Photos by Sean MacDonald, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.43 OceanFirst Bank Center 400 Cedar Ave West Long Branch, NJ 07764 Monmouth Hawks website OceanFirst Bank Center website Year Opened: 2009 Capacity: 4,100 College Basketball at the Jersey Shore Monmouth University is a small private institution located in West Long Branch, New Jersey, just a mile from the Jersey Shore. Although their men’s soccer team has achieved some moderate success recently, their basketball squad has only four tournament appearances, winning a single play-in game over Hampton in 2006. The school was a member of the Northeast Conference until 2013 when all but football moved to the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC). With their arena being named the rather uninventive Multipurpose Activity Center (MAC), you could say they play in the MAAC MAC. [Editor’s Note: The arena is now called OceanFirst Center]. Don’t let the boring name or my stupid joke turn you off though; the MAC is a surprisingly enjoyable place to watch college basketball. Opened in 2009 to replace the aging Boylan Gymnasium, the MAC holds 4,100 fans and includes a 200-meter indoor track above which some of the seats are temporarily installed during basketball games. It’s new, clean, and has a few ways to keep you entertained during all the media timeouts. Food & Beverage 3 There are two concession stands here that do brisk business throughout the game. The main stand is right inside the entrance, while the other is in the far corner. Offerings are slim, but there are some items you won’t see at other small schools. First, the typical offerings of hot dogs ($3), a pizza ($6), and popcorn and pretzels ($2 each) are inexpensive. Candy is also $2 and homemade chips are $3. The specialty items include three types of sandwiches (Buffalo Chicken, Meatball Parm, and Chicken Parm) at $5 apiece and Chile Cheese Nachos at $6. Add chips to any sandwich for just a dollar and another buck gets you a fountain beverage, normally $2 by itself. I had a Chicken Parm sandwich and it was decent and filling, but what you would expect from something made an hour or two before and left on a heating stand. One thing you will avoid here is the nachos, as there is a local taco restaurant offering free tacos and nachos about 30 seconds away from the main concession stand. A few other sponsors provide free samples too, which enhances the overall food and beverage score a bit. Atmosphere 4 With a capacity of 4,100, the MAC is the largest on-campus basketball facility in the conference. There are two seating levels along three sides of the court with the single-level student section in one end zone. Above the student section is a standing area, which is generally filled with students chatting with friends and families allowing their youngsters to take advantage of the room to run around. When the seats are nearly filled, there is a great buzz during the game as fans are chatting and make noise. As in all college basketball games, there are eight media timeouts, and here at Monmouth, they have a plan for each one to keep you in the game. There are the usual cheerleader and dance team performances, a three-point shooting contest, a t-shirt toss, and a Happy Birthday sing-a-long among others. The MC goes by the name Showboat and he can be a bit annoying at times with his over-the-top demeanor, acting like it is minor-league baseball instead of low-level college hoops. Regardless, the overall atmosphere is healthy and fun and you should enjoy your time here. Neighborhood 2 The campus is about four miles from the Garden State Parkway, quite small, and surrounded by quiet residential areas. Midway between the highway and the campus lies the Monmouth Mall, the largest shopping center in the area, and there are several family restaurants such as Chili’s, Buffalo Wild Wings, and Applebee around there but I did not notice any establishments worth stopping for. The northern edges of the Jersey Shore are just a mile east. There are several bars and restaurants that cater to Monmouth students, and although they are probably not hopping in the winter, they seem to be the only places worth checking out if you are looking for something to do before or after the game. Fans 3 Even when the arena is 95% full many fans don’t seem particularly interested in the game itself. A large number of the student section had cleared out at halftime during my most recent visit (I believe many belonged to the football team, there for Miles Austin’s jersey retirement ceremony), but even the fans in the areas I sat were having more fun playing pranks on each other than taking in the action. Seating arrangements are haphazard in some places and I was forced to take a spot up top, not a problem in a small arena such as this but something that could be annoying if you had a good seat, to begin with. Overall, the fans don’t seem to care if the team wins or loses. Access 4 If you are living in or visiting New York City and want to get out to Monmouth, transit is probably your best option if you don’t have a car. New Jersey Transit’s North Jersey Coast Line takes just over 90 minutes to the Long Branch station, with some trains requiring a transfer at Newark Penn Station. From Long Branch, you can try the two-mile walk to the MAC or take a bus. Check Google Maps or NJ Transit for details. Fares are not cheap, with an off-peak one-way ride going for $15. Elberon is the other nearby station, but that is about 1.5 miles from the MAC so you might save a few minutes if your train stops there. If you decide to drive, use Google Map’s avoid tolls option to plan the cheapest route, which will take about 90 minutes from Manhattan including traffic. More than likely though, you will be driving through the area, which is the preferred option. Monmouth is about four miles east of the Garden State Parkway, exit 105 onto Route 36 then right onto Route 71. The Parkway is a toll road, but not ridiculously overpriced like some. Parking is free on campus and there are two lots right next to the entrance off Larchwood Avenue. Inside the arena, there is plenty of room to move around. The Leon Hess Champions Hall has TVs along the walls that are tuned to the game and other sports channels, which make a nice halftime distraction. The seats have small chair backs that fold up, and are comfortable enough, although you might be a bit cramped if your row is full. Washrooms are next to the main concession stand and are more than enough for the crowd. Return on Investment 5 Standing at the northwest corner of campus, the MAC is a good-looking building with a white roof over beige bricks. Visiting at night I was unable to capture it properly with a photo, but it still has that new venue feel. The box office is right next to the entrance, and tickets are $12 at the window for center-court seats in the upper section. The court is not big, so there are no bad vantage points here. You may prefer to stand behind the end zone here as it gives you a better view of the play developing and leaves you closer to the concession stand, as well as giving you room to move around and take pictures from different angles. Although the team was terrible in the 2013-2014 campaign, the overall atmosphere, free parking, good food options, and cheap tickets make this an unexpectedly good road trip destination. Extras 3 The sculpture of a large hawk out front of the MAC is quite nice and worth a point. A point for the TVs showing the game above the concession stands, as well as those in the Leon Hess Champions Hall, which were tuned to other college basketball games that evening. Finally, a point for all the free stuff being given out by sponsors throughout the complex. Final Thoughts Monmouth is not a school that most people know about and certainly only true college hoopheads would be adding this one to their bucket list. But if you enjoy live sports and are in Northern New Jersey at some point, you should consider a visit to the MAC. This is one place where you can’t judge the book by its cover; the Multipurpose Activity Center offers a lot more than you would expect from a small college program like Monmouth and is worth a look for any stadium traveler.

Photo Courtesy of UC Davis Athletics Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.14 University Credit Union Center 750 Orchard Rd Davis, CA 95616 UC Davis Aggies website University Credit Union Center website Year Opened: 1977 Capacity: 8,000 The Pavilion at ARC The Pavilion at ARC is a beautiful facility on the campus of UC Davis,15 miles west of Sacramento. The “at ARC” addition to the name happened when the school finished the attached Activities & Recreation Center, where many students go to get their daily work out in. When walking up to the box office at The Pavilion, the ARC looks far more imposing. The windowed walls reveal an elevated track, a climbing wall, and table tennis, as well as opportunities for many other activities. Back in 1977, the then Recreation Hall, opened its doors for intercollegiate and intramural competition. Though the Aggies recently began play in Division I, the basketball team was Division II National Champions in 1998. Since joining the NCAA’s top division they have had mixed success. They are currently struggling through a season in which they’ve only registered one win. Perhaps the most infamous event held at The Pavilion is the yearly Doxie Derby, held on the school’s “Picnic Day”. Thousands of spectators crowd into The Pavilion to watch the lovable dachshunds during the most popular day-drinking day of the year for students, residents, and fun-seekers. Officially it’s the campus’ open house, a day for parents to come and visit with their kids and for prospectus students to check out the school. Note: The facility's name was renamed the University Credit Union Center in July of 2021. Food & Beverage 2 I highly recommend eating before arriving at The Pavilion. If not for the lack of options there, then for the plethora of options in the neighborhood. In the gym, they operate a fold-up table at one entrance where you can find chips, nachos, and candy. Drinks available are bottled soda and water ($3). The concession area is well staffed but otherwise less than thrilling. Atmosphere 3 Notably, many UC Davis students were away on break when I attended the Thursday night matchup between the Aggies and UC Riverside. This was apparent by the sheer number of empty seats at The Pavilion. The Aggie band was quite energetic and helped to pick up where vacationing students left off. They played many pep band staples and their own renditions of today’s popular songs. When the opponents shot at the basket in front of them, they made sure their presence was known. The Pavilion is a beautiful venue in which, with a general admission ticket, you can move around a bit and pick your favorite spot. What I really liked was that they pulled up the excess seats that weren’t going to be filled on this particular night. This forces (allows) the fans to sit closer to the action and creates a more intimate atmosphere. This also allows for wider promenades as the entire second level was pushed back against the walls. Neighborhood 4 The UC Davis campus butts up against the downtown Davis neighborhood. This area is a vibrant mix of students and families and visitors should take advantage of the atmosphere that the neighborhood provides. If looking to grab a bite before the game you truly can find a little of everything. KetMoRee is an upper scale Thai restaurant with good happy hour deals while Sophia’s is more moderately priced Thai food. There is also pizza (Woodstock’s), brunch (Crepeville), burgers (Burgers and Brew), sushi (Fuji), and Mexican (El Mariachi) all within walking distance of The Pavilion. If you’re looking for more of a party atmosphere before or after the game, I’d recommend Froggy’s or The Graduate, affectionately known as “The Grad”. Microbrew enthusiasts take note that there is indeed a brewery in Davis serving up some suds. Sudwerk is a brewery that creates their own versions of traditional German-style beers while still providing some of the California staples like pale ales and IPAs. A farmer’s market is held year-round, rain or shine, on Saturdays at Central Park. Lastly, it should be noted that the city of Davis is very much a bicycle friendly town. They take special care to ensure the safety of bicyclists on the city streets, and the town logo even has a bicycle on it. You may even see funky, old-school bikes cruising around town. Fans 3 As noted previously, the gym was not close to full. There certainly is a lot at play here; students on vacation, Thursday night, struggling team to name a few. Those in attendance were quite engaged with the Aggies performance. Logistically, a younger crowd sat on one side (general admission) and an older crowd on the other (reserved, mostly season tickets). Each side brought plenty of energy and knowledge to The Pavilion. Access 5 The UC Davis campus is located conveniently off of highway 80, 15 miles west of Sacramento and 75 miles east of San Francisco. Getting there isn’t difficult but you should certainly expect significant traffic during peak hours after work. Downtown Davis is easy to get around for first-timers as many of the streets progress numerically and alphabetically, so you never feel like you’re unsure of your location. There is a local bus service, UniTrans, operated by UC Davis that services much of the city and all of the campus. Buses are driven by university students and cater the inevitably odd schedules of college students. Beyond the local buses, there is also an Amtrak stop that stops downtown. This train goes through Sacramento with bus connections that can take passengers as far as Tahoe and Reno. Going the other direction, the “Capitol Corridor” train passes through Berkeley, Oakland, and San Jose, with connections to San Francisco. When games are sparsely attended, The Pavilion is a one-level venue, allowing for huge walkways around the perimeter of the lower level. These areas are so wide that you may be able to fit another couple basketball courts above the actual playing surface. Because of this getting to and from restrooms and the concession stand is no problem at all. Return on Investment 3 As for single-game tickets there are two price ranges. General admission tickets are $10 and reserved seats are $12. I didn’t see much of a difference between the two except that the general admission seats are on one side and the reserved on the other. Sometimes at venues, reserved seats would have seat backs and general admission would be on bleachers, but that wasn’t the case at The Pavilion. Extras 2 There’s not a lot to get excited about at The Pavilion other than the play on the court. It is fun to follow along, through the hanging banners, the Aggies progression through Division II play, to Division II prominence, to finally being a Division I program. Final Thoughts I’ll definitely be back for another basketball game at The Pavilion when it’s better attended. The venue is nice and the amenities good and I’d love to see the building rocking. It seems that the Aggies are still trying to find their way in the NCAA D-I landscape and I’m excited to see what they do the next few years.

Photos by Paul Baker & Dave Cottenie, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.00 PeoplesBank Arena 1 Civic Center Plaza Hartford, CT 06103 Connecticut Huskies website PeoplesBank Arena website Year Opened: 1975 Capacity: 15,564 The Basketball Capital of the World Editor's Note: In June 2025 PeoplesBank announced they had entered into a 10-year naming rights agreement with the downtown Hartford arena at a cost of $20 million. During the pregame introductions for UConn basketball at the XL Center, the PA announcer calls Hartford “the basketball capital of the world.” Before you dismiss this statement as just hyperbole, consider that the UConn men’s and women’s basketball teams have combined for 15 national championships, 25 final four appearances and 64 NCAA tournament appearances. The birthplace of basketball, Springfield, Massachusetts, is located just a half hour to the north. The men’s and women’s basketball teams both play a portion of their home schedules here in downtown Hartford, 21 miles from the UConn campus. 18 Huskies have been named as All-Americans. 37 UConn alumni have made it to the NBA, and 30 have played in the WNBA. The XL Center, formerly known as the Hartford Civic Center, is the largest arena in the state of Connecticut. It was originally built in 1974 as part of a downtown project that included an adjacent mall, convention center, office space, hotel and parking garage. Some people still refer to the XL Center as “The Mall,” even though the mall portion of the complex was demolished in 2004 and replaced with a 36-story residential tower. In addition to UConn basketball, the American Hockey League’s Hartford Wolf Pack and UConn’s men’s hockey team call the XL Center home. Food & Beverage 5 The XL Center offers a menu that balances traditional arena fare with local flavor. Depending on your appetite, you can visit Chicken Fry Fry (featuring, you guessed it, chicken tenders and fries), Fresh Classics (sausage and pepper sandwiches and nachos), Grill Masters (burgers), or hot dog nation (yep, hot dogs). Chick-fil-A operates a cart selling their legendary sandwiches. Dunkin’ Donuts operates a pair of stands featuring their signature coffee and baked goods. Pepsi products are featured at the XL Center. Visiting fans looking for a bit of local flavor should seek out Ted’s Cheeseburgers, which features gourmet burgers cooked in a style unique to Central Connecticut: they are steamed. Steaming the burgers creates a very juicy burger with a taste you won’t find anywhere else. Also, local favorite Bear’s Barbeque operates a small stand selling brisket, pulled pork and their popular mac and cheese. Randy’s Wooster House of Pizza operates a stand serving up their legendary slices. Fans looking for an adult beverage will be pleased to find stands dedicated specifically to alcohol sales. In addition to national brands including Sam Adams, Budweiser, Coors Light and Blue Moon, several local craft brands are featured at the XL Center. Brews from City Steam, Two Roads and Thomas Hooker Brewery are sold throughout the arena. Atmosphere 4 UConn is undoubtedly the premier college basketball program in New England and the game day atmosphere at the XL Center gives local fans a rare taste of big-time college hoops. All the standard college game day elements can be found here, including the pep band, cheerleading squad and dance team. The school’s mascot, Jhonathan, can be found roaming the arena interacting with fans. There is a large video board hanging at center court that is put to good use with replays and game stats. It can be a little difficult to read with all the graphics on the screen. Shout outs to UConn alumni in the stands are guaranteed to whip the crowd into a frenzy. Fans at the XL Center are knowledgeable and passionate about the Huskies. They don’t need a whole lot of encouragement to fill the arena with noise. All the fans in the arena stand until the Huskies score their first basket of the game. There are contests and giveaways during play stoppages and t-shirt tosses, dance cams and the like to keep casual fans involved. Neighborhood 5 Hartford is rarely thought of as a destination city, but the XL Center’s location in downtown Hartford gives it an excellent rating. The area around the arena features numerous restaurants, shops and attractions. Pratt Street, located directly across the street from the XL Center, is lined with many excellent pubs and restaurants. City Steam Tap Room is located a block away from the XL Center on Main Street and features a legendary craft beer lineup. Black-Eyed Sally’s on Asylum Street features live music and excellent barbeque. Hartford suffers from a bad reputation, but the area around the XL Center is safe and walkable. For fans interested in exploring the downtown area, there are some attractions nearby worth mentioning. The Old State House is located a few blocks from the XL Center and contains exhibits on Hartford history. Tours are discounted for AAA members and will cost history buffs a mere $3. The State Capitol and Bushnell Park are popular attractions located nearby. The Mark Twain House and Museum and the Harriet Beecher Stowe Center are both located just a short drive from the downtown area. Fans 4 The Huskies draw impressive crowds to downtown Hartford. Crowds of over 10,000 are the norm. The school schedules their marquee matchups at the XL Center to take advantage of the building’s capacity, which is larger than the Gampel Pavilion. The crowd consists of a mix of locals and alumni. Despite the fact that there doesn’t seem to be an abundance of younger fans in attendance, parents can feel comfortable bringing the family to a Husky game. The student section is a bit smaller than expected, but with the campus located 21 miles from downtown Hartford, perhaps this isn’t a surprise after all. Despite their best efforts to inject some noise into the XL Center, in an arena of this size, their effect is negligible. Access 3 The XL Center is in downtown Hartford, easily reached via either Interstate 84 or 91. The arena is only a few blocks away from either highway. Traffic in the city is often difficult to navigate, particularly for weekday games. Be sure to give yourself extra time to arrive, as both highways back up regularly around rush hour and beyond. There are almost 50 parking lots and garages in the downtown area, all within walking distance of the XL Center. If you want to plan ahead, the XL Center website has a link to the downtown map here. In addition to these paid spots, on-street parking is readily available around the XL Center. Meters are not in operation on weekends. Once inside the XL Center, fans will enter a spacious lobby. This area was once part of the Civic Center Mall but is mostly empty space now. The ticket office is located here, as well as access to the attached parking garage and the Coliseum Club on the second level. After a brief security check, fans will enter the cramped concourses of the arena. All seats in the Veterans Memorial Coliseum consist of folding stadium chairs. The seating bowl at the XL Center is very steeply pitched, ensuring great sight lines no matter where you sit. Despite numerous renovations over the years, the Veterans Memorial Coliseum maintains its cramped and narrow concourses. There is only one concourse at the XL Center, and the restrooms are on the small side. Getting around can be very difficult, especially during halftime. Plan your trips to concession stands or restrooms wisely. Return on Investment 4 Tickets are very affordable for UConn games at the XL Center if you don’t mind sitting up high in the seating bowl. Select upper level seats are sold for only three dollars. The majority of the seats here range in price from $18-$38. Parking in the lots and garages surrounding the XL Center can be had for ten dollars with on-street parking available for fans wishing to search for it. On-street parking is free after 6 PM on weekdays and all day long on weekends. Concession prices are a bit on the high side, particularly for premium items, but are not out of line with other venues in the area. Extras 3 Banners-if you like banners, you will love the XL Center. Banners honoring the 15 University of Connecticut National basketball champions (women’s and men's combined) hang from the rafters on one end of the arena. On the other end of the arena are banners for the UConn Husky hockey team, the AHL’s Wolf Pack and the Whalers. Whalers-The XL Center doesn’t ignore its past as the home of the Hartford Whalers. Banners honoring Whalers division championships, retired numbers, and the Howe family, who all played together in Hartford, hang from the rafters. In addition, the lobby contains a large mural of some of the highlights of Hartford’s professional hockey history. Free programs are given out to all fans, lineup sheets are available for a dollar and there is an area of the lobby blocked of for the sale of UConn souvenirs. Final Thoughts The XL Center has its share of critics, particularly those who feel that Hartford deserves another NHL team. Countless studies and plans for a new downtown arena have circulated for decades, making this arena a political hot potato, but the XL Center continues on. With the school holding many of their marquee games downtown, the XL Center gives New England hoops fans a rare taste of big-time college basketball. Follow Paul Baker’s stadium journeys on Twitter and Instagram @PuckmanRI.

Photos by Marc Viquez, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.29 Challis-Pauszek Field 7300 E 56th St Indianapolis, IN 46226 Lawrence Central Bears website Challis-Pauszek Field website Year Opened: 2024 Capacity: 1,000 Lawrence Central's New Home for Baseball Challis-Pauszek Field is the home ballpark for the Lawrence Central High School baseball team in Indianapolis, Indiana. It seats a few hundred fans comfortably from dugout to dugout, including a synthetic turf field, bullpens, picnic tables, and seating from grass berms to the outfield area of the adjacent soccer stadium. ​ The stadium is named after former LC Athletic Director Don Challis and former head coach and team doctor Robert Pauszek. The high school was built in 1963, and the baseball stadium followed soon after, but home plate was originally positioned in the left-field corner. ​ The current ballpark, which debuted in 2024, was part of a large project to improve athletic facilities in Lawrence Township. It was funded by a $25 million bond that paid for new synthetic turf at the baseball, softball, and soccer fields. The fund paid for new grandstands, concession stands, and a press box at the high school. ​ The new stadium helped the school host semi-state high school baseball games in 2026 and showcased its design that would fit perfectly in several summer collegiate leagues. ​ Food & Beverage 3 ​ The concession stand is near the entrance of the facility and offers the usual items commonly found at a high school sporting event. Fans can grab nachos, hot dogs, chili dogs, pretzel bites, candy bars, and suckers. They can wash it down with a variety of Pepsi and Gatorade products, hot cocoa, and coffee. ​ The stadium also offers, at times, Chick-fil-A and Jagger fried chicken sandwiches; both fast food restaurants offer a small percentage back to the school with the purchase of one of their items. The stadium also served Graeter’s Ice Cream in a few varieties for an added treat. ​ Atmosphere 4 ​ High school sports bring out the most passionate fanbase, especially during sectional and regional tournaments. A game can feature quite a few fans from the city or town rooting on their team to victory. Do not expect to see any on-field promotions, mascot races, or overzealous PA announcers shouting at the top of their lungs when a foul ball lands in the parking lot. ​ The stadium complex houses the baseball diamond and the soccer field behind right field. A 500-seat grandstand, protected by a safety net, offers a close view of the action on the field. A small scoreboard is located behind the stadium in left field. Grass berm seating is along the concourse, and a small area of grass seating is located behind the third base side of the field. available along the first baseline With the grandstand filled, several fans climbed atop the soccer field bleachers for a view of the game. The makeshift outfield terrace seating was an unusual feature, but it proved necessary to handle the sizable crowd. ​ Neighborhood 3 ​ Lawrence Central High School is off East 56th Street at I-465, about 20 minutes east of downtown Indianapolis and 20 minutes south of Fishers. The school is in a residential area, but a mile away from the Fort Benjamin Harrison district, which features fast-food chains Culver's and IHOP, along with local restaurants, including La Hacienda, Jockamo Upper Crust Pizza, Cafe Audrey at Fort Ben, and Phaya Thai Street Food. ​ If in town during the spring or summer, there are other sporting events nearby worth visiting, including the Indianapolis Indians at Victory Field, the Indiana Fever at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, and the Fishers Freight (indoor football) at Fishers Event Center. Check schedules and times to optimize your sports travel schedule in Indianapolis. ​ Fans 4 ​ This was a semi-state game; family members, classmates, alumni, neighbors, and residents could be found inside the stadium. Mater Dei fans were dressed in red, while the Sullivan faithful wore hues of purple. The grandstand was evenly divided in school colors. ​ The passion and pride were felt throughout the game, featuring a no-hitter being taken into the last inning, the game being tied by the road team, and play at the plate that denied the home team the victory. This was all that was needed to keep the fans interested in the game that went extras on the night of our visit. ​ Access 3 ​ The campus is easily accessible from I-465, and the stadium is in the back with plenty of parking spaces. The sports complex is spacious, offering fans ample room to walk around, but certain areas of the field are blocked by the bullpens and thick metal fencing. However, a spot in the grandstand offers a great view despite a rather thick protective netting. ​ Return on Investment 4 ​ The ticket prices are $12 per session, and kids under 5 are admitted free. The baseball is well played at this level of the IHSAA Tournament and is worthy of the price of the ticket. The best baseball teams of the state are competing, and emotions run deep not only on the field but in the stands. ​ Extras 2 ​ The ballpark earns a point for its natural grounds, offering fans terrace seating, an inviting concourse, and views atop the grandstands of the soccer field. ​ Final Thoughts ​ I did not know what to expect from a semi-state game played at a local high school, but it was well beyond my expectations. Challis-Pauszek Field is a beautiful facility with an atmosphere to match it. It is a ballpark good enough to house a summer collegiate team in the Great Lakes League, and much finer than a few D-I and D-II college ballparks in Indianapolis. It was a pleasant surprise and one that should not be overlooked when in the area. ---- Follow all of Marc’s stadium journeys on Twitter @ballparkhunter and his YouTube channel. Email at marc@stadiumjourney.com

