Photos by David Welch, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.71 Bill Armstrong Stadium 1606 N. Fee Lane Bloomington, IN 47408 Indiana Hoosiers website Bill Armstrong Stadium website Year Opened: 1981 Capacity: 6,100 A Tradition of Excellence When most people think of Indiana University, the first images that come to mind are likely those of basketball inside Assembly Hall, with five national championship banners hanging overhead. Given the prominence of Indiana basketball over the years, it would be easy to assume it is the most decorated athletic program on the Bloomington campus. That distinction, however, belongs to Indiana men’s soccer, who have captured eight NCAA national championships. Soccer had been played at Indiana University as a club sport since 1947, but the program’s greatest success came under Jerry Yeagley, affectionately known as the grandfather of Indiana men’s soccer. Yeagley arrived in Bloomington in 1963 as a physical education instructor and became the driving force behind the program’s transition from club status to varsity competition in 1974. Under his leadership, the Hoosiers won six of their eight national championships, establishing Indiana as one of the premier programs in college soccer. Food & Beverage 3 The concession menu at Bill Armstrong Stadium is fairly standard, with a bit of a limited variety but enough familiar options to satisfy most fans. The featured item is a pulled pork sandwich, while traditional stadium fare includes hot dogs, nachos, and soft pretzels with cheese sauce. Chips, candy, and other snacks round out the selection. A taco-nacho option offers additional toppings, including salsa, guacamole, sour cream, and cheese sauce, while a vegan option provides an alternative for fans seeking plant-based fare. Beverages include water and soft drinks from the Coca-Cola family of beverages. The alcoholic beverage selection is average, with most options consisting of familiar domestic beers. Local brewer Upland is represented by Dragonfly IPA, while the Indiana University-branded Hoosier Game Day Lager provides a school-specific option. High Noon and Happy Thursday seltzers round out the selection. Atmosphere 4 Opened in 1981, Bill Armstrong Stadium has undergone significant renovations over the years, including a major project that began in 2001. Those changes modernized the facility but also altered its appearance and seating configuration. The original main stands were located on the north side of the stadium. The expansive bleachers, topped by a large press box, gave the facility a bit of an imposing presence. The renovations, however, removed those stands and relocated the primary seating area to the south side, where a new section of bleachers extends along the length of the pitch. The original bleachers were replaced with a long section of seating, with smaller separate sections book-ending the east and west sides. The north-side stands were eventually replaced by the smaller Jerry F. Tardy Center in 2019, which houses locker rooms, training facilities, offices, a VIP suite, and operational space for the Little 500. Smaller book-ended sections of bleacher seating remain, although they are typically covered. While the renovations were needed, removing seating on this side of the pitch has left the stadium feeling somewhat more open and vacant. The cinder track surrounding the pitch also creates considerable distance between the playing surface and the stands. Unlike purpose-built soccer venues, where supporters can sit close to the action, Bill Armstrong Stadium sacrifices some intimacy between the crowd and the players. This is one of the facility’s more noticeable limitations. The Indiana University band is a featured part of the game experience. From the opening touch throughout the match, their presence in the match brings a festive vibe to the overall experience. Neighborhood 4 Indiana’s athletic facilities are clustered together in the northern reaches of campus. This location does remove them from the epicenter of the town’s food and nightlife on Kirkwood Avenue, which is about a mile and a half away. Over the past decade, the area just west of the campus’ northern reaches has undergone significant development, with hotels and restaurants sprouting up. Still, the focus of any visit to Bloomington is going to be Kirkwood Avenue and the area around the square. Kirkwood is home to Nick’s English Hut, a must-stop for many alumni, and Upstairs Pub, which has blossomed into one of the more popular bar spots. For a more upscale dining experience, Janko’s Little Zagreb steakhouse is a popular option. Craft beer enthusiasts might want to visit Upland Brewery, one of Indiana’s top producers of craft beers. The Indiana Memorial Union (IMU), the largest student union building in the world, houses a handful of food kiosks, a pool hall, and a bowling alley, as well as rooms at the Biddle Hotel. If rooms are unavailable at IMU, downtown Bloomington has a large inventory of higher-end chains, while locations just off I-69 offer several more budget-friendly options. One thing Bloomington does seem to lack are significant attractions that are not university specific. There is a Dave & Buster’s near the mall, and Bloomington Square does have several shops, but it can be tricky to build a full day around non-university connected events in Bloomington. Fans 4 Indiana University soccer is one of the most supported programs on campus. Matches from Thursday to Saturday often draw the largest crowds, with some fans even showing up hours before gates open to tailgate in the small lot on the northern side of the stadium. IU men’s soccer is also a popular draw for the Indiana student body. The student supporters group, The Hoosier Army, lines the sideline of the pitch from the penalty box on one end around to the opposite corner of the pitch. Students can get frenzied when hosting Big Ten and NCAA tournament matches, so it definitely can be a very special atmosphere. The main thing with attendance and fan support at Hoosier soccer is the overall consistency of the fans. Those who show up do a great job creating a supportive and fun college atmosphere, but the ability to fill the stands on a regular basis could take the fan support to the next level. Access 4 The athletics neighborhood of Indiana University is located on the northern reaches of campus, along the State Road 46/37 bypass. This route is directly off I-69, which runs locally from Indianapolis to the north and Evansville to the south. There are two points of entry into Bill Armstrong Stadium, the most convenient being through the gates adjacent to St. Paul’s Catholic Church on 17th Street. This lot is just a short walk to the gates and provides direct access to the primary seating area on the south side of the pitch. If this lot is full, try parking in the Green Lot along Fee Lane, between the outdoor Loring Family Tennis Courts and Gladstein Fieldhouse. This lot is directly across the street from the path that leads to the entrance on the north side of the stadium, but it does leave a bit of a walk to the stands. This might be the preferred point of entry for Hoosier Army members though, since their area is on that side. Return on Investment 4 Tickets cost $11 and are entirely general admission, allowing fans to choose where they sit rather than pay a premium for specific locations. Although some schools offer free admission to men’s soccer matches, the price here is reasonable for a program with Indiana’s history. Parking is free, adding to the overall affordability of the experience. Fans who encounter parking attendants or restrictions should be aware that access may be affected by preparations for football or basketball games. Concessions do seem to be a touch on the high side. Extras 3 Indiana’s soccer history and the legacy of its longtime coach are recognized even before fans enter the stadium. A black-and-white checkered pathway leads toward Wilcox House, home of the Indiana University Student Foundation; the path is marked with a sign reading “Yeagley’s Way.” The checkered design pays tribute to the Little 500, held annually at Bill Armstrong Stadium, while the pathway’s name honors Jerry Yeagley and his eternal influence on the Hoosier program. Banners recognizing Indiana’s national championship teams are displayed along the embankment at the east end of the stadium. Additional banners celebrate NCAA College Cup appearances and Big Ten regular-season and tournament titles. A newer addition to Indiana’s athletic events is the return of a mascot. Introduced in 2025, Hoosier the Bison makes appearances at various IU sporting events and interacts with fans. While the mascot may not answer the question of what a Hoosier actually is, it gives the university’s athletic programs a recognizable and entertaining presence. Final Thoughts Indiana men’s soccer offers one of the top collegiate soccer experiences in the country, backed by an undeniable history of success and a loyal group of supporters. Bill Armstrong Stadium has its limitations, most notably the distance between the stands and the pitch, as well as the empty feel left by the removal of the original north-side stands. Attendance can also be inconsistent outside the biggest matches. Those drawbacks do not overshadow the overall experience, however. The Hoosier Army, the pep band, the program’s championship history, and the traditions surrounding Indiana athletics all create a high-level college soccer atmosphere. For fans visiting Bloomington, a match at Bill Armstrong Stadium is a worthwhile opportunity to see one of the NCAA's most storied programs.

Photos by Paul Baker, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.57 Thompson Arena 4 Summer St. Hanover, NH 03755 Dartmouth Big Green hockey website Thompson Arena website Year Opened: 1975 Capacity: 3,500 Big Green Pucks Thompson Arena was designed by noted architect and structural engineer Pier Luigi Nervi, the “Poet in Concrete,” renowned for buildings he designed for the 1960 Rome Olympics. It was built in 1975 to replace Davis Rink, an open-air rink which served as the home of Dartmouth hockey from 1929 to 1975. The facility was named for Dartmouth class of 1928 alumnus Rupert C. Thompson, who was a major benefactor of the arena. Dartmouth adopted a shade of forest green as its official color in 1866. Starting in the 1920s the school’s athletic teams were referred to as the “Indians” until the nickname came under criticism in the 1970s. The nickname “Big Green” refers to the Dartmouth Green in the center of campus. Hockey has been played at Dartmouth since 1906. The Big Green have qualified for five NCAA Tournaments, returning to the postseason after a 46-year absence in 2026. Dartmouth has qualified for four Frozen Fours. Nineteen Big Green alumni have played in the National Hockey League. Dartmouth began a women’s program in 1978, just six years after admitting their first female students. The Big Green women’s team has qualified for seven postseason tournaments and has reached four Frozen Fours. Over two dozen Dartmouth alumni have gone on to play in the PWHL and preceding professional leagues. Food & Beverage 3 There are concession stands in opposite corners of the arena. Basic stadium fare is served here, with hot dogs, pizza slices and nachos anchoring the menu. There’s a good selection of snack items available, including popcorn, pretzels, churros and ice cream novelties. Fans looking for something a little different while at a Big Green game can order cups of mac and cheese, including bacon or buffalo chicken if you want to kick your order up a notch. Coca-Cola products are featured at Thompson Arena, sold in both fountain and bottles. A selection of hot beverages on the menu comes in handy on cold New Hampshire winter nights. No alcohol is sold at this on-campus facility. Championship Banners Hang at Thompson Arena. Photo by Paul Baker, Stadium Journey. Atmosphere 3 A Big Green hockey game is a nice mix of traditional hockey feel mixed with some modern amenities. The Dartmouth athletic staff do a lot right here, with a nice sound system and an enthusiastic PA announcer keeping fans appraised of the action and the energy level up. The new video board hanging at center ice is put to good use with replays, videos and graphics. Occasional promotions such as T-shirt tosses keep casual fans involved. However, without a strong presence from the student body and arena staples like a pep band, there’s only so much energy a small crown can generate. Still, the fans are into the game, knowledgeable about their team and enthusiastic in their support. Many fans in attendance have been coming to Big Green games for decades and will gladly tell you about the good old days when Dartmouth squads were more successful. The compact footprint of the ECAC means that there is likely to be a strong turnout from visiting fans during your visit. Visits from traditional Ivy League rivals bring out a stronger fan presence throughout the season. Neighborhood 5 The village of Hanover, New Hampshire boasts a population of about 9,000 citizens, not much larger than Dartmouth College’s enrollment of 6,350 students. As you would expect, there is a great small-town feel to Hanover. The Dartmouth Green acts as a focal point for all town activities and the campus is worth a stroll to experience its classic Georgian architecture. Located just a five-minute walk from Thompson Arena, Main Street features a bunch of shops and restaurants and is a great place to explore during your visit. Highlights include the Dartmouth Co-Op, where you can pick up some Big Green gear, Lou’s Restaurant and Bakery for a snack, and Murphy’s on the Green for a traditional pub experience. There are a good dozen eateries located within a few blocks here on Main Street. Should you wish to stay in Hanover, there are lodging options located in this area as well, including the Hanover Inn and Six South Street Hotel. Visitors looking for other things to do in the area will find a wealth of outdoor options, including the Appalachian Trail, which runs right through Hanover. In the snowy winter months of the hockey season, several ski resorts are located just a short drive away. For a unique and quintessential small-town New England experience, cross the Connecticut River into Vermont and visit the Norwich Inn. It’s said to be the inspiration for the television series Newhart. The Inn features a quaint, small pub that seats about 25. Despite its small size, the Inn brews their own beers and features an excellent pub menu. National Anthem at Thompson Arena. Photo by Paul Baker, Stadium journey. Fans 3 In the 2025-26 season, the Big Green averaged about 2,700 fans per game at Thompson Arena. This ranked them right in the middle of the national attendance rankings among all the teams in Division One, and marked an increase over previous seasons. While hockey is the marquee winter sport at Dartmouth, there’s not a huge presence by the student body at most Big Green hockey games. Much of the crowd in attendance is made up of locals and families out to enjoy an affordable night of entertainment. Fans are enthusiastic and supportive, but not rowdy. You can feel comfortable bringing the family to a Dartmouth hockey game. With the compact footprint of the ECAC conference, it’s not unusual to see a decent turnout from visiting fans. Access 4 Dartmouth College and the small town of Hanover, New Hampshire may be well off the beaten path, but that doesn’t mean it’s difficult to get to. Located just a few miles from the intersection of Interstates 89 and 91, Thompson Arena is located southeast of the Dartmouth campus, near the school’s other athletic facilities, including Memorial Field, Red Rolfe Field at Biondi Park, Leede Arena and Scully-Fahey Field. Most fans will drive to Thompson Arena, but there are public transportation options that serve Hanover and nearby areas. There is an Amtrak station across the Connecticut River in White River Junction, VT. Greyhound Bus Lines has a stop near Thompson Arena at the Hanover Inn. In addition, Advance Transit provides free bus service to Upper Valley communities, with most of their routes serving the Dartmouth campus. There is a large parking lot adjacent to Thompson Arena. The main entrance to the rink is on its west side. A small lobby is here, which contains the ticket booths. After a quick security check, fans will find themselves on a 360-degree concourse that wraps around the top of the seating bowl. All seats in Thompson Arena are plastic bleachers with backs. The steep pitch of the seating bowl ensures great sight lines no matter where you sit. There is plenty of standing room all around the facility, along with accessible places for fans. Concession stands and restrooms are in opposite corners of the facility. Lines can get long during intermission, so plan your trips wisely. Thompson Arena Exterior. Photo by Paul Baker, Stadium Journey.1 Return on Investment 4 Tickets to Big Green hockey games are priced at $28 for center ice seats, $25 for corner seats and $23 for seats behind the net. Youths between 3-12 and seniors aged 65+ receive a $4-5 discount. Parking is free in the lot adjacent to the hockey rink. Concessions are moderately priced, with only the specialty items at the main stands costing more than five dollars. Free roster sheets and posters are available for all visiting fans. Put together, a night at a Big Green hockey game is a most affordable entertainment option for local sports fans. Extras 3 As you might expect from a team that’s played as long as Dartmouth, there’s a lot of history to the program. This history is displayed throughout Thompson Arena. On the east end of the building are banners commemorating conference championships and tournament appearances from both the men’s and women’s teams. Sharp-eyed fans will also see a bunch of banners honoring figure skating titles on the west end of the rink. Photos of alumni who have played in the National Hockey League and who have represented their countries in international competitions line the concourse. There are also displays chronicling the history of Dartmouth hockey, hockey Hall of Famers and more. If you happen to visit Hanover for a matchup with rival Princeton, be prepared for a barrage of tennis balls to rain down onto the ice after Dartmouth’s first goal. Why? During a road game against Princeton in 1998, a Princeton student threw a single tennis ball at the Dartmouth goaltender after the Tigers scored their first goal. When Princeton came to Dartmouth later in the season, the Big Green student body responded by throwing not just one tennis ball onto the ice after the first Dartmouth goal, but several hundred. The tradition continues to this day. Final Thoughts Thompson Arena is one of those unique old hockey barns that remind you why we take Stadium Journeys. While Dartmouth fans will gladly tell you about the Big Green’s good old days, they continue to support the team through thick and thin. Follow Paul Baker’s stadium journeys on Twitter and Instagram @PuckmanRI.

Photos by Andrew Kulyk, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.14 Centre Marcel Dionne 300 rue Cockburn Drummondville, QC J2C 4L6 Drummondville Voltigeurs website Centre Marcel Dionne website Year Opened: 1963 Capacity: 4,000 Allez Voltigeurs! On the south shore of Quebec, nestled between Montreal and Quebec City, lies the city of Drummondville. With a modest population of 70,000, Drummondville captures the essence of Quebec hockey. The pride of Drummondville includes their junior hockey team, the Voltigueurs, and their favorite son, Marcel Dionne. Dionne was both infamous and the second most-famous Los Angeles King (behind only Wayne Gretzky), and arguably the player that gave the most to the franchise. As part of the Triple Crown Line, Dionne was a staple of the Kings, and regularly finds time to return to his hometown of Drummondville. The Voltigeurs are the second incarnation of major junior hockey in Drummondville. An expansion team in 1982, the Voltigeurs are named after a Quebec-based regiment that fought the Americans in the War of 1812. They followed the original QMJHL team, the Drummondville Rangers, which played from 1969 to 1974. Currently owned by Jean-Guy Rene, Roger Dubois, and Michel Parizeau, the Voltigeurs have enjoyed moderate success, making it to the Memorial Cup 3 times, and winning the President’s Trophy as the top team in the QMJHL in 2009. Their most famous alumni include NHL greats Steve Duschene and Daniel Briere. Food & Beverage 2 Concessions at the Centre Marcel Dionne are very ordinary. You are only going to find staple products that you would find in any arena, including hot dogs, popcorn, soda and nachos. There are only a couple of concession stands, and there are numerous vending machines to compliment those stands. The featured sodas are Pepsi products, and the beer available is Molson Export and Coors Light. Prices are decent, but a lack of variety is evident. Atmosphere 4 Centre Marcel Dionne is one of those arenas that sends you back in time. It has the feel of a community arena where your own kids would play house league hockey. The exterior is nothing spectacular, and could easily be driven right past without even noticing it. Once inside that community feel takes over. There is not much standing room where the ticket windows are. There is an opportunity to visit with the local early-birds or check out the various displays, including the large Marcel Dionne display. Once inside, the seating bowl looks like it is from another time. The seating bowl is small and steep, offering fantastic sightlines. The arena features wooden seats, which although are not the most comfortable, are terribly historic. The scoreboard is simple with a 4 sided projected video screen. Above the ice surface you will find the retired numbers of great Voltigeurs of the past including Steve Duschene, Ian Laperriere, Denis Gauthier, Steve Chartrand, Rene Corbet and Daniel Briere. At the far end of the arena you will find the modest banners from successful Voltigeur seasons, including the 2009 President’s Trophy banners. Throughout the arena there are various photos showcasing the hometown team. One of the more unique features of Centre Marcel Dionne is the giant Voltiguer banner which drops and shakes at key moments. Very simple, yet very unique. Neighborhood 2 The Centre Marcel Dionne is a community arena, located in a suburban area. There are not a ton of options in the immediate area for pre and post-game fare. Within a couple of minutes in the car you will find some recognizable chains, including Boston Pizza, East Side Marios and Quebec rotisserie chicken chain, St.Hubert. Fans 4 The Noise!! Drummondville fans are extremely loud! This is probably the only place that I have been that has not banned air horns. The air horn is a favourite of the Drummondville fan, and they use them liberally! The fans that we met were very friendly and accommodating. They were willing to talk about their beloved hometown team and the prospects that the Voltigeurs would have in the upcoming playoffs. The attendance at Voltigeur games is a bit of a disappointment, as they average just under 2,500 for the season, putting them in the bottom third of the league. Access 3 Getting to the arena is not too difficult as it is located just north of Boul St.Joseph, a couple of kilometres from the Trans Canada Highway. There is some parking on site that is free of charge if you are early enough. Once inside, however the concourses around the outside of the seating bowl do not encircle the arena, and are extremely narrow. Washroom facilities are also not the greatest. Return on Investment 5 It is ridiculous what a great deal a Voltigeurs game is. Top level junior hockey combined with free parking, good concession prices and unreal ticket prices equals great value. This is absolutely family entertainment. Voltigeur tickets go for $15 each, with seats for children going for a ridiculous $6. Unbelievable! Extras 2 An extra mark for the waving banner. Very unique! An extra mark for that hometown feel to a Voltigeurs game. Final Thoughts A trip through the QMJHL will find Drummondville as one of the solid francophone franchises. It’s worth the trip to see an arena that is from a different time, and a great group of fans who know how to be loud.

