includes hockey seating for 18,000, 44 luxury boxes, and eight event level suites. In addition there are 24 private loge boxes. The color scheme inside of the seating bowl is made up of grays, blacks, and gold. This mimics the colors of the Golden Knights uniforms. The seating bowl is very steep, providing great views of the action, but also making it difficult to navigate if you are returning from the concession area with an armload of food. The seats are wider than most arenas and the legroom is excellent. Drink holders are found on seats throughout the arena, proving a better fan experience. The pregame ceremonies play off the legend of the Sword in the Stone. A black-caped evil figure takes the ice waving the banner of the opponent and is appropriately booed. Suddenly out of nowhere the Golden Knight appears from nowhere, pulls the sword out of the stone at center ice and does away with the visitor as the crowd cheers wildly. One other aspect that works very well with the Golden Knights theme is the team store, known as the Armory. You truly feel that you are preparing for battle as it utilizes dark woods, multiple mannequins in armor and hockey sticks lining the walls like lances being readied for a joust. The store offers merchandise available at any team store, but its design is more interesting. Neighborhood 5 When we talk about “neighborhood” in the city of Las Vegas, it is going to be a neighborhood unlike any other. T-Mobile Area is next door to a replica of New York City (New York-New York) and Monte Carlo (Monte Carlo Casino). Other neighbors mimic Paris, Venice, Rome and yes, a medieval palace (The Excalibur). You are only blocks away from some of the fanciest hotels, top entertainment venues, casinos, and best restaurants in the country. All this available to you on a 24 hour basis in the “city that never sleeps.” T-Mobile Arena is encircled by a $100 million pedestrian shopping area known as The Park, which serves as a gateway to the venue. Among the restaurants to choose from in The Park are Bruxie Gourmet Waffle Sandwiches, California Pizza Kitchen, Sake Roh, Beerhaus, and Sundaes at The Park. Tuesdays and Wednesdays are Party in the Park Days when free live music is performed; wine is $5 as are $5 shots. On the outside of The Park is Bliss Dance, a 40 foot dancing woman that lights up at night or a musical performance at The Park Theater. On a broader scale, the Monte Carlo Casino and the New York-New York complex form the outer border of the neighborhood. Entertainment and dining within the Monte Carlo includes the Park Theater and the Double Barrel Roadhouse. New York-New York offers Tom’s Urban restaurant and the Las Vegas location for the Coyote Ugly Bar. Las Vegas has so much to offer that it is a good idea to check out a more comprehensive list through the tourism office at www.lasvegas.com. Fans 4 Even though the Golden Knights are an expansion team, they have quickly developed a very loyal fan base. Many people felt that Las Vegas was not a “hockey town,” and the team would not draw well. In reality, the locals have been waiting for years for a professional sports franchise and have quickly meshed with the Golden Knights. The players are known by their nicknames and special cheers have been developed for the various players. It is also a very knowledgeable fan base, as Las Vegas is a retirement haven, with many residents migrating to the warm climate from many of hockey’s traditional cold weather cities. Las Vegas’ status as a tourism and convention magnet also pulls in hockey fans from throughout the country. Las Vegas has quickly shown that its fans are just as passionate as those found in the northern cities of the league. The Golden Knights compete in the Western Conference and Pacific Division of the NHL. Even at this early stage of their existence, the team has begun developing rivalries with the LA Kings and the Phoenix Coyotes due to their close geographic proximity. Access 4 There is any number of ways to reach T-Mobile Arena for a game. Your first access point in reaching Las Vegas is through the airport. Fortunately, McCarran International Airport is located near the south end of Las Vegas, only 3 miles from the arena and area lodging. Almost every air carrier has flights in and out of Vegas which tends to keep the airfares down due to competition. In most cases you will not need a car in Las Vegas, as the Strip is within a concise area and many hotels offer complimentary shuttles to T-Mobile Arena. The Strip is also very walkable as the sidewalks are above street level and there are numerous bridges spanning the traffic heavy South Las Vegas Boulevard. Other options include the car service Uber, which offers $20 off a fare for first time users (Must mention Code: TMOBILEARENA to receive a discount.) If you do decide to take your car, parking at both the New York-New York Casino and the Monte Carlo Casino is $18 on game nights (must purchase parking ticket in advance through www.parkmobile.com). Once at the arena, you will find that the security area and entry portals are in sufficient numbers that you will not experience a delay. Inside, you will find wide concourses that are easy to navigate and that are open to the playing area, so you will not miss any of the action. Escalators will take you to each of the four levels of the seating bowl. Return on Investment 3 The official ticket prices for a Vegas Golden Knights game range from $55-$265. However the team has sold out a number of games in its inaugural season, so expect to look on the secondary ticket market for substantially higher prices. As always, we suggest using our partner, Ticket Monster for your ticket needs. The concession prices within the arena tend to be much pricier than items purchased away from the arena. Your transportation costs should be minimal. Lodging prices vary greatly with hotels on the Strip being the most expensive. Just a few blocks east of the strip are a number of smaller national chains with accommodations at nearly half the price. Add ons, such as attending shows and concerts by celebrities can substantially raise your budget. Your return on investment (including whether you include gambling) is truly up to you. Remember, “What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas,” but your credit card bill will follow you home! Extras 4 T-Mobile Arena has already hosted many major sports events other than hockey in its first year. These include boxing and MMA championships, the PBR World Finals Rodeo, and the 2017 Pac-12 men’s basketball tournament. Las Vegas icon Wayne Newton performed at the grand opening of the arena. Other entertainment acts that have performed or are scheduled to perform at T-Mobile include Jay-Z, Guns N’ Roses, Bruno Mars, George Strait, Lady Gaga, Katy Perry, New Kids on the Block, and Faith Hill. The Floyd Mayweather vs Conor McGregor fight also took place in the arena. There a number of perks offered to T-Mobile account holders at the arena. These perks include 1) a fast track venue entrance 2) alerting on pre-sales of tickets and ability to upgrade tickets, and 3) complimentary transportation from area hotels. Conserving precious natural resources (water, electricity) is very important in isolated desert communities. T-Mobile Arena is one of the few major athletic venues in the country to achieve Green Level LEED certification. Final Thoughts The Vegas Golden Knights have “broken the ice” as the first professional sports team to set up shop in Las Vegas. Early indications are that the team will prove the criticism that Vegas is not a “hockey town” wrong. The city has sold out several games in its inaugural season, and the team’s performance on the ice is far above what is expected of an expansion team.

Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.71 Hard Rock Stadium 2267 NW 199th St Miami Gardens, FL 33056 Miami Dolphins website Hard Rock Stadium website Year Opened: 1987 Capacity: 74,916 The Dolphins’ Domain Hard Rock Stadium has been the home of the Miami Dolphins since 1987. Over those 30 years the stadium has gone through many names… Joe Robbie Stadium, Pro Player Stadium, Dolphins Stadium, Land Shark Stadium, Sun Life Stadium and since 2016, Hard Rock Stadium. The 64,767-seat stadium is unique in that it is privately funded. This includes the massive renovations that have taken place over the last few years. Hard Rock Stadium has hosted some of the top sports events in the world over the years. This includes five Super Bowls, four BCS-era National Championship games, two World Series and several games of the World Baseball Classic. The Miami Marlins shared the stadium with the Dolphins from 1993-2011. Presently both the Orange Bowl and the Miami Hurricanes home games are held at Hard Rock Stadium as well. Future events scheduled for the stadium include the 2020 Super Bowl and the 2021 NCAA National Football Championship game. Food & Beverage 4 While Hard Rock Stadium has concession stands which offer the typical stadium fare, it also features a number of options with a decidedly Latin or South Florida flavor. Amongst these are Sloppy Joe’s (conch fritters and po’ boys from the Florida Keys), Café Versailles (Cuban sandwiches and empanadas), Fuku (spicy chicken), Coyo Taco (tacos and burritos) and Los Ranchos (churrasco’s and rice with beans). For those who enter the stadium early, there is the Breakfast House, which offers brunch items and mimosas. On the beverage front, Hard Rock scores high for its broad selection of craft brews. They offer over 30 national brews, plus 16 from the South Florida area alone. Local brews include Funky Buddha, Due South, Saltwater, Concrete Beach, 26 Degrees and Wynnwood. Bottled beers are $8, and drafts go for $11. Atmosphere 5 The home of the Dolphins is strikingly contemporary for a thirty-year old stadium. Its use of the teal and orange colors of the Dolphins team bring an energy to the stadium. Its 147 suites cater to the well-heeled business community of Miami and there is not a bad seat in the house. Hard Rock Stadium has undergone a series of massive renovation projects in phases since 2015. All of these are aimed at improving the fan experience. These improvements have included the replacement of every seat in the stadium, rebuilding of several concourses, moving sideline seats 25 feet closer to the field and the addition of four HD video boards in each corner of the stadium. The most obvious improvement to the stadium is the installation of a canopy roof that covers 92% of the seating areas. This protects fans from the harsh South Florida sun, as well as the heavy downpours that are a frequent occurrence in Florida. Another recent addition that has been very popular with the fans is the LIV at Hard Rock Club. This is a sister club to the LIV at South Beach. It provides a nightclub-like experience with two bars, a dance floor, private cabanas and a great view of the field from its location above the west end zone. Neighborhood 3 The Dolphins chose the site of Hard Rock Stadium more than 30 years ago based on its quick access to the Florida Turnpike and I-95. They also chose the location based on its being halfway between the population centers of downtown Miami and Fort Lauderdale. At that time the area was undeveloped, and land was cheap. Unfortunately, 30 years later the immediate area around Hard Rock Stadium is mainly populated with fast food locations, a few discount hotels and the single attraction is on the same property as the stadium. The Calder Casino is the lone attraction in the immediate area of the stadium. However, travel five miles east towards the Atlantic beaches and you will find an excellent inventory of lodging, a broad selection of restaurants and the sports, entertainment, and shopping mecca of Gulfstream Park. Two restaurants that come highly recommended are ROK: BRGR in Hallandale Beach and The Tuck Room in North Miami. The AC Hotel by Marriott in Aventura offers excellent accommodations just seven miles from the stadium. Our game day advice is to sample one of the many unique food items at Hard Rock for lunch then investigate the coastal options following the game. Fans 3 Miami and South Florida cannot be defined as a homogeneous area. It is a virtual melting pot of cultures, age groups and frankly, different reasons for living there. The same can be said of the Dolphins Fin-base. Older Dol-fans moved here to escape the harsh winters and remember the glory days of the franchise (Miami last won the Super Bowl in the 1970’s and have not won a playoff game in nearly 20 years). They have held out hope that the glory days will return and are probably the most loyal ticket holders for the team. The younger generations never have experienced a glory day or year. They tend to come to games for a good time. Win or lose they are there to meet up with friends, hang out at the LIV at Hard Rock, or just watch the game from the parking lot… where tailgating is just competitive as the games. The final component of the Dol-fan Fin-base are the transplants. Typically, these fans have season tickets through their companies, which have relocated to the area. They come and cheer loyally for the home team… until their former hometown favorites (think New England, New York and Philadelphia) come to town. Suddenly they are sporting their “old” team colors. There are many games where the visiting team has more fans in the stadium than the Dol-fans. (If you live in Buffalo in December… wouldn’t a divisional game in Miami sound inviting?) One thing all of the fan groups agree on… they simply adore T.D., the team’s lovable Dolphin mascot. Access 4 Hard Rock Stadium is located midway (18 miles) between downtown Miami and Fort Lauderdale along Florida’s Turnpike. Drivers can take exit 2X (199th Street/ Stadium) and go directly into the parking lots for the stadium. A second option which avoids the heavy traffic on I-95 and the Turnpike on game days is public transit. Miami -Dade Transit offers a combination of light rail and bus shuttles to the stadium. Riders should take the Metrorail to the Earlington Heights Station, then transfer to Bus Route 297, which runs directly to Hard Rock. The fare is $4.50 round trip. Return on Investment 3 Standard ticket prices at Hard Rock Stadium range from $65 – $578. The Dolphins have a very large season ticket base, so you will frequently have to buy tickets on the secondary ticket markets at premium prices. The divisional games against the Jets and the Patriots always have the highest demand each season. Parking is $40, but a $15 discount is given to drivers with a Florida Sunpass (toll pass) on their cars. The concessions at Hard Rock Stadium are higher priced than most stadiums due to the many specialty vendors and high quality of the food items. Extras 4 There is an ironic twist to the naming rights for Hard Rock Stadium. Hard Rock restaurants throughout Florida are owned by the Seminole Tribe of Florida, which also works closely with Florida State University as well. One of the main tenants of Hard Rock Stadium is the University of Miami football program, the primary rival of Florida State in the ACC. The Dolphins are prominent supporters of public art. Hard Rock Stadium features more than 20 murals, also known locally as street art, throughout the stadium. Some murals have a football/Dolphins theme, while others depict non-sports subjects. There are three statues of interest located just outside of the stadium. At Gate E, the “Perfect Moment in Time” depicts coach Don Shula being carried off the field in celebration after the conclusion of the Dolphins perfect 17-0 season. A second statue is the centerpiece of the Dolphins Walk of Fame. It is also known as Joe Robbie Alumni Plaza and is located near Gate C. Dolphins founder and funder of the stadium, Joe Robbie is surrounded by members of the Dolphins elite, including Don Shula, Dan Marino, Bob Griese, Larry Csonka, Paul Warfield, Mercury Morris and Manny Fernandez. The third statue is of Dolphin icon QB Dan Marino. His statue is located near the fountains on the 199th Street side of the stadium. The Dolphins are very community oriented. The Dolphins Cancer Challenge is the NFL’s largest single fundraising event, raising more than $23 million since 2010. The team is also quick to respond to events affecting their community. It organized relief efforts for the people of Puerto Rico after Hurricane Irma and provided support following the school shooting at nearby Margery Stoneman Douglas High School. Final Thoughts Hard Rock Stadium is an NFL venue that has stayed current with the times, and in many ways is an improvement over its original design. The team has been fortunate to have owners from Joe Robbie to Steven Ross who have been willing to invest whatever funds are needed to improve the fan experience. It is no surprise that such special events such as the Super Bowl, NCAA Football Championships and the Pro Bowl choose to come back on a regular basis.

Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.57 Target Center 600 North 1st Avenue Minneapolis, MN 55403 Minnesota Timberwolves website Target Center website Year Opened: 1990 Capacity: 19,356 Targeting Success The Target Center has served as the home court for the Minnesota Timberwolves since it opened in 1990. It is in the Warehouse or Northloop District of downtown Minneapolis. The arena holds 18,500 in its basketball configuration. One of its most unique features is its “green” roof, which is covered in native Minnesota prairie plants, and captures water and melting snow that would otherwise wind up in the nearby Mississippi River. The Target Center has undergone frequent renovations in recent years, with a major two-year upgrade in 2016-2017. This renovation included a new HD video board and a completely new glass atrium lobby that really opened the facility to the street. The arena is also unique in that it has two entry levels, with one at street level and a second that attaches to the Minneapolis Skyway System. The renovations also brought a great deal of light into both the lobby area and the concourses, brightening up what was a very enclosed structure. Numerous picture windows are now in place to provide stunning views of the Minneapolis skyline. Like most professional sports arenas, championship banners are hung from the rafters. Unfortunately for the Timberwolves, these primarily celebrate the four WNBA titles won by the Minnesota Lynx. Food & Beverage 3 The Target Center has put together a rather eclectic group of concession stands rather than feature multiple generic stands. Many of these are owned by local vendors featuring farm to table selections. There is a heavy emphasis on foods rooted in the Upper Midwest. The Nord Haus features brats ($8) and pretzels ($8). The Old Lake Lodge carries fish tacos ($15), along with Walleye sandwiches ($15). The Loon Café is especially known for its chicken Chili ($12), while Mac Time features Mac Original ($9), Smokehouse BBQ Ma ($12) and Buffalo Chicken Mac for $12. Arena standards include hot dogs ($7), popcorn ($6), candy ($6) and fries ($6). Beverages include Coca-Cola brand sodas ($6), bottled water ($5), domestic beers ($10) and a wide variety of craft beers at $12. The Warehouse Row District right outside of the Target Arena has a wide variety of restaurants and bars to choose from for a before or after game meal. You might want to reserve your purchases at the Target Center to beverages and snacks. Atmosphere 3 The Timberwolves came into the NBA as an expansion team in 1989 and moved into the Target Center in their second year of existence. They play in the Northwest Division of the Western Conference. They have gone to the playoffs frequently, only to lose in the first round. The exception to this frustrating situation was in 2004, when they made it to the Western Division Finals, only to lose to the Los Angeles Lakers. The team’s attendance picked up during the years Kevin Garnett played with the team but has dropped off in recent years. The renovation of Target Arena is designed with a Northwoods theme. The exterior is painted a dark brown, which is suggestive of a cabin by a frozen lake. The interior utilizes a great deal of wood finishes along with a great deal of brick, which is in keeping with the many warehouse buildings surrounding it. The seating bowl provides excellent sight lines, with no bad seats in the house. It really does not appear to have as high a seating capacity as it does. The seats are very comfortable and have beverage holders. The arena can raise or lower the floors depending on the needs of the game. The court features the Timberwolves logo prominently at mid court, with the color scheme of the team used on the sidelines and in the paint under the basket. Neighborhood 4 The Target Center is in the Warehouse Business District or the Northloop neighborhood, Minneapolis’ downtown sports and entertainment district. The arena is linked to its next door neighbor, Target Field, by the Target Plaza. The Warehouse District is filled with trendy shops and restaurants, including the Cityworks Eatery and Pour House (with more than 90 craft beers on tap) and the Capital Grille. There are several hotels within the district that are an easy walk via the street or the skyway system to the arena. These include the Embassy Suites and the Hampton Inn and Suites. Just a few blocks from the Target Center is Nicollet Avenue, the city’s shopping mecca. It has a limited access road, allowing only cabs and busses to use it, making it very pedestrian friendly for shoppers. Nicollet is also home to the iconic statue of Mary Tyler Moore throwing her tam in the area as shown in the opening sequence of the “Mary Tyler Moore Show.” The statue can be found at the corner of Nicollet and Seventh Street. Fans 3 The Timberwolves are a young and inexperienced team, and their record shows it. Quite honestly the team has experienced attendance problems ever since Kevin Garnett retired. The fans who do attend tend to be older and remember the glory days of the franchise back in the early 2000’s. The Timberwolves also are up against the Minnesota Wild in a state that proclaims itself the State of Hockey and a resurgent Minnesota Vikings football team that plays its games in a state-of-the-art stadium just a few blocks south of the Target Center. It is not unusual to have the Target Center half-full when there is a competing game. Access 4 Getting to the Target Center is very easy, whether by car, on foot through the city’s skyway system or the Metro System’s Light Rail System. There are more than 12,000 parking spaces within a five-block radius of the arena. The closest of these are the ABC Ramps which connect directly to the Target Center via skyways. The special event parking rate in these lots is $15. The Spot Hero App can help you locate spaces and pre-reserve a space at other lots in the area at a very discounted rate. The Target Center is also easy to reach via the Metro Light Rail System. The Warehouse District Station is just a block from the arena. The light rail system is quite extensive, as it links to the Mall of America to the south and to St. Paul and the Excel Energy Center to the east. A 24-hour fare on the Metro costs $6.50 for unlimited rides. The Minneapolis Skyway System is another way to connect to the Target Center. It is the largest contiguous system of enclosed second level bridges in the world at 9.5 miles. This connectivity allows you to avoid the Twin Cities brutal winters while walking in a heated, dry environment. Return on Investment 3 Ticket prices at the Target Center are typically available in the $20 range and up. These prices escalate quickly when the Lakers, the Celtics or the Warriors are the opposing team. Parking near the arena averages $15 or more, but you can save a great deal by using the Spot Hero App and prepay for your parking space. Depending on where you are staying, either the Metro Light Rail System or taking the skyway system from your downtown hotel can save you even more money. Extras 5 One extra must go to the Target Center for its green roof and water conservation efforts. Thirty-five members of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame have performed at the Target Center The Target Center also serves as the home court of the four-time WNBA Champion Minnesota Lynx. The arena has been used for a variety of major sports events, including the US and World Figure Skating Championships, Davis Cup tennis, the 1994 NBA All Star Game and the 2004 NBA Western Division Finals. A statue of George Mikan, the original “Mr. Basketball” in the NBA is in the lobby of the Target Center. Mikan played for the Minneapolis Lakers, the Twin City’s first NBA franchise, before it moved to Los Angeles. Final Thoughts The recent renovations at the Target Center have vastly improved the fan experience for the Timberwolves faithful. New gathering areas, opening the building to more outside light and the improved electronic package in the seating bowl area are major improvements. The key for improving the attendance at the Target Center is putting a winning product on the court.

Photos by Gregory Koch, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.14 Union Home Mortgage Park 1625 Ivy St. Waynesboro, VA 22980 Waynesboro Generals website Union Home Mortgage Park website Year Opened: Unknown Capacity: 350 Generals In Waynesboro Founded in 1923, the Valley Baseball League contains 11 teams playing up and down Virginia’s scenic Shenandoah Valley. One team, the Waynesboro Generals, was founded in 1950 and plays their home games at Union Home Mortgage Park, formerly known as Kate Collins Field. The stadium is located on the grounds of Kate Collins Middle School and is home to the local high school baseball team during the spring. During the summer, when school is not in session, the Generals call it home. Waynesboro has been home to several players who would go on to play in the majors, including Mike Lowell and Brandon Inge. Food & Beverage 3 There is one concession stand located behind home plate. Although the menu is pretty basic, the prices are extremely affordable. Barbecue sandwiches are only $3 (an extra 50 cents for slaw) while hot dogs are only $2 (an extra 50 cents for chili or slaw). Fries cost just $2, popcorn just $1.50, and drinks (soda, Water and Gatorade), chips, and candy are just $1. Blow pops are two for $1, although you can’t just get one for 50 cents, you have to get two. Bubble gum is four for a dollar, though again, you have to buy four, you can’t get one for a quarter. Keep in mind the concession stand closes at 9 PM for games which start at 7, so plan accordingly. For Sunday doubleheaders which start earlier, the closing time may vary. There is a “combo deal” available for $7 where fans can get their choice of barbecue or two hot dogs, fries or chips, and a drink, but if you do the math, it costs the same or less to buy these items individually, so this is a waste of money. Atmosphere 3 Union Home Mortgage Park is a pretty basic stadium, with some bleachers on either side of home plate and a scoreboard in left-centerfield showing the linescore and other basic information. Many fans like to bring their own chairs and either set up directly behind home plate, further down the lines between the bleachers and the dugouts, or on the large hill down the first base line. Many kids will also hang out on that hill playing catch with their friends while their parents watch the game. As in most of the Valley League, fans are not permitted to keep foul balls but can return them to the concession stand for a free freezie pop. However, this rule seemed to be ignored by many kids, who happily picked up and kept foul balls hit onto the hill. Neighborhood 3 As is typical of the Valley League, Waynesboro is a small city nestled in the Shenandoah Valley. Downtown Waynesboro is just a short drive away from the field down Ivy Street. Take that to Main Street and you will find many options, ranging from chain restaurants to local eateries like the Green Leaf Grill and cuisines ranging from Japanese to Mexican to Salvadoran. Seven Arrows Brewing company is nearby as well. Waynesboro doesn’t have all the glitz and glamor of large cities, but like elsewhere in the Valley, it does have that small town charm. Fans 5 Generals fans pack the bleachers night in and night out to watch their team. Whether they sit in the bleachers or in their own chairs throughout the ballpark, they show up in good numbers to watch their team. Many of them go to most or every home game here. As is typical of the Valley League, the crowd represents a good cross-section of the Waynesboro community, ranging from young families with small kids to older people who have been following the team for a long time. Whatever brings them out here, they cheer on the players loudly and passionately and are not afraid to heckle the umpires when they feel they have made a bad call. Things don’t get too out of hand though, and certainly not profane. This is a family-friendly environment for all fans. Access 2 If coming from the south, east, or west, Waynesboro is located directly along I-64, and the stadium is a couple miles off the highway. If coming from the north, you can theoretically take I-81 south to I-64 east, but you can save about five to ten minutes off your drive by exiting I-81 at Exit 225 and taking State Route 262 east. Route 262 actually ends just east of the interchange, and traffic continues straight onto State Route 254. This will take you right into town and you won’t need to turn again until you reach the stadium about ten miles ahead on your left. Once you arrive, there is ample parking available in the school parking lot although the traffic patterns are quite confusing. Although it is not signed as such, you enter the lot at the top, and drive down on either side to park. Going out, you don’t drive back up, but drive all the way down to the back of the lot and exit through a path there. While technically there is no prohibition on driving the “wrong” way in the lot, and thus no signs advising against it, the lanes are not wide enough to accommodate two-way traffic so you will cause people a lot of problems if you do this. There are restrooms located around the corner from the concession stand, and while they were of a sufficient size for the crowd, the men’s room was in terrible condition. The door to the stall was hanging off the hinge, exposing the user for others in the restroom to see. Additionally, as the toilet paper was hanging on a hook on the door, which was swung open and barely attached, it was impossible to reach the toilet paper without getting up off the toilet. We cannot speak for the quality of the ladies’ restroom but expect it to be similar. Return on Investment 4 Tickets are $5 for adults, and $3 for seniors, children 8 and under, and military/veterans. Concessions are pretty affordable as well, as long as you don’t waste your money on the meal deal. However, you can pay the same amount elsewhere in the Valley League for a better experience, so this cannot earn the top score here. Extras 2 There are free roster cards available by the concession stand. A second and final star for all the unique vantage points to watch the game from. Final Thoughts Although Valley League venues in general are not known for their flashiness, and Waynesboro certainly is no fancy venue either, most stadiums in the league manage to put on a great atmosphere and make up for their lack of flash with lots of charm. Unfortunately, the experience here in Waynesboro will seem like a major disappointment if you’ve been to other Valley League venues. The Generals have a great and loyal fan base and could be doing so much more here than they are. Fans who are passing through Waynesboro will certainly want to pay Union Home Mortgage Park a visit, and it is a decent enough stadium if you are able to pay it a visit, but if you have limited time in the Valley, you may want to check out other teams in the VBL instead.

Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.29 Chase Center 1 Warriors Way San Francisco, CA 94158 Golden State Warriors website Chase Center website Year Opened: 2019 Capacity: 18,062 Chasing Another Championship The Golden State Warriors have been one of the most dominant NBA teams over the last decade, as they have won six titles, including three in the last five seasons. They also hold the record for most regular season wins with 73. Coach Steve Kerr has an astounding winning percentage of .880 with the team. Despite free agency the team has managed to keep together its core players, including Stephen Curry, DeMarcus Cousins, Draymond Green and Klay Thompson. The 2019-2020 season has added yet another home court advantage for the team, as they moved into the Chase Center, their new home on the shores of San Francisco Bay. The 18,062-seat arena is the first 100% privately financed professional sports facility in generations. Chase Center is the Warriors fourth home in the Bay Area since relocating from Philadelphia in 1962. It replaces the Oracle Arena in Oakland, the team’s home since 1966. Food & Beverage 4 When you are in one of the top foodie towns in the country, if not the world… you share that with your guests. Chase Center does that by curating a “Bay Area Only” food and beverage program. The concession offerings are part of the Center’s commitment to sustainability by sourcing most of its food ingredients from farmers and vendors with 150 miles of the arena. Among the concession stands to choose from are Bakesale Betty (tenders/fries $14, fried chicken sandwich $13 and fried chicken salad $12), Sam’s Chowder House of Half Moon Bay (lobster roll $22,seafood chowder $9.50 and crab fries $20), City Bistro (chicken tenders $12.50, hot dogs $8.50, brats $11, corn dogs $8.50, nachos $9, and pretzels $6.50) and Nate’s BBQ, created by former Warrior and Hall of Fame member Nate Thurmond (pulled pork sandwich $15 and brisket sandwich $15). Dessert offerings include CC Made’s Artisanal Popcorn, Chef Boug Crab Cakes and Po’ Boys, Earl’s Peanut Brittle and Sugar and Spin Cotton Candy. On the beverage front, Chase Center offers Pepsi brand sodas for $6, bottled water for $6 and tea for $7. Beers range from $12 for a domestic beer to $15 for a craft beer. You are located very near Napa Valley, so there is a vast wine menu available at select stands. For wine, prices begin at $16 and go up. Other beverage providers with a presence at the Chase Center on a rotating basis include Sequoia Sake, Drakes Brewing, Faction Brewing, Harmonic Brewing, and Triple Voodoo Brewing. Atmosphere 5 The Oracle Arena was known for its “cozy” atmosphere with the closest seats in the NBA to the action. Chase Center continues that tradition. It has more seats in the lower level bowl than any arena in the NBA. In addition to its courtside seats, the seat options include 44 luxury suites, 32 courtside lounges and 60 theatre boxes. The Chase Center features the largest center-hung video board in the NBA… a monster that measures 82 feet 9 inches X 52 feet 8 inches. Neighborhood 4 The Chase Center is in the Mission Bay neighborhood of San Francisco. This area was formerly an industrial area but is quickly gentrifying into a center for tech companies, educational facilities (UCSF’s Research Campus is nearby) and a growing residential population. Even though it is located along the shore of San Francisco Bay, it has not developed into the tourist mecca that the rest of San Francisco has been. Most of the restaurants, tourist sites and lodging accommodations are located north of the neighborhood. The San Francisco Giants Oracle Park is located a few blocks north of the Mission Bay District. One of the goals of the Chase Center is to be much more than just a sports arena. The area surrounding the facility is known as Thrive City, which includes 3.2 acres of plazas and green space. More than 20 restaurants and retail outlets have now opened in this area. In early 2020, a ferry dock will allow for direct access from the Oakland/Berkley areas to the Thrive City Complex. The top tourist areas of San Francisco… Fisherman’s Wharf, Alcatraz, Ghirardelli Square and Chinatown… are just a short trolley ride or walk away from the Chase Center. You’ll have no problem finding things to do before or after the game. Fans 5 The Warriors fan base is known locally as the “Dub Nation.” They have been ranked as the second best fan base in the NBA by the Fansided website (the Boston Celtics are ranked #1). Thanks to the Dub Nation, the team has an average home attendance of 19,596 compared to the NBA average home attendance of 17,380. The Warriors have sold out more than 350 home games in a row as of the end of the 2019 NBA season. Members of the Dub Nation come to cheer first and socialize second. They are an intimidating factor during tight games, making it impossible for the opposition to communicate with each other and creating a huge distraction when the visitors are at the free throw line. One of the unique elements of the Golden State fan base is found in its diversity. San Francisco is a melting pot of cultures that seem to all come together when the Warriors are involved. In addition to the white and African American fans, there is a great amount of support within the Asian community for the team. Access 4 One of the key elements in the design of the Chase Center is accessibility. San Francisco, by nature, is not a car friendly city. It has narrow streets, steep hills and parking decks are very expensive to build due to the sharp differences in elevation. Add to that a large influx of tourists unfamiliar with the city and the famous trolley cars taking up space in the street. The accessibility plan took all these issues into account and has resulted in a very diversified set of options for fans to get to the Chase Center for Warriors games, concerts and other events. Chase Center has become its own transit hub, as it is serviced by both light rail and busses run by MUNI. The UCSF/Chase Center Station in turn, links to both the BART and CALTRAIN regional transportation stations located a few blocks away. Persons holding a ticket to a Chase Center event do not have to pay the fare for that day. Since the arena is located next to San Francisco Bay, it is relatively flat, which has allowed the construction of walking and biking paths that lead into the Mission Bay area from other parts of town. There are more than 300 bike valet spaces at Chase Center. In the very near future, fans from across the bay can avoid the traffic on the Bay bridges by arriving via ferry. The Chase Center has two main lobbies inside of the building which reduces the gridlock greatly. The concourses are extremely wide, and the flow of traffic works well throughout the game. Getting to the upper level of seats is a piece of cake, as there are 19 sets of elevators available to transport you. We did reduce the rating score by one point in this area, as the concourse is not open to a view of the court and there are few monitors on the concourse to keep updated on the game. Return on Investment 4 Success comes at a price, as the average price of a Golden State ticket is $80. The team has sold out more than 350 home games in a row and has more than 20 thousand people on its waiting list for season tickets. This means that the secondary market will always be offering tickets at a premium price if it all. The move to the new arena has only increased the interest in attending the Golden State games. San Francisco is also one of the more expensive towns in the NBA when you look at lodging cost. A night in a Bay area hotel runs from $200-$300 on average. Parking is at a premium as the 957 spaces underneath the Chase Center are reserved for season ticket holders, as are many of the surrounding parking decks. You can cut this expenditure dramatically by using MUNI busses or light rail to get to the games. Your game ticket makes you eligible for a free ride all day long on the day of the game, which is a great way to encourage use of public transportation in a very congested city. Extras 4 The Golden State name and Bay Bridge logo symbolizes the team’s shared homes of Oakland and San Francisco. There are 17 Warriors players and coaches in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. They include such players as Wilt Chamberlain, Rick Barry, Al Attles, Chris Mullin, Nate Thurmond, Mitch Richmond and Jerry Lucas. Chase Center has already achieved Gold LEED status for sustainability. This is due in part to its state-of-the-art construction techniques, the utilization of multiple environmentally friendly means of accessing the facility (mass transit, bike, ferry and pedestrian trails) and its sourcing of food from farms located within 150 miles of the arena. The facility is a virtual art gallery, as there are more than 80 commissioned pieces of art throughout the complex. There is a separate entity within the Thrive City complex that is open throughout the week, even if the team is on the road. It is a skilled based basketball mecca offering a wide variety of fun and interactive games featuring a Warrior theme. Tickets must be purchased in advance. For more information, go to www.thehooptopia.com. Final Thoughts One of the premiere franchises in the NBA now has a home to match up with its elite status. The Chase Center boasts of an unbeatable view of San Francisco Bay, cutting edge technology and a food and beverage menu featuring the best the City by the Bay has to offer. Chase Center is destined to be one of the top professional sports facilities in any league, much like its neighbor, the San Francisco Giants’ Oracle Park.

Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.87 Levi’s Stadium 4900 Marie P DeBartolo Way Santa Clara, CA 95054 San Francisco 49ers website Levi’s Stadium website Year Opened: 2014 Capacity: 68,500 The Field of Jeans The San Francisco 49ers have been one of the most storied franchises in the NFL. The team was founded in 1946 and joined the NFL in 1950, becoming the first NFL team on the West Coast and the first top level sports franchise in the San Francisco area. The team has won five Super Bowls and six NFC Championships. It has also sent seventeen members of the 49er’s teams on to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. The team’s original home was the old Kezar Stadium, followed by Candlestick Park. After a wide variety of new stadium options in San Francisco failed to be approved, the team decided to relocate the new stadium in Santa Clara, California, where it held its preseason camps and already had administrative offices. In 2014, Levi’s Stadium hosted its first NFL game. Levi’s Stadium has a capacity of 68,500 but can be expanded to 75,000 for major events like the Super Bowl or the World Cup. Its unique design allows 60% of the fans to be seated in the lower bowl of the stadium and closer to the action. Most of these seats are in the end zones and on the east side of the stadium. The west side of the stadium is predominantly made up of 8,500 club seats and 165 luxury boxes. The west side of the stadium is in the shade for most of the game, while the east side of the stands is looking into the sun. The fans in the east side stands have been dubbed as the Zinni Zone, as the Zinni Company provides sunglasses to fans before the game. Food & Beverage 3 Unlike most NFL stadiums, Levi’s Stadium does allow food to be brought into the venue. The food must be in a clear plastic container and be of the same proportions as any other carry in objects as dictated by the NFL. All beverages must be in a sealed clear plastic container as well. There are more than enough concession stands at each level of the concourse, so you should not encounter long lines. Once you see the prices at the stands you will understand why. Most stands offer the stadium standards including nachos ($13), hot dogs ($10), hamburgers ($12), pizza slice ($13), popcorn ($7.50), BBQ sandwiches ($16) and candy, along with bottled water ($7), Pepsi brand sodas ($7) and lemonade ($8). Some of the more regional dishes available at the stadium are crab sandwiches ($18), curry bowls and organic chicken sandwiches ($18). Beers go for $12 for a domestic brand or $15 for a premium brand. Levi’s concession stands are standardized in appearance, and carry names like BBQ Sauced, Blue Line Pizza, Micheladas, Links, Franks, Starbird Chicken, Super Duper and Sandi’s Cobbler Cups. On the positive side, each of the stands are positioned with an open view to the field of play. One of the best viewing points for concessions are in the Bud Light Party Zones in each end zone. They offer a stunning overview of the entire field of play from the upper decks. Obviously, Levi’s Stadium has not adopted the popular fan friendly pricing model now being used in many NFL markets. We suggest you bring a meal with you or eat prior to the game and use the stadium concessions for your beverage and snack needs. Atmosphere 4 The atmosphere at Levi’s Stadium is quite different from its predecessor, Candlestick Park. It provides the latest in technology, with 38 escalators and 25 glass elevators. The stadium also has the latest innovations in video broadcasting, as it has an HD video board at each end of the field with screens measuring 200’ X 48’. The stadium also offers wi-fi and closed captioning for those who need it. The 49ers game app is one of the most informative we’ve found in the NFL. The stadium construction also includes a very wide (63 foot) concourse, allowing easy movement to concessions and restrooms. One major drawback to the stadium’s design is in its layout in relationship to the sun. Unlike San Francisco, Santa Clara experiences hot and sunny days up through mid-season. This results in fans in the east stands having to deal with the sun in their eyes for most of the game. Make sure you bring your shades if you are seated in the eastern side of the stadium. By the way, Levi’s does offer free sunscreen for fans upon request. Neighborhood 4 The first thing we need to point out is that the team’s name is somewhat misleading. The neighborhood around Levi’s Stadium is Santa Clara, California, a city 40 miles south of San Francisco. It is in the heart of Silicon Valley, with many of the largest technology companies calling Santa Clara home. The immediate area around Levi’s Stadium is predominantly centered around the convention industry. As a result, there are several major hotels, including the Hilton Santa Clara and the Santa Clara Marriott that are within walking distance of the stadium. California’s Great American Park, an amusement park, is also adjacent to the stadium. It typically closes during the fall but hosts a pregame Red Zone Rally before every 49ers home game. Since you are in the middle of Silicon Valley, a trip to the nearby Intel Museum will provide you with a look at how microchips changed the technology industry. The Fish Market tops our recommendations of top restaurants in the area to check out. Fans 5 The move from the Bay Area to Santa Clara has resulted in quite a few changes in the fan base. Season tickets now require a Personal Seat License, an expensive proposition for many of the blue-collar fans who attended games at Candlestick. In addition, the average ticket price for 49ers games is among the highest in the NFL. The 40-mile drive on California highways has also caused a change in the makeup of the crowds. The local fan base has become more corporate in nature, as the Santa Clara area is quite affluent and work for some of the top technology companies in the country. The stadium caters to them through multiple clubs and social spaces on the western side of the stadium. The more blue-collar, longtime fans of the club make their way down from the Bay Area and fill the end zone and the eastern side of the stadium. What has not been lost in the move to Santa Clara is the intense enthusiasm and loyalty to the team. 49ers fans are known as “The Faithful” for good reason. They are extremely loud throughout the game and have stuck with the team through thick and thin. The stands are filled by a sea of red jerseys on game days. Coach Kyle Shanahan has brought winning football back to the Bay area, resulting in sellout crowds despite being 40 miles from its namesake home. Access 4 Getting to the 49ers games has become more daunting for San Francisco area fans of the team. The 40 miles separating San Francisco and Santa Clara can be daunting drive, as traveling on the 101 Freeway on game weekends can back up for miles. Once at the game fans are faced with a distant parking lot system and much higher parking fees than they have been used to. Fortunately, there are several options in getting to Levi’s Stadium on Sundays. The state of California has one of the more efficient rail transportation systems in the country. This is especially true for cities in the greater Bay Area and Northern California. Fans from the Stockton area can utilize the ACE train that links with the local VTA light rail system in San Jose, which delivers you to Santa Clara. Sacramento fans can access the games by riding the Capitol Corridor train to San Jose and then to the VTA system. Finally, San Francisco area fans can take Caltrain to San Jose at a cost of $28.50 for a combo ticket with the VTA fare included. Locals can use the Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) busses and light rail system, which will let you off and pick you up at the Great American Station directly in front of the stadium. You will need to purchase a $5 eight-hour pass at the beginning of your trip. Hold on to this ticket as there are no vending machines at the Great American Station for your return trip. The most environmentally friendly option to arrive at the station is by walking or riding your bike to the game. The Santa Clara area is blessed to have a network of paved hike/bike trails. The San Tomas Aquino Trail runs directly to Levi’s Stadium. The stadium offers a bike valet service to safe-keep your bike during the game. Once at the stadium, access is excellent. There is a wide assortment of entry points into the venue and the inside concourse is 63 feet wide with plenty of space to maneuver through the crowds. The concourses are also open to the field, so you will not miss any of the action. There are plenty of elevators and escalators for fans with upper level seats. Return on Investment 3 Attending a 49ers game may require you to bring your gold prospecting equipment along to pay the tab. The 49ers ticket prices are amongst the most expensive in the NFL at $117 per seat. Parking at the stadium runs $40 – $60 prepaid, with an additional $10 tacked on for game day purchases. Public transportation or using the nearby hike/bike trails can bring this cost down dramatically. Concession prices at Levi’s Stadium are among the highest in the NFL. We encourage you to bring your meal in with you, or to eat before the game. Save your concession spending for candy, snacks and beverages. Hotel costs on game day weekends run $200 a night. An easy option to lower this cost is to stay in nearby San Jose. Extras 4 In addition to the 49ers home games, Levi’s Stadium also plays host to the Redbox Bowl, the PAC 12 Football Championship Game and numerous concerts. It has also served as the site of Super Bowl 50 (2016), the 2015 NHL Stadium Series game between the San Jose Sharks and the Los Angeles Kings, and the 2019 College Football Championship Game. Levi’s Stadium is very technologically advanced and utilizes this in its quest to become one of the greenest stadiums in the NFL. It has earned Gold LEED certification through its recycling efforts, the use of solar panels for power, the green roof atop the luxury box tower which features 40 types of vegetation and its efforts to promote public transportation as a means of getting to the stadium. The California’s Great American Park hosts a pregame package called the Red Zone Rally that starts three hours prior to kickoff. The package costs $85 and includes unlimited food and beverages, visits from the 49er’s cheerleaders and drumline, autograph sessions with former 49er greats and an appearance from Sourdough Sam, the 49ers mascot. The 49ers Museum deserves its own extra. We’ve visited several team museums over the years, and the 49ers experience far surpasses the other stadiums. Being in Silicon Valley allows the museum to utilize cutting edge technology such as virtual reality, holograms and touch screens to tell about the history and success of the team. Included in the museum are the Super Bowl Gallery, the Team Spirit section, which covers the team’s traditions, the Bill Walsh Innovation Center and the 49ers Hall of Fame, which salutes 27 former 49ers with life size statues. The museum is open during 49ers games, but to truly see all it has to offer it is best to visit on non-game days and spend an hour or two checking out all the exhibits. Admission is $15 for adults and $10 for seniors, Santa Clara residents and active military members Final Thoughts Levi’s Stadium is one of the most technologically advanced stadiums in the NFL. Its location in the heart of Silicon Valley is a major improvement over the 49ers former home at the weather challenged Candlestick Park. The team has seen a resurgence on the field in recent seasons, providing fans with an up-tempo offense that will fill the stands. The gold rush has returned!

Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.29 Golden 1 Center 500 David J Stern Walk Sacramento, CA 95814 Sacramento Kings website Golden 1 Center website Year Opened: 2016 Capacity: 17,608 Golden 1 Center is Also Green and Platinum The history of the Royals / Kings franchise has been one of a vagabond existence. It began as the Royals in Rochester, NY, then moved on to Cincinnati for several years. Its next home was split between Kansas City/Omaha and resulted in a name change to the Kings to avoid confusion with the baseball Royals. In 1985, it relocated to Sacramento, hoping to break the seeming jinx of being a small market franchise competing against the larger metropolitan areas. The team is now celebrating its 35th anniversary in California’s capitol city. However as late as 2010, the team was rumored to be moving to either Anaheim or Seattle due to an unsatisfactory arena arrangement and a losing record. That changed in 2016, as the city and a new ownership group opened the Golden 1 Center as the anchor for the new Downtown Commons (DOCO) district in downtown Sacramento. The 17,608-seat venue replaced the aging Sleep Train Arena (formerly ARCO Arena). The arena features 10,000 lower level seats with 34 luxury suites and 48 loft style suites. The remaining 7,000 upper level seats are steeply pitched so that the sight lines anywhere in the arena are excellent. What really sets the Golden 1 Center apart from its NBA brethren is its commitment to be the greenest and most environmentally friendly venue in professional sports. This has resulted in receiving a Platinum LEED certification, the top recognition for being environmentally sustainable in the world. This is accomplished through virtually every aspect of the arena’s operation. The venue is the only professional sports arena in the world to operate totally on solar power, thanks to solar panels covering the roof. The facility is cooled by opening 80-foot-high hangar doors to allow the Delta breezes prevalent in the area to flow through the arena. The greenery on the exterior walls of the facility includes food sources for the concession stands. Food & Beverage 5 One of the first things you need to know is that Sacramento is known as America’s Farm to Fork Capital. The concessions at Golden 1 Center are notable for the absence of the large corporate style stands. The Kings have a policy of having 90% of its concessions come from local businesses and farms within a 150-mile radius of the arena. This is known as the “Food to Court” principle. This reduces the carbon footprint by lessening the distance trucks or trains travel to deliver the foods. It also supports the local business community. Any leftover foods at the end of the game are either donated to area shelters or used for composting if it is in a half-eaten state. This reduces waste and saves room in area landfills. What this means for fans is guaranteed fresh foods and a wonderful variety of vendors to choose from. Amongst the locally owned businesses serving the crowds are Big Cheese Dog House, Block Butcher Bar Sandwiches, Café Bernardo, Centro Cocina Mexicano, El Jefe, Lowbrau Bierhall, Paragary’s Pizza, Petra Greek Market Café and Smokehouse BBQ. You’ll feel like your meal came straight from the farmer’s market! A sampling of prices for some of the more unique menu offering includes lamb and beef Gyros ($12), veggie burrito bowls ($13), fish tacos ($12), lemongrass tofu bowls ($12) and grass-fed burgers ($12). Beverage selections include Coca-Cola brand sodas ($6), bottled water is $6 and domestic beers go for $13. Sacramento is also known as a craft brewing hotbed. Locally sourced beers include Sierra Nevada, Sactown Union, Oak Park Brewing, Kneedeep Brewing, Lagunitas Brewing, Out of Bounds Brewing and Bear Republic. These beers sell for between $14 – $16. Atmosphere 4 Once inside the arena you will be very impressed by the openness of the facility. If you enter through the main gate, you will soon come to the plaza overlooking the playing court. It is a great place for a selfie. The venue offers wide concourses and the seats are wider than you find in most modern arenas, making for a very comfortable experience for the next few hours. The concourses are open to the court so you should not miss any of the action The Kings owner made his fortune in the technology field and you will notice he did not scrimp on the electronics in the Golden 1 Center. The center hung scoreboard is one of the largest in the NBA. It measures 84 feet long (the entire length of a basketball court is 94 feet). The panel on the board measure 44 feet wide by 24 feet tall. In addition, two 25-foot-tall screens will greet you as you enter the facility. Neighborhood 4 The Golden 1 Center is the centerpiece of the Downtown Commons (DOCO) development in downtown Sacramento. The four-block area includes restaurants like Sauced BBQ and Spirits, Yard House, and Punchbowl Social. It also features movie theaters, boutique shops and national retailers like Macy’s and Urban Outfitters. The Old Sacramento Waterfront, the California State Railroad Museum and the California State Capitol Building, three of Sacramento’s top tourist attractions, are just a few blocks from Downtown Commons. Fans 4 Of all the markets the Kings have played in, the fans in Sacramento are by far the most loyal. The Kings are the only top-level professional team in the area, so there is little competition for the sports dollar in a household. Since moving to Sacramento, the Kings have won only two division titles, as they play in the very tough Western Conference Pacific Division against the likes of Golden State, the LA Lakers, the LA Clippers and the Portland Trail Blazers. The team has taken several of these teams to a seventh game of a series in the playoffs. There is great hope that new coach, Luke Walton, can work with the young and talented roster to build a playoff contender in coming years. Despite the lack of banners hanging from the rafters, Kings fans regularly fill the Golden 1 Center. Access 4 Getting to Golden 1 Center is a breeze no matter what form of transportation you use. 15% of Kings fans walk, bike or take public transportation to get to the games. There are five Sacramento Regional Transit (SRT) light rail stations within a few blocks of the arena along K Street. The Sacramento Valley Station is also nearby and is the second busiest Amtrak Station in the state of California. This all cuts down on emissions that can harm the environment. If you are driving, the arena can be reached via exit 515 B from I-5 (J Street/Downtown Sacramento). There are more than 13,000 parking spaces in and around DOCO. The Sacramento International Airport is only 12 miles from the venue, so you may not need to rent a car while in town. Return on Investment 4 Tickets to a Kings game average $48. Games against the Lakers, Clippers or Warriors usually will spike the prices a great deal. Parking at Downtown Commons lots costs $25 and can be pre-purchased at www.SacPark.com .Travel on Sacramental Regional Transit busses and light rail trains cost $7 for a one day unlimited rides pass or single rides for $2.50. Concession prices are typical of most professional arenas, but the quality and freshness of the foods is well worth it. Compared with larger cities, a Sacramento Kings game offers an excellent return on investment. Extras 5 The official street address for the arena is 500 David Stern Walk. This is a salute to the former NBA commissioner who worked tirelessly over several years to keep the Kings franchise in Sacramento. The Golden 1 Center is located just blocks from both the California State Capitol building and the Old Sacramento Riverfront, two of Sacramento’s top tourist attractions. In addition to Kings games, the arena has also hosted the first and second rounds of the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament in 2017. The Sacramento Kings practice facility is attached to the Golden 1 Center and fans can watch the team prepare before a game through windows on the concourse. Public Art is also abundant at the Golden 1 Center. Jeff Koon’s Coloring Book #4 sculpture is hard to miss as you head through the main entrance. Final Thoughts Large venues can do lots of harm to the environment through heavy car emissions, trash, heavy use of carbon producing gases. Golden 1 Center is a winner in minimizing these harmful issues and should be a blueprint for future athletic facilities. Winning off the court can be just as important as winning on the court as far as our environment. The Kings new ownership is investing heavily to accomplish both of these goals.

Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.29 Moda Center 1 N Center Ct St Portland, OR 97227 Portland Trail Blazers website Moda Center website Year Opened: 1995 Capacity: 19,980 The Home of Blazerball The Portland Trail Blazers are the longest running professional sports franchise in the Pacific Northwest. The name “Trailblazers” was chosen by a wide margin in a fan poll in recognition of their pioneering efforts to bring not only basketball, but other pro sports to the region. Although they have only one NBA Championship in their 50-year history, they have won numerous Northwest Divisional titles and have gone to three Western Conference Finals. Unfortunately, over the years they have faced either the Lakers or the Warriors in their prime over this period, or they likely would have more league championships. As it is, they have succeeded where two Pacific Northwest teams, the Seattle Supersonics and the Vancouver Grizzlies have failed. Portland is known as the “Rip City” a phrase coined by their original announcer for the many “swishes” shot by the smooth shooting teams of the early years. The Moda Center has served as the home of the Trail Blazers since 1995. It was originally known as the Rose Garden, in homage to two other basketball shrines, the Boston Garden and Madison Square Garden. The name was changed in 2013, as GPS and local tourism guides found the name confused visitors who were in town to visit Portland’s world-famous International Test Gardens during the annual Rose Festival. The Moda Center features three levels of seating (two general levels and a suites level). There are 70 skyboxes in the facility, which are located in between the lower and upper seating bowls. The arena holds 19,441 in its basketball configuration. Food & Beverage 5 Moda Center offers one of the most diverse menus at its concession stands in the NBA. This is reflective of the diverse population and foodie culture found in Portland. You can always find the arena standards, but you owe it to yourself to try out the regional cuisine. The facility offers 70 concession stands, three bars, two cafes and a full-service restaurant. Food offerings include Bap N’ Noodle (Korean), Cha Cha Cha (burritos), Crafters (burgers and chicken strips), Daddy D’s BBQ, Hen Pen (chicken wings), Hook/Line (oysters and fish and chips), Plum Tasty (organic bowls, salads and wraps), Red Hot and Rollin’ (popcorn, pretzels and hot dogs), Sizzle Pie (pizza), Tamale Boy, Hotstone (Italian cuisine) and Whole Sum (salad bar). If you have any room left, check out dessert at the 1927 S’mores Cart or the ice cream at Ruby Jewel’s or Salt and Straw. Since Portland is a craft beer mecca, more than 45 brews are available at the Moda Center. Stop in at the 10 Barrel Brewing Company, Hop Valley Brewing, Adelsheim Local Cork, Heritage Distilling, Widmer Beer or the Crispin Cider Cart to decide what is your favorite, (You are taking the light rail home after the game… right? ) Atmosphere 4 You’ll know from the moment you step into the building that you are at the center of Blazermania. The color scheme features the red and black color scheme of the Blazer uniforms and the unique swirled logo of the franchise is everywhere. The arena features numerous exhibits covering the team’s timeline and greatest players and accomplishments. Once inside the seating bowl you will be impressed by one of the largest center-hung video boards in the NBA, with each of the four screens measuring 15’ X 22.5’. There are also auxiliary boards providing you with statistical information in each corner of the seating bowl. If you do need to leave your seat for a few minutes there are more than 650 TV monitors lining the concourses so you will not miss any of the action. The rafters of the Moda Center are filled with banners saluting great Blazer teams and players. They include Northwest Divisional Championships, Western Conference Championships, and the 1977 NBA League Championship banners. Individual players with a banner include Bill Walton, Geoff Petrie, John Lucas, Clyde Drexler, Arvydas Sabonis and Coach Jack Ramsay. Neighborhood 4 The home of the Trail Blazers is in the Rose Quarter, a sports and entertainment center located in NE Portland on the eastern banks of the Willamette River. The Rose Quarter includes the Moda Center, the Portland Coliseum (the former home of the team), as well as numerous restaurants and shops. The area is well serviced by hotels and restaurants, as the Oregon Convention Center is located just across the road. The area’s largest regional shopping mall, the Lloyd Center, is also located nearby. Portland has an excellent public transportation system, so visiting the downtown Portland area across the river is no problem. The greater Portland area is one of the most popular tourism areas in the Pacific Northwest, with the natural beauty of the International Rose Test Gardens, the Willamette Riverfront and the Columbia River Gorge located just a few miles apart. For outdoors enthusiasts, rowing on the river or skiing /climbing at Mt. Hood are popular pursuits. Portland is also a foodie and craft beer capitol for the region. Fans 4 Trail Blazer fans are known for their passion for the team as sellouts are the norm for games. They arrive early and begin their “Rip City” chant even during the team warmups. Portland is a small market by NBA standards, so the relationship between the players and their fans is almost at the “neighbor” level. The team participates heavily in the community and visits the local schools and neighborhood festivals on a regular basis. If you think the Moda Center is one of the louder NBA venues, you have been to… there is a reason for that. An “acoustical cloud” hangs over the arena. This cloud is made up of 160 rotating acoustical panels, which can be adjusted to deflect or absorb sound. For Trail Blazer games, it is set to deflect the noise back down to the court. If you were at the facility for a play, it would be set to adsorb noise. Ingenious, eh? Also keeping the crowd at a fever pitch is Blaze, the team’s mascot. He is a trail cat that wandered down from nearby Mt. Hood and discovered a love for basketball. Access 5 Getting to the Moda Center is very convenient, as it can be accessed via I-5, I-205, I-84 and Highway 26 Eastbound. The Center also has its own Transit Station (Rose Quarter), which is served by the Blue, Green and Red Lines of the Tri-Met MAX Light Rail System. There are more than 4,000 parking spaces in the lots surrounding the Rose Quarter complex. Several hike/bike trails also lead to the Rose Quarter and there are enough bike racks on site to handle more than 300 bikes. The arena has multiple entrances, and once inside the building the concourses are wide and easy to navigate. Doors open at 5:30 pm for night games, allowing plenty of time for visitors to tour the facility and get a pregame meal. There are more than 35 restroom facilities and 70 concessions stands to service fans’ needs with little or no lines to contend with. Return on Investment 4 The average ticket price for a Trail Blazers game is $53 but may be higher for selected opponents. Parking in one of the surrounding lots runs $20. Day Pass fares on the Tri-Met Light Rail System are $5 for adults and $2.50 for children, seniors and members of the military. Hotels in the vicinity of the Moda Center / Convention Center run $130- $150 per night. Concession prices at the Trail Blazer games are quite reasonable Extras 4 The 2019-2020 season marks the 50th anniversary of the Portland Trail Blazers franchise. The team is using a court featuring a 50th Anniversary logo at midcourt and has several special events planned during the season long celebration. This includes a reunion of the 1977 team that won the franchise’s sole NBA Championship. In addition to the Trail Blazers, the Moda Center also serves as the home of the Portland Riverhawks of the Western Hockey League. Other events that have been held in the building include first and second rounds of the NCAA Men’s Championships, the US Figure Skating Championships, three NBA Western Conference Finals and numerous music concerts. As befits an arena in the environmentally conscious Pacific Northwest, the Moda Center was the first professional sports facility to receive Platinum LEED status for its sustainability practices. These practices include excess food being donated to homeless shelters and food waste being used as compost on the facility’s grounds, all trash being sorted for recycling, detergent-free cleaning of the building, the use of low flow toilets, the implementation of drought resistant landscaping, the use of energy efficient power equipment, the practice of sourcing of food from locally based farms using organically grown methods and encouraging the use of public transportation and hike/bike trails for fans to reach the arena. The Trail Blazers are owned by the estate of former Microsoft executive Paul Allen, who died earlier in 2019. Allen played a huge role in sports in the Pacific Northwest, as he also owned the Seattle Seahawks (NFL) and the Seattle Sounders (MLS). He played a major role in the funding of the building of the Moda Center out of his personal fortune. There are three Trail Blazer players (Clyde Drexler, Bill Walton and Arvydas Sabonis) and one coach (Jack Ramsay) in the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame. Final Thoughts Even though the Moda Center is one of the older arenas in the NBA, it offers one of the most entertaining venues to watch a game. The fact that basketball is the primary professional sport in town, added to the raucous atmosphere of the fans provides a great viewing experience. Add to that the many tourist opportunities in and around Portland, and the strong foodie and craft beer culture present in the area, and a visit to the Pacific Northwest will provide you with a very enjoyable time.

Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.71 Soldier Field 1410 Museum Campus Dr Chicago, IL 60605 Chicago Bears website Soldier Field website Year Opened: 1924 Capacity: 61,500 Bears Soldier ON Soldier Field is known as the oldest stadium in the NFL, as its construction and opening date back to 1924. The first issue with that is that it was originally called Grant Park Municipal Stadium. The name was changed to Soldier Field in 1925 at the request of the Gold Star Mothers. The second issue with this honor is that it did not become an NFL stadium until 1971 when the Bears moved over from Wrigley Field. It also was built in stages running from 1922-1939 during its original construction. At the conclusion of this period, the stadium could hold more than 100,000 fans. Soldier Field lives up to its name as there are numerous salutes to the armed forces both inside and outside of the venue. A statue of a World War I “doughboy” is in the southern end of the stadium, while a veteran’s memorial water wall is in the northern end of the facility. There have been numerous renovations since the 1930s, with the most massive taking place in 2002. This renovation demolished the interior of the stadium, leaving only the exterior façade of the stadium intact. These include the iconic columns that one thinks of when you think of the classic Soldier Field. The renovations so altered the stadium that it had its Historic Landmark status removed. The changes were ridiculed as the seating bowl inserted inside the exterior walls was much higher than the exterior, leaving the impression of a flying saucer landing on top of Soldier Field. Many locals referred to it as the “Eyesore on the Lakeshore”. However, there were good intentions to this remodel, as the purpose was to bring the stands closer to the field to provide a better view for the fans. They were successful in this accomplishment as only MetLife Stadium in New Jersey has seats closer to the action. Today’s version of Soldier Field offers seating for 61,500 and more than 115 luxury suites. Food & Beverage 4 Chicago is a foodie town, and the concessions available at Soldier Field tend to provide the best the city has to offer. South Marche offers Chicago dogs as well as Chicago-style pizza. Second City Pizza offers cheese, sausage, and Buona Italian beef pizzas. Gastro Pub 1410 carries hoagies and a great set of chicken wings. If you are in the mood for brats, the Stockyard Grill will fill the bill. Portage Park is known for its terrific Polish sausages. Buona Beef offers a delicious Italian beef sandwich. BBQ lovers can choose from either County BBQ or Bronzeville BBQ for chicken, pork or great ribs. Burger lovers should head over to DMK where they will have a choice of several delicious burgers. Atmosphere 4 Architectural concerns aside, Soldier Field is a great place to watch an NFL game. The seating bowl does provide excellent sightlines to the field. The videoboards in the stadium measure 128 ft X 40 ft and provide a crystal-clear picture. The Bears have a long tradition going back to the creation of the NFL and the long coaching career of Coach George Halas. The field here is grass, as artificial turf simply does not belong on a football field in the city of Chicago. Even though some of the Bear greats like Sayers and Ditka did not play in this stadium they belong to the same heritage of later heroes such as Mike Singletary, Walter Payton, and William “The Fridge” Perry, who did play at Soldier Field and teamed up to bring the city of Chicago its most recent Super Bowl victory. The Bears have a great deal of pride in their gameday experience for the fans. They offer four different areas of pregame entertainment and the areas around the stadium open 4 hours prior to the game, giving fans plenty of time to enjoy tailgating with their friends and getting fired up for the game. The stadium gates also open two hours prior to the kickoff, allowing fans more time to enjoy themselves with their seatmates. The NFC North is almost like the “Original Six” in the NHL. Each of the teams in the conference has ties back to the beginning of the NFL. It is one of the most competitive conferences in the NFL, with every in-conference game close no matter what the team records are. All of this adds up to a great atmosphere to enjoy a fall afternoon at Soldier Field. Neighborhood 3 Soldier Field is located off Lakeshore Drive, Chicago’s front door to Lake Michigan. Its immediate neighbors on the Museum Campus include the Field Museum, the Shedd Aquarium and the Adler Planetarium. Between the deepness of the parkland and the vast wideness of Lakeshore Drive, the bus lanes and CTA tracks it is nearly a mile before you would find the small neighborhood taverns and other gathering places that typically surround stadiums. If you head north on Lakeshore and you will find all sorts of restaurants and several forms of entertainment along the famous Navy Pier. One of the most popular destinations along Lakeshore Drive for a selfie is the Bean sculpture, which provides a reflection of you in a very distorted way. The Chicago Lakefront District also is a great place to get some exercise. There are running trails that go on for miles or you can rent a bike and cruise safely along the lakefront in designated bike lanes. We advise you to take part in one of the many fan entertainment areas surrounding Soldier Field. They range from family-friendly entertainment to areas where hardcore fans can get their pregame football fix. When game time grows near, you don’t want to find yourself a great distance from the stadium as the lines get very long just before kickoff. Fans 5 Unlike, baseball, where the allegiances are split between the northside/southside, Chicagoans are all Bears fans. This has been true for generations of families due to the team’s long history. Bears fans are amongst the most loyal fans in the NFL. They are easy to spot, as the dress code on gameday is wearing the classic jersey of your favorite Bears player. They also know all the words to “Bear Down” and sing it with great gusto after every Chicago score or victory. Chicago fans never let the often harsh winter storms that come off the lakefront deter them from being at Soldier Field on gamedays. Even in their zeal for the home team, Bears fans show the Midwestern characteristic of friendliness to visitors. You may show up in an archrival Packers jersey, but the worst you can expect is a little good-natured ribbing from the fans around you. In fact, Bears fans have even been parodied on Saturday Night Live for their love and support for Da’ Bears over the years. Access 4 Getting to anything in Chicago by driving can be a real “bear”, so we recommend you take one of the many modes of public transportation available in the Greater Chicago area. The CTA offers train access to Soldier Field on its Red, Green, and Orange lines via the Roosevelt Station. The #128 Soldier Field Express busses will run from both Chicago Union Station and the Ogilvie Transportation Center directly to Soldier Field for the very reasonable price of $5 roundtrip. The METRA rail system runs “Bear Extra” trains up from the southside of Chicago. If you insist on driving, please understand that the parking in the North, South, and Waldron Lots nearest the stadium are reserved for season ticket holders. Most lots require prepaid parking coupons. There is very little cash parking is available on a first-come, first-serve basis at the Adler Planetarium or Burnham Harbor Lots near the stadium. Offsite parking is located at McCormick Place Lot B or the Millennium Park Garage for $45. Shuttles will then ferry fans to the game. Lots open 4 hours prior to kickoff and close 2 hours after the game ends. Once in the stadium, you may find the concourses to be somewhat congested. They tend to bend in several directions and then suddenly become ramps due to the odd fitting of the seating bowl into the original footprint of the stadium exterior. This is one of the things that make Soldier Field so unique. Return on Investment 3 The Bears utilize a variable pricing system on their tickets, Preseason game tickets run from $41-$131, non-division opponents run from $69-$217. Divisional games go at varied prices as Packer games are $132-$254, Lions tickets cost $76-$218, and Vikings games go for $98-$227. We’ve mentioned the transportation fees in the Access section. There are several different price points found in the rates of nearby hotels, so sometimes it is wiser to stay further away from the stadium and take one of the many public transportation options to Soldier Field. Extras 3 The Bears date back to an era where there was a team song. In the case of Chicago, that ditty is “Bear Down” Among the events Soldier Field has hosted over the years are the Jack Dempsey-Gene Tunney “long-count” boxing match in the 1930s, the opening ceremonies for the soccer World Cup in 1994, and the final concert by the Grateful Dead in 2015. The Midway is a climate-controlled hospitality space on the West side of the Verizon Mezzanine Concourse which includes seating, four full-service bars, specialty food stations, and plenty of monitors so you can keep updated on the game. Single-game passes can be purchased on the Chicago Bears app. Sounds like a great place to be on those late December games! Final Thoughts The Bears and Soldier Field both have a legendary history for Chicago natives. The fact that they never got together until the mid-1970s is somewhat symbolized by the present design of the stadium…. a modern-day seating bowl stuffed into a classic exterior dating back to the 1920s. Its’ setting on the shoreline of Lake Michigan is both a blessing and a curse. It is very scenic in the early fall, but brutal when the icy winds blow off the lake during the late-season games.

Photos by Dave Cottenie, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.86 Jack Couch Baseball Park 400 East Ave Kitchener, ON N2H 1Z6 Kitchener Panthers website Jack Couch Baseball Park website Year Opened: 1967 Capacity: 1,400 Over 100 Years of Panthers The Kitchener Panthers are one of the founding franchises in the Intercounty Baseball League, which services Southern Ontario. An amateur baseball league featuring collegiate and former professional baseball players, the Intercounty League has shown surprising staying power among the changing landscape of baseball in Canada. Kitchener originally began as the Panthers and played as the Legionnaires and Dutchmen before reverting to the Panthers as the moniker in 1960. They are truly a community team and are a not-for-profit organization that is run by a community Board of Directors. Home for the Panthers is Jack Couch Baseball Park. Although not the flashiest of IBL stadiums, it has served its purpose since 1967 and sits on the grounds of the Kitchener Memorial Auditorium Complex. The park is named after Jack Couch, who was involved with Kitchener baseball for over 40 years. Food & Beverage 3 Concession options are pretty basic at Jack Couch Park. The main structure does have a concession window where soft drinks and light snacks are available. There is a tent where beer and seltzer’s are available as well. Any food that is more substantial would need to be purchased from a food truck if there is one on sight. If a food truck is not on site, a BBQ with hot dogs and sausages is present. The rules regarding bringing outside food into the park are pretty loose and many fans bring in their own small cooler bags. Atmosphere 2 Jack Couch Park is part of the larger Kitchener Memorial Auditorium Complex. The Auditorium, which is home of the OHL’s Kitchener Rangers, is on the other side of the parking lot. The ballpark is a very basic design. There is a permanent structure housing the concession window, washrooms and press box behind home plate. Seating consists of seven sets of aluminum bleachers. The field is a typical symmetrical baseball design and the proximity to the players and bullpens is very close. The sounds of the game are front and centre and hearing the comments and conversations of players, umpires and fans is part of the atmosphere. There are some sightlines issues as the backstop consists of full, chain-link fencing and the posts can provide some obstructed views. On the fence behind the concession stand on the north side of the diamond are banners for the Panthers Hall of Fame. Inductees include Harry Psutka, Rich Jack, Court Heinbuch, Bob McKillop, Gary Ebel, Tom McKenzie, Paul Knight, Bruce Klaehn, Kevin Curran, Randy Curran, Jason Rausch, Brad Hagedorn, Scott Medvin and Jeff Pietraszko. Some of the Panthers Hall of Fame members also have Major League Baseball experience. The Panthers have also won thirteen league championships (1941, 1950, 1952, 1957, 1967, 1968, 1971, 1973, 1990, 1996, 1998, 2000, 2001) but any commemoration of these championships is not apparent. Upon entry into the park, a rock with the dedication of the diamond to Jack Couch is prominently displayed on a rock. The gameday atmosphere is fairly simple. On field promotions are not overbearing, if there are any. The main promotion is the 50/50 draw. The Panthers run a tight ship and remind fans that baseballs that are hit out of play are the property of the team. This is not an uncommon practice for Intercounty Baseball Retrieved baseballs can be exchanged for a freezie at the concession stand. Neighbourhood 3 Jack Couch Park is part of the Kitchener Memorial Auditorium Complex and located in the Auditorium neighbourhood in Kitchener, east of downtown. The neighbourhood is predominantly residential and there is not much in the way of food and beverage options within walking distance. StrykerZ Kitchen & Bar is a short walk west on Ottawa Street. A Tim Hortons and Dairy Queen are also found in the same plaza. Continuing west to King Street will bring fans to downtown proper and more options. Crabby Joe’s, TWH Social, The Rich Uncle Tavern and McCabe’s are decent options. The hidden gem is probably The Grand Trunk Saloon on Ontario Street, but all will require some travel. For fans interested in other sports options, the Dom Cardillo Arena inside the Auditorium is home to the Kitchener Rangers of the OHL, however, their schedules rarely cross. Other options include some USports options found at Wilfrid Laurier or the University of Waterloo just across the border in the twin city of Waterloo. For another cultural option, checking out TheMuseum on King may be of interest. Staying near the Auditorium is best done at the Walper Terrace or Crowne Plaza in Downtown Kitchener. Fans 2 It is very difficult to assess the fan situation in the Intercounty Baseball League. For most games the attendance figures are not published. However, it is fair to say that the Panthers attract an average crowd compared to their compatriots in the league. This is only a couple hundred fans at the most. For the most part the fans are diehards or friends and family. Promotions like the KMBA appreciation night will bring out a larger crowd. Access 4 Getting to the Auditorium Complex is best done by car. There is plenty of free parking to be found there and it is conveniently located at the Ottawa Street exit off of the Conestoga Parkway. Fans should consider the possibility of fly balls in the parking lot before selecting a spot. Fans wishing to take public transportation can catch the Grand River Transit bus on Ottawa Street. A bus trip or significant walk will be required to bring fans to the nearest Ion LRT station at Borden Street. Fans should check out the GRT website for fares, schedules and maps. The ballpark is fairly spread out and getting from spot to spot is not difficult at all. The washroom situation is a little cramped, but not terrible for the number of fans who are usually in attendance. Return on Investment 4 The investment in a Kitchener Panthers game is not huge at all. Adult tickets go for $12 with discounts for high school students and seniors. Elementary School students can get in for only $2 and preschoolers are free. Ticketing is done online for the most part. Concession prices are very reasonable and parking is free. The baseball on the field is good quality and fans will have a good time at the game. Extras 2 An extra mark for being a charter member of the Intercounty Baseball League dating back to 1919. An extra mark for the community ownership and operation of the team. Final Thoughts A trip to see the Kitchener Panthers is a good way to spend a summer evening or weekend afternoon. The team has been around for over 100 years, survived the pandemic and are still charging to an IBL title. If in Waterloo Region in the summer months, take some time out to catch the Panthers. Follow all of Dave’s sporting adventures on Twitter @profan9.

Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.86 Bernard G. Johnson Coliseum 1964 Bobby K. Marks Dr. Huntsville, TX 77340 Sam Houston State Bearkats Website Bernard G. Johnson Coliseum Website Year Opened: 1976 Capacity: 6,110 East Texas Bearkats Nestled among the lush greenery of the foothills of the Piney Woods area of East Texas is the city of Huntsville, Texas, home of Sam Houston State University. The university bears the name of one of the great heroes in Texas history. The school’s athletic programs, the Bearkats, have seen an extraordinary amount of success since they began. The men’s basketball program began in 1917 and would go 43–11 during their first five seasons, including an unblemished 24–0 record during the first three. They have 14 regular season conference titles, five postseason conference tournament appearances, and made the NCAA Tournament twice since becoming Division I participants (in 2003 and 2010) as members of the Southland Conference. The team is currently a member of the Western Athletic Conference (WAC) and has seen runs recently to the NIT (in 2019) and to the CIT. Sam Houston State moved into their current home in 1976. Originally known as University Coliseum, it was remodeled in time for the 1986-1987 season and rechristened the Bernard G. Johnson Coliseum after an honored member of the school’s Board of Regents. It is also home to both the Bearkats women’s basketball and volleyball teams. The classically designed coliseum has a devoted following among the Bearkats faithful. Read on to learn what makes it special. Food & Beverage 3 The concessions at Johnson Coliseum are pretty much what you’d expect to find at a mid-major collegiate program. There are three main stands that you can find near the entrance areas, and they all serve the same items. The three stands allow fans to get their food and beverage pretty quickly, and not miss much of the on-court action. The items the stands offer include hot dogs (regular for $4 and Bearkat, a.k.a. jumbo, for $4.50), nachos ($7), bottled and fountain drinks ($3.50 and $4), and Domino’s pizza, either cheese or pepperoni by the slice or as a whole medium pizza ($3.50 per slice or $14 for the whole deal). The stands also offer candy and popcorn. The one caveat to be aware of is that Sam Houston State does not sell any beer or alcoholic beverages at their games at Johnson Coliseum – keep this in mind if that’s something you traditionally like to imbibe during games. Atmosphere 3 The architectural design of the Johnson Coliseum is a great throwback to old-school round arenas, which you don’t see much of anymore. The walls are decorated with the banners of all the Bearkats tournament appearances, championships, and conference titles. Sam Houston State also completed their latest round of renovations to the coliseum in 2016, where they installed a 31-foot videoboard and upgraded the seats in the lower courtside level. Outside the coliseum near the main sign there is a marble statue of the team’s namesake bearcat, as well as a life-sized statue of the mascot, Sammy Bearkat. Another point of interest to be on the lookout for is the team store – this is located near the box office entrance and sells the traditional team paraphernalia if you’re interested in stocking up on Sam Houston State gear for the game. Neighborhood 3 Johnson Coliseum is located right in the middle of the Sam Houston State University campus. It also shares a parking lot with Bowers Stadium, home to the Bearkats championship-winning football team. It’s a typical college town, with one notable exception. For the sake of transparency, the city is the headquarters of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (it has been since Texas was founded as a Republic in 1836) and there are several prisons throughout the area. If you travel into Huntsville on Interstate 45, the prisons are unavoidable. However, as you move into the city and towards the university, there are no reminders of that part of the city at all. In terms of attractions, Huntsville has a lot to offer visitors looking to do something before or after Bearkats games. For history buffs make sure to visit the Sam Houston Memorial Museum; this 15-acre complex is located on the site of the former homestead of Sam Houston, and is dedicated to telling the story of the first President of the Republic of Texas. Not too far from the museum you can also visit the Sam Houston Statue and Visitors Center. At 67-feet tall, it is the largest statue in the world of an American hero. For outdoor enthusiasts, Huntsville State Park has all the amenities you could hope for. Again, the city is the gateway of the Piney Woods region of the state, and the park is a perfect example of this type of environment. Covered by a canopy of Texas pine trees it offers a year-round mild climate that is perfect for hiking, biking, and camping. There is also canoeing, fishing, and swimming allowed in certain areas of Lake Raven; check their website for hours and camping site availability. When it comes to dining there are also a lot of great options, many of which are close to campus. One I would highly recommend is Farmhouse Café & Bakery – offering blue plate specials, specialty sandwiches (the double-decker BLT is a fave), and homemade baked good and desserts (I couldn’t stop eating the broccoli cheddar cornbread), the Farmhouse is a favorite among locals, visitors, and Bearkat students. Or, for something off the proverbial beaten path, Carbonero Rotisserie Charbroiled Chicken & Steak serves up a unique taste of El Salvadoran cuisine. Diners can get rotisserie-style chicken quarters, steaks, or tacos, all served Salvadoran style. When it comes to lodging, you are more than likely only going to be able to find a place to stay at a lower-level hotel or a motel, as that’s all that’s available in the city outside of an Airbnb. The two spots closest to Johnson Coliseum are the Hampton Inn & Suites Huntsville and Super 8 by Wyndham Huntsville; both are less than a 10-minute drive to the coliseum. If you don’t want to stay in Huntsville proper, Houston is an hour’s drive away. Fans 2 One thing you notice immediately about Johnson Coliseum is how big it feels on the inside. Being a circular coliseum, you feel how enormous it is once you find your way to your seat; it is also very noticeable when you take in the crowd size. On most game nights, the Bearkats average less than 1,000 fans in the stands. In all fairness, those who do show up are passionate about their team – it is just hard to ignore how empty much of stands are. Access 3 As mentioned, Huntsville is just about an hour-long drive from Houston and just a shade under four hours from San Antonio or Austin. From the Dallas/Fort Worth area, it is about two and a half hours. Once you get on site, parking is ample and free, which is always appreciated. Huntsville doesn’t currently have anything in the way public transportation. So, unless you plan on utilizing a rideshare service, you’re pretty much locked in on driving to and from games at Johnson Coliseum. Return on Investment 3 Single game tickets for Bearkats games at Johnson Coliseum range from $8-$15. This is a good bargain right now, but it’s not clear if this will hold up after the team’s move to Conference USA in time for the 2023 season. However, for now this is highly affordable – with concessions on the low end of the scale and free parking, you get a pretty good bargain at Sam Houston State games. Extras 3 Sam Houston State brings a lot of pomp and circumstance to their basketball games at Johnson Coliseum. The Bearkat Marching Band sits in the stands beneath the giant videoboard, and leads the crowd in the school fight song, raising the bearcat hand sign, and razzing the opposing players. Also on hand are the Bearkats’ cheerleaders, Orange Pride dance squad (who perform at half time), and the costumed mascot Sammy Bearkat. Fans can count on seeing Sammy patrolling the stands and sidelines, leading in cheers, tossing out t-shirts, and being around for random photo ops. All in all, these combine for a great college atmosphere that helps ramp up the crowd energy. Final Thoughts All in all I had a fun experience at Johnson Coliseum taking in Bearkats basketball. Fan attendance aside, the energy from those who are in the stands makes up for that. The coliseum itself is a good experience; it is a bit of a throwback to the way basketball arenas used to be made and I appreciated its aesthetics. For college hoops fans, I think you’ll enjoy the experience. For sports fans, it’s an inexpensive way to catch a basketball game in a fun setting in a really nice college town. It’s not a bucket list stop, but if you find yourself in Huntsville, you should make a visit. Follow Eric Moreno’s Stadium Journey on Twitter at @EricMoreno6477. Visit Eric Moreno’s writer’s portfolio site at ericmoreno.contently.com.

Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.57 Amalie Arena 401 Channelside Dr Tampa, FL 33602 Tampa Bay Lightning website Amalie Arena website Year Opened: 1996 Capacity: 19,500 Title Town in Tampa The idea of ice hockey in Florida has always been one that drew looks of confusion among skeptics. How could an NHL franchise succeed in Florida, a state that rarely sees freezing during its coldest months, let alone become more than just a short-term fad? While some have argued the Panthers fit the latter, the Tampa Bay Lightning have become one of the league’s must-see franchises. Consistently competing for playoff spots and winning a Stanley Cup three times (including back-to-back in 2020 and 2021) has catapulted the Tampa Bay franchise to greatness. Without a doubt, the Lightning are one of the best experiences in sports, and a visit to Amalie Arena makes it easy to see why. Food & Beverage 5 There are tons of food & beverage options at Amalie Arena. From locally-inspired seafood options throughout the concourse to the standard stadium fare, you can find whatever you want here. From full-sized salads or chicken tender baskets at $15.50 to chicken sandwiches at $13.50, the PDQ franchise booths located in the arena are a hit among fans. Sweet tooth seekers can be satisfied with massive options, including souvenir popcorn buckets at $13, Dippin’ Dots for $9.50, caramel corn for $7.50, ice cream for $7, and more. Sodas start at $6.75 with beer ranging from $9.25 to $16, and while prices may be high for some of these items, the quality and quantity cannot be ignored. Atmosphere 5 The Tampa Bay Lightning have made game day a full experience. From the pre-game festivities and fan zone outside the arena’s main entrance, in an area dubbed Thunder Alley, you can easily see why fans flock to the arena for outdoor watch parties during the playoffs. Here you can find giveaways and music performances throughout the hours before the puck is dropped. Once inside, the pristine arena is easy to navigate thanks to a bounty of signage, as well as the helpfulness of the staff at the arena, some of whom are there solely to answer your questions and help direct you around the facility. During player intros laser lights, smoke, and even lightning bolts from ceiling-mounted Tesla coils fill the arena with excitement, and once the puck drops the fans take over, making Amalie Arena one of the most intimidating road venues in the league. Simply put, this place gets loud! Finally, the arena was recently renovated with brand new lighting that offers a clearer look at the game action than ever before. Neighborhood 4 Amalie Arena is located literally blocks from Tampa’s downtown center, situated in the Channelside neighborhood. Nearby you can find countless restaurants and hotels, as well as shopping. However, in recent years, the area across the street from the arena has exploded with construction and a new feel. New high-rise apartments fill the skyline here, complete with restaurants and shopping on the lower levels. Even the local Publix Greenwise Market a block away sets up a table outside, advertising pizza and other food specials for fans arriving on game day. You’re also only a few miles from the Tampa airport and the nearby Tampa International Mall. There, your options for shopping and dining multiply exponentially. Once you get to Tampa there are countless tourist destinations within a short drive of the downtown area; Hard Rock Casino and Resort is just a few exits east on I-4, while Busch Gardens Tampa is also nearby. The pristine beaches of Clearwater and St. Pete lie just to the west on the other side of the bay, and nature lovers can easily venture towards Blue Springs State Park for kayaking and manatee spotting in the winter months. Fans 5 The fans in Tampa LOVE their Lightning; packed houses are expected night after night, with mostly Tampa Bay fans in attendance. Unlike other expansion teams where visits from popular teams garner massive traveling crowds, the Lightning fill up easily with home fans regardless of the opponent. This means the locals are about as loyal as they come in pro sports, a rarity in Florida. This also means Amalie Arena gets very loud during games; the fans also know their hockey well, and make their displeasure at bad ref calls, or their excitement over goals scored, known with fervor. Access 4 Amalie Arena is located off the Selmon Connector, a split off I-4. Located between I-4 and I-275, the downtown area has several exits that get you to the arena and parking areas nearby. There are plenty of garages and parking lots in the venue’s vicinity that make finding somewhere to park without spending a lot of money easy. There are also several public transport lines that take you to the arena, be they by bus or train. However, as with any major city in Florida, traffic can build up quickly and become a drag, so plan accordingly. Return on Investment 4 Tickets to Tampa Bay Lightning games are relatively on par with the rest of pro sports and the NHL, starting around $20 for the upper levels to over $100 for the lower bowl. That said, the experience you have at Amalie Arena is unlike anything else in Florida, and easily on par with some of the best hockey experiences in the NHL. Fans flock to Tampa Bay Lightning games, and it is easy to see why. Visiting Tampa should include a trip to a Bolts game almost as an automatic add on for visitors. Extras 5 Amalie Arena features several statues of important players and members of the Lightning’s past outside in the Thunder Alley area. In addition, another neat aspect of the venue is the plentiful discounts around the facility on food and beverages for season ticket holders. The Tampa Bay Lightning also have a working Tesla coil mounted to the ceiling that shoots out bolts of lightning during pre-game intros, as well as whenever the Bolts score a goal. The upper end zone also features the Bolts’ organ player, adding a quintessential element to NHL games. A hidden gem of the Lightning experience is the Budweiser Biergarten – located off the main concourse down a small hallway, this outside patio overlooks Thunder Valley and features food and beverage options for fans who want to get some fresh air during their visit. In addition, the stadium features an impressive number of team stores around its concourses, from the upper level to the main store situated downstairs off the main concourse. Final Thoughts The Tampa Bay Lightning have broken all expectations for a Florida hockey franchise, and their game day experience has become one of the best in the league. From the spotless interior of the venue to the bounty of food options, there is plenty to love at Amalie Arena. Your dollar goes far thanks to the excitement on the ice, and there are no bad seats in the house. Thankfully fans also add to the fun, packing in the house all year long to watch the Lightning push for the playoffs year after year.

Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.57 Brentford Community Stadium 166 Lionel Rd N London, Brentford TW8 9QT England Map It Brentford FC website Brentford Community Stadium website Year Opened: 2020 Capacity: 17,250 Bees New Hive After 116 years at their much-loved Griffin Park home, Brentford FC finally have a brand-new stadium, fit for the Premier League. It is less than a mile from their former home, made famous for having a pub on each corner of the ground. The new campus, next to the River Thames in the west of London, includes a 17,500 stadium, 910 homes and a new public square. The development partner for the move was EcoWorld London and the principal stadium contractor was Buckingham Construction Group Limited. Work began in 2018 and an estimated £71 million pounds later, on the 1st Sept 2020, the stadium opened with a friendly match v Oxford United. London Irish, the professional rugby union side, also moved in (from the Madejski Stadium) for the 2020/21 season. Brentford’s first season in their new stadium was mostly played behind closed doors due to the C19 pandemic. The season had a happy ending with the club gaining promotion to the Premier League, their first foray into England’s top-flight since 1947. Viewed from above (on google maps) you can see what an incredible feat of engineering it was to fit the stadium campus into the tightest of spaces. Three railway lines frame the site and cause the main structure to rise and fall in the corners. The perimeter is a mix of tight alleyways, a closed off road, and paved walkways. It’s tight, intimate but well worth a visit! Food & Beverage 3 Outside the ground, those narrow walkways mean very little space for street sellers or food kiosks. The Express Tavern looks to be the closest pub. South of the stadium, around Kew Bridge, there are various bars, restaurants, and food stores. ‘One over the Ait’ bar and restaurant is worth a visit and boasts views over the Thames. Adjacent, you’ll find a Costa Coffee and Sainsburys. On the south side of the bridge, the Cricketers on Kew Green serves food and drinks and looks out over the local cricket pitch, quintessential English dining! Once inside the stadium, there are a good number of food kiosks in each concourse. The queues moved quickly on our visit and the staff was friendly and efficient. A pint of Guinness cost £6, London Pride £5.50 or an alcohol-free Peroni £3.75. Soft drinks are £2.50. Now the gentrification of English football is nearly complete you can also get a Gin & Tonic for £6 or a glass of Sauvignon for £6.50! Food options included a Chicken Balti Pie for £4.50, a sausage roll for £3.95, and for those drinking the wine and gin, a Moroccan Tomato and Chickpea Pie! No burger and chips here. How times have changed! Confectionary items are £1.50. The local beer ‘London Pride’ is recommended, coming from the Fullers Brewery just 2.5 miles away. Add the balti pie to your order and for £10 you will be fed and watered and ready to enjoy the game. Atmosphere 4 The stadium boasts 2,930 premium seats, five premium lounges, 400 square metres of roof solar panels, and two large scoreboards above the half-way line. The four distinct stands are simply named North, South, East, and West. Three of the 4 stands have more than one tier, the north stand being the smallest with just one bank of seating. The main (south) stand is the largest of the four, towering over the rest of the stadium it contains the main hospitality areas, players changing rooms, and media provision. In theory, all seats are covered but as is often the case, the first few rows of seats will probably not stop the English weather giving you a soaking. The away fans are housed in a section of the east stand. The most vocal home fans are found opposite, in the west stand. Neighborhood 4 The regeneration of this part of West London continues, with high rise flats still under construction. Particularly to the south of the ground, it’s a lovely and intimate part of the city. Kew Gardens, the bars around Kew Gardens underground station and the Kew Green cricket pitch (and pub opposite) are all particularly pleasant. Attraction wise if the world famous Botanical gardens are not your thing, a visit to the nearby Fullers Brewery for a tour is recommended. Of course, any football trip to London means you have access to one of the most visited capital cities in the world. Hang around in Leicester Square, visit Buckingham Palace or watch one of the world’s oldest democracies in session in Westminster. For the football, stay in the ‘Coach and Horses’ on Kew Green which has rooms, a bar and food all available, and experience the ‘village’ feel just a mile from the ground. Alternatively, the modestly priced hotel chain Travelodge has various venues nearby, the closest is known simply as ‘Kew Bridge.’ Fans 3 Brentford fans are very much in the ‘glass half full’ stage of support for their club. At the time of writing, they are getting used to their brand-new stadium and enjoying early life in the premier league. Of course, losing Griffin Park will be a cause of consternation for some. The new stadium however brings revenues and opportunities which would have been hard to realize in their old home. Their average attendance at Griffin Park hovered around 10,000 but they should comfortably sell out 17,500 seats regularly in their new ground. ‘Hey Jude’ is the fans’ anthem of choice, expect it to hear it a few times as the Bees fans make themselves heard. Fulham are the main local rivals, intensified in recent seasons as the clubs both vied for promotion. QPR and Chelsea are the other geographical rivalries. Access 3 Obtaining a ticket may prove difficult whilst Brentford ply their trade at English football’s top table. For premier league matches, prices are split into 2 categories. Category A against London rivals and larger Premier League clubs and the rest are Category B. In the family area (located in the north stand) tickets prices are at their cheapest with adults £30 and children £10 (£25 and £10 for Cat B games). Around the rest of the stadium, for adults, tickets are between £40 and £60. Concessions (65+ and 18yrs-24yrs) range from £30 – £50. You will probably need to be a Brentford season ticket holder, member (My Bees) or an away fan to be sure of obtaining a ticket with demand currently very high. For early rounds of the League Cup or pre-season friendlies, tickets were just £10 and there was much more availability to the general public. Purchase tickets from the club website or for enquiries email tickets@brentfordfc.com Disabled fans can purchase and request carers tickets by phone (0333 005 8521). There are 150 wheelchair spaces in total. Premium / hospitality seats can be secured via the premium seats link. The Bretford FC website has its own guide to visiting the new stadium. We’d suggest you don’t drive into the immediate area around the ground. Park a few miles south in say Richmond, or west of the stadium and you can pay minimal parking prices, then use public transport. On our visit, a local school close to the stadium was charging an exorbitant £15 to park. The club do have access to parking and have details on their website here. Kew Bridge is the nearest railway station which brings you out directly to the footprint of the stadium. There are also Chiswick and Brentford stations, but they are around a 30-minute walk away. Kew Gardens or Gunnersbury are two underground (and overground) stations which leave just a 20-minute walk. The club suggests the following bus routes 237, 267, 65, H91 and the 391 to get to and from the stadium. Alternatively, cycle for free and use one of 300 cycle spaces at the ground. Entry to the ground is via lettered entrances into the North, South, East and West stands. The QR code found on your ticket, phone or print at home paperwork will need to be scanned to gain entrance. Our visit, one of the first games with fans, saw some issues with the technology but these should be ironed out quickly as everyone gets used to visiting their new home. Away fans are asked to head to Capital Interchange Way, then cross the railway bridge to gain access to the ground. Inside the stadium the concourses are not cavernous given the tightness of the stadium footprint. In the West stand this is alleviated by toilets and food kiosks on two levels, ensuring things were not too crushed. Return on Investment 4 West London, a premier league side with a brand-new stadium, isn’t going to be cheap. Ticket prices, accommodation in London, visiting attractions and £5 a pint can make a large dent in your wallet. However, if you are smart about your visit you don’t have to break the bank. Choose an early round of the cup or a pre-season friendly and tickets are just £10. Travel can be relatively inexpensive with evening car parking in Richmond just £3.05 from 5pm. A return train ticket to Kew Gardens is just £5.60 leaving a 20-minute walk to the stadium. Food and drink will always be pricier in the capital but our visit for the visit of Forest Green Rovers in the League Cup gave us change from £50. Extras 4 Additional TV screens, set into the roof of the stand, mean fans who cannot see the main screens still get to engage. Brentford continue to issue a printed programme. With some clubs in the UK only putting their programmes ‘online’ it’s refreshing to see the programme booths doing good business before the game. Recycling of the plastic beer containers is encouraged with receptacles on the walls of the concourses where you can place your empty drink holder avoiding littering and waste. Provide an email address when you buy your ticket, and on the day of the game, you’ll receive an email from the club with all the latest travel information and team news. Final Thoughts With the tightness of the ground, the overlooking high-rise flats, the multi-coloured seats, and on the day of our visit, a bright blue sky, the venue has a distinctly Spanish feel. The atmosphere certainly benefits from the intimate feel. The unusual sharp corners of the structure due to the train lines make this anything but a standard ‘out-of-the-box’ new stadium. With all the sights of London town less than 45 mins away, or some time spent in and around the delightful Kew area, a visit to this stadium is thoroughly recommended.

Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.71 US Bank Stadium 401 Chicago Ave Minneapolis, MN 55415 Minnesota Vikings website US Bank Stadium website Year Opened: 2016 Capacity: 66,655 A Vi”King” for a day The impressive home of the Vikings debuted in 2016 and has already hosted a Super Bowl in 2018 and an NCAA Final Four in 2019. The facility is made of a carbon steel surface with a vast amount of glass incorporated into its design that allows for picturesque views of the Minneapolis skyline. For those who remember the days of the team playing at the cavernous Metrodome on these grounds, this is an improvement of a major magnitude. The old bubble has been removed and in its place, a glass structure commanding respect and attention from above has been erected. A fan plaza and Viking ship greet visitors near the entrance from the outside and once inside, this structure shows its splendor in the form of over 66,000 seats and 1,200 HD televisions. The glass roof allows for spectacular views and allows sunlight into the building. Doors along the west side can be opened to allow for open air. Gates open 90 minutes early. It would be wise to get in and truly see all that there is to offer from its design and aesthetics due to its massive size. The playing field is built into the ground and is a mixture of Viking horns, music, and stadium sounds combined with visions of open space, purple, lights, and the playing field. Food & Beverage 4 US Bank Stadium offers plenty of choices of concessions on game day. Looking for the usual, there are hot dogs ($5.75), peanuts ($6), cheeseburgers ($9.25), and loaded nachos ($14.50) readily available. Pepsi products are the beverage of choice at $5.19 or for souvenir size at $8.39.Looking for something a little different? The stadium offers some great choices. Want seafood? Lobster can also be had in mac and cheese or try some crabfries for $9.49. Local favorites such as Johnsonville Bratwursts ($8) and cheese curds ($8.49/tray and $16.25 for a bucket) are in great supply. The selection is excellent for beer and mixed drinks. There is a robust variety of domestic and craft beers that start in the $9 range. Single mixed drinks begin at $12. Atmosphere 5 The fan plaza outside is abuzz hours prior to kickoff and due to the downtown stadium location there isn’t traditional tailgating like seen in large lots, but there are various parking lots throughout the area where serious tailgaters can still satisfy pregame urges. Inside, an hour before kickoff, feels like a feast with the masses getting ready to embark on the game. Fans are decked out in purple as well as those who choose to go with gear in more of the Norse traditions. Outside there is a Viking ship; inside there are a plethora of cultural references such as the Viking horn and drum. “Skol ” is a salute or toast. This is something that will be heard from the fan plaza outside prior to kick-off and up until well after the game has ended. Overall there is a definite jovial camaraderie shared between fans and even rival fan bases Neighborhood 3 US Bank Stadium is not far from downtown Minneapolis, but it is a little secluded. Within a mile due west is the Target Center, Target Field, Nicollet Mall, and for Prince Fans–1st Avenue (nightclub). To the east, and on the other side of the Mississippi River, is the University of Minnesota. Fine and casual dining, plenty of lodging, and regional shopping experiences can be found readily at both locations. Lobster rolls are a pride at many Minneapolis establishments. 1029Bar serves a classic. Across the street from the stadium is Erik the Red. This establishment is a party on game day. Another restaurant with many locations within the Twin Cities is Red Cow. They serve a wide variety of dishes including specialty burgers that are worth a try. If one is looking for something just a little further, a trip to the area may not be complete without a venture to the Mall of America. The nation’s largest shopping mall is situated in Bloomington and on the site of the original Metropolitan Stadium. Levels of food, shopping and adventure await. What is even better is that the METRO Blue Line offers fast, quiet light-rail service between US Bank Stadium and Mall of America for about $5, along with all major stadiums and sites in the Twin Cities. The Mill City Museum takes visitors on a trip through the history of the milling industry in the city as is located along the river at Mill City Park. The Foshay Museum and Observation Deck offer great views of the city for $10. Fans 5 Viking fans are a feisty, loyal group and they have weathered play-off and Super Bowl heartbreak for over 50 years. They come out of the groves no matter how cold it is during the winter and are routinely (depending on the poll) in the top 10 of the loudest stadiums. In 2017, during the “Miracle,” decibels actually reached 120.1. They are boisterous. The “Skol” chant begins each game along with the Viking horn. The chant reaches a fever pitch. The costumes adorned seriously rival the Raiders game as the most elaborate in the league. Some may be fans dressing like the Norse, whereas some are actually part of the group effort. The VWO (Viking World Order) is an inner circle of fans committed to the experience. It is a group with its own by-laws. The process to become a member can take months and concludes with a ceremony for new members. In addition, new members fulfill their pledge with a tattoo. In speaking with a member of the VWO, they follow 5 sacred rules. These are: respect fellow members, respect other fans, respect other team’s fans, help mankind, and be honorable in their actions. This group has a commitment to leading the way and is conscious of their public face for the team. It really shows in the fan experience. “Minnesota nice” is a way of life there. Fans may be rooting for their team, but they are genuine and tremendously knowledgeable about all facets of the event. Access 4 The Twin Cities is the largest metropolitan area between Chicago and Denver. There are major highways crisscrossing the entire metro area from Minneapolis to St. Paul. There is a bus, train, and impressive skywalk system between city buildings to aid in the arrival of the horde. Signs are plentiful and easy to read. As one of the largest metropolitan areas in the Upper Midwest, the Twin Cities are served by an excellent highway system, well laid out street grids and an excellent public transit system. Signage guiding you to US Bank Stadium is can be found along the highways, major cross streets, and on all buses and trains. MetroTransit, the bus and light-rail line, offers a weekend pass for $4. This also can be used to connect to shopping and other parts of the cities. Getting to the stadium is the relatively easy part. There are plenty of parking ramps and lots. Thousands of spaces are available and, as can be expected, the closer one wants to be the stadium will come at an increased cost. Many lots within blocks are around $40-$50. Once inside, gridlock can ensue especially around the concourse corners. There are some accessibility issues within an hour of game time and at peak moments like the end of quarters and a half. The concourses seem plenty wide two hours prior to kickoff. The main level is a giant oval of sorts and those aforementioned corners get backed up with sometimes no semblance of which direction the flow is going. The views of the field are excellent. Like with a lot of venues though, there can be a few stairs separating one from their seat. Return on Investment 3 The experience is legendary but it does come for a price. An average ticket right at the middle of NFL prices. The ticket prices one could expect to pay is at least $100 for an upper deck seat and more than $300 for lower or more preferable views. Depending on the budget, managing the experience is important. If priorities lean towards the game, seats, food, and drink can be given preference over parking or outside shopping. Using the rail or bus then proves very economical. Parking on a ramp about a mile away is about $5. If one wants to do more of the tailgate and fan experience—then that can be balanced out with a good parking lot and fun events in the plaza or nearby local establishments. Or to truly plunder, one could just do it all in the spirit of the Vikings themselves. Extras 2 US Bank Stadium is home to the Minnesota Vikings but is fully functional across multiple genres. The stadium has hosted concerts, college baseball, Summer X Games, the NCAA Final Four and the big one, Super Bowl LII, have all been hosted there. Each stadium seat has a game program on it that includes many fun facts on the staff, stadium and of course the teams playing the game. It is a nice free souvenir and sometimes is joined by other swag like mini banners. Inside the main concourse is a fan interactive area. Fans can test their knowledge or play a variety of games at no charge. There are also displays showing the commitment to the community and volunteer hours by the organization. Final Thoughts Regardless of where the Vikings find themselves in the standings, their boisterous supporters arrive early and stay late. The stadium is a magnificent centerpiece in Minneapolis. The two are a perfect pairing.

Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.71 Little Caesars Arena 2465 Woodward Avenue Detroit, MI 48201 Detroit Pistons website Little Caesars Arena website Year Opened: 2017 Capacity: 20,491 It’s Still Deee-Troit Bas-ket-ball The public address announcer for the Detroit Pistons of the NBA takes great pleasure when the Pistons get possession of the ball after it goes out of bounds. The sweet sounds of John Mason’s “Dee-troit Bas-ketIball” is as iconic in the Motor City as the Bad Boys themselves. However, since the seventies the Pistons were the victim of a bitter ownership feud between Pistons owner Bill Davidson and Detroit Red Wings owner Mike Illitch. When the Red Wings moved out of Olympia Arena, the Pistons protested what they viewed as poor conditions at Cobo Arena and moved out of Detroit proper to Pontiac to play in the ridiculously massive Pontiac Silverdome. In 1988 the Pistons would leave Pontiac for a more appropriate venue in Auburn Hills at The Palace of Auburn Hills. The Palace was a terrific venue for the Pistons and they would see their greatest franchise moments there including their three NBA Championships and over 300 consecutive sellouts. With the Pistons changing ownership to Tom Gores after the death of Bill Davidson, and the Red Wings building a new arena, the opportunity presented itself to move back downtown after four decades away. Mike Illitch was always a proponent of bringing businesses back downtown and he always put his money where his mouth was. Little Caesars Arena is the new home for both the Red Wings and the Pistons and is just on the other side of the Fisher Freeway from close neighbors Ford Field, Comerica Park and the Fox Theater. John Mason has joined the Pistons and his iconic call can still be heard throughout basketball games. It may be a bit of an unfamiliar locale, but it is still Detroit Basketball. Food & Beverage 4 In any new arena, or arena that has a significant renovation, concessions seems to be front and center, and Little Caesars arena is no different. Upon entering the arena it is not hard to find an LCA staff member that is willing to show the different concession options on the arena map that they carry with them. Little Caesars Arena offers a few larger concession areas as opposed to many small stands. The Classics concession has all of those arena options that fans would expect including hot dogs ($4.75), popcorn ($4.50), pretzels, brats and nachos. Other concession areas fans may consider include the Coop, which features a variety of chicken options, Kid Rock’s Made in Detroit, Mike’s Pizza Bar, Mac & Cheese and of course Little Caesars Pizza ($6.75). One of the most popular spots is the District Market, which offers a variety of different stands in an urban market type of setting. There are a variety of craft beer selections available at Little Caesars Arena. The traditional, Budweiser and Bud Light as well as Blue Light can be found but Bell’s and Goose Island products are also easily found as well as Founders’ All Day IPA. Beer is found from $9.00 to $11.50. Other cocktails and daiquiris can be found throughout also. Soft drinks feature Coca-Cola products ($6/$7.25) and bottled water and hot beverages are also available. One of the great parts of the Little Caesars Arena concession scene is that there are great concession options on the upper level as well as the lower level, which is not necessarily commonplace. Atmosphere 5 Little Caesars Arena attempts to meld a modern arena with something from a different era. The exterior of the Little Caesars Arena attempts to bring you back to old Olympia Arena in Detroit, which the Pistons and Red Wings shared. A healthy mix of glass and brick, the exterior of Little Caesars Arena is very attractive. The west side of the arena features the Chevrolet Plaza which has a huge video screen and is a terrific meeting spot between the arena and parking garage. There are also a number of restaurants around the arena, one of which, curiously, features a large outdoor patio which would not be used during either hockey or basketball seasons. The exterior is filled with LED screens which change content based on the event being held. For Pistons games, the exterior looks much more like the home of the Pistons than for other events. On the inside of Little Caesars Arena, there is a distinct clash of styles. The exterior is an old school Detroit warehouse feel, similar to Ford Field. The use of brick and very high open ceilings along with large windows to allow natural light in gives the arena a whole different feel. The details are significant with large pictures of key athletes and displays of historic memorabilia, right down to the manhole covers that honor specific Pistons or Red Wings athletes. The feel of walking through a promenade or outdoor mall is strong when walking through the concourses. The interior is far different, with a significantly modern feel. Around the seating bowl, the use of lighting is very strong, blue or red for the exterior of the seating bowl. The upper concourses retain a view of the lower concourses giving the arena an open and airy feel. Inside the seating bowl, fans are immediately greeted with the massive, crystal clear video board and the sheer volume of banners hanging from the rafters. Piston greats Chauncey Billups, Chuck Daly, Ben Wallace, Joe Dumars, Dennis Rodman, Isiah Thomas, Vinnie Johnson, Bob Lanier, Dave Bing, Richard Hamilton, Bill Laimbeer, Bill Davidson and Jack McCloskey are all honored and have banners hanging with the 1989, 1990 and 2004 NBA Championship banners. The arena floor is in a north-south orientation and that perfect picture of the court will come from the east side of the court. The seats in Little Caesars Arena are large and padded with red leather. The Pistons put together a solid show as part of their game day experience. The Pistons do a phenomenal job of using their new LED light technology as part of the show, not the least of which is creating an LED colored ceiling which changes for different events. The Pistons Entertainment Team helps entertain the crowd with the Pistons Dancers performing at breaks and welcoming fans as they enter the arena. The Pistons Drumline plays as part of the pregame intros welcoming the teams and the mascot Hooper makes his way around the arena and flies the Pistons flag at the beginning of the game. Upon exiting the arena at the end of the evening or afternoon, the Pistons Drumline plays in the concourse to hopefully send off the Pistons faithful back to their transportation happy. Pistons PA announcer John Mason is now a local legend with his call, especially his “Deee-Troit Bas-ket-ball” when the Pistons get the ball on a side out. Neighborhood 4 Little Caesars Arena is located north of the Fisher Freeway, I-75, in an area of Detroit that is still undergoing some significant gentrification. Both Comerica Park and Ford Field are on the other side of the highway, well within walking distance, in an area that has been better developed over a significant period of time. The whole area is now being referred to as District Detroit. Technically, the arena is at the south end of the Midtown neighborhood. There are a number of options for fans for both pre and post game fare. Some options include the restaurants that are in Little Caesars Arena as well as Harry’s, Detroit One Coney Island, the Detroit Beer Co, Cheli’s Chili Bar and the infamous Hockeytown Cafe. Little Caesars Arena is located near the Greektown neighborhood, which features the Greektown Casino. Other entertainment options nearby include the Fox Theatre, the Fillmore Detroit and the Detroit Opera House. Other sporting options nearby include the NHL’s Detroit Red Wings, which share Little Caesars Arena, the Detroit Tigers of MLB who play at Comerica Park and the Detroit Lions of the NFL who play at Ford Field. All are in walking distance. Traditionally, Ford Field hosts the Quick Lane Bowl on December 26th and features NCAA football teams from the Big Ten, ACC and or MAC. The closest NCAA basketball venue is Calihan Hall, which is the home of the Detroit Mercy Titans of the Horizon League. Fans who require accommodations near Little Caesars Arena may want to consider The Inn at 97 Winder, the Hilton Garden Inn or the Greektown Hotel. Fans 3 At one point in time, Detroit Pistons fans were the cream of the crop. Recording over three hundred consecutive sell-outs across the eighties and nineties, The Palace was rocking and a rough place to play as an opponent. Tough economic times throughout Michigan and Detroit would take its toll on the Pistons and attendance began to fall off from the regular 22,000 fans to around 15,000. Unfortunately with the move to Little Caesars Arena the attendance figures have not really improved. Considering that at the time of this review, the Pistons were greatly improved from the previous season, holding down a top four playoff spot and playing in a brand new building, this is definitely a disappointment. Curiously, attendance for Red Wings games are as strong as ever. Access 3 Little Caesars Arena is located immediately north of I-75, the Fisher Freeway, between Highway 10 and I-375. It is immediately north of Downtown Detroit proper, in Midtown. The Fisher Freeway is a sunken highway with a few streets that cross over the highway. The downtown part of Detroit, south of the highway, can get very congested also, especially if there are events at the theatres, Comerica Park or Ford Field. All of this adds to a very congested drive to the arena from the south. There is parking on both sides of the highway, but it can be very pricy. Although, parking is not too difficult to find, there are ads all over the arena to pre-book and pre-pay for parking. There is a lack of private lots outside of the large garages and during a busy day it is very conceivable that fans who have not planned appropriately will have difficulty finding parking. Parking is expensive and will range from $25 to $40 and above. For fans who require public transit, there are buses that travel Woodward Ave as well as light rail, the QLine. Fans can check the QLine and Detroit Department of Transportation websites for fares, maps and schedules. There is also a shuttle bus that heads to the arena from the Greektown Casino. Ticketing windows are best found in the Chevrolet Plaza, which offers a great deal of space. Security and entry into major sports stadiums and arenas is in a constant state of flux. When heading to an event at Little Caesars Arena, it is highly recommended that fans consult the Detroit Pistons and Little Caesars Arena websites to find out the most current security procedures. The concourses in Little Caesars Arena are fairly wide and getting around the arena is not too difficult. The washrooms are adequate for the arena size. Return on Investment 3 As far as compared to other major sports, the NBA remains one of the better bargains. Tickets can be found on the primary market for as little as $14 and can go up to $275. As with other teams and leagues, ticket prices will fluctuate for various dates and visiting teams. For example, the cheapest ticket available for the defending NBA champion Golden State Warriors when they come to Little Caesars Arena is $75. Both concession and parking prices are on the expensive side. Fans will find the experience at the Pistons enjoyable, and for the most part feel that they received their monies worth. However, rapidly rising costs across all sports is becoming a significant impediment and should not be discounted when questioning the lower than expected attendance numbers. Extras 4 An extra mark for PA announcer John Mason and his iconic “Deee-Troit Bas-ket-ball” call. An extra mark for the Pistons working with the city and the Detroit Red Wings to bring the Pistons back downtown and contribute to the reinvigoration of downtown Detroit. An extra mark for the use of LED lighting, which Little Caesars Arena uses to perfection. An extra mark for Piston promotions. The game which was reviewed was Star Wars Night and a great time for kids young and old. Final Thoughts Although The Palace of Auburn Hills was a solid home for the Detroit Pistons, the lure of a brand new arena in a new era of Detroit ownership cooperation was too much for the Pistons to pass up. Overall the move to Little Caesars Arena is a positive one for the Pistons and will be a great home for the team for years to come. For those who long for the Palace, fear not, there is much the same at LCA and it is still Deee-troit Bas-ket-ball!

Photos by Paul Baker, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.43 Goodall Park Roberts St Sanford, ME 04073 Sanford Mainers website Goodall Park website Year Opened: 1997 Capacity: 950 The Maine Event The original Goodall Park was built in 1915 by Goodall Industries as a communal recreation spot for their local textile mill workers. The old wooden grandstand, which had stood since then, was destroyed by an arsonist in 1997. After some debate the town rebuilt the grandstand at a cost of $1 million dollars. The grandstand, designed to mimic the original structure, but with modern materials and design, was re-dedicated on July 16, 1999. Goodall Park is noteworthy for being the site of Babe Ruth’s final game in a Red Sox uniform. During an exhibition game between the Red Sox and Sanford Professionals in 1919, Ruth hit a home run to lead the Sox to a 4-3 win. Ruth was soon thereafter traded to the New York Yankees. The Sanford Mainers have called Goodall Park home since their inception in 2002. A member of the New England Collegiate Baseball League, the Mainers have reached four NECBL championship series, winning two (2004, 2008). Seven former Mainers have reached the Major Leagues. Goodall Park was the site of a tragic accident on June 1, 2018, when a woman in the midst of a psychotic episode drove her car onto the field during a Babe Ruth League game, scattering players and spectators as they attempted to avoid the car. One individual was killed as he attempted to protect others and block the car from exiting the ballpark. Ironically, this person had confessed to being the driver in an unsolved hit and run accident 50 years earlier, which had claimed the life of a young girl. The entire story is chronicled in the excellent ESPN documentary, “The Hero of Goodall Park.” Food & Beverage 4 There is a concession stand located on the back side of the grandstand which offers a variety of snacks and beverages for Mainer fans. In addition to hot dogs and pizza slices, fans can select meatball subs, pulled pork, ham or turkey sandwiches, hummus wraps and garden salads. Even with the surprising amount of food available at this little stand, it’s the snack options that really stand out. All the standards can be found here, including popcorn, pretzels and nachos. Candy and ice cream novelties also dot the menu. But the true star of the show is the homemade strawberry shortcake that is available starting around the third inning. The rush to the stands when it is announced that the shortcake is ready is impressive. Coca-Cola products are featured at Goodall Park. Younger fans go for the Frazil slushies, served in reusable cups that can be refilled for only a dollar. No alcoholic beverages are sold at Goodall Park. Atmosphere 3 A game day at Goodall Park exudes that small town feel from the moment you catch a glimpse of the classic grandstand until the moment you leave through the quaint downtown. There’s not much in the way of the over-the-top shenanigans you’ll find elsewhere, and this is exactly why a visit to Sanford is worth the trip. A pair of mascots, Bruce D’Moose and Boomer, roam the ballpark interacting with fans and taking the occasional spin on the Moose Mobile with fans. While there are occasional between inning games on the field in between innings, they can hardly be considered intrusive. The PA announcer goes about his duties in a low-key manner, and a simple scoreboard in left-center field provides basic game information. Neighborhood 3 Goodall Park is located right near downtown Sanford, just a couple of blocks from Main Street. While Sanford doesn’t exactly have a bustling downtown, there are plenty of spots for visiting fans to grab a quick bite before the game, as the area along route 109 has been built up over recent years. Most of the options in the area are of the chain variety, but locals recommend Third Alarm Diner and Mel’s Raspberry Patch. Fans looking for places to stay in Sanford won’t find many options right in town. There is a Quality Inn out by the airport, but visitors would be better served to head to the nearby beaches in Wells for options. If visiting Sanford, you most likely won’t be staying in town, but heading to the beaches nearby in Wells, the shops in Kittery, or the breweries in Portsmouth, NH, all located about a half hour drive of Sanford. Not much farther away are Old Orchard Beach, Portland and Hampton Beach, NH, all popular summer destinations in their own right. Fans 3 You wouldn’t expect gigantic crowds in a ballpark with a capacity of under 1,000, and you don’t get them in Sanford. The Mainers average between 450-550 per game, which ranks them in the middle third of the 14-team NECBL. The crowd is made up primarily of locals, with plenty of kids in attendance to give the ballpark some good energy. The fans here in this small city love their Mainers, and are really into the action and are knowledgeable about their hometown team. Access 4 Goodall Park is located in downtown Sanford, ME, a small city of just under 22,000 residents in southern Maine. Despite being located a bit off the beaten path, Goodall Park is pretty easy to get to. Simply take exit 19 off of Interstate 95 (The Maine Turnpike), and follow Route 109 about 14 miles into town. The ballpark is a couple of blocks off Main Street in the quaint downtown area. There is a small parking lot directly across the street from the ballpark, which fills up quickly. On-street parking is available all up and down Roberts Street, with additional parking up the hill near the police station. It’s a steep hill, but a short walk. The ballpark’s ticket booth is located at the front gate, on the open concourse behind the grandstand. The concession stand, souvenir stand and rest rooms are all located here. With the small crowds that typically show up at Goodall Park, lines are not an issue. The majority of the seating at Goodall Park is in the ballpark’s cozy covered grandstand, which features comfortable individual stadium seats throughout. Netting does cover the front of the entire grandstand, so if you wish to enjoy an unobstructed view, you’ll have to sit in the metal bleachers down the right field line. Return on Investment 5 Tickets to Mainers games cost seven dollars, with children, seniors and members of the military receiving a two-dollar discount. Parking is free in the lot across the street and on the streets near the ballpark. Concessions are affordable, with the majority of the items sold priced under five dollars. During the last couple of innings, prices of some items are reduced to ensure there are no leftovers to waste. It’s a great chance to get another piece of strawberry shortcake at a cheap price. A game at Goodall Park is a most affordable entertainment option for southern Maine sports fans. Extras 2 This small-town ballpark’s history merits an additional point. Towns all over New England claim “Babe Ruth played here,” but only Goodall Park can lay claim to being the site of the Babe’s last game in a Red Sox uniform. The Babe may have been aided by the tiny dimensions of the park, with the right field foul pole located only 283 feet from home plate, but that’s unlikely. A second extra point is awarded for all the extra things going on here at a Mainers game. From the free programs available to all fans to the raffle table with its variety of prizes to the discounts on concessions during the last few innings, there’s something going on all game long to keep your attention. Final Thoughts Ballparks like Goodall Park are prime examples of why ballpark chasers travel the country watching baseball games. The quality of play on the field is good, the prices are affordable, and you won’t find a better setting anywhere. Pair a Mainers game with a trip to Maine’s other summer destinations, or even a Red Sox game in Boston, and you’ve found yourself another outstanding Stadium Journey. Follow Paul Baker’s stadium journeys on Twitter and Instagram @PuckmanRI.