Photos by Gregory Koch, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.86 Nationals Park 1500 South Capitol St SE Washington, DC 20003 Washington Nationals website Nationals Park website Year Opened: 2008 Capacity: 41,888 A National Pastime In 2005, the Montreal Expos moved to Washington, D.C., and changed their name to the Nationals. For their first three years of existence, they played their home games at RFK Stadium, which had previously been home to the Washington Senators. In 2008, the Nats moved into a stadium of their own, Nationals Park, which represented a significant improvement over RFK. The stadium is located only a few blocks south of the U.S. Capitol, which is visible from parts of the upper deck. Food & Beverage 4 Nationals Park has a wide selection of food that will guarantee you will not go hungry. Options include traditional items like hot dogs, burgers, and pizza as well as more unique items like falafel, freshly made donuts, and sushi. Ice cream is available, including a special cherry blossom variety (more cherry flavored than blossom flavored) in honor of DC's legendary cherry blossoms. Several of the concession stands also sell half smokes, a D.C. specialty that is somewhere in between a hot dog and a smoked sausage. There are also foods to serve various dietary restrictions, including gluten-free, vegetarian, vegan, and kosher items. PETA has consistently ranked the stadium one of the best in the majors for vegetarians. The prices are a bit high, though considering this is a major league park, that is not unexpected. The roving vendors typically only accept credit cards, and many stands require you to order either on your mobile device or at a kiosk nearby. Atmosphere 4 All seats at Nationals Park are chairbacks, except for a few tables in centerfield where fans can eat and drink by the nearby bar. Some of the seats down the lines may have an obstructed view of the corners due to other seats jutting out, but for the most part, you’ll have a good view no matter where you sit. There is a giant scoreboard and videoboard in right-centerfield above the concourse, as well as a smaller out-of-town scoreboard built into the right-centerfield wall. One of the more unique traditions at Nationals Park is the Presidents’ Race. In the middle of the fourth inning of every game, costumed versions of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln, and Teddy Roosevelt will emerge from the center field gate and race around the warning track to a finish line by the first base dugout. During the race, they will frequently get into various hijinks, such as playing dodgeball, getting attacked by a giant ice cream cone, or having their First Lady attack the other racers with her handbag. If you're ever wanted to see the stump of the cherry tree George Washington chopped down come back for revenge, the Presidents' Race is for you. The Racing Presidents and a bald eagle mascot named Screech can be seen on the concourse, stands, and field throughout the game as well, interacting with fans and encouraging them to get loud. Neighborhood 5 Nationals Park is located in the Navy Yard neighborhood of Washington, D.C. Although this used to be a very bad part of town, that has changed since the stadium went up and it is now a perfectly safe, up-and-coming area. There are several bars and restaurants located within walking distance of the stadium, including Mission and Buffalo Wild Wings. A BetMGM sportsbook is located right next to Nationals Park, outside the centerfield gate and attached to the parking garage. Downtown D.C. is a short Metro ride away and has a lot to offer as well. The best part is that most of it is free. Whether it’s walking along the National Mall or visiting one of the many museums, there is so much you can do here. All government-run attractions are free, but some of the privately-run ones are not. Just keep in mind that if you want to tour the Capitol or White House, you will need to book in advance. Fans 3 Nationals fans arrive late and leave early, even at the best of times. Fans will still be filing in two or three innings into the game and will start filing out by the sixth or seventh. Attendance is up for the 2026 season, but still does not come close to where it was in the 2010s when this team regularly made the postseason. The fans who do show up can get loud at times, with some of them waving their hats and chanting “N-A-T-S NATS NATS NATS!” after every run, but involved fans seem to be in the minority here. It seems to be a place to hang out with friends rather than pay attention to the action on the field. Although Nats fans are friendlier than what you’d experience up I-95 in Philadelphia or New York, there is a happy medium between abusive and uninvolved, and sadly Nationals fans seem to be more at the uninvolved end. Access 5 Nationals Park is conveniently located right next to the Navy-Yard Ballpark Stop on the Green Line of the Washington Metro. Although this may seem convenient, there are frequent Metro shutdowns that may reduce headways to 24 minutes or more or even shut down stations entirely. These shutdowns are most prevalent on weekends or over the summer, which is of course when most people go to baseball games. Be sure to check the WMATA website before you head out if you plan on going this way. There are extra trains after games to accommodate the crowds, but the trains can still get pretty packed. Also, note that the supplemental trains only go a few stops in downtown before turning around to take more fans home. Although fans who plan to transfer to other lines should have no problem, fans who wish to remain on the Green Line past Mount Vernon Square should check the destination sign of their train to be sure it is heading to Greenbelt, or simply get on the first train that comes and transfer later if need be. In the event the game runs long (unlikely with the pitch clock and Manfred runner unless there's a rain delay) keep in mind that Metro shuts down at midnight Monday-Thursday. On Friday and Saturday nights, it does not shut down until 2 AM so you should have no issue barring extremely unlikely events. If you are forced to take the last train of the night, be sure to listen to announcements on where to transfer to your final destination. Metro goes to great lengths to make sure you are not stranded at your transfer station, but you may need to transfer at a different station than usual and/or make additional transfers. Fans who are outside the D.C. area don’t need to drive to the ballpark, as they can drive to a suburban station and park there. Parking at Metro stations ranges from $3 to $6 depending on the station and is free on weekends. Fans coming from the south may wish to park at Branch Avenue in Maryland, south of D.C., as you will be heading in the opposite direction from most fans at the end of the game, so your train will be significantly less crowded. Also, you will not need to transfer. Fans coming from the north may want to look into parking at Greenbelt or another station on the northern part of the Green Line, which at least avoids a transfer. If you do plan on driving to the stadium, parking can be $50 or more. Parking in the GEICO garage next to the stadium or other lots nearby can be reserved in advance through the Nationals' website to ensure a spot. Taking an Uber or Lyft may end up being cheaper than parking, depending on where you’re coming from. Keep in mind that prices for rides close to the stadium after the game can skyrocket in price due to increased demand. Additionally, drivers are not allowed to pick up riders right outside the stadium, so you will need to walk at least a block or two, and prices come down more the further away you get. Return on Investment 3 Like many teams, the Nationals use variable pricing for tickets, so prices can vary depending on the opponent, the day of the week, and if any promotions are going on such as bobblehead giveaways. Expect them to start around $17 for upper-level seats and go up to over $400 for VIP seats behind home plate which include suite access. One additional option for residents of the District of Columbia is to purchase $5 tickets in Sections 401 and 402 at the Nationals Box Office. Although this option was previously available to all fans, effective in 2024 it is only available to residents of the District. The process is easier than in past years as tickets can be purchased in advance, but they must be purchased at the Nationals' box office. Those who are not residents of D.C. cannot take advantage of this offer anymore. Concessions are a bit pricey, but about what you’d expect from a major league venue. Parking is ridiculously expensive, but as you have plenty of other options, that isn’t too big a factor here. While prices have not gone up by much since the Nationals' championship run, the quality of the experience has decreased, with reduced crowds, fewer gameday amenities, later gate opening times, and a lower quality of play on the field. While the return on investment is still decent, it isn't what it once was, especially if you want to sit someplace better than the $5 cheap seats. Extras 3 There is a Ring of Honor on the wall between the upper and terrace levels with the names of former Nationals greats as well as legends from Washington’s previous baseball teams, the Washington Senators (both incarnations), and the Negro League’s Homestead Grays. Look for all the banners and murals with pictures of Nationals players past and present. A third star for the Presidents’ Race, as it is one of the more unique and entertaining traditions in baseball. Final Thoughts After the second incarnation of the Washington Senators moved to Texas in 1972, Washington, D.C. was without a baseball team for over 30 years. In 2005, the Nationals came to town, and in 2008, they got a brand-new stadium. Since then, the excitement has worn off and the crowds have declined, especially as the Nationals’ performance on the field has gone downhill. That being said, Nationals Park is still a nice stadium for fans to take in a Major League Baseball game.

Photos by Chris Green, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.71 Circuit of the Americas 9201 Circuit of the Americas Blvd Austin, TX 78617 Circuit of the Americas website SRO America website Year Opened: 2012 Capacity: 120,000 SRO America’s Showcase Event As if to blast the stereotype of everything being bigger in Texas into flat-out appropriateness, Circuit of the Americas (often denoted as COTA for short) in Austin provides no better example of this. Indeed, the site of the annual US Grand Prix for Formula One is also host to a myriad other races throughout the year, including the likes of SVRA, NASCAR, and others. The annual SRO GT World Challenge weekend is also becoming a fan favorite, drawing racing fans with five classes on track throughout the weekend, showcasing the best racing action with some of the biggest stars in sportscar racing. This year’s event even saw SRO America’s largest ever crowd at a race weekend in history, further cementing this weekend as a staple on the SRO calendar. Food & Beverage 3 The main grandstand features a host of food vendors serving everything from traditional sports fare to southern-inspired dishes, including the Rev Bar. Being in Texas, after all, the food options include Mexican and barbecue dishes, all washed down with some cold beer. In the infield fans can expect a great little hole-in-the-wall (only in size) cafe in the paddock, featuring a beautiful patio outside surrounded by trees and bushes, giving a great view of the garages and pre-staging area for most of the cars. Here you can find (when it is open) food and beverages to suit your fancy. Pizzas are $8, with a combo running $10 (including a drink), while drinks by themselves are $3 for fountain drinks and $4 for Powerade and Vitamin Water. Chicken tenders and fries are $7; deli sandwiches, hamburger baskets, grilled chicken sandwiches are $8; and black bean burgers, deli wraps, or a trip to the salad bar are $7. On certain days there is also a chef’s featured item, such as homemade meatloaf, mac-n-cheese, and a vegetable medley for $10. That said, if you are exploring the far reaches of the facility, you may not have as many options available as you have in the main spectator areas, meaning you will have to walk a while or wait patiently for later, should the hunger bug strike. Thankfully this year (2024), the track added food trucks in the fan area in the paddock to add some variety. Atmosphere 3 Everything is bigger in Texas, and that includes the crowds. During fan walks on the pit road grid before races at Circuit of the Americas, it is wall-to-wall fans hobnobbing with drivers, teams, and the cars they pilot on track, complete with a mariachi band and riders on horseback flying Texas and American flags. The track itself is an overall beautiful facility that lends itself to the fan experience – the main grandstand is shaded from the harsh Texas sun, thanks to a perfectly placed roof over part of the seating. The quality view can also be had for most of the infield stands as well. However, smaller details have fallen into disrepair over the years, as trackside fencing is falling apart and junk piles up on some service roads in infield areas; the track becoming a private facility at the end of the year will no doubt change this, however. By far, the coolest thing here at Circuit of the Americas is the giant tower in the middle of the track. The observation platform in the tower is open to all fans for $10 a person, providing an elevator to view the race from over 200 feet above the action. In addition, the floors in the tower are see-through, giving you the feeling of floating on air – no other track has anything as unique as this. Additionally, a theme park complete with roller coasters is being constructed on-site, set to open in time for next season. Lastly, a large suite VIP tower is being constructed at the top of the Turn 1 hill, with a gondola system that will lead directly to the pit lane suites. So while this area is currently an eyesore, upgrades are on the way. Neighborhood 3 This is a hard section to write about, as the city of Austin itself (a good 15 to 20-minute drive from the Circuit of the Americas track), is a bustling city of music, incredible food, and youthful energy. It is no secret why F1 picked this city, and why the annual SXSW festival is held here every year. However, as the track is on the outskirts of town, the racing can easily feel a bit detached from the city’s atmosphere, despite the ever-growing neighborhoods next door to the facility. There isn’t much else right next to the track – hotels are all about 10 minutes away, at least, as are any shopping and dining options fans would flock to. Thankfully the airport is right near the track, providing easy access to your flight in and out of Austin. For great food, one can’t skip Salt Lick or Torchy’s Tacos. Austin is also home to the University of Texas and Zilker Park on Lady Bird Lake, and of course, a stop in Austin isn’t complete without visiting the bats under the Congress Bridge. Fans 4 That good ol’ Texas comfort can be felt through the fans at the track – sports fans can be hard to figure out, but Austin’s motorsports enthusiasts are all about the racing on the oval. They know the drivers, they know the cars, they know exactly what is happening, and are eager to cheer on their favorite drivers all weekend long. In addition, they’re generally a kind and considerate bunch, which makes a day at the races at Circuit of the Americas a family-friendly experience. The SRO America event even set a record this year for ticket sales to the three-day race weekend at COTA, with fans packing in the infield viewing areas once again. Access 4 Getting to Circuit of the Americas isn’t hard, in that the track isn’t hidden away. In actuality, you can see it from pretty much everywhere, thanks to its giant lit-up tower at night. However, the roads in and out of the venue are only one or two lanes, making a big event hard to reach, thanks to the traffic, though parking is plentiful on-site. The re-paving and expansion of most of the roads in and out of the track in recent years has also eased the ingress and egress at the facility. Once at the track getting around is easy, thanks to the various tunnels, pedestrian bridges, and signage pointing you on your way around the venue. Also, during the event there are a few fan shuttles that take you from one point to another. Return on Investment 5 Whether you’re a race fan or not will dictate whether you feel the need to visit this new crown jewel of a race circuit. However, you can see why average fans would want to come – the views are spectacular all around the track, the cost of tickets and flights into Austin are generally low, and the city is a great attraction unto itself. Tickets to SRO at COTA start at just $10 for Friday, with Saturday or Sunday day passes only costing $35. A regular weekend pass sells for $65, and if you want to join one of the car corrals, that weekend pass is $175. Suite upgrades range from $299 to $800. Downtown is full of reasons to visit on its own, so adding a world-class racetrack to the mix makes it even better! In addition, Circuit of the Americas features great fan access, with the paddock easy to find and navigate during race weekends. Extras 4 Circuit of the America’s big tower is a modern marvel to behold, but did you know there is a world-class concert amphitheater at its base? Another unique feature is the bold American color scheme – all around the track’s run-off areas you can see red, white, and blue, plus star-and-stripe painted designs, making for not only a photogenic track, but one that makes you feel very patriotic as well. Outside the track, a large, inclined zip-line is available to thrill race fans with a view of the front stretch. Fans can also take part in the popular go-kart facility, located right behind the main grandstands throughout the weekend. Final Thoughts Circuit of the Americas certainly is a gorgeous facility that lends itself to the comfortable viewing of some great racing action. Furthermore, placing it next to one of the best up-and-coming cities in America was a genius move. That said, if you want somewhere young and hip to visit that is also home to a quality sports facility, definitely put Circuit of the Americas on your list.

Photo courtesy of KENS5.com Fresh off an appearance in the 2025-26 NBA Finals, the San Antonio Spurs announced on June 22nd that they will be returning a lost tradition to their sidelines in time for next season. The San Antonio Silver Dancers, the club’s dance team, were established in 1991, but has been on hiatus for the past eight seasons. The Spurs transitioned from the dance team to a co-ed acrobatic and stunt team known as the Hype Squad. Both the Silver Dancers and the Hype Squad will be part of the in-game entertainment next season at Frost Bank Center. The team’s goal in bringing back this beloved Alamo City institution is to continue to find ways to “elevate the game-day experience” for fans during the game, as well as in the San Antonio community. “We’re always looking for ways to make the Spurs game-day experience more exciting and engaging for our fans,” said Jordan Mandelkorn, Vice President of Marketing, Creative & Retail for Spurs Sports & Entertainment in a news release. “The Silver Dancers and Hype Squad each bring their own energy, skillset and connection to our fans, and we’re excited to expand our entertainment lineup in a way that reflects the spirit of the Spurs both on the court and in the community.” The Silver Dancers, an all-women’s dance and entertainment team, were known for their high-energy performances, as well as for being a long-standing part of Spurs community events. According to Spurs Sports and Entertainment, their return “signals the organization’s continued focus on expanding fan entertainment while bringing a meaningful part of Spurs nostalgia and fan experience to a new generation.” The squad held auditions throughout the end of June and are poised to take to the court when the Spurs open the 2026-27 season later this year.

Photos by Gregory Koch, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.00 RavenTek Park 19623 Evergreen Mill Road Leesburg, VA 20175 Loudoun United 2 website RavenTek Park website Year Opened: 2014 Capacity: 1,500 Loud 'N United for Loudoun United 2 Many soccer fans have heard of Loudoun United, who compete in the USL Championship, the second tier of American soccer, and play their home games at Segra Field. However, fewer people know they have a development squad as well, Loudoun United 2, who also play their home games in Leesburg, Virginia, but at RavenTek Park. This is a significantly smaller facility than Segra and is located in Revolution SportsPlex, surrounded by several training fields, a church, and even an old barn. The team competes in USL League Two, part of the fourth tier of American soccer and the first level that is not fully professional. Players are mostly amateurs looking to work their way to a professional contract with the parent club. Most of the other teams in the league are independently owned and are not affiliated with any professional club, but draw from the same pool of current and recent college players. Food & Beverage 4 Concessions at RavenTek Park are sold out of the Halftime concession stand, located in the Legacy Club behind the stands. This air conditioned area also contains some tables and chairs and a television that will often be tuned to a soccer game, especially as we write this in the summer of 2026 with the World Cup ongoing. All fans have access to this area and can purchase concessions. The menu includes chicken tenders, hot dogs, pulled pork sandwiches, grilled chicken sandwiches, burgers, boneless wings, and mozzarella sticks. The chicken tenders come with fries, or you can get them as a standalone item as well. Bottled water, soft drinks, candy, and chips are also available. For fans looking for adult beverages, take the stands or elevator upstairs where you will find a rooftop bar serving adult beverages. Prices are fairly reasonable - except for alcohol, nothing costs over $10, and that's for the chicken tenders that come with fries. Atmosphere 3 RavenTek Park contains several rows of bleachers with a concourse area at the top as well as a rooftop bar up a flight of steps from the concourse. The rooftop also offers a unique vantage point to watch the game but most fans just watch from the bleachers. Wherever you sit, you will be up close to the action and have a great view of what is going on. The atmosphere here is standard for the most part. The PA system is very quiet and barely audible in some parts of the stands. A small scoreboard shows the score, and in theory should show shots, but the latter never updated during the game we were at. In addition, some lights on the clock were burned out, making it difficult to read what the numbers were. Unlike most soccer stadiums, which are oriented north-to-south so the sun sets behind the bleachers, RavenTek Park is oriented east-to-west. The sun will set behind the goal to your right and will be in your eyes for most of the match. There is also very little shade in the stands, though the concourse under the bar is shaded. We strongly recommend wearing a hat to block the sun from getting in your eyes. The team does take some steps to enhance the fan experience. The opening lines of "Chelsea Dagger" by The Fratellis is played after LUFC2 goals. The PA announcer will announce goalscorers and cards, but as noted above, it can be hard to hear him. Most of the time, it will be quiet enough to hear the chatter on the field between the players, coaches, and officials. Some fans will like this, while others will find it not particularly exciting. Neighborhood 2 RavenTek Park is located in the middle of a residential area, and there are no restaurants or things to do in the immediate vicinity. Your best bet is to head a few miles into downtown Leesburg, where there are plenty of places to eat, visit, and stay. This can be about a ten-minute drive, but it’s your only option. The Leesburg Public House and Tarbender’s Lounge are popular places to grab a drink and a bite to eat. Those looking for something other than a bar may want to check out Melt Gourmet Cheeseburgers or the Leesburg Diner, although the latter is only open for breakfast and lunch. There are many good options in Leesburg, but the fact that all of them are so far from the stadium brings this rating down. Fans 3 Loudoun United FC 2 will draw a couple hundred fans to a typical home game. Many have some connection to the players - friends, family, or host family - while others are fans of the parent Loudoun United club. Loudoun United season ticket holders get free admission to all LUFC2 games, and it is not uncommon to see fans taking advantage of that perk. While the crowd will cheer loudly after goals, for most of the game they are pretty quiet. As all of LUFC2's opponents are located over a small geographic area, it is not uncommon to see a lot of visiting fans at the games as well. Their enthusiasm and size will vary depending on the opponent and is generally consistent with, although at a much smaller scale than, what is described in the Stadium Journey reviews of those teams' fan bases. Access 3 RavenTek Park is located a short drive off the Dulles Greenway (State Route 267) via Shreve Mill Road, although you will need to pay several dollars in tolls to get here. Once you arrive, parking is in a lot next to the stadium - follow the signs for the main stadium rather than parking by the back fields for easier access. This will put you at the bottom of the bleachers, and you can walk up and sit anywhere as seating is general admission. Restrooms are located at the top of the bleachers with a second set on the rooftop near the bar. The restrooms are on the other side of the club area from the bleachers and fans can walk through it to get to the other side rather than walk around. There is also an elevator to take you from field level to the top of the bleachers and the rooftop area for fans who require one. Return on Investment 4 General admission tickets are just $7 to get in to the stadium for a LUFC2 game. Concessions are affordable and parking is free, though you may pay quite a bit in tolls to get here. Season ticket holders of the Loudoun United parent club get in to games here for free as a perk of membership. Overall, an LUFC2 game is a very good value. Extras 2 The rooftop bar and unique viewing area it creates are worth a star here. The Legacy Club and Halftime concession stand offer an air conditioned space to cool off at halftime or before the game and enjoy some food and beverage. It is nice that this space is open to all fans. Final Thoughts A Loudoun United FC 2 game offers the chance to see potential future soccer stars in an intimate environment at an affordable price. Many of these players will soon be playing professionally for Loudoun United, or perhaps even in Major League Soccer or another top-tier league. A LUFC game at RavenTek Park is a great way to spend a summer night watching soccer.