Photos by Andrew Kulyk, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.71 Stade Saputo 4750 Rue Sherbrooke Est Montreal, QC H1V 1A1 Canada CF Montreal website Stade Saputo website Year Opened: 2008 Capacity: 20,801 Making an Impact in Montreal Montreal, Quebec was well prepared for a Major League Soccer (MLS) franchise when the Impact joined in 2012. Owners Saputo, Inc. completed phase one of Stade Saputo in 2008 in anticipation of an expansion MLS team. In the meantime, the Montreal Impact of the North American Soccer League (NASL) called the then 13,000 seat stadium home. The stadium is located in Parc Olympique, seven miles northeast of downtown. Capacity expanded to 20,801 once the announcement of an MLS club became official in 2010. The organization has celebrated momentary successes in their brief history. Though they haven’t won an MLS championship, the Impact did win back-to-back Canadian championships in 2013 & 2014, reaching the CONCACAF Finals in the latter year. Prior to the 2017 season opener, the Impact announced a five-year plan of renovations to improve fan experience by enhancing the concourses, upgrading concession options, and encouraging fan engagement with the game of soccer. Food & Beverage 4 Location and design of concession stands are both convenient and practical. There are numerous stands throughout three sides of the stadium, each with plenty of staff to minimize your wait time. Menus appear on easy-to-read LCD screens, and are written in both French and English. Stade Saputo offers a wide range of traditional and unique food items at “reasonable” stadium food prices, reducing a fan’s likelihood to grab a bite before entering the stadium. Pizza, burgers, hot dogs, and popcorn are all readily available at every stand. In addition, each stand appears to have a few unique items such as poutine or a Montreal smoked meat sandwich, a local favorite! Pepsi and Budweiser products are available for quenching your thirst. If eating your pizza while drinking a beer seems overwhelming at your seat, consider visiting the lounge above section 111. Here you can spread out and enjoy a conversation with a friend while not missing a moment on the pitch. If the lounge is too far, standing tables are plentiful on the concourse. Atmosphere 4 Stade Saputo keeps fans close to the action no matter where you enjoy the game. The facility consists of a single-bowl of over 20 rows of seats, with openings on two corners. A canopy overhangs the upper rows on all sides of the stadium for rain protection while providing the added element of amplifying crowd noise. Two large video replay boards on either end of the field ensure you don’t miss an important highlight. Look for the Impact’s K-9 mascot “Tac-Tik” roaming the concourse for photo opportunities. The three-sided bleachers are built in aluminum, creating a thunderous roar whenever fans stomp their feet in unison. The fresh air and bright summer sun can feel good while watching the game, but can be a nuisance as it’s in your line of sight for the first half of a seven-o’clock game. Seats are comfortable, made of a contoured plastic molding with back support. Hecklers will be happy to know the first row is a mere couple of feet from the end/sideline. Dedicated handicapped sections are located at the front rows of sections 118 and 130. An usher helps operate a lift for physically disabled patrons to aid in accessing their seats. Sections 116-119 are known as “Saputo Family Corner.” A jungle gym, soccer play pen, and other small activities for children are located at the top of these sections, providing an area for kids to burn energy while parents can keep an eye on the game. The North Grandstand or “President’s Grandstand” (which oddly enough is on the west side of the stadium), is built out of concrete on the side of a berm. Because of the hill and locker rooms located underneath, the concourse cuts in front of these stands, leaving the viewer slightly further away from the action. Only authorized personnel and patrons with corresponding tickets can access this section of the stadium (Sections 101-111). Player benches are located in front of this grandstand but are recessed into the field, avoiding viewing obstruction. With Olympic Stadium’s tower looming behind the bleachers, the true north seating area provides the most scenic seating location. At night, the tower is lit up blue in support of the Impact. Avoid seating within the first 5-6 rows, especially aisle seats. You risk having to view the match through a safety railing. Plus, fellow fans will be walking up and down the aisles all game. Neighborhood 2 The world focused in at Parc Olympique during the 1976 Olympics games. After the Olympic flame was extinguished, Olympic Stadium continued to host Major League Baseball games and Canadian Football League games for decades. Unfortunately the “Big O” lost two major tenants when MLB’s Expos moved to Washington D.C., and the CFL’s Alouettes travelled across the city to McGill University. Soccer revived the sporting scene in the area with construction of Stade Saputo. If you buy a ticket for an early season match, you’ll likely see the game at the “Big O” due to cold weather. Remnants of the Olympic games are still prevalent today. The old Velodrome is now a Biodome, equipped with four ecosystems to explore. Ride the tram up to the top of the Olympic Stadium tower for an impressive “birds eye” view of Montreal. Botanical gardens and large residential neighbourhoods surround the Parc, with minimal retail nearby. Though theatres and the Biodome are located close by, restaurants outside Stade Saputo are a missing piece to an otherwise great fan experience. Sports bars or any other fan interaction is a great way to introduce or conclude your time at the game. Currently, your first and last event interaction is with security guards. If you make your way downtown, visit the the old Montreal Forum, where the Canadiens called home from 1924 until 1996. Architects used an adaptive reuse strategy to transform the interior from a hockey rink to an entertainment center while still honouring the history. The venue is equipped with a movie theatre, bowling alley, bar, and a neat memorabilia store filled with old pictures and mementos from the Forum. They creatively marked where centre ice used to be, and placed a number of old seats around the face-off circle to mimic the old risers. This is a must see for any sport history enthusiast. Fans 4 The Impact have garnered a devoted following since their expansion year in 2012. The obvious natural love of soccer in the city, along with the unique fan experience acquired at an Impact game, keep energized fans coming back game after game. The bilingual public announcer encourages crowd participation as he announces each player’s number and first name, while the enthusiastic and knowledgeable fans yell the last name in unison. The two most boisterous group supporters sit in two general admission sections. The “UM02” stand, chant, and stomp loudly close to field level at sections 131-132. While the “1642 MTL” provide similar exuberance in sections 114-115, while also ringing the cast iron bell in celebration of a goal or victory. The Impact have averaged over 20,000 fans for four of their seven seasons, ranking near the top in attendance for those years. Access 3 Commuting to Stade Staputo can be complicated for a first time visitor. The stadium is setback a ways from the street and built within a hill. It would be easy to walk past the stadium without realizing it’s there with numerous mature trees lining the street. Leave plenty of time if you plan to drive to the game, as Montreal traffic is notoriously slow. From downtown, take Rue Sherbooke East (Route 138). More than 4,000 weather protected parking spots are available for $20, offering a 5-10 minute walk to the stadium. If you’re not within walking or biking distance, it’s highly recommended to take Société de transport de Montréal. Two Green Line subway stations are located a 10-15 minute walk to the stadium. VIAU station provides the shortest trek, but PIE-IX allows you to admire Olympic Stadium, host of the 1976 Summer Olympics. A one-way ticket is $3.25, or it costs $10 for a 24-hour day pass if you plan to see more of the city the next day. Biking is also a popular way for fans to commute. A protected bike lane runs along Rue Sherbrooke East with bike parking located just uphill from an entrance. A direct path leads you from the Olympic Stadium’s tower to the main entrance of Stade Saputo. The entrance is flanked with the ticket office to the left and merchandise store to the right. Other entrances are located on the southeast and northwest corners. Tailgaters commonly enjoy a bbq in the parking lot just outside the southeast entrance. Concourses are directly beneath the grandstands providing fluid circulation throughout the event. Steel column supports divide the concourse into three distinct sections. The innermost area houses concession stands, lineups, and circulation. The middle area is cleverly designed for interactive activities, while the outer shell allows wider circulation areas, standing tables, and restrooms. Section numbers are labelled above your head at each portal. Be prepared to hear a loud thunderous sound during the game as fans stomp their feet with anticipation of a goal. Return on Investment 5 Single game tickets start at $35 for general admission, located behind each goal, and $39 to $95 for a paid seat. Discounts are available for a five and ten game pack, or if you bring a group to a single game. Impact games provide a wonderful experience for a wide range of ticket purchasers. Enjoy a beer with your friends at the lounge while not missing a moment of action. Kids will enjoy all the interactive activity on the concourse when their short attention spans begin to wander. You and your family can play video games, challenge a foosball match, practice drumming on a bongo, get your face painted, be a virtual reality goalie, or get your picture photoshopped with a unique soccer players hairdo. Extras 4 Numerous family geared activities are supplied with dedicated space allowing kids to practice that game winning kick. Even after the game, a DJ jams dance music to the delight of any kid who still has energy left. The “1642 MTL” group contributing a cast iron bell to create a new team ritual is worth an extra mention. The “Honour Wall” behind section 126 recognizing individual and team achievements promotes the team even more. Finally, the finishes throughout the concourse are worthy. Simply painting the structural steel blue and white with blue LED lighting creates a space you want to spend time in. ​Final Thoughts Whether you’re a fair weather fan or a die-hard soccer supporter, Stade Saputo has activities and attractions above and beyond a typical soccer stadium. This review was written in the second year of the stadium’s five-year plan to improve fan experience. It’s intriguing to know what further enhancements will be made, when witnessing a match at Stade Saputo is already top tier.

Photos by Andrew Kulyk, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.14 Centre d’Excellence Sports Rousseau 3600 Boulevard Grande-Allee Boisbriand, QC J7H 1M9 Blainville-Boisbrand Armada website Centre d’Excellence Sports Rousseau website Year Opened: 2010 Capacity: 3,100 A Simple Invasion by the Armada Hockey in Montreal has a long history. Of course, everyone knows of the legendary status of the Montreal Canadiens. Their history of over 100 years and 24 Stanley Cups remain part of the greatest dynasty in all of sport. What most do not know, is that Montreal has a long, but checkered, history in junior hockey. Since its inception in 1969, the QMJHL has seen numerous incarnations of junior hockey around Montreal. In some cases, they were found within Montreal. In many others they were found in Montreal suburbs like Laval, Longeuil, and Verdun. In 2005, the QMJHL expanded to St. John’s, Newfoundland. After a short tenure on the eastern-most tip of Canada, the Fog Devils moved to Verdun for a short life as the Montreal Junior. Now the Junior have found a new home in another Montreal suburb. For the 2011-12 season, QMJHL saw the birth of the Blainville-Boisbriand Armada. The Armada are now the only major junior team based in a Montreal suburb. The Junior were purchased by a group of investors led by French-language sports channel RDS analyist, and former NHL player, Joel Bouchard. Bouchard’s group includes media company Quebecor, which owns 70% of the team, and NHL players Jean-Sebastian Giguere, Ian Laperriere, and Daniel Briere. Upon moving to the suburbs north of Montreal, they were renamed the Armada and moved into the new Centre d’Excellence Sports Rousseau. The arena is named after Canadian hockey superstore named Pro Hockey Life in English, and was built and jointly owned by the municipalities of Blainville and Boisbriand. The Armada may have finally found their niche for junior hockey in Montreal. What they present is simple, yet inviting. Food & Beverage 2 The food selection is very simple here. There are only a few concession stands and they offer the same items across the board. The staple items that you would expect to find in any arena are here. Hot dogs can be found for a bargain at $2, and burgers are only $3.50. You can also find the French-Canadian staple, poutine, for $5.75. Coke products are available, and the beer is either Molson Export or Coors Light. Beer runs $5.50. The prices are very good, but the quality and selection is definitely not over the top. Atmosphere 3 Upon arriving at the Centre d’Excellence Sports Rousseau you will immediately notice how new it looks. The exterior, although not overly impressive, is nice looking, and is a step above many of the older buildings in junior hockey. Entering the building you will find that this building is more minor league than major league. In fact, it doesn’t seem to be completed yet. The entry is pretty cramped, and there is only one ticket window. At the south end of the arena is a concession area, and standing bar which seems pretty nice, however the entrance to the seating bowl is also in here. On the west side of the arena, under the stands is a Sports Rousseau store, which is possibly the biggest store focusing only on hockey equipment around. The seating bowl is very simple. The bowl has a horseshoe design with the concourse above the seating bowl. The west side has a balcony which currently houses the press, and looks like one day will house suites. The east side has no such balcony, and as a result, this small arena has a larger feel to it. The sight-lines are pretty good, and the interior of the arena is very bright. Since the Armada have no history whatsoever, the arena is pretty bland, with only advertising, a simple score-clock, and a couple of flags for Canada, Quebec, and the city. Being north of Montreal, you are more immersed in French culture, and you will hear a lot more French and have a harder time finding English speaking people. The public address announcer has a pretty good voice, and is definitely excitable. The Armada have taken to the military theme a bit. Joel Bouchard welcomed members of the Canadian military at centre ice, and there was a military band that sits in the south end of the stands and plays during breaks. This is most definitely unique for junior hockey. Neighborhood 3 The Armada play at the intersection of industrial, residential, and commercial. This area of the city of Boisbriand is going through a series of large construction projects, so it is difficult to say what it will look like in the future. There are not great opportunities for pre and post game dining in the immediate walking area, but there is a shopping district about a minute away that offers numerous North American chain restaurants to choose from. Although they may not be unique, if you are a little squeamish about the French-language, then one of these may be the best choice. Old favorites like Jack Astor’s and Baton Rouge are available, but if you are looking for something a little more unique, try the Aqua Restaurant Bar or Vinnie Gambini’s. Fans 4 The Armada are drawing just under 3,000 fans per game, which is 7th best in the QMJHL, and a few hundred above what they were drawing last year in Verdun, as the Montreal Junior. Their attendance has been growing throughout the year, and they are nearly averaging capacity crowds which is very positive. A combination of the aluminum roof and Quebecois fans leads to a very loud environment. The acoustics aren’t great for the P.A. announcer, but any goal for the Armada makes you remember that this is a French-Canadian, and therefore very boisterous, crowd. Fans are EXTREMELY knowledgeable about hockey and make themselves heard throughout the game. Access 2 The Centre d’Excellence Sports Rousseau is located in Boisbriand in a growing area. It is practically at the junction of the Trans Canada Highway and Highway 640. It is not too hard to get to. The parking there is free, but a gravel parking lot is what you will find. The mild weather produces one heck of a muddy mess! Once inside, maneuvering is a challenge due to the design and cramped quarters. The bathrooms are not too bad, but get really plugged up during intermissions. Return on Investment 4 Armada tickets go for $15 for adults and $11 for children, which is pretty good. Concession prices are good and parking is free. If you do the math, then you get a great night of entertainment for the whole family, in a great hockey culture, and a simple, yet inviting, environment. Great value, and a great idea. Extras 4 An extra point for the mini ice rink that can be found under the stands on the east side. Players use this to work on their shot during and before the warm-ups. An extra point for honouring the Canadian military, which has a strong presence in Quebec and a station at CFB Montreal. The military band was also a great touch. An extra point for the DEEP hockey culture found in Montreal and Quebec in general. An extra point for the RCMP Colour Guard in full dress uniforms presenting the Canadian and Quebec flag for the national anthem. Final Thoughts You will not find a whole lot of bells and whistles at an Armada game. Simple. However, the product that they put on the ice is pretty good, and the atmosphere there is good as well. Don’t feel that Montreal is only about Les Habitants. Check out the Armada in the suburbs the next time you are there!

Photos by Dave Cottenie, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.86 Taffy Abel Arena @ James Norris Event Center 1000 Meridian St. Sault Ste. Marie, MI 49783 Lake Superior State Lakers website Taffy Abel Ice Arena website Year Opened: 1976 Capacity: 4,000 Jewel of the North A school with an enrollment of less than 1,500 in a city of less than 20,000 has earned the NCAA Ice Hockey National Championship three times. Lake Superior State University is a public university in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, on the opposite side of the St. Mary's River from its twin city of Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario. The Lake Superior State Lakers began playing hockey at the NAIA level in 1966. After a pair of NAIA National Championships, they made the big jump to the NCAA and became a member of the Central Collegiate Hockey Association. The Lakers returned to the CCHA after its revival in 2021, after a period in the WCHA. In the late 80s and 90s the Lakers were dominant, with 11 NCAA Tournament appearances, four times making it to the Frozen Four and winning the National Championship in 1988, 1992, and 1994. Some Laker alumni include Bates Battaglia, Jim Dowd, Blaine Lacher, Brian Rolston, John Grahame and Doug Weight. Home for the Laker is the Jewel of the North, the Taffy Abel Arena. It is located inside the James Norris Event Center, named for the hockey icon and former owner of the Detroit Red Wings. The Taffy Abel Arena is an on-campus arena that was built in 1976 and has undergone a few significant renovations. The arena is named for Clarence “Taffy” Abel, an NHL player who played for the New York Rangers and Chicago Black Hawks in the 20s and 30s and was from Sault Ste. Marie. He was also a silver medalist in the 1924 Winter Olympics, where he was the flagbearer for the US Olympic team. Food & Beverage 3 There are concession stands in both the lower and upper concourses. The menu is fairly simplistic and offers typical arena fare including hot dogs, pretzels, nachos, fries, and poutine. Coca-Cola products are the contracted soft drink in the arena. There is also a small selection of macro beers available. The highlight of the concessions at Taffy Abel Arena is probably the hand-scooped ice cream at the Zack and Mac Ice Cream stand. Atmosphere 5 The exterior of the James Norris Event Center is very simple with brown brick and a maroon roof. There is a distinct lack of signage outside the center however, there are a few interesting items outside. Game day is signified by a pickup truck towing a parade-style float in the form of a ship parked at the corner. A huge anchor reminds fans of the nautical theme that athletics at LSSU employs. If lucky, a Lakers victory will bring the players out for the ringing of the Victory Bell after the game. After entering the Norris Center, the 70s vibe continues with brown brick and tile everywhere. However, it becomes clear that LSSU takes its athletics seriously, and the school is adamant that achievements need to be commemorated. The lobby of the Norris Center is full of markings and memorabilia. The Wall of Champions is found above the Norris Center entrance, and trophy cases house memorabilia for mostly other sports rather than hockey. Just outside the Taffy Abel Arena entry, which is plastered with Laker markings, fans will find the five national championship trophies the Lakers have earned, each encased in its own glass display. Entering the Taffy Abel Arena, there are more nods to Laker history. Displays on the main level concourse, which is at ice level, include a history and explanation of the Victory Bell, a history of the Cappo Cup rivalry series with Northern Michigan, a display outlining all of the players who have played for the Lakers according to their number, a history of Laker coaches, and displays for each of the three NCAA National Championships the Lakers have earned. Front and center in the lower concourse is a small team store. After ascending the staircase to the seating level, the nostalgia continues. The upper concourse features a whole new set of Laker markings and history. Highlights include encased, historic jerseys, a list of all Laker All-Americans, Lakers who have made it to the NHL, a timeline with a history of Laker Hockey, a map marking the homes of each of the current Laker players, and banners for the Lakers who have played in the Olympics. New for the 2026 season is the Lakers Ring of Honor, which is found on the east side above the suites. Biographies for each of the members, Bill Crawford, Dan Angelelli, Domenic Monardo, and Jim Dowd, are found on the opposite side in the concourse. The ice surface is oriented from north to south, and the best view of the center ice logo is from the west side. Around that logo is an outline of Lake Superior. A simple four-sided video board with a lower ring hangs above center ice. The perimeter of the rafters, which are Laker blue, is littered with banners commemorating conference championships, tournament championships, and the five national championships. An eagle-eyed fan will even notice that there are anchors painted into the center red line. The upper concourse is behind the seating and is somewhat open. The game-day production of a Laker game is also strong. The Lake Superior Soundwave Pep Band makes their entrance by parading through the upper concourse to their section at the south end. Players take the ice from the south through a large inflatable ship to a modernized version of “Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald.” The band performs throughout the game, and the direction is excellent, with the band never being played over by other music or announcements. The mascot, Seamore the Seaduck, takes part in the pre-game ceremonies and interacts with fans. Neighborhood 3 Taffy Abel Arena is located on the campus of Lake Superior State University. There are a few spots for pre- and post-game food and drink. Some options include Wicked Sister, Prime Cuts, Lockview Restaurant, Antlers, Jose’s, Pure Country, and Frank’s Place. The Lakers are one of the schools that compete in hockey at the Division I level and other sports at Division II. The Lake Superior State Lakers are pretty much the only game in town, along with other Lakers teams including basketball and women’s volleyball. For something a little different, fans may want to consider the I-500 Snowmobile Race. The big race is held in early February. Other sports options would require heading north, across the border. The Algoma Thunderbirds of USports and the OHL’s Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds are options. There are a couple of other tourist options in the area. Some options include Soo Locks, Museum Ship Valley Camp, and River of History Museum. For fans who wish to stay near campus, the Holiday Inn is very close. Fans 3 Taffy Abel Arena is one of two on-campus arenas where the capacity is larger than the enrollment of the school. For the 2025-26 season, the Lakers averaged over 1,100 fans per game. The previous season they averaged just over 1,000. This ranked them ninth and eighth, respectively, in the nine-team conference. The game that was reviewed, the 2nd of the 2026-27 season, had nearly 2,100 fans in attendance, but it was also during Great Lake State Weekend, the equivalent of homecoming. The fans in attendance are loud and supportive. A small, but dedicated, student section is found in the southeast corner, near the band. There is room for improvement; however, the small enrollment and small population are definite roadblocks. Access 4 Taffy Abel Arena is located in the Norris Center on the campus of Lake Superior State University. It is found on the southwest corner of Meridian and Easterday. It is ½ mile east of Highway I-75 and 1 km south of St. Mary's River. It is minutes from the Sault Ste. Marie International Bridge. Getting to campus will not be difficult at all, however, coming from the north will probably require a wait at the border. There is parking on site that will cost $5. Public transit is very limited. There is a Dial-A-Ride program in Sault Ste. Marie, but it is difficult to say if it would benefit the hockey crowd. Getting around the Norris Center and Taffy Abel Arena is not too difficult. It is an older arena, so stairs are part of the adventure. The plastic arena seats are on the narrow side. The washroom facilities are decent inside Taffy Abel Arena. Return on Investment 5 Lake Superior State hockey is very affordable. Tickets for the Lakers are $20 for adults, with discounts for Seniors and Students. Prices for concessions are good, and parking is pretty cheap. The atmosphere at a Laker game is top-notch, and fans will definitely have a great time, with money left to come again. Extras 4 An extra mark for the unexpected success the Lakers have enjoyed despite being a very small school. An extra mark for the Cappo Cup rivalry series with the Northern Michigan Wildcats. An extra mark for playing the Canadian National Anthem before games along with the Star-Spangled Banner. An extra mark for the namesake of Taffy Abel Arena, a player who was born in 1900. Final Thoughts Taffy Abel Arena is the Jewel of the North, and taking in a game there is a must for college hockey fans. It may not be fancy or shiny, but it has character and trumpets the accomplishments of the Lake Superior Lakers as loud as possible. Follow all of Dave’s sporting adventures on YouTube, Twitter, Threads, and Instagram @profan9.

