As the 2026 FIFA World Cup showcases the best footballers in a generation, across the Atlantic, stars of the future will gather in the unlikely location of North Wales. The annual UEFA European Under-19 Championship sees eight of Europe’s elite footballing nations challenge for this coveted trophy from 28 June to 11 July. Erling Haaland, Cristiano Ronaldo, Kylian Mbappé, Fernando Torres and Viktor Gyökeres are just a few players to have used this tournament to springboard their careers into the stratosphere. But whilst the world’s elite play in vast ultra-modern arenas such SoFi (Los Angeles Stadium), Hard Rock (Miami Stadium) and MetLife (New York New Jersey Stadium) four slightly more humble venues have been selected to host the stars of the future. Racecourse Ground, Wrexham (10,200) Central Park, Denbigh (2,400) The Oval, Caernarfon (3,000) Bangor City Stadium, Bangor (3,000) Central Park, Denbigh (2,400); The Oval, Caernarfon (3,000); Bangor City Stadium, Bangor (3,000), Photos Courtesy of UEFA The ‘Hollywood’ venue is of course the Racecourse Ground (Y Cae Ras) which holds the Guinness World Record for being the oldest international football stadium in the world. In modern times it’s known as the location for Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds’ hugely successful ‘Welcome to Wrexham’ FX documentary. The stadium will host the first match of the tournament on 28 June, three further games and the prestige final at 20:00 BST on 11 July. Racecourse Ground, Wrexham, Photo by Chris Tuck, Stadium Journey The competition began in 1948, starting life as the International Youth Tournament. After further iterations the tournament has had its current name since 2002. The current holders are Spain, and they are favourites again for the 2026 tournament. The full list of contenders is: Spain U19 France U19 Netherlands U19 England U19 Germany U19 Denmark U19 Wales U19 Montenegro U19 Whilst North Wales may seem a little ‘low key’ compared to New York, Miami and LA, you’d be wise to reconsider. North Wales is the home of the stunning Snowdonia National Park, popular beaches, the Menai Bridge and Caernarfon Castle, where the investiture of the Prince of Wales (now King Charles III) took place in July 1989. With such a beautiful location, extremely reasonable ticket prices, a variety of accommodation options for under £100 a night and a chance to say you’ve seen the next Ronaldo, there is still time to plan your stadium journey to North Wales. For fixture updates and ticket information visit the UEFA tournament webpage here. Stadium Journey will review each of the 4four tournament stadia from a fan’s perspective. Look out for these in the coming days.

Photos by Paul Baker, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.71 Edward A. LeLacheur Park 450 Aiken St. Lowell, MA 01852 Lowell Spinners website Edward A. LeLacheur Park website Year Opened: 1998 Capacity: 4,767 Take it for Another Spin The original version of the Lowell Spinners first took the field in 1996. Located just 27 miles northwest of Boston, this Class-A Rookie League affiliate of the Red Sox was an immediate success. Noted for their wacky gameday presentation, the team was a model low-minor league franchise over their quarter century of play, at one point selling out 413 consecutive games at LeLacheur Park. Edward A. LeLacheur Park was built in 1998 as the result of a partnership between the city of Lowell and the University of Massachusetts-Lowell. The ballpark is named in honor of the state representative who spearheaded its construction. From its opening until 2020, LeLacheur served as home to the UMass Lowell Riverhawks baseball team and the Lowell Spinners. When Minor League Baseball was reorganized before the 2021 season, the Spinners were one of the 40 teams dropped from Minor League Baseball. In November 2025 it was announced that a new team would play in the Futures Collegiate Baseball League using the Spinners name starting in the 2026 season. Leading the ownership group is Marc Deschenes, a former UMass Lowell baseball player who enjoyed a 13-year professional career in the Cleveland and Boston organizations. After his playing days, Deschenes founded and developed USA Prime New England, a premier youth baseball program in the area. Among the minority owners is Red Sox legend Johnny Damon. The Futures League is a summer wood-bat collegiate league with teams located throughout New England. The circuit began play in 2011 when the NECBL denied the league’s founders, Drew Weber and Chris Carmucci, expansion teams. Many of the league’s teams play in former minor league ballparks. The Futures League differs from other area leagues in that half of each team’s roster must have a New England connection, either by being natives of the region or by attending area schools. Food & Beverage 4 There are concession stands on either side of the ballpark serving up traditional ballpark fare for visiting fans. Anchoring the menu are hot dogs, burgers, sausage and pepper sandwiches, and chicken tenders. Fans looking to save a few dollars can pair a main item with fries and a 12-ounce drink in a value meal. A good selection of snacks are sold throughout the park, from nachos, pretzels, cotton candy and ice cream novelties to Dippin’ Dots, which are sold behind the press box building at one of the portable carts that line the concourse. Speaking of portable carts, fans looking for an adult beverage will find three bar carts serving up a good selection of craft beers all over the park. Featured are brews from local favorites Fiddlehead, Mighty Squirrel, Sea Dog and Garage Brewing. Coca-Cola products are featured at LeLacheur Park. Before games the Spinners open up the Sea Dog Brewpen, an all-you-can-eat party area open for 90 minutes before each game, where fans can enjoy BBQ foods or unlimited pizza slices. A separate ticket is needed to access the Brewpen. Atmosphere 3 The Spinners have stated their intention to replicate the wacky in-game promotions and packed promotional schedule of the original Spinners. While the schedule is loaded with giveaways and deals for visiting fans, the gameday presentation still has a way to go to fully round into form. While there are games, contests and distractions planned for every half inning, the staff are very inexperienced and need some more practice to smooth out the many rough spots in the game day presentation. Stadium Journey attended the Spinners’ second home game of the 2026 season, and there were several gaffes noticed throughout the game, many of which will undoubtedly get ironed out as the season progresses. The overall volume could stand to be turned down a bit, and the folks with microphones will hopefully learn that they don’t need to yell into those microphones, but the enthusiasm shown by Spinner staff is impressive. Likewise, the staff should quickly figure out which promotions are working and which need to be replaced as spring moves into summer. Many promotional mainstays that were popular during the days of the original Spinners have been brought back, including the chicken dance, the alligator mascots, and the giant inflatable Canaligator that greets fans outside the front entrance to the ballpark. Face painters, caricature artists, mimes and balloon artists add to the carnival-like atmosphere at the game. A kids play area is open at the far end of the left field grandstand for younger fans who need a place to blow off some steam. Canalligator Runs to Catch a Young Fan at LeLacheur Park. Photo by Paul Baker, Stadium Journey. Neighborhood 3 LeLacheur Park is located on the campus of The University of Massachusetts-Lowell, which straddles the Merrimack River in the north-central part of the city. The ballpark is on the south bank of the river, a short distance from Tsongas Center. Running right behind the field are the rapids that fueled the mills that made this area a magnet for industry back in the day. A nice feature of the area is the Riverwalk, a two-mile trail that runs along the Merrimack River. It’s a nice place to explore if you have some extra time. Lowell is a working-class city. There isn’t much in the immediate vicinity of LeLacheur Park to draw visiting fans, but visitors to the city may be interested in exploring the Lowell National Historic Park, which has preserved several old textile mills to tell the story of the industrial revolution. On the grounds of the park is a memorial to native son Jack Kerouac, who was one of the icons of the “Beat Generation.” Most out-of-towners will likely make their way to nearby Boston, 25 miles to the southeast, but for those looking to stay in town, most lodging options are located out by Interstate 495. Fans looking for a place to eat near the ballpark might want to check out the Worthen House Café, which was established in 1898. Some of its notable patrons through the years were Edgar Allen Poe, Jack Keroac and Jimmy Breslin. Fans 5 Stadium Journey attended the Spinners’ second game, and early returns have been amazing. Opening Night drew a capacity crowd, while the second and third games have drawn about 1,800 fans each. Those figures alone are very respectable figures for summer college baseball. It will be interesting to see if these large crowds continue once the novelty of the team fades. Futures League games attract many families, along with friends and families of the players, and in the case of Lowell, local baseball fans happy to see baseball return to their local ballpark. There is a definite buzz in the stands at LeLacheur. Spinners Turn a Double Play at LeLacheur Park. Photo by Paul Baker, Stadium Journey. Access 3 Lowell is a city with a population of about 115,000 citizens located about a half hour northwest of Boston near the Massachusetts-New Hampshire border. Straddling the Merrimack River, Lowell came of age during the Industrial Revolution as a mill town. Many of those mills have been preserved as part of the Lowell National Historic Park. LeLacheur Park is located on the southern bank of the Merrimack River a short distance from downtown. Interstate 495 runs just south of Lowell, and the Lowell Connector takes motorists from the interstate into downtown Lowell. The ballpark is about two miles from the end of the Lowell Connector. The Lowell Regional Transit Authority’s number 9 bus has a stop on Pawtucket Street right near the ballpark for those fans using public transit. Fans will enter the ballpark via an entry tower on the right field side of the stadium. The concourse and seating bowl stretches from deep right field around to medium left field, with the field visible from most spots on the concourse. Most seating consists of faded green stadium seats, with some metal bleachers farther down the right field line. Standing room and handicapped seats are located at the top of the seating bowl. Concession stands, a small team store, restrooms, and portable carts line the outer edge of the concourse all the way around the ballpark. Lines are generally not an issue here in Lowell. Return on Investment 4 Tickets for Spinners games are affordable, with prices starting at $10 for reserved bleacher seats, and rising to $11 for box seats and $12 for premium box seats. Parking is available in the East Parking Garage adjacent to the ballpark, the Hall Street Garage a few blocks away, and on the local streets near the ballpark. Parking costs $10 no matter which option you choose. Concessions and souvenirs are inexpensive for this level of baseball, making a Spinners game an affordable entertainment option for Merrimack Valley sports fans. Spinners Line up for the National Anthem at LeLacheur Park. Photo by Paul Baker, Stadium Journey. Extras 3 An extra point for the return of the Spinners and baseball to Lowell. A second extra point for the needed repairs to LeLacheur Park to bring it back to its former glory. On our last visit there for UMass Lowell baseball in 2025, large sections of the park were closed off, the video board was covered by a tarp, and overall maintenance had been clearly neglected. Today, surfaces have been painted and powerwashed and the park looks much as it did during the heyday of the original Spinners. A final extra point is awarded for the Lowell baseball traditions that were carried over, without overdoing things, and giving the new team room to create their own traditions. Using the old name, but a new logo is a prime example of this philosophy. Final Thoughts Creating a summer college team to replace a beloved professional baseball team does not always go as planned (Hello, Brockton!). But if the first week of the 2026 Futures League season is any indication, the Future is indeed bright in Lowell. No need to put a positive spin on it. Follow Paul Baker’s stadium journeys on Twitter and Instagram @PuckmanRI.

Photos by Paul Baker, Stadium Journey. Mascot photo courtesy of Brockton Rox. Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.86 Campanelli Stadium 1 Feinberg Way Brockton, MA 02301 Brockton Rox website Campanelli Stadium website Year Opened: 2002 Capacity: 4,750 Team on the Rox? The original iteration of the Rox debuted in the Northern League in 2002. Their home, Campanelli Stadium, opened along with the start of the team. The ballpark was named for Alfred Campanelli, a suburban housing mogul and Brockton native. He donated two million dollars to the City of Brockton for a project that would “substantially benefit the people of Brockton.” The team was a success, bringing affordable baseball to the hardscrabble city of Brockton, located about 25 miles south of Boston. The club was christened the Rox, a derivative of the nearby Red Sox and to honor Brockton native Rocky Marciano, the legendary heavyweight champion who went 49-0 during his career. However, the team’s success on the field and at the gate did not translate to the front office, where the team slipped into unmanageable debt. As a last-ditch effort to keep baseball alive in Brockton, the franchise was moved to the collegiate Futures League in 2011 as a temporary move to get the team’s finances under control. This temporary move lasted 13 seasons, as the Rox passed through a series of ownership groups who paid less and less attention to the team and the stadium. Factor in similar neglect from the city, and Campanelli began to deteriorate, culminating in an infamous raccoon infestation at the ballpark. In the early 2020’s team ownership and the city began to sink money into virtually every corner of the stadium with the stated goal of returning professional baseball to Brockton. These efforts were rewarded in 2024 when the Frontier League granted an expansion franchise to Brockton. The team was christened the “Chowdahheads” after a standard name the team contest. After lukewarm reaction and copyright issues, the team pivoted and rebranded as the Knockouts. In January 2025 a new ownership group, headed by New York Boulders owners Bill and Rob Janetschek and Baseball Hall of Famer Jim Rice purchased the team. They immediately announced that the team would return to the classic “Brockton Rox” name and logo. Food & Beverage 3 The Rox generally open only one of their concession stands for games. Basic stadium fare is offered here, with hot dogs, burgers, chicken tenders and pizza slices anchoring the menu. Assorted sides, including french fries, pretzels and popcorn round out the menu. A pair of portable stands augment the menu, selling walking tacos and various ice cream treats, including ice cream helmets and Mini Melts. Coca-Cola products are featured at Campanelli Stadium. Fans looking for an adult beverage can choose from a selection of beer including Budweiser, Corona, Stella Artois and Wormtown. New for 2026 is a Rox-branded beer, Wicked Good Blonde Ale, made in collaboration with nearby Black Hat Brewery. Atmosphere 2 Last year, Stadium Journey sang the praises of the improved game day atmosphere at Campanelli Stadium. This year, the atmosphere has taken a step back. Part of the issue has been technical, as problems with the sound and video systems have hampered the presentation on certain game days. Another issue has been the lack of a consistent emcee to run the show on field. The lack of polish on certain days is readily apparent. Still, there’s a lot of fun to be had at a Rox game. The PA announcer provides a lot of energy and anchors the entertainment night in and night out. The team is doing a better job of integrating the video board, and as the new staff works out the kinks, things should improve. In Brockton, Fun is, and always has been, Good. Promotions and giveaways dot the schedule and the game night entertainment. Still, in an empty stadium, even the best efforts can fall flat. Campanelli Stadium Entry Plaza. Photo by Paul Baker, Stadium Journey. Neighborhood 3 Campanelli Stadium is situated on the campus of Brockton High School, the largest High School in Massachusetts. Brockton is a city of about 105,000 residents located 25 miles south of Boston. The city was named in honor of Isaac Brock, the British commanding general at the Battle of Queenston Heights, the first major battle of the War of 1812. A couple of trivial facts about Brockton: during the Civil War it was the nation’s largest supplier of shoes, and it is the second windiest city in the United States. There are many dining options in the immediate vicinity of Campanelli Stadium for visiting fans, but many of these establishments are of the fast-food variety. Among the more notable spots nearby are Pho 89, Charley’s Cheesesteaks, and McMenamy’s Seafood. Stadium Journey recommends a pair of restaurants on the other side of Route 24 near Stonehill College, Stoneforge Grill and Brack’s Grill & Tap. The Residence Inn here is a quality lodging option. There is no shortage of dining, lodging or entertainment options in the area should you widen your search. Should you be visiting the area, there are many attractions located just a short drive from Brockton. Boston is just 25 miles to the north, and the popular summer attractions on Cape Cod are just 35 miles to the southeast. The historic destinations of Plymouth, MA and Newport, RI are both within an hour’s drive of Campanelli Stadium. Fans 1 Ownership arrived in Brockton with a lofty goal: to return enthusiasm for professional baseball to town. Unfortunately, despite the best efforts of staff, results have been slow to come. Early on in the 2026 season, Brockton continues to linger near the bottom of the Frontier league attendance rankings, averaging about 1,000 fans per game. Even with an improved promotional schedule and more frequent camp games, the hoped-for bump in attendance has yet to materialize. What the Rox fans are lacking in quantity, they are making up for in quality. The team does appear to have their share of superfans scattered throughout the ballpark. These fans are notable for their noise level, participation in chants and promotions and classic team attire. Campanelli Stadium Press Row Facade. Photo by Paul Baker, Stadium Journey. Access 4 Campanelli Stadium is located about a mile from Route 24, which connects Fall River and the Massachusetts South Coast with the Greater Boston area. Interstates 495, 93 and 95 all pass within a short distance of Brockton. While driving is the primary method to get to the ballpark, the Brockton Area Transit Authority’s number 3 bus does have a stop next door at the High School. The final bus departs at 9:30 pm, so plan accordingly. The Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority’s Fall River/New Bedford Line brings passengers from downtown Brockton north to Boston and south to Fall River and New Bedford. The Rox website advises visiting fans to park in the large lots at Brockton High School. Be warned that the path from the high school’s main lot to the ballpark is unpaved and unlit. The many smaller lots behind the ballpark by the RMV and library may be more convenient, especially at night. Unfortunately, there are no staff around to help you and no signage to direct fans. All fans will access the stadium via the main entrance, where the ticket offices and team store are located. Two sets of stairs lead to the entrance of the ballpark and the concourse level. There is an elevator located in the main plaza for those who need it. The seating bowl stretches from short left field around to the right field foul pole. An open concourse runs atop the seating bowl. Seating consists of red plastic stadium seats with decent leg room. Sections far down the right field line contain metal bleachers with backs. All seats feature good views of the field. Rest rooms, while in need of some freshening up, are plenty large enough for the typical Rox crowd. Fans may get frustrated with the lack of Rox staff stationed around the stadium to help out. Those staff stationed inside the ballpark tend to cluster together in certain areas. Return on Investment 5 Tickets for Rox games are priced at $14 for Infield Reserve seats and $16 for Premium Reserve seats. With the small crowds in attendance, and lack of ushers, buy the cheaper tickets and sit where you want (unless it’s someone else’s seat, of course). The Rox also offer ticket deals throughout the season. Check their social media and website for details. Parking is free in the lots surrounding Campanelli Stadium. Unfortunately, signage isn’t always clear as to what lots are OK to park in and what ones aren’t, and there are no staff around to help you out. A simple rule: at night, all the lots are OK. During the day, use the high school’s lots. Concessions are reasonably priced, making a Rox game an affordable entertainment option for southeastern Massachusetts sports fans and an affordable alternative to the nearby ballparks in Boston and Worcester. Extras 2 Two retired numbers hang on Campanelli Stadium’s outfield wall. Brockton native sons Rocky Marciano (#49) and Marvelous Marvin Hagler (#62) are immortalized with their final victory totals. Behind the ballpark in the entry plaza to Marciano Stadium is a statue of Rocky Marciano. Measuring 20 feet, it is noted to be the tallest statue of a sporting figure in the world. There is a statue of Marvin Hagler downtown near where the famous Petronelli gym once stood. Final Thoughts It’s been a frustrating three seasons back in pro ball here in the City of Champions, where every step forward seems to be followed by a step back. The Rox may be on the ropes, but can they go the distance? Follow Paul Baker’s stadium journeys on Twitter and Instagram @PuckmanRI.

Photos Courtesy of Marc Viquez When CPKC Stadium opened in 2024, there was hope that the capacity would be expanded sometime in the future. The future may be now, as Kansas City, Missouri, Mayor Quinton Lucas introduced an ordinance to expand the home of the Kansas City Current of the National Women’s Soccer League. The project will increase the stadium’s capacity from 11,500 to 18,000, and expand the district around the stadium and a parking garage. The estimated cost is $1.4 billion, which also includes the completed construction of the riverfront district, named Current Landing. The legislation says the city could issue up to $235 million in special obligation bonds that would include additional funding from Current owners and investments from the state of Missouri. In addition to expanding the stadium's capacity, the legislation aims to enhance the waterfront through new public trails, expanded public spaces, and additional community amenities. CPKC Stadium was the first of its kind built for a professional women’s soccer club in 2024 and was privately funded at $117 million. The Current has sold out every one of its home games in its first three years. The city has embraced the women’s club by donning the team's teal and red colors. Fans flock downtown hours before kickoff, generating an energy rarely seen elsewhere in the NWSL. Stadium Journey was in town for a game in March of 2024 and had this to say about the game-day experience. “CPKC Stadium might be the template for women’s soccer stadiums in the United States. The design, culinary features, location, and environmental thinking will make others take notice when constructing stadiums of their own in other cities. The fanbase has embraced the club and has made attending a home match the place to be on a Saturday night.” The expansion of the venue could help the city in its bid to be a host city for the 2031 FIFA Women’s World Cup, the 2031 Men’s Rugby World Cup, and the 2033 Women’s Rugby World Cup. "We look to build on the momentum, expanding a stadium district that will draw more visitors, create jobs, help Kansas City compete for more global and national events, and strengthen our riverfront for generations to come, “ Lucas added in a press release. The City Council will review the ordinance on June 23. ----- Follow all of Marc’s stadium journeys on Twitter @ballparkhunter and his YouTube channel. Email at Marc.Viquez@stadiumjourney.com

Photos by David Welch, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.57 Premier Sports Campus at Lakewood Ranch 5895 Post Boulevard Lakewood Ranch, FL 34211 Premier Sports Campus at Lakewood Rach website Sarasota Paradise website Year Opened: 2025 Capacity: 3,500 We Are Paradise Sarasota Paradise is a professional soccer club playing in USL League One in Lakewood Ranch, Florida, just outside Sarasota. Paradise began play in 2023 in USL League Two with a largely semi-professional roster, before transitioning to the league’s fully professional third division ahead of the 2026 season. Food & Beverage 4 The menu here offers a fairly standard ballpark-style lineup with a mix of quick snacks, handhelds, and Hispanic-inspired items at affordable prices. Traditional staples such as popcorn and hot dogs are paired with more unique options such as chicken Caesar wraps, turkey chili wraps, and several empanada options, including cheese and spinach, chicken, and beef. A few specialty items add some local flavor, including Paradise Pretzels and Paradise Nachos, along with a Southern Almond Chicken Sandwich. Overall, the menu leans simpler and more casual than gourmet, but it still provides a solid variety of inexpensive stadium fare. Several food trucks and vendor tents also expand the options with more local flavors, most notably sweet treats and refreshing smoothies that fit the hot, humid Florida climate well. The alcohol selection offers more variety than the typical domestic-heavy stadium setup. Sun King Keller Haze IPA, Kona Big Wave Golden Ale, and Sun Lab Blonde on Paradise, a Sarasota Paradise collaboration brew, help elevate the beer lineup. NUTRL seltzers, Surfside Teas, Cutwater spirits, and a full selection of single-serve wines are also available. Atmosphere 3 The stadium at Premier Sports Campus at Lakewood Ranch serves as the centerpiece of a soccer-specific complex that includes 23 regulation soccer fields surrounding the main stadium pitch. The facility itself is fairly simple, consisting mostly of functional structures housing locker rooms, ticketing, concessions, maintenance areas, and the team shop, all surrounded by chain-link fencing. Seating is made up primarily of aluminum bleachers running along both sides of the pitch, each backed by rows of palm trees that reinforce the Florida setting. Seats feel close to the field, making it difficult to find a truly bad view anywhere in the stadium. The nearside seating sections are the most desirable, as fans on the far side must contend with the harsh Florida evening sun during the early portions of matches here. A small section of removable stadium seats sits near midfield, while a handful of club and premium seating options provide a more comfortable viewing experience. A green and white building at the north end of the stadium houses the ticket office, apparel shop, and concessions. The scoreboards are fairly basic four-by-eight-foot displays showing only match time, half, and score, though videoboards are reportedly planned for the future. Overall the venue is comfortable and appropriately sized, avoiding the empty feeling that can plague larger lower-division soccer stadiums. Neighborhood 3 The Lakewood Ranch area sits just east of Sarasota, though the complex itself is closer to Bradenton to the north. The area is largely made up of gated golf communities, master-planned neighborhoods, and sprawling retail developments. Located directly off Interstate 75, the area continues to grow rapidly despite already having an established suburban foundation. The Waterside district along Kingfisher Lake, roughly 15 to 20 minutes south of Premier Sports Campus at Lakewood Ranch, has emerged as one of the area’s primary gathering spots, with restaurants, shops, and entertainment options continuing to open. Good Liquid Brewing Company is among the more popular local hangouts nearby. Several hotels sit near the Interstate 75 exits around Lakewood Ranch, though much of the lodging in the area leans toward resort-style accommodations and vacation rentals. The complex is positioned roughly between Sarasota and Bradenton, while Gulf Coast beaches are generally within an hour’s drive. Early-season matches also overlap with the closing weeks of Major League Baseball spring training along Florida’s Gulf Coast. Fans 3 The club steadily grew its fanbase throughout its inaugural season, with more than 1,000 supporters attending the final home match of the year. Sarasota Paradise has had time to establish a following during its years at the USL League Two level, though the overall atmosphere still feels somewhat like a work in progress. The club’s supporters group, the “Birds of Paradise,” works hard to create a traditional American soccer atmosphere with chants, flags, and steady vocal support. At times, however, the in-house MC still has to encourage much of the crowd with repeated “Let’s Go Paradise” chants to keep the energy going. As matches progress, particularly when the club is playing well, the Birds of Paradise noticeably increase their involvement, helping add that extra air of excitement to the experience. Access 4 Ticket windows are located near the north entrance, and open onto an open-air concrete concourse running behind the seating areas. Each bleacher section also has a walkway running in front of the lower rows, which can occasionally create brief sightline interruptions for fans seated closest to the pitch, as spectators move through the area. This issue is generally minor and does not significantly impact the overall viewing experience. Overall, getting in and out of the facility is fairly straightforward and hassle-free. Return on Investment 5 Ticket prices begin at $13 for seats on the far side of the stadium, where fans must contend with the setting evening sun. Seats near midfield and on the shaded near side of the pitch can climb to more than $50 depending on location and premium seating access. Concession prices are reasonable for this level of soccer, and are slightly more affordable than at many comparable soccer venues. Free parking also goes a long way toward keeping overall costs manageable. While some seating prices feel uneven depending on section location, there is still strong overall value available for fans attending a match. Extras 3 Pre-match entertainment includes an interview segment with Sarasota’s manager discussing storylines and key points to watch for during the match – this is a simple but effective way to connect supporters to the tactical side of the game before kickoff. There is also a small family area featuring inflatables, cornhole, and kid-sized soccer goals to help keep younger fans engaged throughout the evening. One especially thoughtful touch comes from the Birds of Paradise supporters group, which posts a QR code for fans to scan that provides lyrics and instructions for chants and songs used throughout the match. It is a small gesture, but one that helps visitors feel more involved, and also contributes to the overall atmosphere. Final Thoughts Sarasota Paradise is a club in a bit of a transition, balancing the feel of its USL League Two roots with the growing ambitions that come with moving into the professional ranks of USL League One. Premier Sports Campus is not a flashy venue, but it succeeds in creating a relaxed and approachable matchday environment that fits the club’s current stage of development. Between the affordable concessions, easy access, intimate sightlines, and improving supporter culture, the experience delivers solid value for lower-division soccer fans along Florida’s Gulf Coast. Future plans for a standalone stadium with a proposed capacity of roughly 7,500 fans signal that Sarasota Paradise views its current setup as only a stepping-stone. For now, however, the club’s existing venue does enough to provide an enjoyable and comfortable soccer experience while allowing the organization time to continue building its identity, atmosphere, and fan base in one of Florida’s fastest-growing regions.