Photos by Andrei Ojeda, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.71 Angel Stadium 2000 Gene Autry Way Anaheim, CA 92806 Map It Los Angeles Angels website Angel Stadium website Year Opened: 1966 Capacity: 45,050 Calling All Angels Opened for service in 1966, Angel Stadium is the 4th oldest active yard. Still nicknamed The Big A, the moniker came about due to the A-shaped scoreboard topped with a “halo” that was originally placed behind the left field fence. Many greats have donned an Angel uniform: Nolan Ryan, Don Baylor, Rod Carew, Reggie Jackson, Tim Salmon, Vladimir Guerrero, Shohei Ohtani and Mike Trout. The stadium’s expansion in 1980 to accommodate the arrival of the Rams would find the Big A moving to the parking lot by the 57 Freeway. The stadium’s return to its baseball-only format brought about fan sentiment returning the Big A to its original left field location. Team officials also considered but cited costs for not moving back the Big A. The Big A remains in the parking lot by the freeway and continues providing passing vehicles with information and advertisements. Food & Beverage 4 If you arrive hungry at Angel Stadium, there are ample options though uninspiring. Cheese and pepperoni pizza slices from Oggi’s Pizza and other options from Chronic Taco, Jersey Mike’s Subs, Crafty Dogs, and fan favorite Cathy’s Cookies are among the options available. Cathy’s Cookies. There will be a huge outrage if they ever get rid of her cookies! Another solid stop on the food exploration tour is La Rotisserie, featuring their famous herb rotisserie half-chicken meals. Various bars are located around the stadium, including the Ketel One Botanical Bar along the outer concourse, featuring drink specials throughout the season. Standard beer options range from Coors and Budweiser brand drinks. Traditional ballpark favorites such as hot dogs, burgers, peanuts, and Coke brand soft drinks round out the complete list of options throughout the stadium. If you should be fortunate to attend a game during one of the team’s themed cultural heritage nights, you may also find some other dining options such as Japanese, Mexican, El Salvadoran or Filipino fare to name a few. Atmosphere 4 As fans approach the home plate entrance, they are greeted by two oversized helmets complimented with oversized player banners hovering above them. In between the helmets are bricks outlining a regulation-size infield with a pitcher’s mound exactly 60 feet 6 inches from home plate. Angel Stadium Home Plate Plaza, Photo by Andrei Ojeda, Stadium Journey The walls inside Angel Stadium are adorned with various images of Angels players, both present and past. Fan shops are located throughout all the various sections of the stadium, and the main concourse wraps around the outfield as well, offering fans a great view of the action from the outfield. In the center field, the waterfall feature, when operable depending on the local water situation, flows during games over a rock formation in the shape of an “A” that harkens to California’s natural wonders. During late-game situations when the team needs to rally, the ever-infamous Rally Monkey appears on the big screen to get fans pumped up. The monkey is out ! It’s RALLY TIME for the Angels ! A frequent sight for Angels fans over the years… Neighborhood 3 While the area around Angel Stadium isn’t exactly known for stellar pre-gaming, it has evolved over the past few years into a place that fans can go to and still have a good time. Nearby on State College, a TownePlace Suites is there for fans who are traveling just for the game and want to stay close to the action. Golden Road, Karl Strauss Brewing Company and Lazy Dog are located nearby for pre or post game dining. Downtown Disney is a short drive from the stadium offering a variety of dining and shopping options. Inside Downtown Disney guests can also view the nightly fireworks display that takes place inside Disneyland during the summer months. Fans 4 The fans at Los Angeles Angels games are among the most welcoming in baseball. The last 10 plus years have been rough for fans under the halo. With the team not experiencing a post-season win since 2009, a playoff appearance since 2014 and a winning season since 2015, Angels fans continue to show up, averaging over 2.5 million. In spite of comments from owner Arte Moreno about winning not being a top 5 priority for the fans, Angels fans still want a winner. The laid back reputation in some circles has been tested as some fans have even taken to protesting current ownership, demanding change in the organization. The boiling point has exceeded its peak. Access 4 Angel Stadium is located off the 57 Freeway connecting with most major freeways and the nearby 5. While traffic in and around the stadium isn’t as bad as the famously terrible traffic jams in Los Angeles, it helps to be prepared for the worst. If driving from Los Angeles you may want to leave at least three hours before the first pitch. Southern California traffic is brutal, particularly during rush hour. Once you get to the stadium, parking is plentiful all around the venue, and fans can also take advantage of the transportation options from the nearby Anaheim Regional Transportation Intermodal Center (ARTIC). As you prepare to enter the stadium, you will be happy to know that advanced metal detectors have been installed outside each entrance that allow fans to walk through without having to stop to empty their pockets or have other belongings checked unless you hear the warning sound go off. This is a much-welcomed convenience that every major venue should utilize, ESPECIALLY YOU, Dodger Stadium! Return on Investment 4 As the Halos struggles continue, tickets can be found on 3rd party sites such as TickPick for as low as $3. Otherwise, box office prices are still a bargain starting at $7 for upper deck sections. For games that may include specific giveaways such as bobbleheads, tickets are still a bargain starting at $17. Expect a hike in prices when prime teams such as the Dodgers or Yankees are in town with prices starting at $60 on various sites. Even with the occasional price hike, the price value for an Angels game among the three Southern California MLB venues is the most economical for the traveling fan. As to whether the local fanbase values affordability over a winning product, that’s something you can ask the fans as they’ll be more than happy to discuss the matter with you. Extras 3 Fans entering from the main gate behind home plate can catch a glimpse of the team’s 2002 World Series trophy on display inside the entrance to the team store behind the field-level seating. Other exhibits featuring individual and team accomplishments over the years can also be viewed in the field and terrace level concourse behind home plate. The center field waterfall also features pyrotechnics that go off during player introductions and after home runs hit by the Angels. The most recent addition to Angel Stadium is the "Level Up" arcade. Located under the right field pavilion, presented by Bandai Namco, this fun filled arcade is free of charge and features classic video games including PAC MAN. Angel Alumnus Garret Anderson, Photo by Andrei Ojeda, Stadium Journey If approaching the “Level Up” arcade from the home plate or right field entrance, along the concourse behind the right field stands is a mural of current Angels players and alumni during their childhood Little League days. Final Thoughts A familiar and frequent sight at Angel Stadium. The visiting team postgame handshake. Unless the Angels stage a miraculous run as the season’s second half approaches, they will suffer their 11th consecutive losing season. It is currently the franchises longest run of futility. The current team, along with Arte Moreno’s statement over fans not prioritizing winning, has done nothing to calm the vitriol expressed from the fans towards ownership. As the "Tarps Off" trend has swept across various MLB parks as a rallying plea to the point some teams are selling tickets in a dedicated section, in Anaheim, it has been both a rally plea and a point of protest. Loud chants of “SELL THE TEAM”, such as those previously from Oakland, have been hard to ignore during broadcasts. From a baseball fan traveler's perspective, affordability is a convenience. While all fans would love an affordable night out at the game, affordability does not diminish the fact that the local fanbase wants to see a winning product. A product that has been missing in Anaheim for over a decade. Paying Tribute to Garret Anderson. Forever an Angel.

Photos by Meg Minard, Stadium Journey. Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.00 RGCU Field at Isotopes Park 1601 Avenida Cesar Chavez SE Albuquerque, NM 87106 New Mexico United website RGCU Field at Isotopes Park website Year Opened: 2003 Capacity: 13,279 Somos Unitos To read this review in English, please click this link. ¡Asistir a un partido de fútbol del New Mexico United es una experiencia fantástica! Los aficionados viven el partido con gran entusiasmo, existen grupos de seguidores magníficos y la organización realiza una labor extraordinaria para garantizar que todos los aficionados se sientan bienvenidos y aceptados, libres de insultos o comentarios despectivos. El New Mexico United compite en la USL Championship (una categoría por debajo de la MLS, o Major League Soccer). El club comenzó a jugar en 2019. Su mejor temporada hasta la fecha fue la de 2024, año en el que alcanzaron las finales de conferencia. El equipo juega sus partidos como local en Isotopes Park (oficialmente llamado Rio Grande Credit Union Field at Isotopes Park), sede del equipo de béisbol Albuquerque Isotopes. Aunque es algo bastante habitual, me resulta curioso ver un partido de fútbol en un campo de béisbol. El New Mexico United lo gestiona muy bien; cabe felicitar al equipo de mantenimiento y al personal por cuidar el terreno de juego y lograr crear un ambiente futbolístico lleno de vida. Food & Beverage / Bebida y alimenticia 5 El recinto ofrece una excelente variedad de comida. Puestos de venta fijos y carritos se distribuyen a lo largo del pasillo interior. Casi todos los puestos están abiertos durante los partidos del United. Los aficionados pueden entrar al estadio con botellas de agua selladas. Entre los puestos de comida se encuentran Batter Up! (hamburguesas, cestas de pollo, papas fritas, nachos, flatbread), Pecos River Café (sándwiches de barbacoa, elotes estilo callejero, hot dogs, nachos, etc.) y Santa Fe Trail (costillas, alitas de pollo, cestas de pollo con gofres, hot dogs, sandwiches, entre otros). Dion's Pizza es siempre una opción favorita de los aficionados. Pericos vende tacos, burritos, pancho nachos y otros clásicos. The Sweet Spot, ubicado en el pasillo del lado de la tercera base, ofrece helados, sundaes, batidos y más, con precios que oscilan entre los 7 y los 12 dolores. Un carrito de Hebrew National vende su famoso hot dog, y hay otro carrito de salchichas en el pasillo de la tercera base. Otros carritos ofrecen fideos, funnel cakes, pepinillos, vasos de fruta, palomitas dulces (*kettle corn*) y helados Dippin’ Dots. Numerosos quioscos que venden bebidas alcohólicas y aperitivos se encuentran repartidos por todo el pasillo. La mayoría de los puestos ofrecen cervezas nacionales e importadas, así como refrescos de la marca Pepsi (cerveza: 14,25 $ - 15,25 $; refresco: 7,75 $ - 9 $). Un puesto de "Mystery Beer" (cerveza sorpresa) ofrece una cerveza desconocida por 10,80 $, siendo la opción más económica del estadio; la sorpresa radica en que no sabes qué cerveza te tocará. Para quienes busquen cervezas artesanales de New Mexico, la opción es dirigirse hacia el lado de la primera base. Allí, el Craft Corner ofrece hasta 25 variedades de cerveza de barril de fábricas locales como Bosque, Steel Bender, Ex Novo, Marble y otras. Eso sí, conviene llegar temprano, ya que suelen formarse largas filas. New Mexico United Mystery Beer Stand, Photo by Meg Minard, Stadium Journey Sin duda, hay una gran variedad de opciones para los aficionados hambrientos. El equipo de béisbol Isotopes cierra su tienda de mercancía oficial, pero una mesa larga situada fuera de la tienda, en el pasillo, ofrece a la venta numerosos artículos del New Mexico United. También hay una carpa de mercancía junto a la berma en el jardín central; esta puede ser una mejor opción si se quiere evitar hacer fila. Atmosphere / Atmósfera 5 La organización ofrece una experiencia fantástica en los días de partido. En primer lugar, la disposición del campo: una de las porterías se sitúa en el lado de la primera base, mientras que la otra se encuentra en el jardín izquierdo, bajo el marcador de vídeo. Los banquillos de los jugadores se ubican en la zona entre el jardín derecho y el central; no se utilizan los banquillos tradicionales del campo de béisbol (dugouts). El equipo de diseño del terreno de juego colocó acertadamente la superficie de juego más allá del montículo del lanzador, de modo que este no interfiere en el desarrollo del partido. En segundo lugar, las gradas: una ventaja de utilizar un campo de béisbol es que los asientos son butacas abatibles estándar, no simples gradas corridas. Para situarse en el centro del campo, conviene elegir la sección 177. También está disponible la zona de talud en los jardines (berm seating), tal como ocurre en los partidos de béisbol. Salvo en las secciones del cuadro interior situadas tras el plato de bateo, se han retirado las redes de protección. Los aficionados que se sientan en el segundo nivel, en el lado de la tercera base (secciones 201, 203 y 205), disfrutan de una hermosa vista de las montañas Sandia a lo lejos. No se permite el consumo de alcohol en la sección designada para familias (sección 126). Durante la presentación de la alineación inicial, el locutor anuncia el número y el nombre de pila del jugador, y el público grita su apellido. Lo mismo sucede con los goles, aunque en este caso la acción se repite tres veces seguidas. ¡Es muy divertido! New Mexico United Fans Celebrating a Goal Un marcador de vídeo situado detrás de una de las porterías muestra la retransmisión en directo del partido, así como el tiempo de juego y los goles de cada equipo. Resulta decepcionante que el exterior del recinto no indique que allí se juega al fútbol, ​​pero los aficionados sí lo saben. Neighborhood / Barrio 4 El estadio se encuentra junto al Central New Mexico College y la Universidad de Nuevo México (UNM), y está frente a The Pit y otros recintos deportivos de UNM Lobo. Está a una milla del barrio de Nob Hill, una zona vibrante llena de cervecerías, restaurantes, taquerías, pizzerías, boutiques locales y pequeñas galerías de arte. Los sonidos de los bares musicales llenan el aire nocturno de este barrio. Para el desayuno, pruebe Frontier. Una joya escondida de la comida coreana es el Soo Bak Seoul Bowl. Para disfrutar de la auténtica y sabrosa comida de New Mexico, visite Cocina Azul; incluso el arroz y los frijoles son deliciosos. Sin que el resto del país lo sepa, Albuquerque es una animada ciudad cervecera local. Las cervecerías recomendadas cercanas (aunque no necesariamente a poca distancia) de Isotopes Park son 377 Brewing, Gravity Bound Brewing y Marble Brewery. Pero hay muchas más para visitar. Las cosas para ver y hacer en Albuquerque incluyen el tranvía en Sandia Peak, el casco antiguo de Albuquerque, el Monumento Nacional Petroglifo y, por supuesto, dar un paseo en globo aerostático. Para lugares donde alojarse cuando esté en la ciudad, hay muchos hoteles disponibles en la intersección de Gibson Blvd y Yale Blvd (aproximadamente a una milla del parque), que van desde La Quinta hasta las marcas Marriott y Holiday Inns, muchos de ellos con servicio de traslado desde y hacia el aeropuerto. Fans / Fanáticos 5 Los aficionados del New Mexico United son ruidosos y se sienten orgullosos de su equipo. Varios grupos de seguidores causan una gran impresión durante los partidos en casa. Dos secciones situadas detrás de la portería del lado de primera base (las secciones 116 y 118) están repletas de estos seguidores que animan, aplauden, gritan, ondean banderas y arman un gran alboroto durante todo el encuentro. Entonan cánticos, agitan banderas, tocan tambores y despliegan humo de colores tras cada gol. New Mexico United Supporter Groups, Photo by Meg Minard, Stadium Journey Sin embargo, no son ni mucho menos los únicos que cantan y animan. Muchos seguidores ondean banderas durante el partido y en las zonas de circulación del estadio. Una buena parte del público viste prendas del New Mexico United, Meow Wolf y Somos Unidos. Y, por supuesto, todos los aficionados tienen una segunda ocupación: la de ejercer de árbitro. Access / Acceso 4 Llegar al Isotopes Park y desplazarse por sus alrededores es relativamente sencillo. El estadio se encuentra a solo un bloque de la autopista I-25 y cuenta con amplias opciones de aparcamiento cercano (15 $) al otro lado de la intersección. Tanto los visitantes como los residentes de Albuquerque pueden llegar fácilmente utilizando las calles secundarias en lugar de la autopista. Hay dos paradas de autobús justo enfrente, aunque descifrar los horarios del servicio de autobuses de ABQ resulta complicado. La estación de Amtrak se encuentra a unos 3,2 kilómetros (2 millas) del Isotopes Park. El aeropuerto más cercano es el Albuquerque Sunport, situado a unos 5 minutos en coche del estadio. El recinto dispone de tres entradas; la situada detrás del home plate (zona de bateo) está reservada exclusivamente para los titulares de entradas de club o VIP. Es obligatorio que los aficionados utilicen bolsos transparentes; no se permiten mochilas. El personal de seguridad revisa los bolsos, los asistentes pasan por un detector de metales y, posteriormente, se les somete a un control manual con detector portátil. No se permite volver a entrar una vez que se ha salido del recinto. La zona de circulación (*concourse*) suele abarrotarse, especialmente antes del partido y durante el descanso. Los asistentes pueden recorrer todo el perímetro del estadio por esta zona, aunque para completar el circuito es necesario cruzar un pequeño puente (algo que puede resultar difícil para quienes sufren vértigo o temores similares). Las autoridades locales realizan una labor excelente a la hora de agilizar la salida de vehículos de los aparcamientos tras finalizar el partido. Return on Investment / Retorno de la inversion 4 Las entradas para partidos individuales cuestan entre 23 y 81 dólares y solo pueden adquirirse a través de SeatGeek. Estos precios son comparables a los de otros clubes de la USL Championship. El estacionamiento cuesta 15 dólares, una tarifa que parece elevada para un partido de fútbol de ligas menores. Los precios de alimentos y bebidas están en consonancia con los de otros recintos deportivos, aunque son notablemente más altos que los que se pagarían en restaurantes y bares fuera del estadio. El partido es divertido, la afición es muy animada y la organización realiza una labor magnífica para ofrecer una velada de entretenimiento deportivo agradable y segura. Extras 2 En marzo de 2020, el club lanzó la Somos Unidos Foundation, la rama sin fines de lucro de New Mexico United dedicada a generar un impacto en la comunidad. Tanto el club como los grupos de aficionados desempeñan una parte fundamental de fomentar el espíritu de equipo y fortalecer a las comunidades de todo el estado. Los seguidores también crean un animado ambiente previo a los partidos —con vendedores, música y abundante comida—, especialmente cuando visitan la ciudad los equipos rivales Phoenix Rising FC y El Paso Locomotive FC. Final Thoughts / Pensamientos Finales Sin duda, la comunidad respalda al New Mexico United. Se lleva hablando de un estadio propio desde hace cinco años, pero los avances siguen siendo lentos. El tiempo dirá si el proyecto llega a materializarse. Mientras tanto, si te encuentras en la area, vale la pena hacer el esfuerzo de asistir a un partido; es una excelente inversión para cualquier aficionado al deporte que busque entretenimiento. Muchas gracias a Jim Minard por su ayuda con la traducción.

Photos by Paul Baker, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.43 Growden Memorial Field 207 Wilbur St. Fairbanks, AK 99701 Alaska Goldpanners website Growden Field website Year Opened: 1961 Capacity: 3,500 __________________________________________________________________________________ Baseball in the Land of the Midnight Sun The Alaska Goldpanners are an independent summer collegiate baseball team. Founded in 1960 as an independent barnstorming team, they were a founding member of the Alaska Baseball League. The “Panners” left that circuit to return to a barnstorming schedule in 2015 as membership in the Alaska League became financially untenable. The team and league have had frequent talks about the Panners returning to the ABL, but without success for a variety of reasons. The team is most known for hosting the annual Midnight Sun Game, which is played annually on the summer solstice at midnight. The game attracts fans and media attention from all over the world. Over their existence, over 200 Goldpanner alumni have played in the Major Leauges, including Baseball Hall of Famers Tom Seaver and Dave Winfield. Among the notable players to spend a summer in Fairbanks are Barry Bonds, Jason Giambi, Bill Lee, Terry Francona, Alvin Davis and Mike Boddicker. Growden Field in Fairbanks, AK, serves as home to the Goldpanners. It was originally named Memorial Field and was renamed in honor of James Growden and his two sons, who perished in the tsunami created by the Good Friday Earthquake of 1964. Growden had been active in supporting youth sports in Fairbanks throughout his life. The ballpark is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Approaching Growden Field. Photo by Paul Baker, Stadium Journey. Food & Beverage 4 There is one main concession stand at Growden Field, which serves up basic ballpark fare, including hot dogs, burgers, pizza slices and nachos. There is a decent selection of snacks to augment the menu, including all the expected favorites such as popcorn, pretzels and even Frito Pie. The team also sells ice cream sundaes in plastic mini-helmets. The quality is good and the prices are decent. Keep an eye out for daily specials. Lines are usually not too bad. Coca-Cola products are featured at Growden Field. New for 2026 are a pair of beer gardens located on either side of the grandstand, featuring a good selection of beer and other adult beverages. Fans of craft beers will find selections from local favorites Hoo Doo Brewing. Atmosphere 4 If you’re only familiar with Groden Field and the Goldpanners from the Midnight Sun Game, you might feel a little let down if you visit during another game on the schedule. But the team’s staff put on a good show, no matter what day you might find yourself in Fairbanks. Some of the promotions hold steady game in and game out, such as when kids run the bases at the end of the fifth inning and when the team’s mascot, Happy Boy, dances to what else, “Happy Boy” by the Beat Farmers in lieu of the seventh inning stretch. The game day entertainment is anchored by the PA announcer, who keeps things moving and adds a lot of energy to the proceedings. The ballpark’s sound system isn’t the greatest, and can fade in and out at times during the game. The team’s staff is friendly, helpful and very present. Neighborhood 3 Growden Memorial Field is part of a much larger municipal park situated in downtown Fairbanks. Also located in the park is a skate park, four Pony baseball fields, a youth softball field, volleyball courts, a playground and a picnic area. The city of Fairbanks is the second largest city in Alaska, with a population of over 32,500. Growden Park’s centralized location in the city puts it close to many points of interest, the airport, the University of Alaska-Fairbanks, and even the Santa Claus House in nearby North Pole. While nothing is in the immediate vicinity of the ballpark except for a bunch of fast-food restaurants a few blocks away, all points in the city are easily accessible by car. Fans looking for lodging close to the ballpark should check out the Comfort Inn on Airport Road. Fans 3 Actual attendance for Goldpanners games is hard to accurately establish, as the team does not release attendance figures. But a look at the crowd at a pair of games visited by Stadium Journey show that the team draws solid crowds to Growden Field, even when not factoring in the circus that is the Midnight Sun Game. An estimate would place crowds for Goldpanner games anywhere between 500 and 1,000 fans. The crowd at Growden Field will look familiar to anyone who has frequented summer baseball games anywhere in the country. There’s a good mix of families, diehard fans, and young adults looking for an inexpensive night out before heading on to the evening’s other activities. The Goldpanners target families and groups with their game day presentation, and their efforts are reflected in the stands, with many young fans running around the facility every night. Kids Run the Bases at Growden Field. Photo by Paul Baker, Stadium Journey. Access 3 Growden Field is located in the larger Growden Park, about two miles from downtown Fairbanks. It’s easy to get to from all points in the city, as it is located just off of Airport Way and Johansson Expressway, two of the busier roads in the city. Alaska State Highway 3, which runs south to Denali National Park and Anchorage, is about two and one half miles west of the ballpark. Plenty of parking is available in an unpaved lot adjacent to the ball field., as well as on the surrounding streets and at the neighboring Carlson Center. For fans taking public transportation, the MACS (Metropolitan Area Commuter System) blue route has a stop right in front of Growden Field, at the corner of Wilbur St. and 2nd Ave. A big drawback to the facility is the lack of bathroom facilities. However, the Goldpanners come prepared, and there are numerous port-a-johns everywhere. There are so many, in fact, that lines are not an issue, even during peak use. The seating at Growden Field is a hodge-podge of different sections that appear to have gone up over the years. Some seats are plastic stadium seats, with the majority of seating consisting of metal bleachers without backs. There is a section of Green Monster-style bar seats on the first base side of the ballpark. For the Midnight Sun Game, extra sections are brought in. Seats on the third base line are preferred as the sun will be at your back, not directly in your face. Return on Investment 5 Tickets for Goldpanners games are priced at $18.50 for reserved seats and $13.00 for General Admission. Children and members of the military can purchase General Admission tickets for $8.00. During numerous games throughout the season there are additional specials on tap where fans can save more money on tickets. Check out the team’s website for details. Parking is free in the lot adjacent to the ball field and on neighborhood streets should the lot not be sufficient for the evening’s crowd. Concessions are reasonably priced, making a Goldpanners game an affordable entertainment option for local sports fans. Extras 3 The Goldpanners display banners honoring their most famous alumni around the ballpark. Among the honorees are Terry Francona, Alvin Davis, Harold Reynolds, Dave Kingman and Barry Bonds. A statue of Dave Winfield, one of two baseball Hall of Famers to play for the Goldpanners, is located in a small plaza across the street from Growden Field. Winfield is beloved around town for not only his play, but the way he embraced the Fairbanks community not only during his days here, but afterwards throughout his Major League career and beyond. A final extra point is awarded for the amazing amount of merchandise sold by the team, and the support by the fans, many of whom sport team gear while roaming Growden Field. Final Thoughts The Goldpanners are most well-known for hosting the annual Midnight Sun game. But if you happen to be visiting Fairbanks at another time during the season, you can find affordable, entertaining baseball being played at normal hours of the day as well. Follow Paul Baker’s stadium journeys on Twitter and Instagram @PuckmanRI.