The 2026 MLB season was full of excitement and trepidation for the future. With a work stoppage looming and threatening the 2027 baseball season, the 2026 season had significant weight. In 2026, the Milwaukee Brewers won their very first World Series over the Tampa Bay Rays. William Contreras earned the honor of being the World Series MVP. Pete Crow-Armstrong of the Cubs and Kyle Schwarber of the Phillies led the majors with 45 home runs each and Alec Burleson of St. Louis led the way with 116 RBIs. Sonny Gray of the Red Sox and Christopher Sanchez of the Phillies each had 18 wins and Jacob Misiorowski of the Brewers had a blistering 1.80 ERA and 252 strikeouts. Bryan Baker of the Rays and Cade Smith of Cleveland each had 41 saves. The Dodgers were the most popular team at the turnstile averaging 49,805 fans per game. The 2026 season in MLB baseball saw a return of the Tampa Bay Rays to a repaired Tropicana Field and another season of the Athletics in a Triple-A stadium in West Sacramento. Stadium Journey had updated visits in New York, Boston, Atlanta, Arizona, Cleveland, Los Angeles, Chicago, San Francisco, Detroit, Washington, Toronto, Minnesota, Miami, Texas and Tampa Bay. The annual MLB rankings at Stadium Journey are based on the FANFARE metric used on the website, where a number of different writers assess the baseball experience based on the categories of Food, Atmosphere, Neighborhood, Fans, Access, Return on Investment and any extras that the writers experienced. The stakes are high, with an average grading of a sizzling 4.0 being earned out of a possible perfect 5.0. Without further ado, Stadium Journey is proud to present the 2026 Rankings of the Major League Baseball Experiences. 30. Sutter Health Park - Athletics - 3.14 Sean MacDonald - Overall, Sutter Health Park is ideal for AAA ball, but far too small to host a major league team. Still, that does give you a chance to see the big club in cozy conditions for far less than at a major league stadium (assuming you luck out on the secondary market), so there is some upside, as long as you were not a fan of the Oakland Athletics. 29. Tropicana Field - Tampa Bay Rays - 3.29 Steven Kee - Tropicana Field is an aging but unique structure with many features to be enjoyed. It is definitely worth it for the experience, not just as a fan of baseball but also of architecture, engineering, and new experiences. The new roof, new lighting, and food options upgrade the ballpark atmosphere and experience. 28. Globe Life Field - Texas Rangers - 3.57 Michael Davis - The most recent home of the Rangers has become more useful in the last few years since it opened. Globe Life Field, being a retractable ballpark, has provided a year-round place where DFW residents can come together. The ballpark was built for the Texas Rangers and fans as a relief from the Texas Summer heat, yet the ballpark has held numerous concerts, other sporting events, and high school graduations as well. As for baseball, Globe Life Field may not be high on baseball fans’ lists of favorite ballparks, as the ballpark doesn’t have the same charm as some of the others, but it is still a solid place to watch an MLB game, in one of the best metro areas in the US. 27. loanDepot Park - Miami Marlins - 3.57 Vinny Martin - loanDepot Park is truly one of a kind. The Marlins and Jeffry Loria deserve credit for taking a risk pioneering the contemporary style of baseball stadiums. Despite a lackluster atmosphere and a location somewhat disconnected from Miami's major tourist areas, a gameday experience here is one of high quality. The World Baseball Classic showed us what this ballpark and this city's fans are capable of. If the Marlins franchise ever finds more success and fan interest grows, the potential of loanDepot is through the (retractable) roof. 26. Target Field - Minnesota Twins - 3.71 Lloyd Brown - Target Field offers friendly fans, reasonable prices and easy access from almost any area in the Midwest. What more could you ask for? 25. Kauffman Stadium - Kansas City Royals - 3.71 Marc Viquez - There's a reason Kauffman Stadium is regarded as one of the class jewels of Major League Baseball for well over 45 years. It is a baseball facility that offers tantalizing views of waterfalls and great menu items for everyone who visits. It continues to reinvent itself, making it a nice place for a stadium journey during the baseball season. 24. Angel Stadium - Los Angeles Angels - 3.71 Andrei Ojeda - 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. 23. Nationals Park - Washington Nationals - 3.86 Gregory Koch - 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. 22. Comerica Park - Detroit Tigers - 3.86 Lloyd Brown - Despite the recent lack of playoff appearances, Detroit is a great baseball town. The team boasts more than 15 members of the Baseball Hall of Fame, and one of the longest tenures in major league baseball. Comerica Park does a great job of saluting that baseball heritage, while providing a memorable experience for today’s fans with its mix of tiger-related imagery and traditional big-city sports. 21. Oracle Park - San Francisco Giants - 3.86 Jeremy Pushkin - Oracle Park is a stadium that gets nearly everything right. The setting is unmatched, the food program is strong if pricey, the fans are knowledgeable, and the access options, particularly by public transit and bike, are excellent. The narrow concourse is the one persistent flaw in an otherwise outstanding venue. Whether you’re a die-hard baseball fan or someone who simply appreciates a beautiful place to spend an afternoon, Oracle Park belongs on your list. It is, without reservation, one of the best ballparks in America. 20. Rate Field - Chicago White Sox - 4.00 Eric Hasman - With the completed renovations, this park rates in the middle of the pack. If you haven’t been to a Sox game lately, perhaps you need to come back sometime soon for a game. 19. Wrigley Field - Chicago Cubs - 4.00 James Clotfelter - You will pay more to experience Wrigley Field, but words cannot describe what it feels like to take your seat for the first time and simply soak in the ivy, the history, and everything this ballpark represents. Wrigley Field has been a bucket-list stadium for generations for a reason. It is more than just a place to watch a baseball game- it is a pilgrimage for any fan who wants to experience the history, tradition, and culture that make this sport so special. 18. Dodger Stadium - Los Angeles Dodgers - 4.00 Andrei Ojeda - The expectations for the Dodgers to repeat as World Champions for a third consecutive season are sky high. Now in its 64th year of service, from Gibby to Freddie, what exciting and historical moment will happen next at Chavez Ravine? 17. Rogers Centre - Toronto Blue Jays - 4.00 Dave Cottenie - The 2026 season for the Toronto Blue Jays has definitely been a disappointment on the field. However, Rogers Centre remains a venue that is changing with the fan experience in mind. Taking in a Blue Jays game while in Toronto is part of the city life and fans won’t be disappointed. 16. Progressive Field - Cleveland Guardians - 4.00 Marc Viquez - Progressive Field offers everything you need at a major league ballpark, including a food selection, affordable tickets, social areas, and a nearby neighborhood worth staying in after the game. The Guardians fanbase is also fun to spend 9 innings with during the hot summer months. 15. T-Mobile Park - Seattle Mariners - 4.00 James Hilchen - Being on the west coast and not in California, Seattle can be an afterthought for some baseball fans. Between the great views, fabulous food, and a great ballpark, every baseball fan should make the trip to Seattle and T-Mobile Park. It is well worth the effort. 14. Citizens Bank Park - Philadelphia Phillies - 4.00 Dave Cottenie - With a deep history as one of the oldest teams in Major League Baseball, the Philadelphia Phillies offer an excellent experience that all baseball fans should put as a must-do. Citizens Bank Park is an attractive and fun facility, especially if the Phillies are winning and at the end of the game they ring the bell! 13. Oriole Park - Baltimore Orioles - 4.14 Richard Smith - Despite opening more than three decades ago, Oriole Park at Camden Yards remains one of Major League Baseball's most beautiful and beloved stadiums. Its timeless design, which was revolutionary in 1992, has aged gracefully and continues to be a benchmark for modern ballparks. The stadium's architecture seamlessly blends classic baseball aesthetics with a contemporary, fan-friendly layout. 12. Yankee Stadium - New York Yankees - 4.14 David Welch - While the aura and mystique that came with the previous Yankee Stadium can never be duplicated, the current version does well to give fans a bit of a taste of the old, while providing modern comforts its predecessor could not. Yankee Stadium is also one of the few Major League Baseball experiences that allows the game to remain the focus of the day, with a minimum of the distractions that have become the norm across baseball today. 11. Busch Stadium - St. Louis Cardinals - 4.14 Marc Viquez - Whatever Busch Stadium lacks in design and aesthetics, it makes up for it in atmosphere. It is your typical. The classic “retro-classic” design borrows all the elements from everything built after Camden Yards, but you are guaranteed to view baseball with the major league’s most adoring fanbase. Cardinal Nation will show you a fantastic time, and with reasonable ticket pricing, downtown vicinity, and Ballpark Village, it is easy to see why. 10. PNC Park - Pittsburgh Pirates - 4.14 Lloyd Brown - Pittsburgh has one of the longest histories with baseball of any city in the country. Attending a game at PNC Park is a great way to celebrate the greats of the game (Wagner, Mazeroski, Stargell, and Clemente) who played their entire careers in the Steel City. 9. Daikin Park - Houston Astros - 4.14 Eric Moreno - After all of these years Daikin Park remains one of the top handful of places to see a baseball game – the games feel “big” here, and the fans have always cared about their team, even in the down years. For baseball fans, the Daikin Park should be added to your bucket list, especially given all of the other things there are to see and do in Space City. 8. Chase Field - Arizona Diamondbacks - 4.29 Meg Minard - Chase Field offers a pleasurable game day experience and is easy to access and navigate. The swimming pool, retractable roof, and panels offer unique elements to the ballpark. The new scoreboard, ribbon boards, and sound system are a clear indication that the Diamondbacks will remain in Phoenix for many years to come. A recommendation is to visit early in the season (April) to enjoy a game with the roof open. Phoenix is a vacation destination in early spring and late fall, so enjoy a D-Backs game when in town. 7. Truist Park - Atlanta Braves - 4.29 Vinny Martin - The Braves took a major risk with the investment of Truist Park and the Battery, but the decision to move the Braves to Cobb County has paid off. The stadium and surrounding area has a constant buzz that can compete with any other in the country. A Braves game itself is high quality, but you should make the trip out of the city for the complete gameday experience. 6. Fenway Park - Boston Red Sox - 4.29 Paul Baker - Fenway Park is not perfect. It’s cramped, it’s crowded, and it’s expensive. Yes, some seats sit right behind poles and some seats face the wrong way. Still, ask any ballpark aficionado where they would like to see a game, and Fenway Park will likely be among their top choices. Fenway Park’s mix of historical touches, quirky features, and modern comforts is unmatched anywhere. Other cities try again and again to find the magic formula that has existed in Boston for over a century. Simply put, Fenway Park is the standard against which all other ballparks are measured. 5. Coors Field - Colorado Rockies - 4.29 Jack Quinn - Coors Field is one of the more aesthetic ballparks in the MLB due to the Rocky Mountain weather, scenery, and feel. Even if you’re not a huge baseball fan, a trip to Coors Field will fit in perfectly with your Denver vacation itinerary. 4. Great American Ball Park - Cincinnati Reds - 4.29 Dave Cottenie - The Cincinnati Reds have grasped a hold of their history and celebrated it better and stronger than any other team in Major League Baseball. Great American Ball Park captures that feeling and offers a fantastic baseball experience. If the Reds are doing well, it is that much better and must be considered among the elite of MLB. A Reds victory at GABP will have fans joining Reds legend Marty Brennaman proclaiming “And This One Belongs to the Reds.” 3. American Family Field - Milwaukee Brewers - 4.29 Marc Viquez - American Family Field is one of those major league ballparks that might not stand out to most, but after a visit, you might want to reconsider. It is known for its tailgating, loyal fans, great food, and racing sausages. Also, ticket prices are among the least expensive in the league, making it affordable for anyone looking to enjoy a game at a major league ballpark during the season. 2. Citi Field - New York Mets - 4.57 Vinny Martin - 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. 1. Petco Park - San Diego Padres - 4.86 Andrei Ojeda - Petco Park continues to play a huge role in the revitalization of the local area throughout the East Village. With a vibrant neighborhood and enthusiastic fans coming in droves along with one of the more picturesque parks among the 30, it’s no wonder Petco Park continually ranks high among ballpark experts in America’s Finest City.

Photos by Steven Kee, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.71 TD Bank Ballpark 1 Patriots Park Bridgewater, NJ 08807 Somerset Patriots website TD Bank Ballpark website Year Opened: 1999 Capacity: 6,100 The Place To Be TD Bank Ballpark is one of the great success stories in the state of New Jersey. The 6,100-seat stadium has been the home of the Somerset Patriots since their second season in 1999, and has averaged well over 5,000 customers annually. The ball club began in the independent Atlantic League and captured six championships between 2001 and 2015. In 2021, the Pats became affiliated with the New York Yankees and joined the Double-A Eastern League. They added another championship title in 2022. Food and Beverage 4 TD Bank Ballpark has two main concession areas behind first and third base, and satellite locations throughout the concourse. The stadium offers everything from hot dogs to arepas. The main stands have traditional hot dogs, pizza slices, burgers, chicken tenders, pulled pork sandwiches, and cheesesteaks. The stands also offer a few unique choices: fried mac and cheese balls, empanadas, and jumbo stuffed tater tots. They also sell pork roll, egg, and cheese sandwiches, a local delicacy. The satellite location sells sweet treats from Mister Softee Ice Cream, Rita’s Water Ice, and Dippin’ Dots. The 22 West Fried Chicken, Taco, Arepa, and Premio Sausage kiosk is also available. Many beverage carts sell Budweiser and Blue Moon beers, and a Beers From Around the World cart that features imported brands. A cocktail and hard seltzer cart for non-beer drinkers is available as well. Atmosphere 4 The ballpark’s design features a classic red brick and hunter green canopy design. The seating bowl is sectioned off with a wide middle concourse; picnic seating down the third-base line, and a small section of lawn seating resides on the first-base side. The Backyard BBQ is near the picnic seating and features tables and stools in a bar atmosphere, which is a nice way to watch the game while you eat or drink. Adjacent to this area, you will find many accomplishments from the team’s illustrious history that showcase their five championships, individual records, stadium information, and players who made it to the majors. Six championship pennants hang on flagpoles in centerfield, and the number 28 is retired in honor of former manager Sparky Lyle, who now serves as manager emeritus. The official team shop offers a variety of paraphernalia that range in price. One nice feature is the ability to personalize shirts for an additional fee; it is done on the spot and ready in minutes. Adding to the atmosphere are two mascots: Sparkee and Slider. They can be found at the game greeting fans and posing for photos. Neighborhood 3 The towns of Bridgewater, Somerville, South Plainfield, Bound Brook, and Piscataway make up the area near TD Bank Ballpark. You will find a collection of shopping centers and chain restaurants, but also a few local places worth traveling an extra mile. The Bridgewater Promenade is located a foul ball away from the stadium, and one of the state’s largest shopping malls, Bridgewater Commons, is less than 5 minutes away on Route 22. A few suggestions include Martino’s Cuban Restaurant, Alfonso's Family Trattoria, and Espo’s Restaurant & Bar. The ballpark is near many diners, and the official team website includes a list of partner diners. The Golden Corner Diner, Time to Eat Diner, and J&G South Boundbrook Diner are options to enjoy a plate of disco fries or breakfast items any time of day. Fans 4 Fans have supported the ball club since its inception, and over 9 million customers have passed through the front entrance to watch a game. There is rarely a slow night at TD Bank Ballpark, and weekend games are the highest-attendance games of the week. The team has become part of the local sports scene in Central New Jersey. Access 4 The ballpark is located off 13B off of I-287, with plenty of signage. After the game, signs direct you back to the interstate, Garden State Parkway, or New Jersey Turnpike. Another piece of advice: when lost in New Jersey, keep driving and you will eventually find a sign to either the parkway or the turnpike. Return on Investment 4 Ticket prices are $14.50 for upper box seats, $16 for field box seats, and $18.50 for premium seats; there is a $2 upcharge for tickets purchased on the day of the game, and military members receive a $2 discount on every ticket. Parking is $5 for cars, and there are over 2,000 spots across the four lots. The red and white lots are closest to the stadium; the two blue lots are across the street. Parking attendants accept cash or credit cards. Concession and merchandise prices are comparable to other minor league ballparks in the area. The team also hosts promotional nights with discounted food items, including $1 hot dog nights. Extras 3 The Patriots earned a point for the statue of Sparky Lyle outside of the stadium. He was the club’s first manager and the face of the franchise. They earned a second point for the Jersey Diners alternative identity. The last point is for the stadium still vibrant after 25 years of baseball. Final thoughts The Patriots organization has been a first-class operation with five championship banners, attendance records, and first-rate customer service among its many accomplishments. This ballpark is in the most ideal location in the state. It offers easy access, a safe neighborhood, and is situated in a central part of the state.

Photos by Greg Venuto, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.29 Yale Bowl 81 Central Ave New Haven, CT 06515 Yale Bulldogs football website Yale Bowl website Year Opened: 1914 Capacity: 61,446 Yale Bowl as Old School as it Gets The stadium is an engineering and architectural marvel that opened on November 21, 1914. Charles A. Ferry, class of 1871, designed a new stadium modeled on classical Roman amphitheaters like the Colosseum, seating over 70,000 fans. Ferry, a civil engineer, designed the stadium by digging the playing field and inner bowl nearly 28 feet below grade. Capacity has been reduced, but the basic feel is the same. Yale Bowl was the first completely enclosed U.S. stadium with a continuous, uninterrupted ring of seats surrounding the entire field, and it pioneered the term "bowl” which later inspired the Rose Bowl and Michigan Stadium. The Yale Bowl was named a National Historic Landmark in 1987. Football has been played at Yale since 1872. The team originally played at Yale Field, a 33,000-seat venue until the team’s popularity outstripped its confines. In its over 100 years of existence, the Yale Bowl has hosted National Football League games, international soccer friendlies, concerts, and many other events. The New York Giants played their home games at Yale Bowl during the 1973 and 1974 seasons when Yankee Stadium was undergoing renovations, and Giants Stadium in New Jersey was under construction. The only way to enter the bowl is through one of 30 numbered cement portals. The narrow tunnels lead fans underneath the middle of the seating bowl to emerge in a walkway that separates the lower seating area from the upper. The walkway circles the entire field, as does a second walkway that runs along the top of the seating area. Food & Beverage 3 Spectators must leave the confines of the seating area for restrooms and to purchase food and beverages. There are several concession stands that line the outer edges of the Yale Bowl property. The variety is limited, but food trucks help provide some additional fare, and beer ($10) and wine ($8) are sold. There is also a barbecue stand offering brisket sandwiches ($20), pulled pork, mac and cheese, and cornbread. Burgers, hot dogs, chicken tenders, churros, and pretzels anchor the menus here. Coca-Cola products are featured at the Yale Bowl. And yes, the main concession stand features a cash-only line, something not seen at most sporting venues. Atmosphere 3 Yale Bowl is the definition of old school. It’s just about the game. No exploding scoreboards, pyrotechnics, or a PA system urging fans to “Make Some Noise”. A refreshing concept in these days of being assaulted with constant contests, loud music, and endless attempts to engage the fans. The bad. The bowl is almost completely bench seating with backs. Some of the wooden benches are warped and need to be retired. Others need a fresh coat of paint. Small fragments of chipped concrete are noticeable in some of the seating areas. There is no jumbotron, only one scoreboard in the building behind the north end zone, and no replays. The seating exception is the exclusive Skybox Suites. The space can hold up to 50 guests and are popular for alumni reunions, family celebrations and corporate outings. The atmosphere is somewhat subdued, but it’s hard to generate excitement with 5,000 to 10,000 fans spread out in a cavernous bowl. The nice part is since it is often not crowded fans are allowed to roam and move around to find a better view of the action. But when the annual battle dubbed “The Game” versus arch-rival Harvard comes to New Haven, the crowds top 50,000. The Yale Bowl features the Yale Precision Marching Band and Handsome Dan, a live mascot. The current Handsome Dan Kingman, an Olde English Bulldog named Kingman, is the 19th in a long line of honored mascots. Yale was the first school to ever have a live mascot. Neighborhood 3 The Yale Bowl is not located within the downtown Yale campus, but about a mile and a half to the west on the West Haven town line. Visiting fans will not find a whole lot to do in the immediate vicinity of the Yale Bowl. Historic Yale Field, Reese Stadium and the Westville Music Bowl, the former site of the CT Tennis Center, hosts a variety of concerts during the outdoor weather months. The Yale campus is easily walkable and features beautiful architecture, shopping and plenty of restaurants and bars. New Haven is also home to a unique brand of coal oven pizza, called apizza (pronounced "ah-beetz”). Frank Pepe’s and Sally’s Apizza, located just over a block apart on Wooster Street, are the best known but Bar (gas-fired brick oven) on Crown Street has become famous too. Just across the street is Louis’ Lunch, which claims to be the birthplace of the hamburger. The hamburgers, flame-broiled vertically, are served on toast with only onions, tomato, and cheese offered as the only accompaniments. Fans 3 Yale averaged 11,071 per game in 2025, which was third in the Ivy League. But of course, the number was bolstered by 52,497 on hand for the battle with Harvard. On this visit, not many students were in attendance; with the expectation of some hearty fans at midfield, the Yale Bowl was fairly quiet. The fans are knowledgeable and follow the action. There was a good mix of casual fans, families, and some students. Yale football attendance has been in a steady decline since the glory days of the program, when 40,000 spectators would regularly show. In 2000, Yale still averaged 23,142. The demise of the Ivy League can be traced back to 1981, when the NCAA set criteria on home attendance and seating capacity, which four teams in the Ivy League could not meet. The conference considered adding two schools to avoid an ouster from Division 1-A (now known as Division 1 FBS), but in 1983, the Ivy League’s football teams were downgraded to Division I-AA (now known as Division 1 FCS). Access 4 The Yale Bowl is easy to find off Exit 44 on Interstate 95. A 2.5-mile trek down Derby Avenue (Route 34) will lead you to the stadium. If entering New Haven on the Wilbur Cross Parkway, take exit 42A to Route 34 heading east and take a left on Central Avenue into the parking lots. Return on Investment 4 Tickets to Yale football games are reasonable, ranging in price from $ 10 to $ 37. Discounts are given to children and seniors starting at 62. General Admission tickets are $22, $17 for seniors, and $10 for youth (ages 3-12). Parking is $22 for all games. General Parking is available at Lot A (Visiting Fans) – 45 Yale Avenue (enter via Chapel Street) and Lot D 70 Central Avenue (enter via Derby Avenue). Lots open at 9 am. There are free campus shuttles that run continuously from 9:30 to 4:30 on game days. Pickup: Payne Whitney Gym, 70 Tower Parkway and drop-off: Yale Bowl Gate B. Extras 3 Extra points are awarded for the sense of history here at the Yale Bowl. While Yale football is far from the national power it was during the first half of the 20th century, the football played here continues to be of a fairly high level. Yale is tied for seventh all-time in wins in college football history. Jensen Plaza by the main entrance is worth a visit. Located at Gate D, the plaza is composed of granite pavers engraved with the names of every football player, dating back to 1872. Jensen Plaza, named after Irving '54, Colin '57, Erik '63, and Mark Jensen '67, serves as a perfect place for fans to gather before and after games. The final point is awarded for The Game. Although Yale will not host in 2026, it will return to the Bowl in 2027. This year’s edition takes place at Fenway Park. Yale leads the all-time series 72–61–8. Final Thoughts You can always argue for a modern edifice of luxury boxes and elevated cuisine. But the Yale Bowl scores for the time-honored tradition of just enjoying the game for the sport, with good sightlines and without bells and whistles.

Photos by Andrew Kulyk, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.57 Palais des Sports Leopold Drolet 360 Rue Cegep Sherbrooke, QC J1E 2J9 Sherbrooke Phoenix website Palais des Sports Leopold Drolet website Year Opened: 1965 Capacity: 3,646 Hockey Rises in Sherbrooke The hockey story here in Sherbrooke is a long and interesting one, all centered around their local hockey arena, the Palais des Sports Leopold Drolet. This 3600+ capacity facility opened in 1965, and was once home to the junior level Sherbrooke Castors, before they moved to Lewiston, Maine. Two AHL franchises, the Sherbrooke Jets and then the Sherbrooke Canadiens, also called this place home. Hockey here came full circle when the Lewiston Maineiacs folded. The arena underwent a massive renovation in 2012, the QMJHL then awarded a new expansion team to Sherbrooke. Named the Phoenix, and owned by a group led by former Montreal Canadiens star goaltender Jocelyn Thibault, the team is in its second decade as a member team in the Q. Food and Beverage 3 Concessions here are grouped into four “zones”, one in each corner of the single concourse which wraps above the top the seating bowl. Samples of food items include the local favorite Poutine, with costs ranging from $10.75 to $17.00. Fries, $5.00; add gravy for an additional $1.50. Onion rings $6.50. Hot dogs are $3.00. Kettle corn $6.25. Bottled Pepsi products and Iced tea $4.00, Gatorade $4.50 and bottled water $4.25. Peanuts $4 and ice cream sundaes $5.00-$10.00. Pizza slices go for $8.25. The feature item here is the famed smoked meat sandwich, priced at $13.00 or $17.50 for the larger size. For whatever odd reason, Bud and Bud Light products seem to be the thing here, priced at $8.75, along with canned seltzers, also at a reasonable $8.75. Poutine at Palais de Sport Leopold Drolet. Photo by Andrew Kulyk, Stadium Journey. Atmosphere 2 Perhaps the one-word description of this venue would be “ordinary”. From the second you step into the arena lobby, the space is tight, a wall of notable contributors to Sherbrooke hockey on the right, and the ticket office and small team store to the left. Scan your ticket and you are immediately thrust into a narrow and intimate concourse, which wraps around the entire seating bowl. Seats are wooden, there are ribbon boards gracing the sidelines and a pretty neat four-sided video board hanging in the center. The team mascot Onyx works the crowd and hob nobs with the youngsters and is pretty much all over the arena seating bowl throughout the game. PA presentation is done completely in French, although in house staff and concession workers are bilingual and helpful dealing with English speaking fans. Neighborhood 1 The arena is located just north of downtown Sherbrooke, adjacent to the Cegep de Sherbrooke campus, with the surrounding area primarily institutional and residential. The arena nicely integrates into the adjoining educational and athletic complex. That being said, there really isn’t anything of a “neighborhood” to speak of. The exterior campus is a patchwork of parking lots, entrances and egress at multiple points, some of it can be a bit confusing. There is absolutely nothing to do around the arena itself. Nearby downtown Sherbrooke offers a nice walking tour of distinctive art mural installations, many with their own stories to tell. The nearby Magog River gorge is an Instagram experience. Otherwise, this is a city pretty much lacking in charm and distinction. Fans 4 Despite the franchise churn that this market endured, the arrival of the Phoenix has meant stability and pretty robust fan support. They sell 70-80% of their seating capacity, and the community offers enthusiasm and outstanding fan engagement at their games. The team is well invested into regional hockey by maintaining high community involvement, featuring popular themed nights, active mascot engagement, and robust youth programs. Warmups at Palais de Leopold Drolet. Photo by Andrew Kulyk, Stadium Journey. Access 3 In this small-town environment, automobile transportation from any direction is a breeze. Public transportation is available via the local STS bus system, with the Station du Cegep, a major transit hub, located right outside the complex. There are numerous parking lots on the adding campus, all offering free parking. Street parking in adjoining neighborhoods is also an option. Return on Investment 4 Almost the entire seating bowl is priced at $28.50 for a game ticket, and the concession prices are especially on the cheap side. This bucks the trend of ever-increasing food and drink costs which have strained the wallet for the sports attending fan. Parking is ample and free. Compared to peer experiences at this level, the entire Sherbrooke Phoenix game night budget is a reasonable one. Phoenix Mascot works the Crowd. Photo by Andrew Kulyk, Stadium Journey. Extras 1 We will give a strong bonus point to the array of banners not only commemorating the Success of the Sherbrooke Phoenix, but also a nod to the franchises in the QMJHL and AHL which once called this city and this arena home. Final thoughts This city and this market richly deserve a berth in the Q. There are natural rivalries galore, with short trips to cities such as Drummondville, Victoriaville and of course suburban Montreal. The region is a hot bed of hockey greats. That being said, this is a relatively cheap experience, a venue to cross of the list, but for a memorable and stand out night in this league, there are other peer venues that may offer a more authentic experience, in a better city and better setting. *All proceeds listed here are in Canadian dollars.