Photos by Andrew Kulyk, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.00 The Bank of the James Stadium 3180 Fort Ave. Lynchburg, VA 24501 Hill City Howlers website The Bank of the James Stadium website Year Opened: 1940 Capacity: 4,000 Hill City Howlers - Lynchburg, Virginia The team might have a new name, a new moniker, a new logo and a new identity, but minor league baseball in Lynchburg, Virginia, has roots that go all the way back to 1894. In 1995, the team adopted the name “Lynchburg Hillcats”, which was just changed in 2026 to the "Hill City Howlers." So, who are the Howlers? Their city stadium, corporately named Bank of the James Stadium (more on that later), shares a boundary with the historic Spring Hill Cemetery. Ancient lore suggests that there are abandoned tunnels running between the cemetery and the stadium, and the story has it that when a Babe Ruth home run ball landed on cemetery grounds, it awakened spirits who then became attracted to baseball. The Howlers are the ghosts. It makes for a good story. Approaching The Bank of the James Stadium. Photo by Andrew Kulyk, Stadium Journey. Food & Beverage 5 Given the small size of the stadium, and seemingly the older infrastructure of an established ballpark, the colorful display of concessions and the multitude of items available is quite surprising. Pepsi products run $5, bottled water $3.50, Coffee $3.00 and Arnold Palmer iced tea $6. Beer prices are also pretty reasonable, $7 for domestic and $9 for craft. Hot dogs go for $3.50 the jumbo dogs for $6, Fries $3.50, Popcorn $6/ Hamburgers with chips will run $10 and cheeseburgers with chips $11. There is full bar service available with mixed drinks at $10. In a testament to new technology, Victor’s Grab and Go offers contactless purchase of beverages and snacks. Help yourself, scan and out the door. Atmosphere 3 Being a 1940 built stadium, the best way one could refer to this venue is “classic”. Mostly chair back seats, and the ones on the infield are weather protected thanks to an overhead canopy and a mezzanine level for suites. Mascots entertain, there is not much in the way of contemporary video board technology, and the pure baseball experience is what works here. Welcome to Lynchburg Mural. Photo by Andrew Kulyk, Stadium Journey. Neighborhood 1 “Neighborhood”? Not so much. The immediate area surrounding the stadium is pretty much isolated from everything this region has to offer. Besides parking, there is the aforementioned cemetery next door. The community of Lynchburg has plenty to offer in terms of tourist destinations, starting with a very walkable downtown historic district. Civll War attractions include the Appomatox Court House and the Fort Early battlefield. And of course the huge economic driver and employer in this city is the faith based Liberty University (of Jerry Falwell fame), the sheer size and presence of the sprawling campus leaves an indelible footprint. Fans 2 The Howlers' fan support is amongst the lowest tier in the Carolina League, and for the most part is a sleepy fan experience. We’re guessing that the college basketball and college football experiences at Liberty University are the main sports attractions in these parts. Game Action at The Bank of the James Stadium. Photo by Andrew Kulyk, Stadium Journey. Access 4 Driving to “City Stadium” is a piece of cake, much of which takes you through city streets and back roads. There is no public transportation option directly to the stadium. Once on the grounds, parking is ample, and free. The lots are sorted on several levels, meaning bit of a walk and an uphill climb depending on time of arrival. Return on Investment 5 The parking is free. Concessions are all reasonably priced. Ticket prices run from $10 to $17, with a daily four pack bringing that cost down to roughly $8 a ticket. They even offer free admission to kids under 14 on Sundays and seniors 60+ on Tuesdays. This is clearly an entertainment bargain Outfield View at The Bank of the James Stadium. Photo by Andrew Kulyk, Stadium Journey. Extras 1 The “Bank of the James” is the corporate name on the venue. Good luck finding that name on any marquee, signage or anyplace else within the stadium for that matter. The bank pays $50,000 a year for the privilege of having their brand on a stadium which offers little back in return. Final Thoughts The best way to describe a game day here at City Stadium with the Howlers is “ordinary”. Given the way Minor League Baseball has modernized and adapted their ballparks and game day experiences, a visit here for the casual one-time fan is more like a box to check than a memory to last a lifetime.

Photos by Richard Smith, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.71 Alumni Field at Kutcher Foundation Stadium 703 E Churchville Rd Bel Air, MD 21014 Baltimore Clippers website Alumni Field at Kutcher Foundation Stadium website Year Opened: 2021 Capacity: 1,000 The Clippers are in Bel Air The Baltimore Clippers are a summer collegiate baseball team competing in the Maryland Collegiate Baseball League (MCBL). This league features active college baseball players utilizing wooden bats. The Clippers play home games at Alumni Field at Kutcher Foundation Stadium at the John Carroll School in Harford County, MD. The John Carroll School, located in Bel Air, Maryland, opened its doors in September 1964 as a private Catholic high school named after the first Catholic archbishop in the United States. The 72-acre John Carroll campus features several outdoor athletic facilities, highlighted by Alumni Field at Kutcher Foundation Stadium, commonly referred to as the John Carroll Baseball Field. Opened in the spring of 2021 after a major renovation of a previous baseball field, the venue's most notable physical feature is its playing surface. The baseball field is entirely artificial and not grass. Food & Beverage 0 There is no food sold at Clippers games, so stop somewhere before the game and bring your own items to snack on. Atmosphere 2 The atmosphere at the John Carroll Baseball Field is functional, focusing entirely on the action on the diamond. The venue is devoid of modern game-day production. There is no public address announcer, no player introductions, no walk-up music, or between-inning announcements. Furthermore, the electronic scoreboard located beyond the outfield fence is not turned on during Baltimore Clippers games. There are no formal stands or bleachers at the venue. Instead, most people sit around the top of the surrounding hill, with a few people near the backstop at the bottom of that hill. The steep grassy inclines provide a natural amphitheater perspective of the action. Spectators bring their own folding chairs, coolers, and blankets to set up along the grass. Neighborhood 4 The John Carroll School sits directly on Churchville Road, also known as Maryland Route 22, in Bel Air. The venue is positioned within a busy commercial and residential corridor in Harford County. The Harford Mall is located approximately two miles west of the campus at the intersection of US Route 1 and Route 24. This commercial area features multiple chain restaurants, including Miller’s Ale House, Bonefish Grill, Qdoba Mexican Grill, and Five Guys. Downtown Bel Air, situated just west of the school, provides a dense collection of independent dining options for pre-game or post-game meals. Local establishments in the downtown district include Looney’s Pub, Sean Bolan’s Irish Pub, and Das Bierhalle Bel Air. Vagabond Sandwich Company serves sandwiches on Thomas Street, and Sunny Day Cafe operates on Main Street for early weekend games. The immediate neighborhood surrounding the school consists of suburban housing developments and local parks. Fans 2 For fans, it seems like family and friends at best. Attendance consists almost exclusively of the collegiate players' parents, siblings, and acquaintances from the surrounding area. Access 4 The John Carroll School is accessible directly from Maryland Route 22. Drivers coming from outside Harford County reach the school via Interstate 95, taking the exit for Maryland Route 24 North into Bel Air. The campus features a large, paved surface parking lot situated adjacent to the main academic buildings and the outdoor athletic fields. Parking is free for all attendees, and the lot provides more than enough capacity for the crowds attending Maryland Collegiate Baseball League games. There are no ticket booths, turnstiles, or designated entry gates to pass through at the venue. Return on Investment 5 Admission to Baltimore Clippers games at the John Carroll Baseball Field is entirely free of charge. Parking in the John Carroll School surface parking lots is also free for all attendees. Because there are no concession stands or team merchandise vendors on site, fans spend zero dollars to enter the venue and watch the game. Extras 2 The Baltimore Clippers and the MCBL utilize wooden bats during all games, altering the sound and strategy of the game compared to standard aluminum-bat college baseball. The field utilizes the host school's black and gold color scheme prominently, including a black artificial turf infield with the school name painted down the foul lines. Final Thoughts The John Carroll Baseball Field provides a functional, minimalist outdoor venue for Baltimore Clippers baseball. The facility allows fans to watch summer collegiate athletes compete on an all-turf field in a stripped-down environment with completely free admission and parking.

Photos by James Clotfelter, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.71 Fluor Field at the West End 945 S Main St Greenville, SC 29601 Greenville Drive website Fluor Field website Year Opened: 2006 Capacity: 5,000 High A Ball In Green Vegas Baseball has been played in Greenville since the late 1800s. With over one hundred years of baseball in the city, the sport has become a central part of the town's culture. Through the years, a variety of minor league teams have called Greenville home, including, but not limited to, the Greenville Braves (1984–2004). The current resident, the Greenville Drive, the High-A affiliate of the Red Sox, has called Fluor Field home since its gates opened in 2006. Paying homage to their major league affiliate, Fluor Field shares many of the same dimensional characteristics as Fenway Park. The Drive front office has made a continued investment in the stadium since its inauguration, maintaining the standard of one of the best High-A experiences in the country. Food & Beverage 4 Fluor Field offers a wide variety of food and beverage options throughout the stadium. Along the concourse, you will find all the stadium basics, hot dogs, pizza, nachos, chicken tenders, popcorn, soda, candy, etc., and then some at the traditional concession windows. In addition to the basics, there are also windows and grab-and-go options that house chicken wings, soft-serve ice cream, energy drinks, and BBQ sandwiches, all of which are reasonably priced. The soft serve served in a mini helmet has become a baseball classic and appears to be a hit with the Greenville Drive faithful. The beer selection adds to the already strong food and beverage variety. You can find an array of basic domestics, as well as craft beer from New Realm Brewing, including, but not limited to, the Greenville Drive house lager, "Rallyville." There is also a decent selection of seltzers, ciders, and Cutwaters for non-beer fans. Atmosphere 4 If I could describe the atmosphere of Fluor Field in one word, that word would be "clean." From the concourse to the bathrooms, the game presentation, the ticket office, and the team store, everything is clean, and it is exactly what you want from a High-A baseball experience. Starting at the ticket office, if you choose not to purchase tickets online before you arrive, you still have the option to purchase a physical ticket. It is a pleasant aspect of the gameday experience that seems to be fading away nowadays, so props to the Greenville Drive and their staff for keeping it alive. Adjacent to the ticket office is the primary team store. It is the typical size for a team at this level, offering a variety of '47 Brand hats, T-shirts, jerseys, sweaters, and other trinkets that often inhabit team stores. The concourse does not wrap around the entirety of the stadium; rather, it stretches from foul pole to foul pole. The left field foul pole holds a general admission grass berm, and behind the berm is a caged playground for children. The right field foul pole houses the 500 Club, where the majority of the specialty food can be found, along with picnic benches and high-top tables. As the concourse wraps around to the other side, there are plenty of concession windows, mini team stores, and a drink kiosk. The field of play is also viewable from the concourse. There is traditional blue stadium seating below the concourse, and the sun does set on the third-base side, which is an important bit of information on sweltering Southern summer days, nights, and everything in between. Premium seating and other hospitality areas can be found on the second deck, and these areas are inaccessible to patrons with a standard ticket. There is also seating atop the replica Green Monster, as well as a specialty rooftop bar and hospitality areas above that. All of this adds to the quirky minor league baseball atmosphere. The field itself pays homage to its major league counterpart, Fenway Park, by modeling some of its unique dimensions after landmarks such as the Green Monster and Pesky's Pole. The atmosphere is topped off with a seamless game presentation featuring fun between-inning activations, clear announcements, audible music without being overbearing, and a well-rounded modern video board. Neighborhood 4 The Historic West End is one of Greenville's most popular districts, offering a wide array of activities, food, drink, and culture. Adjacent to downtown, the West End offers a slightly calmer atmosphere than the busier, but still attractive, downtown area. Modern apartment buildings, shops, bars, and restaurants surround Fluor Field, adding to the Fenway-esque vibe as the stadium is nestled into the surrounding buildings. There are plenty of establishments to pop into before the game for a quick drink or a bite to eat. Places such as Gather GVL, Lefty's West End, Mercado Cantina, and many more are merely steps away from the stadium. Personally, I enjoy New Realm Brewing, which is right across the street from the outfield, for a quick drink before the game. Their beautiful taproom offers a spacious two-story interior with ambient lighting and an expansive outdoor patio with a stage for live music. There is a Homewood Suites across the street from the stadium, but due to the proximity to downtown Greenville, there is no shortage of lodging options. This is true for both hotels and Airbnbs alike. Falls Park on the Reedy is one of Greenville's most popular attractions, and it is less than a mile from the stadium. The park offers a cascading river, scenic views of the city, and plenty of walking paths. While the West End is quaint, downtown is also certainly worth a visit and has more to offer in terms of shopping, restaurants, and bars. It is a little louder and more hectic, but still very clean and walkable. Downtown is also home to the Bon Secours Wellness Arena. Fans 4 We were in attendance for a Thursday night tilt. Weeknight minor league baseball games can be very hit or miss in terms of attendance, but the Drive faithful had a strong showing. This seems to be the norm, as they average just under 5,000 fans per game—nothing for a High-A team to be ashamed of. The fans themselves are reserved and welcoming. It is largely locals greeting one another and staff members alike, which is one of the more special aspects of minor league baseball—something that often gets lost at major league games. While the Red Sox are the major league affiliate, Greenville is certainly still Braves Country, as Braves hats, jerseys, and shirts can be found throughout the crowd. Access 3 There are no direct Fluor Field parking lots adjacent to the stadium; instead, the Drive directs fans to general Greenville parking lots and decks around the city. The Drive offers detailed parking information on its website, including a map displaying all lots, decks, and trolley service routes, as some parking decks are downtown and require a bit of a stroll. There is one free lot at 706 Pendleton Street that is well worth using if you arrive early enough, as some parking options can run as high as $20. This lot is only about a 15-minute walk from the stadium. Traffic coming into the city can be hit or miss, so it is worth giving yourself a little extra buffer time upon arrival, but it should not be anything too extreme. The stadium itself is simple to navigate, as it consists of one concourse that wraps above the seating bowl; it can, however, get a little tight when busy. Return on Investment 4 Minor league baseball should be affordable, and the Drive delivers exactly that. At $9 for general admission and $13 for a reserved seat, combined with the free parking option, you are already looking at one of the more affordable experiences in affiliated baseball. The low cost does not stop there. Basic stadium fare—hot dogs, pizza, boiled peanuts, soda, and more—will only run you between $2 and $6. Specialty items, like the meatball sub that I can and will vouch for, cost around $11. Beer ranges from about $5 for a domestic to $7 for a craft option, and on Thursdays, prices drop even further with $4 Rallyville Lager and $3 Kona Big Wave specials. All things considered, one of the better MiLB experiences is also one of the most affordable. There is no arguing the bang for your buck at Fluor Field. Extras 3 The aforementioned unique ballpark dimensions and left field seating areas are a lot of fun, and they definitely earn a point for still offering physical tickets. Last but certainly not least, the team store offers a '47 Brand hat that does not feature the team logo; instead, it displays a shield of Fluor Field itself, which is much appreciated. Final Thoughts This stadium experience certainly lives up to the hype and is a must-see for any baseball fan in the area.

Photos by Marc Viquez Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.71 Highland Park Stadium 900 West Defenbaugh St Kokomo, IN 46902 Kokomo Post 6 website Highland Park Stadium website Year Opened: 1955 Capacity: 3,000 Kokomo Highland Park Stadium Stands Still Highland Park Stadium, or CFD Investments Stadium, has been a fixture in Kokomo, Indiana, since 1955, when it was prepared for minor league baseball in the Midwest League. The era of affiliated ball lasted seven seasons and provided lasting memories for all who attended games, but many more were made at high school, amateur, and American Legion games. Today, the Kokomo Post 6 baseball team plays here. The American Legion team has called it home for many years and has played steadily since 1925. The program has two primary squads: Senior 19U and Junior 17U teams that develop and prepare area youth for college baseball. The team is affectionately known as the Sixers and has captured two American Legion Baseball State Championships in 1972 and 1982. The 1982 squad finished fourth in the nation. The Kokomo Dodgers operated during the 1955 season before giving way to the Kokomo Dodgers the following year. The K-Dodgers played at the stadium until 1961. Future MLB Hall of Famer Orlando Cepeda and NL All-Star Tommie Davis spent time in town honing their skills. In 1961, improvements were made to the stadium, including painting several buildings and installing bleachers, but it was not enough to keep professional baseball in town. The K-Dodgers quietly folded after the season. The city invested more than $250,000 in stadium renovations that included new lights and bleacher seating for the 1985 American Legion World Series. The upgrades reduced the stadium’s seating capacity from 7,000 to 3,000. The stadium would continue to be used by Kokomo High School, Legion Ball, and other organizations, with close to 160-180 events per year. The stadium was used for amateur baseball teams that included the CFD Saints and the Kokomo, sometimes named Burger King Highlanders, from 1960 to 1999. These teams would generate between 300-500 fans per game at times. Food & Beverages 3 There was food served at the game in the form of a food truck just outside the stadium’s main entrance. El Rancho Street Tacos could not be missed by many in attendance, offering a specific menu for the game that included street corn, tacos, burritos, quesadillas, tortas, and nachos. The main attraction might be the street dog that is topped with grilled onion, pico de gallo, cilantro, and crumbled Hot Cheeto dust. The bun flavors worked well together, and the bun was nicely toasted. Coca-Cola products and bottled agua frescas are available to wash it down with. Fans are also able to bring their own food and drink into the stadium. Atmosphere 3 If you enjoy a laid-back baseball experience with no thrills, this is your place. The game is relaxed, quiet at times, and ideal for the baseball purists. There is not much taking place during the game besides watching the game with a few friends and family members of the players. The sounds of the ball pinging off aluminum bats, cleats brushing against the gravel path, and celebrations from each dugout to end an inning. There is a PA announcer, reminders to visit the truck, and pitching changes. At times, somebody will talk to you about the game or the team itself, but this is a chance to stretch your feet and enjoy the ballgame. The Sixers sell official caps and game-worn jerseys for $30 and $5 a piece at the entrance of the stadium. Foul balls are returned to the umpire, and the neighborhood surrounding gives the experience a small-town feel that is welcoming. Neighborhood 3 The stadium is located in Highland Park on the edge of a residential neighborhood and a golf course, just 2 miles south of Kokomo Municipal Stadium, home of the Kokomo Creek Chubs of the Prospect League. What you would find in Kokomo is a variety of chain restaurants and retail outlets on US-31, which is not too far from the stadium. However, if you are looking for a few interesting sites to see or places to eat, then here are a few suggestions. ​ Harvey Hinklemeyers features great pizza and sandwiches, and it is also an ideal place for the kids. Half Moon Restaurant and Brewery provides a great stop for a bite to eat or craft beer after the game. The Windmill Grill, B-K Root Beer Stand, or Artie’s Tenderloin are great local choices in town. Be sure to try a tenderloin sandwich, a giant breaded piece of pork that is deep-fried and big enough for two. ​ The ballpark is 2 miles away from the historic Kokomo Memorial Gymnasium, which at one time was one of the largest high school basketball field houses in the country. The current size is around 5,000, and it still packs a crowd during the high school season. Fans 2 The game attracts parents, friends, and other family members. There are very few who come out to check out the game itself. Access 3 Highland Park Stadium has its own parking lot, and two main bleachers are separated by a press box. There are areas down the foul lines to watch the game along the fence, but the stadium is laid out nicely for easy access. Return on Investment 3 An adult ticket is $5, children are $2, and a season pass is $25. The cost of a baseball cap is $30, and game-used jerseys are $5-cash only. The food truck prices range from $3 for a taco, $4.50 for a street dog, and $9 for a torta. They take credit cards. A nice way to spend an evening of baseball at a low cost. Extras 2 The stadium earns a point for having a food truck that changes per game. A second point is for the $5 team gear, which makes for a unique and nice gift. Final Thoughts A visit to Highland Park Stadium is for the dedicated baseball traveler, or if you know someone playing for the Sixers. It is a curiosity, a former ballpark that once housed minor league players and a future Hall of Fame ballplayer. If in town to see the Creek Chubs up the road, check out to see what’s going on at Highland Park. ------ Follow all of Marc’s stadium journeys on Twitter @ballparkhunter and his YouTube channel. Email at Marc.Viquez@stadiumjourney.com