Photos by Meg Minard, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.86 Lancaster Municipal Stadium 45116 Valley Central Way Lancaster, CA 93536 Map It! AV Alta FC website Lancaster Municipal Stadium website Year Opened: 1996 (as baseball), 2024 (as soccer) Capacity: 5,300 Antelope Valley Fútbol El Lancaster Municipal Stadium era un pequeño y estupendo estadio de béisbol cuando los Lancaster JetHawks formaban parte de la California League. Luego, en 2021, Major League Baseball (MLB) completaron una histórica y profunda reestructuración de las ligas menores, la cual eliminó a 40 equipos afiliados. Los JetHawks fueron uno de los equipos eliminados. En 2023, la ciudad de Lancaster y la USL League One aprobaron los planes para transformar el estadio de béisbol en un estadio específico para el fútbol (soccer), destinado ser el campo local del equipo de expansión AV Alta FC. ¡Y que trabajo tan maravilloso que realizaron! Así que ahora, en lugar de ser un pequeño y estupendo estadio de béisbol, es un fantástico estadio de fútbol para los aficionados, los jugadores y la comunidad. El nombre AV Alta FC proviene del apodo de la región, de su historia aeroespacial y de su elevación geográfica: AV: Corresponde a Antelope Valley (Valle del Antílope), la región del sur de California donde tiene el sede del equipo. Alta: Derivado de la palabra latina que significa "elevado", representa tres aspectos: la ubicación de la región en el Alto Desierto (High Desert), sus profundas raíces en la industria aeroespacial y Alta California, el nombre que recibía la región antes de que California se convirtiera en un estado. El equipo jugó su partido inaugural de la temporada regular como local el 5 de abril de 2025, ante un estadio lleno, ¡y algo grandioso comenzó a gestarse en Antelope Valley! Food & Beverage / Bebida y Alimento 3 Los puestos de comida bordean el pasillo interior, mientras que los camiones de comida amplían la oferta. Los puestos de concesión ofrecen tiras de pollo y papas fritas, papas fritas estilo asada, tacos de pollo y de asada, nachos y hot dogs (con precios que oscilan entre $8 y $13). Para los piscolabices, hay a la venta pretzels, churros, helados Dippin’ Dots, papas fritas tradicionales y dulces. Los cócteles y la cerveza tienen precios que van desde los $8 hasta los $19. Los productos de Pepsi, la cerveza sin alcohol, la agua y el café o chocolate caliente cuestan entre $5 y $8. Mi Ranchito Mexican Grill es un food truck muy popular situado detrás de la portería, en lo que solía ser el lado de la primera base (el extremo sur del recinto). Chick-fil-A y varios otros food trucks ofrecen sus productos en el Fan Village. El mejor lugar para conseguir una cerveza es Bravery Brewing Co, ubicada al final de la tribuna principal. Allí se venden latas no solo de las cervezas de Bravery Brewing (su variedad Kolsch es deliciosa), sino también de Corona, Estrella, Michelob Ultra y otras más. Bravery Brewing incluso elabora una cerveza especial, la Cerveza Alta Mexican Lager, designada como la cerveza oficial del AV Alta FC. Bravery Brewing at Lancaster Municipal Stadium, Photo by Meg Minard, Stadium Journey En definitiva, una buena selección de comida y bebidas para cualquier aficionado al fútbol. Atmosphere / Atmósfera 5 Asistir a un partido aquí se sitúa entre las actividades más entretenidas que se pueden realizar en el Antelope Valley, desde Palmdale hasta Lancaster y más allá. La transformación en un recinto dedicado exclusivamente al fútbol es evidente de inmediato. La tribuna principal, la cabina de prensa, el marcador y el muro de fondo (originalmente para los bateadores) permanecen, pero todo ha sido renovado con la paleta de colores del club: verde Joshua y arena del desierto. Las mejoras incluyen una zona de asientos premium en el centro del campo, equipada con nuevas butacas acolchadas; un bar exclusivo para miembros que ofrece tapas y refrescos de cortesía; y una barra completa con servicio de pago. Las renovaciones incluyeron la instalación de «The Green Wall» (la tribuna del grupo de aficionados «661 Supporters Group»), que ofrece siete u ocho filas cubiertas y de pie, creando un ambiente vibrante. En el lado este, la «Chick-fil-A Family Stand» ofrece cuatro secciones de siete u ocho filas de asientos abatibles, equipadas con pasamanos para facilitar el acceso. Estas gradas quedan expuestas al sol durante la primera parte del partido. Justo detrás de las gradas de Chick-fil-A se ubica una nueva «Fan Village» (Zona de Aficionados), que ofrece espacio para food trucks, mesas de patrocinadores y una amplia explanada abierta donde los niños tienen mucho espacio para moverse y jugar. Por último, el terreno de juego en sí recibió una importante mejora, con la instalación de un césped artificial de calidad FIFA y un nuevo sistema de iluminación LED. Las luces parpadean en señal de celebración tras cada gol del AV Alta FC, añadiendo un toque extra de diversión a la experiencia del día del partido. AV Alta FC Goal Celebration! Lo maravilloso del fútbol es que el partido se desarrolla sin una banda sonora pregrabada; los vítores y las reacciones de la multitud parece la música. El locutor narra las incidencias con total claridad, anunciando a la perfección las alineaciones, las tarjetas amarillas, los saques de esquina, los goles, las sustituciones y el tiempo de descuento. Neighborhood / Barrio 4 Lancaster es una ciudad digna de visitar y, si bien no hay vida nocturna a poca distancia a pie del estadio, hay mucho que ver y hacer tanto dentro como en los alrededores de la ciudad. En las cercanías se encuentran algunos restaurantes regionales de comida rápida; In-N-Out es la opción más popular, pero no deje de probar El Pollo Loco, cual originó en Los Ángeles. El Lancaster Marketplace se sitúa a menos de media milla al sur del estadio y ofrece opciones gastronómicas, tiendas y servicios. Si busca opciones más locales, conduzca las dos millas que lo separan del centro de la ciudad, hasta llegar a «The BLVD». En esta manzana arbolada, los visitantes encontrarán una variada oferta de cocina étnica, que incluye establecimientos como On The Blvd Brooklyn Deli, Lucky Luke Brewpub, El Kachimbon Salvadorian Restaurant, Olive's Mediterranean Café y muchos otros. The BLVD alberga el MOAH (Museo de Artes e Historia), el Lancaster Performing Arts Center y una sala de cine Regency para el entretenimiento cultural; además, con frecuencia se celebra algún tipo de evento en la zona centro. Los amantes de la cerveza artesanal disfrutarán de Bravery Brewery (situada a unas 5 millas del estadio), que ofrece una amplia variedad de excelentes cervezas. Y, ya que está en Lancaster, es imprescindible conducir al menos una vez por la Musical Road (Carretera Musical). Más cerca del estadio, encontrará una sala de cine IMAX (justo al otro lado de Valley Central Way). Un hotel Homewood Suites y un Hampton Inn se encuentran justo enfrente de la entrada del estacionamiento. Al otro lado de la autopista 14 se halla un Wyndham Garden. Por lo tanto, quienes decidan pasar la noche en la ciudad disponen de una gran variedad de opciones de alojamiento a menos de media milla de distancia. Fans / Fanáticos 3 Los aficionados que asisten a los partidos del AV Alta FC constituyen una parte fundamental del éxito del club. El grupo de seguidores «661 Supporters Group» permanece de pie y canta, corea, vitorea, ondea banderas y bufandas, y toca tambores y otros instrumentos durante todo el partido. Incluso organizan una fiesta previa al encuentro en el estacionamiento. El resto de los aficionados reacciona de manera similar ante las buenas jugadas y se lamenta ante las oportunidades desperdiciadas. La base de seguidores tiende a ser un público joven que incluye familias y numerosos niños, lo que confiere al partido un ambiente animado y con un fuerte sentido de comunidad.. Access / Acceso 4 Llegar al estadio no es difícil, ya que se encuentra justo al lado de la Carretera Estatal 14. Actualmente, la ciudad está realizando obras viales en dicha carretera, por lo que debe tener esto en cuenta tanto al llegar como al salir. Mejor aún: el equipo ofrece el servicio de autobús AV Alta Express para asistir al partido, con salidas tanto desde Palmdale como desde Lancaster. Para los aficionados que llegan en avión, los aeropuertos comerciales más cercanos son el Aeropuerto Hollywood Burbank (BUR), a 60 millas de distancia, y el Aeropuerto Internacional de Los Ángeles (LAX), a 75 millas. Una vez en el recinto, hay una amplia disponibilidad de estacionamiento. El costo del estacionamiento adquirido por adelantado es de $10, mientras que el precio el día del partido es de $15. El recinto permite el ingreso de bolsos transparentes con dimensiones de hasta 14” x 14” x 6”. Una vez dentro de las puertas de acceso, los pasillos de circulación son amplios y abiertos, ofreciendo mucho espacio para desplazarse, lo que facilita la orientación. Todo el terreno es llano; a excepción de las gradas, no hay escalones. Hay asientos accesibles disponibles con facilidad para aquellos que los necesiten. El recinto cuenta con varias zonas de baños, aunque los sanitarios de mujeres suelen ensuciarse bastante hacia el final del partido. No estoy seguro de cuál sea la situación en los baños de hombres. Return on Investment / Retorno de la inversion 5 Asistir a un partido del AV Alta FC vale absolutamente lo que invierta de su presupuesto de entretenimiento deportivo. Es una forma maravillosa, cómoda y verdaderamente acogedora de pasar unas horas, con un ambiente que se siente a la vez vibrante y con un fuerte sentido de comunidad. Las entradas suelen oscilar entre los $17 y los $65; además, puede ahorrar unos dólares pagando el estacionamiento por adelantado o prescindir de él por completo tomando el autobús. El club también ofrece tarifas para grupos, minipases y noches temáticas, elementos que añaden aún más valor a la experiencia. Los precios de las concesiones son razonables, especialmente en comparación con lo que pagaría en un partido del LA Galaxy o del LAFC. Es una velada tan divertida y amena que animo a todo el mundo a asistir a, al menos, un partido. AV Alta FC Match Action, Photo by Meg Minard, Stadium Journey Extras 3 Durante la tarde de mi visita, cada uno de los miembros del personal del AV Alta FC con los que interactué me hizo sentir sumamente bienvenido, como si estuvieran encantados de que los visitara. Esta cálida acogida se extendió por las áreas de estacionamiento, seguridad, concesiones y atención al público. ¡Ojalá viviera más cerca para poder asistir a más partidos! La tienda de artículos oficiales cuenta con una gran variedad de camisetas, gorras, playeras, bufandas e incluso pines de solapa en los colores distintivos: verde joshua y marrón desierto. Los jugadores incluso firman autógrafos al finalizar el partido, lo que añade un toque personal. Final Thoughts / Pensamientos Finales Cada detalle en un partido del AV Alta FC contribuye a crear una velada acogedora y entretenida. Con una megafonía clara, una afición vibrante y un recinto que ahora parece diseñado específicamente para este deporte, este club se ha convertido rápidamente en una de las experiencias más destacadas de la región. Muchas gracias a Jim Minard por su ayuda con la traducción.

Photos by Meg Minard, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.57 Fort Marcy Ballpark 490 Bishops Lodge Road Santa Fe, NM 87501 Map It! Santa Fe Fuego website Fort Marcy Ballpark website Year Opened: 1936/1947 Capacity: 1,100 Santa Fe Fuego The Santa Fe Fuego are members of the Pecos League, an Independent Baseball League. They joined the league in 2012 and won the championship in 2014. They came close in 2015, losing to their in-state rival, the Roswell Invaders. They play their games at historic Fort Marcy Ballpark in Santa Fe, NM. The facility was built in 1936; some park guides and documents state 1947 as its official opening or primary reopening date. The ballfield is part of the Fort Marcy Park and Recreation Complex, which has a swimming pool, racquetball, and other sports. The city park also features a dog area, a playground, shade-covered picnic benches, and walking trails. Food & Beverage 3 The Santa Fe Fuego sells the expected stadium fare at reasonable prices. The venue has one concession stand and a separate beer table on its concourse. Offerings include several burger, hot dog, and nacho options, with prices ranging from $4 to $8. The menu indicates that the choices with green chili (New Mexico is known for its green chili) are the fan favorites. Fans can upgrade and get a soda and chips with each meal for an additional $3, which is a pretty good deal. Snacks include popcorn, chips, candy, pickles, seeds, and peanuts. Canned beer choices are domestic beers, 7K IPA 9 (brewed by Santa Fe Brewing Company), Corona, and others. Atmosphere 3 The Santa Fe Fuego game day crew provides a pleasant evening of baseball. They have an excellent announcer who reads the lineup clearly and at a pace slow enough to jot down on your scorecard, a rarity at most ballparks where lineups are rattled off too quickly to record. The sound person plays some between-pitch ‘noise,’ but it’s not too bad. Sit beyond the covered grandstand to be away from the loudspeakers. The Sangre de Cristo Mountains provide a pleasant view in left field, along with houses I’ll never be able to afford. Trees line the left and right fields, and a city park (Magers Field Park) is beyond center field. It’s all very pleasing to the eye. The seating area runs from inside first base to inside third base, and it is all cement with a grandstand roof. We recommend bringing a cushion or foldable chair (the team rents chairs for $5 if you forget yours). A chain link fence protects fans sitting behind home, but fans can move and see some ‘chain-free’ baseball closer to the bases. Within the grandstand, ‘box’ sections line the lowest level (closest to the field), where fans can sit with their chairs and be closer to the field. Fort Marcy Ballpark Grandstand, Photo by Meg Minard, Stadium Journey A dot matrix scoreboard showing the line score sits in center field. Trees serve as the batter’s eye. The outfield grass looks plush; the infield is worn in some spots. A mascot dressed as a dragon roams the stands. The team holds a 50/50 raffle with the proceeds going back to the players. Kids run the bases in the middle of the 4th inning. The Fuego players line up and give them high-fives as they exit the field. Pretty cool. Neighborhood 4 Fort Marcy Ballpark is less than a mile from downtown Santa Fe, which has plenty of activities, eateries, and places to stay. For things to do when in town, visit the New Mexico State Capitol Building, which has an abundance of art pieces (it’s almost like an art gallery). You can explore the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum, stroll through the historic Santa Fe Plaza, or stop by the Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi with its beautiful stained glass and Romanesque Revival design. Sana Fe has many restaurants, bars, and breweries. Bumble Bee’s Baja Grill, Café Paqual’s, and Café Chimayo are some recommended local places near the ballpark. However, many more line the city streets. Santa Fe has several places for craft beer and cocktails; Desert Dog Brewery and Cidery and Second Street Brewery at the Railyard are worth a visit and are right near the plaza and downtown. And for something different, try Tumbleroot Pottery Pub (make your own work of clay art while enjoying an adult beverage). As a tourist town, Santa Fe has no shortage of hotels, ranging from 2‑star to 5‑star. The further you get from downtown, the more affordable they are. Check here for an accommodations list. The closest other summer sports are the Albuquerque Isotopes (MiLB) and the New Mexico United (USLC), about an hour south of Santa Fe. Fans 2 The fans seem to enjoy themselves at a Fuego game. You’ll see families, kids, and retirees. At the game I attended, a couple of hundred fans were in the stands. Access 2 Driving to Fort Marcy Park is relatively easy, as you can bypass the downtown area. Parking is free and near the stadium. Santa Fe does have bus service, but it ends at 7:30 pm, so it's not an option for a Fuego game. The downfall is navigating the stadium and accessing the seating, as the setup isn’t at all accommodating for fans with mobility needs. The steps leading up to the entrance are rickety wooden ones with a wooden banister that’ll give you splinters if you hold on too tightly. There is a ramp on the far end of the parking lot, but it doesn’t look in good shape. Once inside, you’ll find the grandstand has steep cement steps, with handrails only at the far ends of the seating area and none in the middle. That said, there are half steps next to the handrails, making it a bit easier to descend and ascend, but it’s not easy for those uneasy on their feet. The restrooms and concessions stand are on the concourse just beyond the entrance. Return on Investment 3 The costs are low enough that most fans should find a Fuego game budget‑friendly. Parking is free. Tickets are $10 general admission. Rental chairs run $5. Concessions are reasonably priced. Some fans even park their vehicles in the parking lot above the third base side slope and watch for free. Extras 1 The Fuego stream their games via Meridix. Watching the streaming announcer (and listening if you sit close enough) is quite entertaining. Santa Fe Fuego Streaming Broadcaster, Photo by Meg Minard, Stadium Journey Final Thoughts Baseball fans visiting Santa Fe should try to catch a Fuego game during the May - July stretch. Just keep in mind that the ballpark can be tough to navigate if you use a wheelchair, walker, cane, or feel unsteady on your feet.

With the playoffs underway, Stadium Journey once again turns its attention to ranking the game-day experience at ECHL arenas. Our correspondents evaluated 28 of the league’s 30 venues—excluding Greensboro and Trois-Rivières—using the site’s FANFARE rating system. This system considers factors such as food and beverage, atmosphere, surrounding neighborhood, fan support, accessibility, value, and more. The average FANFARE score for this year’s rankings list is 3.65 out of a possible 5.0. In cases where venues finished tied, a Stadium Journey council of elders was called upon to break the deadlock. It’s a unique approach to evaluating arenas, and one that’s sure to spark plenty of debate. We invite you to join the conversation on our social media channels, including Facebook, Twitter, Threads, YouTube, and Instagram. Without further ado, here are Stadium Journey’s 2025–2026 ECHL venue rankings. 1. Allen County War Memorial Coliseum - Fort Wayne Komets 4.57 In the state of basketball, Fort Wayne is a hockey town. The fans have been faithful to this franchise across multiple leagues since the Komets came to town in 1952. The atmosphere in the building is electric with crowds hovering around 10,000 for weekend games, and loyal followers dress in the black and orange of the hockey club. Fort Wayne is among the best cities in the country for minor league hockey. 2. Kia Center - Orlando Solar Bears 4.43 The Kia Center is the home of the NBA Orlando Magic, but the Solar Bears make it their hockey palace during the ECHL season. The balcony seats are draped off, and the lower bowl becomes a hotbed of hockey fans in a state where palm trees are prevalent. The building is stunning; a vibrant and colorful concourse and lighting that extends to the main entrance lobby, to the unique arrangement of the court’s flooring – everything here is visually beautiful. 3. Huntington Center - Toledo Walleye 4.29 The Huntington Center has been a successful venture for the fans of the Toledo Walleye. The perfectly sized building is located downtown and offers patrons wide-open concourses, luxury seating, open views of the ice, and plenty of food and drink. The Walleye finished second in attendance in the league with an astonishing 8,000-plus average. 4. Indy Fuel - Fishers Event Center 4 The new state-of-the-art hockey arena for the Fuel in the suburbs of Indianapolis has been a hit with fans and players alike. The team has seen an increase in sell-outs, fans find it easy to pay for parking via an app, and grab-and-go food and beverage options make it easy for them to get back to the action on ice. The area around the arena also gives fans a place to visit before or after the game. 5. The Monument - Rapid City Rush 4 The seating area is U-shaped. There is no center-hung scoreboard allowing the passionate Rush fans the ability to see each other throughout the arena. A large, flat-screen video scoreboard is posted on the wall on the top end of the U and provides basic scoring stats and a visual broadcast of the game, along with replays. 6. Wings Event Center - Kalamazoo K-Wings 4 The Wings Event Center is one of those classic minor league hockey barns. It’s small, the concourses are narrow, it gets crowded during intermission, and the fans don’t hold back on their feelings. However, within a few years, the K-Wings will relocate to a new building, one that offers a lot more comfort and luxury. For a throwback to the team’s days in the old IHL, get to Kalamazoo sometime soon. 7. VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena - Jacksonville Icemen 4 The Icemen have made a name for themselves since arriving from Evansville, Indiana, several years ago. The team finished number one in the league in average attendance with close to 9,200 fans per game this past season. Minor league hockey is thriving in the South. 8. Gas South Arena - Atlanta Gladiators 3.86 The Atlanta Gladiators are the only pro team in town and offer an affordable, family-friendly atmosphere. The arena offers stunning views of the ice, easy access to the seating bowl, and great food and beverage options for fans. It is a great night out with friends and family. 9. Tahoe Blue Event Center - Tahoe Knight Monsters 3.71 Undoubtedly, the most enduring gift the Tahoe Knight Monsters give this community is a sense of identity. This is largely a transient town, a place for seasonal residents, a destination for tourists and gaming enthusiasts. Yet the focal point of a team, a professional team, to compete, to cheer for, to wear the colors for, serves as a reminder for people looking to unite. 10. Idaho Central Arena - Idaho Steelheads 3.71 Do check out the delightful downtown Boise area for a fun-filled day. The Steelheads put on a good show, provide valuable sports entertainment, and it’s a rewarding place to watch and enjoy an ice hockey game. 11. Greenville Swamp Rabbits - Bon Securs Wellness Arena 3.71 The Bon Secours Wellness Arena offers a better-than-average experience for almost every type of sports event or concert. The seating bowl offers excellent views of the action on the ice, and the center-hung videoboard constantly provides updated game stats and replays of the action on the ice. Seating is very comfortable. 12. Norfolk Scope - Norfolk Admirals 3.71 Although the Norfolk Scope is over 50 years old at this point, it is still going strong. While it doesn't have all the bells and whistles of newer arenas, hockey fans will definitely want to check out a Norfolk Admirals game here. If you walk into the seating area at the Norfolk Scope before warmups have begun, you will find the arena casked in a soft, blue glow. The full arena lights do not come on until the players come out for warmups. This creates an interesting first impression on fans arriving early. 13. Maine Mariners - Cross Insurance Arena 3.71 Cross Insurance Arena works well for hockey — its limitations don’t detract from the experience. The compact facility and amenities create a cozy, engaging hockey atmosphere. Larger arenas may impress with size and luxury, but that scale can dilute the energy, especially when seats go empty. Cross Insurance Arena’s smaller footprint concentrates the crowd, amplifies excitement, and keeps fans closely involved. 14. Maverik Center - Utah Grizzlies 3.71 The Utah Grizzlies have played their last season in Salt Lake City and will relocate to Trenton, New Jersey, for the upcoming season. The Grizz moved from Denver in 1995 when they were members of the IHL, then joined the AHL in 2001, and became members of the ECHL in 2005. However, after the Utah Mammoths of the NHL came to town, the 30-year history of the Grizzlies came to an end. It was the end of an era, but the Maverik Center was always a fine place for a hockey game. 15. Hertz Arena - Florida Everblades 3.57 The Everblades have been a fixture on the Gulf Coast for well over a quarter of a century. The team draws around 6,500 fans per game in a building that still maintains its charm after all of these years. The Everblades experience has improved with recent renovations to the video board and the concourse area. The seating bowl design offers a great view of the action, no matter where you sit in the building. 16. Enmarket Arena - Savannah Ghost Pirates 3.57 While Savannah is known for its preservation efforts in its large Historic District, Enmarket Arena is a decidedly modern facility. The front of the arena is almost all glass, allowing natural light to filter into the entrance lobby of the facility. Fans can quickly access the Ghost Pirates team store, which is filled with plenty of swashbuckling hockey gear. 17. Cable Dahmer Arena - Kansas City Mavericks 3.57 Cable Dahmer offers an above-average experience for the ECHL. The arena feels sleek and new and has nice selections available at the concessions. Independence also has plenty to do after the game and is close to Kansas City if it’s not enough. If you’re looking for an NHL experience on a budget, a Mavericks game is well worth it. 18. BOK Center - Tulsa Oilers 3.57 This venue, the BOK Center, is more than just an ECHL venue. It is a place for entertainment, from fan excitement to the action on the ice. When it comes to atmosphere, fun is the most important thing. The BOK has nailed this aspect of the sports experience. A real effort is made to sell team merchandise and get fans involved in promotions with huge booths 19. North Charleston Coliseum - South Carolina Stingrays 3.43 The South Carolina Stingrays are a solid organization that brings many of the northern transplants to the Charleston area regularly to enjoy a night of great hockey. The North Charleston Coliseum is the longtime home for Stingrays hockey. It provides easy access to the major interstates in the Charleston area. 20. Xtream Arena - Iowa Heartlanders 3.43 The Xtream Arena offers great vantage points throughout the building, concessions are spread in many parts of the concourse, and there is plenty of in-game entertainment to keep fans engaged during breaks in the game in between periods. The hockey team voluntarily suspended operations for the upcoming season with plans to restructure and return in the future. 21. WesBanco Arena - Wheeling Nailers 3.43 Wheeling, West Virginia, has been the home of minor league hockey for 30 years, and the Nailers have been part of much of that history. The building is small, boxy, and ideal for hockey at this level. The atmosphere comes alive with packed crowds, throngs of fans visiting neighboring restaurants and pubs, and plenty of cheering from the stands. 22. Santander Arena - Reading Royals 3.43 When asked to name a professional hockey team in Pennsylvania, almost everyone would name either the Philadelphia Flyers or the Pittsburgh Penguins. Although Reading may not be the most desirable city to visit in the state, and in fact may be towards the bottom of the list, a trip to see the Royals at Santander Arena is reason enough to come to town. 23. INTRUST Bank Arena - Wichita Thunder 3.43 If travel takes you to Wichita in the fall or winter, or if you live in the area and you like hockey, a visit to a Thunder game is a worthwhile entertainment choice. Downtown Wichita is a walkable city and has several hotels, museums, restaurants, and a variety of other tourist attractions. 24. DCU Center - Worcester Railers 3.29 The DCU Center is a solid if unspectacular place to catch some quality minor league hockey. Recent years have seen the city of Worcester raise its profile in the sporting world by courting the Pawtucket Red Sox to the city. *Editor's Note: The story previously identified the home of the Railers as the Worcester Ice Center. 25. Cooling Insurance Arena - Adirondack Thunder 3.29 The GFCC is a great old hockey barn, and having a stable tenant occupying the building should go a long way toward ensuring a successful franchise after so many years of uncertainty. The team has stepped up its community presence, and the organization is beginning to understand that it will take increased effort to bring local hockey fans back to the Glens Falls Civic Center. 26. Heritage Bank Center - Cincinnati Cyclones 3.29 The arena is in need of a huge makeover, but there are no complaints that it’s a perfect place to watch a hockey game. The 51-year-old building was made for hockey and offers great views from the seating bowl. However, the narrow concourses are a reminder of buildings of that era, but cheap tickets and parking make it worth your while in Cincinnati. 27. Credit Union of Texas Event Center - Allen Americans 3.14 The Allen Event Center is a respectable venue in which to watch an ECHL game. It has above-average food choices, is in the midst of an outdoor shopping mall, and has hotels within walking distance. And the team wins. Check it out if in the area north of Dallas. 28. Grossinger Motors Arena - Bloomington Bison 2.57 This is the first year for the ECHL club (2024-25). Other hockey teams have failed here. I hope this one can make it because the arena is a nice place to see a game, and you could be seeing the stars of tomorrow. Being an ECHL team, some players and coaches may graduate to the AHL and NHL. NG. Colisée Vidéotron - Trois-Rivières Lions Unfortunately, Stadium Journey does not yet have a review for the Colisée Vidéotron. If you are interested in writing a review for Stadium Journey, please contact us. NG. First Horizon Coliseum - Greensboro Gargoyles Unfortunately, Stadium Journey does not yet have a review for the First Horizon Coliseum. If you are interested in writing a review for Stadium Journey, please contact us.