Photos by Gregory Koch, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.14 Rebel Park Dixie Lane New Market, VA 22844 New Market Rebels website Rebel Park website Year Opened: 1923 Capacity: 550 Dixie Lane Delight in New Market Located in Virginia’s scenic Shenandoah Valley, the New Market Rebels have been playing baseball on the site of Rebel Park since 1923. The Rebels play in the Valley Baseball League, a collegiate summer wood-bat league with 11 teams up and down the Valley. Rebel Park is located in the shadow of Massanutten Mountain, which is visible beyond the outfield fence. Once a season, the full moon will rise above the mountain during the game and the team will stage Full Moon Night, with moon-themed promotions throughout the game. Food & Beverage 5 There is one concession stand located next to the souvenir stand behind home plate, serving a wide range of food at affordable prices. Options include traditional items like hot dogs ($2, add cheese or homemade chili for another 50 cents), hamburgers ($4, another 50 cents for cheese), pizza ($3 for a personal size), and popcorn ($1.50), among others. However, there are also more unique options such as a homemade pulled pork sandwich with chips for $7, the FrankenDog topped with grilled onion, mustard, and sauerkraut for $4, angel food cake with fresh strawberries for $3.50, watermelon for a dollar, and the Rebel Burger, which consists of two patties, nacho cheese, grilled onions, and homemade chili for $6. There are other options available as well like French fries, popcorn, and candy bars. Fresh squeezed lemonade is available to drink for $4, while soda and water cost $2 and Gatorade costs $1.50. This is an impressive selection for this level. Atmosphere 4 While nobody would mistake Rebel Park for a major league or even minor league stadium, it does have its charm. There are “reserved” chairback seats located directly behind home plate (although this is a misnomer as holding a single-game ticket here just gets you a chairback, not any particular one) with metal bleachers without backs on either side. All seats offer a great view of the action, though the seats behind home plate and down the third base line offer the best view of the mountain beyond the outfield fence. A scoreboard in left-centerfield shows the linescore and other basic information. Private homes run down the first base line and fans are not permitted to enter the backyards to retrieve foul balls. For foul balls that remain within the confines of the stadium, fans may or may not be permitted to keep them depending on the night. As in much of the Valley League, the typical process is that the balls remain with the team but fans can return them to the concession stand for a small item such as an ice pop. However, for select home games, a local business will sponsor the foul balls, allowing fans to keep them instead. As in many Valley League venues, your admission ticket doubles as your raffle ticket for a chance to win various prizes from sponsors during the game as well as participate in on-field contests such as the Dash for Cash, where one fan gets the opportunity to shovel as much cash as possible in 30 seconds from one bucket into another. Music, mostly country, is played over the PA system during breaks in the action. All in all, the Rebels manage to put on a good show here in what is a gorgeous, intimate venue. Neighborhood 3 New Market is a small town in the middle of the Shenandoah Valley, and while it doesn’t have the hustle and bustle of a major city or even a medium-sized suburb, it certainly has that small-town charm. Pack’s Frozen Custard is located just down the street from the ballpark and offers some of the best ice cream in the Valley. The New Market Flea Market is located on North Congress Street and is open every day except Tuesday, while Southern Kitchen is a southern-style diner known for their fried chicken. History buffs may want to check out the various Civil War sites in and around town, including the New Market Battlefield Museum. Fans 5 The Rebels regularly draw 300 fans a game, often more. While this may not seem like much, remember that the entire population of New Market is only about 1,600. A Rebel game is truly an affair the whole town comes out to see. Fans range from local business owners who sponsor the team to young families to senior citizens who have been following the team for decades, many of whom host players at their homes over the summer and treat them like their own sons. Whatever their background, the fans are knowledgeable about the Rebels and passionate about their team. As the Valley League teams are based over a relatively small area, there will usually be a good number of visiting fans as well. They tend to sit in the first base bleachers next to their dugout, while the Rebel fans will tend to congregate on the third base side where the home dugout is. Access 3 Rebel Park is located just off I-81 via Exit 264. Coming off the highway, you will almost immediately see a small sign in the median advertising the Rebels game that night. The stadium is a short distance away from there. Parking is in a lot down the third base line. The part closest to the entrance is gravel while the rest is grass. In any case, parking is free. The men’s restroom is located behind the souvenir stand while the women’s restroom is located behind the concession stand. They are small but of a sufficient size for the crowd. Return on Investment 5 Admission to Rebel Park is only $5 for a general admission seat. Discounts are available for youth and seniors. If you want a “reserved” seat, you can head to the souvenir stand to purchase an upgrade for another $5. As mentioned above, this only gets you a chairback, not any particular one. Some chairbacks are reserved for season-ticket holders and are marked with their name, but you can sit in any seat that does not have a name on it. However, unless having a chairback is important to you, there is no reason to pay the extra money as all seats have an excellent view of the action. Throw in the affordable concessions and free parking, and a Rebels game is a great value. Extras 4 There is a souvenir stand next to the concession stand where fans can buy Rebels gear. Free roster cards are available outside the souvenir stand. A third star for the gorgeous view of Massanutten Mountain beyond the outfield fence, one of the best views in baseball. Finally, be sure to check out the Valley League Hall of Fame to the left of the concession stand, honoring legendary players, coaches, and executives of Valley League history. Final Thoughts For baseball fans in Virginia, the Valley Baseball League is a hidden gem and the New Market Rebels are no exception. Those in New Market certainly know about the team and passionately follow it, but a trip to Rebel Park is well worth it for those who don’t live here as well. The only downside is you may have to drive a bit to get here. While Rebel Park will never be mistaken for something at a higher level, it is a gorgeous ballpark with some small-town charm.

Photos by Gregory Koch, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.57 Bridgeforth Field 1001 East Cork Street Winchester, VA 22601 Winchester Royals website Year Opened: 1979 Capacity: 1,500 A Winning Night in Winchester The Winchester Royals play in the Valley Baseball League, a collegiate summer wood bat league based in Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley. The league includes 11 teams split into a northern and southern division. The Royals have been in the league since 1979 and play their home games at Bridgeforth Field. This field is located within Jim Barnett Park, which is owned by the City of Winchester and also includes several other fields, a disc golf course, and a skate pavilion. It is also home to the baseball team of Shenandoah University. Following the 2021 season, the stadium was extensively renovated, including a new turf playing surface, better lighting, and a new scoreboard. Food & Beverage 4 For such a small venue, Bridgeforth Field has a great selection at the concession stand, and the prices are extremely affordable. Hot dogs are $3, hamburgers are $4, cheeseburgers are $4.50, and you can make any option a combo with chips and a drink by adding $1.50. Snacks include locally made Route 11 potato chips, nachos, Pirate’s Booty, popcorn, sunflower seeds, peanuts, and candy. Water and soda are available to drink, as are iced tea (sweet or unsweet), lemonade, Gatorade, and Honest Juice. For the sweet tooth, freezie pops and ice cream bars are available. Atmosphere 4 Bridgeforth Field has five seats of bleachers, two on each side of the field and one directly behind home plate. The one behind home plate consists of bleachers with backs, while the other four are a weird hodgepodge of chairbacks bolted onto bleachers and bleachers without backs. As the entire stadium is general admission, make sure to arrive early to get the seat you want. Winchester fans tend to sit down the third base line where their teams’ dugout is, while visiting fans tend to sit down the first base line. The seats behind home plate are more mixed. There is a scoreboard in left centerfield which shows the line score, count, and current batter. Like in most of the Valley League, fans are not permitted to keep foul balls, but can return them to the team store for a free freezie pop. You will often see kids chasing after the balls in the hope of getting one. Unlike many summer league teams, the Royals do a great job of keeping fans engaged. Most half-inning breaks feature either contests on the field or raffle drawings using the number on your game ticket (so be sure to hold onto that!) and there are other ways to keep the fans engaged like trivia and Name that Tune contests. Instead of playing “Take Me Out to the Ballgame” during the seventh inning stretch, the team plays its own theme song about enjoying the team and the game. Neighborhood 3 Winchester is a small city located in the beautiful Shenandoah Valley. There are a number of restaurants located near the stadium, ranging from sports bars to barbecue to homemade ice cream. Since Bridgeforth Field is located near the highway, pretty much everything in Winchester is right there. While Winchester certainly isn’t a bustling city, it does have that small-town charm. History buffs may also want to visit the many Civil War sites in and around Winchester, which played a major role in the conflict. The city changed hands 72 times during the war and was known as the Shuttlecock of the Confederacy. Fans 4 While some teams in the Valley Baseball League don’t have many fans, the Winchester Royals do draw a good crowd. They fill up most of the bleachers and cheer on their team throughout the game. They also seem to be quite familiar with the players despite the fact that none of them stick around for more than one summer. The fans range from young families with kids to older people who have watched this team every summer for decades. Many people can be seen wearing Winchester Royals colors and hats as well. This team has been around for a while, and it is good to see the fan base continues to be loyal to their team. Access 4 The nearest highway to Bridgeforth Field is Interstate 81, and it is easily accessible via Exit 313A. Fans coming from the east or west will need to take State Route 7 or U.S. Route 50 at least part of the way, and while these are not highways, you can usually make good time. Once you get to the stadium, there is parking available in a lot right next to it. If this fills up, there is parking available elsewhere in Jim Barnett Park as well. All parking is free. That’s the good news. The bad news is that Winchester, like most of the teams in this league, is located far from any major city. Washington, D.C. is about an hour and a half away, and no other major city is anywhere near Winchester. There’s probably a VBL team close to any fan in the Shenandoah Valley, but to fans from outside it, getting there can be a challenge. Return on Investment 5 When admission is charged, tickets cost $5 for adults, $3 for senior citizens, $2 for children six to 12 years, and free for children under six. However, thanks to sponsorship deals, many games have free admission. Be sure to check the schedule online first. Free games do still require a ticket, because this doubles as your raffle ticket for a chance to win one of several prizes throughout the game. Even if you have to pay admission, it’s not that much, and when you throw in the free parking and affordable concessions, it can be an excellent deal for the entire family. Extras 3 There are free programs located by the entrance, though there is a donation box next to it to raise money for team meals. Some fans stick a dollar or so in, some don’t. Either way, it’s a great deal. There is a souvenir shop in the stadium as well which sells Winchester Royals merchandise. You don’t always see such an extensive selection at this level. One final star for the extremely affordable prices and the possibility to see free baseball on certain nights. Final Thoughts Although collegiate summer league baseball doesn’t really get that much attention, the Valley Baseball League has been achieving success for many years. For fans who live in the area, a visit to Bridgeforth Stadium can be an enjoyable and affordable experience throughout the summer. Fans outside the Valley may still want to consider making a trip here as it is a nice way to take in a baseball game on a summer night.

Photos by Patricia Beninato, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.14 Highmark Stadium 510 W. Station Square Dr Pittsburgh, PA 15219 Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC website Highmark Stadium website Year Opened: 2013 Capacity: 5,000 The Other Pittsburgh Football Team Its stadium is on one of the fabled three rivers, its team colors are black and gold, and its fan base is loyal and intense. No, the team isn’t the Steelers, but Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC. The Hounds are the Burgh’s newest team, joining the United Soccer League Championship League in 1999. It took the Hounds a while to establish themselves in Pittsburgh–in fact, it played in suburban high school stadiums for well over a decade before it got its own home in Highmark Stadium, which opened in 2013. Not only does the stadium win the “Best Pittsburgh Skyline View” award among the other Burgh sports venues, but it also fields a pretty good team, with captain Alex Dixon, Dane Kelly, and Kenardo Forbes leading the way under head coach Bob Lilley. Food & Beverage 4 Highmark Stadium’s concessions offer the basics–hot dogs, burgers, nachos, chicken fingers, and Dippin’ Dots ice cream. This being Pittsburgh, though, you’re going to want to try the pierogies. More to the point, the disco pierogies, topped with cheese, onions, and sour cream, a takeoff on neighboring New Jersey’s disco fries. You’ll find the longest lines at the funnel cake stand, where staff fries them as fast as people can eat them. While pandemic protocols were still in place, the stadium created the Tailgate Zone, where any ticket holder can grab stuff from food trucks, enjoy an adult beverage and listen to live music. The trucks vary, but you can check the Riverhounds’ website to see what truck will be there when you’re attending. A hot dog and domestic beer will run you $14. There’s a roomy, well-appointed bar just inside the gates for those who want mixed drinks. If actual tailgating’s your thing, you’ll find a fun, family-friendly scene here. Atmosphere 5 Highmark Stadium holds 5,000 with additional standing room. Most of the seats are on the south and east sides because no one wants to block the absolutely breathtaking view of downtown Pittsburgh. Unlike Heinz Field and PNC Park, Highmark Stadium is located on the south shore of the Monongahela River, so Hounds fans get the best panorama of the city, with the Fort Pitt Bridge on the west side behind the club seating. No matter where you sit, you’ll have a good view of the game, the city, and the river. Don’t expect a lot of extracurriculars, though–people are here to watch soccer, not mascots or cheerleaders. Okay, they might watch the passing boats, particularly the Gateway Clipper, the famous tourist paddleboat that makes regular passes on the Mon during games, or admire the skyline repeatedly. The latter is very hard not to do while you’re here. Neighborhood 4 Highmark Stadium anchors the western end of Station Square, an entertainment complex built around the Pittsburgh and Lake Erie Railroad station. You’ll find the Pittsburgh outpost of the Hard Rock Cafe here and chains like Buca di Beppo and Joe’s Crab Shack. If you want to go super-fancy, check out Grand Concourse, located inside the beautifully restored depot. The recently opened Tupelo Honey has already established itself as the place to go for fried chicken in the Burgh. There’s a Sheraton hotel here too. If you’re here on the weekend, make sure to stay until Sunday and get a reservation for Grand Concourse’s legendary Sunday brunch buffet. If you decide to take a cruise on the Gateway Clipper, which docks here, enjoy the views but don’t eat on the boat, not when so many good restaurants are available. Fans 5 For such a small venue, Highmark Stadium attracts fairly full houses on a regular basis. Like soccer stadiums worldwide, fans are happily–and continuously–noisy. If you want the whole Riverhounds fan experience, sit in the bleachers on the stadium’s east side. This is the home of the Steel Army, the flag-waving, name-calling, singing, chanting diehard Hounds fans, so of course, this is where the casual fan will have the most fun. Everyone seems to know how the other USL teams are doing, and while there might be some good-natured ribbing, fans of the opposing team will find the Steel Army pretty welcoming. Access 4 With its convenient location at Station Square, it’s easy to get to Highmark Stadium, with ample signage on Interstate 376/Parkway East and West. If you’re staying in downtown Pittsburgh, you can hop the light rail to the Station Square stop and take a short walk from there. If it’s a nice evening (all home games start at 7 P.M.), you can walk across the Smithfield Street Bridge, which ends at Station Square coming out of downtown. You can also walk across the Fort Pitt Bridge, which comes out on the western side of Station Square by the stadium, but be advised there’s always a lot of traffic on the bridge and it’s pretty noisy. Parking at the stadium is $15, but you’ll find cheaper parking within the Station Square complex. If you’re driving and want to get out quickly after the game, it’s strongly suggested to take the exit west of the stadium, as most of Station Square is east of the stadium with a finicky traffic light that causes semi-major backups. Also, because of the venue’s small size, it can be a little difficult to move around when it’s crowded. Highmark Stadium offers wheelchair-accessible seating. Restrooms are spacious and clean and also wheelchair-accessible. Return on Investment 4 Not only are the Steel Army seats fun, but they’re also cheap at $15.50, and a midfield front row seat will run you maybe $25. Since the games are well-attended, the Riverhounds don’t have to run discounts, but you won’t hear people grumbling about getting gouged like they do at Pirates games. It’s very easy to make a night out of a Riverhounds game without spending too much, so families and those looking for inexpensive entertainment options both love going to Highmark Stadium. Extras 3 There is a Riverhounds team store under the club seating, but it’s small and can get claustrophobically crowded, particularly at halftime. Prices, however, are pretty good, and there are enough little things like magnets and horns to make picking up a few souvenirs for the kids worthwhile. In addition, players are always available after games to pose for pictures and sign autographs so that the souvenirs can be even cheaper. Final Thoughts Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC might be the low team on the Steel City sports totem pole, but Highmark Stadium is a genuine gem. With inexpensive tickets, a prime location, and a winning team, a Riverhounds game is becoming an undercover must-do for Pittsburgh residents and visitors alike. The team is allegedly applying for entry into Major League Soccer, but soccer fans won’t be disappointed by either the action on the field or the venue where it’s housed.

Photos by Richard Smith, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.29 Charger Park Baseball Field 851 John Wright Dr NW Huntsville, AL 35805 Alabama-Huntsville Chargers website Charger Park Softball Field website Year Opened: 2001 Capacity: 500 Charging Softball The University of Alabama in Huntsville, or UAH to locals, is a state university that is part of the University of Alabama System. The school began in 1950 as an extension of the University of Alabama, but drastically changed in 1960 when Wernher von Braun, a German rocket scientist brought to the United States under Operation Paperclip, after working for the Nazi regime, helped create a research institute to provide advanced engineering and science curricula to NASA scientists and engineers. This set forth a more scientific path for this institution. UAH offers 89 degree-granting programs, but Engineering is the largest college program at the university. UAH is known for engineering and science programs, including astrophysics, atmospheric science and aerospace engineering. It is a Space Grant university, and has a history of cooperation with NASA at the Marshall Space Flight Center, and the U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Command at Redstone Arsenal. UAH is a member of the NCAA Division II. In most sports they are a member of the Gulf South Conference. Unlike many southern schools, there is no football team at UAH. UAH began softball play in 1996. Charger Park Softball Field was integrated into Charger Park, built in 2010, which is also the home of the soccer, lacrosse, and baseball teams. Food & Beverage 2 For many games there may be no food stands in operation. If the small stand is in operation expect a very simple menu with very good prices for hot dogs and similar items. Atmosphere 3 The field is a simple softball field with a few grandstands located around home plate. The stadium is a pretty normal setup for a college team of this level and is pretty much a mirror version of the nearby baseball stadium. Neighborhood 4 Huntsville is now the largest city in Alabama (Birmingham has a larger metro area) with a population of 194,585 people. The area is home to NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center, the United States Army Aviation and Missile Command nearby at the Redstone Arsenal, and the state-owned US Space & Rocket Center. The replica Saturn V at the center can be seen quite aways away, especially on the nearby UAH campus. Nearby University Drive going west towards Madison has a plethora of food options, from both chains to small operations. Phil Sandoval’s Mexican Restaurante, Shaggy’s Burgers and Tacos, ChopChop and TopGolf are some of the best options in that area. One should also look at the numerous brewpub options around the area. Downtown Huntsville is also becoming a nice quaint place for a stroll. There will be a few food and drink options down there as well. The Lowe Mill ARTS & Entertainment complex is an old factory and mill that houses numerous small artist studios as well as food and drink from options like Piper & Leaf Artisan Tea Company and Alchemy Lounge. Fans 3 The fans are also very knowledgeable about the game and action. Many of the fans in attendance will be family or friends of the players. Access 5 Huntsville is served by several U.S. Highways, including 72, 231, 431 and an Interstate highway spur, I-565, that links the two cities of Huntsville and Decatur to I-65. The UAH campus is off of Sparkman Drive, just south of I-565. There should almost always be plenty of parking found by the soccer field. Check the signs for games that happen during normal class times. Return on Investment 4 The games are free to attend as a local credit union is sponsoring games. Extras 2 Drive around the campus of UAH and check out the beautiful surroundings, as well as the intimidating nature of the learning what happens in places such as the Optics building and the Von Braun building. See if you can see the Saturn V rocket from the soccer pitch. Final Thoughts The University of Alabama in Huntsville has managed to make a very basic, although pretty, setting into one of the better softball fields in the area. If in the area, make sure to stop in and see if you can catch a match.

Photos by Richard Smith, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.86 Eichelberger Field 1202 W. Florida Avenue Urbana, IL 61801 Illinois Fighting Illini website Eichelberger Field website Year Opened: 2001 Capacity: 1,500 Shorty Gets A Stadium Eichelberger Field is named after Lila Jeanne “Shorty” and the late Paul Eichelberger who provided funding and support for the stadium and the softball team to open and start in 2001. “Shorty” is a long time supporter of the university and the athletic program. The stadium and program is just over twenty years old, but has been a great success. The annual “World’s Largest Softball Tailgate” has been a great opportunity for fans to experience this wonderful venue. Food & Beverage 3 Eichelberger Field has very typical stadium food. Among the stadium’s offerings were hot dogs, brats, nachos, popcorn, and pretzels. There also may be temporary vendors at various games that sell other specialty items. Atmosphere 4 Eichelberger Field is a great place to watch softball. The small stands are perfect for the venue and give fans a great view of the action. For apparel and other merchandise sales, a trailer is often operated by a local sports apparel store during games. There is a decent scoreboard at Illinois Field. Neighborhood 5 The neighborhood closest to Eichelberger Field is mostly made up of research facilities, dorms, and academic buildings, not to mention high-quality athletic facilities. Culver’s at 2302 S Neil Street and Espresso Royale (1411 S Neil Street) are a couple of close quick service establishments nearby. A very short walk away is the area along Green and Wright Streets called “Campustown.” There are many bars, shops, and restaurants in this area, and they tend to cater to young college students. Older fans will want to center their post-game activities around downtown Champaign. Once a pretty boring downtown area, one will now find many bars and restaurants. The Esquire Lounge is a local icon and should be a stop for every one. Try a pork chop sandwich and you will fit in nicely. Other great downtown spots are Blind Pig Brewery, Jupiter’s, and Farren’s Pub & Eatery. There is also a much larger version of Jupiter’s on the outskirts of Champaign (2511 Village Green Place at The Crossing Center) that is also a good choice. If visiting that second Jupiter’s location also try Billy Barooz right next door (2521 Village Green Place at The Crossing Center). Urbana is a bit slower pace kind of town. But there are three places that jump out as must-visits. 25 O’Clock Brewing Company is a great little brewpub, Crane Alley is a nice bar with some great beers and Masijta Grill is a great Korean barbecue. I would also throw in the eclectic music at the former country nightspot, The Rose Bowl. Fans 3 Illinois softball fans are great and they create a great atmosphere at Eichelberger Field. There are the typical friends and family seen at these type of sporting events but there appears to be a decent amount of local fans. Access 5 Champaign and Urbana are both easy cities to navigate. Eichelberger Field is not located close to a major highway but most roads leading to the area will be four-lane ones. There are many parking lots available, but it would be a good idea to look at the official university parking site so that you head the right way. There are parking lots located in the grass lots on the west side of Eichelberger Field. Champaign-Urbana is at the crossroads of I-57 and I-74, as well as being the eastern terminus for I-72 so getting to the area from Chicago, Indianapolis and points west will be pretty easy. Return on Investment 4 Admission is currently free. When you combine that with reasonable concessions and free parking it is about perfect for the experience you will find inside. Extras 3 There are free programs as well as links to an online program. There are also usually free posters, schedules and other goodies at a table inside the entrance. The scoreboard and entertainment are good for this level of sports. Final Thoughts Eichelberger Field is a fun experience and location for watching college softball. It is worth a visit.