Photos by Paul Baker, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.43 Walter Brown Arena 285 Babcock St. Boston, MA 02215 Boston University Terriers women's hockey website Walter Brown Arena website Year Opened: 1971 Capacity: 3,806 A Home of Their Own The Walter A. Brown Arena Memorial Skating Pavilion is named for the original owner of the Boston Celtics and former president of the Boston Bruins. The rink served as the home to the Boston University men’s hockey team from 1971 and the women’s hockey team since 2005. When the men’s team moved to Agganis Arena in 2005, the facility became one of the few on-campus hockey venues in the country dedicated solely to women’s hockey. Walter Brown Arena is part of the Harold Case Physical Education Center, which also includes Case Gymnasium directly above the hockey rink. The arena stands on the site of Braves Field, which served as home field of the Boston Braves of Major League Baseball before they moved to Milwaukee in 1953. The Case Athletic Center stands approximately where the left field pavilion stands once stood. The Terriers have qualified for 7 NCAA Tournaments and have played in a pair of Frozen Fours, finishing as national runners-up in 2011 and 2013. Dozens of Terrier alumni have dotted the rosters of NWHL, PHF and CWHL rosters over the years. Food & Beverage 2 A concession stand underneath the grandstand is open for certain Terrier games. A basic menu is served here, featuring hot dogs and pretzels along with various candy and chips. Pepsi products are sold at Walter Brown Arena. Augmenting the permanent stand are a pair of portable stands. The beer stand offers a few choices, including Corona, Miller and Allegash. The Dippin’ Dots stand sells bottled beverages, snacks and their ice cream-ish substance. You can even purchase your Dots in a souvenir BU hockey helmet. Unfortunately, the concessions are not always open for Terrier games, so a trip to the nearby Dunkin’ or convenience store may be necessary before your visit. The Boston University Band at Walter Brown Arena. Photo by Paul Baker, Stadium Journey. Atmosphere 2 If you haven’t visited Walter Brown Arena in a while, you’ll be pleased with many of the improvements made recently. The entire place has received a much-needed paint job and new lighting, which has really brightened up the place and removed that dark 70s aesthetic. Hanging at center ice is a crisp new four-sided video board, which is put to great use with replays, graphics, hype videos and more. The sound system is excellent, as music blares throughout the rink all game long. Unfortunately, the PA announcements do not enjoy the same clarity, and the announcer is very difficult to understand. The band is present for some games, adding much to the atmosphere when they’re in the rink. There’s a small student section at all games, and they do their best to fill the old barn with noise. You might also see Rhett, the Terriers’ mascot. Neighborhood 5 Boston University is an urban campus, straddling Commonwealth Avenue for approximately a mile and a half on the Boston/Brookline border. Located right behind Walter Brown Arena is Nickerson Field, home to BU’s lacrosse and soccer teams. It is also known to baseball historians as Braves Field, which was home to the National League’s Boston Braves from 1915 to 1952. Agganis Arena, home of BU’s men’s hockey team and the NWHL’s Boston Fleet, is on the other side of Nickerson Field. Fans coming to the BU campus will find plenty of choices for dining in the area. If chains are your style, Raising Cane’s, Chipotle, Dunkin’ and Taco Bell are all within a few blocks of the arena. Otto’s Pizzeria, Sunset Cantina and El Jefe’s Taqueria are all favorites of the student body. The neighborhood features a diverse variety of food options, with excellent Thai, Chinese, Japanese and Vietnamese eateries nearby. The Paradise Rock Club, known nationally for giving bands like U2 and REM their first area shows, is located a block away from Walter Brown Arena. It continues to host both local acts and up-and-coming national acts. Beyond Agganis Arena’s immediate neighborhood, Kenmore Square and Fenway Park are just over a mile away. Not far beyond that are the tourist destinations of Copley Square, Back Bay, Boston Common and Chinatown. All are easily accessed by the Green Line, which has stops up and down Commonwealth Avenue. Boston University Logo at the Entrance to Case Center. Photo by Paul Baker, Stadium Journey. Fans 4 The growth in women’s hockey nationwide has been mirrored with a growth in attendance at Boston University women’s hockey games in recent years. BU has ranked in the top ten annually in terms of attendance, and in 2025-26 finished fifth in the nation, drawing an average of over 900 fans per game to Walter Brown Arena. Stadium Journey’s most recent visit coincided with the 2026 Icebreakers Tournament, which drew over 800 fans on a Friday night for a Friday doubleheader. There was a good turnout by the student body, and as can be expected, a great turnout by friends and family of the teams involved. The students that show up at Walter Brown come prepared with props, signs and chants designed to distract opponents and pump up the home squad. Access 4 Walter Brown Arena might have one of the most unassuming and nondescript exteriors you will ever see at a facility with its history and status. Located at the end of a dead-end street, there is really nothing to inform you that you have arrived at your destination except for a giant BU logo on the sidewalk near the entrance. The marquee over the door advertises the venue as the “Case Center,” as the building also contains, among other things, Case Gymnasium, home of Boston University basketball. Driving in Boston is a difficult proposition for those not familiar with the city. Streets are narrow and crooked, traffic is seemingly always backed up, and there are construction projects everywhere to further gum up the works. Should you still wish to drive to a Boston University game, Walter Brown Arena is actually not very difficult to get to. The BU campus straddles Commonwealth Avenue, one of the major drags in the city. The rink is located at the end of Babcock Street, a dead-end street. Detailed directions can be found here. Parking is available in a covered lot located across Babcock St. underneath the New Balance Field or in the Langsam Garage at Agganis Arena. On street parking is also available in the area, just be aware of the times that meters are in operation. The best method for arriving at Walter Brown Arena, as well as most points in Boston, is to take public transportation, known as the MBTA, or “T”, for short. The Green Line’s B train has a stop on Babcock Street just steps from the front door of the arena. Walter Brown Arena is located on the ground floor of the Case Center, which houses both the hockey arena and Case Gymnasium. Fans enter the arena’s lobby from Babcock Street or the Nickerson Field entrance. The BU Athletic Hall of Fame is located here, as are the ticket booths. Recent renovations have redesigned and modernized the lobby. It’s amazing what a fresh coat of paint can do for a place. Fans will enter Walter Brown Arena at one end of the rink onto a platform that offers standing room views of the action. The concourse wraps under the seating area, with the press box and restrooms at the far end of the rink. It’s amazing to think that these tiny rest rooms served sellout crowds back in the arena’s heyday. Seats closest to the ice are individual folding seats, with molded bleachers at the upper levels. The seats a little further removed from the ice offer better views of the action. BU Terriers Huddle up Before the Game. Photo by Paul Baker, Stadium Journey. Return on Investment 4 Tickets for Terriers women’s hockey games cost six dollars, with discounts for youths and seniors. Group tickets cost a mere three dollars. Parking in the lot right across the street from Walter Brown Arena costs ten dollars. There is on-street parking available, but be aware of the hours of operation of the meters. Many fans avoid the cost of parking and aggravation of Boston driving by taking the T to Boston University. A one-way fare costs $2.65 and allows access to much of the city. Extras 3 Banners hang at Walter Brown Arena commemorating Terrier Hockey East titles, Beanpot wins, NCAA Tournament Appearances and Frozen Four appearances. There’s a banner at the far end of the rink honoring the figure skating team’s nine national titles. The Boston University Athletic Hall of Fame is located in the Case Center lobby. Electronic displays and trophy cases honor Terrier legends and championships. A final extra point is awarded for Walter Brown Arena’s historic location. Built on the site of Braves Field, home of Major League Baseball’s Boston Braves from 1915-1953. The Case Center is located about where the left field pavilion once stood. Come early and wander around Nickerson Field to check out the parts of Braves Field that are still in use. Terriers in the Olympics Display at Walter Brown Arena. Photo by Paul Baker, Stadium Journey. Final Thoughts Walter Brown Arena holds a storied place in college hockey’s annals, and is worth a visit by any dedicated hockey fan. While the men’s program may have outgrown this facility, it is great to see this old barn live on as home to the women’s team. Follow Paul Baker’s stadium journeys on Twitter and Instagram @PuckmanRI.

Photos by Lloyd Brown and David Welch, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.43 Center Parc Stadium 755 Hank Aaron Dr SE Atlanta, GA 30315 Georgia State Panthers website Center Parc Stadium website Year Opened: 1996 Capacity: 24,333 A Day in “The Parc” Center Parc began its life in 1996 as the Atlanta Centennial Olympics Stadium, hosting both the opening and closing ceremonies as well as several track and field events. Following the Olympics, it was reconfigured for baseball, and was christened as Turner Field, the home of the Atlanta Braves. It served as the home of the Braves from 1997-2016. In 2016 the Braves announced they were moving to the Atlanta suburbs to the brand new Truist Park and the Battery complex. Coincidentally, Georgia State was looking for a new football home as their previous stadium, the Georgia Dome, was being torn down to build Mercedes-Benz Stadium. The Turner Field site was very attractive for the school, as it was located just a few blocks from GSU’s urban campus. An agreement was reached between the city and GSU, and after a year of reconfiguring the stadium for football, GSU played the 2017 inaugural season in its new home. Food & Beverage 3 There are six concession stands operating in Center Parc Stadium. They include Touchdown Pizza, the Gridiron Grill, two King of Pops stands, and three stands devoted to beer sales. Most of the food is basic compared to the more extensive menus found at major college stadiums. They include hot dogs ($5), burgers ($7), pizza slices ($7), cotton candy ($5), pretzels ($7), peanuts ($5), candy ($3), and chips ($5). Center Parc Stadium sells Coca-Cola brand drinks, including 20-ounce sodas ($6), Powerade ($6) and 20-ounce bottled water ($5). The prices reflect the simplicity of the items offered. You are probably better off planning a big tailgating spread before the game or eating somewhere more filling after the game. Alcohol is available to fans 21 years or older. 12-ounce beer ($7), 16-ounce beer ($8) and wine ($12) from several brands as well as several craft beers are sold only at the alcohol beverage stands. Atmosphere 3 Gamedays at Panthers games are relatively tame compared to ACC or SEC schools. GSU has fraternities and sororities, but they do not have houses on campus. Most of these students set up tents for their pre-game partying just outside of the stadium. Alumni are set up in a separate, more subdued location outside of the stadium. Once the game starts, most of the attention shifts to the action on the field. Center Parc Stadium has only one videoboard, but it is huge. The videoboard is the same one the Braves used during their tenure at the stadium. It is primarily used for replays, but during breaks in the action, they do lots fan shots of fans in the stands, which gets a hardy response from the crowd. The halftime period features a show by the Georgia State University Band (aka “The Sound of Downtown”). GSU has a School of Music, so expect an above average performance! Neighborhood 3 Center Parc Stadium is in the Summerhill neighborhood of south Atlanta. Much of the neighborhood was displaced when the Olympic Stadium construction took place, and the neighborhood was already made up of low-income housing. However, with the influx of dorms, athletic facilities and other events in the area, the neighborhood is slowly coming back. New businesses, restaurants and other infrastructure are moving into the area, to service the needs of the students moving there. Among the restaurants moving into the area are CAVA, Woods Chapel BBQ, Little Bear and Jersey Mike’s Subs. The Halfway Crooks Brewery has also opened in Summerhill. The area has a way to go, but it is busier now than any time since the building of the Olympic Stadium. Fans 3 Most of the students at Georgia State University are from the metro Atlanta area, so they are familiar with many of the players on the Panthers team. They live in dorms or apartments that are relatively close to the stadium. Since games are relatively inexpensive, the Panthers usually see a good turnout of current students and local alums for home games. In addition, many of the schools in the Sun Belt Conference are relatively close to Atlanta, so the visiting teams also tend to have a good turnout. It’s not hard to convince a college student to make a road trip to Atlanta for a weekend! Once at the stadium. The tailgating and hospitality areas are located on the plaza just outside of the stadium. The Panther Walk takes place in this plaza two hours prior to the game. Access 4 Center Parc Stadium offers an ample number of parking spaces located just outside of the stadium. These include the Blue, Green and Summerhill lots along Hank Aaron Drive. Center Parc Stadium is located just south of the intersection of Atlanta’s three major interstate highways (I-20, I-75 and I-85). This makes it very easy to reach from any direction. Parking lots open four hours before kickoff. Tailgating is allowed within your parking space. Pre-pay for your parking at Center Parc Stadium via the ParkMobile app. Georgia State University also offers a free shuttle service between the GSU campus and the stadium on game days. There are four entry gates at the stadium. They open 90-minutes before the opening kickoff. Return on Investment 4 Attending a Georgia State football game at Center Parc Stadium is a relative bargain compared to attending an ACC game at Georgia Tech or an SEC game in Athens. For most games, tickets cost $15 for sideline seats or $10 for seats behind the end zone. A few games are designated as “premiere” games, which raises the price to $30 for sideline seats and $25 for seats behind the end zones. On average, parking in one of the Center Parc Stadium lots costs $20. Extras 4 Center Parc Stadium is the second former Braves ballpark to be converted into a college football stadium. The first was Boston University’s Nickerson Field. In addition to Georgia State football games, Center Parc Stadium hosts the MEAC/SWAC Challenge Game and hosted the Georgia High School State Championship Games from 2019-2022. The addition of the former Turner Field property has allowed Georgia State University to establish a close by, off - campus athletic complex for the football, basketball and baseball programs. The GSU Convocation Center opened in 2022, hosting both the men’s and women’s basketball programs. A new baseball stadium is scheduled to open in the spring of 2027. The baseball stadium will incorporate the outfield wall that Hank Aaron hit his 715th home run over to pass Babe Ruth into the facility. The rivalry game for Georgia State each season is the game against Georgia Southern University. The winner of this game is given bragging rights for the next year to being “THE legitimate GSU in the state”. Final Thoughts The Sunbelt Football Conference will never be confused with the ACC, the SEC or the BIG 10. However, some great rivalries have developed in recent years, as the schools are within easy driving distance each other. The evolution of the stadium from the 1996 Olympics to the Atlanta Braves years and now, college football, is a great example of adaptive reuse of an existing structure. This has also spurred neighborhood development around the stadium to service the needs of GSU students living in the Summerhill area.

Photos by James Clotfelter, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.14 Brooks Stadium 540 University Blvd Conway, SC 29528 Coastal Carolina Chanticleers website Brooks Stadium website Year Opened: 2003 Capacity: 21,000 Feel the Teal at Coastal Carolina Coastal Carolina Junior College opened in 1954 with a student population of 54, with classes held in the evenings at Conway High School. It wasn't until 1993 that the school gained independence from the University of South Carolina System and became Coastal Carolina University. The Coastal Carolina Chanticleers football program and Brooks Stadium were established in 2003, when the program began competing as a member of the Big South Conference. The name Chanticleers comes from Chaucer’s The Canterbury Tales, specifically “The Nun’s Priest’s Tale,” while the rooster logo dates back to the 1960s. The logo continues to serve as a nod to the university’s history as part of the University of South Carolina System. Since 2016, Brooks Stadium and its “Smurf Turf” have served as the home of this young but proud football program and fan base. Food & Beverage 3 The food and beverage scene is quite limited in variety. “Specialty” items include Chick-fil-A, pretzels, and popsicles. Limited? Very. However, variety is not necessarily the main concern when it comes to food and beverage at Brooks Stadium, because the headliner is the free concessions. Yes, free concessions. Ticket holders can visit the general concession stands and receive up to four items per visit at no additional cost. The options include hot dogs, nachos, soda, water, and popcorn. This is the main draw when it comes to food at Brooks Stadium. While the selection may be limited, the opportunity to grab concessions at no additional cost is a major perk for fans. Even better, the four-item limit applies to each visit, not the entire game. Fans can return to the concession stands as many times as they want, making this a particularly appealing feature for those looking to get the most out of their ticket. With traditional stadium snacks and drinks included, the value lies in the accessibility and affordability of the concessions rather than the variety of specialty food options. Alcoholic beverages are also available, with patrons able to choose from domestic options such as Chant-themed Bud Light, Miller Lite, Modelo, Coastlines IPA from Tidal Creek Brewhouse, hard seltzers, and Cutwater canned cocktails. Atmosphere 3 The layout of Brooks Stadium is relatively simple, unlike its teal playing surface. The stadium is divided into three main stands. The east stand houses the home seating sections and press box, while the student section occupies the north end zone. To the south is a sizeable video board and a series of on-field boxes. The west stand features a second deck and seating for visiting fans. The basic all-you-can-eat concession stands and beverage kiosks are scattered throughout the concourses. The east and west stands are not connected by the concourse, but a walkway above the student section provides a route between the two sides. Most seats are bleachers, with the exception of the middle sections along the east sideline, which feature chairbacks. Coastal does a good job of creating a strong pregame atmosphere. Multiple hype videos play throughout the stadium, some accompanied by synchronized teal LED lights. The most interesting pregame feature, however, is the players' runout. Instead of running through the band, as many college teams do, Coastal puts on a show that is far more—and unapologetically—Myrtle Beach. A line of souped-up, unnecessarily large, and incredibly loud motorcycles forms a tunnel on the field for the players to run through. I can understand how this might seem tacky or unnecessary, but it certainly works. The atmosphere does seem to take a dip once the game gets underway. Not nearly as much happens during play, aside from promotional contests on the field during television timeouts. These contests seem to serve primarily as a way to keep the student section involved and engaged throughout the game. Neighborhood 2 Coastal Carolina University and Brooks Stadium are located in Conway, South Carolina, a small town about 10 miles inland from Myrtle Beach. Conway has limited options for visitors, and the campus is somewhat removed from the downtown area. Coastal Ale House and a handful of fast-food restaurants are among the few walkable dining options near the stadium. If you’re looking for a pregame bite, your best bet is to drive into downtown Conway or head toward Myrtle Beach. Myrtle Beach offers more variety in dining and lodging, but downtown Conway provides more of the local game-day atmosphere that many stadium goers are looking for. Tailgaters begin filling the stadium parking lots three hours before kickoff, giving fans an opportunity to enjoy the pregame festivities before heading inside. However, the stadium's relative isolation and limited walkable options make it difficult to enjoy the surrounding area without a car. While downtown Conway and Myrtle Beach offer alternatives for dining and entertainment, having to drive to find those options takes away from the convenience of the stadium's immediate surroundings. Ultimately, the neighborhood gets the job done for game day, but it lacks the walkability and variety that would make the overall experience more appealing to visiting fans. Fans 3 We were in attendance for a rivalry game against App State, and the pregame atmosphere certainly felt like one. “F*** App State” chants rang out from the student section before the players had even taken the field, and the stadium was filled quite nicely. Outside of the student section, however, the Coastal crowd was relatively mellow, consisting mostly of locals, alumni, and families enjoying a night out. Fans were welcoming toward visiting App State supporters while still passionately rooting for their own team. Unfortunately, much of the crowd had dispersed by halftime, which was especially disappointing given how great a game it turned out to be. The student section also thinned out after halftime, further diminishing the energy in the stadium. With fewer students in the stands and much of the crowd already gone, the rivalry atmosphere gradually faded. By the fourth quarter, despite a close and exciting game, the stadium felt relatively lifeless. The pregame intensity showed that Coastal Carolina fans can bring plenty of energy for a rivalry matchup, but the lack of staying power took away from what could have been a much more engaging atmosphere from start to finish. Access 3 Getting to and around Brooks Stadium is relatively simple. The stadium sits just off SC-544, and plenty of nearby businesses sell parking spaces on their properties. If you prefer to park on campus, the university offers parking in its campus lots for a fee. A map of these lots can be found on the athletics website. Stadium entry lines move relatively quickly, and once inside, the concourses are wide and the bathrooms are plentiful. Stairs, ramps, and elevators provide access to the 200-level seating. As mentioned earlier, a bridge behind the student section also allows fans to travel between the home sideline and the visitor end of the stadium. Return on Investment 4 How can you complain about free concessions? That alone would lead many people to give Brooks Stadium a five-star rating. However, I find that the other costs bring the rating down to a four—not because they are outrageous, but because they still add up. For example, $30 for parking in an official university lot seems steep for Sun Belt football, although prices at privately owned lots will vary. The get in price is also around $30, which is quite reasonable when you consider that free concessions are included. With food and nonalcoholic drinks available at no additional cost, fans can enjoy a full game-day experience without worrying about the usual stadium food expenses. All things considered, Coastal Carolina offers excellent value for Division I college football, particularly for fans who take advantage of the free concessions. Extras 4 The teal playing surface, otherwise known as “Smurf Turf,” has become one of the most distinctive features in all of college football. While I’m usually not a fan of field-color gimmicks, this one works. The university also pays tribute to notable alumni, including by naming its field house the Mario and Josh Norman Field House. Last but certainly not least, the free concession stands are one of the coolest touches in all of college sports. Final Thoughts You can sense the athletic department’s effort to make Brooks Stadium one of the top game-day experiences in the group of six. While the stadium is well worth a visit, particularly for the value it offers, the overall experience still feels like it’s missing something. There’s a strong foundation in place, but I left feeling that Brooks Stadium has the potential to be even more.

Photos by Jim Flannery, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.57 Legacy Dodge Field 1 C.A. Knight Way Fort McMurray, AB T9H 5E9 Map It Fort McMurray Giants website Legacy Dodge Field website Year Opened: 2015 Capacity: 5,000 Fort McMurray Giants The Fort McMurray Giants expanded into the Western Canadian Baseball League in 2016. Ironically, they had to play their home games 430 km away, in Edmonton that year, as a devastating wildfire ravaged their home city. A decade later, the city has done a lot of cleaning up and rebuilding and the Giants are able to play at Legacy Dodge Field. The WCBL traces its root back more than a century, initially only in Saskatchewan and slowly growing out across Alberta as well, with its current iteration being in place since 2019. Legacy Dodge Field is located in MacDonald Island Park, directly north of downtown. The diamond is situated at one end of a massive public complex on the island called the Suncor Community Leisure Centre. This massive facility houses the MacDonald Island golf course’s clubhouse, a public library, a water park, field house, a football stadium, Legacy Dodge Field, and much more. The ballpark opened its doors in 2015, so it’s still quite new and fresh, with lots of modern features. Food & Beverage 3 There are concession stands at both ends of the stands on the concourse. Offerings are fairly run of the mill, but tasty enough. Prices are reasonable as well, with a burger going for $8 and bottles of pop for $4. There are also two specialty stands behind home plate. The first is Kids Korner, with treats for the youngsters in the crowd, like candy bars and ice cream. The second stand, Beer Batter, is located in two spots and offers a variety of specialty adult beverages, including high balls, and cider. Atmosphere 3 The audience is quite chill at Legacy Dodge Field. As with many small towns and cities in the league, the crowds seem to be there as much to hang out with friends as they are to watch the game, so it’s pleasant and relaxed in the stands. But there is also appropriate cheering for a big play or the Giants scoring. Legacy Dodge Field, Photo by Jim Flannery, Stadium Journey Neighbourhood 4 Legacy Didge Field is located in the heart of Fort McMurray, just to the north of the downtown core. This makes it pretty easy to get to all parts of the city quickly and easily. There’s a good chance you could spend your entire day at Suncor Community Leisure Centre without getting bored. The facility features a public library, a massive waterpark, weight rooms, dance studios, a fieldhouse, a corridor featuring a free art display, two hockey rinks, and three locations to grab a bite to eat: Yogen Fruz, Mr. Pretzels, and The Chopped Leaf. Beyond that, there is a conference centre and a football field that also houses a concert stage. Plus an 18-hole golf course if you want to shoot a round before the ballgame. Heading off the island, there’s still plenty to do nearby. In the middle of downtown is Kiyam Community Park, a beautiful open space with a full-size basketball court, a multi-use surface, a medicine wheel rock garden and a water feature. Headed in every direction from that park are restaurants, shops and services. Peter Pond Mall is a couple blocks further south from Kiyam Community Park and is features more than 60 stores and services. Sharing the same parking lot is Rivers Casino, if you want to try your luck at some games of chance. The downtown area also features all manner of food options, from franchises like Subway, Boston Pizza, and Earl’s, to more exotic fare, such as La Mesita for some Filipino-Asian fusion dishes or Blue Ivory Ethiopian Cuisine. Other interesting options include Hu’s Pizza, which is tucked into the back of a building and includes an old school arcade with a bunch of classic games. Or you can try the Tavern on Main for some after-hours beverages. Fans 3 The Giants draw about 1,200 fans per game, which puts them fifth in the league of 12 teams for attendance. As noted above, fans are relaxed and low key, chatting with each other and having a good time, but appear to be engaged and aware of key moments throughout the game. They are not rowdy, but they’re enjoying the time out with friends. Access 4 With ample parking around the Suncor Community Leisure Centre there’s lots of room to find a good spot, out of range of foul balls. There are also two bus routes that can take passengers to MacDonald Island Park, so that’s also an option. Once inside the facility, the concourse is quite roomy, allowing easy movement around the stands. No bottlenecks, and plenty of space beyond the concourse proper up the first base line for people who want to sit on the grass. Return on Investment 4 Seat pricing for the Giants is typical for WCBL venues, with adult general admission at $25 each. This is a competitive price for baseball being played at this level. Parking is free, so that makes for an affordable evening of entertainment for the family. Extras 4 The field is all artificial turf, including the “dirt” areas in the infield and outfield, making this a unique diamond for the WCBL, where natural grass and dirt surfaces are the norm. The team has a mascot, Stomper, who takes part in promotions and helps entertain the younger fans as he wanders around the concourse during the game. The club has a fully appointed merchandise store, just inside the main entrance, for all your Giants memorabilia needs. It’s always nice to see recycling bins at parks and you can find them here to drop off your cans and bottles to take care of the environment. Final Thoughts Fort McMurray is remote, so making a trip up there takes some time and planning. But Legacy Dodge Field is worth a visit for WCBL fans and there’s plenty to do in and around the city if you plan to stay a few nights.