Photos by Paul Baker, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.29 Cool Insuring Arena 1 Civic Center Plaza Glens Falls, NY 12801 Adirondack Thunder website Cool Insuring Arena website Year Opened: 1979 Capacity: 4,744 Third League’s a Charm? Surely you will understand if the hockey fans of the upstate New York town of Glens Falls have become somewhat jaded. This small town of 14,700 residents built an arena in 1979 to house the top farm team of the Detroit Red Wings. After 20 years and four Calder Cup Championships, the Red Wings folded the team and moved their affiliation to Grand Rapids. The United Hockey League’s Adirondack IceHawks (later renamed the Frostbite) moved into the Civic Center in 2000. The Frostbite suspended operations in 2006, and it looked like the Civic Center had seen the end of professional hockey in Glens Falls. The city and arena got a second chance when the Philadelphia Flyers, looking for a temporary home for their American Hockey League Phantoms, placed the team in Glens Falls in 2009. What was originally planned to be a two-year stay in New York turned into five seasons. The overwhelming support given to the Phantoms by Glens Falls made the city a legitimate option for teams looking for a minor league home. The Calgary Flames stepped in with their AHL affiliate for the 2014-2015 season. The Flames signed a three-year agreement with the Civic Center, but from day one, there were rumors that the Flames would be part of a group of Western Conference teams that would move their affiliates to a new, Pacific Division of the AHL. This Pacific Division became a reality for the 2015-2016 season, leaving the Glens Falls Civic Center once again without an AHL tenant. Luckily, the building did not go without a team for long. The Flames placed their ECHL team in Glens Falls, christening them the Adirondack Thunder. With the Flames organization’s dismal track record in keeping their farm teams in one place for any significant period, only time will tell if Glens Falls third different minor league will have any staying power. So far, Adirondack hockey fans appear to be taking a ‘wait and see’ approach. Food & Beverage 3 Concession stands are set up in each corner of the arena, with each stand featuring a different theme (Pie in the Sky Pizza, Hot Dog Nation, Black Angus, and Fresh Classics). The menus don’t stray very far from your typical arena fare, and the prices are typical for this level of hockey. You won’t get any gourmet offerings here, but you also won’t need to take out a mortgage to feed yourself at a Flames game, either. There is a decent selection of beers available in bottles at the main stands and draft stands located throughout the concourse. Bud Light, Shock Top, Stella Artois, Labatt’s, and craft brews from local favorite Davidson Brothers can all be found here. Prices start at eight dollars. Thunder fans seeking non-alcoholic beverages can choose from various Pepsi products. Davidson Brothers also operates a pub in Heritage Hall, located underneath the stands during game nights. The Birch room, also located in Heritage Hall, offers a space for birthday parties, events, and buffet-style meals for fans before Friday and Saturday night games. The Ice Lounge, located here, offers discounted drink specials to season ticket holders. Unfortunately, the arrival of the Thunder meant the exit of the classic flaming “A” logo sported by the Adirondack Flames. Fans looking for Thunder merchandise will find a small area of the lobby set aside for sales of the new squad’s gear. Atmosphere 3 The Glens Falls Civic Center has a wonderful old-school feel to it. Part of that feeling is because the arena lacks many of the modern amenities that so many of the newer rinks possess. The center scoreboard is the old dot-matrix style of unit, and two large video screens hang in opposite corners of the rink. One of the highlights of attending a game at the Glens Falls Civic Center in the past was the noise and excitement generated in the old barn. While very little has changed in the game day presentation from the days of the Phantoms and Flames, the atmosphere at the GFCC feels very different this year (2015-2016). While there are still some old-school fans who try to make their presence felt with their non-stop heckling of the opposing team and officials, for the most part, fans seem quieter and more subdued than in years past. Perhaps with some on-ice success and continued presence in the community, the team can regain the support of Glens Falls hockey fans. The Thunder employs a mascot, Gunnar, who isn’t too much of a presence during the game, and an ice crew that also takes some time to throw t-shirts into the crowd. The team offers 50/50 raffles and jersey raffles to benefit local charities. Overall, the Glens Falls Civic Center and the Thunder put on a very family-friendly event. Neighborhood 4 The Civic Center is located right on the edge of downtown and is easy to get to from all parts of Glens Falls. I know what you may be thinking: what kind of downtown can there be in a town of 15,000? Despite the city’s small size, there are a surprising number of places to eat within walking distance of the Civic Center. Local establishments such as Dango’s, Davidson Brothers, Sandy’s Clam Bar, Sully’s West, and O’Toole’s Pub all attract Adirondack hockey fans before and after games. Fans who visit Glens Falls during hockey season may choose to travel a couple of hours north to the ski areas of the Adirondacks. Hockey historians will be drawn to Lake Placid, home of the 1980 “Miracle on Ice.” During the summer months, the nearby village of Lake George is a popular tourist attraction. Fans 2 Adirondack is averaging a shade over 2,400 fans per game two-thirds through their inaugural season in the ECHL, which ranks them 27th out of the 28 teams in the league. This mark also represents a decrease of 33 percent from their attendance in their final AHL season. Fans in this region are passionate and knowledgeable about their teams, so there is hope that they will return to the GFCC. Some fans at the Civic Center may be a little too loud and vulgar, but their passion is contagious throughout the building. Many fans choose to stand along the railing at the top of the seating bowl throughout the game. With the steep pitch of the stands, it’s a great vantage point from which to take in the game. Access 4 The Glens Falls Civic Center is located in downtown Glens Falls, just a couple of miles from Interstate 87, at the intersections of Routes 9 and 32. While the Greater Glens Falls Transit Company has several routes that serve downtown, most fans drive to the Civic Center for games. There are numerous lots within walking distance of the arena, most charging under $10. There are also many options for on-street parking nearby for fans who arrive early. There isn’t a whole lot of room to maneuver once inside the Civic Center. There is a small entry lobby that contains a concession stand, the New York State Basketball Hall of Fame, and the Adirondack Hockey Hall of Fame. Pass through two sets of doors, and you will enter the top of the sharply-pitched seating bowl. There is a single concourse that circles the top of the seating bowl. This walkway can become quite crowded at times, but crowds move around without too much backup. There are restrooms located underneath the seating area, which are accessible by stairs at all four corners of the building. Return on Investment 4 Tickets to Adirondack Thunder games range in price from $15-$27, which is a small increase over prices charged last year. Purchasing your tickets on game day will cost you an extra two dollars. Youth tickets can be purchased for $13 and $15 on game days. Since charging more money for a lower level of hockey may not be the best business strategy, the Thunder have come up with some ways for fans to save some money. Buy one get one deal and reduced ticket specials on selected games have been instituted. Factor in inexpensive parking and concessions, and the Adirondack Thunder continue to be an affordable entertainment option for local hockey fans. Extras 3 An extra point is awarded to the Adirondack Hockey Hall of Fame and the New York State Basketball Hall of Fame, which are both located on the concourse outside of the seating bowl. Another extra point is awarded for the Calder Cup Championship Banners still hanging from the rafters of the Civic Center, 15 years after the Red Wings left town. Final Thoughts Adirondack hockey fans have been slow to embrace the Thunder and AA hockey after many years in the AHL. The team has stepped up its community presence and the organization is beginning to understand that it will take increased effort to bring local hockey fans back to the Glens Falls Civic Center. The GFCC is a great old hockey barn, and having a stable tenant occupying the building should go a long way toward ensuring a successful franchise after so many years of uncertainty. ---- Follow Paul Baker’s stadium journeys on Twitter @PuckmanRI.

Photos by Joe Molski and Marc Viquez, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.29 Heritage Bank Center 100 Broadway St Cincinnati, OH 45202 Cincinnati Cyclones website Heritage Bank Center website Year Opened: 1975 Capacity: 14,453 A Cyclone Along the Banks of the Ohio River Sitting right along the banks of the mighty Ohio River is the Heritage Bank Center. It opened in September 1975 as the Riverfront Coliseum; the indoor arena sits next to Great American Ballpark in downtown Cincinnati. The arena has a capacity of 17,556, and the most current renovations took place in 1997 and cost $14.7 million. The main tenant is the Cincinnati Cyclones, but the building has played host to numerous events. The Crosstown Shootout, Conference USA men’s basketball tournament, NCAA men’s and women’s March Madness tournaments, NCAA Frozen Four, concerts, and the World Choir Games in 2012. The originally planned tenant for the brand-new arena was supposed to be an NHL franchise. A group headed by Bill DeWitt, Jr. attempted to lure a team to the building but was rejected. Cincinnati would place an expansion franchise in the World Hockey Association and call it the Stingers; the team would play from 1975-1979 and feature future NHL Hall of Famers Mike Gartner and Mark Messier, both baby-faced teenagers at the time. Cincinnati was denied again when the WHA merged with the NHL in 1979. The Stingers played one more year in the minor-league Central Hockey League before folding after 33 games during the 1979/80 season. There have been three separate Cyclones franchises that began with the expansion club in 1990 in the East Coast Hockey League. The club jumped up a level to the International Hockey League in 1992 but folded with the league in 2001. The current club rejoined the ECHL the following season and, except the 2004-2006 seasons, have been mainstays at the Heritage Bank Center. Food & Beverage 2 A detail that has been overlooked by ownership is the concession areas. Many of the same food stands remain from when I visited this arena as a kid several years ago. The signage is outdated and could use an upgrade. Most were open, but a few on the short ends of the rink were closed. This particular night happened to be a $1 beer night, so long lines at stands were dedicated only to alcohol sales. You could get anything from moonshine to a cocktail. Beers included were Miller Lite, Angry Orchard, Blue Moon, PBR, and other local breweries like 50 West. Wine in a can and also tropical mocktails were available at one vendor. There were classic brands of the area that included Donatos Pizza, Graeter’s Ice Cream, and Skyline Chili. They offered the typical concession stand food, minus hot dogs, which I found interesting. Pizza by the slice is $4.50, and a burger/chicken finger combo is $8.50. RC Cola products are available at the concessions. The best deal is the $10 bottomless popcorn, which you could easily make your money’s worth. Atmosphere 4 The building’s cramped concourse was the main reason why the atmosphere was not awarded 5 points. The hallways are very narrow, which was a sign of the times when the arena was constructed. They were enlarged during the 1997 renovations, but they will have to be expanded again at some point to make it easier to navigate for visitors. Outside of this, the atmosphere was incredible. The Cyclones have a fantastic pregame player introduction and one of the better ones in the ECHL. An anthem from a local high school got a tremendous roar from the crowd. A great noise was only subdued by an early visitors’ goal against the run of play. After this, the crowd started to get back into the game with some shots from the home team. Cheering and chants during the game made it feel like a playoff game, not an early-season Thursday night tilt. Bringing your dogs to the ice was also part of the promotion tonight. Many dog-themed snacks and treats around the stadium for the furry friends. Barking could be heard throughout the game. Neighborhood 3 While it is downtown, it is quite a walk from the bustling Central Business District and Over-the-Rhine neighborhoods. The stadium sits next to Great American Ballpark and is within walkable distance of The Banks and northern Kentucky. Plenty of spots to eat at the Banks, like Holy Grail and Condado tacos. There are many breweries, and one of my favorite pizza spots, Dewey’s Pizza across the river at Newport on the Levee. Cold Stone Creamery is also just across the river. Fans 4 Nothing beats the promotions served up by minor league hockey teams, and tonight was Pucks for Pugs. Dog owners could bring their best friends to the game. The sounds of the barking dogs added to that unique atmosphere of the night. Fans were excited at the start with a terrific pre-game show on the ice and followed by player introductions to hype up the crowd. An early goal from visitors took a lot out of the fans, but a solid performance and win cured all blues. Thanks to the terrific Cyclones App – I got a free hat just from downloading it onto my phone. There is also a lot of gear available to purchase at the game. You could see a lot of hometown sweaters, some from The Avengers and Spongebob Square Pants-themed nights (another minor league hockey promotion). One thing to note, earlier in the day, a trade sent Jack Eichel to the Vegas Golden Knights from the Buffalo Sabres. I found an Eichel sweater in the stands. Access 3 The parking garage is attached to the arena and charged $10. There are a couple of outside lots around the stadium that are also for $10. You could also park in northern Kentucky and walk across the Purple People’s Bridge to get to the stadium and take in the beautiful Ohio River and Cincinnati skyline. The narrow hallways around the concourse are a negative aspect of the arena, especially during COVID times. Return on Investment 4 The cost of a ticket is $20 for a game, and you might not spend more than $35 total. The parking for $10 may seem steep, but you are only about 100 feet from the arena. The game was of high quality. Multiple goals, hits, and fights meant plenty of action. The food was reasonably priced, and the beer was $1. These are hard to beat. Extras 3 Head Coach Jason Payne is the only African-American ice hockey head coach in all professional hockey. The All-Access Bar & Grill is located on the 5th floor (Suite Level) of the arena but was closed during our visit. When operational, fans get a marvelous birdseye view of the ice along with a full-service bar and restaurant. Final Thoughts The arena is perfect for ice hockey, but it does need some care on the concourses and outside. The game was entertaining, and the food and drinks were reasonably priced. The Cyclones market their games for anyone, and I think anyone would have a great night at Heritage Bank Center.

Photos by Meg Minard, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.86 Lancaster Municipal Stadium 45116 Valley Central Way Lancaster, CA 93536 Map It! AV Alta FC website Lancaster Municipal Stadium website Year Opened: 1996 (as baseball), 2024 (as soccer) Capacity: 5,300 Antelope Valley Fútbol Lancaster Municipal Stadium was a great little baseball ballpark when the Lancaster JetHawks were in the California League. Then in 2021, Major League Baseball completed a historic, major overhaul of the minor leagues, which eliminated 40 affiliates. The JetHawks were one of those eliminated. In 2023, the city of Lancaster and USL League One approved plans to convert the baseball stadium into a soccer-specific venue to house the expansion team AV Alta FC. And, what a marvelous job they did! So now, instead of being a great little ballpark, it’s a fantastic soccer (fútbol) stadium for the fans, players, and the community. The name AV Alta FC is derived from the region's nickname, aerospace history, and geographical elevation: AV: Stands for the Antelope Valley, the region in Southern California where the team is based. Alta: From the Latin word for "elevated", represents three things: the region's location in the High Desert, its deep roots in the aerospace industry, and Alta California, the name of the region before California became a state. The team made its inaugural regular-season home opener on April 5, 2025, to a sold-out crowd, and something great began brewing in Antelope Valley! Food & Beverage 3 Concession outlets line the inner concourse, while food trucks enhance the selection. The concession stands offer chicken tenders and fries, asada fries, chicken and asada tacos, nachos, and hot dogs (ranging from $8 - $13). For snacks, pretzels, churros, Dippin’ Dots, regular fries, and candy are for sale. Cocktails and beer run from $8 - $19. Pepsi products, non-alcoholic beer, water, and coffee/hot chocolate cost between $5 - $8. Mi Ranchito Mexican Grill is a very popular food truck behind the goal on what was once the first base side (the south end of the venue). Chick-fil-A and various other food trucks offer their wares in the Fan Village. The best place to get a beer is Bravery Brewing Co at the end of the grandstand. It sells cans of not only Bravery Brewing beers (the Kolsch is delicious), but also Corona, Estrella, Michelob Ultra, and more. Bravery Brewing even brews a special Cerveza Alta Mexican Lager as the official beer of AV Alta FC. Bravery Brewing at Lancaster Municipal Stadium, Photo by Meg Minard, Stadium Journey All in all, a good selection of food and drinks for any fútbol fan. Atmosphere 5 Attending a match here ranks among the most entertaining things to do in the Antelope Valley, from Palmdale to Lancaster and beyond. The transformation into a soccer‑specific venue is immediately noticeable. The grandstand, press box, scoreboard, and batter’s eye remain, but everything has been refreshed in the club’s Joshua green and desert sand color scheme. Upgrades include a premium seating area at midfield with new padded chairs, a club bar offering complimentary tapas and a soda, and a full cash bar. The renovations included the installation of The Green Wall (the 661 Supporters Group stands) providing seven or eight covered standing-only rows, creating a lively atmosphere. On the east side, a Chick-fil-A Family Stand boasts four sections of seven or eight rows of fold-down seating with handrails for easier access. These stands face the sun for the early portion of the match. A new Fan Village sits just behind the Chick‑fil‑A stands, providing space for food trucks, sponsor tables, and a wide, open concourse where kids have plenty of room to move around and play. Lastly, the field itself received a major upgrade, with a FIFA‑quality artificial turf pitch and new LED lighting. The lights flash in celebration after an AV Alta FC goal, adding more fun to the match‑day experience. AV Alta FC Goal Celebration! What makes soccer wonderful is that the match unfolds without a soundtrack; the cheers and reactions of the crowd become the music during match action. The announcer delivers calls with clarity, handling lineups, yellow cards, corner kicks, goals, substitutions, and extra time perfectly. Neighborhood 4 Lancaster is a respectable city to visit, and while no night life is walking distance to the stadium, there is plenty to see and do in and around town. A few regional fast food restaurants are nearby, with In-N-Out being the most popular choice, but don’t shun El Pollo Loco, which originated in Los Angeles.  Lancaster Marketplace is less than ½ mile south of the stadium and provides dining, shopping, and services. If you are looking for a few local options, drive the two miles downtown to the BLVD. In this tree-lined block, visitors can find a collection of ethnic cuisine, including On The Blvd Brooklyn Deli, Lucky Luke Brewpub, El Kachimbon Salvadorian Restaurant, Olive's Mediterranean Café, and so much more. The BLVD has the MOAH (Museum of Arts and History), Lancaster Performing Arts Center, and a Regency movie theater for cultural entertainment, and there’s often some kind of event in the downtown area. Craft beer lovers will enjoy Bravery Brewery (about 5 miles from the stadium), providing a wide variety of excellent brews. And, when in Lancaster, one must drive over the Musical Road at least once. Closer to the stadium, an IMAX movie theater is nearby (just across Valley Central Way). A Homewood Suites and a Hampton Inn are right across the street from the parking entrance. Just across Highway 14 is a Wyndham Garden. So, plenty of places are available within a ½ mile for those spending the night. Fans 3 The fans who attend AV Alta FC matches are a huge part of the cub’s success. The 661 Supporters Group stands and sings, chants, cheers, waves flags and scarves, plays drums and other instruments throughout the entire match. They even have a pregame tailgate in the parking lot. The other fans react similarly with good plays, and groan at missed opportunities. The fanbase tends to be a young crowd and includes families and plenty of kids, giving the match a lively, community‑oriented feel. Access 4 Reaching the stadium is not difficult, as it sits right off State Highway 14. Currently, the city is performing road construction on the highway, so be cognizant of that when arriving and leaving. Better yet, the team offers AV Alta Express bus service to the match from both Palmdale and Lancaster. For fans flying in, the closest commercial airports are Hollywood Burbank Airport - BUR (60 miles) and Los Angeles International Airport - LAX (75 miles). Once on site, plenty of parking is available. Advance parking is $10, while game day parking is $15. The venue allows clear bags up to 14” x 14” x 6”. The layout is entirely flat (except for the seating), so fans can move comfortably without encountering steps. Accessible seating is readily available for those who need it. The venue has several restroom areas, though the women’s facilities get messy by the end of the match. I’m not sure about the men’s. Return on Investment 5 Attending an AV Alta FC match is absolutely worth your sports entertainment budget. It’s a marvelous, comfortable, and genuinely welcoming way to spend a few hours, with an atmosphere that feels both lively and community driven. Tickets typically range from $17–$65, and you can save a few dollars by paying for parking in advance or skipping it altogether by taking the bus. The club also offers group rates, mini‑plans, and theme nights, all of which add even more value to the experience. Concession prices are reasonable, especially compared to what you’d pay at an LA Galaxy or LAFC match. It’s such a fun, engaging night out that I encourage everyone to experience at least one match. AV Alta FC Match Action, Photo by Meg Minard, Stadium Journey Extras 3 During the evening of my visit, every single AV Alta FC staff member I interacted with made me feel so welcome, as if they were delighted I visited. This greeting extended across parking, security, concessions, and guest services. I wish I lived closer so I could attend more matches. The merchandise store has plenty of Joshua green and desert brown jerseys, caps, t-shirts, scarves, and even lapel pins! The players even sign autographs at the end of the match, adding a personal touch. Final Thoughts Every detail at an AV Alta FC match contributes to a welcoming, entertaining night out. With clear announcing, a vibrant crowd, and a venue that now feels purpose‑built for the sport, this is a club that has quickly become one of the region’s standout experiences.