Photos by Richard Smith, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.86 John Hunt Park Sand Volleyball Complex 2295 Airport Road Huntsville, AL 35801 John Hunt Park Sand Volleyball Complex website Year Opened: 2019 Capacity: 500 North Alabama Beach In 2019 Huntsville Alabama opened a state of the art beach volleyball complex called the John Hunt Park Sand Volleyball Complex. The 17-acre complex has 15 Sand Volleyball Courts, LED lighted courts, a cooling room to keep players from overheating, and full locker rooms with restrooms, showers and dressing rooms. The Coastal Collegiate Sports Association (CCSA) is an NCAA Division I college athletic conference that started as the Coastal Collegiate Swimming Association by the ASUN Conference, Big South Conference, Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference, and the Southern Conference to create a centralized home for their members with swimming and diving programs. In October 2015, the CCSA added the newly recognized NCAA sport of beach volleyball and rebranded itself the Coastal Collegiate Sports Association. CCSA beach volleyball went through major changes in 2021. The CCSA entered into a beach volleyball partnership with Conference USA (C-USA) under which the 2021 CCSA championship in that sport was split into two groups, with the six full C-USA and Sun Belt Conference members playing in one group. Following the 2021 championship, those six schools—C-USA members Florida Atlantic, FIU, Southern Miss, and UAB, plus Sun Belt members Georgia State and Louisiana–Monroe (ULM)—formed a new C-USA beach volleyball league, with another Sun Belt member, Coastal Carolina, joining them. At the same time, Charleston and UNC Wilmington (UNCW) left CCSA beach volleyball for the ASUN. The CCSA now has 17 member schools. Food & Beverage 3 There is a simple food stand and a few various food trucks over the life of the tournament. The options are limited for a large meal, but it will do for quick bites. Atmosphere 4 There is a wonderful festive atmosphere to the joint volleyball championships here at John Hunt Park. There are no regular seats unless you pay for the VIP package, but you may not mind. Sit along the beach courts, take your shoes off, and enjoy the great action. Neighborhood 4 Huntsville is now the largest city in Alabama (Birmingham has a larger metro area) with a population of 194,585 people. The area is home to NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center, the United States Army Aviation and Missile Command nearby at the Redstone Arsenal, and the state-owned US Space & Rocket Center. The replica Saturn V at the center can be seen quite aways away, especially on the nearby UAH campus. Nearby University Drive going west towards Madison has a plethora of food options, from both chains to small operations. Phil Sandoval’s Mexican Restaurante, Shaggy’s Burgers and Tacos, ChopChop and TopGolf are some of the best options in that area. One should also look at the numerous brewpub options around the area. Downtown Huntsville is also becoming a nice quaint place for a stroll. There will be a few food and drink options down there as well. The Lowe Mill ARTS & Entertainment complex is an old factory and mill that houses numerous small artist studios as well as food and drink from options like Piper & Leaf Artisan Tea Company and Alchemy Lounge. Fans 4 The fans are extremely knowledgeable and well engaged with the action. Many are family or friends, but they are good, loud and supportive fans. With this many schools participating you will see many fans wearing school colors. Access 5 Huntsville is served by several U.S. Highways, including 72, 231, 431 and an Interstate highway spur, I-565, that links the two cities of Huntsville and Decatur to I-65. The John Hunt Park is off of Airport Road and near Memorial Parkway. Return on Investment 4 The games are free to attend unless you are paying for the VIP tent area. Extras 3 The John Hunt Park is a a 428-acre site offering many sports options. There are fields for various sports, bike trails, tennis courts and many other options for entertainment. The north part of the park holds the remains of the Joe W. Davis Stadium, former home of the Southern League’s Huntsville Stars. The John Hunt Park was the location of an earlier airport for the city. That is why the road near the park is called Airport Road although the regular airport is located quite away from this location. It used to be that you could see some items from the old airfield, but that is getting harder and harder as time goes along. The U.S. Veterans Memorial Museum, also located within the park area, is about the only remnant of the old air facility. Final Thoughts Northern Alabama may not be an area you consider a beach volleyball hotspot, but the John Hunt Park Sand Volleyball Complex is a great facility for an upcoming college sport.

Photos by Gregory Koch, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.29 E.T. Straw Family Stadium College Ln Emmitsburg, MD 21727 Mount St. Mary’s Mountaineers website E.T. Straw Family Stadium website Year Opened: 2007 Capacity: 500 Baseball at The Mount Located in the Catoctin Mountain area of Frederick County, Maryland, in the town of Emmitsburg, Mount St. Mary’s University is one of the oldest Catholic universities in the United States. The Mount’s athletic teams are known as the Mountaineers and compete in the Northeast Conference. Most of these teams play at the PNC Sports Complex, which contains several venues – Knott Arena, home of Mountaineers basketball, Waldron Family Stadium, home of the lacrosse and soccer teams, Our Lady of the Meadows Field, which Mountaineers softball calls home, and E.T. Straw Family Stadium, home of the baseball team. Although baseball has been played on this site for some time, the stadium as it currently exists opened in 2007 following extensive renovations that added bleachers, a press box, and various improvements to the field itself. It is named after Erv Straw, a 1952 graduate of The Mount. Food & Beverage 1 There is no concession stand at E.T. Straw Family Stadium. However, if you go next door to Knott Arena, you can find some vending machines which sell vending machine things at vending machine prices, including bottled water, soft drinks, and snacks. They accept credit cards, $1 bills, and coins. Use the lower entrance next across from the softball field, not the upper entrance on the other side of the building like you would for basketball. Fans are free to bring in their own food and drink as well. Atmosphere 2 E.T. Straw Family Stadium has a basic layout similar to what you see at many college baseball venues in the northeast. There are some seats located behind home plate, with the center section being chairbacks and the other sections being bleachers. However, it is all general admission so you can sit where you want. There is also a hill down the left field line where fans can bring their own chairs and sit in the shade. This is especially helpful on hot days late in the season, as the main stand has almost no shade for early afternoon games. A scoreboard in right-center field shows the linescore and other basic information. In terms of the atmosphere, there isn’t much going on here other than the game itself. Music is played between batters and during breaks in the action, but that is about it. To a baseball purist, this won’t matter, but fans looking to do more than just watch the game itself will be disappointed. Neighborhood 2 Emmitsburg is a small town in Maryland just south of the Pennsylvania border, and there is really nothing within walking distance of campus. If you make the short drive into town, you will find a few places to eat and stay, as well as some interesting sites such as the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial and various Catholic shrines. Thurmont is a short drive away, about 10 minutes south on Route 15, and offers more options than Emmitsburg itself. However, this is a very rural area, and while it’s scenic, there isn’t a whole lot to do here. Fans 3 The Mount will typically draw a couple hundred fans a game, at least according to the official attendance numbers. Most of them are friends and family of the players, although you do get some locals turning out as well. The fans do seem knowledgeable about the team and the players and can get quite involved. However, like at most college baseball stadiums in the region, the crowds simply aren’t very large. Access 3 The PNC Sports Complex, of which E.T. Straw Family Stadium is a part, is right off US Route 15. The Complex is clearly signed and contains numerous lots which serve the various fields. You will probably have to park on the side of Knott Arena and walk a short distance, but there are a few spots right next to the stadium. These are reserved for rec center staff on weekdays and you will not be able to park there, but on weekends, they are open to anyone. There are no bathrooms at the stadium itself, but if you head into Knott Arena, you can find some in the lobby. As with the vending machines, use the entrance across from the softball field next door, not the one you would for basketball. Assuming there’s not another event going on in Knott that day, they will be of a more than sufficient size and even though it’s in a different building, the walk takes less time than it would in many large stadiums. Return on Investment 4 Admission to baseball games at E.T. Straw Family Stadium is free, there’s no charge for parking, and you won’t pay anything for concessions because there aren’t any. Your only cost will be the gas to get here, although you may have to drive quite a bit depending on where you are coming from. However, there isn’t enough here to earn the top score. Extras 1 Look for the free programs in a mailbox at the top of the bleachers. Final Thoughts College baseball simply isn’t very big in most of the northeast and mid-Atlantic, and Mount St. Mary’s baseball is no exception. This is a basic field and a basic experience, which will be fine for some fans who just want to watch a baseball game. However, fans looking for the kind of experience you get in other parts of the country that can be similar to a minor league game will be sorely disappointed.

Photos by Gregory Koch, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.29 Washington Nationals Youth Baseball Academy 3675 Ely Pl SE Washington, DC 20019 Georgetown Hoyas website Washington Nationals Youth Baseball Academy website Year Opened: 2014 Capacity: 250 Hoya Softball Located in Southeast Washington, DC, the Washington Nationals Youth Baseball Academy opened in 2014 and is a complex consisting of three fields. The main, larger baseball field plays host to several areas high school and college teams as well as the summer-collegiate DC Grays of the Cal Ripken Collegiate Baseball League. There is also a softball field, used by high school, college, and youth teams, and a youth baseball field. The complex was built to serve DC’s underprivileged neighborhoods and provide a place for area children to study and play baseball after school. One of the college teams that call the softball field home is the Georgetown Hoyas. Although the Georgetown campus is across town, the Hoyas play their home games here. Hoya softball has not enjoyed much success over the years – they are one of just two current Big East members never to win the conference tournament. Food & Beverage 2 There is a concession stand at the Nationals Youth Academy, located behind the softball field in between it and the main baseball field. The only real meal options are hot dogs and nachos, but you can also get hot pretzels and many assorted snacks, plus various sodas, Gatorade, and bottled water. Prices are affordable, with nothing costing more than a few dollars. Fans can also bring in their food. Atmosphere 2 Although the main baseball field is much more elaborate, the softball field at the Nationals Youth Academy has a very basic setup. There are two small sets of metal bleachers similar to what you’d see at a little league field. They’re exactly like what you’d see at a little league field because this field is also used by youth players so that’s exactly what it is other than slight variations in the dimensions of the playing field at the college level. The bleachers are separated from the action by a thick backstop that makes it hard to see what is going on. Fans can also stand behind home plate or bring their chairs. There is a scoreboard in the right-centerfield that shows the linescore. An overhang is just up a flight of steps from the concourse and some fans like to hang out here before the game, but you can also watch the game from here if you prefer. Music is played between batters and innings but this is a very basic experience. Neighborhood 2 Although many parts of D.C. are great, the Nationals Youth Academy is not located in the best neighborhood. This choice of location makes some sense, as the complex was intended to help inner-city children play baseball. The area directly around the stadium is safe enough, but as always in an urban environment, be aware of what is going on around you. You probably don’t want to venture too far away from the stadium though. Many more options are available downtown, but unless you want to drive down there and try to find parking, you’re probably going to have to take an Uber or Lyft. Fans 2 The vast majority of the fans in attendance at Hoyas games are friends or family members of the players, or the opposing team. Occasionally, they will run buses to bring students from campus which does help some, but when students can’t really just walk right to the stadium, that significantly hurts their attendance. Occasionally you’ll get someone bored of watching their brother’s little League game wander over from the neighboring field, but that’s about it. Georgetown Hoyas Softball Player Banners, Photo by Gregory Koch, Stadium Journey Access 3 The Nationals Youth Academy is conveniently located a short drive off either I-395 or DC Route 295 (which is the only “state” highway in the District of Columbia.) Parking is available for free in the complex lot. Unfortunately, the Academy is not easily accessible by any D.C. Metro line, but free parking is a rarity in this city so take it where you can get it. The concourses are more than wide enough to accommodate the crowds. The restrooms are of sufficient size as well. Return on Investment 4 Admission is free to Hoyas softball games and concessions are affordable, but there isn’t enough here to earn the top score. Extras 1 There are batting cages located down by the main baseball field where fans can watch the Hoyas and their opponents (plus whoever else happens to be using the complex that day) take some swings before the game. Final Thoughts College softball is just not that big in the northeast. Lacrosse is the only spring sport that matters here. Georgetown does not even have its softball stadium and is forced to play its home games in a youth complex at what is essentially a Little League field with the dimensions rearranged slightly. Even by regional standards, they probably deserve better than that. Still, the Washington Nationals Youth Academy is a nice complex, even if it doesn’t seem like the best place for a Division I softball program to be playing, and a trip to a Hoyas game here can be a nice way to spend an afternoon.

Photos by Richard Smith , Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.29 Charger Park Baseball Field 851 John Wright Dr NW Huntsville, AL 35805 Alabama-Huntsville Chargers website Charger Park Baseball Field website Year Opened: 1973 Capacity: 500 Charging Baseball The University of Alabama in Huntsville, or UAH to locals, is a state university that is part of the University of Alabama System. The school began in 1950 as an extension of the University of Alabama but drastically changed in 1960 when Wernher von Braun, a German rocket scientist brought to the United States under Operation Paperclip, after working for the Nazi regime, helped create a research institute to provide advanced engineering and science curricula to NASA scientists and engineers. This set forth a more scientific path for this institution. UAH offers 89 degree-granting programs, but Engineering is the largest college program at the university. UAH is known for its engineering and science programs, including astrophysics, atmospheric science and aerospace engineering. It is a Space Grant university and has a history of cooperation with NASA at the Marshall Space Flight Center, and the U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Command at Redstone Arsenal. UAH is a member of the NCAA Division II. In most sports, they are a member of the Gulf South Conference. Unlike many southern schools, there is no football team at UAH. UAH began baseball play in 1996. Charger Park Baseball Field was integrated into Charger Park, built in 2010, which is also the home of the soccer, lacrosse, and softball teams. Food & Beverage 2 For many games there may be no food stands in operation. If the small stand is in operation expect a very simple menu with very good prices for hot dogs and similar items. Atmosphere 3 The field is a simple baseball field with a few grandstands located around home plate. The stadium is a pretty normal setup for a college team of this level. Neighborhood 4 Huntsville is now the largest city in Alabama (Birmingham has a larger metro area) with a population of 194,585 people. The area is home to NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center, the United States Army Aviation and Missile Command nearby at the Redstone Arsenal, and the state-owned US Space & Rocket Center. The replica Saturn V at the center can be seen quite aways away, especially on the nearby UAH campus. Nearby University Drive going west towards Madison has a plethora of food options, from both chains to small operations. Phil Sandoval’s Mexican Restaurante, Shaggy’s Burgers and Tacos, ChopChop and TopGolf are some of the best options in that area. One should also look at the numerous brewpub options around the area. Downtown Huntsville is also becoming a nice quaint place for a stroll. There will be a few food and drink options down there as well. The Lowe Mill ARTS & Entertainment complex is an old factory and mill that houses numerous small artist studios as well as food and drink from options like Piper & Leaf Artisan Tea Company and Alchemy Lounge. Fans 3 The fans are also very knowledgeable about the game and action. Many of the fans in attendance will be family or friends of the players. Access 5 Huntsville is served by several U.S. Highways, including 72, 231, 431 and an Interstate highway spur, I-565, that links the two cities of Huntsville and Decatur to I-65. The UAH campus is off of Sparkman Drive, just south of I-565. There should almost always be plenty of parking found by the soccer field. Check the signs for games that happen during normal class times. Return on Investment 4 The games are free to attend as a local credit union is sponsoring games. Extras 2 Drive around the campus of UAH and check out the beautiful surroundings, as well as the intimidating nature of the learning what happens in places such as the Optics building and the Von Braun building. See if you can see the Saturn V rocket from the soccer pitch. Final Thoughts The University of Alabama in Huntsville has managed to make a very basic, although pretty, setting into one of the better baseball fields in the area. If in the area, make sure to stop in and see if you can catch a match.

Photos by Paul Baker, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.43 Gillette Stadium 1 Patriot Place Foxborough, MA 02035 New England Revolution website Gillette Stadium website Year Opened: 2002 Capacity: 20,000 So You Say You Want a Revolution? The New England Revolution are one of the ten charter members of Major League Soccer. Owned by Robert Kraft and family, who also own the New England Patriots of the National Football League, the team shares their home, Gillette Stadium, with the Patriots. The Revolution actually predate their home venue, having played in Foxboro Stadium for their first six seasons before Gillette Stadium opened in 2002. Throughout the team’s history calls for a soccer-specific stadium have been made, but despite an abundance of rumors popping up over the team’s quarter-century history, no plans have come to fruition. Team owner Robert Kraft has repeatedly stated that he would like to build a soccer-specific stadium in or around Boston. The Revolution have won the 2007 U.S. Open Cup, the 2008 North American SuperLiga and the 2021 Supporters Shield. The Revs have participated in five MLS Cup finals, most recently in 2014, losing each time. They have the most MLS Cup appearances without winning a title. Food & Beverage 4 The concessions at Gillette Stadium lack a signature item but hit all the bases. Even though the stadium renovations have removed all stands in the north end zone, there is a good variety of food available in the stands that circle the pitch. Stands are organized by the type of food sold at each, so you may need to do some searching to find your desired items. Local Street Kitchen (gourmet burgers and specialty sandwiches), Tenders and Wings, Italian Sausage, Sideline Favorites and the Tailgate Grill highlight the offerings. Portable stands ring the inner edge of the concourse providing drinks and snacks to hungry Revolution fans. Pepsi products are featured at Gillette Stadium. As you might expect, the craft beer game is strong at Revolution games, with a particular emphasis on New England brews. Beers from local breweries including Wormtown, Lord Hobo, Harpoon, Long Trail, Timberyard, Mighty Squirrel, Exhibit A, Battery Steele, Lawsons and Fiddlehead highlight the selections at the Beers of New England and Ale House stands. In addition, national brands are also sold throughout the stadium. Be warned, you will be paying NFL prices for concessions at a Revolution game. A complete guide to Gillette Stadium concessions can be found here . Atmosphere 4 The Revolution have created a family friendly atmosphere at Gillette Stadium. The vibe begins in the parking lots, where you can find groups of kids kicking around soccer balls throughout the lots. Once inside the stadium, the energy continues, as Gillette is filled with movement and noise. The focus of the younger fans may not always be on the game, but that’s part of the fun. The Revolution game day staff put on a professional show, utilizing the one existing scoreboard to good effect with slick videos and promotions. Once the new scoreboard (which will be the largest outdoor scoreboard in North America) is installed, this will be a most impressive sight. The biggest drawback to the experience at Gillette Stadium is the sheer size of the facility. Even with a full lower deck, the large empty upper deck tends to dampen the overall noise in the facility. The team’s two supporter clubs, the Midnight Riders and The Rebellion, share space in the northern end zone of Gillette Stadium and create much of the noise at a Revs game. These general admission sections have been dubbed “The Fort” during matches. Also in keeping with the Revolutionary War theme are the End Zone Militia, made famous by their 21-gun salute during Patriots games. The Militia are present at Revs games, too, although in a smaller group. Neighborhood 4 For a long time, there wasn’t much around the Foxboro/Gillette Stadium that would be an attraction for visiting fans. That began to change in 2007 when the Kraft Group started development of Patriot Place, and open-air shopping center and entertainment complex located primarily on the site of the old stadium. Patriot Place, which went up piecemeal over the years, now consists of 1.3 million square feet of shopping, dining and entertainment venues. Included amongst the stores and restaurants are a nature trail, cranberry bog, four star hotel, outpatient health care center and the Patriots Hall of Fame. While this may not be an organic neighborhood, this live/work/play type of development has become a standard feature in the construction of many new facilities. Fans looking for an alternative to stadium fare will find a plethora of choices at Patriot Place, from the upscale (Davio’s Steakhouse, Skipjack’s) to sports bars and pubs (CBS Sporting Club, Wormtown Brewery) and national chains (Five Guys, Red Robin). With over a dozen eateries in the complex, there’s something here for everyone. While stores such as Bass Pro Shop and Olympia Sporting Goods feel like they belong in a shopping center located at a stadium, there are many more options if you feel like a shopping spree before or after a Revolution game. Or, you can check out the bowling alley, movie theater or concert venue while you are visiting Gillette Stadium. Fans 4 The Revolution generally average a shade under 19,000 fans per game, which ranks them in the middle of the overall MLS attendance rankings. This figure represents about 95% of capacity and is just under the league average. A typical Revolution crowd is a good mix of die-hard fans, families out enjoying the game, and youth soccer groups. Gillette Stadium is filled with energy and motion throughout the game. Of course, the supporter groups create much of the noise in The Fort throughout the game, singing songs, waving flags and doing what supporter groups do. Access 3 Gillette Stadium is in Foxborough, MA (also spelled Foxboro), a small town of about 19,000 residents located halfway between Boston and Providence, RI. With only one road leading to the stadium from both directions, getting to Gillette Stadium can be a struggle. While getting into Gillette Stadium is much easier at a Revs game than at a Patriots game, it seems much more complicated to get here than it should be. Parking lots closer to the stadium are reserved for season ticket holders, pushing single-game ticket holders to the furthest lots on the opposite side of Route One. It can be a walk of over a mile to get from your car to the stadium. A major complaint regarding Gillette Stadium’s suburban location is the lack of any type of public transportation access to the facility. There is an MBTA train stop behind the stadium, but that is only operational for Patriots games. The only way to get to Gillette Stadium for a Revs game is to drive. Given that a significant number of the team’s fanbase comes from the urban areas of Boston, this has been a driving force behind the push for a new stadium. Once at Gillette, the stadium can be accessed via one of three entry gates. The upper level is closed off for most Revolution games, but the lower concourse is more than wide enough to accommodate the typical Revs crowd. Lines at concession stands or rest rooms are not an issue at all, except sometimes at halftime. While the construction in the north end of the stadium has closed much of that area, access throughout the grounds have not been overly affected. Be aware that Gillette Stadium practices a clear bag policy. More information can be found here. Starting in early 2022, the Kraft Group began a project to transform the northern end of Gillette Stadium (the end with the bridge and lighthouse). Included in these renovations will be the installation of the country’s largest outdoor high-definition video board, new hospitality and function spaces, a re-envisioned entry plaza, and enhancements to the lighthouse. The project is scheduled to be completed in time for the 2023 NFL season. Gillette Stadium North End Construction, Photo by Paul Baker, Stadium Journey Return on Investment 3 Tickets to a Revolution game start at $35 for general admission in The Fort and top out at $73 for center sections down near the pitch. Discounts are offered for multi-game packages. Family four packs include tickets, food and beverage coupons. Parking in the lots around Gillette Stadium are free of charge. I know many Patriots fans just became faint reading that. The concessions menu is identical to full-stadium events. You’ll be paying NFL prices for concessions at a Revolution game. Extras 2 Banners honoring the Revolution’s Supporter Shield, U.S. Open Cup and SuperLiga Championships hang throughout the stadium. An additional extra point is awarded for the Revolution-specific traditions present at this football facility, including the Flag of New England flown in The Fort. The growing presence of the End Zone Militia deserves a mention, too. Final Thoughts While being the little brother sharing a facility with a National Football League team is a less than ideal situation, Gillette Stadium provides the Revolution with a world-class home. Still, the calls for a new soccer-specific stadium continue in New England. With the World Cup coming to Boston in 2026 and the Revolution coming off a successful season, the time for that new home may be coming soon.