Photos by Marc Viquez, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.86 Randal R. Sadler Stadium 1000 Gurney Dr. Richmond, IN 47374 Richmond Red Devils website Randal R. Sadler website Year Opened: 2014 Capacity: 500 Red Devils Play Games at Sadler Stadium Randal R. Sadler Stadium is the home of the Earlham College Quakers baseball program in Richmond, Indiana. It was built during the summer of 2013 and named after former player Randy Sadler, who graduated in 1973. ​ The stadium features a synthetic turf playing surface, 180 chair-back seats, bleachers, and two patio seating areas. There are two batting cages and bullpens next to each dugout and a viewing mound down the right field line. ​ There is also the two-story Cliff Dickman Media Center, behind the backstop, that includes the Avis Stewart Clubhouse, which includes the team’s locker room, concession stand, coach’s office, umpire room, training room, and restrooms. ​ The first recorded baseball game played on campus was in 1886, and the first official game took place in 1900. The baseball team played games at McBride Stadium before relocating to Sadler Stadium and did not have a winning record from 1971 to 2013. However, it has proceeded to have 10 out of 13 winning seasons since the new stadium opened. It included the 2017 and 2022 Heartland Collegiate Athletics Conference tournament champions and first NCAA regional wins in school history. ​ The Richmond High School Red Devils use the ballpark when there are conflicts with McBride Stadium, which is now the home of the Richmond Flying Mummies of the Prospect League. Surprisingly, Sadler is the smaller stadium. ​ Food & Beverage 0 ​Unfortunately, the concession stand was closed during our visit. It was a high school game between rivals Hagerstown and Richmond. The stands were packed with students and fans, and the concession stand would have been essential to the fans. From what we were told, the concession stand for college games offers soda, chips, candy, and hot dogs. ​ Atmosphere 3 ​This easily could have been a college crowd, but it was a high school crowd for two rival schools that were playing here due to Richmond's home field being occupied for the first game of the Richmond Flying Mummies of the Prospect League. All of the seating was occupied by students, friends, and family members of the players on the field. ​ The stadium features chairback seats behind the backstop, a wide open concourse, and plenty of bleacher seating down the foul lines. The design of the stadium allows fans multiple opportunities to enjoy the game, whether it is from the grass mound or the picnic tables. However, views from behind the bullpen down the left field line are limited. ​ The stadium features a video scoreboard that was added in 2017 and lights that were added the next season. The synthetic turf means that there are fewer rainouts for the Quakers and Red Devils high school baseball teams during the season. ​ Neighborhood 3 ​Sadler Stadium is located in the southern part of the campus near a residential area. ​There are no dining options within proximity of the stadium, and one would need to drive a few miles to find a place to eat. ​ Little Sheeba's offers great pizza and baked jalapeno poppers, and Galo's Italian Grill is another fine option. ​ There are quite a few national chains, but one local establishment off Interstate 70 called Fricker's has some of the best hot wings in the area. Roscoe's Coffee Bar and Tap Room has an extensive craft beer selection, on-site roasted coffee, and a spacious, relaxed atmosphere. ​ McBride Stadium, where the Red Devils house their games, is less than a mile from campus. The stadium is also home to the Richmond Flying Mummies of the Prospect League. The Tiernan Center is also less than a mile from Earlham College, the basketball arena where the Red Devils play during the school year. ​ Fans 4 ​It is quite an interesting mix of fans from both High schools. Usually, this type of atmosphere takes place during a basketball or football game. But tonight, both sides cheered greatly for their respective High schools. However, one of the teams was up 11 nothing in the midst of a no-hitter during the visit. Still, everyone remained in great spirits as the game proceeded. ​ Access 3 ​The stadium is listed on GPS, and the venue offers a parking area; however, heavily attended games could result in a search for a space. The main entrance is on the left fuel corner, and restrooms and concession stands are located behind the backstop of the ballpark. However, not all of the views are ideal. There is no access to watch the game from the right field foul line and fencing, and the bullpen blocks views on the left field foul line. ​ Return on Investment 3 ​Sadler Stadium does not charge admission to either college or high school baseball games. It is worth a trip on a beautiful spring afternoon or evening for a game. The seats are comfortable, close to the action of the diamond, and there is plenty of green space to watch the game with your own food or fur baby. ​ Extras 4 ​Sadler Stadium earns a point for the Maroon Monster down the left field line. The giant wall rises 50 feet into the air and mimics the Green Monster at Boston’s Fenway Park. The stadium also might be the only one of its kind with maroon colored fencing. The stadium earns additional points for chairback seating and a video board in right field. ​ Final Thoughts ​Sadler Stadium is a nice-looking venue for Division III baseball. It has comfort, style, and a maroon color that sets it apart from other D-III venues of its kind. If passing through the Richmond, Indiana, area on a baseball trip, check this one out if you have the time.

Photos by Terry McCutchen, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.29 Hodgetown 701 South Buchanan Street Amarillo, TX 79101 Amarillo Sod Poodles website Hodgetown website Year Opened: 2019 Capacity: 6,631 More Than a Dusty Cow Town To many outsiders, Amarillo, Texas is a small dusty cowtown where everyone rides horses; raises cattle; and wears cowboy boots, jeans, and hats everywhere they go. But while Western culture is alive and well here, with many of the world’s largest cattle ranches within a few hours’ drive, the Potter County capital itself is a bustling modern city replete with all the shopping, dining, and entertainment options of any major city. There are also a few museums that are well worth your time, including The Museum of Art, The American Quarter Horse Museum, and the world-famous Cadillac Ranch, a short 14-mile drive west on Interstate 40. Part of the colorful history of Amarillo is a deep-rooted relationship with professional baseball; beginning in 1922 with the Amarillo Gassers, there have been professional baseball teams here for most of the past 104 years. After the Gassers the city laid claim to the Amarillo Gold Sox, a club which called Amarillo home and played at various levels from 1939-1982, serving multiple parent clubs during its tenure. The Gold Sox left the Texas Panhandle to become the Beaumont Golden Gators, then later the Wichita Wranglers, and eventually the modern-day Northwest Arkansas Naturals. More recently, after a brief dalliance with different independent teams such as the Dillas, Sox, and Thunderheads, affiliated professional baseball returned to Amarillo in 2019 with the introduction of the Sod Poodles, and the opening of the new downtown gem, Hodgetown. Hodgetown creatively provides a local twist by combining ‘Hodge’, from Amarillo businessman, philanthropist, community leader, and 26th mayor Jerry Hodge, with ‘Town’ from Prairie Dog-naming culture, when several smaller colonies come together to form a larger community. Free of corporate branding or standard labels like ‘park’ or ‘stadium’, the venue’s unusual name perfectly mirrors its one-of-a-kind game-day experience. Food & Beverage 4 Concessions at Hodgetown offer numerous unique and thematic options in addition to the normal ballpark fare. With four full-service concession stands (Barnyard, Feed and Seed, Panhandle Pizza, and Route 66 Grill) all serving the traditional options plus premium choices, finding food and beverages is no problem. In addition to the full service stands along the concourse, there are also several standalone beverage and specialty food carts spread throughout the facility such as the Pepsi Party Deck in left field, as well as Dickey’s BBQ Pit and HTeaO. Food options vary from traditional items such as hot dogs, nachos, and burgers to game and series-specific items, such as loaded BBQ baked potatoes, calf fries, pork rind nachos, and regional favorite Frito pie (a combination of Fritos, chili, and cheese topped with onions and relish). One specialty food promotion here is to offer a ‘Food from Around the League’ premium item that honors the visiting team for each home series, such as the BBQ pulled pork onion ring burger which honored the Northwest Arkansas Naturals’ parent club, the Kansas City Royals, was available at Route 66 Grill on the concourse. Traditional baseline food options are generally between $5 and $8, while premium options cost between $15 and $20. Drinks run between $6 and $9, but in an effort to be more budget friendly, the Soddies recently introduced four value meals that include a main item, popcorn, and a drink (either a 16 oz. soft drink or a 12 oz. beer) for less than $15. Pepsi is the soft drink company of choice in regular or refillable (free refills) souvenir cups. Many domestic beers, plus multiple local and regional craft beers, are available at the different party decks, including Bar 352 just beyond the left field wall. Other alcohol options include wine and mixed drinks, especially multiple flavors of margaritas from Marg House. In addition to the multiple drink and quality food options offered here on a daily basis, the Sod Poodles offer numerous food and drink promotions that tie in with other stadium events. All these options have helped move Hodgetown’s concessions to the short list of best vendors in minor league baseball. Atmosphere 4 As an anchor to Amarillo’s downtown scene, Hodgetown is a beautiful setting for its passionate fans. Baseball fans in the Panhandle of Texas have been passionate about the game dating back to the days of independent baseball, as the Amarillo teams typically led their leagues in attendance. Averaging between 5,000 and 6,000 fans per game, the Soddies consistently play in front of a passionate fan base. At the most recent game I attended, for example, there were fans lined up more than an hour before the gates opened, in anticipation of the jersey giveaway promotion that night. In-game hosts and game staff create a fan-friendly environment starting before the game begins. Drew Goodman, the play-by-play broadcaster here, hosts his pregame show on field, and multiple giveaways and promotional contests take place between the time gates open and when play begins. Once play begins, interactive between-inning games and activities using the scoreboard keep fans engaged, limiting downtime. Children also have access to a small play area in the right field concourse, as well as a more exclusive area if desired. Neighborhood 4 Hodgetown is the hub of downtown Amarillo; there are numerous office buildings and parking garages near the stadium, which means evening and weekend games take place when traffic is mostly gone. There are also a handful of nearby eateries, including Jimmy John’s across the street from the main entrance to the venue. Other restaurants within walking distance include Crush Wine Bar & Grill, Six Car Pub and Brewery, and Napoli’s. If food challenges are more your thing, try The Big Texan a few miles away; a world-famous steakhouse where you can take on a 72 oz. steak dinner. Complete the steak within 60minutes, along with a loaded baked potato and side salad, and you join the short list of gastronomy heroes. However, if the steak is the victor, you might need a small loan to pay for your experience and the story that comes along with it. Amarillo is large enough to offer hotels and short-term rentals in all price and amenity ranges. For hotels within walking distance of the baseball diamond, the best options include Embassy Suites (immediately across from the third base gate), Courtyard by Marriott, and The Barfield. Less costly choices can be found by choosing accommodations further away from the stadium. Fans 5 Sod Poodle fans deserve full credit for their passion and energy. In terms of attendance they have consistently been one of the highest ranked teams in the Texas League, if not all of minor league baseball, since their inception. Last season they ranked 2nd in the Texas League, averaging nearly 5000 fans per game, which put them in the upper tier of minor league baseball. During the most recent game I attended, there was a near sellout on a Sunday afternoon with the chance of rain in early spring. Not only are fans at Hodgetown present in large numbers, but they are passionate as well – they even lined up hours before the gates opened to get free replica jerseys for one of the alternate identities, the Yellow City Pigweeds. The fans’ excitement and energy help the team create an environment where visitors enjoy watching games. Access 4 Located just north of the intersection of Interstates 27 and 40 in downtown Amarillo, Hodgetown is easily accessible from any direction. Streets are clearly marked, and parking is plentiful – the City of Amarillo states there are over 7000 public parking spaces within walking distance of the facility, including nearly 70 handicapped spaces in the city hall lot across the street from the third base gate. Fans can enter the venue using either the third base entrance or the main gate, the latter of which leads to home plate, and is located at the corner of Buchanan Street and S. 8th Street. Once inside, 360-degree access is available via a ground level concourse. Seating is in a sunken-bowl setting, which makes movement around the ballpark easy. Return On Investment 4 Outfield berm tickets can be purchased for less than $10, while the most expensive seats in the house go for approximately $35 (behind home plate on weekends). Parking around the facility costs around $8, although handicapped parking is free by Texas state law, if you have the proper signage. The cost of concessions items at Hodgetown is consistent with other Texas League venues, with some days of the week offering special promotions and prices for specific items. The pricing of souvenirs is also in line with most other minor league teams, as well. All these considerations lead to helping the Sod Poodles create a positive return on investment. Once you factor ease of access and fan passion into the equation, the chance of a high-quality game experience is sure to increase. I enjoyed my time at Hodgetown, and would relish another trip. Extras 5 Alternate identities with catchy logos such as the Calf Fries, Yellow City Pigweeds, and Pointy Boots have helped generate a large variety of merchandise to choose from at the team store. The crowd’s engagement and involvement during the game creates a fun environment, which is key since not every fan base is active during games. Concessionaires and team employees are friendly and engaging; I had multiple questions during my visit, and every interaction was met with a smile and positive reception. The efficiency and speed at which fans move through the gates is also amazing – at the last game I attended the lines were a block long to get into the game, but were cleared within minutes of the gates opening. The ease in which you can get in and out of downtown Amarillo is also worth extra points; I was there for two days in a row, and never had trouble getting to or from the facility. Final Thoughts While Amarillo may not lead most people’s vacation lists, Hodgetown should definitely be on the short list of minor league parks baseball fans want to attend; it offers amenities and perks that many other baseball stadiums are unable to duplicate.

Spring has sprung and baseball is in full effect! Paul and Dave head down to the Minor Leagues and talk about a franchise that was the beneficiary of the "Tebow Effect." Grab a beer and get ready to learn about carousels in the latest episode of Stadium Journey's Obstructed Views, Binghamton Rumble Ponies edition! ⚾🏟️ You can find Stadium Journey's review of Mirabito Stadium and the Binghamton Rumble Ponies game day experience here.

Photos by Michael Davis, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.43 TPC Craig Ranch 8000 Collin McKinney Pkwy McKinney, TX 75070 TPC Craig Ranch website The CJ Cup Byron Nelson website The CJ Cup Byron Nelson There are two PGA stops in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex in the month of May. The older of the two tournaments began in 1944 with the event’s namesake, Byron Nelson from Fort Worth, Texas, winning the inaugural event at Dallas’ Lakewood Country Club. The tournament has been played at various courses throughout the Dallas area. In 2018 the tournament celebrated its 50th Anniversary with the opening of a new course at Trinity Forest Golf Club in Southeast Dallas. However, the links course in Southeast Dallas wasn’t a good match for the players or the fans, so after only three years at Trinity, the tournament moved to its current location at TPC Craig Ranch in McKinney, Texas. TPC Craig Ranch is located 30 miles north-northeast of downtown Dallas. The course is located within the Craig Ranch Community and was designed by Tom Weiskopf, a major champion and a member of the TPC network, which is operated by the PGA. Food & Beverage 4 There are plenty of food and drink options throughout the course, either in the built-up suites or in the public concession tents; most tents are operated by local groups as fundraisers. The concession menu here has variety, but lacks the overall wow factor that has been a staple at sports venues. The various menu items are as follows: smoked chopped brisket sandwiches, smoked link sausage sandwiches, cheeseburgers, jumbo hot dogs, pulled pork sandwiches, deli hoagies, classic club subs, chicken Caesar salad wraps, Bavarian pretzels, and peanuts. The one wow concession stand would be the Korean BBQ stand called Bibigo – this concession tent serves shrimp kimchi bao, sweet and spicy chicken skewers, jap-chae (noodles with beef and vegetables), and bibi-cones (ice cream cones filled with bulgogi or kimchi rice). Pepsi is the beverage sponsor of The CJ Cup Byron Nelson, and sodas cost $7 for 16oz, with Smart Water at $7.50 and Dasani bottled water or Powerade at $6.50 if you want something besides soda. There are also plenty of alcoholic beverages throughout the course – Michelob Ultra is a proud sponsor of the event and is readily available, along with Estrella Jalisco, Texas’ own Ziegenbock, and Houston’s brewery Karbach Love Street. These beers are $15, while a glass of wine is $18. Atmosphere 4 The CJ Cup Byron Nelson has always been a go-and-be-seen type of event for North Texas, with most people’s idea being to attend the golf tournament as a large social event. All ages and backgrounds from all over the area can be seen walking the course throughout the weekend. From the moment patrons step off the shuttles, the CJ Cup Byron Nelson atmosphere begins. The main entrances have photo ops for fans to start their day, and the box office, will call, and volunteer headquarters are all near the shuttle drop-off. All patrons are shuttled in and walk through the main entrance, to arrive on the course at the driving, putting, and chipping ranges in the front nine of the course. To get to the middle of the course and clubhouse you will walk on a path under a neighborhood road. Fan options are to either find a golfer and be part of the gallery around the course, or set up in an area that not only has one green, but offers multiple greens and tees – this set up provides fans with more action, and allows them to get more involved in the action being played around the course. In addition, the course provides numerous activities along the 18th fairway, especially the CJ Zone, the tournament’s merchandise shop, as well as other interactive displays. There are also plenty of photo spots and course information signage, creating more of an event here than just golf. Neighborhood 3 The CJ Cup Byron Nelson is played at TPC Craig Ranch Golf Course in McKinney, Texas. The course is the center point of the Craig Ranch community. The community is 30 miles from downtown Dallas and lies between McKinney and Frisco, off the Sam Rayburn Tollway where the tollway meets North Central Expressway (75) in Allen, Texas. There isn’t much outside the course except apartments and houses, except a couple of hotels nearby, as well as the general parking lot at McKinney ISD Stadium. The best bet is to look at Frisco, McKinney, or Allen where you have an abundant number of choices for lodging, restaurants, and activities. Each city is about 8 miles in the opposite direction of each other, with McKinney and Allen being neighbors. The McKinney side has a nice historic downtown with restaurants and breweries. The Yard is one of the restaurants you will find in this area; there isn’t anything fancy about The Yard, but the vibe is pleasant and the food and drinks are perfect after being out on the golf course. Allen has premium outlets and other restaurants along with lodging, with Marriott Dallas Allen Hotel and Hilton Garden Inn Dallas/Allen across from each other off the North Central Expressway. The Frisco side of TPC Craig Ranch has numerous restaurants, lodging, and a mall area next to Dr Pepper Ballpark (Frisco Roughriders), and just south of The Star in Frisco (headquarters to the Dallas Cowboys). Frisco also has the National Soccer Hall of Fame inside Toyota Stadium, home of FC Dallas, which is in Frisco’s historic downtown. Golfers may have already heard of Frisco, Texas as home to the PGA’s newest championship golf course – Omni PGA Frisco Resort & Spa will be the site of the 2027 PGA Championship. Overall, there are plenty of places to eat, sleep, and visit while attending the CJ Cup, so the best idea would be to plan your trip around which side of TPC Craig Ranch is perfect for you. Fans 5 Last year’s CJ Cup Byron Nelson welcomed 181,000 fans filling the grounds, a record-setting attendance since the tournament moved to Craig Ranch in 2021. The CJ Cup Byron Nelson has one of the highest attendances on the PGA tour, and North Texas golf fans have embraced this tournament for 55 years. These fans will also welcome back the PGA Championship in 2027. While The PGA Championship will be just up the road in Frisco, the CJ Cup Byron Nelson will remain at TPC Craig Ranch through 2030, ensuring years of world-class golf for North Texas golf fans, and unforgettable moments still to come. In general, though, the golf fans here are passionate – the calls of “Get in the hole!” on the greens are impressive, while the same calls as the players hit off the tee are just silly. But there are plenty of lively moments on the course that television just can’t duplicate, such as the roar of a massive golf crowd when an athlete sinks a long putt or aces a hole-in-one during the tournament. In general golf fans have a kind demeanor, as there is not the my-team-versus-your-team attitude that other sports tend to engender; golf fans just like to enjoy the day on the course while watching some amazing professional golfers make some incredible shots. Access 3 TPC Craig Ranch is in the surrounding Craig Ranch Community of McKinney, Texas, about twenty-five miles from the airports in Dallas. The course is just off the Sam Rayburn Tollway, with a physical address of 8000 Collin McKinney Parkway. There is signage on the tollway for parking, including the corporate parking lots near the course – the few lots within walking distance to the main entrance will cost $106, while general parking is located at McKinney ISD Stadium and costs $26 to $30, with a 10-minute shuttle ride to the golf course. For patrons wanting to use Uber/Lyft, spectators will be dropped off and picked up in a designated lot at 8043 Henneman Way in McKinney, a short walk from the TPC course main entrance. When you are ready to leave for the day, request your ride upon leaving the tournament from the same spot where you were dropped off, as Ubers/Lyfts trying to get to main entrance itself will face a nightmare. Once at the gates to the tournament, access flows through with little wait. Spectators can bring in items such as umbrellas (without sleeves), binoculars, and collapsible chairs (without bags). Bags larger than 6” x 6” will not be allowed in, and mobile devices must always be kept on silent. The course clubhouse splits the course, as it is on the sixth and eighteenth greens, and most of the fan amenities are around the clubhouse. The course is not flat, but only has subtle terrain changes, so is highly walkable, although the Texas weather may take a toll if the weather is hot. Return on Investment 3 Daily Grounds tickets are based on the day you attend. Ticket prices for the CJ Cup Byron Nelson start at $50 for the Wednesday Pro-Am, are $75 for Thursday and Sunday, and reach $90 for Friday and Saturday. There are also two single-day hospitality club tickets to choose from: $400 to $550 for Champions Club on the 17th hole (with full food and bar) or Choctaw Club (climate-controlled) views of the 13th tee and 16th green. The tournament also offers free daily tickets to military personnel, first responders, and youth (15 years and under). Public parking is under $30, and concession prices are typical of events like this, so there aren’t any savings when it comes to food and drinks. Overall, the cost to attend this event is on par with other PGA tour events, but is much cheaper than the PGA major event. Extras 2 TPC Craig Ranch is a walkable course with places you can find shade. The natural terrain of the course is relaxing, and if you get out on the course away from the large galleries, you can get lost in its beauty. The Byron Nelson golf tournament has had a few sponsorships and been played at a few courses over the years, but the one constant is the “Red Pants” of the tournament. There isn’t anyone that can do fundraising better than the Salesmanship Club of Dallas; this club is the chief fundraiser for the CJ Cup Byron Nelson, and has been the heart and soul of the tournament since 1968. Since that time the event has raised over $160 million and transformed more than 100,000 lives, making it the most successful charity event on the PGA Tour. Final Thoughts The CJ Cup Byron Nelson is a popular stop on the PGA Tour. The large crowds for this event show that North Texas loves this annual tour stop. Although many wish the tournament was back at TPC Las Colinas, TPC Craig Ranch is a wonderful course to see some of the top golfers in the world.