Photos by Gregory Koch, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.57 EagleBank Arena 4500 Patriot Cir Fairfax, VA 22030 George Mason Patriots website EagleBank Arena website Year Opened: 1985 Capacity: 10,000 Patriot Games EagleBank Arena, home of the George Mason Patriots basketball team, is located in Fairfax, Va. in the Washington, D.C. suburbs. The 10,000-seat arena opened in 1985 and has played home to Mason ever since. George Mason’s high point came in 2006 when they made a Cinderella run to the Final Four as an 11-seed, knocking off top seed UConn along the way, but they have struggled to return to anywhere near that form ever since. George Mason was a founding member of the Colonial Athletic Association but moved to the Atlantic 10 in 2013, where they have remained ever since. Food & Beverage 5 EagleBank Arena has a wide selection of food and drinks at various stands scattered around the concourse. However, the prices are quite expensive. Basic items include chicken tenders ($15), cheeseburgers ($14, or $15 with bacon), crispy chicken sandwiches ($14), the vegetarian Beyond Burger ($16), and nachos ($9, with salsa cheese, and jalapeños). Several specialty burgers are also available for $16 each. The Southwest Burger comes with bacon, fried avocado, pepper jack cheese, lettuce, tomato, and chipotle aioli. The Wrangler comes with bacon, cheese, onion rings, and barbecue sauce. The Patty Melt comes with onion strings and cheese on Texas toast. All come with fries. There are a wide range of snacks as well, including candy, chips, cookies, brownies, mini corn dogs, and hot pretzels. Alcoholic beverages are available for those of age, with beer costing $13 and wine $12. Soda and bottled water are also available. . Atmosphere 4 Every seat in EagleBank arena is a chairback, in alternating green and gold sections reflecting the school’s colors. There is a videoboard above center court which also shows the score and time as well as team fouls and timeouts. Unfortunately, 10,000 seats is far too large for EagleBank Arena, which rarely comes close to selling out. Some seats in the corners are covered by advertising signs, but there are still many empty seats, especially in the upper rows. This is not a good look for the school and really detracts from the atmosphere. The good news is that the school makes a good effort to keep fans engaged. There is a pep band called Doc Nix and the Green Machine which is among the best in the country. They bring music and energy to the arena for the whole game. Band director Michael Nickens (aka Doc Nix) is an impressive figure known for his audacious outfits, which often include sunglasses, audaciously colored suits, and a scepter. The band not only plays music but sings with a synthesizer and the drums are encircled by green lights making it not only a sound to behold but a sight as well. There are also cheerleaders and a dance team who entertain the fans during the breaks. Mason’s mascot is known only as The Patriot and is a costumed character who dresses in traditional colonial garb, which is of course colored gold and green. The cheerleaders throw t-shirts into the crowd after every Mason three-point basket. Ultimately, the team and especially the band do their best to make this a great atmosphere, but it’s really hurt by the large size of the arena. Game Action Neighborhood 3 Fairfax is a typical suburban area about 25 miles outside Washington, D.C. There is a shopping center across campus which includes several chain places and a movie theatre. If you’re willing to drive a few miles, the 29 Diner in the City of Fairfax is a local favorite, as is Capital Ale House. While Fairfax doesn’t have the same excitement you’d get in the District, it’s still a nice suburb with plenty to do and places to eat before or after the game. Fans 3 Although Mason fans rarely come close to filling the arena, they can still make the place loud at times. After big plays, the crowd can get quite loud but there is rarely the sustained noise you see at the top arenas in the country. The cavernous nature of the arena does cut down on the sound somewhat, but this isn’t really the fans’ fault. Mason draws several thousand fans a game, but in a 10,000-seat arena, that doesn't feel like much. Mason does have a student section, but other than the band, they don’t seem that into it. This is disappointing as the students are typically among the most passionate fans at any college venue. Access 4 EagleBank Arena is located on Mason’s main campus just off Braddock Road and about six miles from the Capital Beltway (Interstate 495.) There is ample free parking in the lots surrounding the arena, including handicap parking for those who require it. Keep in mind if you’re traveling to a weeknight game, you will probably run into rush hour traffic, which is notoriously bad in this area. Be sure to allow a lot of extra time if that’s the case. Unlike the other arenas in the D.C. area, EagleBank Arena is not easily Metro-accessible. Despite having the school’s name in its title, the Vienna-Fairfax/GMU station on the Orange Line is about five miles away from George Mason. If you must go that route, you will need to either take a 15-minute taxi ride from the station or take a shuttle that will let you off in the center of campus, a 10-minute walk from the arena. Under no circumstances should you use the Virginia Square-GMU station despite the name, as it serves Mason’s Arlington satellite campus, nowhere near the arena. Getting out of the parking lot after a game can be tricky due to pedestrians seeming to walk anywhere and everywhere. Traffic can also get backed up getting onto Braddock Road, but this can be partially avoided by heading back towards the center of campus and then exiting onto one of the other side streets. Return on Investment 2 Tickets range from $10 for seats in the top few rows and some behind the basket to $50 for seats in the front few rows. This is about average for the Atlantic 10. However, tickets are sold through Ticketmaster so expect to pay far more than listed price due to fees. It’s always annoying to see seats available for $10 each and then end up paying almost twice that due to outrageous fees. Concessions can also be quite pricey and can cost more than the game ticket itself, which drives down the score here significantly. Extras 4 Doc Nix and the Green Machine deserve an extra star, as well as they, are among the best in the nation. There is a Final Four banner behind one of the baskets honoring Mason’s 2006 miracle run. Before each game, the George Mason lineup is introduced as green and gold spotlights streak across the court. This helps get the crowd hyped up for the game. A fourth and final star for the murals on the concourse honoring George Mason basketball history. Pregame light show Final Thoughts Although George Mason rose to prominence after their Final Four run in 2006, almost two decades later they have failed to regain much of their former glory. The end result is a 10,000-seat arena that is over half empty most games and a whole lot of empty seats. Although Mason has one of the best pep bands in the country, and the fans who do show up are passionate for the most part, the team ought to be doing more to encourage fans to come to games so the place isn’t as empty as it is. Ticketmaster fees and high concession prices don't help matters either. The team does seem to be on the rise the last couple of years, and hopefully that continues and George Mason basketball can return to its former glory.

Photos by Paul Baker, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.00 Growden Memorial Field 207 Wilbur St. Fairbanks, AK 99701 Alaska Goldpanners website Growden Field website Year Opened: 1961 Capacity: 3,500 The Midnight Sun Game The Midnight Sun Game began in 1906 as the result of a debate between miners in a pair of bars in Fairbanks, Alaska. The subject of the debate – whether a baseball game could successfully be played at midnight without the use of artificial light. The result – “The High Noon at Midnight Classic.” The game lives on today, 120 years later as The Midnight Sun Game. Since the city of Fairbanks is located just 160 miles south of the Arctic Circle, the sun only briefly dips below the horizon on the summer solstice. Darkness never truly arrives, allowing this unique baseball game to proceed without the use of any type of artificial lighting. The Alaska Goldpanners, an independent summer collegiate baseball team, have hosted this annual game since their inception in 1960. Given their status as an independent team, a new opponent visits every year. International teams from Japan (in 1967) and Taiwan (in 1984) have played in the Midnight Sun Game. Hall-of-Famers including Dave Winfield and Tom Seaver have played in the game. Growden Field, the home ballpark of the Goldpanners, serves as host to the Midnight Sun Game every year. With a regular capacity of 1,900, expanded to 3,500 for this game, the ballpark has seen in excess of 5,000 fans descend on this Alaska city for the event. Growden Field was originally named Memorial Field but was renamed in honor of James Growden and his two sons, who perished in the tsunami created by the Good Friday Earthquake of 1964. Growden had been active in supporting youth sports in Fairbanks throughout his life. The ballpark is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Approaching Growden Field Before the Midnight Sun Game. Photo by Paul Baker, Stadium Journey. Food & Beverage 4 There is one main concession stand at Growden Field, which serves up basic ballpark fare, including hot dogs, burgers, pizza slices and nachos. There is a decent selection of snacks to augment the menu, including all the expected favorites such as popcorn, pretzels and even Frito Pie. The team also sells ice cream sundaes in plastic mini-helmets. The quality is good and the prices are decent. For the giant crowds here at the Midnight Sun Game, an auxiliary stand is opened that sells drinks, snacks and ice cream treats. Coca-Cola products are featured at Growden Field. New for 2026 are a pair of beer gardens located on either side of the grandstand, featuring a good selection of beer and other adult beverages. Fans of craft beers will find selections from local favorites Hoo Doo Brewing. Atmosphere 5 The special atmosphere for the Midnight Sun Game begins even as you approach Growden Field. Fans arrive several hours before the game to grab the best seats, and you can hear the band playing on the concourse as you enter the ballpark. The buzz around the field is evident as you walk around the facility. Fans are everywhere, and from everywhere. Before the game, a jazz band performs oldies from the stands. For the 2026 game, a video board with replay capability was installed, a first for the game. The game itself has some traditions that have developed in tandem with the Goldpanners’ usual in-game promotions. Several F-35 jets from nearby Eielson Air Force Base perform a flyover before the game. When midnight strikes, the game is stopped and the Sweet Adelines sing the Alaska Flag Song. For the seventh inning stretch, the Goldpanners’ mascot, Happy Boy, takes the field to the song “Happy Boy” by the Beat Farmers. The stands take on a festival atmosphere, as the fans come to have a great time. Beach balls bounce around the stands, and despite the tight quarters, everyone is friendly and ready to strike up a conversation with their new neighbors. It’s the best of small-town Alaska in a nutshell. Neighborhood 3 Growden Memorial Field is part of a much larger municipal park situated in downtown Fairbanks. Also located in the park is a skate park, four Pony baseball fields, a youth softball field, volleyball courts, a playground and a picnic area. The city of Fairbanks is the second largest city in Alaska, with a population of over 32,500. Growden Park’s centralized location in the city puts it close to many points of interest, the airport, the University of Alaska-Fairbanks, and even the Santa Claus House in nearby North Pole. While nothing is in the immediate vicinity of the ballpark except for a few fast-food restaurants, all points in the city are easily accessible by car. Fans looking for the closest lodging choices near the ballpark should check out the Comfort Inn. Fans 5 As you would imagine, an event such as this, which has taken on international notoriety, will draw great crowds, even given Fairbanks’ remote location. Stadium Journey attended the 2026 game, which was no exception. The game regularly draws baseball fans from all over the United States and the world. The team brags that this game regularly draws fans from over 40 states and multiple countries. The 2026 game was no exception, as an estimated 4,000 fans descended on Growden Field to be a part of the spectacle. And the fans are exactly what you’d expect from an Alaskan crowd. They are friendly, polite, and here to have a great time. There’s a positive, energetic and family-friendly vibe coming from every corner of the ballpark. Access 3 Growden Field is located in the larger Growden Park, about two miles from downtown Fairbanks. It’s easy to get to from all points in the city, as it is located just off of Airport Way and Johansson Expressway, two of the busier roads in the city. Alaska State Highway 3, which runs south to Denali National Park and Anchorage, is about two and one half miles west of the ballpark. Plenty of parking is available in an unpaved lot adjacent to the ball field., as well as on the surrounding streets and at the neighboring Carlson Center. For fans taking public transportation, the MACS (Metropolitan Area Commuter System) blue route has a stop right in front of Growden Field, at the corner of Wilbur St. and 2nd Ave. One thing to remember if visiting Growden Field for the Midnight Sun Game is that this park welcomes a much bigger crowd for this event than usual. Expect lines for everything. Lines to get into the game, lines for concessions, lines for merchandise. A big drawback to the facility is the lack of facilities. However, the Goldpanners come prepared, and there are port-a-johns everywhere. There are so many, in fact, that lines are not an issue, even during peak use. The seating at Growden Field is a hodge-podge of different sections that appear to have gone up over the years. Some seats are plastic stadium seats, with the majority of seating consisting of metal bleachers without backs. There is a section of Green Monster-style bar seats on the first base side of the ballpark. For the Midnight Sun Game, extra sections are brought in. Seats on the third base line are preferred as the sun will be at your back, not directly in your face. Return on Investment 3 As you can imagine, tickets are priced at a premium for the Midnight Sun Game. Reserved seats are priced at $95, with general admission tickets priced at $45. Parking is free, and concession prices are affordable. The team puts out event-specific souvenirs, including t-shirts, programs and more, and kudos to the Goldpanners for not gouging fans for parking and food for this special event. Prices stay the same as every other Goldpanners game. Extras 5 There are so many special things going on during the Midnight Sun Game that a maximum score is all but guaranteed in this category. From event-specific merchandise (including free programs and special tickets) to the traditions of the game, the Midnight Sun Game is as much event as it is baseball game. Attracting fans from all over the United States and beyond, this game has been broadcast on ESPN and internationally. The Goldpanners display banners honoring their most famous alumni around the ballpark. Among the honorees are Terry Francona, Alvin Davis, Harold Reynolds, Dave Kingman and Barry Bonds. A statue of Dave Winfield, one of two baseball Hall of Famers to play for the Goldpanners, is located in a small plaza across the street from Growden Field. Winfield is beloved around town for not only his play, but the way he embraced the Fairbanks community not only during his days here, but afterwards throughout his Major League career and beyond. Final Thoughts A game that started as a bar bet has become a Bucket List item for thousands of baseball fans around the world. Fairbanks may be far off the beaten path, but for one night (and morning) it’s the center of the baseball universe. As they say here in Fairbanks, We’ll leave the sun on for you. Follow Paul Baker’s stadium journeys on Twitter and Instagram @PuckmanRI. The Sun Sets at Midnight Behind Growden Field. Photo by Paul Baker.

Photo by Gregory Koch, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.57 Mike Callas Stadium at North Hagerstown High School 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue Hagerstown, MD 21742 Mike Callas Stadium at North Hagerstown High School website Hub City FC website Year Opened: 2006 Capacity: 2,200 Your Soccer Hub in Hagerstown Hub City FC is a low-level semi-professional soccer team in Hagerstown, Maryland, competing in the National Premier Soccer League (NPSL). The name is a homage to a nickname of the city of Hagerstown. Unofficially, Hub City FC is nicknamed The Black Roses, symbolizing the team's passion and commitment to the city and fans. In the team's inaugural 2026 season, Hub City plays its home games at Mike Callas Stadium on the campus of North Hagerstown High School, a multi-purpose stadium that also hosts many of the high school's athletic teams during the school year. 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. Although the NPSL is a national league, teams play in regional conferences until the playoffs, when the conference champions face off against each other in several rounds leading up to the national championship. Hub City FC competes in the Mid-Atlantic Conference against other teams from DC, Maryland, and Virginia. Food & Beverage 5 The food and beverage situation at a Hub City FC match is outstanding for this level. Rather than utilize the permanent concession stand at Mike Callas Stadium, Hub City has partnered with several local merchants who set up tents and food trucks in a grassy area to the right of the seating area. Although the exact selection varies by game, especially on weeknights, the experience for Stadium Journey's visit is representative. The Captain's Creations food truck serves a wide variety of meals to hungry fans including chicken salad sliders, pepperoni rolls, a yogurt berry parfait for fans looking for something on the lighter side, blackened shrimp tacos, and several specialty hot dogs. The island street hot dogs are topped with mango, red pepper and jalapeño salsa, avocado crema, and pico de gallo. The bay dogs are topped with Captain's Creations' own crab dip, and sprinkled with Old Bay seasoning. The ultimate crunch dog comes with crunchy slaw, barbecue sauce, and potato chips on it. All hot dog meals include two all-beef hot dogs and come with a side of chips (even the one that has chips on the hot dog.) A standard kid's hot dog is also available, and the crab dip is also available by itself. Sides include pretzel braids (served with spicy mustard), watermelon goat cheese bites, and cucumber and onion salad. For dessert, fans can enjoy apple nachos - apple slices topped with caramel sauce, whipped cream, walnuts,. chocolate chips, and sprinkles. Soda and bottled water are also available. The Soda Social is also on hand selling dirty sodas out of a tent. For those who are unaware, a dirty soda is a soda mixed with your choice of flavored syrups and other mix-ins such as cream or marshmallow fluff. Kona Ice has a truck on hand as well. The food area at a Hub City FC game, featuring two food trucks and a tent selling dirty sodas. Atmosphere 3 Mike Callas Stadium seats approximately 2,200 fans, so in this small, intimate environment, everyone will have a good view of the action. The seats closest to midfield are red chairbacks, while some sections closer to the endlines are metal bleachers without backs. All seating is general admission, and you should have no problem grabbing chairback seats given the crowds. However, you will find a few people sitting in the bleachers, which tend to be less crowded and give fans more room to spread out if they prefer. A scoreboard behind the goal on the right-hand side shows only the most basic information, although there is room for other info that only applies to football, such as down and yards to go. As multiple sports are played here, there are many different lines on the field. Just remember the soccer lines are yellow and ignore the other ones. There is not much going on here other than the game itself, and as this is soccer, there is not much chance for it to happen due to the constant action. Music is played before the game and at halftime. Annoyingly, it is also sometimes played briefly before corner kicks. The PA announcer announces the starting lineups before the game as well as substitutions and does ad reads for local sponsors who help support the team. Overall, however, this is an experience created by the fans and we will discuss that in more detail in the appropriate section. Neighborhood 3 As the name would imply, North Hagerstown High School is located in the northern part of the city of Hagerstown. There are a few businesses located along or near Pennsylvania Avenue by the stadium, including Harmans Tavern and Bistro 11. If you head a few miles to Downtown Hagerstown near Washington Avenue, which you will have to do anyway to get to or from the highway, you will find many more options, ranging from taverns and bars to Peruvian and Thai cuisine and more. That being said, there are also some parts of Hagerstown that aren't as nice that you may need to drive through to get here. Fans 5 Despite only being in its inaugural season, Hub City FC is already drawing crowds well above what is standard for the NPSL. Although the stadium won't fill up, there are several hundred fans in attendance for a typical home game. Most NPSL teams draw under a hundred fans, but you will find several times that at a Black Roses game. Many of those in the crowd wear Hub City merchandise, from scarves bearing the team logo to t-shirts with the team slogan - Nothing But Grind. They cheer throughout the game and celebrate after Hub City goals, with many of them waving the aforementioned scarves around. The team and community support each other and make for an outstanding experience at a Hub City game. Access 3 The City of Hagerstown is located along Interstate 70, although you will have to drive several miles off the highway to get to the stadium. Once you arrive, follow the signs for visitor parking and it will take you to a large lot outside Mike Callas Stadium, with another lot adjacent to it once that fills up. Some spots are marked as reserved for school staff, but you can ignore these markings for a Hub City game. Once inside, restrooms are located to your left as you come in and are of a more than sufficient size for the crowd. The concourse at the top is also more than wide enough to accommodate all fans. Return on Investment 5 Admission to Hub City FC games costs just $10, with children under ten getting in for just $5. The price of food and drink is about standard given the quality of what you're getting. Captain's Creations charges typical food truck prices, and while The Soda Social will cost more than a typical soda, this makes sense as it is not just a typical soda. (And if you do just want a typical soda, that will cost only $2 at the food truck.) Overall, given the quality of the experience, a Hub City FC game is an outstanding value. Extras 1 Look for the merchandise table to the left of the entrance selling Hub City FC merchandise. Merchandise table. Final Thoughts Although Hub City FC is still in its inaugural season, they have already created a solid fan expereince for their home games. The team is committed to the city and its fans, and in return, the fans have returned the favor. You don't often see that kind of atmosphere at this level, but a Hub City FC match is a must-see for any soccer fans in the Hagerstown area.

Photos by Eric Moreno, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.14 Nelson W. Wolff Municipal Stadium 5757 US Highway 90 West San Antonio, TX 78227 San Antonio Missions website Nelson W. Wolff Municipal Stadium website Year Opened: 1994 Capacity: 9,200 Nelson W. Wolff Municipal Stadium – San Antonio Missions As charter members of the Double-A Texas League, the San Antonio Missions can trace their lineage back to 1888. With a proud legacy and history behind them, the ball club has sent scores of players to the big leagues and has sent more than a half dozen to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown. These include all-time greats such as Ron Santo, Billy Williams, Brooks Robinson, Joe Morgan, and Dennis Eckersley, all of whom have taken the field in San Antonio. Since 1994, the Missions have called Nelson W. Wolff Municipal Stadium their home ballpark. Located on the southwest side of the Alamo City and named for a longtime political powerhouse in the San Antonio community, the Wolff has seen its fair share of success. The Missions have won five of their 14 league titles while calling the venue home. With Major League Baseball taking a firmer hand over the minor leagues and teams’ stadiums, the Wolff’s days are sadly numbered. A new ballpark is in the planning stages in downtown San Antonio, and momentum in the community has everyone hopeful that it will get done in the not too distant future. In the meantime, the Wolff is still a beloved fixture in the community and across the Texas League. Read on to learn more about it. Food & Beverage 4 The food and drink scene at the Wolff has improved quite a bit over the years. On the main concourse there are stands on the third and first base lines, as well as at home plate. These offer all the traditional ballpark fare, like your hot dogs (and foot-long corn dogs, which are pretty tasty), burgers, nachos, popcorn, etc. On the second level, there are specialty offerings like Sofia’s Pizzeria, which sells pizza by the slice, as well as whole pies. There is also a Kiolbassa BBQ stand, selling sliced brisket sandwiches and sausage wraps. The first baseline offers up one stand selling aguas frescas, while another offers up all manner of funnel cakes, and a third sells Bahama Buck’s shaved ices. Behind third base you’ll find an ice cream stand, where you’ll be happy to know that they can make you a sundae in a souvenir batting helmet. Classic. For fans of adult beverages, the newly launched Bullpen Saloon along the right field line has a full-service bar, as well as food for fans looking to get a break from the seats. Atmosphere 3 The Wolff has a few special features for fans to be on the lookout for. Banners adorn the pillars on the main concourse with pictures of Missions greats from the past. There is a team store behind home plate, and a team tent near the third base entrance that sells San Antonio Flying Chanclas (the team’s alter ego during Copa de la Diversion games) paraphernalia. Set up similarly to Bullpen Saloon, there are also party decks in left and right field for large groups of fans. In addition, beyond the left field wall there is a berm where fans can bring blankets and lawn chairs, to sit and watch the game in a prime spot for home run balls. Lastly, between home plate and first base on the main concourse, you’ll find a monument wall honoring some of the all-time great Missions of the past. It reads like a who’s who in baseball history. Make a point to come and check it out in between innings. Neighborhood 2 This is the one area where Wolff Stadium faces a really uphill battle; located on the far southwest side of town, it is quite a drive from all of the entertainment, cultural, and historical attractions that the Alamo City is known for. It’s a good 15-20 minutes (depending on the time of day) from downtown San Antonio and equally as far from the nearest attraction, SeaWorld San Antonio. However, the area around Wolff Stadium is near Joint Base Lackland, which is the training hub for the United States Air Force. As such, the area is populated with tons of fast food and motel options. If you’re visiting from out of town, I’d highly recommend staying in one of the city’s more popular hubs, closer to downtown or closer to one of the two major theme parks – SeaWorld or Six Flags Fiesta Texas; the latter is around 30 minutes away. Fans 3 The Missions averaged around 3,500 fans per game last season, which is near the bottom half of the Texas League – this is another key factor driving the need for a new ballpark for the club. At the game I most recently attended, the crowd was about that same size. It was an unseasonably warm early summer night, however, so that might have played a factor. Regardless, the fans that did attend were engaged and many wore either Missions or Flying Chanclas gear. Access 3 Even though Nelson W. Wolff Municipal Stadium is out on a proverbial island compared to the rest of San Antonio’s attractions, it’s still very easy to get to. Located off I-90, the stadium can be reached from anywhere in the city in about 30-40 minutes depending on traffic. The facility is also around 25 minutes from San Antonio International Airport, if you’re flying in from out of town. If you drive in, parking at the stadium is plentiful. If you want to go the public transportation route, VIA Metropolitan Transit does have bus routes that will drop you off near the facility; just be mindful of when the last route ends, if you’re coming out for a night game. Return on Investment 4 Attending a game at the Wolff is still a pretty good deal. Parking will set you back $12, but there is plenty, and it’s not too far a walk from the lots to the venue. General admission tickets start at $13, with high end tickets running $34. This is an incredible bargain. As the current farm club for the San Diego Padres, many of the big-league club’s stars have come through San Antonio, and many still do make it down for rehabilitation assignments. There are also bargain nights here, such as $2 Tuesdays, where many concession items will set you back just that amount. You really can’t beat an affordable day at the ballpark. Extras 3 The Missions boast not one, but three separate and unique mascots that interact with fans during games. First, the anthropomorphic jalapeño named Ballapeno. He’s on hand every night and can often be found on top of the dugouts and in the stands with fans. Next up is Mamapeno, Ballapeno’s mother, of course. Introduced as part of the Flying Chanclas promotion, she has become a true cultural phenomenon in San Antonio. Last is the Missions’ oldest on-field mascot, Henry the Puffy Taco. Named for a restaurant that’s a purveyor of a treasured local dish, the taco has been part of the festivities with the Missions since they moved to the Wolff. On certain nights, one lucky young fan is invited on the field to chase the taco down and tackle him on the basepaths; this really is a lot of fun to see. The team also does a ton of themed nights and giveaways throughout the season as part of their promotional calendar. Make sure to check on that before you pick which game you head to. Final Thoughts I have a ton of great memories of the Missions at Nelson W. Wolff Municipal Stadium. The ballpark was truly a wonder to behold when it opened. However, it is easy to see that the stadium has seen better days. With the focus of the owners fully zeroed in on their new ballpark, there haven’t been any real updates to the facilities here in quite a while. However, as mentioned earlier, the clock is ticking on it, and if you’re a fan of minor league baseball, there is a ton of history to take in at the Wolff. Get a game in when you can. If nothing else, it’s an affordable way to spend a few hours in the Alamo City. Follow Eric Moreno's Stadium Journey on X at @EricMoreno6477.