Photos by Paul Baker, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.29 Bright-Landry Hockey Center 65 N Harvard St Allston, MA 02134 Harvard Crimson hockey website Bright-Landry Hockey Center website Year Opened: 1979 Capacity: 3,095 Bright-Landry, Big City Hockey has been played at Harvard University since 1898. Harvard’s first ever hockey game was played on January 19, 1898 on a frozen pond in Franklin Field. The Crimson lost to Brown that day 6-0, but their rivalry continues today, making it the oldest continuing series in the country. Harvard has played on the site of the Bright-Landry Hockey Center since 1956. The Donald C. Watson Rink was the original on-campus home of Harvard hockey. In 1978 the facility, which offered little in the way of amenities for fans or players, was renovated. The original roof was retained, and the arena was installed underneath. The “new” arena opened on November 19, 1979, with a game between the Crimson and the 1980 United States Olympic Team. The rink was renamed the Bright-Landry Hockey Center in 2013 to honor Harvard hockey player Alec Bright, class of 1919, and alumnus C. Kevin Landry, class of 1966 and family, whose donations helped to fund the arena’s 2014 renovations. The Crimson have qualified for 27 NCAA tournaments, reaching the Frozen Four 13 times. Harvard won the national title in 1989. Harvard has won the Beanpot Tournament, Boston’s unofficial college hockey championship, 11 times. 59 Harvard alumni have played in the National Hockey League. In addition, Harvard’s women’s team, which also plays at the Bright-Landry Hockey Center, has qualified for 12 NCAA tournaments, reached 6 Frozen Fours, won 15 Beanpot Tournaments, and won a national title in 1999. 24 Harvard alumni have gone on to play professional hockey. Food & Beverage 2 The menu at Bright-Landry Hockey Center sticks to the basics. There is a concession stand near the entrance, along with a smaller stand on the south end of the arena that opens when there’s a big crowd present. This is just a place for snacking. Hot dogs and nachos anchor the menu, along with snack items. Coca-Cola products are featured at Bright-Landry. Adult beverages are also available, with Sam Adams beer featured. It’s not the same as in the old days, when fans would have to dash over to Dillon Hall next door to grab a beer during intermission, but it’s much more convenient. Harvard Men's Hockey Display at Bright-Landry Center. Photo by Paul Baker, Stadium Journey. Atmosphere 3 The gameday experience at a Harvard hockey game is fairly typical of most college hockey rinks. There’s a clear video board hanging at center ice that is put to good use, but which is partially obstructed from many points by the banners hanging throughout the arena. The promotions table near the main entrance hands out free roster sheets, posters, raffles and the nightly silent auction. Harvard hockey history is on display throughout the Bright-Landry Center, in both traditional in modern ways. Stadium Journey has visited Harvard several times, and a consistently disappointing aspect of the experience is the lack of a pep band and student section. While you will get a good turnout for the big games (i.e. Yale), Crimson hockey games are not high on the priority list for much of the student body. Predictably, this has a dampening effect on the atmosphere. All the other aspects you would expect are here, including a crisp video board, excellent sound system and enthusiastic PA announcer. The arena uses lights effectively as part of the gameday experience during pregame festivities and after Harvard goals as well. With New England being the home of a great number of Division One hockey teams (20, to be exact), and many of them within easy driving distance, it’s not unusual to see a great turnout by visiting fans here at Bright-Landry. Unless you’re wearing a Yale sweater, you’ve got nothing to worry about. This is a very family-friendly place to catch a game. Neighborhood 4 The Bright-Landry Hockey Center is located in the Soldiers Field Athletic Complex, which is located on the opposite side of the Charles River from Harvard’s Cambridge campus, in the working-class Boston neighborhood of Allston. While there is little in the way of attractions on the Allston side of the Charles, Harvard Yard is less than a mile away across the Anderson Memorial Bridge and up John F. Kennedy Street. Harvard Square, lined with shops and restaurants, is right here, too. This is hardly the bohemian center that it was in the days of yore, but there is no shortage of dining choices in the area. Stadium Journey recommends trying a burger and a shake at Mr. Bartley’s Burger Cottage. The Harvard campus is one of Boston’s top attractions in its own right. Take a walking tour of the campus if you are so inclined, and take a picture in front of the statue of John Harvard, as thousands of others have done. Remember to rub his shiny shoe, it is rumored to bring good luck. If you’re visiting Harvard from out of town and would rather explore the city of Boston, downtown is just a few miles away. Visitors looking to enjoy the working class charm of Allston and Brighton will find no shortage of bars and restaurants a short drive from the arena. Game Action at Bright-Landry Hockey Center. Photo by Paul Baker, Stadium Journey. Fans 3 Harvard lags behind Boston’s other four Beanpot schools in terms of attendance. The Crimson draw just over 2,000 fans per game, which puts them a bit under the national average. Fans who come to the Bright-Landry Center are enthusiastic and knowledgeable about the team, even if they’re not the most vocal fans out there (would you expect any different at an Ivy League school?). The dedicated student section, dubbed the “Crim-Zone,” is rarely filled with Harvard students, as the students who do show up tend to spread out around the arena. A rowdy student section just wouldn’t feel right here, anyway. During Stadium Journey’s most recent visit, the Crim-Zone was filled with random fans rather than students, who do turn out in decent numbers. Access 4 While Harvard University is located in Cambridge, the Bright-Landry Hockey Center is located across the Charles River, in the Allston neighborhood of Boston. Also located here are most of Harvard’s other athletic facilities, including Harvard Stadium, Levietes Pavilion, O’Donnell Field and Jordan Field. Even on its best days, the city of Boston is a difficult city to drive in. The best way to get to the Bright-Landry Hockey Center is to take Storrow Drive to the Soldier’s Field Athletic Complex. If you must drive to a Harvard hockey game, bring along someone who knows the crooked streets of Boston well. Once you arrive at the Soldiers Field Athletic Complex, parking is located throughout the facility. The recommended method of travel to Harvard is the subway, or “T”, as it is called locally. The Harvard Station MBTA stop is a 10-minute walk from the Bright-Landry Hockey Center. Several bus routes also stop at Harvard Station. The 66 and 86 busses stop directly in front of the athletic complex. For more information, fares and schedules check out the MBTA website. The Bright-Landry Center features a concourse which completely circles the rink. Seating consists of individual plastic crimson seats throughout the seating bowl. The small size of the arena ensures great views throughout. Standing room is available at most spots on the concourse. While lines can get long at the concession stands and rest rooms during intermission, they move quickly. Display of Every Harvard Hockey Team Ever. Photo by Paul Baker, Stadium Journey. Return on Investment 2 Harvard utilizes variable pricing for their hockey games. Tickets range from $25-$35 depending on the day of your visit. Premium games include Yale and Boston College, while Ivy League rivals make up the middle tier and ECAC and non-conference foes are priced at the least expensive level. Parking will cost an additional $20. Concessions are priced a bit on the high side, but not outrageously so. Harvard is a bit more expensive than other college hockey rinks in the area, but still offers an affordable entertainment option for local fans. Extras 5 Harvard showcases its lengthy hockey history throughout the Bright-Landry Hockey Center. Floor to ceiling murals line the arena walls. Award winners, Olympians, coaches and championship teams are all highlighted. Photos of every hockey team to ever represent the school are displayed on the far side of the rink. Banners honoring the school’s Beanpot and conference championships, NCAA tournament appearances, and national titles hang from the rafters. Notable among the banners is a crimson number 4, retired in honor of former Harvard player, hockey coach, and athletic director Bill Cleary. It is the only number that has been taken out of circulation in any of Harvard’s 42 varsity sports. No Division One school in the nation can boast more varsity sports than Harvard. Trivial Fact: Bill Cleary was Ryan O’Neil’s stand-in during filming of the 1970 movie Love Story. The fact that the first game ever played at the Bright-Landry Hockey Center featured the 1980 United States Olympic team is worth a final extra point. Bill Cleary Retired Number Banner at Bright-Landry Center. Photo by Paul Baker, Stadium Journey. Final Thoughts Bright-Landry Hockey Center is a simple, but attractive rink that fits the needs of the Crimson program perfectly. Featuring just enough modern amenities while honoring the lengthy history of Harvard hockey, this is a worthy addition to any Boston hockey road trip. Follow Paul Baker’s stadium journeys on Twitter and Instagram @PuckmanRI.

Photos by Dave Cottenie, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.57 Ray Twinney Recreation Complex 100 Eagle Street West Newmarket, ON L3Y 1J4 Newmarket Hurricanes website Ray Twinney Recreation Complex website Year Opened: 1985 Capacity: 3,700 Rock You Like A Hurricane During the 2024-2025 Ontario Junior Hockey League season, the Toronto Jr. Canadiens played a few “neutral site” games in the town of Newmarket, Ontario. Newmarket has an interesting past as a hockey city, as the AHL affiliate of the Toronto Maple Leafs, the Newmarket Saints, from 1986 to 1991, and the Newmarket Royals of the OHL from 1992 to 1994. The games were well attended and resulted in the announcement that the following season the Canadiens would move permanently to Newmarket to become the Hurricanes. This was the second iteration of the Hurricanes in the OJHL, as the previous team played from 1975 to 2019 before moving to Milton to become the Menace. The original team began in Newmarket in 1975 as the Flyers, rebranded to the 87’s in 1987 and again as the Hurricanes in 1997. Home for the Hurricanes is the Ray Twinney Recreation Complex. Located in the town of Newmarket, which has a population of almost 88,000, the Ray Twinney Recreation Complex has been a pillar of Newmarket hockey since 1985. It has been the home to Newmarket hockey at the OJHL, OHL, and AHL levels. The Recreation Complex is named after Ray Twinney, the mayor of Newmarket from 1979 to 1994. Food & Beverage 4 The Ray Twinney Recreation Complex has one concession stand in the lobby, outside the arena. Bart’s Bites offers the typical arena fare including hot dogs, sausage, chicken burgers, and chicken fingers. Snacks like popcorn, nachos, chips, and candy are also available. Bart’s Bites takes concession options to the next level with pulled pork and a variety of Dunn’s Products, including Montreal Smoked Meat Egg Rolls, peanuts, and Black Cherry Soda. Pepsi products are the soft drink of choice. Alcoholic beverages are available at a separate table and are provided by a local brewery, Market Brewing Company. Atmosphere 3 Ray Twinney Recreation Complex is a large complex that includes a pair of ice pads and a swimming pool with a number of outdoor athletic fields on the grounds. It is a bit confusing as to where to head inside for a Hurricanes game, as there is a lack of signage indicating a main entrance. The exterior is fairly attractive with brown brick and blue accent siding. The entrance fans should head to is on the east side where the Canadian flags fly. Inside the lobby, fans are greeted by a portrait of former Newmarket mayor Ray Twinney, whom the complex is named after. In the lobby, there are temporary tables where tickets and alcohol are sold. There are a few interesting items in the lobby worth checking out. A number of portraits are framed honouring Newmarket hockey players who went on to play major junior hockey or higher. There are a few framed jerseys for the Newmarket 87’s, who won a Buckland Cup in 1996, and the original Hurricanes, who won in 2010. There are also framed jerseys for K.J. Ramolla and Kevin Lord, former Newmarket players who passed away. A large trophy case has a number of local artifacts in it, including some associated with the OHL’s Newmarket Royals. The highlight of the case, however, is the Newmarket Redmen banner honouring the 1933 Memorial Cup Champions. Inside the arena, the ice surface is southeast to northwest oriented. The best spot for a picture of the centre ice logo is from the northeast. The main arena is simply named Arena 1, which is curious, as the secondary rink has a corporate sponsor. The seating bowl consists of eight rows of blue, plastic arena seats, with the first row elevated above ice level for improved sightlines. Protective netting encircles the entire ice. A full 360-degree walkway is behind the seating with some railings for standing room. A few banners hang in the arena, including ones that honour the founder of the Newmarket 87s and the Buckland Cup champions of 1996. There is also a banner for the Newmarket Hurricanes that were Buckland Cup champions in 2010. The game-day production at a Hurricanes game is fairly simple. At the game that was reviewed, there were some audio issues, and music before the game and during stoppages was sporadic. The PA announcer is decent. Typical promotions, including a 50/50 draw and chuck-a-puck, are Newmarket staples. Neighbourhood 3 Ray Twinney Recreation Complex is in the Glenway Estates neighbourhood of Newmarket. It is generally a residential area, but there are some spots for pre- or post-game food and drink not too far on Yonge Street. Some options include Villa Risi, Big Bone BBQ, Flame Cafe and Cynthia’s. There are also a number of large chain restaurants. The Hurricanes are pretty much the only game in town. However, their location north of Toronto makes a road trip to see the rival Aurora Tigers or King Rebellion very simple. Other tourist options in the area include Elman W. Campbell Museum, Newmarket’s Riverwalk Commons, and the Holland Marsh. Six Flags Canada’s Wonderland is just minutes away and could be a destination early in the season. For fans wishing to stay in Newmarket, the Comfort Inn, Fairfield, and Best Western are good options. Fans 3 Assessing fans in the OJHL can be a bit of a challenge as the curation of attendance figures is sporadic. The original neutral site games for the Toronto Jr. Canadiens drew well over 500 fans per game, and the first game of the new Hurricanes drew over 1,000. The Hurricanes seem to have settled into a regular attendance of between 250 and 350 fans per game. The game reviewed did not have published attendance, but was mainly a friends & family crowd of possibly 100. That being said, the game was early in the season on a Tuesday evening, which surely mitigates attendance. Access 4 Ray Twinney Recreation Complex is located in the Glenway Estates neighbourhood of Newmarket. It is found on the west side of Eagle Street between Crossland and McCaffery. It is approximately 5 km west of Highway 404 and 5 km east of Highway 400. Getting to the arena will probably require driving through some residential areas; however, traffic in Newmarket should not be an issue. There is plenty of parking on-site that is free. For fans who wish to take public transit, there are bus stops on Eagle Street. Fans should consult the York Region Transit website for fares, schedules, and maps. Getting around the Ray Twinney Recreation Complex is not that difficult. Entry into the arena is at ice level, so fans will have to traverse some stairs to get to their seats. Season seats do not appear to be reserved, so seating should be wide open for fans. The exterior of the complex can be confusing as there are a number of entrances. Fans should head to the east side where the flagpoles are for entry to the Hurricanes game. There is no significant signage there. The washroom facilities are adequate at the complex. Return on Investment 5 Tickets for the Newmarket Hurricanes are $15 for adults, $10 for students and seniors, and $5 for minor hockey players. Tickets can be purchased at the door with cash or card or beforehand online. The game that was attended was “Twoonie Tuesday,” which provided a few concession specials. Otherwise, concession prices are reasonable, and parking is free. The product on the ice is solid, and the venue provides a comfortable atmosphere and great sightlines. For the best crowd, a weekend game is the best plan. Extras 3 An extra mark for the Ray Twinney Recreation Complex as not only a current OJHL venue but previously an AHL and OHL venue. An extra mark for the former Newmarket OJHL iterations still having a presence in the arena. An extra mark for Twoonie Tuesday providing some special concession items at just $2. Final Thoughts The return of the OJHL to Newmarket has been an improvement from the Jr. Canadiens days in Toronto. The long-term viability of the franchise is still a wait-and-see, but there is no reason why the Hurricanes should not be successful. Ray Twinney is a comfortable venue with great sightlines also. Follow all of Dave’s sporting adventures on YouTube, Twitter, Threads, and Instagram @profan9.

Photos by Aaron S. Terry, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.57 Fargodome 1800 N University Dr Fargo, ND 58102 North Dakota State Bison website Fargodome website Year Opened: 1993 Capacity: 18,700 Bigger on the Inside One of the newest programs in FBS, the North Dakota State Bison joined the bowl-eligible league in 2026, competing in the Mountain West Conference. Their home venue since 1993, Fargodome has been the site of many FCS playoff runs, and provides a stellar atmosphere for college football; this stadium doesn’t have moments of silence – they have moments of thunder. The indoor venue may not look like much on the outside, or perhaps even on the inside, but the energy inside the building is incredible. Combine a great tailgating scene outside the stadium with a raucous fan base, as well as all the bells and whistles you might find at a Power 4 school, and you have got yourself one heck of a home field advantage. The Bison have achieved a 0.874 win percentage in Fargodome since it opened, higher than Michigan, Ohio State, and even the Alabama Crimson Tide. And while they were in the FCS for most of that time, there is no doubt they will continue to excel as this program moves into what’s next. Food & Beverage 5 There are a slew of concession options inside Fargodome, and as much variety as anyone could ask for. Each of the four sides has a stand or two that offer the same basic items such as hot dogs, nachos (with regular chips or Doritos as the base), pretzels, popcorn, and the like. But in addition, there are specialty stands on each side as well – you may have to walk around to find the food item you crave. For example, there is a stand offering chicken tenders and chicken sandwiches near one corner, a stand offering Philly cheesesteaks on another side, a burger joint somewhere else, and even a full bar selling a variety of beer as well as mixed drinks. You will also find Domino’s pizza locations, Cold Stone stands, Maui Wowi locations, Dippin’ Dots kiosks, and cinnamon-glazed nut stands, as well as a few grab-and-go areas selling beer, bottled water, soda, and snacks such as chips and packaged candy. Some of the prices tend to be high, like $15 for Philly cheesesteak, but there are reasonable options as well, such as $5 for a hot dog or $7 for Cold Stone. So you should be able to find plenty of choices to help you stay on budget, if needed. Atmosphere 5 It sounds cliche to say they pull out all the stops at North Dakota State football games, but at Fargodome they actually do! The fun begins with tailgating outside; if you park on the west side you’ll literally have to walk through a sea of gold and green tents to get to the venue (more on this later). Then, once you get inside, there are lights and festivities galore. The NDSU Gold Star Marching Band starts things off with a performance prior to kickoff, including music and their signature formations of a gold star, spelling out N-D-S-U, and the Bison logo. The band actually earned a real gold star from the U.S. Army in 1923 for their band excellence, so their name is not just marketing. The band also has green and gold LED lights on their uniforms, so part of their performance is done with the stadium darkened. The band is followed by fireworks and an intro video, after which the team runs through spurts of flame as they come onto the field, accompanied by the song Thunderstruck. There are also flags waved by the pep squad, and the NDSU mascot makes an appearance with the kickoff kid of the game, who delivers the game ball to the referees. Fireworks are also set off again every time the Bison score – I am surprised they are allowed to do it, but mega impressed. The noise from the fireworks is also really loud, making it all the more exciting to see them. You would not expect the crowd noise to be as loud as it is all game long, given the size of the facility, although being indoors probably helps. It also doesn’t hurt that almost every fan in the place is rocking gold NDSU gear, and hammering their inflatable thunder sticks, especially during kickoffs and on third downs. During breaks in the action the staff also plays loud, modern dance-type music, keeping the fans engaged and moving all game long. Neighborhood 5 I have visited over 350 different football stadiums, and I can honestly say I have never seen a neighborhood around a sports arena quite like this one. There is a Candlewood Suites literally in the parking lot of Fargodome, and you can see a Buffalo Wild Wings across the way (easily walkable from the facility). The Fargo airport is also right across the street – I am not sure you could technically walk to it given the security fencing, but you could certainly watch the planes take off and land if you were standing outside the stadium. There are also other hotels within sight of Fargodome, and a few other restaurants close by as well. Herd and Horns is a massive Bison-themed sports bar just down the street, known for burgers and craft beer, while Labby’s is famous for its pizza. There is so much right by the stadium that if you wanted to, you could fly into Fargo airport on Thursday or Friday before the game, and literally never have to leave the vicinity of the stadium all weekend long. Fans 4 While Fargodome might not quite fill up on game day, this really is a great fan base. The fans outside tailgating are super friendly, and always willing to offer you a drink or some food as you walk through the tent city, even while gently heckling you for wearing the wrong school colors. There are people everywhere on the west side of the facility, playing cornhole, grilling out, sipping a cold one, and just having fun and soaking up the NDSU game day atmosphere. Inside the stadium, almost every fan is dressed in gold, and their inflatable thunder sticks are banging constantly, creating a huge roar inside the stadium. These fans also know the rules of the game, and will absolutely let the refs have it when they miss a call or make a bad one. Access 4 I mentioned earlier that Fargo airport is just across the street. In addition, I-29 goes right by the airport and Fargodome, making it simple to get here from either the north or the south. There is plenty of parking right around the facility as well (costing only $10 per car), so even if you are running late you should still be able to find a spot within a very short walk. Once inside, there are plenty of concession stands, so there aren’t any lines to speak of when it comes to getting food and drinks. There are also several grab-and-go concession areas set up inside, which help keep the lines down too. The only potential negative when it comes to access is that the bathroom lines tend to stack up all of a sudden at the end of each quarter, but even those lines move very quickly, clearing the logjam in a few minutes. You are also able to walk all the way around the concourse to get to your seat, which is not always the case at sports stadiums and arenas these days. Return on Investment 5 Tickets start at over $50 for conference games at Fargodome, which may seem a bit on the high side if you are still thinking about NDSU as an FCS school. In reality, however, $50 is probably lower than average for FBS football. I think seeing a game here is worth that price, although I am not sure I would pay more than the minimum – the venue is small enough, and the sightlines are great from anywhere, so I don’t think you need to spend more for a “better seat”. Extras 4 There is an escalator on the east side which you might assume takes you to the upper deck – it actually takes you up to the football offices, where you can walk through the NDSU Hall of Fame, and take a look at all the trophies and other awards this program has won. The Bison have won 18 National Championships in their football history so far, with eight before they joined FCS and 10 since, with all the latter in the past 15 years (including threepeating and fivepeating during that span). You will see these accolades represented all over the concourse; it is no wonder this program was ready to make the jump to FBS. One other pro tip – there are several bathrooms at the top of the escalator, including three family restrooms and a mother’s room. No one realizes those are there, so if the lines are too long downstairs you could always try this option. Final Thoughts An absolute powerhouse on the FCS stage for the last 15 years, North Dakota State is now ready to test their mettle against the best college football has to offer; their home field, Fargodome, also has a top-notch atmosphere. This is definitely a team, and a stadium, worth checking out as you make your own way across the college football landscape – Horns Up All the Time!