The Canadian Hockey League began the season welcoming the Penticton Vees to the Western Hockey League to increase its ranks to 61 teams. An expansion team in Chilliwack, British Columbia, expected to begin in the 2026-27 season was pushed off for another year. The Newfoundland Regiment joined the QMJHL after relocating from Acadie-Bathurst. The culmination of the season was the Memorial Cup, hosted in Kelowna, British Columbia. The Kelowna Rockets welcomed the champions of the three leagues, WHL, QMJHL and OHL, to compete in a weeklong round robin tournament to crown the top junior hockey team in the league. The semi-final saw the Everett Silvertips defeat the Chicoutimi Sagnaéens to move on to the final. However, the story of the tournament was the dominant performance of the Kitchener Rangers who were undefeated in the tournament and beat the Everett Silvertips to win their third Memorial Cup. Sam O’Reilly was named the Stafford Smythe Memorial Trophy winner as the Memorial Cup’s Most Outstanding Player and Jack Pridham won the Ed Chynoweth Trophy as the tournament’s top scorer. Stadium Journey welcomed brand new reviews for the Newfoundland Regiment, Victoria Royals, and Vancouver Giants for the 2025-26 season. Also, updated reviews were posted for Québec, Charlottetown, Cape Breton, Barrie, London and Kitchener. The annual CHL rankings at Stadium Journey are based on the FANFARE metric used on the website, where a number of different writers assess the hockey experience based on the categories of Food, Atmosphere, Neighbourhood, Fans, Access, Return on Investment and any extras that the writers experienced. The stakes are high, with an average grading of 3.65 being earned out of a possible perfect 5.0. This list is just an amalgamation of a number of opinions, and may not be in agreement for all. Please let Stadium Journey know your opinions on our various Social Media outlets. How is your list different from ours? What do we have right? What do we have wrong? Without further ado, Stadium Journey is proud to present the 2026 Rankings of the Canadian Hockey League Experiences. NR - Baie-Comeau Drakkar, Kamloops Blazers, Kelowna Rockets, Penticton Vees, Prince George Cougars, Spokane Chiefs, Wenatchee Wild Stadium Journey needs your help! If you are in Baie-Comeau, Kamloops, Kelowna, Penticton, Prince George, Spokane or Wenatchee and interested in writing a review, please contact Stadium Journey! 54. CAA Centre - Brampton Steelheads - 2.57 Dave Cottenie - The home for the Steelheads is CAA Centre. The city owned arena opened in 1998 and has a capacity of 5,000. It is an appropriate home for OHL hockey as it housed the Brampton Battalion from 1998 to 2013, before they moved to North Bay. A familiar story for OHL hockey in the GTA is once again brewing, low attendance and an uncertain future. 53. Dort Financial Centre - Flint Firebirds - 2.86 Dave Cottenie - When Peter Karmanos sold the Plymouth Whalers of the Ontario Hockey League to the IMS Hockey Corporation and Rolf Nilsen there were a number of eyebrows raised. There are more than enough doubters when it comes to the Firebirds viability in Flint, but IMS is chugging along and they want everyone to get behind and Believe in Flint. 52. Assiniboine Credit Union Place - Brandon Wheat Kings - 2.86 Andrew Kulyk - Andrew Kulyk - Home for the Brandon Wheat Kings is Assiniboine Credit Union Place, a 6,000-seat arena built as part of a larger convention/exhibition complex called Keystone Centre. It was built in 1972 and has undergone numerous renovations. The franchise is the easternmost franchise in the Western Hockey League and ranks in the upper end of attendance in the league. 51. Accesso ShoWare Center - Seattle Thunderbirds - 2.86 Josh Eastern - The Seattle Thunderbirds are a junior hockey league team that plays in the U.S. Division of the Western Hockey League. They play in the ShoWare Center located in Kent, WA which is about 30 minutes south of Seattle. It was opened in January of 2009. The Thunderbirds played at Mercer Arena before moving to Key Arena. In 2009, the T-Birds moved south to the ShoWare Center. It is a multi-purpose arena that is mostly used for hockey. It is a great setting for hockey 50. Dow Event Center - Saginaw Spirit - 3.00 Dave Cottenie - Saginaw provides a decent hockey experience for Junior Hockey. The Dow Event Center is one of the nicer OHL venues from the exterior. The Atrium can be found on the north side of Johnson Street and offers a warm, welcoming feeling for fans coming out of the cold, Central Michigan winter. Glassed in and spacious, the Atrium is a great place to meet friends before the game and also houses security and the ticketing windows. The upper rotunda features hanging banners of significant, former Saginaw Spirit players. These include Ryan McDonough, Jack Combs, Josh Shalla, Vince Trocheck, Dylan Sadowy, Brandon Saad, T.J. Brodie, Tom Pyatt, Eric Locke, Brad Walch, Patrick McNiell and Jake Paterson. 49. Harry Lumley Bayshore Community Centre - Owen Sound Attack - 3.14 Dave Cottenie - On the banks of Georgian Bay sits the smallest market in the Ontario Hockey League. In 1989, the Guelph Platers, who had been in Guelph since 1968, made the move north to the Grey-Bruce area of Ontario. The Owen Sound Platers were to be sold to a businessman out of town which would require relocation. The “Super Six,” would come together to purchase the team and keep them in Owen Sound. Brian Johnson, Dr. Robert Severs, Fay Harshman, Frank Coulter, and Peter and Paul MacDermid, a group of local business owners, would keep that can-do attitude alive in Owen Sound and the Attack have remained viable and competitive in the Ontario Hockey League. The hard work culminated in the Attack’s 2011 J.Ross Robertson Cup as OHL Champions and a berth in the Memorial Cup. 48. Centre d’Excellence Sports Rousseau - Blainville-Boisbriand Armada - 3.14 Dave Cottenie - You will not find a whole lot of bells and whistles at an Armada game. Simple. However, the product that they put on the ice is pretty good, and the atmosphere there is good as well. Don’t feel that Montreal is only about Les Habitants. Check out the Armada in the suburbs the next time you are there! 47. Colisée Desjardins - Victoriaville Tigres - 3.14 Dave Cottenie - Travelling through Quebec can be a bit intimidating for any Anglophone, especially in the smaller cities, away from the tourist areas of Montreal and Quebec City. However, stadium travelers should attempt to see real grassroots hockey the way it was meant to be seen in Quebec. The passion is there, and the price is right. In Victoriaville, they have the tiger by the tail, and the Tigres will put on a show for you. 46. Brandt Centre - Regina Pats - 3.14 Andrew Kulyk - The Brandt Centre is a hockey arena located in the city of Regina, Saskatchewan. Opened in 1977, its primary tenant is the Regina Pats, a junior hockey team playing in the Western Hockey League (WHL). The arena is part of a larger interconnected complex called Evraz Place, which offers exhibit space, curling venues and other public facilities. 45. TD Civic Centre - Brantford Bulldogs - 3.14 Dave Cottenie - When the Hamilton Bulldogs found they would be homeless for two years as the FirstOntario Centre undergoes renovations, owner Michael Andlauer found a landing spot in Brantford, Ontario, famously the childhood home of Wayne Gretzky, and signed a lease with the city for at least three years. The Bulldogs have since committed to Brantford with a new arena in the works and a long-term lease signed, leaving their time at the Civic Centre very limited. 44. Centre Marcel-Dionne - Drummondville Voltigeurs - 3.14 Dave Cottenie - On the south shore of Quebec, nestled between Montreal and Quebec City, lies the city of Drummondville. A trip through the QMJHL will find Drummondville as one of the solid francophone franchises. It’s worth the trip to see an arena that is from a different time and a great group of fans who know how to be loud. The air horn is a favorite of the Drummondville fan, and they use it liberally. The fans that we met were very friendly and accommodating. 43. Eastlink Centre - Charlottetown Islanders - 3.29 Andrew Kulyk - While this arena and the hockey game day experience will not blow you away, what makes a trip to see the Charlottetown Islanders is not the game itself, but immersing into a cultural and tour experience that embraces the community and the region. Prince Edward Island offers charm and beauty that is so palpable. 42. WFCU Centre - Windsor Spitfires - 3.29 Marc Viquez - The WFCU Centre is the home of the Windsor Spitfires of the Ontario Hockey League. The building has a seating capacity of 6,450 for hockey and was built for $71 million. The new home to the Spitfires ensured that the club would remain in Windsor for the foreseeable future. The arena replaced the 84-year-old Windsor Arena that the Spitfires had called home since 1975. The new WFCU Centre was a much-needed replacement for the aging arena and resulted in the building hosting the 2017 Memorial Cup. 41. Scotiabank Saddledome - Calgary Hitmen - 3.43 Jim Flannery - The Calgary Hitmen entered the Western Hockey League in 1995, filling the junior hockey gap in Calgary caused by the departure of the Calgary Wranglers in 1987. Named after wrestling legend and team co-founder Brett “The Hitman” Hart, the Hitmen have gone on to enjoy a great deal of success, earning the best record in the WHL four times, and going all the way to the Memorial Cup twice. The Scotiabank Saddledome opened its doors in 1983 and is among the busiest arenas in the country as it is also the home of the Calgary Flames, Calgary Roughnecks and AHL’s Calgary Wranglers. 40. Angel of the Winds Arena - Everett Silvertips - 3.43 Dennis Morrell - Angel of the Winds Arena is nestled in the heart of downtown at 2000 Hewitt Avenue, the north edge of the block bordered by Oakes Avenue to the west and Broadway to the east. The corner of Hewitt and Oakes provides the facility’s most grand entrance. It is arguably the epicenter of activity in this quaint community. From the outside, the building does not look like much, but get inside and it has some character. It is intimate with sections close together and built nearly on top of the ice instead of spread back. 39. Sadlon Arena - Barrie Colts - 3.43 Dave Cottenie - In a mind-splitting thirteen months, the City of Barrie built the home for the Barrie Colts. Granted an expansion team for the 1995 season, work frantically began for what is now known as Sadlon Arena. Opening its doors in 1995, Sadlon Arena also became the home of the Colts, who have played nearly all of their home games just west of Highway 400. The Colts were originally a Junior B franchise established in 1946. The Colts have come a long way, earning a Hamilton Spectator Trophy for the best record in 2010 and a J. Ross Robertson Cup in 2000 as OHL Champions. Barrie was not foreign to top-level junior hockey either, as the Barrie Flyers took the ice from 1945 to 1960, earning a pair of Memorial Cups. The franchise line leads them to the current Sudbury Wolves. The Colts are currently owned by Howie Campbell and are also known as the final hockey stop for Hockey Hall of Fame member Dale Hawerchuk, who was the coach in Barrie before his tragic death in 2020 after battling stomach cancer. 38. SaskTel Centre - Saskatoon Blades - 3.43 Andrew Kulyk - True story. Back in 1983, a Saskatoon-based investment group put together a deal to buy the NHL St. Louis Blues and move them to Saskatoon, a city that was off the grid for most hockey fans. Plans were put in place for a new arena to replace a dated historic downtown venue that had served the city well. Front office staffers were hired, and moving plans were put in place. And then it all derailed when the NHL Board of Governors refused to support the move. Lawsuits went flying from all sides, and in the end the Blues stayed put in St. Louis. Out of the disappointment of that debacle came a gleaming new arena and showplace for hockey in Saskatoon, an arena initially dubbed Saskatchewan Place. Fans who liked the old and creaky downtown barn weren’t happy with the move. But with numerous renovations, expansions, and now a showplace for some major events, the arena is now embraced within the community. 37. TD Station - Saint John Sea Dogs - 3.43 Dave Cottenie - The Saint John Sea Dogs were founded in 2005. In 2011, they won their first Memorial Cup and, in so doing, became the first Atlantic Canada team to achieve the feat. The Sea Dogs would hang a Memorial Cup Championship again in 2022, as well as post the curious moniker “City of Champions” in the arena. It is undeniable that the Sea Dogs have enjoyed a great deal of success in New Brunswick. 36. Co-Op Place - Medicine Hat Tigers - 3.57 Jim Flannery - Until the fall of 2015, the Medicine Hat Tigers spent the entire history of their franchise playing in the Medicine Hat Arena, located just east of the city’s downtown core. The Tigers relocated to a brand new arena at the start of the 2015-16 season; after 45 seasons in the Arena, it was time to move into a more modern facility. Originally called Canalta Centre, it was specifically designed to Memorial Cup specifications in the hopes of luring the CHL championship to Medicine Hat in the near future. Now called Co-op Place, it has room for 3,000 more fans than Medicine Hat Arena did, includes 22 luxury suites, 350 club seats on the south side between the blue lines, a lounge, and state of the art technology throughout. 35. Aréna Glencore - Rouyn-Noranda Huskies - 3.57 Dave Cottenie - The horns, oh the horns! They may not be the horns of justice or the horns of victory. They may only be made of plastic and cardboard, but the horns are a staple of Aréna Iamgold du Centre Dave-Keon. The building is as old school as they come and totally fits the Northern Québec area. If there is one thing that the hockey experience in this town should be known for, it is the horns. 34. Boart Longyear Memorial Gardens - North Bay Battalion - 3.57 Dave Cottenie - In 2013 the Ontario Hockey League made a triumphant return to North Bay, Ontario. After the North Bay Centennials had their run from 1982 to 2002, they left for Saginaw, Michigan under a cloud of mistrust and bad feelings. The hockey light would shine again in the Gateway to the North after the local fans provided next level support for the Nipissing Lakers, a newly formed university team. Brampton Battalion owner and Trivial Pursuit founder Scott Abott would bring his OHL team from outside of Toronto north to the banks of Lake Nipissing in search of greater fan support. Moving the team to a military city like North Bay made the team name and moniker suddenly make a whole lot more sense. 33. Progressive Auto Sales Arena - Sarnia Sting - 3.57 Marc Viquez - The Progressive Auto Sales Arena is home to the Sarnia Sting of the Ontario Hockey League. It has a seating capacity of 5,500 and sits on the campus of Lambton College. The building debuted in 1998, four seasons after the Sting arrived, and features 43 luxury suites, two full-size NHL rinks, and a full-service restaurant. 32. Veterans Memorial Coliseum - Portland Winterhawks - 3.57 Paul Hilchen - Portland hockey dates back to the 1910’s with the Portland Rosebuds. The most recent team not named the Winterhawks was the Buckaroos, who played in the Coliseum from 1960-1975. The franchise has had much success during their tenure in the Rose City, including winning the 1998 Memorial Cup, and a current run of back to back to back to back Western Conference championships. Memorial Coliseum is on the National Register of Historic Places due to its architecture and glass walls that adorn the outside of the building. Some within Portland have questioned the practicality of having two buildings side by side that serve exactly the same purpose, while others have outwardly called for its demolition so a baseball stadium could be built on the site. Whatever side of the spectrum one finds themselves on, no one can deny the fact that the building has a great amount of history and character. 31. Centre Slush Puppie - Gatineau Olympiques - 3.57 Sean MacDonald - The city of Gatineau awarded the non-profit organization Vision Multisports Outaouais (VMSO) the contract for the construction and management of a 4,000-seat arena, including three community ice rinks. The venue is now known as Centre Slush Puppie after naming rights were acquired by the maker of the “original non-carbonated frozen beverage treats enjoyed by millions of people worldwide.” 30. InnovationPlex - Swift Current Broncos - 3.71 Jim Flannery - In a small facility like the InnovationPlex, it doesn’t take a lot of people to get the energy up in the place. A couple thousand people, many with cowbells, can get the place rocking in no time at all. With the game viewable from standing room in the main lobby right at ice level, audience members downstairs almost feel like they’re right in the game, just inches from the play. And even the worst seats in the main viewing bowl are only 11 rows back from the ice, so there isn’t a bad seat in the house. 29. Peterborough Memorial Centre - Peterborough Petes - 3.71 Robbie Raskin - The small city of Peterborough sits at the southern entrance to Ontario’s vast ‘Cottage Country’ where farmland gives way to countless lakes and forests. Since 1956, it has been home to the maroon-and-white Petes, and the hockey club has been deeply tied to the city’s sense of identity ever since. The Petes’ alumni roll is a laundry list of great players and managers over the decades, including seven Hall of Famers. They’re the oldest continuously-operating team in the OHL and have won the league nine times and the national Memorial Cup championship once. Frustrating to their fans is that the only team with greater success are their hated rivals, the Oshawa Generals. 28. Temple Gardens Centre - Moose Jaw Warriors - 3.71 Jim Flannery - After a four-year stint in Winnipeg, the Western Hockey League’s Warriors moved to Moose Jaw in 1984. They played their games at the Moose Jaw Civic Centre, better known as the Crushed Can, for many years, but in 2011 the team moved to a brand new facility right downtown, known as Temple Gardens Centre. The $61 million arena seats 4,465 people, which is the equivalent of about 13 percent of the entire city population when the place is full. In addition to the rink area, it also features an eight-sheet curling club, a banquet room, and other meeting rooms. It has played host to a number of major events, including the Scotties Tournament of Hearts and concerts by A-list performers like Alice Cooper and Carrie Underwood. But the Moose Jaw Warriors are the centrepiece of entertainment in the building. 27. Centre Georges-Vézina - Chicoutimi Saguenéens - 3.71 Dave Cottenie - A trip to see Centre Georges-Vézina and the Saguenéens is truly a trip to see the church of hockey. An old school hockey barn that bleeds history and is a throwback to days of old, a trip through the Q is not complete without Georges-Vézina. 26. Colisée Financière Sun Life - Rimouski Océanic - 3.71 Dave Cottenie - Having passed off the Rimouski Océanic to his grandson, Alexandre Tanguay, Maurice Tanguay must be proud of how his team has continued. The Océanic continues to be a solid franchise in the QMJHL and has continued to enjoy success on and off the ice. They are truly one of the best experiences in the league and were worth the trip to the south shore area. 25. Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre - Victoria Royals - 3.71 Dave Cottenie - The Victoria Royals may seem a bit isolated, being located on Vancouver Island. However, Victoria is an excellent tourist destination, and the Victoria Royals can definitely be a part of the excitement. The Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre provides a solid junior hockey experience, and fans will definitely enjoy the experience. 24. Erie Insurance Arena - Erie Otters - 3.71 Patricia Beninato - If you’re a hockey fan, an Erie Otters game is fun and relatively inexpensive, even if you throw in a hot dog, a beer, and a t-shirt. Maybe it’s not a destination arena, but if you’re in the area and want to see future NHL stars up close and hang out with some loyal hockey fans, you can do worse than Erie Insurance Arena. 23. Sudbury Community Arena - Sudbury Wolves - 3.71 Dave Cottenie - The Sudbury Community Arena, simply put, is an old-school hockey barn. The exterior of the Sudbury Arena has a classic red brick entrance that is true to its age. The arena is guarded by a bronze statue of singer Stompin’ Tom Connors, author, and performer of the famous “Hockey Song.” One of Connors’ big hits was “Sudbury Saturday Night” which is the reason for the commissioning of the statue. The southeast corner of the arena is where the most unique item in all hockey resides. In the rafters hangs a real taxidermy wolf. When Sudbury scores a goal, the wolf travels out over the ice towards the visiting team bench on a pulley system. It stops over the bench, shakes around a bit, and heads back to the southeast corner. There is nothing like this anywhere. It may be kitschy, but it is amazing. 22. Centre 200 - Cape Breton Eagles - 3.71 Andrew Kulyk - As a destination venue, Centre 200 in and of itself is not the kind of building that will make an indelible impression. It lacks some of the glitz that has become part of some of the newer arenas in the QMJHL. But what makes this a compelling and worthwhile travel experience is the totality of the destination itself. Sydney offers a lot to see and experience, even in the winter. Its location as a waterfront town provides a sense of wonder at the beauty of Nova Scotia. 21. Langley Events Centre - Vancouver Giants - 3.71 Dave Cottenie - In 2001, Vancouver, British Columbia, was granted an expansion team. The Vancouver Giants called the Pacific Coliseum home and enjoyed decent success there. The Giants took home the Ed Chynoweth Cup as Western Hockey League Champions in 2006 and eclipsed that feat with a Memorial Cup the following season. The Giants have produced several NHL players, including Cody Franson, Evander Kane, Brendan Gallagher, and Milan Lucic. In 2016, the Giants moved away from the oversized Pacific Coliseum, the former home of the Vancouver Canucks, to the Langley Events Centre. Built in 2009 and more appropriately sized for junior hockey, Langley Events Centre is a ways from central Vancouver, but serves the suburban cities. 20. VisitLethbridge.com Arena - Lethbridge Hurricanes - 3.86 Jim Flannery - VisitLethbridge.com Arena opened its doors in 1974, in anticipation of the 1975 Canada Winter Games. The Sportsplex (as it was then known) was designed for a multitude of purposes. The arena converts easily to a number of different applications for curling, concerts, hockey, basketball, banquets, etc. The Lethbridge Hurricanes ice hockey began their history as the Winnipeg Jets in 1967 and have been in operation ever since. They changed their name twice while in Winnipeg before moving to Calgary and becoming the Wranglers in 1977. They remained in Calgary until 1987 when they relocated to Lethbridge and were renamed once again, becoming the Hurricanes, a name they have stuck with now for more than 30 years. 19. Centre Agnico Eagle - Val-d’Or Foreurs - 3.86 Dave Cottenie - When travelling to Northern Québec, fans should want to get the true feel of the Québécois culture in the north. A trip to see Les Foreurs de Val-d’Or is an absolute must. An old-school hockey experience in a gem of a building, the Foreurs will provide a great evening’s entertainment at a cost that will shock fans with how affordable it is. 18. Canada Life Place - London Knights - 3.86 Dave Cottenie - It is difficult to argue with the success that the London Knights have achieved on the ice. Since the Knights were purchased in 2000 by Mark and Dale Hunter and Basil McRae they have earned six J. Ross Robertson Cups as OHL Champions and three Memorial Cups and CHL champions. What is even more shocking is that not long before the Knights set the record for the greatest regular season in the entire Canadian Hockey League (59-7-2 in 2004-05, with a 31-game unbeaten streak), they set the record for the worst season in the league (3-60-3 in 1995-96).The Knights play in one of the premier venues in the OHL. The second-largest venue in the league, Canada Life Place, was built in 2002 and was key to the turnaround of the team. Originally known as the John Labatt Centre, the facility replaced the venerable London Gardens. In 2024, Canada Life purchased the naming rights. Canada Life Place has hosted the Memorial Cup on two occasions, in 2005 and 2014. 17. Tribute Communities Centre - Oshawa Generals - 3.86 Dave Cottenie - One of the cornerstone franchises of the Ontario Hockey League is the Oshawa Generals. For many years, Oshawa, Ontario was the Canadian incarnation of the Motor City, with General Motors having a massive presence in the city, including the Canadian headquarters. The Generals moniker, therefore, has no link to the military, but to the car manufacturer. The current home of the Generals was also originally named the General Motors Centre. With a lineage that goes back to Oshawa’s favourite adopted son, Bobby Orr, the Generals are one of the most successful teams to ever take the ice in Ontario. The Generals hold the record for most J. Ross Robertson Cups as OHL Champions, with 13. The Generals also boast an impressive five Memorial Cups, which is also more than any other current Canadian Hockey League franchise. The Generals were founded in 1937 and were forced to take a hiatus in the fifties when their home arena burned down. The Gens resurfaced in 1962 and are currently owned by Rocco Tullio. 16. Slush Puppie Place - Kingston Frontenacs - 3.86 Dave Cottenie - Although the Fronts have not enjoyed a ton of success on the ice, with only two East Division Championships to show for their efforts, the Frontenacs experience has improved significantly and remains a great option for sports fans. Slush Puppie Place offers an atmosphere for Frontenacs hockey that is among the best in the OHL. Outside of the arena, in the northwest corner sits actual ruins from the original Fort Frontenac. Across Ontario Street is the current Fort Frontenac, which is a Canadian Military venue. The exterior of Slush Puppie Place is attractive with light coloured brick. The south side of Slush Puppie Place is Tragically Hip Way, a portion of Barrack Street that Kingston City Council renamed in honour of the famous Kingston band. 15. Centre Gervais Auto - Shawinigan Cataractes - 3.86 Dave Cottenie - If you want to see what Québécois hockey is all about, make a trip to see the bedrock of junior hockey in Quebec. The Shawinigan Cataractes are a fantastic entertainment experience and a must for all hockey gurus. When in Shawinigan, you will most definitely feel l’energie! 14. Rogers Place - Edmonton Oil Kings - 4.00 Jim Flannery - The Oil Kings returned to Edmonton for the 2007-08 season and have been have found an audience. Owned and operated by the Katz Group, which also owns the NHL’s Oilers, the Oil Kings are drawing good crowds, and winning consistently. The Oil Kings spent most of their history playing at what is currently known as Rexall Place (formerly Northlands Coliseum). But starting in the fall of 2016, the Oil Kings have relocated to the new downtown arena, called Rogers Place. It is the newest, most modern arena in hockey and without a doubt the premier place to watch the WHL. 13. Art Hauser Centre - Prince Albert Raiders - 4.00 Jim Flannery - Playing at the Art Hauser Centre, the Prince Albert Raiders have been one of the more successful junior hockey teams in Saskatchewan. Between 1977-1982 the Raiders won four Tier II junior national championships in six years. After graduating up to the WHL for the 1982-83 season, the Raiders went on to win the Memorial Cup in 1985 as the top junior team in the country. The Raiders have produced 72 players who have made it to the NHL, including Brad McCrimmon, James Patrick, Wes Walz and Mike Modano. And all of them have paid their dues in this little arena in this little city. 12. Sleeman Centre - Guelph Storm - 4.00 Dave Cottenie - The Sleeman Centre is a unique facility as it is built inside a shopping mall. As a result, the majority of fans will not enter through the main doors on Woolwich Street. Parking entrances off of Macdonell Street having fans enter through the south side or through the Old Quebec Shoppes, the remnants of the mall, is far more popular. That being said, the front exterior of the Sleeman Centre is attractive with light siding and tinted windows. It is not a hulking structure, and is almost inconspicuous from the front. 11. GFL Memorial Gardens - Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds - 4.00 Dave Cottenie - The Greyhound name has been linked to hockey teams in Sault Ste. Marie since 1919. The name was selected as a jab to their rivals, the Sudbury Wolves as a “greyhound is much faster than a wolf.” The Senior A Greyhounds would win the Allan Cup in 1924. The current iteration of the team began as an NOJHL expansion team in 1962 which would transition to the OHA in 1972. The OHA would eventually become the Ontario Hockey League. The team is currently owned by medical executive Tim Lukenda. The Greyhounds achieved ultimate success in 1995 when they won the Memorial Cup as Canadian Hockey League Champions in front of a home crowd in Sault Ste Marie. The Greyhounds have also won the J. Ross Robertson Cup as OHL Champions in 1985, 1991 and 1992. The importance of the Greyhounds and the 1995 Memorial Cup is immortalized on the sign coming into town where it is emblazoned with the home of astronaut Dr. Roberta Bondar. 10. Meridian Centre - Niagara IceDogs - 4.14 Robbie Raskin - Meridian Centre is best described as clean, bright, spacious, and new-feeling, even though it’s now a decade old. It also manages to avoid the cookie-cutter bowl shape with many modern rinks; an asymmetrical layout keeps things interesting. The defining quirk of the arena is its topographical situation. The arena is located in a deep ravine, at the bottom of the high land upon which downtown St. Catharines is perched. In fact, the roofline of the arena is mostly even with street level of the surrounding neighbourhood, rather than rising above it. Fans don’t enter at ground level and climb up to their seats, as usual. Here you actually enter from the roof and descend into the arena. 9. Palais des Sports Leopold-Drolet - Sherbrooke Phoenix - 4.14 Dave Cottenie - This old arena, named after the founder of the Sher-Wood hockey stick company, is now one of the model arenas in the QMJHL, and an example of what can be done to modernize an aging arena. New paint gave a fresh face to the arena, and new luxury boxes gave a fresh source of revenue. 8. Toyota Center - Tri-City Americans - 4.14 Andrew Kulyk - The Tri City Americans, representing the adjoining cities of Kennewick, Pasco and Richland in the State of Washington, are one of the flagship original franchises of the Western Hockey League. Its origins began in Calgary, before city hopping to several locations throughout British Columbia, with a 5-year stop in Billings, Montana along the way. They have been located in Tri Cities since 1988, and have played in the Toyota Center in the bedroom community of Kennewick since the arena opened that same year. The facility also doubles as a theatre, offering a season of Broadway musicals and other stage shows. 7. Marchant Crane Centrium - Red Deer Rebels - 4.14 Dave Cottenie - Nestled almost exactly halfway between Calgary and Edmonton, Alberta, the residents of Red Deer share a healthy split of allegiances between the two major Alberta cities’ NHL clubs. Both the Oilers and Flames are well represented in Red Deer, however, when it comes to Junior Hockey, there is no question as to who is king. The Red Deer Rebels have been members of the Western Hockey League since 1992. Founded by Terry and Wayne Simpson, the Rebels have seen quite a few future NHL players walk through the doors and also enjoyed some team successes. The ultimate team successes for the Rebels came in 2001 when the Rebels, led by future NHL players Jeff Woywitka and Colby Armstrong, saw Doug Lynch score the biggest goal in Rebels history, an overtime goal to defeat Val d’Or in the Memorial Cup Final. 6. TD Place Arena - Ottawa 67’s - 4.14 Dave Cottenie - TD Place Arena is located at Lansdowne Park and is one of the most unique arenas in the OHL. The arena is located underneath the north grandstand of TD Place, the home of the Ottawa RedBlacks of the CFL. Entry to the arena is on the north side of the building at the east or west entrances. The massive, spider-legs-like I-beams give the arena a unique exterior look. Between the two main entrances, Lansdowne Park has a number of retail outlets, so the arena itself is actually kind of inconspicuous. 5. Mary Brown’s Centre - Newfoundland Regiment - 4.14 Dave Cottenie - The newest member of the QMJHL has hockey fans talking. There are high hopes for the return of hockey to Newfoundland, and the results are being seen at the turnstile. Hopefully, the Newfoundland Regiment will have a long and successful reign at Mary Brown’s Centre despite the travel challenges it brings to the league. Hockey on the Rock is a necessity, and Junior Hockey is the perfect fit. 4. Kitchener Memorial Auditorium - Kitchener Rangers - 4.29 Dave Cottenie - In 1963 Kitchener businessman Eugene George facilitated the move of the Guelph Royals, affiliate of the New York Rangers, west to Kitchener. George purchased the team from the Rangers for $1 when their Rangers sponsorship ended in 1967 and turned them over to the season ticket subscribers in one of the most unique community-based, not for profit ownership models ever. The Rangers maintained the colours and identity of their former parent team and became one of the cornerstone franchises in the current Ontario Hockey League and greater Canadian Hockey League. The Rangers have pumped out a ton of NHL talent, including a number of Hockey Hall of Fame Members, and enjoyed the ultimate success in 1982 and 2003 as Memorial Cup Champions. Home for the Rangers is the Kitchener Memorial Auditorium. Built in 1951 as a “mini–Maple Leaf Gardens” The Aud has morphed over time to remain a viable and treasured venue with some of the best reviews for any arena in its class. Rumblings about replacing the Auditorium seem to have dissipated and it is set to become the oldest venue in the OHL very soon. The arena itself, now part of a larger sports complex, is named after longtime mayor of Kitchener, the late Dom Cardillo. 3. Avenir Centre - Moncton Wildcats - 4.29 Dave Cottenie - The Wildcats were founded as the expansion Moncton Alpines in 1995 and played out of the Moncton Coliseum. After one season, they were purchased by local industrialist Robert Irving and renamed the Moncton Wildcats. For the 2024-25 season, the Wildcats have lured USports hockey coaching legend Gardiner MacDougall to take the reins of the team. 2. Scotiabank Centre - Halifax Mooseheads - 4.43 Andrew Kulyk - Halifax in and of itself offers a superb vacation destination, albeit this region is more geared for tourism in the warmer months, and that means not so much during hockey season. Plenty of attractions, historic sites, a vibrant and bustling downtown, and this arena, which strays away from the mold of the quintessential rural “community rink” 1. Centre Vidéotron - Québec Remparts - 4.57 Andrew Kulyk - Quebec invested in building a new, NHL- ready arena. Bold isn’t the word. This is a grand arena that not only swamps its peer venues in the Q for its stunning design, architecture, size, modern amenities, and fan-friendly spaces, but put this building into the NHL tomorrow, and it immediately rockets to a top six venue in that league.