Photos by Gregory Koch, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.00 Battlefield High School Gym 15000 Graduation Drive Haymarket, VA 20169 DC Heat website Battlefield High School Gym website Year Opened: 2004 Capacity: 1,500 (estimated) Feeling the Heat in Haymarket The Basketball League, known as TBL for short, is a low-level, independently operated basketball league with teams across the United States and Canada playing their home games in high school or small college gyms. Many players have professional experience and are hoping for a chance to get back to the G-League or even the NBA. Virtually all have some sort of college experience at a minimum. The DC Heat joined TBL in 2026 after playing several years in the even more minor East Coast Basketball League (ECBL). Despite the name, they play their home games not in DC but in Haymarket, Virginia at Battlefield High School, about 35 miles from the District of Columbia. While in the ECBL, they did play in DC proper at E.B. Henderson Sports Complex on the campus of the University of the District of Columbia, but they moved across the Potomac when joining the TBL. Food & Beverage 3 Concessions are sold from a table in the lobby outside the entrance to the gym at Battlefield High School, in what looks like it would be the cafeteria if school were in session. Hot dogs and pizza are the only things available that would constitute a meal, with chips, bottled water, soda, juice, candy, granola bars, and peanuts also available. Prices are reasonable as nothing costs more than $4. Credit cards are not accepted, but you can pay with cash, Venmo, or CashApp. Atmosphere 3 There are two sets of large, purple plastic bleachers in the Battlefield High School Gym, although only one is open for DC Heat games. The other set is pulled out, but fans are not permitted to sit on it. You must use the one by the open entrance. The atmosphere here is pretty standard for small-time basketball. There is music played over the PA system, including during live action like you would see at an NBA game. One interesting quirk of the arena is that there are no shot clocks on top of the baskets. This is because Virginia high school basketball does not use the shot clock. Instead, portable shot clocks are located in the corners for DC Heat games. A scoreboard behind the basket also shows timeouts and team fouls in addition to the score and clock. Neighborhood 3 Haymarket is a typical suburban town, and the area around the high school reflects that. Cookies & Cream is a short drive away and serves up outstanding ice cream. Giuseppe's is a popular Italian restaurant on Market Street. History buffs may also want to check out the Civil War battlefields in Manassas, a short drive away. Fans 3 The DC Heat do not draw large crowds to their games. Expect a few dozen fans to show up, maybe a hundred at most. This is typical for the TBL, especially now that many of the teams with bigger fan bases have split for other leagues. However, those who do show up are passionate and loud at big moments and represent a good cross-section of the Haymarket community. Access 4 Haymarket is conveniently located right off Interstate 66, with several different exits that will eventually take you to Battlefield High School. Once you are there, you will enter through Door 6 on the side of the building, with parking available in a massive lot. Be sure to park close to the door or you may end up walking quite a bit. Once there, you will proceed straight ahead through the hallway and the gym will be on your left once you get to the cafeteria area. There are restrooms in that area as well which are sufficient for the crowds. Return on Investment 3 Admission to DC Heat games is $20 via the EventBrite app, which is standard price for TBL games. Concessions are very affordable, though a bit limited. Overall, given the quality of the experience, this is about an average value. Extras 2 Look for the merchandise table just inside the entrance to the gym selling DC Heat gear. A second star for all the friendly, helpful staff. Final Thoughts A DC Heat game in Haymarket is a fairly simple experience. Fans can watch some low-level professional basketball and not much else. If that's what you're looking for, a DC Heat game can be a good experience. However, if you're looking for something with all the bells and whistles you will find at higher levels, you will be disappointed here.

Sometime back in 1906, a bunch of miners from a couple of bars in Fairbanks, Alaska, in the Eagle’s Club and the California Bar, began to argue with each other, as guys in bars often do. The subject of their debate - the logistics of whether a baseball game could be played at midnight without artificial lighting. The result of their argument - “The High Noon at Midnight Classic” - lives on over a century later, known today as “The Midnight Sun Baseball Game.” The two bars, led by Eddie Stroeker, who would go down in Fairbanks annals as "The Father of the Midnight Sun Game,” decided to play a game of baseball on the summer solstice. The game would take place at midnight, devoid of lights or other artificial illumination. In Fairbanks, lights wouldn’t be needed on the solstice anyway, as Fairbanks is located just 160 miles south of the Arctic Circle. While the sun does dip below the horizon briefly, darkness never truly arrives on this day. Local teams kept up the tradition for decades until the Alaska Goldpanners, an independent barnstorming collegiate summer baseball team, took over hosting duties upon their debut in 1960. International teams from Japan (in 1967) and Taiwan (in 1984) have played in the game, as have future Baseball Hall-of-Famers Tom Seaver and Dave Winfield. Over their history, over 200 Goldpanner alumni have reached the majors, including Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens, Jason Giambi, Mike Boddicker, Bill Lee, Bob Boone, Terry Francona, Dave Kingman, Craig Nettles and Rick Monday. Many of them have played in the Midnight Sun Game. A baseball game as singular as one played under the light of the sun at the midnight hour must have cultivated some of its own unique traditions over a century of play. Indeed, it has. The game stops at midnight so everyone involved can sing the Alaska Flag Song. A live folk band performs in the stands. Fans are asked to bring kazoos to the game, so they can participate in playing a tune called “Happy Boy” during the seventh inning stretch. If you’re going to be up at a ball game well past midnight, you might as well have some fun, right? The game, held annually at Growden Memorial Park, attracts crowds of up to 5,000 fans from all over the United States and beyond. The 2026 edition of the game will be held on June 19th, with the Utah Yaks providing the opposition. It will be the 121st edition of the game. Tickets, which are priced at $45 for general admission and $95 for reserved seats, are available via the Goldpanners’ website up until June 1. After then, you’ll have to take your chances at the gate. A baseball game that began with a beer and a bet has grown into a baseball bucket list event for thousands the world over. As they say, come on up to Fairbanks, we’ll leave the sunlight on for you. If you happen to see Paul Baker at the Midnight Sun Game, don't be afraid to say hi. Or wake him up. Alaska is four hours behind Massachusetts, after all. The game should end around 6 am Eastern Time. Follow Paul Baker’s stadium journeys on Twitter and Instagram @PuckmanRI. *All photos courtesy of The Alaska Goldpanners website

Photos by Meg Minard, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.00 RGCU Field at Isotopes Park 1601 Avenida Cesar Chavez SE Albuquerque, NM 87106 Map It! New Mexico United website RGCU Field at Isotopes Park website Year Opened: 2003 Capacity: 13,279 Somos Unitos Para leer esta resena en espanol, haga clic en este enace. Attending a New Mexico United soccer match is a great time! The fans are certainly into it, there are fantastic supporters’ groups, and the organization does a tremendous job ensuring all fans are welcome, accepted, and free from derogatory name-calling. The New Mexico United are members of the USL Championship League (one step down from MLS – Major League Soccer). The club began play in 2019. Their strongest season so far came in 2024, when they reached the conference finals. The club plays its home matches at Isotopes Park (Rio Grande Credit Union Field at Isotopes Park), home of the Albuquerque Isotopes baseball team. Though it is common enough, I find it odd watching soccer on a baseball diamond. New Mexico United manages it well, and hats off to the grounds crew and staff for maintaining the field and integrating a lively soccer atmosphere. Food & Beverage 5 The venue offers an excellent variety of food. Permanent concession stands and carts line the inner concourse. Almost all concession stands are open for United matches. Fans can carry sealed bottled water into the stadium. Concession stands include Batter Up! (burgers, chicken baskets, fries, nachos, flatbread), Pecos River Café (BBQ sandwiches, street elotes, hot dogs, nachos, etc.), and Sante Fe Trail (ribs, chicken wings, chicken and waffle baskets, hot dogs, sandwiches, and so on). Dion's Pizza is always a fan favorite. Pericos sells tacos, burritos, pancho nachos, and other classics. The Sweet Spot, down the third base concourse, offers ice cream, sundaes, milkshakes, and more, priced from $7 - $12. A Hebrew National cart sells its famous hot dog, and a sausage cart is on the third base concourse. Other carts offer noodles, funnel cakes, pickles, fruit cups, kettle corn, and Dippin’ Dots. Plenty of kiosks providing adult beverages and snacks dot the concourse. Most stands offer domestic and imported beers and Pepsi-brand sodas (beer $14.25 - $15.25; soda $7.75 - $9). A Mystery Beer stand offers an unknown beer for $10.80, the cheapest beer in the stadium; you just don’t know what you’ll get. For those who want New Mexico craft brews, head down the first baseline. Here, the Craft Corner offers up to 25 choices of draft beer from breweries like Bosque, Steel Bender, Ex Novo, Marble, and more. But get there early, as long lines form. New Mexico United Mystery Beer Stand, Photo by Meg Minard, Stadium Journey There’s certainly plenty available for hungry soccer fans. The Isotopes baseball team closes the merchandise shop, but a long table outside the store on the concourse offers plenty of New Mexico United items for sale. A merchandise tent is also next to the berm seating in center field, and this might be the better one to go to if you don’t want to wait in line. Atmosphere 4 The organization provides an amazing match day experience. First, the field alignment: One goal post is along the first base side; the other is in left field under the video scoreboard. Right-center field holds the player benches; the dug outs are not used. The pitch design team wisely placed the playing surface beyond the pitcher’s mound, so it is not ‘in play’. Second, the seating: One nice thing about using a baseball field is the seats are standard stadium fold down seats; not bleachers. Sit in section 177 for the center of the pitch. The same berm seating is available in the ‘outfield’ as it is during a baseball game. Except for the infield sections behind home plate, the nets are gone. Fans sitting in the second level, third base side (sections 201, 203, 205) see the beautiful Sandia Mountains in the distance. Alcohol is not allowed in a designated family section (section 126). During the starting lineup notice, the announcer states the player’s number and first name, the crowd yells the last name. Same with goals except that’s done three times in a row. Fun! New Mexico United Fans Celebrating a Goal A video scoreboard behind one of the goal posts shows a live visual broadcast of the game as well as the time played and goals per team. Disappointingly, the venue’s exterior gives no indication soccer is played there, but the fans know. Neighborhood 4 The stadium sits adjacent to Central New Mexico College and the University of New Mexico (UNM), and is across the street from The Pit and other UNM Lobo sports venues. It is a mile from the Nob Hill neighborhood, a vibrant area full of brewpubs, eateries, taquerias, pizzerias, local boutiques, and small art galleries. Sounds from music bars fill the late-night air in this neighborhood. For breakfast, try Frontier. A hidden gem for Korean food is Soo Bak Seoul Bowl. For authentic, tasty New Mexico fare, visit Cocina Azul - even the rice and beans are yummy. Unbeknownst to the rest of the country, Albuquerque is a hopping local brewery town. Recommended breweries close (though not necessarily walking distance) to Isotopes Park are the 377 Brewing, Gravity Bound Brewing, and Marble Brewery. But there are plenty more to visit. Things to see and do while in Albuquerque include Sandia Peak Tramway, Old Town Albuquerque, Petroglyph National Monument, and, of course, take a ride in a hot air balloon. For places to stay when in town, plenty of hotels are available at the intersection of Gibson Blvd and Yale Blvd (about a mile from the park), ranging from La Quinta to Marriott brands to Holiday Inns, many with shuttles to and from the airport. Fans 5 New Mexico United fans are loud and proud. Several supporter groups make quite an impression at home matches. Two sections behind the first base goal (sections 116 and 118) are full of these supporters who cheer, clap, yell, wave flags, and create a brouhaha throughout the entire match. They chant, wave flags, bang on drums, and dispense colored smoke after a goal. New Mexico United Supporter Groups, Photo by Meg Minard, Stadium Journey By no means are they the only ones who chant, cheer, and yell. Many followers wave flags throughout the game and on the concourse. A good portion of the crowd wears New Mexico United, Meow Wolf, and Somos Unidos attire. And, of course, all fans have a second job of being the match day referee. Access 4 Approaching and traversing Isotopes Park is relatively easy. It is just a block off of I-25 with plenty of nearby parking ($15) across the intersection. Visitors or residents of Albuquerque may find it just as easy to get there via side streets vs. the interstate. Two bus stops are across the street, but figuring out the ABQ bus schedule is difficult. An Amtrak Station is about 2 miles from Isotopes Park. The closest airport is Albuquerque Sunport Airport, about a 5-min drive to the ballpark. Three entrances are available, with the one behind home used only for those with club or VIP tickets. Fans are required to use clear plastic tote bags; no backpacks. Security checks visitors' tote bags, fans walk through a metal detector, and then every fan gets wanded. Re-entry is not permitted. The concourse gets quite crowded, especially before the match and at halftime. Patrons can walk the entire concourse circumference. Fans must cross a small bridge to complete the circle (fans afraid of heights and such things may find this difficult). Local law officials do a fantastic job moving cars out of the parking lots after the game. Return on Investment 4 Single game tickets run $23 - $81 and can only be purchased through Seat Geek. These prices are comparable to other USL Championship club ticket prices. Parking is $15, which seems high for a minor league soccer match. Food and beverage prices are in line with other sports parks, though noticeably higher than what you’d pay at restaurants and bars outside the stadium. The game is fun, the fans are a hoot, and the organization does a splendid job at making the evening one of enjoyable, safe sports entertainment. Extras 2 In March 2020, the club launched the Somos Unidos Foundation, the nonprofit arm of New Mexico United dedicated to community impact. Both the club and its supporters’ groups play a major role in bolstering team spirit and strengthening communities across the state. The fans also bring a lively tailgate scene, with vendors, music, and plenty of food before matches, especially when rivals Phoenix Rising FC and El Paso Locomotive FC come to town. Final Thoughts The community certainly supports the New Mexico United. Talk of a dedicated stadium has circulated for five years, but progress remains slow. Time will tell whether a venue materializes. In the meantime, if you’re in the area, make the effort to catch a match, it’s a worthwhile use of any sports fan’s entertainment dollar.

With the playoffs underway, Stadium Journey once again turns its attention to ranking the game-day experience at American Hockey League arenas. Our correspondents evaluated 28 of the league’s 30 venues—excluding the Calgary Wranglers —using the site’s FANFARE rating system. This system considers factors such as food and beverage, atmosphere, surrounding neighborhood, fan support, accessibility, value, and more. The average FANFARE score for this year’s rankings list is 3.69. In cases where venues finished tied, a Stadium Journey council of elders was called upon to break the deadlock. It’s a unique approach to evaluating arenas, and one that’s sure to spark plenty of debate. We invite you to join the conversation on our social media channels, including Facebook, Twitter, Threads, YouTube, and Instagram. Without further ado, here are Stadium Journey’s 2025–2026 AHL venue rankings. 31. Tech CU Arena - San Jose Barracuda 3 David Hegler - The Barracuda has done a remarkable job keeping their new venue clean and lively. Even though both the Barracuda and the Sharks finished far from contention just the year before, the fans are very much into the game. 30. Upstate Medical University Arena - Syracuse Crunch 3.14 Paul Baker - As a hockey venue, the War Memorial does nothing that will blow you away. It is infinitely more interesting as a memorial and as one of the locations in the iconic movie Slap Shot. For hockey fans who have an interest in our nation’s history, the War Memorial is worth a visit. 29. Total Mortgage Arena - Bridgeport Islanders 3.29 Paul Baker - Sadly, there'll be no more hockey in Bridgeport. The Islanders are moving operations to the TD Coliseum in Hamilton, Ontario, for the upcoming season. It was a bittersweet ending to the AHL team that never found its footing in town. The arena was fine to watch a game; it was close to its parent club on Long Island, but after 25 seasons, the team is no more. 28. CAA Arena - Belleville Senators 3.29 Dave Cottenie - The return of hockey to Belleville was necessary. What the future holds for the Senators will be interesting. The residents of Belleville need to fully embrace the Senators and AHL and get out to the arena to make the Senators at CAA Arena an even better experience. When near Belleville, it is a great plan to check out the CAA Arena and the Belleville Senators. 27. Blue Arena - Colorado Eagles 3.29 Matt Finnigan - Particularly for a team that did not exist a quarter-century ago, the Eagles have created an outstanding experience. Fans are committed to the team, and the franchise seems committed to the fans. While a new arena is likely imminent, here’s to hoping that the Eagles can carry over the great atmosphere and fan support that can be found in a game at the Blue. 26. Allstate Arena - Chicago Wolves 3.29 Eric Hasman - The Allstate Arena has become a fixture for hockey in the northern suburbs of Chicago. The Wolves have played in front of a passionate fanbase since 1994, when they were members of the IHL. Today, the tradition is strong in the Windy City. Many championship banners and retired numbers hang in the rafters for the Chicago Wolves. 25. Mohegan Sun Arena - Wilkes Barre Scranton Penguins 3.43 Paul Baker - Thanks to the success of the baby Pens, northeastern Pennsylvania has become Penguins country, even though it is located closer to Philadelphia and New York. The arena may not pack in the fans like it used to, and may not stack up when compared to other nearby minor league arenas, but it remains a solid place to take in a game. 24. Acrisure Arena - Coachella Valley Firebirds 3.43 Meg Minar - The Firebirds organization promoted the team and arena for several years in the Coachella Valley. The team already has 4,000 season ticket holders (full or partial). The results are in, and local sports fans are happy to have an arena and a team in their backyard. As with any new stadium, kinks and quirks need to be worked out, but it’s a fun time. 23. Rogers Forum - Abbotsford Canucks 3.43 Dave Cottenie - The Abbotsford Canucks are now providing the parent Vancouver Canucks with an ideal affiliate location. The AHL club has brought historic Canadian character, Johnny Canuck, to the forefront of the league and presents a good AHL experience for fans. 22. Tucson Arena - Tucson Roadrunners 3.57 Meg Minard - Visiting Tucson, Arizona, and watching an AHL Roadrunners game is an enjoyable experience and one worth checking out. It’s quite a nice facility in which to watch a hockey game. The Roadrunners have found a home in the desert heat of Arizona. 21. H-E-B Center - Texas Stars 3.57 Eric Moreno - I’ve been to several events at the H-E-B Center, including several Stars games, and I have enjoyed myself every time. This is a great venue, especially for hockey. There is no such thing as a bad sightline here, and it still feels new, somehow, even though it is now over 10 years old. 20. Place Bell - Laval Rocket 3.57 Dave Cottenie - As one of the newest AHL franchises, the Laval Rocket is establishing its niche in the Montréal sports market. Place Bell is shiny. new and central to the Laval community, and fans will enjoy a trip to see some hockey there. 19. Lee’s Family Forum - Henderson Silver Knights 3.57 Lloyd Brown - Lee’s Family Forum differs from most athletic venues in that it has adopted a specific theme that is carried out in the names of its various amenities and in the outfits worn by facility staff. It becomes apparent that the parent club, the Las Vegas Golden Knights, is behind the decision to adopt a Modern Medieval theme for the Silver Knights home. 18. PeoplesBank Arena - Hartford Wolf Pack 3.57 Paul Baker - As a minor league hockey facility, the XL Center is a good place to catch a game, with excellent sight lines and plenty going on to satisfy both the casual and diehard fan. Unfortunately, the XL Center is just too big, too empty, and too old for the Wolf Pack. Face it, Hartford, the Whalers aren’t coming back. Start running with the Pack 17. PPL Center - Lehigh Valley Phantoms 3.57 Paul Baker - The PPL Center, while striving for a major league feel and amenities, falls short on many basic fan comforts. While the food selection and amenities here are among the best in minor league hockey, the cramped seating area, concourses, and restrooms are major drawbacks. Is the final result worth the cost? We’ll let you decide. 16. Toyota Arena - Ontario Reign 3.71 Meg Minard - The Toyota Arena has quite a sleek-looking exterior with tall glass atrium entrances, with the rest of the exterior dark grey on the bottom, beige on top. Palm trees line the front and east sides. As nice and bright and beautiful as the exterior is, the interior is unexpectedly dark, both the concourse and the seating area. 15. Bojangles' Coliseum - Charlotte Checkers 3.71 Lloyd Brown - The Charlotte Checkers, both the team and the folks behind-the-scenes, have created a phenomenal game day experience for hockey fans deep in football and NASCAR country. They’ve worked diligently to promote the sport throughout the region and have succeeded in piquing the interest of both die-hard and non-hockey fans alike. 14. Pechanga Arena - San Diego Gulls 3.71 Meg Minard - The team began operation in 2015 after relocating from Norfolk, VA. It is the sixth hockey team to play at the arena, the fifth with the name ‘Gulls.’ The hockey team’s parent club is the nearby NHL Anaheim Ducks, roughly an hour and a half drive between the two. This close distance allows player call-ups/downs relatively easily for the teams and players. 13. Dignity Health Arena - Bakersfield Condors 3.86 Drew Cieszynski - While Bakersfield continues to grow, the Condors remain one of the top entertainment options in central California. For a very reasonable price, you can check out the Condors and even the Division I basketball Cal State Bakersfield on the same day. 12. BMO Center - Rockford IceHogs 3.86 Eric Hasman - The fans who attend are really into the game. This is a major plus since the place is so small, you are very close to the action, and there is no bad seat in the arena. The main level open-ended seating area has a bunch of sit-down tables and stand-up bar tables. My only beef with this area is that if you are not right against the railing, you cannot see all of the ice. 11. Casey’s Center - Iowa Wild 3.86 James Hilchen - Wells Fargo Arena is a great venue for hockey. The organization cares about the fans, the price of attending a game is very reasonable, and downtown Des Moines has something for everyone. The AHL provides some quality hockey, and taking in a game in Des Moines is a fun experience. 10. Amica Mutual Pavilion - Providence Bruins 3.86 Paul Baker - Providence and the Amica Mutual Pavilion are often mentioned among the top American Hockey League travel destinations. The combination of a modern arena, frenzied fan support, and a fantastic downtown area makes The AMP a first-rate destination. With the number and quality of hockey venues in and around Rhode Island, this is a Stadium Journey worth taking by any hockey fan. 9. Adirondack Bank Center - Utica Comets 3.86 Paul Baker - The Aud is packed to the rafters on most nights, and the small barn echoes with chants of “UTICA! UTICA! UTICA!” throughout the game. Capacity crowds create a great deal of noise and a significant home-ice advantage night in and night out. 8. MassMutual Center - Springfield Thunderbirds 3.86 Paul Baker - Hockey has been in Springfield for a long time. Minor league hockey has been in Springfield since 1926, when the Springfield Indians came to be. The team has changed names from the Indians to the Kings to the Falcons to the Thunderbirds. What hasn’t changed is the passion that fans have in Springfield for hockey. Western Mass is filled with hockey fanatics. 7. Coca-Cola Coliseum - Toronto Marlies 4 Dave Cottenie - Though its history as a hockey arena is relatively short, Coca-Cola Coliseum has grown into that role in style. Now into its second century, the historic venue is one of the best and most modern small arenas in the world – it just happens to be a century old at the same time. The Coliseum is a must for stadium enthusiasts, history buffs, and indeed hockey fans, and is poised to continue that role for the next century and beyond. 6. UW Milwaukee Panther Arena - Milwaukee Admirals 4 Eric Hasman - In an era of disposable stadiums and frequent tear-downs, the UW – Milwaukee Panthers Arena is a great example of successful historical preservation. It is not only surviving but thriving, as it is in use nearly every day of the week by a different sports franchise. Even though the arena is not the most luxurious, it is a good place to see a game and is worth the trip. 5. Rocket Arena- Cleveland Monsters 4 Paul Baker - You would think that sharing your home with a major league basketball team would be a less-than-ideal situation for a minor league hockey team. This hardly seems to be the case in Cleveland, where the Monsters are regularly among the American Hockey League’s leaders in attendance. While Quicken Loans Arena is clearly too big for the Monsters, the melding of major league amenities with minor league enthusiasm makes a trip to downtown Cleveland a trip worth taking. 4. Blue Cross Arena - Rochester Americans 4.14 Meg Minard - Blue Cross Arena at the War Memorial in Rochester, NY, is just about the perfect place to watch minor league hockey. It’s got a great fan base, superb ushers and staff, good hockey, lots of banners, and a memorial to our war veterans. 3. Canada Life Centre - Manitoba Moose 4.14 Jordan Falconer - The atmosphere at the Canada Life Centre during a Moose game is family-friendly. Parents should feel comfortable bringing their kids to the MTS Centre to see the Moose play. The Moose cater to families and provide enough entertainment to occupy the little ones’ attention. 2. Van Andel Arena - Grand Rapids Griffins 4.29 Steve Ohnsman - This is a great minor league hockey venue! Hockey fans might consider getting tickets for a weekend of fun: they offer a number of Friday/Saturday or Saturday/Sunday games on the schedule, so fans could stay downtown and do it up right! Even casual fans will enjoy a match, and families are very well served. 1. Giant Center - Hershey Bears 4.57 Richard Smith - There is minor league hockey, and then there is Hershey Bears hockey. It does not quite get much better than watching a packed house at the Giant Center cheer the Bears onto victory. The fans treat the club as a top-level professional team, and the history of the club adds to its lore. Hockey and Hershey go together like chocolate and peanut butter. NG - Scotiabank Saddledome - Calgary Wranglers