Photos by Aaron S. Terry, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.71 Finger Lakes Gaming & Racetrack 5857 NY-96 Farmington, NY 14425 Finger Lakes Gaming & Racetrack website Year Opened: 1962 Rural Racing in New York Finger Lakes Gaming & Racetrack in Farmington, New York is a minor horse racing track in upstate New York with small field sizes and not too many frills. There is a small casino attached to the track, and like at most horse tracks you can watch and bet from here on horse racing at other venues around the country, or bet on the live races that happen on site Monday through Wednesday during April through November. Post time is usually at 12:55 pm. Food & Beverage 3 There is a full bar inside, as well as a concession stand which offers items such as pizza, hot dogs, salads, and sandwiches. The food is decent and the prices are comparable to what you will find at small sports venues anywhere. To give an idea of the prices here, slices of cheese pizza cost around $5, while jumbo hot dogs are around $8. Beer starts at $6, while non-alcoholic drinks cost $3 to $4. Atmosphere 3 The seating at Fingers Lakes racetrack is fairly comfortable, with both bucket-style chairbacks and bleachers with backrests available trackside, while padded chairs and tables can be found inside. There are multiple TVs inside so you can watch the racing action, and the scenery outside is very pleasant, with lots of greenery and trees in the distance. Unfortunately, it is a little hard to win much money here – a lot of the races only feature 4 horses, and the largest field sizes each day may only have 6, which doesn’t attract a lot of betting action. And with only 4 horses running in some races, that means the track doesn’t offer some of the exotics like trifectas and superfectas on those races. Nevertheless, Finger Lakes gives you a pleasant outing where you don’t have to fight any crowds and can just enjoy a peaceful day watching the ponies. Neighborhood 2 Farmington, New York is a small town that is more of a pass through to other towns rather than a destination itself. There are a number of low-cost hotels in the area that cater to the patrons at Finger Lakes, but the attractions other than the gaming center around a historic Quaker church, antique stores, and local parks. There are a couple of restaurants in the area which are worth checking out, but most notable for sports fans may be Eddie O'Briens Grille and Bar, which offers pub fare and multiple TVs so you can watch basketball, football, and other games depending on what time of year you visit. Fans 2 Given that this venue doesn’t have night or weekend racing, it shouldn’t surprise you that there is very little traffic here on the average race day. On the plus side there will be plenty of room to spread out, and you won’t have to wait in line for concessions. The small crowd sizes here may make you wonder how they can afford to stay in business, however. Access 4 Finger Lakes Racetrack is located about 25 minutes from Rochester, New York, the closest major town, or slightly more than an hour from either Buffalo or Syracuse. Being off the beaten path it may take some time to get here, but once you do there is free parking right out front, and it is easy to move in and out – given its small size it won’t take more than 2 or 3 minutes from the time you park to the time you get to the track itself. Return on Investment 3 I have mixed feelings about Finger Lakes Racetrack; on one hand I appreciated the low-key environment with its lack of crowds and no long lines to place bets. I also loved the rural setting, and I had a pleasant time just watching the races. However, I was bothered by the small field sizes and not being able to make more interesting wagers. Programs here only cost $1.75, and there is no cost to get in the door – there rarely is for horse racing, since they make their money on the gambling. There is also no cost to park, so the only thing you really have to spend money on is food, and of course, wagering if you do any. Extras 2 There is a little bit of horse-themed decor on the exterior, which I appreciated, and I did enjoy the different seating options. Final Thoughts I personally enjoy visiting different horse racing tracks around the country, and I am glad I went to Finger Lakes. But I am not sure I would go back here; I enjoyed doing it once, but there are other tracks nearby with more amenities and more interesting racing.

Photos by Richard Smith, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.29 SECU Stadium 90 Stadium Dr. College Park, MD 20742 Maryland Terrapins football website SECU Stadium website Year Opened: 1950 Capacity: 51,802 Fear The Turtle The Maryland Terrapins play at SECU Stadium, formerly called Byrd Stadium; the name was changed by the Board of Regents in December 2015 to Maryland Stadium, as former coach and university president Harry Clifton “Curley” Byrd was a proponent of racial segregation. It was expected that the stadium’s name would be sold eventually, and most believed that Under Armour, founded by Maryland alumni Kevin Plank, would eventually have their name on the field. The sportswear manufacturer is already the main provider of athletic gear at the university. Instead, in 2022, the credit union known as SECU, signed a 10-year deal. The stadium opened in 1950 as a horseshoe-shaped bowl with a capacity of 34,680. In 1991, the five-story Tyser Tower added luxury suites and a larger press box. In 1995 an upper deck on the north side of the stadium was added. Various changes since have topped the seating capacity at 51,802. The University of Maryland has traditionally been known as a basketball school. The university has seen a great deal of basketball success under coaches such as Lefty Driesell and Gary Williams, even winning a national championship in 2002. The university has been playing football with some success since 1892 and received one official national championship in 1953. The 1951 team is generally seen as even better than the 1953 squad and has retroactively been considered the national champions by various systems such as the Sagarain Ranking System. Maryland has also been the home of many well-known coaches and players. Coaches include Jim Tatum, Lou Saban, Jerry Claiborne, Bobby Ross, Ralph Friedgen, Randy Edsall, and the legendary Paul “Bear” Bryant. Famous players include Erin & E.J. Henderson, Stan Jones, Randy White, Dick Modzelewski, Torrey Smith, Vernon Davis, Stefon Diggs, and Boomer Esiason. Primarily the home to Terps football and lacrosse, Maryland Stadium has been the scene of a few other events. In 1957 Queen Elizabeth II was on hand to watch the team upset North Carolina while the USFL Baltimore Stars called the stadium home during their 1985 championship season. Seen from the upper deck of Maryland Stadium are the Washington Monument, the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, the Old Post Office Pavilion, the Washington National Cathedral, and the United States Capitol. Food & Beverage 4 There are many concession stands found around all parts of the complex. Concession prices are in the normal range and are reasonable for such a large venue. Crab fries found behind sections 14 and 205 are the best nod to local culture, although the addition of the “The Chessie,” a large 24-ounce hot soft pretzel smothered in backfin crab dip and melted cheddar cheese, then topped with a dusting of Old Bay, is a pretty unique offering. It is designed to be shared between four people. This stand also features some other cool local novelties. Chick-fil-A offerings can be found behind the Tyser Tower, while Ledo's Pizza can be found behind sections 13, 20, and 205. Otherwise, traditional food offerings of hot dogs, fries, hamburgers, and pit beef are generally seen around the stadium. The best food option at Maryland Stadium is the Maryland Dairy Ice Cream behind sections 3, 20, and 208. The ice cream is made on campus. There is a stand under the main videoboard offering healthier options as well. Atmosphere 3 The stadium is very much an old-school football stadium. This can be bad in terms of the aging infrastructure, but it also provides a nice platform for fan interaction. The stadium is still at its heart the horseshoe-shaped stadium that opened in 1950. The large press and luxury suite tower looks tacked on awkwardly, as does the massive upper decks on the north side of the stadium. The closed-end part of the horseshoe is where the band and students sit. Unfortunately, they are not closer to the field action as they both provide a great deal of sound and excitement. The large open-air concourse is a great meeting spot pre- and postgame. There are nice videoboards at both ends of the stadium. Maryland’s marching band is called The Mighty Sound of Maryland and is one of the most entertaining marching bands in college football. Neighborhood 3 The neighborhood is a mixed bag. Maryland Stadium is in the middle of the campus so no businesses are directly nearby. The Terp Town area to the west of the stadium gives the fans entertainment and festivities to enjoy pregame. Also located nearby is the Stamp Union, where you will see many a fan enjoying a pregame meal or buying shirts at the campus bookstore. The Maryland Dairy Ice Cream store here is a nice place to go ahead of the game. The town of College Park is located directly south of the campus along U.S. Route 1. RJ Bentley’s Filling Station, Potbelly Sandwich Works, Jimmy John’s, Ledo’s Pizza, and Five Guys are all good options in this “downtown” area. Looney’s Pub is another great option and is located in The Varsity building (8150 Baltimore Ave) north of the downtown area and maybe even closer to the stadium if walking. The Hotel (yes, that is its name) is the best lodging choice and is within walking distance of the campus. You will always have the dizzying array of Washington DC options to choose from. The College Park Station of the Washington Metro is close by and is your best bet for getting to DC as the traffic and parking situation is not ideal. Fans 3 The student section at Maryland is noted for being loud and fairly rude. Expect to hear a few curse words during their chants. The students do enjoy the game and offers a festive atmosphere, although expect them to roll out in the second half. Other fans throughout the stadium do not always go to the same level as the students do. Fans in and near the Tyser Tower are pretty quiet. Overall the fans are passionate but may tend to be more the clap politely types. Access 2 The University of Maryland is not far from the Washington Beltway, but it is just far enough away that getting to the stadium is not too easy. U.S. 1 and University Boulevard are full of traffic lights and will be very full of traffic, even on non-game days. On-campus traffic is also a bit of a mess as a new Washington, DC light rail system is being constructed directly on the campus. The best bet is to pre-pay for a parking space through the university. The price tag seems way too high but at least you will know where you are going ahead of time. Pricing will range from $20 to $30, depending on the game and availability. A map of your space will be provided when you pre-purchase. The Terrapin Trail Garage is a personal favorite as it is relatively close to Maryland Stadium but still allows a quick way out of the area. The public garage in downtown College Park is always an option, as well. It is pretty well-priced, but a bit of a hike to the stadium. It will put you in a prime spot for postgame food and beverages. You will see some fans park for free on the sides of nearby University Boulevard, but this is not recommended. To do this you would need to get there very early and frankly, the road is too busy and dangerous to park there. If traveling to the game via the Washington Metro, get off at the College Park Station and take the shuttle directly to the stadium. Return on Investment 4 Tickets can be had for a good value, depending on the opponent. Expect to pay more for the larger well-known opponents of the Big Ten. Parking prices weigh down the rating as they are far too high for the location. Extras 4 One should go to the Maryland Dairy Ice Cream, whether inside the stadium or at the Stamp Union, during your visit. Look for their special offerings as they rotate and change frequently. As noted above, there is a location within the stadium offering a simplified menu. The main video board that sits behind the closed end of the horseshoe is pretty interesting. It is the standard scoreboard seen in many places, but since it sits in an open area it is a good meeting spot. The Terps enter the stadium under a large turtle shell. There is plenty of history of past Maryland teams scattered in various sections of the stadium. Final Thoughts SECU Stadium is a pretty basic college football stadium. The long-standing horseshoe seating bowl doesn’t always mesh with the rest of the stadium, but a fan will still find a game enjoyable.

Photos by Chris Green, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.86 Indianapolis Motor Speedway 4790 W 16th St Indianapolis, IN 46222 Indianapolis Motor Speedway website IMSA Weekend website Year Opened: 1909 Capacity: 257,325 IMSA’s Visit to the Brickyard While Indianapolis is synonymous with racing in America, North America’s premier sportscar series hadn’t run there since the early 2010s. While events like the SRO Indy 8 Hours and the SCCA Runoffs have been held here in recent years, IMSA’s return in 2023 was heralded as a return to the promised land. While the IMSA WeatherTech Sportscar Series initially increased the length of its race to 6 hours, 2026 saw the standard two-and-a-half-hour race return to the weekend schedule. Food & Beverage 3 The standard fare is available throughout the infield thanks to various concession stands. The basics like burgers ($9.50-$10.25), chicken fingers ($12), and pork tenderloin baskets ($12.50) are all available, as are soda ($5-$7), bottled water ($5), and beer ($8.25-$9.25). Fans can also expect a variety of food trucks and independent vendors in the infield Pagoda Plaza. Atmosphere 4 Indianapolis Motor Speedway is the literal definition of a motorsports mecca in the United States. Every inch of the track oozes with history – this in itself should be enough to elevate the track’s profile. However, thanks to the recent purchase of the facility by Roger Penske, various upgrades and renovations have made the track even better than it was before. A new LED display behind the Pagoda and other smaller displays around the track offer fans a chance to see the action no matter where they are, and renovated bathrooms and common areas are also featured in the latest upgrades as well. The stadium effect of seats on both sides of the track down the front stretch adds to the roar of the engines, and with the addition of the endurance race to the weekend, the feeling in the air is also more electric. IMSA fans love the endurance aspect of sportscar racing, and bringing one to Indy adds to the history of this racetrack. Neighborhood 3 Speedway, Indiana is a unique setting, as you’ll see both the past and future of the area all within a few blocks. Located literally in the middle of a neighborhood, the IMS facility is massive, rising above the rooftops of nearby homes. Across the street from the southwest corner of the track is Main Street; here various restaurants and shopping destinations mix with newly constructed apartments and several IndyCar race team HQs. Also, on Thursday night before race weekend begins, a fan festival is held here with various race cars on display, driver autographs and Q&A sessions, and live music taking place. In addition, a mile west of the track along Crawfordsville Road are more shopping and dining options. Hotels are plentiful and nearby as well, with downtown Indianapolis just a short drive east, and multiple hotels just west of I-465 and the track. Fans 4 The fans at Indy are among the most sport-knowledgeable in racing; you would be hard-pressed to find any others in the US who can top this. Many fans have been going to Indy for various races for decades.The pre-race fan walk during this year’s IMSA weekend was packed full of attendees, and the decrease in race time from six hours to the standard two hours and forty minutes wasn’t a detractor for attendance at all. Access 4 To get to the track you can just follow the signs, literally – there is no shortage of signage on the way to the facility. The nearest highway is I-465, with I-74 meeting up with it just north of the property’s exit.Parking on-site is plentiful both inside and outside the venue, though many of the lots require pre-purchased parking passes. That said, various homes in the area also offer up their driveways for paid parking, as do some of the businesses nearby. Return on Investment 5 Tickets to IMSA weekend at Indianapolis Motor Speedway are relatively well priced; general admission tickets are incredibly low, starting at $20 for Friday, $50 for Saturday, and $60 for Sunday, with a 3-day general admission ticket costing $120. Reserved seating tickets range from $100 for Friday only in the Hullman Terrace Club to $515 for the full weekend – compared to prices you will see at the Indy 500, this is an absolute steal. Every ticket also includes infield access, as well as access to the paddock and the pre-race fan walk. Parking starts at $10-$25 for Friday and goes up to $25-$75 on weekend days. Camping at the track ranges from $70-$145 (outside the track in Lot 2) to $600-$1,500 (various infield Oval Turn 4 spaces). Extras 4 Several autograph sessions are held throughout the weekend, including all the IMSA WeatherTech Series teams. The track also has several event stores set up throughout the facility, where you can purchase merchandise from the event and the track, as well as from the drivers. Before the main races on Saturday and Sunday, fans can come walk on pit road during the grid walk, as well as watch pit stop demos and meet the drivers and teams before the green flag falls. Finally, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum is located onsite in the infield and is open during race days – fans of the sport will no doubt enjoy looking into the past and enjoying the history of the sport of racing. Final Thoughts Fans still flock to the track no matter what is racing here, and IMSA weekend is incredibly affordable compared to other events. Couple that with the nostalgia factor that Indy injects directly into your soul, and it is hard to skip this now annual stop on the IMSA calendar. Sportscar fans will have plenty to watch throughout the weekend, with no less than four racing series taking to the speedway during the event.

Photos by Chris Green, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.29 Virginia International Raceway 1245 Pine Tree Rd Alton, VA 24520 IMSA website Virginia International Raceway website Year Opened: 1957 Capacity: 10,000 IMSA Racing in Virginia The famed Virginia International Raceway has been a favorite visit among sportscar racers for decades. It hosts multiple racing events during the season, including SRO, Trans-Am, SVRA, and GridLife. The winding roads through the hills of rural southern Virginia are challenging for many, while also providing a beautiful, verdant backdrop for some of racing’s best to test each other’s mettle. Visiting the track has become a must-do for some of racing’s biggest fans over the years, and a visit to the facility helps you understand why rather quickly. IMSA weekend is without a doubt the biggest race weekend of the year at this track, which means this is a must-see for sportscar fans in the area. Food & Beverage 3 There are several food options in the main paddock area, including the popular Paddock Cafe. This spot nestled next to the track features burgers, hot dogs, chicken fingers, and more. To make it easier for fans to order, the cafe also has several bundle options that generally run in the $10 range for a main item (burger, chicken, etc.), fries, and a drink. In addition, the track has snacks, ice cream, and various other items for sale at the main concession stand, and some food trucks pop up throughout the bigger race weekends down in the paddock area. Recently, automated tablets have been added here to speed up the ordering process, but lines to pick up orders are no less short. The track also has an on-site restaurant called Oak Tree Tavern & Connie’s Pub, which is a more upscale option than something on the quick service side down by the paddock. The biggest downside at Virginia International Raceway, however, is that there are no other food options around the facility for fans who set up camp in other parts of the venue, or who wish to wander the property to watch the racing action. Thankfully, during IMSA weekend various food trucks set up near the paddock and fan zone to offer alternative food and beverage options for fans. Atmosphere 5 Virginia International Raceway’s track is big, fast, and beautiful. Most of the track’s viewing areas offer views that extend beyond just one corner, including the complex heading up to and away from where you are set up, something that many other road courses are unable to boast. The fans also tend to come from all around and pack in the viewing mounds and grandstands around the facility, meaning you will be surrounded by your racing friends all weekend long. The paint scheme and architecture of the various buildings harken back to southern plantation-style homes, as well as to the farmhouses and barns that the rural south has become known for. Situated next to a watershed for a river, the surrounding area is also full of beautiful green trees to give Virginia International Raceway that special wooded look. VIR also continues to improve the fan access experience year over year – new tent camping areas were opened a few years ago inside the turn 1-4 area on driver’s left, while the RV camping and fan viewing areas were also extended far down the backstretch. Neighborhood 1 The biggest downside to VIR is its lack of neighbors. While there is peace in the solitude of VIR’s rural setting, there is quite literally nothing around Virginia International Raceway in any direction for at least half an hour. Located just over an hour north of the greater Raleigh-Durham area in North Carolina, and half an hour southeast of South Boston in Virginia, you have to drive a while to find anything as far as hotels or restaurants. A lot of fans and teams stay in Danville, VA to the west, which is where you can find the closest places to eat. There you can find restaurants such as Buffalo Wild Wings and 2 Witches Winery & Brewing Company, or lodging options such as Sleep Inn & Suites or Courtyard by Marriott, or the newly opened Caesar’s Resort. For something to do while in the area, South Boston Speedway features local short track racing on weekend nights, or down in Durham, NC you can visit Duke Forest for a quiet hike in the suburbs. Fans 4 The fans at Virginia International Raceway are pretty great as far as sportscar racing fans go. They love anything motorsports, show up en masse for race weekend, and know everything about the sport they love and the drivers who compete in it. You can find everyone from young fans who are just learning about the sport, to diehard loyalists who have been going for a long time. IMSA has seen a resurgence of fan numbers in recent years, and the crowds at VIR reflect that. Filled camping sites and packed hillsides mean the racers are performing in front of large crowds that love racing, and it is a welcome sight. Access 2 To get to Virginia International Raceway you have to drive off the main roads; State Highway 58 is the closest main roadway, connecting Danville to South Boston. There are no major highways in or around the area, with I-85 almost 30-45 minutes away to the southeast. That said, once you get to the track parking is plentiful on site and is well marked. Fans can also enjoy getting around the facility easily, thanks to the signage pointing them towards the paddock area from the main parking lots in the infield. Return on Investment 4 Tickets for IMSA weekend at VIR start at $60 for Friday or Saturday tickets, $70 for Sunday, $80 for the weekend, and $90 for all three days. Car corral packages are available for $80 to $170. VIP hospitality tickets range from $360 to $450 for three-day access, all together putting tickets in the standard range for IMSA. However, considering that this weekend features no less than five different IMSA race series competing on track, this is a great value for how much racing you get to see during the event. Extras 4 Virginia International Raceway’s victory lane is located right in the main paddock, meaning fans can get up close to the post-race celebrations. The venue also erects TV screens at various points around the property for fans to see the action around the track while it’s happening, meaning you won’t miss anything regardless of where you decide to watch the race from. Tickets to race weekend also get you into the paddock area for free, something other tracks and races require an additional ticket for. In addition, races at Virginia International Raceway also generally include driver meet and greets and autograph sessions, so fans can see the stars up close. IMSA itself also hosts various autograph sessions during the race weekend, giving fans the ability to meet their favorite drivers. Final Thoughts Taking a trip to Virginia International Raceway is a must-do for any race fan who wants to see some quality sportscar racing – the track is big, technical, and exciting. Fans from all around flock to the speedway for a day at the races, and it is easy to see why. While driving to the track and finding a place to stay nearby may be a challenge, Virginia International Raceway offers plenty for both casual and diehard sports fans to make your visit worth the trek.

Image courtesy of iStock image by Mitay_PG Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.86 Skull and Crossbones Stadium 1031 Nightmare on Elm Street Eerie, Transylvania 131313 Skull and Crossbones Stadium Year Opened: October 31, 1913 Capacity: 13,013 This Stadium is a Fright to Behold College football is known for its many rivalry games, such as the Oklahoma/Texas game or the Washington/Oregon contest each season. However, there is a lesser-known game each year on October 31. This contest takes place at a neutral site in Eerie, Transylvania, and it pits the squads from Washington Werewolves against the Boston Ghouls. It is popularly known as the Monster Mash rivalry game. Food & Beverage 4 Skull and Crossbones Stadium offers a wide variety of concessions designed to meet the tastes of both the dead and the undead. These stands offer everything from the basics at the Trick or Treats stands to the more luxury fare found at the Cauldron Kitchen, Crypt Café, Spellbound Sweets and Ghoul Grill locations. The Trick or Treats stands feature several Halloween standards including candied apples, candy corn, spellbound snacks, and several pumpkin-flavored specialties. Some of their more unique offerings are people’s fingers and heads on lettuce. They offer a wide variety of potions, including Fanta Orange sodas, Bloodied Mary’s and Jack O Lantern Daniels adult beverages. Pumpkin Spice lattes are also available. Atmosphere 5 Gamedays at Skull and Crossbones Stadium get underway just after sundown as the full moon comes out. Fans love to set up early at the Trick or Treat Tailgates, which take place in a graveyard filled with tombstones, coffins and crypts. Unlike normal tailgates which are designed to create energy, activities at these tailgates are best described as a “dead zone”. These tailgates feature all types of frightful foods, potions and the “Cry Like a Banshee” cheer contest, which determines which school has the best blood curdling scream. Musical entertainment is provided by bands including Alice Cooper, Marilyn Manson, the Screech Boys and the Crypt Keepers. Image courtesy of iStock image by Alfieri As gametime approaches, the fans from both teams conduct a Lantern March to the stadium. Once inside the stadium, the excitement builds, as each of the teams emerge out of the crypt tunnel, bursting through a wall of fog and lightning to the sounds of the skeleton drumline. The fans howl with delight at this spellbound experience. Skull and Crossbones Stadium offers several Con-Cession stands where you can buy your fan gear. Our advice is to be very careful as you shop, as the stands are staffed by escaped convicts convicted of all types of murder and mayhem. Neighborhood 4 The neighborhood surrounding Skull and Crossbones Stadium can be described as something out of the “Living Dead”. It is filled with entire subdivisions composed of haunted houses and mansions, graveyards, dark forests, spooky schools and frightful traffic jams. Nearby accommodation can be found at the Eerie Howliday Inn, Murder Motel Six, the Haunted Hilton or the very popular Bates Motel. Popular restaurants near the stadium include Wawful House, the Stake and Brew and Witch-A-Burger. Fans 4 Both the Werewolves and the Ghouls boast of very loyal fanbases. They proudly wear the black and orange colors of their respective teams. After a touchdown the Werewolves fans howl at the moon, while the Ghouls fans typically screech in support of their team’s, as the goblins grind out the yardage. Fans can keep up with the action on the two huge Vampire videoboards at the back of each of the “end of your life” zones. The stadium has Poltergeist Patrols to help keep things under control if the “spirited” fans get too rowdy. Access 3 It is a good idea to get an early start for game nights at Skull and Crossbones Stadium. Traffic can be a monster, and when you reach the stadium the lines to get in can be frightfully long, as the stadium operates with just a skeleton staff. However, season ticket holders and premium seat holders can get in quicker through the Broomstick Express Lanes. Return on Investment 4 Tickets prices are a frightfully expensive for the once-a-year event…. It will cost you an arm and a leg (literally!) Parking in the auto graveyard is no trick or treat either. We encourage fans to take the complimentary Skull and Crossbones Shuttle to the game, as it will drop you right at the stadium gates. You will howl with the delight at the money and time you’ve saved! Concessions are attractively priced, which is a good thing, because when you are a ghost or skeleton, the food tends to go right through you! Extras 3 Fan Duel operates several Crystal Ball betting locations for fans who want to wager on the winner of the game. Very few fans leave their seats at halftime, as the bands from each institution conduct a “battle to the death” band competition, featuring such favorites as the themes from Thriller or Ghostbusters. The Werewolves and the Ghouls play in the NFL (Nighttime Frights League). The Baltimore Ravens recently departed the league saying Nevermore! They have moved to that “other” NFL league! Final Thoughts Skull and Crossbones Stadium is not for the weak of heart. However, if you want your stadium experience to be memorable… it should be on your “to do” list.