Photos by Dave Cottenie, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.71 Soldier Field 1410 Special Olympics Drive Chicago, IL 60605 Chicago Fire FC website Soldier Field website Year Opened: 1924 Capacity: 62,500 Temporary Fire The Chicago Fire Football Club is one of the original Major League Soccer franchises. Established in 1997, the Fire's original home was Soldier Field. The wave of soccer specific stadiums brought the team out to Bridgeview, Illinois in 2006. The new location did not prove to be beneficial to the team and they returned to Soldier Field in 2019. In 2025 the Fire announced their intention to move to a new soccer-specific stadium just over a kilometer west of Soldier Field to be named McDonald’s Park. It is expected to open for the 2028 season. The Fire are owned by Joe Mansueto and are named after the Great Chicago Fire of 1871. The Fire won the 1997 MLS Cup and 2003 Supporters’ Shield. Soldier Field is the venerable home of the Fire and the Chicago Bears of the NFL. Originally built in 1924, Soldier Field underwent a massive renovation in 2002 which gave it the contrasting styles that it is known for today. Formerly a National Historic Landmark, Soldier Field was delisted in 2006. Food & Beverage 3 There are a variety of food options at Soldier Field, however, since the Fire draw much smaller crowds than the Bears, not all the concession stands will be open for soccer games here. There is still a decent selection, including street tacos from Taqueria 77, brisket nachos from Shoreline BBQ, smashburgers from Burger Bungalow, polish sausages and brats from 606 Sausage Co., and local favourite, Italian beef from Durham Bar. Other stadium staples can be found throughout the stadium. The best selection is in the lower concourse, but there are some options on the 200 level as well. Soldier Field offers a decent selection of alcoholic beverages and is unique in that RC cola and Dr. Pepper are the soft drinks of choice. Atmosphere 4 Soldier Field is one of the most unique venues in MLS and the NFL. The unique, Romanesque exterior with the concrete pillars from the original stadium was maintained. This created the unique “stadium within a stadium” setup that is now in place. Soldier Field remains a dedicated monument to the men and women of the armed forces, which is prominent on the exterior, a refreshing change from the forgettable corporate naming monikers. The pillars are prominent on the east side of the stadium, on Special Olympics Drive where the lawn also features some pre-match activities. Most fans will enter from the south, where there is a bit of a plaza and the bronze statues of Walter Payton and George Halas can be found. Inside the “outer stadium,” at the south, fans are immediately greeted by a bronze statue of a soldier in front of the American Flag, reminding fans of the dedication of the stadium. The outer concourse is almost a time warp where the columns from the old stadium meet the more modern, stainless steel inner structure. Fans will immediately notice that Soldier Field is the home of the Bears, with plenty of Bears history found in the outer concourse. Some temporary markings and banners are placed for the Fire, but it is clear that they are second or third class citizens in Soldier Field. Some other items of note are an interesting timeline depicting the history of Soldier Field and the Chicago Fire FC Wall of Honor. Inside the seating bowl, the pitch runs from north to south with a disjointed seating structure. The upper deck is empty for Fire matches. The east side is where the luxury boxes are found. They are sparsely populated and quite far from the action and rest of the fans. The 100 level is populated on all four sides and the 200 level on the west side also welcomes fans. Although the 200 level offers the most protection from the elements, including the famous Chicago wind, it has muted acoustics and feels removed from the rest of the fanbase. The north end has colored seats spelling out CF97 and the supporter groups populate field level on the south end. Large video boards are in the northeast corner and south end. The gameday production at a Fire match is strong. The players enter from the north end and turn toward the west side in the traditional soccer entry. The pre-match festivities feature a number of pyro features, living up to the Fire name. The official mascot, Sparky, is present at most matches. To start the match, a celebrity will “sound the alarm” in the south end, signaling the beginning of the match by raising an axe and riling up the supporter groups. Neighborhood 5 Soldier Field is located on the Museum Campus in Chicago, immediately west of Lake Michigan. There are a number of local spots near for pre and post-game food and drink. Some options include, Chicago Firehouse Restaurant, Victory Tap, Buttercup, Casa Tulum, Oliver’s, The Staley, The Spoke & Bud and Weather Mark Tavern. Soldier Field is shared with the NFL’s Chicago Bears. Chicago is known as one of the top sporting cities and there are a ton of other sporting options. These include the Cubs, White Sox, Bulls, Blackhawks, Sky and Wolves. There are also a number of college basketball experiences to be had including UIC, Chicago State, Loyola and DePaul. Probably the top college in the area is just north in Evanston, where the Northwestern Wildcats are in a power conference for football and basketball. Tours of Soldier Field are also available. Since Chicago is one of the largest cities in the United States and a tourist destination, there are a ton of other tourist options. Some of these include the Field Museum, Shedd Aquarium, Alder Planetarium, 12th Street Beach, Balbo Monument, Glessner House, Art Institute of Chicago and Navy Pier. For fans who wish to stay near Soldier Field, the Best Western, Marriott Marquis and Canopy by Hilton are all options close by. Fans 3 The move from Bridgeview to Soldier Field has benefitted the team on the pitch. At the time of writing, the 2026 season, the Fire averaged almost 18,000 fans per match. Admittedly, Stadium Journey visited early in the season and the weather had not yet hit the springtime norms. The match that was reviewed announced over 28,000 fans. The previous season, the Fire averaged over 23,000 fans per match, which ranked them 8th in MLS. There are 11 supporter groups listed on the official Chicago Fire FC website and they populate the south end of Soldier Field. There is a decent tailgate presence at Chicago Fire matches, found in the south parking lot. Access 4 Soldier Field is located on the Museum Campus in Chicago, near the South Side neighborhood, on the west side of Special Olympics Drive. It is 1 km east of I-90, so getting to the match by car should not be too difficult. However, Chicago is a major city and traffic is definitely an issue. There are some surface lots and garages very close to the stadium. Pre-planning parking and even pre-purchasing parking is highly recommended. Also, fans who are driving need to be cognizant of the vehicle size limitations when choosing a parking garage. The public transit in Chicago is plentiful, and the Museum Campus is at the crux of a number of options. The 11th and 18th Street Metra stations are close. Also the CTA “L” Orange, Green and Red lines are all close. Fans should consult the Metra and CTA websites for maps, fares and schedules. Getting around Soldier Field is not that difficult, especially with the difference in capacity and number of fans in attendance. The washroom facilities are adequate. Fans should keep in mind that there are a number of staircases throughout the stadium, mainly going from the older to newer parts. Ramps are available but may take a little extra effort to find for those with ambulatory issues. Stadium Journey recognizes that the security protocols for major sporting events are always changing. Stadium Journey highly recommends consulting the Chicago Fire FC and Soldier Field websites before heading to the match for the most up to date security procedures including prohibited items. Return on Investment 4 Tickets for most Chicago Fire matches begin at $28 for the ends of the 300 level. Tickets go up to $100 for lower level, mid-pitch seating. Parking will come at a cost but can be well researched for the best prices. Concession prices are what one would expect. The environment is solid for soccer matches, an improvement from the Bridgeview days. Overall, fans will enjoy the Fire experience at a price that is not horrible. Extras 3 An extra mark for the return of the Fire to Downtown Chicago. An extra mark for Soldier Field as a living monument for members of the Armed Forces. An extra mark for the naming of the team after the Great Chicago Fire of 1871. Final Thoughts Although the time for the Chicago Fire FC at Soldier Field is fleeting, soccer fans should make sure to experience a match at the team’s original home while they still can. The upcoming McDonald’s Park will definitely make the Fire feel more at home, however, Soldier Field offers a unique stadium experience in a place that was once an Historic Landmark. Follow all of Dave’s sporting adventures on YouTube, Twitter, Threads and Instagram @profan9.

Photos by Marc Viquez, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.43 Kokomo Municipal Stadium 400 S. Union St. Kokomo, IN 46901 Kokomo Creek Chubs website Kokomo Municipal Stadium website Year Opened: 2015 Capacity: 4,000 Creek Chubs Bring Baseball Back to Kokomo Summer collegiate baseball came back to Kokomo Municipal Stadium in 2026 after a one-year hiatus. The Kokomo Creek Chubs now call it home. The team plays in the Prospect League and is owned by Bullpen Tournaments, Prep Baseball, and former MLB pitcher Joe Thatcher. ​ The stadium, which opened in 2015, cost $9 million to build and holds 4,000 fans. It was originally the home of the Kokomo Jackrabbits, who played in the Prospect and Northwoods Leagues. They left after the 2024 season after a dispute between team ownership and the city. ​ The Creek Chubs returned to the Prospect League after a one-year hiatus from baseball and put the team on the map closer to opponents in nearby Lafayette, Terre Haute, and Danville, Illinois. The team should fit in well in the league's map of clubs in Indiana and Illinois. ​ Kokomo had been home to minor league baseball from 1955 to 1961 in the Three-Eye League for both the Dodgers and Giants organizations. Notable alumni included Orlando Cepeda and Tommie Davis. The ballpark used for those years was Highland Park Stadium, which still stands, but was heavily renovated and downsized in 1984. Today, it is used for the American Legion Post 6 baseball team. ​ Food and Beverage 4 The ballpark has received an updated concession menu that features more than enough options for fans. They will find multiple selling points and lines that move swiftly through the night. The options include fan favorites like hot dogs and nachos. ​ There are two main concession areas, offering three windows for ordering. Fans can choose from the basic hot dogs, nachos, burgers, fries, candy, and soft pretzels. There are various types of hot dogs that include corn dogs, foot-long hot dogs, Chubs dogs, chili cheese dogs, and a gleezy dog. ​ The ballpark offers pizza by the slice, barbecue pork sandwiches, chicken tenders, and super nachos. The right field area features Chick-fil-A sandwiches and a Tropical Sno truck with 7 different flavors to pour over shaved ice. ​ The leftfield corner is home to the tent bar that is open to the public. Inside, an array of cocktails and a few more draft options are available to customers. The bar can be opened or closed depending on the weather, and a few barstools and tables are available outside. ​ Atmosphere 3 The atmosphere feels very good for a collegiate wood bat ballpark. The staff is extremely friendly, courteous, and helpful with any questions or concerns. The game day operations are top-notch with shirt tosses, in-between-inning games, a cheer team on the dugouts, and Hooks, the friendly minnow, patrolling the ballpark. ​ Kokomo Municipal Stadium is one of the most prestigious ballparks in the summer collegiate landscape. A stunning 360-degree concourse ballpark features plastic seating, a beer garden, a large children’s area, and plenty of grass seating behind the outfield wall that would put a few lower Single-A facilities to shame. ​ The ballpark’s outfield lawn seats feature in Indianapolis; this could be a great way to entice non-baseball fans to enjoy a game by sitting on a blanket under clear blue skies. Unlike many other stadiums, the entire outfield seating section features grass seating that can accommodate up to 1,000 patrons. ​ In the right-field corner is an elaborate jungle gym for the children, protected by a canopy net and featuring blue protective cushions at the bottom. Like the party tent at the opposite end, this place is heavily populated with the younger fans. ​ Neighborhood 3 In Kokomo, you will find a variety of chain restaurants and retail outlets on US-31, which is not too far from the stadium. However, if you are looking for a few interesting sites to see or places to eat, then here are a few suggestions. ​ Harvey Hinklemeyers features great pizza and sandwiches, and it is also an ideal place for kids. Half Moon Restaurant and Brewery provides a great stop for a bite to eat or craft beer after the game. The Windmill Grill, B-K Root Beer Stand, or Artie’s Tenderloin are great local choices in town. Be sure to try a tenderloin sandwich, a giant breaded piece of pork that is deep-fried and big enough for two. ​ The ballpark is near the historic Kokomo Memorial Gymnasium, which was one of the largest high school basketball field houses in the country. The current capacity is 5,200, and it still packs a crowd during the high school season. ​ Fans 3 The fans at the ballpark appear to be strong supporters of their local nine. Many in attendance are decked out in Chubs gear, while little ones wait impatiently for the elusive foul ball down the right field line. The crowd, which grows as the night wears on, cheers and jests through the trials and tribulations of the ball club. The team is new to town, but support is promising early on. ​ Access 4 You will not find directions off the main road to Municipal Stadium - a common feature in many minor and collegiate wood bat leagues. Fortunately, GPS takes you directly to the stadium from US-31. Once inside the stadium, the main concourse offers plenty of easy access to your seat, the children’s playground, restrooms, and other points of interest. Take note, there is only one entrance and exit to the ballpark. ​ Return on Investment 4 ​Tickets are $12 for seats behind the backstop in sections 101-108. Tickets for the Creek Bank G/A and lawn seats are $6. There is a small parking lot behind the outfield walls that is free of charge, but parking is available on the residential streets if you arrive early to the game. The price of food is fairly reasonable, with a price range of $3.50 for popcorn to $14 for Chubs nachos. A hot dog is 4.50, a soft pretzel is $5, standard nachos are $5, and soda is $4. A 16-ounce draft beer of Michelob Ultra and Budweiser is $7, and Modelo is $9. The most expensive alcoholic drinks in the building are Long Drink, Nutel, and Cutwater at $12. ​ Extras 3 An extra point for the beer garden and tent bar in the left field corner, a popular destination for Thursday and weekend games, and a great spot for socialization. ​ The second extra point is for the design and modern comforts, which are not your typical summer collegiate facility. A wraparound concourse, children’s play area, outfield lawn seating, and a beer garden make it an impressive facility not only for the league but in the state of Indiana. ​ The final extra point is for the children’s play area. It is impressive in size, features a light blue rubber surface, and a mini baseball diamond. The area is wrapped in protective netting for foul balls. Final Thoughts The Creek Chubs are off to a great start and hopefully will be part of the Kokomo landscape for years to come. Kokomo Municipal Stadium is one of the best summer ball and nothing is better than enjoying 9-innings on a warm summer night with a few thousand friends. ---- Follow all of Marc’s stadium journeys on Twitter @ballparkhunter and his YouTube channel. Email at marc@stadiumjourney.com