Photos by Vinny Martinand Richard Smith, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.57 Citi Field 41 Seaver Way Flushing, NY 11368 New York Mets website Citi Field website Year Opened: 2009 Capacity: 41,922 “Citi” That Never Sleeps Major League Baseball’s New York Mets have called Citi Field home for 18 years. Opening in 2009, it was the successor to the infamous Shea Stadium, where the Mets played for 44 years, from 1964 to 2008. Citi Field resides directly on the site of the old Shea Stadium. The Mets also called the historic Polo Grounds home for the 1962 and 1963 seasons. Citi Field is located in the New York City borough of Queens, specifically in Flushing Meadows-Corona Park. The naming rights belong to the New York financial services company Citigroup. The ballpark can be described as having a classic modern design, featuring upscale modern amenities with old school design elements. Citi Field design elements take inspiration from the aforementioned Polo Grounds and Brooklyn's Ebbets Field. Food & Beverage 5 It is not an understatement to say that Citi Field may offer one of the most impressive selections of concessions at any professional sports venue in the country. There is a great variety of food and drink here, at a very high quality. Of course, you can find your typical selection of Hot Dogs, Ice Cream, Burgers, Fries, Pretzels, and Popcorn, most of which are located at Nathan’s stands scattered throughout every corner of the ballpark. While those are good options for picky eaters, you’d be doing yourself a disservice by limiting yourself to just those things. Citi Field has many “food zones” scattered throughout the ballpark. The most impressive being located behind the (gigantic) Jumbotron in center-field. Here, you can find a massive Mets themed Shake Shack, as well as Metropolitan Fry Factory, Amazin’ Chicken, Filet Mignon Steak Sandwiches, and Wok N Roll, a hidden but intriguing spot recommended by Stadium Journey, as they serve a different type of egg roll for every series, inspired by the city of the visiting team. There are many air conditioned food halls, highlighted by the Metro Market on the third floor. Accessible to all ticket holders, this modern food court features super unique options such as Korean BBQ, and full service bars. Fans willing to climb to the skies will find another outdoor food court on the 4th level behind home plate, featuring even more unique offerings such as Jamaican beef patties. Thirsty Mets fans will not have any trouble at Citi Field, as almost all domestic and premium beers, hard seltzers, mixed drinks, wine, bourbon and tequila can be found all around the ballpark. Tucked away in the upper deck in left center is the Milagro Tequila Deck, an underrated spot to get a drink with a great vantage point of the game. Coca-Cola products are offered at Citi Field and can be found at nearly every stand. Shake Shack at Citi Field. Photo by Vinny Martin, Stadium Journey. Atmosphere 5 The atmosphere at Citi Field is simply fantastic. The in game presentation is extremely high quality, as fans are always able to be entertained between innings with typical lighthearted competitions. The “Borough Race” is a classic that puts the 5 boroughs of New York City against each other. As Stadium Journey visited on the day after the Knicks won the NBA finals, the borough race ended in a 5 way tie to signify the unification of New York City after the teams long awaited victory, which was a nice touch. Walking around this ballpark, you will constantly notice things going on around you. The Mr. and Mrs. Met mascots circulate the concourse for pictures with fans. Kids will enjoy a miniature wiffleball field and other games in center field. Citi Field is very aesthetically pleasing. Taking architectural inspiration from stadiums of New York’s past, the place has a classic feel. The exterior brick arches resemble Brooklyn's Ebbets Field. The green seats resemble the Polo Grounds, and many elements such as the iconic “home run apple” pay homage to Shea Field. The “Coca-Cola” corner in right field is one of the best spots in the park, with concession options, ample seating and an amazing view of the action. (And a great view of the Queens skyline behind you). Neighborhood 4 Citi Field is located in the Flushing Meadow-Corona Park neighborhood of Queens. It is an area that may have seemed drab in the past, but is going through some redevelopment. The area directly around the stadium is mostly parking lots, but a short walk will bring you to the sight of the 1964 World's Fair, as well as the Queens Zoo. The ballpark shares a neighborhood with another major sports venue, USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, home of the tennis US Open, which is a short distance away and can be seen from multiple spots throughout Citi Field. Of course, being in one of the five boroughs of New York City, you are never too far away from the thousands of restaurants, attractions and entertainment options of Manhattan and Brooklyn. Fans cross the Shea Bridge at Citi Field. Photo by Vinny Martin, Stadium Journey. Fans 4 It has been a rough season for the Mets, but their fans still show up to Citi Field regardless of the product on the field. There is a pretty impressive tailgate scene here, with the action in the parking lots resembling the vibe of a football game. It was a very dominant Mets crowd even with the visiting Braves in town, whose fans travel very well. During the game, the atmosphere was a little more laid back compared to the crosstown Yankee Stadium. Fans are still very knowledgeable and passionate for their team, and very friendly too. Access 5 For being in the middle of America's most populous city, getting to Citi Field is about as easy as it gets. The stadium is located at the confluence of the Whitestone Expressway and the Grand Central Parkway. Of course, always prepare for traffic in New York City. The 7 Line of the New York City subway runs right next to the stadium and drops off fans at the Mets-Willets Point Station. The Long Island Railroad also serves the ballpark, easily connecting fans to Penn Station in Manhattan and Port Washington in Long Island. Parking is a breeze at Citi Field, with a gigantic lot circling the stadium, and various other lots less than a 10 minute walk away. Citi Field’s main entrance leads guests directly into the Jackie Robinson Rotunda. However this entrance will have the longest lines at the time of gate opening and the mass of fans creates a logjam in the rotundas single escalator. It is recommended to utilize one of Citi Field's other entrances and check out the rotunda later in your visit, as it will remain practically empty after the initial rush. Citi Field has very wide concourses, even on the top deck, allowing for very easy navigation of the stadium. There are over 800 handicap accessible seating options and plenty of ramps and elevators available. Citi Field Rotunda. Photo by Vinny Martin, Stadium Journey. Return on Investment 4 A Mets game at Citi Field is a premium sports experience and it is certainly priced like one. While general admission tickets can be found at affordable prices, parking and concessions more than makes up for any good deals. Parking in the main lot at Citi Field is $50. Most concession items are very expensive too, albeit high quality. You also will not find any alcoholic beverage for under $16, besides a draft domestic beer. There are ways to have an affordable experience at Citi Field, such as visiting against a lower tier opponent or on a weekday night, but expect to pay a good amount for a worthwhile experience here. Extras 5 The Jackie Robinson Rotunda is one of the grandest entrances to any sports venue anywhere. While then Mets owner Fred Wilpon faced criticisms at the time for the over-emphasis on the Brooklyn Dodgers, the rotunda is a great way to honor the legacy of Jackie Robinson and serves as an incredible entryway to the stadium. Citi Field has some very cleverly named concession stands and shops. The global food court in right field is called “World’s Fare”, appropriately named after the 1964 World’s Fair that took place less than a half mile from where Citi Field stands today. Amazin’ Chicken is a play on the “Amazin’ Mets” nickname they earned after their World Series run in 1969. As previously mentioned, famous stadiums of New York’s past are well represented at Citi Field. The exterior architecture of the stadium is meant to resemble Ebbets Field. The choice to make the seats green at Citi Field may not make sense, but they intentionally represent the Polo Grounds, the Mets first ever home stadium. The Mets previous home Shea Stadium is also well represented, with the beloved Home Run Apple appearing in centerfield for every long ball by the home team. The Shea Bridge in right center is another cool feature that gives fans a great view of the game and overlooks the bullpens. Citi Field is the only ballpark in the MLB to have orange foul poles, representative of the orange in the Mets color scheme. Finally, due to Citi Field’s close proximity to LaGuardia Airport (LGA), fans will notice planes taking off and landing right over the ballpark every few minutes, creating a unique element that cannot be found at many other places. Citi Field Exterior. Photo by Richard Smith, Stadium Journey. Final Thoughts A Mets game at Citi Field can be described as a premium experience. It is certainly priced like one, but it is well worth the splurge. With excellent food and drink options, a fantastic gameday presentation and unique visual aesthetic, a trip here should be on every baseball fan's bucket list, regardless of the success on the field. Follow Vinny’s stadium journeys on TikTok @vinnymartin_

Photos by Michael Davis, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.43 Colonial Country Club 3735 Country Club Circle Fort Worth, Texas 76109 Colonial County Club website Charles Schwab Challenge website Colonial Country Club and the PGA: 80 years together The Charles Schwab Challenge is played at Colonial Country Club in Fort Worth, Texas. Although 2019 was Charles Schwab’s first year being the sponsor in Fort Worth, Colonial Country Club first hosted the US Open in 1941. Due to World War II, no tournament was played from 1942-45, but a PGA Tour golf tournament has been held here every year since 1946, giving the course the honor of being the PGA Tour’s longest-tenured tournament at a single venue. The tournament is traditionally hosted over Memorial Day weekend. Colonial Country Club is known as Hogan’s Alley because legendary Ben Hogan won the tournament five times. The course yardage is 7,209 (creating a Par 70 for golfers), and the course record is 61, co-held by seven PGA Tour pros: Keith Clearwater, Lee Janzen, Greg Kraft, Justin Leonard, Kevin Na, Kenny Perry, and Chad Campbell. The course has also hosted three major or significant professional golf events: the 1941 U.S. Open, the 1975 Tournament Players Championship, and the 1991 U.S. Women’s Open. Food & Beverage 3 There are numerous concession tents around the golf course, with nearly one stand per hole as the tents are strategically placed for patrons to be able to buy food and not miss any action. The Charles Schwab Challenge food and beverage options are the standard sports fare, such as hamburgers, hot dogs, and chicken sandwiches, along with pretzels, peanuts, and various sweets. The food and beverage prices are typical of what sports fans are accustomed to when going to events. On the front part of the course there is also a food truck fairway near holes 1, 2 and 6. The trucks have various food items from local restaurants – two that are well-known are Buffalo Bros (pizza/wings) and Heim BBQ. In addition to the options above, there are also premium seating areas for fans that want to have a more leisurely and upscale place to eat. One of the upgrades for concessions is the Champions Club, with a cost of $250 (upgraded tickets give access to air conditioning as well as television while you eat and drink). In summary, there are plenty of food and beverages here for any fan to enjoy, but the overall menu is what fans expect at PGA events. Atmosphere 3 The Charles Schwab Challenge continues bringing an impeccable environment for avid golf fans, and Hogan’s Alley continues to be one of the best-groomed courses on the PGA Tour. The private club opens their course to the golf world, and creates an atmosphere where all the fans feel like members of the club. There are great seating opportunities to watch the best of the best play on the Par 70 course, and Colonial Country Club and the volunteers create an environment that is attractive to all types of golf fans. The amenities here include a kids autograph zone, the Famous 13th Hole (a par 3 over water with the patron’s seating directly above the green, leaving very little space for the golfers safe zone on the green), and finally The Five, a Schwab Performance Center that is a live interactive golf experience focusing on the five fundamentals of both golf and investing, connecting Ben Hogan’s ground-breaking approach to golf and Schwab’s approach to investing and retirement. As in all PGA tournaments, fan excitement escalates on the last day, with fans getting to see the final pairings and leaders coming down the 18th fairway to the Colonial Clubhouse, with Ben Hogan’s statue overlooking the 18th green. The winner of the Charles Schwab Challenge receives the customary Scottish royal tartan plaid jacket, the Leonard Trophy, and a 1983 fully renovated Jeep Scrambler which has the tartan plaid look incorporated into the seats. Neighborhood 4 Colonial Country Club is located about four miles from downtown Fort Worth. The golf course is located on the south bank of the Clear Fork of the Trinity River, just northwest of the campus of Texas Christian University. There are several tourist attractions in Fort Worth near Colonial Country Club, including Fort Worth Zoo on University Drive just across from the main entrance for the tournament; Fort Worth Zoo is one of the top-rated zoos in the country. In addition, the Cultural District around the public car parking at Farrington Field features several museums, including the world famous Kimbell Art Museum, Will Rogers Memorial Center (home of the annual Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo), and Dickies Arena. However, a trip to the Fort Worth Stockyards is a must when visiting the Fort Worth area, and it is just a few miles on the other side of downtown. There you can see the famous “World’s Largest Honky Tonk” - Billy Bob’s Texas) – home to live music from national recording acts, a large dance floor, pool tables, mechanical bull rides, and live bull riding on the weekends. The stockyards also have a few steak houses that are well worth the visit, and there is also a local Tex-Mex favorite, Joe T. Garcia’s, but be prepared for long lines if you choose this eatery. Or if you’re looking for BBQ, Heim BBQ at 1109 W. Magnolia Ave is one of the top-rated BBQ places in the state. But the best food option might just be the Ol’ South Pancake House – this Fort Worth staple is a 24-hour family restaurant that is perfect for those early tee times at the tournament. There are plenty of lodging options in town, with two good choices being Sheraton Fort Worth Hotel and Spa at 1701 Commerce, and Stockyards Hotel at 109 E Exchange. If you want to be within walking distance of Colonial Country Club, though, then Courtyard by Marriott Fort Worth or Hawthorn Suites by Wyndham Fort Worth are your better options. Fans 3 Colonial Country Club is a private golf club, but the fans that flock to this course are very diverse. As with all PGA Tour events, there are plenty of groups that form around certain golfers. The largest gallery the past few years has been around Jordan Spieth and Scottie Scheffler, which is great for fans of other golfers that want plenty of space to follow a different golfer around the course. In general, golf fans are very courteous and respectful of everyone in attendance. This holds true around the course at Colonial – the whole crowd is united in supporting the players, but the support becomes the loudest as the final pairing head to the 18th green on Sunday evening. Access 3 Colonial Country Club is located off University Blvd across the street from Fort Worth Zoo. The club is situated in the Park Hill-Colonial Hills neighborhood, and this old neighborhood can’t support general parking for the PGA event. However, there are three parking options available to patrons: Gold Valet, Silver, and public parking. Gold Valet is the premier parking for patrons, with a cost of $200 a day as you are parked at the clubhouse. The cost for Silver parking is $75 a day, with a shuttle that takes patrons from TCU’s Worth Hills Parking garage to the Colonial Clubhouse. The public parking lot is located at Fort Worth’s Farrington Field at 2921 W. Lancaster or at Rockwood Lane Fort Worth, with both areas also providing free shuttles to the course. The main entrance to the course is on Rogers at the 4th hole fairway. There are no opaque bags allowed that are larger than a small purse (6” by 6”), which includes carrying cases, backpacks, camera bags, and chair bags. Clear plastic, vinyl, or other bags not exceeding 12” x 6” x 12” are allowed, as well as food if it is stored in a one-gallon clear plastic resealable bag. All mobile phones, tablets, and PDAs should be put in silent mode, and cameras are allowed during practice rounds only. Once you are inside the course is very walkable, as the landscape is flat with plenty of trees for shade. Return on Investment 3 The return on investment at the Charles Schwab Challenge is as expected for a PGA Tour event, but is a little better than its metroplex counterpart, the CJ Cup Byron Nelson in McKinney. The daily grounds tickets at Colonial Country Club are $50 per ticket, but this course is one of the treasures on the PGA Tour – this historic golf course has hosted some of golf’s greatest players. There are also special ticket packages that would enhance a patron’s experience, but they come at a price: Villages Ticket and Leonard’s Club, with seats at the 18th green. These both have clubhouse access, with food and beverages included, but the prices range from $350 to $800 per ticket. The concession pricing and parking are on par with typical sporting event costs. Extras 5 A trip to Colonial Country Club is a chance to see the game’s biggest names firsthand, and those names represent a wide range of styles on the PGA Tour. Since the tournament’s inaugural event in 1946, golf greats like Ben Hogan, Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, and Tom Watson, as well as modern-day stars such as Phil Mickelson, Sergio Garcia, Jordan Spieth, and Justin Rose, have won this tournament – the 2019 champion was Kevin Na, making the tournament his third PGA Tour win. The Charles Schwab Challenge is also among the PGA Tour leaders in charitable giving, generating $18 to $20 million annually for local Fort Worth-area charities. Colonial Country Club’s fifth hole, which has the Trinity River running alongside the fairway, is mentioned as one of the best holes in America. This hole is regularly ranked as one of golf’s most difficult and is the anchor in the very tough three-hole stretch here, nicknamed the “Horrible Horseshoe”. The Colonial staff and volunteers also do a great job throughout the week helping patrons navigate to and from the parking lot shuttles to different places around the course. Finally, the Charles Schwab Challenge’s placement on Memorial Day weekend inspires the tournament to remember the men and women of the Armed Forces, who sacrificed their lives while serving their country, with a moment of silence during tournament play. Final Thoughts Colonial Country Club is a beautiful course laid out in a perfect setting to host a PGA Tournament, and it is also easy to navigate and has plenty of shade from the large oak trees along the fairways. The DFW area is also a great tourist area for golf fans to enjoy, with plenty of restaurants and lodging in the vicinity. The PGA usually schedules the DFW area to host back-to-back weekends of PGA golf, with the CJ Cup Byron Nelson tournament in McKinney followed by the Charles Schwab Challenge in Fort Worth; Dallas-Fort Worth is the only metroplex area in the US that hosts two PGA events each year. Disclaimer: The PGA schedule for 2027 has the CJ Cup at the end of April, while the PGA Championship being held in Frisco will be the week prior to the Charles Schwab Challenge – this prevents the PGA from showcasing the DFW area for 3 straight weeks.

Photos by Meg Minard, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.29 Modern Woodmen Field 601 Neece Dr Modesto, CA 95351 Map It! Modesto Roadsters website Bryant Field website Year Opened: 1955 Capacity: 4,000 Modesto Roadsters In December 2024, the Seattle Mariners sold the Modesto Nuts baseball team, and the new ownership group relocated the club to San Bernardino at the start of 2026. Subsequently, in 2026, the Pioneer League added three expansion teams, two in California, including one in Long Beach and another in Modesto, to replace the Nuts. With that came the rebranding and renovations of the baseball team and the stadium. The new ownership secured a multimillion‑dollar partnership with Modern Woodmen of America, prompting a change to the stadium’s name. Formerly known as John Thurman Field, it was officially renamed Modern Woodmen Field in April 2026. Renovations to the stadium include upgraded locker rooms, new carpet in the gift shop and administration offices, and the new team colors, rust and blue, painted on the outfield walls, stands, and other structures. The team’s name, Modesto Roadsters, was a result of a community-wide contest. After significant backlash to the original choice, the Glow Riders, the new ownership listened to local feedback and ultimately changed the primary name to the Roadsters. Both the staff and the fans are delighted with the new team, its image, the new ownership, and its vision for the team, and are thankful that baseball remains in the San Joaquin Valley. Food & Beverage 3 Permanent booths, carts and truck concessions are mostly behind the grandstand. The main concession stand (Cost Less) sells hot dogs, pretzel bites, nachos, chicken and fries, pulled pork fries, garlic fries, and smoked wings with prices ranging from $5 - $12. Satellite stands offer shaved ice, chips, Cracker Jack, and other snacks. The concessions sell Pepsi-brand soda, Gatorade, lemonade, water, and Rockstar. Beers include Coors Light, Modelo, 424 Hazy, Cruiser Light, and are $5 - $8. The lower seating sections have wait staff, and peddlers roam the upper-level seats hawking snacks and drinks. Nachos and chicken fingers with fries are a popular choice amongst the fans. Atmosphere 3 Fans will enjoy a night at a Modesto Roadsters game, thanks to a comfortable layout and a well-run presentation. Seating is split into two levels with a walkway between them. There are the traditional fold‑down stadium seats on the lower level and bleachers above. Several lower‑concourse sections include drink rails, and two party decks sit beside the press box. A medium-thick black net extends across all seats. Modern Woodmen Field First Baseline Seats, Photo by Meg Minard, Stadium Journey A decent scoreboard in left field displaying the current batter’s stats and the line score, with sponsor ads rotating between innings. Trees line the center and right fields, giving the park a pleasant backdrop. The game day staff presents the ballpark experience well. The announcer’s voice is clear and easy to understand, offering pitching changes, challenge results, remaining challenges, and lineups. The sound operator does occasionally play brief between‑pitch noise, but it’s only a couple of seconds, nothing like the long, drawn‑out blasts some parks use, and the volume stays reasonable. Fans add their own energy by stomping on the bleachers. I recommend the team address two small but meaningful items to enhance the fan experience. First, staff could use a quick refresher on the basics, namely, where the nearest restrooms are and where the team posts the starting lineups. I was sent to two different locations on opposite sides of the concourse before discovering that the starting lineup display is actually a set of Roadsters player photos mounted so high that they’re difficult to read, especially with the sun reflecting off them. It also displays only the home lineup, omitting the visiting team and leaving out player positions. Fortunately, the customer service table provides a printed lineup, and that’s the option we suggest using. Lastly, the Roadsters have a spacious team store chocked with hats, t-shirts, foam fingers, and trinkets. Neighborhood 3 Modesto has a small, quaint downtown area about a mile and a ½ from Modern Woodmen Field. The region is known for its rich agriculture. Be sure to stop in Rodin Ranch Market for some farm-fresh goodies or visit Vanderhelm Farms for U-Pick activities. A popular attraction is the McHenry Museum. For a pregame meal, Commonwealth, a gastropub, comes recommended, as does Churchkey. Modesto has a few breweries for hopheads to enjoy: Persuasion Brewing, Contentment Brewing Company, and Track 424 Brewery. Dryden Park Golf Course, a public course along the Tuolumne River, is adjacent to the ballpark just to the south. For places to stay, a DoubleTree is less than two miles from the ballpark. A Best Western and a Motel 6 are also in that same area downtown. Other sports teams somewhat nearby during baseball season are the Stockton Ports (about a 40-min drive) or maybe take a drive down to Fresno and visit Chukchansi Park (about an hour and a ½ drive). Fans 3 Cowbells. The Modesto Roadster fans know how to generate their own noise with cowbells, stomping of the feet on the bleachers, and cheering on good plays. Even better, when the fans ring their cowbells, the sound person doesn’t ruin it by drowning it out with noise and other music. Very smart move. In this inaugural season, they’re already averaging over 3,000 fans per game, an impressive start for a brand‑new club. Access 3 Getting to the park is relatively easy, as it sits just off State Route 99, though current road construction can slow things down. The stadium has two parking lots, East and West, with ticket booths on both sides. Parking is free for Roadsters games. Gates open one hour before the first pitch. Security is notably thorough, with staff wanding every guest. I don’t remember any bag restriction rules; I recommend just leaving your backpacks at home and bringing a clear stadium sports tote bag. Inside, the concourse is wide and easy to navigate, offering plenty of room to move around. Both ramps and steps lead up to the seating areas, and several restrooms are available throughout the venue. Return on Investment 5 Catching a Modesto Roadsters game is an enjoyable experience, and the wallet‑friendly price tag only adds to the enjoyment. Ticket prices don’t range more than $16, and more often than that, you can get in for just a few bucks. Weekly specials include $2 Tuesdays (hot dogs, pretzel bites, and sodas for $2), $3 Thursdays (beer specials and $3 general admission), and Fireworks Fridays. Wednesdays feature t‑shirt giveaways, while Saturdays offer promotional giveaways and live music. Sundays are family days, complete with bring‑your‑pooch. And, the team has voucher books, group rates, and season and half-season ticket packages. Free parking, reasonable concessions, and a genuinely fun atmosphere make it an incredibly entertaining, affordable night out. Extras 3 A few other items are worth noting. First, they hand out pocket schedules. Remember them? Second, when purchasing a ticket at the gate, they hand out decorative paper tickets. Remember them? Modesto Roadsters Colorful Printed Ticket, Photo by Meg Minard, Stadium Journey Collectables long forgotten about in this digital age. Lastly, the Modesto Roadsters’ song is catching and lively. Listen below. Click Photo for the Music Video. X out of Sign-On Request Box and Turn Volume On. https://www.instagram.com/reel/DY1Eyudvii1/ Music Written & Produced by Curtiss Staggs Filmed & Edited by FlysVisuals Final Thoughts The staff and fans alike are pleased to have the Roadsters in town, and it’s easy to understand why. A night at the ballpark is affordable, relaxed, and family‑friendly, the kind of outing that feels good. Modesto has embraced its new team, and the Roadsters have given the community something fun to rally around. Go and experience the newest chapter of baseball in Modesto and see the Roadsters for yourself.

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. 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.

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 four tournament stadia from a fan’s perspective. Look out for these in the coming days.