Photos by Terry McCutchen, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.43 Galaxy Stadium 2526 Mac Davis Lane Lubbock, TX 79407 Texas Tech Red Raiders website Galaxy Stadium website Year Opened: 1947 Capacity: 60,454 Football at Texas Tech Galaxy Stadium originally opened in 1947 as Jones Stadium, in honor of university benefactors Clifford B. and Audrey Jones. Seating was added on the west side to expand seating to 44,000 in 1959. After replacing the grass with state-of-the-art Astroturf in 1971, seating was added, and upgrades were made incrementally through 2003, when Tech added the $52M Spanish Renaissance building on the west side of “The Jones” to house luxury suites and club-level seating. Field turf replaced the Astroturf in 2006, and the university continued to upgrade the stadium by adding club level and end zone suites through the 2010s. In 2023, Tech began a massive investment in its program, pledging nearly $250M into the south end zone to develop the Dustin R. Womble Player Development Center, a multi-level facility that houses football operations, party decks, field-level club spaces, and luxury suites; new entry gates were added during the history-making project as well. With construction completed in 2025, combined with a 15-year naming rights agreement with Galaxy and a rabid fanbase, Texas Tech has created one of the biggest home field advantages in the Big 12 Conference. Food & Beverage 4 If you crave it, the concessions at Galaxy Stadium more than likely offer it. Located on both the ground and second level of the concourse, there are 17 permanent concession stands plus five portable concession kiosks and five self-serve grab-n-go locations. Touchdown Tavern, one of these self-serve marketplaces located in the south end zone, offers smashburgers, nachos, flatbreads, hot sandwiches, and chicken strips in addition to drinks and candy. There is little wasted space under the stadium structure that is not assigned to concessions, souvenirs, or stadium support, which helps to alleviate long lines. Most of the stands serve the same basic items, including drinks, hot dogs, nachos, pretzels, peanuts, pickles, and candy, while also having their own specialty item or two. Some of the more appealing specialties available at the facility are barbecue, roast beef sandwiches, sausage wraps, and burgers. Coca-Cola is the soft drink provider, which means Coke, Diet Coke, Coke Zero, Sprite, Dr Pepper, Dasani water, and Powerade are among the offerings. Regular concession stands serve two sizes of fountain drinks in cups (no souvenir cups are available), while bottled drinks are available in the grab-n-go locations. HTeaO is a sponsor of the Red Raiders, so they offer two sizes of regular, coconut, and Georgia peach sweet and unsweet tea. Alcohol is available in all concession areas, including the self-serve spots, with options that should please any palate. Beer choices are nearly unlimited here, including nearly all popular brands plus local craft favorite Two Docs. Other alcohol options range from multiple brands of seltzer water, buzz balls, hard iced tea, canned margaritas, and VGM’s gin and juice. Atmosphere 5 The gameday atmosphere in Lubbock is top-notch. The Red Raiders have averaged more than 55.000 fans per game since at least 2015, ranking in the top 30 nationally and consistently playing games at well above 90% capacity. Fans can get loosened up and game-ready by visiting one of two tailgating areas: Raider Alley, the primary spot for pregame activities, is located in the Engineering Key on the south/southwest side of Galaxy Stadium, while RaiderGate, a student-centered tailgate area open to students and their guests, is located in the R-3 parking lot. Tech fans generally take full advantage of pregame activities and bring their heightened energy into the stadium before kickoff. The 400-strong Goin’ Band from Raiderland and 10,000 animated students help to make up the basis of a rowdy crowd. With nearly 60,000 black-and-red-clad rabid supporters, the Texas Tech Red Raiders play in one of the best home field environments that the NCAA offers. Even during a non-conference game that kicked off prior to noon, the excitement of the crowd was extremely high. Neighborhood 4 Texas Tech University is located in the northeastern quadrant of Lubbock, adjacent to an older residential neighborhood that reflects decades of wear and change. As Lubbock’s modern growth expanded primarily toward the southwest, Texas Tech was able to increase its campus footprint by purchasing houses and lots as they became available. At the same time, the State of Texas’ construction of the Marsha Sharp Freeway, which runs just north of campus and Galaxy Stadium, further reshaped the area. By the early 2000s, the neighborhood surrounding the university had become a striking mix of new hotels and restaurants, small midcentury homes, and aging or deteriorating businesses – a landscape reflecting both the rapid growth of Texas Tech and the changing character of Lubbock. There are numerous hotels at all price levels less than a mile from the gates of Galaxy Stadium. Some of these include Hampton Inn & Suites University, The Overton Hotel, Residence Inn, and Courtyard by Marriott, among others. Availability is limited during football weekends, so reservations should be made as early as possible. Culinary choices are wide-ranging near campus as well; there are choices that range from national fast-food chains and casual dining restaurants to local burger joints, hangouts, and dive bars. In addition, just a few of many drive-thru options include Chick-fil-A, Taco Bell, Raising Cane’s, and Firehouse Subs, while local favorites include Spanky’s, Wrecked Burgers and Brews, Torchy’s Tacos, Logie’s, Cheveland, and Ground Zero Sports Bar. The possibility of staying within walking distance of restaurants, nightlife, and Galaxy Stadium creates a wonderful situation for out-of-town visitors. Fans 5 Red Raider fans are loyal and generally bleed red and black. Texas Tech is also usually considered the third or fourth most popular university in the state of Texas. As such, and with Lubbock being located on the South Plains at the base of the Texas Panhandle, many miles away from the larger metropolitan centers of the state, Red Raiders often have an underdog mentality. Regionally, however, Texas Tech has a stranglehold on fandom as a powerhouse where most citizens have at least a passing knowledge of Red Raider sports. The average Tech fan hails from a smaller West Texas city or town, with blue-collar roots and tending to be loyal and hard-working. These fans gather on Saturdays in the fall to root for their favorite college team as hard as they work. Access 5 Located on the northwestern corner of the Texas Tech campus, just south of the Marsha Sharp Expressway (Highways 62/82), Galaxy Stadium is easily accessible. Most campus lots near the stadium are designated for season ticket holders, but single-game and free parking options are available across the freeway from the stadium along 4th and 5th streets. These lower-priced lots have game day shuttle service for only $6, or fans can walk to the facility – these lots are located approximately a mile from the northwest corner of the venue (Gate 3). Texas Tech also has quality maps and game day information posted on their website. Return On Investment 4 Fans attending Texas Tech football games should feel they are getting their money's worth. Ticket prices for Power 4 football have risen dramatically in the past several years, but Red Raider ticket prices remain near the average for most seating options. With dynamic pricing based on the opponent and the selected seat, some early season non-conference games are accessible for as little as $40. Conference game ticket prices, on the other hand, range from around $70 to $250 depending on the opponent, which is similar to most other NCAA Division I schools in the Big 12 and Southwest region. Concession prices are not outrageous when it comes to major sporting events: bottled water costs $3.50, Cokes are $5.50, beers cost $9.85, snacks run $5 to $8, and entrees cost between $10 and $15. After you consider that free parking is an option (with a walk or $6 shuttle ride to the stadium), a fall Saturday in Raiderland is a fairly affordable entertainment option. Extras 4 Grab-n-go markets that offer entrees as well as snack options deserve extra recognition. At halftime during an early fall Saturday game with temperatures soaring into the high 90s, many fans retreated to the concourse for relief, but waiting time for concessions remained only a couple of minutes across the board thanks to these quick-moving areas. Even with a crowd of nearly 60,000, both foot and car traffic flowed quickly and smoothly. Parking was plentiful in and around campus, with free parking options available a short $6 shuttle ride away. A map that is clear and easy to understand is available on the university website to assist with game-day parking, which also warrants an extra point. Despite its size, Lubbock is a college town. The entire South Plains of Texas bleeds red and black, as most of these citizens consider themselves Red Raider fans (unless they are alumni of another major university). This fanaticism is evident when driving through some of the small towns nearby, or when visiting local stores and seeing numerous people and businesses adorned in Texas Tech garb – this writer thinks that level of enthusiasm deserves added recognition as well. Final Thoughts Texas Tech, as a member of the Big 12, competes at the highest level of NCAA athletics. Galaxy Stadium and the surrounding area match this level as far as amenities and opportunities to spend time before and after ball games. Visitors will also find that navigation in and around the Texas Tech campus is not difficult, and most fans you encounter are friendly, even if they bleed red and black. Even though Lubbock and Texas Tech may not be listed among top-level bucket list items to visit, fans are sure to be pleasantly surprised with their time in the Hub City.

Photos by Gregory Koch, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.43 Thompson Field 867 Washington Street SW Blacksburg, VA 24061 Virginia Tech Hokies website Thompson Field website Year Opened: 2003 Capacity: 2,028 A Home For Hokie Soccer Since 2003, Thompson Field on the campus of Virginia Tech has been home to the Hokies' men's and women's soccer teams. With 2,028 bleacher seats and standing room for about 1,500 more, the stadium has proven to be a fine venue to watch soccer. Renovations occurred in 2005, when restrooms were added, and 2008, when a gameday operations center was built. Virginia Tech men's soccer's best result was in 2007, when they advanced to the College Cup, the NCAA soccer equivalent of the Final Four. However, the Hokies fell 2-0 to Wake Forest in the semifinals. The women's soccer team advanced to the College Cup in 2013, but like the men six years earlier, fell in the semifinals, this time to Florida State. Food & Beverage 2 There is one concession stand at Thompson Field, located directly in front of you as you enter the stadium from the parking lot. Hot dogs and nachos are the only things that could really be considered meals, with other options including soft pretzels, popcorn, candy, peanuts, and bottled water and soda. The only thing that costs $5 is a souvenir bucket of popcorn for $10. If you just want a popcorn and not the bucket, that's still only $5. Keep in mind this is a cashless facility, so bring a credit or debit card. Atmosphere 4 A set of bleachers towers over Thompson Field along one sideline, providing benchback seating for just over 2,000 fans, although it rarely fills up. There is also some standing room near the corners at field level which some fans prefer, although you should have no trouble finding seats if you want to. Although animals are not permitted in Thompson Field (with the exception of service animals) there is a grassy area behind the goal near the parking lot that is not considered part of the stadium, and some fans will set up chair or blankets, bring their dogs, and watch the game from there. Like at other Virginia Tech sports, just before the match starts, :"Enter Sandman" will play over the PA system and the crowd will cheer, clap, and jump along with the music. Although it isn't as intense as it would be at football or basketball, it is still a fun thing to participate in. The Virginia Tech mascot, the Hokie Bird, often makes an appearance at games, although he may leave pretty soon after he shows up so pay attention if you want to see him. A large videoboard is located in the far left corner. In addition to the live feed of the game, it also shows a rotating set of game statistics. Neighborhood 4 Thompson Field is in the middle of the Virginia Tech campus, and you will likely need to head off-campus if looking for a place to eat. Nearby Main Street offers many options, including the Hokie House restaurant and bar, P.K.'s Bar and Grill, and cuisines from Japanese to Mexican to Nepalese. Blacksburg may be in a remote location, but it is a fine college town. Most of the businesses cater to students or others associated with the university, given the population in this area. Fans 4 Virginia Tech draws between 500 and a thousand fans to a typical home game, with the crowd ranging from longtime Tech fans to youth soccer teams to other families with small kids. The Virginia Tech students show up in force as well, typically cheering from the leftmost section of the bleachers. The Corps of Cadets makes themselves especially known in terms of both turnout and passion. Virginia Tech is one of six senior military colleges in the country, but one of only two (along with Texas A&M) where the military corps is part of a larger civilian student body. This situation leads to one of the more unique college student sections. Access 3 Virginia Tech is easily accessible from I-81, about 10 miles away on US 460. Take the Southgate Dr. Exit off of US 460 and it will take you right to campus. Fans visiting Thompson Field should park in Lot 1, right next to the stadium. If attending a weekday game (regardless of the time of day) you will need to pay for parking through the ParkMobile app, which will cost about $2 an hour. On weekends, there is no cost to park. Some spaces are reserved for permit holders between 7 AM and 5 PM Monday-Friday, but as weeknight games typically start at 7 PM, with gates opening at 6, this should not present a problem. If attending the odd weekday matinee game, don't park in any of the spaces with orange lines. After 5 PM or on weekends, those spots are fair game. ' Restrooms at Thompson Field are located in a building on the opposite side of the bleachers from the entrance. The one downside here is that a clear bag policy is in effect. Considering the small crowds Virginia Tech soccer draws relative to other sports on campus, this seems unnecessary. Return on Investment 5 Admission to all regular season Virginia Tech soccer gams is free of charge. The only costs will be parking, if you go on a weeknight, and concessions, if you choose to buy them. Overall, a Virginia Tech soccer game is an outstanding value. Extras 2 The pregame playing of "Enter Sandman" is worthy of an extra star here. Look for the signage honoring Virginia Tech postseason appearances in soccer. Final Thoughts From the playing of "Enter Sandman" before the game even starts, to the moment the referee blows the final whistle, a Virginia Tech soccer game at Thompson Field is an outstanding experience. While it doesn't get anywhere near the attention in the fall that the Tech football team does, Hokie fans and anyone who's passionate about soccer will want to head on down here to check out a game.

Photos by Aaron S. Terry, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.14 Robert W. Plaster Sports Complex 1015 E Grand St Springfield, MO 65897 Missouri State Bears website Robert W. Plaster Stadium website Year Opened: 1941 Capacity: 17,500 Mo State The Missouri State Bears have come a long way since their days in the NCAA’s Division II. The football program here began in 1909 and later spent 43 years in the FCS, before Mo State joined the FBS and Conference USA in 2025. Robert W. Plaster Stadium underwent some massive renovations as part of the transition, and now boasts new field turf, enhanced concessions, and upgraded LED lighting. The new lighting is even used as part of the game day atmosphere – the lights are strobed and the stadium darkened at key moments in the game, including before kickoff and at the beginning of the fourth quarter. Other amenities include features such as fireworks, drone shows, and two different party areas, creating a wonderful football experience for your visit to Springfield, Missouri. Food & Beverage 4 There is a wide variety of concession options at Plaster Stadium, including burgers, brats, hot dogs, BBQ nachos, wraps, and even loaded baked potatoes, which are not something you see at many sports arenas. There are also pretzels, chips, candy, nacho chips with cheese, and popcorn served in a football-shaped bowl, as well as flavored popcorn and other snack options. The concessions vary a little – there are slightly different options sold in the different seating areas, although they are mostly the same. For example, in the double and triple letter sections on the west side (upper level), the two stands in the middle offer wraps, spuds, and BBQ nachos, while the two stands on the ends trade these for burgers. The concession prices are also a little higher here than you might see at other stadiums, for example $12 for a burger and $8 for a pretzel with cheese. In addition to these concessions, there is also the Bud Light End Zone on the south side, featuring Anheuser-Busch products in custom-branded Mo State cans. Soda, bottled water, hot cocoa, and a variety of alcoholic beverages (including beer, canned cocktails, and seltzer) are also available throughout the facility. Atmosphere 5 Plaster Stadium has a great atmosphere on game day. There is a great tailgating scene outside the venue, as well as a party platform on the east side known as The Clif. There are also a few standing areas on that side, along with the student section and the Missouri State band. The mascot spends his time on that side as well, helping keep the fans engaged. Missouri State has a great band with a huge number of performers, including a fantastic halftime show with a lot of props. The flag twirlers surround the members of the band as they go through their routines, such as spelling out M-S-U in script and forming the school logo. Before kickoff the band creates two triangles for the team to run through when they take the field. The logos around the field really pop, including the retired numbers displayed on the east side, and there are also letters spelling out MO STATE across the seats on the west side. However, the best part of the evening is really the fireworks – when they play the National Anthem, the staff fires off red, white, and blue rockets from the top of the east side. The display continues every time the Bears score, and they also have unique performances for certain games, such as a Halloween-themed drone show during my most recent visit. The staff also offers special concessions and merchandise giveaways on particular weekends. Neighborhood 5 Springfield, Missouri is known as the Queen City of the Ozarks, but also as the birthplace of the famed Route 66. There are signs all over town celebrating the famous highway, which was established in 1926 and ran through eight states from Chicago to Santa Monica, spanning almost 2,500 miles. Fun fact: Chapman Stadium, home of the Tulsa Golden Hurricane, is the only FBS Stadium that actually sits along the original route – there are even markers embedded in the sidewalk next to the stadium to mark it. When it comes to football in Springfield, however, BearFest Village is the central pre-game tailgating, entertainment, and food truck hub for Mo State. BearFest Village is directly north of Plaster Stadium, with both located right on campus. Students even have their own section, and 2 hours before kickoff all the fans here line up to form a tunnel for the band, pep squad, mascot, and football team to walk through on their way into the stadium – be sure to get there early if you would like to participate. After the game, a few great spots to check out are Ebbets Field Restaurant & Pub, a nod to the Brooklyn Dodgers and known for its burgers and wings, or Pappy’s Place for Ozark pit BBQ, a more hickory and vinegar version than its more well-known Kansas City and St. Louis BBQ cousins. There are also plenty of hotels in the area across all price ranges; near the stadium you can find everything from Best Western on the low end to Moxy (downtown) or Walnut Street Inn (bed and breakfast) on the high end. There is also a Buc-ee’s location in Springfield, if you are a fan of the famous chain and happen to be traveling along I-44. Fans 3 Mo State has a great fan base, with most fans decked out in Bears Maroon. Because the team plays in Conference USA, you may see some home games scheduled on Tuesday or Wednesday nights, which don’t draw as many fans as you will see on a typical Saturday. Plaster Stadium has a capacity of 17,500, with attendance lately averaging over 12,000 per game – the stadium might not be full every game, but there will be plenty of crowd noise. The students and fans on the east side tend to be the most engaged and loudest, but those standing in the Bud Light End Zone on the south side just might give them a run for their money. Access 3 Getting to Plaster Stadium is pretty easy, with not too much traffic and plenty of parking right around the stadium, even if you arrive close to kickoff. The closest parking is reserved for those with suite tickets, but you should always be able to find room in the parking deck a couple blocks from the venue, at a cost of $20 (although on my last visit they didn’t make me pay). Once you get inside the facility, however, the access is a little wonky. The seating is divided into three separate zones, and you can’t move between them once you enter, as re-entry is not allowed. The first zone is the upper deck (double and triple letter sections), which you enter from behind the west side. You have to walk up the ramp (or use the elevator) to get to the second level before they scan your ticket. The second zone is the lower level on the west side, with entry at ground level on the north or south ends. Individuals seated in this zone are the only ones who can walk over and access the Bud Light End Zone, so make sure you pay attention to what ticket you buy if you want to sit in a certain place. The third zone is the east side, with its own entrances on that side. The east side includes The Clif, as mentioned above, as well as a few standing areas if you prefer not to sit. I did appreciate the layout on the east side, as they have walls and no seating in front of the stairs, so your view can’t be blocked by those going up and down. Return on Investment 5 Tickets start at around $20 to attend football games at Plaster Stadium, which is a steal for the atmosphere you will find here; students get in for free, which is a nice plus. While concessions are on the high end and parking may not be free, $20 is on the low end for FBS football. For that price you will also get to see fireworks throughout the game, great performances by the band and pep squad, a fun mascot, and potentially additional shows or features as well, depending on the game. There is also a fun crowd, and the opportunity to rock out in one of two party areas inside the facility. Extras 4 While most of the seating at Plaster Stadium is bleachers without backs, the upper deck does offer some chairback benches, painted maroon so they are easy to spot – these are located in the middle-most triple letter sections (back portion of the upper deck), as well as in all the double letter sections (first few rows of upper deck). There are also several team gear stands inside the venue; some of them are satellite stands with a smaller selection, but it isn’t a far walk to find one of the main stands, which offer a few more items. Final Thoughts I would absolutely recommend a visit to Plaster Stadium to see the Missouri State Bears. In the past this might not have been considered a bucket-list sports destination, but things are really looking up lately for Mo State, and their move to the FBS has really changed the game here. The facility is much improved since its FCS days, and though the access may be a little stilted, if you pick the right seats you will have a fabulous time. Go Bears!

Photos by Gregory Koch, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.71 Aikens Stadium 1301 Ralph Shockey Drive Winchester, VA 22602 Shenandoah Hornets website Aikens Stadium website Year Opened: 2022 Capacity: 300 Oh, Shenandoah! Located in Winchester, Virginia in the Shenandoah Valley, Shenandoah University's athletic teams are known as the Hornets and compete in the Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC). The Hornets' field hockey team competes at Aikens Stadium, Shenandoah's newest athletics facility that opened in 2022. Previously, the field hockey team shared Shentel Stadium with the football team and numerous others. Aikens Field is shared only with the women's lacrosse program, which plays in the spring while field hockey plays in the fall, making scheduling easier. Food & Beverage 2 There is one concession stand at Aikens Stadium, located out of a window on the right side of the press box. Walk up a small set of stairs from the bleachers and it will be right in front of you. The menu is pretty basic, with candy, chips, hot dogs, and bottled soda and water being your only options. Prices are reasonable, with nothing costing more than a few dollars, but we recommend you eat before the game. Atmosphere 3 There are several areas at Aikens Stadium where fans can watch the game from. A set of metal bleachers is located to the right of the press box. A small hill separates this area from the field, so you will be up higher and farther back than you would be at many stadiums. There are also some Adirondack chairs to the right of the bleachers and at field level, but these are often marked as reserved for special guests, especially the field level ones. They are more comfortable than the bleachers, but the ones at bleacher level have the view blocked off by light poles. As is typical at field hockey at this level, there is not much going on other than the game itself. If you're a fan of the sport, that's fine, but there is little else going on here for entertainment. The scoreboard at Aikens Field shows all of the basic information - score, clock, and quarter. It also had space to show time remaining on penalty cards, but this area was not functional when we visited. Neighborhood 3 Winchester is a small city located in the beautiful Shenandoah Valley. There are several restaurants located near the stadium, ranging from sports bars to barbecues to homemade ice cream. Since Shenandoah's campus is located near the highway, pretty much everything in Winchester is right there. While Winchester certainly isn’t a bustling city, it does have that small-town charm. History buffs may also want to visit the many Civil War sites in and around Winchester, which played a major role in the conflict. The city changed hands 72 times during the war and was known as the Shuttlecock of the Confederacy. Fans 3 Shenandoah draws a little under a hundred fans to a typical home game, mostly friends and family of the players on one team or the other. That is pretty typical for field hockey at this level. Many of those who show up come to almost every home game, so they are knowledgeable about the team and the players. The fact that the seating is spread over a wide area makes the stadium feel more empty than it is. Access 3 The nearest highway to Shenandoah's campus is Interstate 81, and it is easily accessible via Exit 313B. Fans coming from the east or west will need to take State Route 7 or U.S. Route 50 at least part of the way, and while these are not full-blown highways, you can usually make good time. Once you get on the Shenandoah campus, there is a large lot next to the stadium. There is also a smaller lot which you will likely pass first, but these spaces are all reserved and regular fans cannot park here. There is one single person restroom on the left side of the press box. There will often be a wait for this, but if necessary, there are restrooms in nearby buildings as well. Return on Investment 4 Admission to Shenandoah field hockey games is free, and concessions are reasonably priced if limited in selection. Overall, this is a great value, but there isn't enough here to earn the top score. Extras 1 The many different seating options for fans to watch the game are worthy of an extra star here. Final Thoughts It is nice that Shenandoah field hockey has their own home, as the football stadium was far too spacious for the crowds they drew, and the many different events on the field made scheduling difficult. While they still won't draw large crowds, and this is not an elaborate setting, field hockey fans in the northern Shenandoah Valley will still have a good time taking in a match at Aikens Stadium.