Photos by Vinny Martin and Paul Baker, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.29 Muzzy Field 15 Muzzy Street Bristol, CT 06010 Bristol Blues website Muzzy Field website Year Opened: 1914 Capacity: 4,900 Baseball in Bristol Muzzy Field in Bristol, Connecticut is one of the more underappreciated historic ballparks in the northeast. Opening in 1914, Muzzy Field has been home to many high school, college and even professional teams. Notably, the Bristol Red Sox, the former Double-A affiliate of the Boston Red Sox, called Muzzy home from 1972-1982. Major League Baseball legends Jim Rice, Fred Lynn and even Babe Ruth have played ball at Muzzy, with Babe allegedly hitting a home run here in 1919. Muzzy Field became the home of the Bristol Blues in 2015. Formerly of the Futures League, the Blues moved to the New England Collegiate Baseball League (NECBL) in 2020, where they have been ever since. In addition, Muzzy is active all year round with three local high schools utilizing the facility for baseball and football. Food and Beverage 3 For a venue the size of Muzzy Field, there is an impressive amount of concession options at the ballpark. Four concession areas serve the ballpark. The two primary stands, located near the entrance along the third-base line and behind home plate, offer identical menus featuring hot dogs, burgers, pizza, and other ballpark staples. You can also find a few different options such as bratwurst, veggie burgers and “walking tacos.” There is another tent offering popcorn and candy on the 3rd base walkway, and a small drink stand nearby offering a variety of adult beverages including Bud Light, Coors Light, and Blue Moon at a very affordable price. Pepsi products are sold here at Muzzy Field. Overall, nothing is going to blow you away at the concession stands here, but there is more than enough variety to keep Blues fans happy. Muzzy Field's Legendary Obstructed Views. Photo by Vinny Martin, Stadium Journey. Atmosphere 3 The atmosphere at Muzzy Field is a fun, relaxed vibe that is perfect for any fan. Typically, you will find plenty of mid-game contests and chaos throughout the experience. However, Stadium Journey visited on “back to basics night”, a fantastic idea where the typical summer collegiate baseball chaos was toned back in favor of minimal PA interruptions, and classic baseball music. Casual fans may be disappointed with the lack of entertainment, but true baseball enthusiasts surely would enjoy seeing the game in its purest form. Interestingly, there were also vendors roaming the grandstand selling drinks, which is practically unheard of at a game at this level. Muzzy Field has one main grandstand that wraps from 1st to 3rd base, all with bleacher style seating that is under a roof protected from the elements, save for a small section directly behind home plate. Down each foul line is more open space for fans who prefer a little breathing room. Being more than a century old, some seats have a less-than-ideal view of the action, but fans have plenty of freedom to roam where they are comfortable. Neighborhood 2 Bristol is a small city situated among the rolling hills of central Connecticut. Bristol is nationally recognized as the home of the ESPN headquarters, which can be an intriguing visit for sports fans. Unfortunately, as of this time, the headquarters is not open to the public for tours. The immediate area surrounding Muzzy Field is fairly rural with not much going on. You can find a few local eateries and parks nearby, as well as the unique Carousel Museum. Route 6 has a lot of business and lodging options, located about a mile from the ballpark. Most major entertainment options are located northeast in Hartford, or south in New Haven. The Lake Compounce amusement park is located nearby, as well as the Mohegan Sun and Foxwoods casino resorts a little over an hour away. Fans in the Muzzy Field Grandstand. Photo by Vinny Martin, Stadium Journey. Fans 4 There is a genuine appreciation for the Blues at Muzzy Field. Blues fans are very knowledgeable and passionate about their team, and seemed to have big reactions to every significant play. As is the case for many summer collegiate teams, there is an abundance of families and children packing the stands at Muzzy, creating a vibrant atmosphere that is lacking at other NECBL venues. Many fans can be seen wearing Blues gear, and making noise throughout the course of the game. A “let’s go Blues” chant was consistent during this visit. The Bristol fans' passion is reflected in the numbers, as the Blues ranked 4th in the NECBL in 2025 in attendance, only behind Martha’s Vineyard, Newport and Keene. Access 3 Muzzy Field, in the heart of Bristol, is located about a half hour from Hartford, and about 45 minutes from New Haven. Interstate 84 is in close proximity to the park, making getting to and from Muzzy fairly easy. Parking is free and accessible, with small lots located across the street, and a larger lot which is shared by the adjacent Rockwell Park. There are 2 entrances to the field located practically next to each other, with one directly behind home plate and another down the third base line. As Muzzy Field is over a century old, the brick grandstand is a little cramped. You can get to the grandstand seats from either end, or utilize one of a few narrow tunnels. The grandstand is completely accessible. There are also additional bleachers down the third-base line and picnic tables down each foul line, next to each bullpen. Muzzy Field Banners. Photo by Vinny Martin, Stadium Journey. Return on Investment 5 A Blues game at Muzzy Field is one of the most affordable sports experiences you will find in the state of Connecticut. General admission is $7, and even more impressive, there is not a single food item sold for more than $5. All alcoholic beverages are available for $6 or less. Parking is also free of charge. A quality experience can be had at Muzzy Field for a very low price. Extras 3 One major point here is the history of Muzzy Field. It is not everyday where you can walk the same grounds as Babe Ruth. While the facility has gone through the necessary renovations over the years, it still has that classic “old-timey” feel that is hard to come by. Speaking of Babe, the coolest easter egg at this ballpark is the Babe Ruth banner in the right field fence that commemorates his visit to Muzzy Field. You will notice the sign in half Yankees and half Red Sox colors, representing the two rivals in which he played for, and also a nice nod to central Connecticut being a geographic divider between Boston and New York fan territory. A final point goes to Muzzy winning the award of Schools and Parks Baseball Field of the Year in 2025, handed out by the Sport Field Management Association. Final Thoughts Muzzy Field is the perfect combination of a ballpark with tons of history with a modern touch. The gameday experience is relaxed, the on-field product is quality, the fans are knowledgeable, and most importantly it is affordable. A Blues home game at Muzzy Field may be the best value experience in Central Connecticut. Follow Vinny’s stadium journeys on TikTok at @vinnymartin_

Photos by Michael Rusignuolo, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.14 Dozer Park 730 SW Jefferson St Peoria, IL 61605 Peoria Chiefs website Dozer Park website Year Opened: 2002 Capacity: 7,500 Peoria's Dozer Park is in the Middle Peoria has a deep history with professional baseball, dating back to 1878. In 1883, the local pro team moved to Lake View Park, where they remained until Woodruff Field was built next door in 1923. That team hung on until 1937, and except for a brief resurgence in the 1950s, Peoria was without a pro ballclub until the modern Midwest League Peoria Chiefs arrived in 1983, playing their games at collegiate Meinen Field. Despite beginning as an Angels affiliate, the team passed between the equidistant Cubs and Cardinals for the rest of their existence, sticking with the Cardinals since 2013. Along the way, the team also dropped their increasingly untenable native American mascot and branding, changing to the current Dalmatian fire "chief" in 2005. The Chiefs moved into their new home, O'Brien Field, in 2002. Eleven years later, local manufacturer Caterpillar Inc. acquired the stadium's naming rights, resulting in its current name, Dozer Park. Recent renovations from 2023-25 helped revitalize the aging park, adding a completely new grass playing surface, LED lights, upgraded player and umpire facilities, and new end-to-end safety netting. Much like Peoria itself, Dozer Park sits in the middle, neither standing out nor failing conspicuously, as well as physically a halfway point between Chicago and St. Louis. Food & Beverage 3 Dozer Field has a decent selection of food and drinks to keep your energy up while you catch a game. There are several concession stands along the promenade to choose from. Most cover the ballpark basics (burgers, dogs, chicken, and pizza), but there are some specialty items on offer, including tacos, smashed double cheeseburgers, and Italian Beef. Local Heartland BBQ has a stand, but it is sometimes only open for weekend games. Most concessions sell a modest selection of Bud/Miller beer products, local craft beers, and some cocktails. The Big Grove Brewery kiosk at home plate is your best source for true craft suds and variety. Coke products rule the roost on the non-alcoholic side of things. I was travelling through Illinois, so I eventually had to grab an Italian Beef sandwich and a Friendly Neighborhood Beer from Big Grove Brewery for an early summer evening. Atmosphere 3 Dozer Stadium has undergone some recent work, which helped tidy up a downtown park that was showing its age. The ballpark follows a familiar minor-league design, with a single level of regular seating sloping down from a promenade that circles the park. The scoreboard rises above the outfield wall in right-center, set against the backdrop of the Peoria Warehouse District. A second level of corporate and group boxes sits above the first to third base. A group Party Patio is in left field, the Home Run Landing is in right field, and the outdoor batting cages are in the batter's eye in center field. The seating bowl ends in two grass berms, a shorter one on the right and one on the left that runs all the way into center field. Dalmatian fire chief Homer is the current team mascot and assists with the pre-game and between-inning activities at the park. The events are minor-league standards of races, quizzes, and contests of dubious skill. In the park's intimate seating area, your major choice is sun or shade. Grab something towards the first baseline to grab more sun, or home plate, or third base to sit more in the shade. Neighborhood 3 The ballpark is located in the heart of downtown Peoria. Fans of the locale cite its affordable, community feel, with just enough variety to keep it interesting, while being a short distance from both St. Louis and Chicago. Detractors see Peoria as a small town with unrealistic aspirations, propped up by two industries that dominate an otherwise barren cultural landscape. Several eateries are within walking distance from the park, including the Bar at Black Band, Sugar Wood-Fired Bistro, Thyme Kitchen and Craft Beer, Bay Leaf Indian, Saffron Social, and top-rated The Blue Duck Barbecue Tavern. What's there to do downtown is right by the park. The Peoria Riverfront Museum, the Caterpillar Visitor's Center, and Riverfront Park are a short walk from the ballpark, while the Peoria Playhouse children's museum and the Peoria Zoo are a short drive to the northeast. The Civic Center is right downtown, which hosts various concerts and events. Near the river downtown, several high-end hotels are a short walk from Dozer Field, including Staybridge Suites, Four Points, the Mark Twain Hotel, and the Peoria Marriott, with the Embassy Suites just across the Illinois River. Cheaper options are a short drive down or up I-74 in East and North Peoria. Fans 3 Although the Chiefs generally sit near the bottom of the Midwest League attendance rankings, those numbers are stronger than they might appear at first glance. The league as a whole consistently draws well, and the Chiefs attendance was solid enough to help secure their promotion to High-A during the minor league reorganization of the early 2020s. While they aren't the biggest draw in the league, the local families who make up the fan base do their part and stay involved in the game and the events between innings. Access 3 Dozer Field, like Peoria itself, is well served by transit options. I-74 crosses downtown a short distance from the park, and State 40 bridges the Illinois River right next to the park. All of Peoria's CityLink bus service ($1 per ride/ $3 all-day) begins at the transit center, a couple of blocks from the park, and is serviced by Trailways, Greyhound, and Amtrak buses. The local General Wayne A. Downing Peoria International Airport is just southwest of town. The official lot is $7, but if you're willing to walk a block or two, there is generally plentiful, free street parking in the warehouse district, unless there is another big event going on. Traffic shouldn't be too bad getting out either way. There are two entrances, the main one at home plate and a smaller one in left field. The crowd usually isn't too big to need to go to left field, but if you grab closer street parking, you can use that once. The seating areas are surrounded by a wide promenade that narrows a bit in the outfield, but there shouldn't be too much trouble getting around. Return on Investment 4 The Chiefs cater well to their budget-conscious family audience, with decent seat prices and plenty of specials that help cut the cost of a night out. Seat prices are average for the league, running from $14-$22 most nights. Tickets can be purchased with bundled food options or all-you-can-eat packages that help defray some of the cost. Some of the specialty food options can be quite pricey, but that is offset by cheap base menu options, teamed with money-saving combos on nearly every type of food, making individual or family-level eating much more affordable. Parking is officially $7, but free street parking is plentiful. Extras 3 You won't get two feet in the park before you notice its biggest memorial, a statue of Pete Vonachen interacting with a young fan. "Mr. Baseball" was the long-time Chiefs owner and beloved among the Peoria baseball faithful. On the first-base side is a (sometimes hidden) memorial to Peoria baseball championships and awards, as well as to local Bradley University's baseball achievements and players who have made the major and minor leagues. The team batting cages are in the batter's eye in center for your voyeuristic pre-game pleasure, a small children's area sits behind it, and the Firehouse team store is right by the main entrance. Also worth noting is a home plate Roomba that helps out the grounds crew before games to keep home plate up to snuff. Final Thoughts Dozer Park is a decent place to catch a game if you find yourself in Peoria. Like its host city, it neither hits the heights nor delves the depths, but finds a pleasant middle and stays constant in it.

Photo by Gregory Koch, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.00 Limerick Field 1800 Limerick Street Alexandria, VA 22314 Alexandria Reds website Limerick Field website Year Opened: Capacity: 500 (estimated) Soccer Reds at Limerick The Alexandria Reds are a lower-division semi-professional soccer team based out of Alexandria, Virginia, just across the Potomac River from Washington, D.C. As is common at this level of soccer, there are several teams fielded under the Reds' banner. The United Premier Soccer League (UPSL) plays in Spring and Fall, the National Premier Soccer League (NPSL) plays in summer, beginning before the Spring UPSL season ends, and the Women's Premier Soccer League (WPSL) is a lower-division women's league. This review will focus on the NPSL experience, although there are often doubleheaders involving multiple Reds' teams. The NPSL, together with the UPSL and the confusingly named USL League Two, comprise the fourth division of American soccer. They are the highest level that is not fully professional, and consist mostly of current college soccer players and recent graduates. The pay is structured in a way that allows current athletes to retain their amateur eligibility if they are competing in the NPSL over the summer. In the past, the Reds have split time between the Hummel Bowl on the campus of Episcopal High School and Limerick Field, a municipal field run by the City of Alexandria. However, in 2026, the Reds will play all their home games at Limerick Field while Episcopal High School is used as a training facility by the Croatia national team before and during the World Cup. Food & Beverage 0 There is no food or drink for sale at Limerick Field. Fans are free to bring their own. Atmosphere 2 The seating layout at Limerick Field is unusual due to the location of the field. Much of the space on the Limerick Street sideline is taken up by the AlexRenew water treatment building so there is only seating on about a third of the sideline towards the goal furthest from the entrance. Rather than bleachers or chairbacks, the seating is amphitheater style and you will be sitting on stone or grass. Many fans also bring their own seats and place them along the grass in the seating area or along the walking path by the fence at field level. Some will stand at field level as well. You will have a good view of the action from anywhere in the stadium but it is a bit of an odd setup. There is no permanent scoreboard at Limerick Field. Instead there is a small portable scoreboard at the fourth official's table at midfield on the far sideline. It is difficult to read the score and almost impossible to read the time, especially as you get further up in the seating area. At an Alexandria Reds soccer game, the focus is on the action on the field. Other than hydration breaks and halftime, there isn't much time for anything else, and even if there was, they're not doing anything. The PA announcer announces starting lineup and goalscorers and thanks the team's sponsors, but that's about it. The unique terraced amphitheater seating at Limerick Field. Neighborhood 4 There is not much in the immediate vicinity of Limerick Field. There is a small shopping center down the street but mostly this area consists of condos and the AlexRenew water treatment plant. However, the Old Town is only a few blocks away and is one of the nicest parts of the entire metropolitan area. Visitors will find riverfront views and streets lined with restaurants, shops, and more. As Alexandria is a very diverse area, you will find ethnic food of just about every nationality, whether it’s Bolivian, Salvadoran, or Italian. Il Porto Ristorante has fantastic Italian food and is conveniently located just up King Street from Pop’s Old Fashion Ice Cream, where you can finish off your meal with homemade ice cream. Hotels are ample in supply as well – check out the Old Town or Crystal City areas. Fans 3 A few dozen fans attended the Reds game that Stadium Journey visited, and considering this is the fourth division of American soccer, these are typical crowds. The fans are almost exclusively friends and family of the players or local Alexandrians. The Reds NPSL team has connections to the Alexandria Soccer youth program, so some families with kids who play locally will come to check out the Reds games. You will see a few fans of visiting teams as well, although they, like the Reds, tend not to have large fan bases. Access 5 There are many different ways to get to Limerick Field. If driving, fans can park in the fenced off lot on Bartholomew Street for free between 5:30 PM and 10:30 PM on weeknights and between 6 AM and 10:30 PM on weekends. These hours should cover all Reds home games unless you arrive extremely early for a weeknight game. There are some QR codes in the lot to scan to make an optional donation to help cover the sewer bills of Alexandrians who can't afford them, but you do not need to do so. If this lot fills up, you will need to park on the street, which will cost $1 per hour up to $5 per day. However, it will rarely do so. Fans should not park in lot on Hoofs Run Drive as that serves the nearby businesses and parking there for soccer may result in your vehicle being towed. Signs clearly indicate where you should not park, so just follow them and you should be fine. Fans can also take public transit to the game. The Eisenhower Avenue station on the Yellow Line is about a 10 minute walk away, while King Street-Old Town on the Yellow and Blue Lines is about a 15 minute walk. Select Amtrak Northeast Regional trains stop at the Alexandria station adjacent to the King Street Metro station. So does Virginia Railway Express, but as VRE only runs during rush hour, it will not be particularly helpful in getting you to or from a Reds game. Restrooms are available through doors in the side of the AlexRenew building. You do not actually enter the main part of the building to use the restrooms - the doors from the outside put you directly in there. These restrooms are sufficient for the small crowds the Reds typically draw. Return on Investment 4 Admission to Reds games is just $5, payable upon entrance to the stadium, and parking is free as long as you don't need to park on the street. Overall this is a great value. However, there isn't enough here to earn the top score. Extras 3 One extra star for the fountains outside Limerick Field along Limerick Street. Look for the sign by the entrance describing the history of the site as well as the intricate water treatment technology underneath the field. The unusual seating layout here is worthy of a star as well. The fountain outside Limerick Field Final Thoughts If coming to a Reds game, keep in mind this is fourth-division soccer and set your expectations accordingly. This is, as you would expect, a fairly simple fan experience. You get to watch soccer up close and have an enjoyable summer afternoon for a low price, and it's hard to argue with that. Limerick Field is one of the more unique facilities in the NPSL in terms of the stadium itself but the fan experience is about what you'd expect. Soccer purists and seasoned groundhoppers will enjoy a Reds game but those looking for the flashier experience you see at higher levels will be sorely disappoointed.

Photos by Chris Tuck, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.29 Wembley Stadium Empire Way London, England HA9 0WS Map It! England National Football website Wembley Stadium website Year Opened: 1923 (2007) Capacity: 90,000 It Matters More at Wembley Football cynics articulate a disapproving appraisal of the English national stadium. Football romantics have never lost faith in its history, meaning and aura. For international football fans there is no debate to be had. Wembley Stadium is up there with the Maracanã and Estadio Azteca, the San Siro and Bernabéu. There really is no bigger footballing dream than scoring the winning goal at Wembley. As their latest advertising campaign says, ‘It matters more at Wembley’. The original Wembley Stadium was constructed in breath-taking time, less than a year, so as to be ready for the British Empire Exhibition. The first FA Cup Final was played in 1923, attracting huge crowds, officially 126,047, plus one infamous white horse. The last key match at the old Wembley was played in October 2000. A crowd of 76,377 looked on as the Germans did what the Germans do – beat England. Between those two matches, the stadium provided lasting memories at every turn. In 1966, England hosted and won the World Cup, beating old foes Germany 4-2 demonstrating that the old stadium also delivered a nice line in miracles. The twin towers, Wembley’s most imposing feature, were then demolished as part of a complete rebuild, eventually revealing a brand-new all-seater Wembley Stadium in 2007. Replacing the twin towers came a new iconic feature, a huge lattice arch, 133 metres high, curving up and over the north stand and now a London landmark. Construction was undertaken by Australian company Multiplex and the architects were Foster & Partners and Populous. The final costs were reported to be a colossal £962.4 million (some sources show £798 million), and bank loans contributed nearly half of the total. The English Football Association are based at Wembley and seek to maximise revenue through stadium use. While football remains the primary focus, the venue also hosts NFL games, Rugby League fixtures and major concerts. Food & Beverage 3 Inside the stadium there are a reported 688 food and drink service points. Draught, real ale, and bottle bars are all available, serving up to 40,000 pints during the half time interval alone! There is a good variety of food available, ranging from pick-and-mix sweets to spinach and falafel, with an emphasis on locally sourced ingredients. Eating and drinking at the stadium does of course come at a price. Example food options served include a Cumberland sausage roll (£8.30), cheeseburger and chips (£9.90) and a chocolate bar (£1.99). If you are thirsty, a pint of Camden Pale Ale or Goose Midway IPA (£7.25), there’s a 4-pint Budweiser ‘deal’ (£24), coffee (£2.99) and Pepsi costs (£4.20), and of course the ‘games gone’ G&T for £10! Immediately outside, on the famous Olympic Way, concession stalls may have shorter queues, but are quite expensive. Loaded fries with cheese and bacon or chicken shawarma come in at an eye-watering £15. Along this iconic walk between Wembley Park Underground station and the stadium, visitors will also find a Starbucks and a Black Sheep coffee shop (with free Wi-Fi!). Olympic Way Food Stall, Photo by Chris Tuck, Stadium Journey To the east of the stadium is Wembley Park Boulevard, where there is a modern development of hotels, factory outlet retail units, and chain restaurants providing options such as TGI Fridays, Wagamamas, and Sugar Dumplin. All will be busy on match days. If you arrive via Wembley Central train station, follow the bustling cosmopolitan High Road where visitors can visit a local pub like JJ Moons or grab some international food options. Far less polished than the branded offerings around the stadium, these independent businesses nevertheless benefit greatly from the custom that matchdays bring. A visit to an English football match isn’t complete without a trip to a local pub (or two). For the bigger games, a list of over ten pubs per team are ‘allocated’ to ensure you can meet up and sing with fellow fans of your team. Baker Street is a great introduction to this tradition with The Globe on one side of the road and the Metropolitan Bar opposite. Atmosphere 4 The stadium is operated by Wembley National Stadium Ltd, a subsidiary of the English FA and has a capacity of 90,000, the largest football stadium in the British Isles. The partially retractable roof allows all seats to be ‘covered’ from the elements. The seating wraps around the pitch with three main tiers. The top tier pleasingly curves and undulates like an ocean wave. The lowest/closest to the pitch are blocks 101-144. The second tier, known as Club Wembley, is reserved largely for hospitality guests and occupies sections 201-252. The top tier includes sections 501-552. All seats are generously sized with decent legroom and views are consistently good wherever you sit. Scoreboards are embedded high above both goals in the top tier, providing all the usual information and updates. Above and below the large, impressive scoreboards are small sections of railed seating or ‘safe standing’. For bigger matches, supporters behind both goals often spend much of the game on their feet. Head to the side stands if you need to be seated! The atmosphere at games here can be variable to say the least. England home games have become very ‘family friendly’ with cheap tickets sometimes available from as little as £20. This, and the relative malaise often felt by England fans, means these occasions are often subdued (we’re talking paper airplanes and Mexican waves here). Other occasions can be the complete opposite. Two sets of supporters thrilled to be at the national stadium, combined with more than a little alcohol, can generate noise that echoes impressively around the bowl. In just 24 hours the 2026 FA Cup Final attracted 83,337 to see Man City beat Chelsea. The next day, over 40,000 came for Non-League ‘Finals Day’ seeing AFC Stoneham and Southend United both win their respective games on penalties. Two weeks later, the FA Women's Cup Final saw a 43,917 crowd plus two sets of players thrilled to enjoy their big day out at the national stadium. It matters more at Wembley! Neighbourhood 3 The area around the stadium is certainly not on the tourist trail, but there are numerous league and non-league sides in London if you want to catch more than one game. Wembley FC play at Vale Farm, a couple of miles from the stadium, and offer a warm grassroots welcome to visiting supporters. Wembley Arena is also next door. With a capacity of 12,500, it regularly hosts major concerts and live entertainment. Most visitors to the national stadium take the opportunity to visit central London where many of the capital’s famous landmarks are located. For accommodation, or visitors staying close to the stadium, the Wembley Hilton is a real treat. Situated directly opposite the stadium, the hotel has a swimming pool and a great rooftop bar where you can watch the incoming hordes in a peaceful and relaxed atmosphere. Hundreds of hotels, Airbnbs and hostels are dotted around the capital, of course which get cheaper the further you move away from the centre. Fans 4 The stadium is home to the England national football teams and hosts national cup finals from the FA Cup to the FA Vase. It’s also been a regular European Cup and Champions League final venue. The first saw AC Milan beat Benfica in 1963, while the most recent final, in 2024, saw Real Madrid defeat Borussia Dortmund. In recent times the national sides have risen again. The England Lionesses' victory at the Women's Euros in 2022 (again beating Germany) saw Wembley at its loud and vibrant best. The men’s side also reached their Euros final a year earlier in 2021, losing on penalties to Italy. This match drew fewer positive headlines for Wembley Stadium as fans found a variety of ways to evade security and the FA were punished by UEFA for a variety of incidents relating to crowd behaviour. Despite the gentrification of football, and Wembley in particular, there is still a magic about the possibility of your team playing there and when it happens it’s a ‘must-attend’ event. Lower-league and non-league clubs celebrate reaching Wembley because, for both players and supporters, it remains an unforgettable experience. It must be the most sung-about stadium in the world as fans dream from the earliest stages of cup competitions that their team might make it to Wembley. The stadium does however evoke some negative feelings amongst fans for a variety of reasons. The prices of tickets are often criticised, tied to the sense that the FA need to recoup that extraordinary outlay for the rebuilt stadium. Recently, however, prices have stabilised, 2026 FA Cup Semi-Final tickets ranged from £30 to £130 which isn’t too prohibitive. The decision to play men’s FA Cup Semi-Finals at the stadium, moving away from the tradition of neutral venues, has also, for many, devalued the competition and the excitement of getting to the final. Fans still arrive in their droves to see the national team. Attendances at the new Wembley Stadium can range from 50-90,000, the highest so far coming in 2008 for a men’s match vs. Kazakhstan when 89,107 watched a 5-1 victory. Access 3 London airports all have quick transfers into central London. Drivers can save money by parking at an outlying station such as Queensbury, Hillingdon or Richmond and then taking the train or Underground for the final part of the journey. Parking information for nearer to the stadium can be found on the excellent Wembley Stadium website. Postcode to aim for is HA9 0WS. Back on the train and from central London head to Baker Street, grab a beer there, then follow the crowds. Wembley Park station, which is served by the Metropolitan and Jubilee underground lines, is the best place to disembark for a great view of the stadium. This route also allows a stroll down ‘Olympic Way’ to soak up the atmosphere. The mainline railway station is Wembley Central which necessitates a half mile stroll up the High Road to the stadium. There is also a station closer called Wembley Stadium, but this is only served by Chiltern Railways. Entrance to Wembley Park Underground Station, Photo by Chris Tuck, Stadium Journey Tickets should be purchased in advance from the clubs involved or directly from the Wembley Stadium website. On the rare occasion visitors are purchasing or collecting physical tickets, the ticket office can be found adjacent to the Wembley Store under the north stand. Barcode readers will allow you to enter with your ticket and expect a bag search just before or after you transit the turnstiles. No bags larger than A4 size will be permitted. A substantial police and steward presence helps ensure visitors feel safe throughout their visit. Once inside, you ascend to your seats via a series of escalators. Lifts are also available. If visitors have any issues with mobility or require accessibility assistance of any kind, there is some helpful guidance on the website. Concourses can become busy, but overall, they are spacious enough to cope with large crowds. Toilet provision is generally good, although queues were noticeable in the women's facilities at the Women's FA Cup Final, particularly at half-time. Return on Investment 2 According to William Shenstone, “Nothing is certain in London but expense,” and in truth a trip to Wembley and London does little to challenge that. A family of four who visits Wembley for a prestige match, like the FA Cup final, stays at the Hilton Hotel opposite, buys category A tickets for the game, eats inside the stadium, and visits a few attractions in London the next day, could easily spend £1,000. Not a great return on investment. The Wembley store is on the second level on the north side of the stadium. Inside visitors can find the usual merchandise offerings. An England shirt costs £90 while a scarf costs £20 and a cap £18. However, there are ways to avoid the high costs. England home matches, as mentioned, sometimes offer children's tickets for as little as £15. A hotel room outside of central London, somewhere like Hounslow, may be obtained for less than £100 per night. Visitors can also save money by eating away from the stadium. Secondary selling merchandise stalls on Wembley Way will also be cheaper than the official store. Overall, a visit to London, coupled with a trip to Wembley Stadium, will come at no little expense! Extras 4 The Guest Support portal on the Wembley Stadium website provides a myriad of excellent answers to visitor enquiries, from pushchair access to park and ride, from accessibility to acrophobia (yes really!). Tours of the stadium are available, currently £28 for adults for a tour lasting 75 minutes. In these corporate dominated times, a VIP tour is of course also available for £90.The foundations of Watkins Tower, a failed attempt to build an English version of the Eiffel Tower still lie underneath the stadium. Wembley BoxPark is situated on Olympic Way ,and tickets can be purchased to visit on matchdays. Inside you will find a DJ playing popular music and numerous street food options. The party vibes attract many to the venue which is seen as both fun and safe for the whole family. For a more traditional pre-match experience, pubs like the Green Man will be boisterous and full of partisan fans singing and drinking as only the English do! Wembley BoxPark, Photo by Chris Tuck, Stadium Journey Final Thoughts Wembley Stadium should rank highly on the list of must-visit venues for football fans. It’s a huge and impressive arena. The city of London too, for all its faults, is a wonderful place for the big attractions and the small lanes, parks, and markets. It is said in fact that “a bad day in London is still better than a good day anywhere else!” For old school, legacy football fans though, there may be elements that disappoint. Prices can be high, the trek to the stadium is long, and the atmosphere may well be diluted by thousands of ‘day trippers’. An expensive, soulless, corporate, chore to visit, or the most magical day of your footballing life. Either way, as each game played there has national or international importance, there is no denying, it matters more at Wembley and if football ever did come home, it would come home to Wembley. Let’s leave the last words to Premier League legend Eric Cantona “I was never motivated by money. I would have played for nothing. I would have paid to play at Wembley.”