Photos by Golf Digest and Matt Colville, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.43 Grand Bear Golf Course 12040 Grand Way Blvd Saucier, MS 39574 Rapiscan Systems Classic website Grand Bear Golf Course website Year Opened: 1999 Golfing at the Grand Bear The Mississippi Gulf Coast is filled with tons of entertainment options to please everyone of all ages. From high rise casinos and top name shows, to world class fishing and water options, the Mississippi Gulf Coast has it all. With plenty to do, and millions of tourists visiting the Coast each year, it’s no surprise that the area also features plenty of golfing options. Thirteen professional designed 18-hole golf courses are spread out throughout the three coastal counties. With such beautiful golf courses, and warm year-round weather, it’s no surprise that the Gulf Coast has attracted the eyes of the PGA Tour. Since 2010 the area has played host to the Rapiscan Systems Classic of the PGA Champions Tour (Rapiscan Systems is a company that specializes in X-ray machines and airport screening devices, with a manufacturing plant in nearby Ocean Springs, MS). Formerly the PGA Senior Tour, this tournament brings in the top golfers in the world over the age of 50. For the first 10 years the tournament was held at the nearby Fallen Oak Golf Club, but beginning in 2022 the tournament is held at Grand Bear Golf Club, located off Highway 49 just north of Gulfport. Opened in 1999, the Jack Nicklaus designed course has been ranked by Golf Digest as one of the Top 5 of Best Golf Courses in the state multiple years since opening. Food & Beverage 4 When you arrive at the Grand Bear you are dropped off at the main club house. Around here is where all the food tents and grandstands are located. The clubhouse restaurant, the Grand Bear Grill & Bar, is open to the public, although it was packed out at any given time. The menu is kind of expensive but includes a breakfast and lunch menu. The breakfast menu consists of a loaded omelet ($9) or breakfast sandwich or burrito ($8), or if you are really hungry you can try the Tee Time Plate, which includes two eggs, bacon, sausage, pancakes, hashbrowns, and toast for $10. The lunch menu consists of shrimp po’ boys ($15), loaded nachos ($14), Philly cheesesteak ($14), Grand Bear Club sandwiches ($14), wings ($12), or grilled chicken wraps, club house salads, chicken quesadillas, and chicken tenders ($11 for any of the last four). Depending on what ticket package you purchase determines the score for the Food and Beverage section. The most expensive package is the $275 a day Marina Cantina Club, a temporary structure with a boating theme located on the 18th green. This air-conditioned upscale hospitality tent features great views of the final hole, while you also get a free seafood spread and plenty of cold drinks. Next to the Cantina Club is the smaller Corona Premiere Patio, another temporary structure constructed on the 9th green with excellent views. The Corona Patio has a full service menu and bar, and you are welcomed with one free beer upon entry. The Corona Patio tickets are $40 a day, which isn’t bad considering the views and food options you get. Also, as the Gulf Coast has a strong military presence, they have the Patriot’s Pavilion right next to the Corona Patio; the former is free to military members and a cool little spot for military personnel to hang out. For patrons who purchase general admission tickets there are two tents set up called the Bear’s Den near all the scaffolds and temporary structures. The options are limited here with Wagyu burgers ($12), sausage dogs ($10), and egg salad sandwiches ($6). There are also four temporary stands set up on the course, two on the front nine at Holes 2 and 7, and two on the back nine near holes 11 and 16. The concessions stands on the course itself sell southwest salads ($12), chicken salad sandwiches, egg salad sandwiches, veggie wraps ($10 each for the last three), hot dogs ($6), or PB&J sandwiches ($4). Some of the stands have long lines of people getting drinks, as it is usually a hot and humid day. Drinks are kind of expensive as well, with 24 oz bottles of Coke products, Powerade and Dasani bottled water selling for $5 each. Lots of people were drinking beer though, as for only a dollar more ($6) more you can get a 12 oz canned beer (Miller Lite, Corona, or Modelo), and Crown Royal in a can for $10. Atmosphere 4 The Grand Bear is located inside DeSoto National Forest, a 518,000-acre protected forest and the largest section of completely undeveloped land in South Mississippi. There isn’t much around the course – there are no fancy communities or neighborhoods surrounding it. Instead, you are one with nature as the course is designed to take golfers through Mississippi’s most natural and elusive habitats. As you travel in on the winding two lane road, you almost feel like you are headed out to a hunting camp rather than attending a PGA event. The main gathering area is around the clubhouse set up between the 10th tee pad and the 18th green. This is where you will find all the food and vendor tents. Many sponsors have tents set up giving out samples and such. The Cantina Club and Corona Premier Patio are located here as well, with skybox suites and elevated platforms with great views of the 18th green. The clubhouse is also open, so you are free to walk around the pro shop, which usually has a nice 40% sale going on. One cool thing about the clubhouse that ties into the area is it looks like a hunting lodge or ski resort from the outside. Once inside the Jack Nicklaus, the Golden Bear logo is on everything, from the interior and wooden floors to the walls made out of replica oak trees – if you are familiar with golf it won’t take long to tell who designed this golf course. Also the course is designed to look like a giant bear paw from above, so if flying into Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport you can see the giant bear paw carved out of the forests below you. Outside the clubhouse is the driving range on the north side and a practice putting green on the south side. Many of the golfers can be seen getting a few practice shots in before their tee times, and some of them were even talking to the patrons. As you walk the cart path it is basically one long nature trail. There are wooden bridges over creeks, lookout points, and side trails you can take to view all of south Mississippi’s natural wildlife. At any given time you can catch a glimpse of the many bald eagles, ospreys, sandhill cranes, and other large birds that live on the course, while deer, alligators, black bears, and foxes have all been spotted roaming on or near the course from time to time. The views of the golf course are absolutely stunning as well. The back 9 cut through the woods, with longer holes and wide-open fairways that split between 100-year-old oak trees and 100-foot-tall pine trees. The Biloxi River winds through the front 9 with a lot of shorter holes; the winding river has wide elevated banks and sandbars that come into play on a few holes. There are even a few times when golfers have to tee off over the sandbars on the river – holes 6, 7, 8 and 9 run directly parallel to the water, while a creek runs through the back 9, including a pretty cool hanging bridge between holes 13 and 14. As the Tournament takes place every year in early April, expect great weather and really nice temperatures as well. Neighborhood 2 The Grand Bear Golf Club is located in the middle of nowhere; in fact the nearest signs of civilization are an Exxon gas station and a Mexican restaurant on Highway 49 over 15 miles away. Because of this there is no neighborhood whatsoever, just miles and miles of woods and natural forests. The nearest town to the Grand Bear is the town of Saucier, just north of the golf course – this small community of 1,300 is most famous for being the setting for the 2004 Tom Hanks movie “The Ladykillers”, but there is not much here. However, you are about a 40-minute drive from the beautiful Mississippi Gulf Coast, and you should be able to find plenty to do there for all ages. The Mississippi Gulf Coast is an extremely popular gaming destination, often called the Vegas of the South. The coast features 14 high rise casinos offering plenty of options for entertainment, restaurants, or lodging. The Rapiscan Systems Classic’s main headquarters for the week are located at the Island View Casino/Hotel in Gulfport, so that hotel has group rates and discounts for people attending the tournament. The Island View also hosts many off-course events during the week, such as a dinner for the golfers and media personnel. While on the coast no trip would be complete without trying out the local seafood – from 5-star restaurants at the casinos, to local hole-in-the-wall restaurants, the Gulf Coast has plenty of places to have you covered if you are hungry. Fans 4 A PGA stop usually attracts a mix of all kinds of people. The best way to describe it is a perfect social gathering without the ability to get out of hand. Many of the patrons are relaxed and everyone gets along. In the Cantina Marina Club you’ll find sponsor company CEOs and corporate executives mingling with a group of people who received free Club tickets because they worked for the sponsor. Also, while walking the course at any given time you’ll find a mix of older retired men walking among a group of college students, as an event like this attracts everyone. Like most golf tournaments, patrons are free to walk the course and follow the golfers. The first tee time is at 7:50 am on Holes 1 and 10, and every ten minutes a new threesome of golfers will tee off. Obviously bigger name golfers are going to have more people following them than others; I would say for the biggest names expect about 50-70 people following the group, with John Daly having the largest following of about 100 people. The afternoon tee times tend to have more people following them as well, as that is when the leading groups typically tee off. Return on Investment 4 Only 500 general admission tickets are sold per day, with a ticket (for each day) costing $20, or you can purchase a 3-day general admission ticket for $40. GA tickets get you access anywhere on the grounds, or into the public viewing bleachers set up on the 18th green. The Corona Premiere Patio on the 9th green costs $40 a day to get in, and only 150 tickets are sold there per day, while the Cantina Marina Club tickets cost a whopping $275 a day. However, the latter offers free parking and no charge to ride the bus over to the course, so that is a plus. Attending a PGA Champions Tour is a lot different than a regular PGA stop. On the Champions Tour only three rounds are played over three days, compared to the PGA’s four round and four-day event, with only about 70-75 golfers registered per event. Also, everybody makes the cut, so the golfers you see on Friday will still be in contention on Sunday. I consider just being able to see some of these golfers play up close was thrilling in itself. It is pretty cool to be able to stand 15 feet away from John Daly as he hits a 300-yard tee shot, or being able to shoot the breeze with Davis Love III as we walk the cart path. It is something cool that you wouldn’t get to experience at a regular PGA stop. Access 3 The hard part about getting to the Grand Bear is getting to the course itself. As mentioned, the course is located in seclusion in the middle of nowhere off Highway 49, the main highway from the Coast to Hattiesburg. As you cannot physically drive to the Grand Bear on Tournament week, you have to park on Highway 49 and take a bus over to the Golf Course. The main and only parking for patrons is located in a huge field behind Keith’s A/C and Heating, literally right off the highway. The great news is that despite the limitations of getting to the course, the process of getting there actually runs really smoothly. Parking is basically a huge field, so there are plenty of spots to park and cars are well directed. They have a tent sent up here as well, where they scan tickets and check bags. Tickets are also only sold online to speed up the process. The buses used to shuttle patrons over are buses from nearby Harrison Central High School, and despite the fact that they are yellow school buses they were actually very clean, not dirty like you would expect. I was there when the gates opened at 7:30, and got on second bus out of there (as I was leaving I counted well over 20 buses in a line ready to go). They also run round trips every ten minutes, so they are constantly coming and going. The whole process from when you park, get your tickets checked, and arrive at the Golf Course is about 20-25 minutes. Extras 3 One extra for the laid-back atmosphere at the PGA Champions Tour that you won’t find at a regular PGA Tour stop. Many of the players are playing this tournament just for fun, and you can tell. With the Masters occurring the week after this tournament, a few of the golfers use this as tune up before they head to Augusta. A lot of them ride carts from hole to hole, something you don’t see at most professional golf tournaments. In between holes you will find many of the golfers mingling with patrons, and at the tee pads you are right up there with them, probably 10-15 feet away from each golfer as they tee off. Unlike at some tournaments, phones are also a common site here, as you will find many people taking pictures – you are just advised to keep phones on silent. Another extra just for some of the big name golfers the Rapiscan System Classic attracts – in 2022 the 76 golfers who participated had a combined total of 268 regular PGA Tournament wins, with 22 total major wins and four World Golf Hall of Famers. Among some of the notable participants were John Daly, Retief Goosen, Ernie Els, Davis Love III, Jim Furyk, K.J. Choi, David Duvall, Pedraig Harrington, and two-time Master’s winner Bernhard Langer. Another extra for the history of PGA tournaments on the Mississippi Coast. Professional golf tournaments in the area date back to 1944, when the PGA hosted the Gulfport Open at the state’s oldest golf course, the Great Southern Country Club. The 1945 tournament was most famous for Byron Nelson and Sam Sneed finishing the final day of the tournament tied and having to advance to a playoff hole, in which Snead won. That 1945 tournament would be the last official PGA Tournament to take place on the Mississippi Coast. The LPGA also played a tournament in Biloxi in 1963, the Mary Mills Classic, and in Ocean Springs in 1964. Over the next 50 years the Coast would be home to several smaller professional tours: the Nike Tour’s Gulf Coast Classic from 1990-1997 and the Nationwide Tour’s Gulf Coast Open from 1999-2000. Jim Furyk, a 2022 participant in the Rapiscan Systems Classic, got his first professional win in the 1993 Nike Tour’s Gulf Coast Classic.

Photos by Marc Viquez, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.43 Alexander Field 1350 McCormick Rd West Lafayette, IN 47906 Purdue Boilermakers website Alexander Field website Year Opened: 2013 Capacity: 1,500 Boiler Up at the Ballpark Alexander Field opened in 2013 for the Purdue University baseball program. The 1,500 seat ballpark is part of the Mackey Complex/Northwest site that also houses the school’s softball field, soccer pitch, tennis facility, and cross country course and is located less than two miles from its football stadium Ross-Ade Stadium and basketball gym Mackey Arena. The ballpark is named after the John and Margaret Ross Alexander, alumni and parents of former Purdue coach Dave Alexander, who gave the lead gift for the project. He coached the Boilermakers from 1978-1991 and his 407 wins are the most in school history. The $10.3 million stadium replaced Lambert Field which had been built 1966. Alexander Field features a wide-open concourse, two-leveled press box, luxury suites, grass berm seating, and the main concession area. The facility is expandable to 2,500 seats and offers plenty of parking surrounding its exterior. Food & Beverage 3 There is one main grandstand in back of the concourse offering typical ballpark food from hot dogs ($5), Cracker Jacks ($3), peanuts ($4), and nachos ($5). The Black and Gold hot dog is a jumbo dog with chili, cheese, and diced onions ($7). There is also an additional portable cart offering concessions down the third base line. A little bit down the concourse is a beer cart featuring an impressive selection of choices from Indiana breweries of Upland, Peoples, Three Floyd's, and Sun King. The Salmon Pants Premium Lager and Free Time Lager are perfect for a warm, sunny afternoon of baseball, but the Boiler Gold American Golden Ale should appeal to all taste buds and sales benefit the university's Department of Food Science. The cost of beers ranges from $7-$9 per can or bottle. For non-beer drinkers, Coca-Cola products are available for $5. Atmosphere 4 The cozy, little ballpark provides an intimate experience in all the modern comforts in a collegiate setting. A warm weekend afternoon game brought out an enthusiastic crowd ready for some Purdue baseball. The beer was flowing, fans were chopping on hot dogs, kids were rolling down the grass berm seating area, and a majority were decked out in black and gold gear. It was Bark at the Park and a few hundred canines took in the sun; the promotion was free to all dogs and also included a free bone-shaped pet bag dispenser. The openness of the concourse allows for a lot of legroom and areas for fans to mingle, view the game, or sit back and enjoy a bite or drink. The focal aspect of the facility is the main press box that houses the suites, restrooms, and concession stand. It dominates the landscape and features the name of the stadium in bold print near the center of the top. It also provides shade from inclement weather when needed. The atmosphere is strengthened by Purdue Pete posing with fans for pictures, in-between promotions that bring the little ones on the field, and music. There is even the opportunity to tailgate before the game if applicable. Neighborhood 3 The Chauncey Village neighborhood features quite a bit of funky little shops and restaurants, plus some great nightlife destinations. Von’s Shops offers an impressive array of new and used books, clothing, and other items in an eclectic building and storefront. Next door is Von’s Dough Shack where customers choose their type of calzone and enjoy it fresh from the oven. If you are not the creative type, there are 34 varieties to choose from off the menu. Just across the street is the famous Triple XXX Family Restaurant where one can enjoy a peanut butter burger or homemade root beer inside its small, cozy, and narrow booths. The small building features narrow counter tops and bar stools. If you are adventurous and want to expand your taste buds, Shaukin Indian Fast Food might be just the place during your visit. This is not your standard Indian fare, but Indian street food that is lively in taste and spice. Most items are well below $10 and you can take it to go and enjoy it across the street at The Pint. If you are craft beer fan, People’s Brewing Company is located 3 miles north of the high school and is one of the better places for local beer in the state. Pints are $5 and are a dollar less on Wednesdays. Lafayette Brewing Company is the other craft beer option in town with $2 off of pints on Wednesday nights as well. Fans 3 The crowds are above the friends and family type at the stadium. The Boilermaker supporters are decked out in black and gold and can be seen and heard cheering for their baseball team to victory. They are respectful to the visitors and one can expect a laid back atmosphere from the fans in attendance. Access 4 The size and design of the stadium make moving around the facility very easy for the first time visitor. The concessions, bathrooms, entrances, and suites are located in the same area and the openness of the concourse gives a lot of space to sprawl around during the course of the game. Return on Investment 4 A very nice looking stadium to enjoy a game and a huge improvement over Lambert Stadium. Tickets range from $8 for general admission to $10 for reserved chair back seats. Children tickets are only $2 for reserved tickets. The parking is free and the concession prices are affordable. The highest priced item is the Boiler Up Beer that is $9 a can. Extras 3 The stadium receives one point for serving beer at the ballpark. There are several varieties of domestic and premium beers for fans to choose from during the game. The stadium receives the second point for its design and open concourse. A third and final point is for the 100% natural playing surface. Final Thoughts The Big Ten ballparks have improved greatly the last five years, turning once aging stadiums into great places to watch a game for a visitor and providing the ability to attract top talent to the program. When you add daily promotions, beer, and Bark at the Park, you have yourself a great place to watch a game during the college baseball season.

Photos by Marc Viquez, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.86 Winterhoter Field Vayhinger Cir. Upland, IN 46989 Taylor University baseball website Winterholter Field website Year Opened: 2012 Capacity: 500 A Pleasant Ballpark at Taylor University Taylor University is a private, evangelical Christian university in Upland, Indiana. It was founded in 1846 and is one of the oldest evangelical Christian universities in the country. It was named after Bishop William Taylor and located on 950 acres. There are 1,910 undergraduate students on campus, and the school is about halfway between the cities of Ft. Wayne and Indianapolis. The ball club plays at Winterholter Field which has seen a beautiful transformation since the installation of artificial turf in 2012, the first of any NAIA school in the state. The ballpark received sunken dugouts, a new backstop with netting, and a new scoreboard. Three-years-later lights were added, and two years after that, a new press box was constructed. The renovations made it possible for the school to host the NAIA National Championship Opening Round for the first time in 2018. The Taylor Trojans baseball program participates in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics and is a member of the Crossroads League with nearby Huntington and Marian Universities. The Trojans joined the league for the 1994-1995 academic school year and have captured six championships, including four in a row from 2010-to 2013. The team has also made six NAIA Tournament appearances. The ballpark was dedicated in 2012 in honor of former coach Larry Winterholter and his wife Lynne. Larry guided the program for 22 years and served as a faculty member for 30 years at the university. He was a four-time All-Conference pitcher at Taylor during his playing days and lettered in both baseball and basketball. In 1961, he picked up win in both games of a doubleheader. He retired from coaching in 2000. A plaque in front of the stadiums honors the couple and their commitments to the school. Food & Beverage 1 There is a concession window at the bottom of the press box, but it is only serving drinks and candy. The usual spot for concession items is in the nearby lobby of the Odle Arena, but due to construction that building is off-limits to fans. Water and Gatorade were the drinks of choice, and both would be ideal to quench your thirst on the 83-degree day of our visit, but a hot dog, a bag of peanuts, and nachos would have hit the spot. Atmosphere 4 First, the photos on the university’s website do not do the ballpark justice. The stadium is quite charming and well constructed. It was a perfect day for baseball, and it appeared that most people agreed and packed the grandstands and foul lines for the first game of the doubleheader. The stadium features a synthetic infield and natural grass outfield with views of campus structures and the city’s water tower in the distance. The synthetic turf looks great and is needed for the rainy months of March and April. The campus buildings and water tower add a nice romance to the stadium. Fans gather down both lines to set up chairs to watch the games, while a few more stand behind the open outfield fencing to get a glimpse of the game. The grandstand seating is also impressive, with chair backs on all seats, including armrests on chairs directly behind home plate. The fans are into the game, with students making their share of chants and cheers; parents yell for their sons to get a hit or drive in a run. Players in both dugouts fill the air with baseball banter. The stadium is very clean and almost spotless. The grounds are kept up nicely, and a plaque is located outside the stadium honoring the ballpark’s namesake. The only negatives might have been the lack of proper food at the concession stand and the scoreboard that was hard to read from the grandstand. However, these were just a few complaints about an otherwise picturesque stadium for college baseball. Neighborhood 2 The campus is vibrant, with students out and about on the lawn, playing tennis, shooting hoops at the basketball course, and watching the softball game at their ballpark. The campus is well taken care of, clean, and easy to get around, but that was not the case for the town of Upland, which had very few options to choose from for food and drink. Ivanhoes is the place to be in town, with long lines for ice cream and food. The local institution serves 100 different flavors of sundaes and milkshakes that attract crowds from the area. The food options include sandwiches, burgers, chicken tenders, nachos, and salads. If you are with the family, an ideal place for the kids. The Bridge Cafe is a coffee shop that offers sandwiches, breakfast, and an item they call South African pizza. Off the Gas City exit to the interstate are a collection of national chains that include Cracker Barrel, Taco Bell, Dairy Queen, and Burger Queen. Payne’s is a local restaurant that specializes in British fare of bangers and mash, beef stew with Yorkshire pudding, and fish and chips. Fans 3 The fans made their voices felt during the game, and there were even a few students adding their touch of ambiance to the game. The sound of a vuvuzela was heard whenever the Trojans scored a run – they won 11-1. There was another group of fans dancing during certain walk-up songs and shouted a few words when certain players came up to bat. The rest of the crowd was made up of parents and family members and packed the seats in the grandstands and down the first baseline. Access 4 The ballpark seating probably holds no more than 500 people and ramps lead to the seating bowl. The parking lot is in front of the stadium and is easy to find on campus. There are two areas for fans that are in wheelchairs in the back of home plate, and fans can check out the game through the open fences from behind the outfield. Return on Investment 3 Admission is free of charge, and if you’re thirsty a bottle of water is no more than $2. It is suggested to bring your food before the game, as most people did during our visit. The ballpark is clean, set up well, and quite impressive for an NAIA school. It makes for a nice trip for a ballgame when the weather is warm during the unpredictable month of April in Indiana. Extras 3 Winterholter Field is immaculate clean, without a spec of dirt or debris found throughout the grandstand. The synthetic turf looks pristine and needed for the rainy months of March and April. All of the seats and backs to them, including armrests for the main grandstand seating. Another nice feature was the outfield fences that allow fans to see through during the game. Final Thoughts Winterholter Field is one of those hidden gems of a ballpark in the state of Indiana. It covers almost all of the basics with stadium features and is ideal for a warm spring afternoon of baseball. There is a dedicated fanbase, comfortable seating, and easy access. What else would you need at the ballpark? Perhaps a hot dog, but Taylor baseball is worth a drive if nearby. Follow all of Marc’s stadium journeys on YouTube @ballparkhunter, Twitter @ballparkhunter, and Instagram.