Photos by Gregory Koch, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.43 Owings Mills East Field Hockey Field Mustang Way Owings Mills, MD 21117 Stevenson Mustangs website Owings Mills East Field Hockey field website Year Opened: 2022 Capacity: 250 A Horse is a Mustang of Course, of Course Stevenson University is located in Owings Mills, Maryland, about a 25 minute drive northwest of Baltimore. Several of the school's athletic teams, known as the Mustangs, play their home games at a complex of fields on Stevenson's East Campus. In addition to soccer, baseball, and softball fields, East Campus features an artificial turf field that is home to the Mustangs' field hockey team. While many Division III hockey teams are forced to share bladed turf fields with other sports such as soccer or football, the Mustangs have the surface typically used at higher levels, which resembles old-fashioned AstroTurf that is long obsolete in other sports. This enables the ball to roll better and leads to a style of play that is more fast-paced and exciting. Food & Beverage 2 A table is located as you enter the field hockey stadium at Stevenson University, selling a small menu of concession items. Hot dogs, chips, and candy are your only food options, while bottled water, soda, and Gatorade are available to drink. Occasionally they will offer special concession items. For instance, when Stadium Journey visited, they were selling pink-frosted cupcakes for Breast Cancer Awareness Day. Prices are very reasonable, with nothing costing more than about $5. Atmosphere 3 Stevenson's field hockey field is nicer than many you will see at the Division III level. For starters, just having a field designed for field hockey is not something you see at every school at this level. As mentioned above, many are forced to share bladed turf fields with sports like soccer or football. The artificial turf field at Stevenson was designed for field hockey and enables a faster-paced, more exciting style of play. The one downside is that a running track surrounds the field and puts fans far from the action. There are several vantages points here fans can watch the game from. There are two small sets of bleachers along the sideline, and it may be hard to get a seat here if you show up late. Some fans also stand along the fence surrounding the field or bring their own chairs and sit on the hill behind the bleachers in between the field hockey and baseball fields. Music is played pregame, after goals, and between quarters, but it is not loud or intrusive. Neighborhood 4 Owings Mills is located in the northwest suburbs of Baltimore, and there is plenty to do near the Stevenson campus. Terri's Cafe is located just around the corner and is a great place to get breakfast or brunch before the game, with great food and friendly service. However, they close at 2 PM on Saturdays and is closed on Sundays, so be aware if traveling to a weekend game. There are several shopping centers just down Owings Mills Boulevard with everything from burgers to wings to Mexican and Peruvian food. Fans 5 Stevenson draws a good crowd for this level of field hockey, averaging 100-200 fans a game. The fans are deeply knowledegable and passionate about the team and pack the bleachers, fence and hill. Even some Division I teams struggle to draw this many fans to field hockey. While it is still a small crowd compared to certain other sports, given the context here, this earns a high rating from us. Access 4 Owings Mills Boulevard is located just off I-795, and Stevenson's East Campus is about a mile away. There are several lots here, and how crowded they will be depends on what else is going on in the complex that day. You should be able to find a seat, but you may have to walk a bit, especially if you arrive late.. On the other hand, if a soccer game is ending shortly before field hockey starts, arriving later may actually make it easier to park. Restrooms are available in a big building by the entrance and are sufficient for the crowds the Mustangs draw. They are shared by the entire complex so may get more crowded if there are other events going on. Return on Investment 5 Admission to all Stevenson field hockey games is free of charge. Concessions are reasonably priced as well, even if the selection is quite limited. Overall, a game here is an excellent value. Extras 1 The many different vantage points to watch the game from is worthy of a bonus star here. Final Thoughts While Stevenson's field hockey team may not be the most popular one on campus, fans of the sport will find a fine facility here with a fan base that exceeds many you will see at this level. If you're in the Baltimore area, head on down to Stevenson's East Campus to check out a game and you will not be disappointed.

Photos by Michael Davis, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.71 Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium 350 N Razorback Rd Fayetteville, AR 72701 Arkansas Razorbacks website Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium website Year Opened: 1938 Capacity: 76,212 Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium is in Fayetteville, Arkansas, on the campus of the University of Arkansas. The stadium is on the west side of campus and has been home to the Arkansas Razorbacks football team since 1938. In that timespan the Hogs have played 336 games and won more than 62 percent of those contests. Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium originally opened as University Stadium on September 24, 1938, with room for 13,500 spectators; the first game ever played here was against Oklahoma A&M (now known as Oklahoma State University). The stadium moniker was almost immediately changed to Bailey Stadium, after then sitting Arkansas Governor Carl Bailey, but in 1941 received the proper name of Razorback Stadium. Then in 2001 in honor of the late Donald W. Reynolds, the stadium was given its current name, while the playing field was named in honor of former athletic director and winningest head football coach in Arkansas history, Frank Broyles. During the 2016-17 offseason the Broyles Athletic Center was demolished as part of a $160 million renovation and expansion of the stadium. The expansion added 4,800 seats and new premium seating in the north end zone. This expansion boosted the capacity of the stadium to 76,212 – the actual increase in capacity is fewer than 4,800 seats because some club seating on the east side was eliminated to add additional suites, but the current total capacity is close to the all-time single game attendance record of 76,808, which was set on September 25, 2010, versus the Alabama Crimson Tide. Food & Beverage 3 Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium features a variety of concession options, with several types of food and an assortment of Coca-Cola products. The main stands offer all your basic fare, such as hot dogs, popcorn, and nachos. These food items range from $5 to $15, while beverages range from $5 to $15. There are also locations for craft beer, at prices ranging from $12 to $15 depending on your selection. The rest of the menu features local and national vendors, including Pizza Hut, Gusano’s Pizza, Slim Chickens, Yarnell’s Ice Cream, and my favorite, Wright’s BBQ. Wright’s offers a limited menu: a pulled-pork sandwich costs $15 while a brisket sandwich costs $18. Carts and kiosks throughout the stadium also sell Philly cheesesteaks, meatball subs, and Italian sausage. A spacious food court near the main team apparel store provides seating for diners. In addition, the Popcorn Chicken Hog offers a combo of popcorn chicken and a drink; this stand was added in 2016. Although the stadium provides plenty of variety, nearby restaurants offer better food and value. Atmosphere 4 Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium’s setting is one of the more picturesque places in the SEC. The stadium’s upper deck view of the vistas and surrounding Boston Mountains on the south side show off the beauty of The Natural State. The festive game day atmosphere begins several hours before kickoff with tailgating around campus. While almost all the tailgating spaces must be rented, there are areas reserved for free tailgating; if interested, you can visit the Arkansas Razorbacks’ game day information website. Besides tailgating, there is so much to do and see here before the game, as Razorback Athletics provides a free pregame atmosphere in Hog Town. This includes inflatables for kids, live music, TVs, and food and drink vendors. Also at Hog Town, two hours before kickoff you can witness the Hog Walk, when the football team walks into the stadium while the pep band and spirit squad welcome them. In addition, on the north side of Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium near the Pit (a colony of white tents) is Frank Broyles Athletic Center. Inside, fans are welcome to walk through the history of Arkansas football, from the early beginning through the changing of conferences from Southwest to Southeastern, including numerous artifacts and trophies, especially the ones from the 1964 National Championship. Also, fans can visit the Razorbacks apparel shop for an updated selection of Razorbacks gear. As game time approaches, Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium becomes a sea of red, with the Razorback Marching Band setting the stage by forming a huge ‘A’. This formation becomes a reality when the announcer introduces the marching band; the band then marches the length of the field while playing “Arkansas Fight”. When they finish there is an ‘A’ symbol that stretches from the Razorback locker room all the way to midfield. The band then plays “Arkansas Fight” again while the crowd roars, as the Razorback football team enters the field from the north side of the stadium, through a tunnel attached to Broyles Athletic Center. Above the athletic center is a massive scoreboard, the biggest in the SEC and fourth largest in college football; it measures out to a little less than 6,300 square feet. Every time the Hogs score fireworks are launched off the center’s roof, while during the game the spirit squads and the three Razorback mascots – Big Red, Pork Chop, and Boss Hog – signal the crowd for certain cheers. Throughout the game the fans stand and are very vocal, cheering and of course Calling the Hogs. Calling the Hogs is the ritual where Arkansas fans raise their arms while moving their fingers in unison, while unleashing a high-pitched yell of the words “Wooooooooooooo, Pig! Sooie! Wooooooooooooo, Pig! Sooie! Wooooooooooooo, Pig! Sooie! Razorbacks!” – it is unique and interesting to hear 70K fans in unison Calling the Hogs. Neighborhood 4 Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium is on the west side of the University of Arkansas’ campus in Fayetteville. Fayetteville’s population of around 80K is just slightly more than the capacity of its football stadium, making it the third largest city in Arkansas. The city is on the outskirts of the Boston Mountains within the scenic Ozarks, and while the area seems to be safe for walking, the terrain is very hilly, especially throughout campus. Fayetteville is a model college town. The University of Arkansas is just a short walk from Dickson Street, the city’s main artery; Dickson Street has a long list of bars, restaurants, and other entertainment options for visitors. There is a long list of places to choose from on Dickson Street such as Hammontree’s Grilled Cheese or Pickleman’s Gourmet Café. There is plenty of live music as well, so be sure to check out George’s Majestic Lounge. If you want to avoid the college bar scene on Dickson Street, then Foghorn’s has two locations around Fayetteville, serving up beer and wings, with its closest location right across the street from the school’s baseball venue, Baum-Walker Stadium. But my favorite eatery to visit while in Fayetteville, Catfish Hole, is just up the road – if you are a catfish person, this place will be high on your list. The lodging around campus can be scarce, as on football game days the city of Fayetteville almost doubles in population. However, there are a few choices in the area; in downtown Fayetteville the Chancellor Hotel is a great choice, or there is a Staybridge Suites near Baum-Walker Stadium. There are also chain hotels, such as Candlewood Suites and Hampton Inn off I-49 at the MLK exit, and if you can’t secure lodging in Fayetteville, then check out historic Fort Smith. Fort Smith is about 45 minutes south of Fayetteville off I-40. Fans 3 There are plenty of serious Razorback fans, one of the most recognized being Dallas Cowboys Owner Jerry Jones, a member of the 1964 National Championship team. Mr. Jones, along with his wife, have put a stamp on the Razorbacks program with the building of the Jerry and Gene Jones Family Student-Athlete Success Building. Razorback fans also have a common purpose when attending a Razorbacks game, and that is Calling the Hogs. No matter the size of the crowd, the fans stand for much of the game and are well engaged in everything from the band performance to the spirit squad cheers, as well as in the action on the field. Overall, the fans are certainly knowledgeable and passionate when it comes to rooting for their Hogs. Access 3 Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium is nestled in the hills of Fayetteville, Arkansas. The location of Fayetteville itself can make access difficult for visiting fans, as the campus is amid a large collection of hills in the Boston Mountains. Once you arrive in Fayetteville, the parking is just like other major football programs, with parking close to the venue only for donors or season ticket holders. However, general parking is available for $25 at Harmon Avenue parking garage located north of Center Street, or you can park for free at Baum-Walker Stadium, which is about a mile from the football field. Parking spaces are filled in on a first-come, first-serve basis, and there is shuttle service provided to and from Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium beginning four hours prior to game time. There are plenty of entrances into Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium, and going in brings an old time feel, as the entrances are small. However, the stadium concourses are wide enough for an easy transition around the stadium, although the signage can be very confusing for first-time fans; once you see a map or have walked around the stadium a little the transition becomes easier. The best way to reach the upper decks is by using the ramps, as the elevators can have a long and frustrating wait. Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium also has seating areas for those with disabilities to watch the game; if needed check with the ticket office to make sure you can be accommodated. Easier access to Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium can be achieved by getting to Fayetteville early and getting some decent parking, leaving more time to enjoy the pregame atmosphere of Razorbacks football. However, leaving after the game is a little more time consuming – although the entry and exit routes are well-planned and will get you to your destination, the tight area around the stadium is packed. As a result, some fans just hang out and maybe have a postgame tailgate until the traffic whittles itself out. Return on Investment 4 Ticket prices for Razorback games range between $50 and $270, which is very reasonable for teams in the SEC. Just plan well in advance because Arkansas uses flex pricing, with tickets prices rising as demand to certain games, such as LSU for example. There is free parking if you choose to seek it out, and the walking distance from that garage isn’t that much different than the walk from the general paid parking. Concessions prices are a little high for most items, however, so if you are looking to get the best monetary return on your trip, then eating before or after the game would be your best option. Overall, the return on investment here is above average to excellent, for a wonderful football atmosphere in what some will argue is the best football conference in the country. Extras 5 The setting is great, with the stadium’s south side upper deck view showing the Boston Mountains. The atmosphere is also festive during tailgating, and seeing the live mascot Tusk VI paraded around the stadium is unique, with the cheerleaders standing above the cage – after it circles around, Tusk VI’s cage sits in the corner of the stadium for fans to see throughout the game. Besides the above, there is also the tradition of the Razorback players running through the ‘A,’ along with all the years of history of Razorback football on display throughout the stadium, both of which provide special extras for fans visiting Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. The official game program is also complimentary for all fans. Final Thoughts A trip to Fayetteville, Arkansas anytime is a wonderful adventure, as you travel into one of the most scenic college campus towns in the country – the Natural State motto is truly appropriate for this campus nestled in the Boston Mountains. There are plenty of reasons to visit Fayetteville for any college football fan; the fans are pleasant and the atmosphere unique, but the tradition of Calling the Hogs makes the trip a must: WPS – Wooooooooooooo, Pig! Sooie!

Photos by Dave Cottenie, Stadium Journey Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.71 GFL Memorial Gardens 269 Queen St. E Sault Ste. Marie, ON P6A 1Y9 Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds website GFL Memorial Gardens website Year Opened: 2006 Capacity: 4,923 Faster Than A Wolf “A Greyhound is faster than a wolf.” Those were the words of coach George McNamera when the question of naming the new hockey team in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario in 1919 was posed. The name Greyhounds was chosen as a direct response to their rivals in Sudbury, the Sudbury Wolves. The original junior version of the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds joined the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League in 1962. The NOJHL squad gave way to the current version of the team that joined what is now the OHL in 1972 as an expansion team. The seminal moment for the Soo Greyhounds, as they are commonly referred, came when coach Muzz McPherson convinced Canada’s Hockey Dad, Walter Gretzky, that his son Wayne would be in good hands for the 1977-78 season to begin his junior career. The Hounds are currently owned by Tim Lukenda. Home for the Greyhounds is GFL Memorial Gardens. Replacing the venerable Sault Memorial Gardens in 2006, the city owned arena was originally named the Steelback Centre. After a couple of corporate names, including the bankrupt Steelback Brewing, GFL Environmental signed a 10 year naming rights deal and brought the “memorial” back into the arena name. Food & Beverage 3 There are four main concession stands in the four corners of the concourse. They feature the same menus which contain typical arena fare. A couple of original items on the menu include breaded cappelletti and donut holes. Otherwise, hot dogs, pizza, fries, popcorn and the like populate the menus. Pepsi products are the contracted soft drinks in GFL Memorial Gardens Beverages are mainly found on the ends in temporary carts. Typical beer selections are found here along with a couple of local craft brews from Soo Falls Brewing. Also, the team branded “Hound Town Golden Ale” brewed by Northern Superior Brewing is available. The Coffee House may also be of interest as they sell specialty coffees, including those with spirits. The Molson Canadian Hockey House, a sit down, full service restaurant in a partitioned section of the concourse is open 1.5 to 2 hours before game time for fans. Atmosphere 4 The exterior of GFL Memorial Gardens is attractive with brown brick and silver accent siding. The main entrance is on the northwest side of the building and there is also plenty of glass to add to the exterior decor. The north corner of the exterior is the Sault Ste. Marie Memorial Tower, which was built in 1948 and part of the original Sault Memorial Gardens. The Memorial Tower is a living memorial to those who made the ultimate sacrifice in the first and second World Wars. The beacon at the top lights red at night to signify the “passing of the torch from the fallen.” Also around the exterior are framed maple leaf bricks for the Sault Ste. Marie Walk of Fame. Some members around the arena include Phil and Tony Esposito, Ron Francis, Ted Nolan and curler Brad Jacobs and his team. Entry into GFL Memorial Gardens brings fans right into the concourse. The box office is at the north corner near the Memorial Tower. Inside the arena, the ice surface is oriented northeast to southwest. The best spot for a centre ice picture is the northwest side. A crystal clear video board hangs above centre ice, the perfect size for the arena. A supplementary simple hockey scoreclock is found on the wall in the east corner. The rafters are littered with banners including banners for the 1985, 1991 and 1992 OHL Champions and 1993 Memorial Cup Champions. There are 20 championship banners in all but unfortunately they all look pretty much the same with Memorial Cup and league championship banners not looking much different than the division banners. At the northeast end hang the banners for the retired numbers of Ron Francis, Adam Foote, Craig Hartsburg, Joe Thornton, Jeff Carter and Wayne Gretzky. The number of John Vanbiesbrouck has also been retired but after making some unfortunate comments while working with the Greyhounds, his banner was removed. On the northeast wall the display for the Legends of Hounds Hockey is a new addition honouring Mike Oliverio, Wayne Groulx and Chris Felix. For even more Sault hockey history, the Hockey Hall of Fame is found in the stairwell of the north corner. There are a number of interesting artifacts, including a full size Wayne Gretzky portrait from 1977. An item that sets the GFL Memorial Gardens apart is the local art found on the wall at the southwest end. The wooden and stained glass pieces of Indigenous art bring the whole arena together and give it a sense of Northern Ontario and uniqueness that can’t be found in other arenas. The gameday production at a Soo Greyhounds game is not too complicated. The players enter the ice from the southwest end through a smoke machine, red light and small, illuminated pillars. The mascot, Dash, is found throughout the arena interacting with fans and leading cheers and on the ice for pregame and promotions. Typical promotions are found here including a 50/50 draw and chuck-a-puck. The speaker system is of good quality and the PA announcer has a good balance of informativeness and excitement. Neighbourhood 3 GFL Memorial Gardens is located in Downtown Sault Ste. Marie. There are a few spots for pre or post game food and drinks. These include Shooters, Peace Restaurant, Blaster Powerhouse, View, and Outspoken Brewing. The Molson Canadian Hockey House is also open 1.5 or 2 hours before the game and is located inside the arena. The Greyhounds are definitely at the top of the sports food chain in Sault Ste. Marie. Other sporting options include the Soo Thunderbirds of the NOJHL and Algoma University Thunderbirds basketball. A quick hop of the border will bring fans to Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan where the Lake Superior State Lakers play hockey as well as the Soo Eagles of the NOJHL. Other tourist options in Sault Ste. Marie include the Canadian Bushplane Heritage Centre, Sault Ste. Marie Museum, Soo Locks, Ermatinger Clergue National Historic Site and Sault Ste. Marie Boardwalk. For fans wishing to stay near the arena, the Holiday Inn and Quality Inn are just steps away. Fans 4 Fan support for the Soo Greyhounds is pretty good. At the time of writing, early in the 2026-27 season the Greyhounds averaged over 3,300 fans per game. The game that was reviewed, a rare Thursday evening game, welcomed over 3,200 fans. This is a bit of a drop from the previous season where they averaged over 3,800 fans. The Greyhounds rank near the middle of the OHL in attendance, 8th for the current season, 9th for the previous season. The crowd in attendance is pretty much glued to the game and are louder than expected. There is audible concern among fans that the current fanbase is aging quickly and worry that younger counterparts are not participating. It must be noted that Sault Ste. Marie has a declining population and is a smaller sized centre at 72,000. Access 4 GFL Memorial Gardens is located in Downtown Sault Ste. Marie. It is on the west corner of Queen and Ron Francis Way about 4 km from the Trans-Canada Highway. Getting to the arena from out of town will require some traversing of city streets, however, traffic should not be a huge issue if leaving early enough. There is parking in the lot at the Gardens although it fills quickly. There is also a mall on the other side of Bay Street where many people park. There are also a few other lots in the Downtown area. For fans wishing to take public transit to the game, there are buses that run along Queen and Bay. Fans should consult the Sault Ste. Marie Transit website for fares, maps and schedules. Getting around the GFL Memorial Gardens is not too difficult, however, the concourses do get a bit crowded at times. The washroom facilities are good at the venue. Security protocols are not arduous at the Gardens. However, with security procedures always changing, Stadium Journey highly recommends consulting the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds and GLF Memorial Gardens websites before heading out for the most up to date security information, including bag policy and prohibited items. Return on Investment 5 There is good value in a Soo Greyhounds game. Hounds tickets are $29 for the premium area, essentially between the blue lines. Tickets drop to $25 or $21 in different areas and there are some discounts for kids. Parking can be found for free and concession prices are decent. The product on the ice is solid and it is not over-produced, in a solid, comfortable atmosphere for major junior hockey. A great return for the investment. Extras 3 An extra mark for the long standing Dog Fight rivalry with the Sudbury Wolves. An extra mark for the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds being good enough for the Great One. Coach Muzz McPherson is also credited with suggesting Wayne Gretzky wear the number 99 as his hero, Gordie Howe’s number 9 was already taken. According to McPherson “Two 9s are better than one.” An extra mark for the return of the “Memorial” to what is now the GFL Memorial Gardens. Final Thoughts Hockey is a staple in the Great White North and Sault Ste. Marie is no different. Taking in the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds at GFL Memorial Gardens is a great experience in a top notch venue. It was good enough for the Great One and it's good enough for you! Follow all of Dave’s sporting adventures on YouTube, Twitter, Threads and Instagram @profan9.

Photo by Marc Viquez, Stadium Journey The Savanna Bananas will play in 79 stadiums across 74 cities in 3 countries next year. They will perform in minor and major league ballparks, as well as a few non-traditional venues converted into baseball diamonds. One of them may be the most peculiar setup they have ever played in. ​ Historic Notre Dame Stadium in South Bend, Indiana, will host the Bananas vs. Texas Tailgaters game on June 26, 2027. The 77,622-seat football stadium has hosted Notre Dame football since 1930 and will host its first baseball game in 'Banana 360,’ with two diamonds set up in each corner of the field. ​ The format will include a game on two fields, with the clubs swapping fields between innings. It is designed to ensure that everyone at the game has a prime view of the action in the massive football-only stadium. ​ The two-diamond field setup was Jesse Cole's idea, and he had been candid with the staff about what could be done with fans seated near or at the top of the larger stadiums on the Banana Ball Tour. ​ “We responded to fan feedback and observations on how to make the experience better for everyone attending a game at the college football stadiums,” Media Relations Coordinator Maddie Warren said. ​ Beyond teams swapping corners of the field every inning, the backstop and outfield netting may also move. The ‘Banana 360’ field setup will only be used at the Notre Dame game this summer, even though there will be games played at other football stadiums at Auburn, Louisiana State, and Baylor. ​ “The 360 model is a way of improving fan observations at the larger stadiums on the tour,” Warren added. “This year, we’re excited about the 360 model and will give it everything we have, with plans to make it feasible at other stadiums in the future. If you are a fan of traditional ballparks, the same two teams will play a game at Notre Dame’s baseball stadium, Frank Eck Stadium, on June 24. The stadium holds 2,500, and capacity will not be increased for the game. Warren said this was also based on fan feedback from people who enjoy watching Banana Ball in a small, intimate ballpark. ——— Follow all of Marc’s stadium journeys on Twitter @ballparkhunter and his YouTube channel. Email at Marc.Viquez@stadiumjourney.com