Photo by Aaron S. Terry, Stadium Journey On June 6th and 7th, 2026, Harvard University Athletics Complex will welcome the Massachusetts Special Olympics Summer Games. Events held at Harvard include swimming, volleyball, tennis, power lifting, softball, and javelin, with additional events and activities held at Boston University. The opening ceremonies were also supposed to be held at Harvard Stadium, home of the Crimson football team, but were moved to a different location. The Massachusetts Special Olympics is held every year at Harvard and nearby Boston College, drawing over 1,500 athletes and Unified Partners. The event is also supported by over 1,000 volunteers to run the event over the weekend. Photo by Aaron S. Terry, Stadium Journey While Special Olympics Massachusetts has enjoyed a long relationship with the cities of Boston and Cambridge, Matt Ruxton, Vice President of Sports for the nonprofit, recently announced that the games are potentially looking for different host cities starting in 2027. The cities of Lowell, Worcester, and Springfield have all expressed interest, but the organization is still accepting bids and reviewing options. Ruxton made it clear that Special Olympics Massachusetts has no issues with the current host cities or their venues, but the organization just wanted to give other cities in the area the chance to support this important event. Harvard University Athletics Complex includes over a dozen sports fields and arenas, with the Special Olympics making use of Blodgett Pool for swimming; Palmer Dixon Hall for power lifting; the Beren Tennis Courts for tennis; the Murr Center for volleyball; and Gordon Indoor Track for high jump, shot put, and long jump, with a sensory room located in Dillon Field House. Over at Boston College, the games continue with track and field, soccer, and bocce taking over the Newton Campus facilities. Photo by Aaron S. Terry, Stadium Journey

Photos by Matt Colville, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.43 Charles Scaggs Field College Dr Meridian, MS 39307 Meridian Blues website Charles Scaggs Field website Year Opened: 1980s Capacity: 1,200 Back to the Blues in the Queen City For the first time in nearly 30 years, professional baseball has returned to Meridian. Earlier this year, the Meridian Blues were announced as an expansion team in the Mid-America League, a six-team independent wooden-bat summer baseball league that features a mix of current college players and former professionals continuing their careers. The Blues play at Scaggs Field on the campus of Meridian Community College, bringing professional baseball back to a city with a far deeper baseball history than many people probably realize. The Blues nickname fits Meridian perfectly. The name was selected from more than 600 submissions and honors Meridian native and singer Jimmie Rodgers, “The Singing Brakeman,” along with the city’s deep roots in Blues music and railroad culture. Long before the Blues arrived, Meridian had already lived through several eras of professional baseball. Teams such as the Meridian Peps and Meridian Millers once played at historic Buckwalter Stadium during the Cotton States League era of the 1940s and 1950s. The Peps were affiliated at various times with organizations like the St. Louis Browns, Brooklyn Dodgers, and Cleveland Indians, while the Millers captured back-to-back Cotton States League championships in 1952 and 1953. After the Cotton States League eventually folded, professional baseball disappeared from Meridian until the independent Meridian Brakemen briefly returned in 1996 and 1997. The Brakemen also played at Scaggs Field before the short-lived Big South League folded after two seasons. Now, nearly three decades later, baseball is back once again in the Queen City. Food & Beverage 4 The food setup at Scaggs Field feels much more like a Mississippi community festival than a traditional baseball game. Instead of relying entirely on standard concession stands, the Meridian Blues lean heavily into local vendors and food trucks spread throughout the concourse. Walking around the stadium, fans can grab funnel cakes, corn dogs, loaded fries, lemonade, smoothies, and even mini pancakes. The setup gives the ballpark a relaxed summer fair atmosphere instead of the usual “grab a hot dog and head back to your seat” experience. One of the more unique vendors here is Boards & Batter, which serves mini pancakes with toppings like strawberry cheesecake, banana crunch, and fruity cereal combinations. It is not something you expect to find at a small summer league baseball game, but it perfectly fits the personality of the Blues experience. The permanent concession stand inside the stadium remains affordable and traditional. Hamburgers are $5, cheeseburgers $5.50, hot dogs $3, sausage dogs $4, fries $4, and nachos $4. Beer prices are also refreshingly reasonable, with domestic beers around $5 and canned cocktails roughly $6. What stood out most, though, was how social the food areas felt throughout the night. Fans lingered around picnic tables and food trucks, talking baseball while kids played catch nearby. Nobody seemed overly rushed. In an era where people often spend entire games staring down at their phones, Scaggs Field feels refreshingly old-school. Atmosphere 4 Scaggs Field sits in the middle of Meridian Community College’s campus, sitting tucked under the towering hills and pine trees that overlook the ballpark – the actual facility is much nicer than many people probably expect from a first-year independent summer baseball team. Meridian Community College has clearly invested heavily in the complex over the years, and it shows immediately once you walk inside. What really makes the stadium stand out, however, is the unique seating layout spread throughout the ballpark. Beyond left field sits the berm seating area underneath pine trees, where fans can literally pull their cars into the parking lot overlooking the field, sit at picnic tables or park benches, and casually watch the game overlooking the field. It gives parts of the stadium an old-school community baseball feel that you rarely see anymore. Down the first base line sits traditional bleacher seating that probably holds between 300 and 500 fans, while behind home plate is covered chairback seating protected by an awning for another few hundred spectators. The elevated seating keeps fans close to the action, no matter where they sit. The coolest feature, though, may be the lawn chair seating down the third base line. More than 30 giant plastic lawn chairs, the kind you would normally see at a beach or backyard cookout, overlook the field and give the stadium a perfect summertime atmosphere. It sounds simple, but it honestly works incredibly well for this level of baseball. Then there is the bullpen seating, which may be one of the more unique setups I have seen at any ballpark. Fans can literally walk onto the field to access seats located directly inside the bullpen area, sitting only a few feet away from pitchers warming up, and casually talking with the players during the game. In center field sits a large LED videoboard donated by the Dickerson family, connected to former MCC Eagle and MLB All-Star Corey Dickerson, who was instrumental in adding the videoboard to Scaggs Field. Dickerson played at MCC in 2009 and 2010, earned NJCAA All-American honors, and was drafted by the Rockies in 2010; Dickerson went on to become a 2017 MLB All-Star. Beyond right field, you’ll see the MCC soccer stadium, while behind left field are some hills with MCC sculpted into them, as well as the aforementioned berm seating/picnic seating on top of the hill overlooking the field. One of the coolest features overall is how open this ballpark feels. Fans can move around easily between the seating bowl, food truck areas, picnic tables, and concourse while still staying connected to the game. There are spots all around the venue where people stand around talking baseball while innings unfold in the background, creating a much more social atmosphere than a traditional stadium setup. The field itself also looks sharp. The turf infield paired with the natural grass outfield gives the park a clean, modern look, while the green-and-white Meridian Community College branding still reminds you this is ultimately a junior college baseball facility at heart. The ‘Meridian’ script behind home plate also adds some personality. Neighborhood 2 The immediate neighborhood surrounding Scaggs Field is probably the weakest part of the Meridian Blues experience. The ballpark sits on the campus of Meridian Community College, and outside of the college itself, there is not much directly around the facility besides older residential streets and a handful of businesses. The area feels quiet and a little worn down in spots, with limited walkable entertainment immediately outside the gates. Possibly the only major dining option near the stadium is The Rustler, a longtime Meridian steakhouse located roughly half a mile west of Scaggs Field - this is probably the best pregame dinner option near campus. The good news for Meridian Blues fans is that downtown Meridian sits only about three miles east of the ballpark, and honestly, that is where visitors should spend most of their time before or after the game; downtown Meridian has quietly become one of Mississippi’s more underrated historic downtown districts. The centerpiece is Weidmann's, the legendary restaurant that first opened in 1870 and remains one of the oldest continuously operating restaurants in Mississippi. Nearby, the restored Threefoot Hotel now features a rooftop bar overlooking the city skyline. For nightlife, Don P’s Bar gives downtown more personality than many people probably expect from Meridian, while Brewhaus Brewtique and Threefoot Brewing provide additional local beer options. History lovers may enjoy Highland Park, home to the historic Dentzel Carousel built around 1909, while the Mississippi Walk of Fame scattered throughout downtown honors names such as Morgan Freeman, Elvis Presley, Jimmy Buffett, and Jim Henson. Meridian also carries a little weird Mississippi folklore with it – at nearby Rose Hill Cemetery sits the grave of the “Gypsy Queen,” one of the city’s best-known local legends, while Stuckey’s Bridge south of town has been surrounded by ghost stories for generations. For shopping, Bonita Lakes Mall remains Meridian’s primary retail center, though like many malls, it feels quieter now than it once did. Outdoor travelers may find the area more interesting than expected as well: about 15 miles south of town sits Dunn’s Falls, home to a scenic waterfall and restored 1850s grist mill, while Clarkco State Park offers camping, fishing, hiking trails, and wooded scenery typical of Mississippi’s piney woods region. The area directly surrounding Scaggs Field may not offer much, but Meridian overall has far more character, history, and hidden gems than many visitors probably expect when they first come to the Queen City. Fans 4 The Meridian Blues inaugural season already appears to be a major success with local fans. Scaggs Field officially has around 1,200 seats, but during opening week, the crowds honestly feel larger than that. Between the berm seating, lawn chairs, standing-room areas, and constant movement throughout the concourse, this ballpark carries the energy of a much bigger event. The Blues also do a strong job keeping families engaged throughout the night. The time between innings features dance contests, sing-alongs, crowd games, and mascot appearances from Mojo, the team’s fox mascot, dressed in Blues-style attire, complete with a top hat. During my last visit, several players casually walked over to sign autographs and interact with kids leaning over the railings during innings, adding to the laid-back and personal atmosphere. You also see a lot of families, long-time baseball fans, and residents simply happy to have baseball back in Meridian again. In a town without a ton of summer entertainment options, the Meridian Blues already feel like a great fit for the community. Access 3 The stadium sits on the campus of Meridian Community College just off Interstate 20, making it accessible from most parts of Meridian within about 10 to 15 minutes. Meridian sits kind of secluded in East Mississippi, in a triangle about 90 miles east of Jackson and 90 miles northeast of Hattiesburg, but it’s a straight shot up I-59 from Hattiesburg and I-20 from Jackson. Once you arrive on campus, parking is free and plentiful in the surrounding lots around Scaggs Field. I think the coolest part of the ballpark's setup is that if you enter MCC from the north entrance, you can actually park along the berm and general admission areas overlooking the field, and casually watch the game from your vehicle. Because the stadium only holds around 1,200 fans, traffic never becomes overwhelming, even with crowds that have felt larger than normal during the Blues inaugural season. Fans can usually park within a short walk of the entrance and get inside quickly without much hassle. One minor downside is that the signage around campus could probably be better for first-time visitors unfamiliar with Meridian Community College. Since the ballpark sits tucked behind parts of campus and away from the main road, it can feel slightly hidden when you first arrive. Still, the smaller size of the venue works in its favor. Once inside, everything feels close together, with the concessions, seating, berm areas, and restrooms all within easy walking distance. The relaxed setup also fits the overall small-town summer baseball atmosphere the Meridian Blues are trying to create. Return on Investment 4 The Meridian Blues offer one of the better values you will probably find anywhere in summer baseball. Tickets range from roughly $8 to $15, depending on seat location, while parking remains free and concessions stay reasonably priced. Even with some early confusion surrounding the different seating sections during their inaugural season, the overall value remains extremely strong. General admission tickets provide access to the berm seating area beyond left field, while reserved bleacher seating along the first base line offers probably the best traditional baseball view for the price. However, the third base terrace seating with its oversized lawn chairs may honestly be the most fun option in the stadium, perfectly matching the relaxed summer atmosphere found here. Chairback seating behind home plate provides the best overall view, while the bullpen seating offers one of the more unique experiences you will find at any ballpark. Fans sitting there can watch pitchers warm up just a few feet away, while casually interacting with the players during the game. For families, the value becomes even better; a full summer evening of baseball, food, and entertainment here costs less than many families would spend at most ballparks. Extras 3 One extra for Meridian Blues manager Mickey Callaway, who previously managed the New York Mets from 2018 through 2019, and brings more than two decades of Major League coaching experience to Meridian. Another bonus is Meridian’s deep baseball history itself – just a few miles away from Scaggs Field sits abandoned Buckwalter Stadium, which last hosted baseball in 1955. Overgrown and hidden among the trees, that old stadium has become something of a legend among baseball history enthusiasts, as well as fans of abandoned ballparks. What ultimately makes Scaggs Field memorable, however, is how naturally the atmosphere comes together – kids chase foul balls underneath the pine trees, while families spread out on picnic benches beyond left field. Fans also casually wander between food trucks and lawn-chair seating, while baseball unfolds in the background. As the sun goes down and the stadium lights come on through the trees, Scaggs Field begins to feel less like a modern sports venue and more like the kind of small-town summer baseball setting that movies try to re-create.

Photos by Richard Smith, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.43 IBEW 24 Union Field at Ripken Stadium 873 Long Drive Aberdeen, MD 21001 Aberdeen IronBirds website IBEW 24 Union Field at Ripken Stadium website Year Opened: 2002 Capacity: 6,300 Taking a Rip In A New League The Aberdeen IronBirds moved to the Baltimore area in 2002 after local legend Cal Ripken, Jr. bought the Utica Blue Sox of the New York-Penn League and moved them to his hometown. This did displace the independent Atlantic League’s Aberdeen Arsenal, which was trying to secure state and local funding to build a ballpark so it could move out of its temporary home at Harford Community College in nearby Bel Air, Maryland. That funding instead went to building a home for the Ripken organization, and that was what got Ripken Stadium built. The Arsenal was disbanded after one season with a record of 56-83. The Ironbirds had been part of a few different Class A leagues. Today, the IronBirds are part of the MLB Draft League as the minor league team moved to Frederick in 2026. The MLB Draft League plays the first half of the season with collegiate players waiting for the MLB Draft, and then the rest of the season with pro players without college eligibility left. The Ripken family is still a minority owner of the team, but there is another controlling partner company running the operation. Food & Beverage 3 The team's concession operations have not been very good since the COVID era, but in 2026, it has seemed much better. The actual offerings are good, although not exciting. The food prices are very similar to those at many minor league baseball stadiums. Atmosphere 3 Upon entering the stadium, the seating bowl slopes down towards the field. It is divided into two main sections separated by a large walkway area. Beyond the fences, it is not obvious that a major highway is right there, as trees make it a pleasant view. The Birds Nest is an all-you-can-eat dining group option that sits between the press box and the 100-level home plate seats. This does take some of the better seating options away from the regular fan. Other group decks are available at each end of the concourses. The game presentation is pretty good here, with the usual between-inning activities. These are supplemented by longtime mascot Ferrous (think about it….Iron….) and his friend, Ripcord. Neighborhood 3 Ripken Stadium is located across I-95 from the rest of Aberdeen. Right near the stadium are the Ripken Experience Baseball youth fields, two hotels, and some newer housing buildings in the area. One should wander around the youth baseball complex to see the replica baseball fields designed after Fenway, Yankee, Wrigley, and Baltimore’s own Memorial Stadium. The centerpiece is Cal Sr.’s Yard. It is a near-scale replica of Oriole Park at Camden Yards and even has a replica warehouse building that houses two hotels (Residence Inn Aberdeen and Courtyard Aberdeen). Outside the exact stadium area is some new development that includes a Royal Farms gas station, All American Steakhouse, an axe-throwing location, a mini golf location, and Tropical Smoothie Cafe. A short drive away, back over I-95, is an abundance of restaurants and hotels. Aberdeen, home to the Army’s massive Aberdeen Proving Grounds, is a center of business activity. Olive Tree is a better and local version of a well-known Italian chain, while Mamie’s Cafe is an old-school Baltimore-style restaurant that offers free desserts with all meals. The Greene Turtle, Panera Bread, and Super Chicken Rico are some other choices with which you can’t go wrong. Chap's Pit Beef is also located nearby and is. a good spot if you want to properly fill your belly before the game. Fans 3 Many of the ticket sales are from group sales, which means the fan base can be somewhat inconsistent. The group giveaways mean you will most likely see many fans wearing gear and other items at each game. There are some hardcore fans with seats around the home plate area. They will be loud and into all aspects of the game. You will also see Aberdeen apparel from various years of the team, as the look and feel of their uniforms and logo have changed a bit over time. The 2026 season will be interesting to see if the fans come back. The shorter season may help, but will the loss of that Baltimore Orioles connection be a detriment? Access 5 I-95 runs right next to the stadium, which means that access from there and State Route 22 (a major road across the ever-growing Harford County) is strong. Long Drive (which was named before the stadium was there, surprisingly) is a four-lane road that is the only way into the stadium area. It never gets too busy, as it is directed by staff and local police. Parking is free and plentiful. No traffic issues are leaving even busy games as the police handle the traffic flow well, leaving the stadium. Expect traffic to take a bit longer on fireworks nights as those families who would have normally left early stick around to the end. Return on Investment 4 Ticket prices are seemingly more reasonable now that they are no longer a MiLB team. The prices seem fair. There is no charge for parking, and concession prices are a bit high, but also pretty normal for a stadium venue. Extras 3 The view of the warehouse replica is a great extra and gives a bit more to the atmosphere of the stadium. A fan should also stop in and check to see if any youth tournaments are using the Ripken fields. There will be games played there all summer. Although not located at the stadium, Chap's Pit Beef is an extra all on its own. The stadium itself is nice, but it doesn't offer as many "extras" as some other minor league or even summer collegiate league venues. Final Thoughts Ripken Stadium is a nicely designed stadium. It was designed while looking at what went right and what went wrong in baseball design in the late 1990s. The result has often been that the stadium has felt a bit impersonal. But it is still a good baseball facility.

Photo by Eric Moreno, Stadium Journey On Monday, June 1, the Dallas Mavericks announced they may have found the next location for their new home. CBS News reported the team is pursuing the purchase of the former site of the Valley View Mall in north Dallas for their new arena and entertainment hub. Representatives for the Mavs confirmed they had entered into an agreement for the potential purchase of the more than 100-acre site. The following day, on June 2, the Dallas Stars announced they will also be vacating American Airlines Center, with a new site in the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex city of Plano leading the way as their preferred location. As reported by Dallas’ Fox 4, the city of Plano had previously submitted a letter of intent in February to build a $1 billion arena for the Stars. Photo by Eric Moreno, Stadium Journey Both the Mavericks and Stars’ leases with American Airlines Center will end in 2031. “I like it,” said Mavericks minority owner Mark Cuban of the team’s move in a statement. “[It’s] in the city. Easy access from the tollway and [Interstate] 635. “[I’m] thinking [this] will work out well.” The Mavericks and Stars have called American Airlines Center, located in the heart of Dallas’ downtown area, home since 2001. While tenants of the arena, the Mavericks won three conference titles – in 2006, 2011, and 2024 – and one NBA Championship in 2011, while the Stars won one conference title in the 2019-20 season. Photo by Eric Moreno, Stadium Journey A press release from the Stars stated that a "sports, entertainment, retail, dining and public gathering spaces anchored by a future Dallas Stars arena" could be part of the overall project. Fox 4 reported that the $1 billion project would have up to $700 million covered by the city of Plano.

We take a closer look at the 2026 FIFA World Cup and highlight the Canadian venues hosting matches. BMO Field in Toronto, Ontario, and BC Place in Vancouver, British Columbia, will stage a combined 13 matches during the tournament. BC Place, Vancouver BC Vancouver World Cup 2026 BC Place opened in 1983, with major renovations taking place in 2011. It serves as the home of the Vancouver Whitecaps MLS team and the BC Lions of the Canadian Football League. In 2015, it hosted the title match of the FIFA Women’s World Cup competition and alsoheld several events during the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympic Games. In preparation for the 2026 FIFA World Cup matches, BC Place will be undergoing $180 million in renovations. These renovations include widening the playing surface to meet FIFA standards, the installation of a natural grass pitch, new locker room facilities, luxury suites, and an enhanced broadcasting suite for TV and radio. The seating capacity will also be increased to 54,000. The videoboard overlooking the pitch will be replaced in time for the 2026 FIFA World Cup matches. For those fans who are unable to get tickets to the matches at BC Place, there will be a Fanfest viewing area at the PNE Grounds at Hastings Park. BMO Field, Toronto ON Toronto Word Cup 2026 BMO Field opened in 2007 and has served as the home of the MLS Toronto FC team and the Toronto Argonauts of the CFL. It will host five matches during the 2026 FIFA World Cup competition. The stadium seating capacity will be increased from 30,000 to 45,000 as part of a $145 million renovation. Other improvements include four corner videoboards, a new center field lounge, and enhanced self-serve technology at the concession stands. The broadcast suite will receive several upgrades to handle the worldwide demands of television and radio. The playing surface will be widened to meet FIFA requirements, and a natural grass pitch will be installed. Several Fanfest viewing events are scheduled in the Toronto area. Gathering sites include Exhibition Place, the Fort York National Historic Site, and the Bentway. Note: During the 2026 FIFA World Cup competition, each stadium will be known by its geographic location instead of its usual corporate name. This is due to FIFA requirements that any local corporate sponsorship naming rights be hidden through the duration of the World Cup matches due to conflicts with FIFA’s own worldwide corporate sponsor agreements..

Three venues in the Central USA region will serve as hosts for the 2026 FIFA World Cup competition this summer. They are the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, TX, GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, MO and NRG Stadium in Houston, TX. AT&T Stadium, Arlington TX Dallas World Cup 2026 The longtime home of the NFL’s Dallas Cowboys, AT&T Stadium, will host eight matches during the World Cup competition, more than any other venue. AT&T Stadium opened in 2009 and can seat up to 90,000 fans. To prepare for the World Cup, the stadium is undergoing more than $350 million in renovations. Included in this price are reconfiguring the stands to allow for the wider soccer pitch and the planting of a natural grass playing surface. Other changes include an upgrade of the stadium’s huge center-hung videoboard, the addition of several new concession stands, and an expansion of the luxury hospitality suites. The main Fanfest for the Dallas area will be held at Fairpark, home of both the Texas State Fair and the Red River Showdown. NRG Stadium, Houston TX Houston World Cup 2026 The home of the NFL's Houston Texans, NRG Stadium, will host seven matches during the World Cup competition. The stadium opened in 2002, with a capacity of 72,220. The stadium will reconfigure its stands to accommodate the wider playing field and will also replace its artificial turf with natural grass, as required by FIFA. The Fanfest for the Houston area will take place in the EaDo (East Downtown) area at Discovery Green, a 12-acre special event park. GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City MO Kansas City World Cup 2026 GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium is the oldest U.S. venue hosting World Cup matches; it opened in 1972. It is the longtime home of the NFL's Kansas City Chiefs. The stadium has a seating capacity of 76,416 and is known as one of the loudest stadiums in the country, coming in at 142.2 decibels. The stadium will host six matches during the World Cup competition. As the oldest venue in the U.S. hosting World Cup matches, Arrowhead Stadium will be investing $42 million in renovations and upgrades, including reconfiguring the seating areas to accommodate the wider field used in soccer, and the replacement of the artificial turf with natural grass, as required by FIFA. The FIFA Fanfest for the Kansas City area will be in the Power and Light District at the National World War I Museum and Memorial. Note: During the 2026 FIFA World Cup competition, each stadium will be known by its geographic location instead of its usual corporate name. This is due to FIFA requirements that any local corporate sponsorship naming rights be hidden through the duration of the World Cup matches due to conflicts with FIFA’s own worldwide corporate sponsor agreements.

Photos by Michael Rusignuolo, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.14 Neuroscience Group Field at Fox Cities Stadium 2400 N Casaloma Dr Appleton, WI 54912 Wisconsin Timber Rattlers website Neuroscience Group Field at Fox Cities Stadium website Year Opened: 1995 Capacity: 5,900 Snake, Raddle, and Slide ​ Professional baseball in the Fox Cities area of northern Wisconsin dates back to 1891, but the current team began in 1958 as the Fox Cities Foxes. After moving to the Midwest League in 1962 and changing its name to the Appleton Foxes in 1967, and then the Rattlers in 1995, little changed except their major league affiliation until the minor league reorganization in 2021, when the Midwest League became High A instead of A. They have been an affiliate of the home-state Brewers since 2009. ​ Along with their final name change to the Rattlers, the team moved from its long-time home, Goodland Field, to the newly opened 5,900-seat Fox Cities Stadium in 1995. Since then, the stadium has undergone two recent renovations in 2013 (to make the stadium a more year-round facility) and 2023 (to bring the park up to new minor-league standards, and help win ballpark of the year that same year). The park has undergone several sponsorship changes as well, ending with the current, rolls-off-the-tongue Neuroscience Group Field at Fox Cities Stadium. ​​ Food & Beverage 5 ​ The one thing you don't have to worry about at Neuroscience Group Field is going hungry, as they have a dizzying selection of food and drinks, especially if you're into the Wisconsin specialties of cheese and sausage. ​ The food selection definitely punches above the A-ball average. Various eateries line the promenade, ranging from ballpark standards (dogs, brats, pizza, and burgers) to a wide variety of specialty selections to turn your head, including Bratchos (a giant bowl of spicy nachos and brats) and the award-winning Gnaf Nacho Poutine (brat coins, waffle fries, beer cheese, and fresh cheese curds). ​ While perhaps not as extensive as the food choices, the park is no slouch with the drinks, either. The Pepsi family is the non-alcoholic beverage of choice, and all of the concessions have a decent selection from the Miller/Coors breweries, local craft selections, and cocktails. Specialty bars Brews on Third and the Leinie Lodge have even more copious adult beverage choices on tap. ​ I forwent the award-winners and grabbed a 3 Little Pigs sandwich from the Bacon Station ($16.50, three cheeses and pork combined into a godless melted savory double-decker grilled cheese) and a local Fox River Snaketail Ale ($8.75) to help me forget how many calories I just ate. ​ Atmosphere 4 ​ Undergoing several extensive renovations since opening in the mid-90s, Neuroscience Group Field shows the positive results of those efforts, as well as an attention to detail. ​ The park itself is a minor-league standard design, with one section of seats below a promenade that somehow sneaks around the park, with the seating ending into two outfield grass berms. A second level of luxury boxes runs from first to third. The main scoreboard rises in left-center, with group suites perched in left and the Home Run porch of table seating in right. Further table seating is available in the Relax Seats in the third. ​ Mascots Fang (snake) and Wiffer (thing) help run the between-inning activities. Most run in the minor-league standard races and contests, but they are all personalized to the team. The "shell game" is swapped with a contest to count how many lime wedges make it into cocktails, t-shirt cannons are replaced with the heavily-hyped "bratzooka" (exactly what it sounds like), and mascot footraces are replaced with a wild go-cart chase around the periphery of the park. ​ If you want to enjoy a sunny summer game, the outfield berms are your cheapest options and still have great views of the contest. If you'd like some shade, the box seats behind the home dugout can keep you cool and give you outstanding views of the game and the between-innings activities. ​ Neighborhood 3 ​ Located northwest of downtown Appleton, the park benefits and suffers from its location out by the airport. ​ While a majority of the dining options are a short distance downtown, there are still several choices in the airport hotel area, including Osorio's Latin Fusion, Cheddar's Scratch Kitchen (comfort food & cocktails), Carmella's (Italian), Fox River Brewery (steakhouse), and the Milwaukee Burger Company. ​ There's not a ton to do directly by the park. There are inexplicably two air trampoline parks just to the south, as well as an arcade, in the massive Fox River Mall. Some golf is available west of the ballpark, and parklands to the north. A short trip downtown will offer more parks and museums in the historic district (including native son, Houdini). ​ The park is well-served by over a dozen airport hotels, a short drive down Route 41, and the Holiday Inn Appleton and Wyndham Garden Appleton are within walking distance. ​ Fans 4 ​ The Timber Rattlers are in the middle of the attendance pack in the very competitive and popular re-constituted Midwest League. ​ They draw well with the families they clearly cater to. While the kids may run off to the many activities set out for them, the crowd is enthusiastic for the team, even when they don't do so well, and it is a loud and inviting atmosphere for a ballgame. ​ Access 5 ​ Neuroscience Group Field is well served by a variety of transportation options. It sits adjacent to Appleton International Airport, just off Interstate 41, and is accessible via Valley Transit’s Route 12 Green Line, with fares starting at $2. The ballpark features a single main entrance on the home plate side that opens onto a spacious concourse. Aside from a few tighter areas along the outfield walkway, navigating the stadium is generally straightforward and comfortable. Parking is $8 per vehicle, though the lots offer convenient access and a quick exit after games. Return on Investment 3 ​ Where the Timber Rattlers stumble a little is on value for the money. While a far cry from the fleecing you'll get at any MLB stadium, all the excellence at the park comes with a price tag. ​ Regular tickets are reasonable, but not cheap, running $12-19. All-you-can-eat seats run $39 and can help cut down your food bill, and the best seats in the house behind home plate in the Diamond section run $50 (with an exclusive, extended all-you-can-eat buffet). ​ Again, food is mostly reasonable, but some of those specialty items are creeping towards $20. You can get a regular brat and a domestic beer for less than that, but again, nothing is particularly inexpensive. Parking is over league average at $8, and there's no free program anymore since the pandemic. ​ Extras 5 ​ The Rattlers do an excellent job with the add-ons and extras, mostly catering to the children of the families that make up the backbone of their fandom. ​ The three-story-tall snake slide on the left obviously dominates the extras at the park. Towards the latter part of the game, the entire stairway can be packed with kids looking to take the long tumble down. A giant sandbox packed with toys (and benches for mom and dad) sits in right field in front of a large traditional play area with a Ticonderoga pencil foul pole. Beyond left is a full-size wiffle-ball field, and adult bar games such as ping-pong and cornhole are available at Beers on Third. There are also photo ops with Fang and Wiffer by the main entrance. ​ The stadium also gets points because it looks the least likely stadium you can walk completely around, but thanks to a series of small ramps, bridges, and extensions in the outfield from the recent refits, you can do a full circuit. ​ It also honors its baseball history with a dedication plaque by the main entrance, championship pennants in right field, retired numbers in center, and banners of former players who made it to the majors by the team store. There's even a second team store on the concourse in addition to the main store by the entrance, so you can buy souvenirs and not miss a pitch. ​ Final Thoughts ​ With well-thought-out renovations and an attention to detail and customer service, Neuroscience Group Field is a great park to visit and is exceptional in nearly every area. The "Ballpark Of The Year" title was fairly won, and Neuroscience Group Field is a standout in nearly every way, if only held back by the price tag and its airport-adjacent location.

Bon Secours Wellness Arena's Planned Interior (Rendering courtesy of LS3P + Gensler) Bon Secours Wellness Arena, home of the Greenville Swamp Rabbits, will undergo renovations starting soon, with the most visible change being the addition of a 6,000 to 7,000-seat outdoor venue. The outdoor venue is planned to attract 25 to 30 concerts each year, but is also expected to accommodate 25 or more community events each year. The good news for Swamp Rabbits fans is that the plans also include renovations to the arena itself, including a new Church Street entrance to address pedestrian congestion, as well as traffic safety concerns around I‑385. The new entrance is also expected to improve crowd flow into the venue and enhance the fan arrival experience. Greenville Swamp Rabbits at Bon Secours Wellness Arena (Photo by Lloyd Brown, Stadium Journey) Other enhancements inside the venue include adding additional restrooms, expanding ADA seating, creating better artist amenities, and adding new concession service areas, including a brand‑new kitchen. The total budget for all these renovations is around $282M, but this amount is phased, meaning some of the planned changes won’t happen until revenue starts coming in from the new outdoor venue. About $162M has already cleared its early approval steps and is currently moving through the full local‑government approval process. Public meetings in and around Greenville have already begun. A concert at Bon Secours Wellness Arena (Photo by Aaron S. Terry, Stadium Journey) The expected bonds include $22M in accommodation‑fee revenue bonds, $40M in general obligation bonds, and $100M in hospitality‑tax revenue bonds, most of which will be repaid over the next 30 years using taxes already in place – no new taxes, but it does mean those dollars will be spent on this project instead of on something else. While some local residents have questioned the price tag and whether the upgrades are truly needed, officials have continued to point to the expected economic boost and increased tourism the project is supposed to bring. The Rotunda Entrance at Bon Secours Wellness Arena (Photo by Aaron S. Terry, Stadium Journey)

Photos by Paul Baker, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.00 Dunkin’ Park 1214 Main St. Hartford, CT 06103 Hartford Yard Goats website Dunkin’ Park website Year Opened: 2017 Capacity: 6,121 Slam “Dunk” Dunkin Park, home of the AA Eastern League Hartford Yard Goats, is often regarded as the gold standard for minor league ballparks in the northeast and around the country. Initially scheduled to open for the 2016 season in time for a rebrand of the former New Britain Rock Cats, the facility faced numerous construction delays, which pushed the opening back to 2017. Due to the uncertainty of their new ballpark, the rebranded Yard Goats played the entirety of their inaugural season on the road. Dunkin’ Park has a capacity (including standing room) of 6,850. The Yard Goats franchise has previously called Pittsfield, Pawtucket, Bristol, and New Britain home before settling in downtown Hartford. The team's quirky name originates from the railroad term for the switch engines or terminal tractors that move cars between different locomotives. The ballpark's close proximity to the Hartford Rail Yards creates satisfying continuity between the team branding and location. The team's unique blue and green color scheme is a nod to the former Hartford Whalers, who played their home games at the nearby Hartford Civic Center, now known as PeoplesBank Arena. Dunkin’ Park, now celebrating its 10th anniversary, has received numerous awards. The ballpark was the winner of the 2025 Newsweek Fans’ Choice Awards contest for best Double-A ballpark in 2025. This is coming after winning Ballpark Digest’s “Best Double-A Ballpark Award” in 2017, 2018, 2021, and 2022. Dunkin' Park Entrance. Photo by Paul Baker, Stadium Journey. Food & Beverage 4 Dunkin’ Park has an impressive variety of food and drink options ranging from your classic ballpark fare to a few unique offerings, with high-quality service. You will find many snack carts and concession stands lining the main concourse, featuring all of the ballpark staples, such as hot dogs, pizza, chicken tenders, ice cream, and Philly cheese steaks. There is much more to discover in the name of unique food offerings if that is your thing. The star of the show at Dunkin’ Park is Bears Smokehouse BBQ, located in a small courtyard in centerfield. Bears is a local, well-liked BBQ chain, with an abbreviated ballpark menu with a few unique items such as Bear Balls- deep fried pulled pork, mac & cheese, and cornbread bites. As you would expect, you can find Dunkin’ products at the park as well, including coffee and hot chocolate for colder days, and even bacon-wrapped Munchkins. The Aloha Chicken Sandwich, which consists of grilled chicken with sweet chili sauce, pineapple, and jalapenos, is recommended at a very affordable $10. Other unique offerings include deep-fried chocolate dumplings and a cinnamon bun burger. There is also a strong craft beer selection at Dunkin Park, headlined by the Alvarium Beer Hive located in the right field corner. Most domestic beer and other alcohol options are available throughout the ballpark as well. Dunkin’ Park features Coca-Cola products. Atmosphere 5 The game day atmosphere at Dunkin’ Park is outstanding and can definitely compete with some professional sports venues. It is a very aesthetically pleasing stadium, with unique features and multiple cool sightlines. The ballpark features a view of the Hartford skyline, but unfortunately, it is located beyond the right field corner, meaning you have to sit on the third base side of the park to see it. Sitting atop the double-decked right field wall puts fans right on top of the action, and also prime home run territory, with seats directly down the line being only 305 feet from home plate. There is a large Jumbotron in left field showing an array of stats and facts about the players. This may be one of the few professional baseball stadiums to show OPS as the primary stat next to the batter's name, as opposed to batting average. As is true for most minor league sporting events, there is always something going on pregame and in between innings at Dunkin’. The typical Dizzy Bat Races and T-shirt toss games are present, and commented on by the energetic in-game host “Gameday Connor.” The experience here is very clearly one catered to families, and they do that very well. Closed captioning and quiet rooms are available for those in need. There truly is no bad seat in the house at Dunkin’ Park. Every seat has a solid vantage point of the action, aside from the “lower level” of seating in the right field wall, which is all blocked by netting. Every seat is comfortable, with ample space and cupholders. There are also barstool seats with tables located around the entire ballpark, all with great views as well. Neighborhood 3 Dunkin’ Park is conveniently located in the middle of downtown Hartford, at the crossroads of two interstates, I-91 and I-84. The stadium is a part of a redevelopment project called “Downtown North” (DoNo), with upscale retail spaces, restaurants, and hotels slowly starting to be constructed around the ballpark. The attractions, museums, and restaurants of downtown Hartford are just minutes away, but the aforementioned I-84 separates the ballpark from the rest of the city, making it challenging to walk. PeoplesBank Arena, home of the AHL’s Hartford Wolf Pack, and part-time home of both men’s and women’s UConn basketball teams, is also a few minutes down the road. Visitors can find nearby lodging at the Hartford Marriott Downtown and the DoubleTree by Hilton Hartford Downtown. While Hartford has struggled with its reputation, it is an interesting and historic city with many sights and restaurants to explore before or after the game. Nearby West Hartford, about 15 minutes away, has a charming downtown with a variety of restaurants and shops that is worth visiting. New Haven and Springfield are also worth a visit, located about 45 minutes away in either direction. Donut Swing at Dunkin' Park. Photo by Vinny Martin, Stadium Journey. Fans 4 As is the case for most minor league teams, the Yard Goats have a strong mix of die-hards and casual fans just looking for an enjoyable night out. You will see your fair share of people really locked into the action at Dunkin’ Park, attentively watching the game and even keeping score. There was also an abundance of fans lined up at the gate thirty minutes before it opened. You will tend to see Dunkin’ moderately filled for mid-week games and sold out on the weekends. The fans are into the game and can get loud at times, but this is a more typical, relaxed minor league baseball experience. During this specific visit, there was an abundance of school and camp groups, which added to the chaotic atmosphere. Dunkin’ Park ranked third in the Eastern League in attendance in 2025, behind only Richmond and Reading. Access 4 As previously mentioned, Dunkin’ Park is located right off of I-91 and I-84, making this an easy trip from practically any major city in Southern New England. Traffic in and around Hartford, however, can be a nightmare, especially during rush hour, which is right before all mid-week games happen at Dunkin’, so plan accordingly for that. There are numerous parking options around the stadium (including on the street if you get there early enough), and all are in proximity and only charge $5. The main entrance to the stadium is uniquely located in the right field corner, headlined by a can’t-miss sign reading the stadium's name. This is where you can also find the box office. This entrance tends to get crammed before game time. It is recommended to utilize the lesser-known entrances in straightaway centerfield, or behind home plate, depending on where you parked. The concourse of Dunkin’ Park wraps completely around the stadium, but it can become tight on busier days, especially in the narrow walkway inside the right field wall. There is also little standing room available, as most of that space is taken up by barstools and table-style seating. Every seat, however, has an excellent view of the action. The restrooms here are well-maintained and handicap accessible. Return on Investment 4 Tickets at a Yard Goats game can range from $15 for standing room only to $25-$35 on average for general seats. Some tickets can get up to $50 depending on the day. These are fairly high prices for a MiLB game, but for an award-winning ballpark, it is a worthwhile experience. Parking is very affordable, $5, and you can find some good deals at concessions. Water is $4.75 throughout the ballpark, and bottled sodas will run you $6, on par with most venues in 2026. A lot of food items can be paired with a drink and chips to make a combo, which is a good deal. Overall, it is definitely not cheap to attend a Yard Goats game, but the high-quality experience creates a worthwhile return. Real Goats Watching the Yard Goats at Dunkin' Park. Photo by Vinny Martin, Stadium Journey. Extras 4 One point is awarded for the quirky but awesome right field wall, with unique seating options both on top and inside the wall. The seating inside the right field wall offers a premium view directly down into the home bullpen. More points go to the excellent theming around the stadium. You know you are at a Yard Goats game when you are at Dunkin’ Park. There are goats on every wall, even on bathroom doors. Some concession stands are cleverly named after goats, and the best part is the live goats in centerfield. Another point goes to the giant baseball cards that show the daily lineup located right near the entrance, and historic banners alluding to Hartford’s baseball past scattered throughout the concourse. A final extra point goes to the fantastic in-game presentation and the creative ways to keep families and children entertained during the course of the game. Final Thoughts Dunkin’ Park is often regarded as the gold standard for minor league ballparks in New England, and for good reason. It is quirky and one of a kind, with an excellent variety of food and entertainment to satisfy hardcore fans or anyone looking for a fun night out. Despite the struggles to get the stadium built, the result is an excellent ballpark for Connecticut baseball fans to enjoy. Follow Vinny’s Stadium Journeys on TikTok at @vinnymartin_

Mexico has a long history with the World Cup. It is the first country to host FIFA World Cup matches in three separate years. It previously hosted events in 1970 and 1986. These events provided memories that include the tremendous World Cup Finals victories by soccer icons Pelé and Diego Maradona. The third time around should provide some equally strong memories. Three cities (Guadalajara, Monterrey, and Mexico City) will host matches during the 2026 FIFA World Cup competition. Estadio BBVA, Monterrey MEX Monterrey World Cup 2026 Estadio BBVA opened in 2015. It was designed by the worldwide stadium design firm Populous. The seating capacity of the stadium is 53,529. Estadio BBVA is also known as the “Steel Giant” due to its unique metal exterior cladding. Another eye-catching element at this venue is the towering 6,000-foot-tall mountain known as Cerro de la Silla that overlooks the stadium. Estadio BBVA serves as the home pitch for CF Monterrey. Estadio Akron, Guadalajara MEX Guadalajara World Cup 2026 Estadio Akron opened in 2010 and has a capacity of 46,355. It was designed by the firm of HOK Mexico. The stadium serves as the home pitch for both Club Deportivo Guadalajara and Club Chivas. In the past, this stadium hosted the 2011 Pan American Games. Its unique features include five levels of grandstands and a roof that extends out over the seating areas to provide shade from the intense heat the area experiences. The stadium is also home to a museum celebrating the success of Club Chivas. Estadio Azteca, Mexico City MEX Ciudad de Mexico World Cup 2026 Estadio Azteca is the oldest and most famous of the three Mexican venues hosting 2026 FIFA World Cup matches. It was built in 1966 and served as the host venue for both the 1970 and 1986 FIFA World Cup matches. The stadium hosted the soccer competition during the 1968 Mexico City Olympic Games. Estadio Azteca has enjoyed several NFL football games over the years. The stadium is also known as Estadio Banorte, and it serves as the home pitch for both Club America and the Mexican National team. As the premier soccer venue in Mexico, the stadium is undergoing renovations prior to the World Cup competition. Its capacity will be increased from 84,000 to 90,000 for the tournament. The stadium is also adding several large LED viewing screens and extending the roof over the seating area to provide more shade for the spectators. Note: During the 2026 FIFA World Cup competition, each stadium will be known by its geographic location instead of its usual corporate name. This is due to FIFA requirements that any local corporate sponsorship naming rights be hidden through the duration of the World Cup matches due to conflicts with FIFA’s own worldwide corporate sponsor agreements.