North Charleston Coliseum – South Carolina Stingrays

Photos by Lloyd Brown, Stadium Journey

Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.71

North Charleston Coliseum 5001 Coliseum Dr North Charleston, SC 29418

South Carolina Stingrays website

North Charleston Coliseum website

Year Opened: 1993

Capacity: 13,000

---

Stingrays Sighted on South Carolina Coast

The South Carolina Stingrays were founded in 1993. They are an affiliate of the Washington Capitals and the Hershey Bears. The Stingrays play in the Southern Division of the ECHL. They were the first professional hockey team in the state of South Carolina, and the oldest continuously operated ECHL team to remain in its founding city. Over the years the Stingrays have been regulars in the ECHL playoffs, as they won the Kelly Cup in 1997, 2001, 2009, 2015, 2017, and 2021. More than 30 Stingrays have gone on to play in the NHL.

The home ice for the Stingrays is the North Charleston Coliseum. The Coliseum also opened in 1993. It seats 10,537 in its hockey configuration. The Coliseum is part of a complex that also includes a performing arts center and a convention center.

Food & Beverage 3

The food and beverage offerings at the Coliseum are organized much like a food court at a mall. A wide variety of national brands are represented, as well as some local favorites. The food court has a large seating area that allows you to eat your food at a table, rather than trying to balance it in your lap at your seat. There are also individual concession stands around the concourse for those who want to get back to their seats ASAP.

The foods offered at Stingray games are for the most part the arena standards of pizza, hot dogs, popcorn, and candy. Some of the more unique items offered are noodles, fried rice, funnel cakes, and booze pops.

The Coliseum sells Pepsi brand soft drinks, as well as tea, craft beers, and wine.

Friday night games are known as Frothy Fridays. Frothy Beard beer is only $5 on Friday nights.

All concession stands operate on a cashless basis.

Atmosphere 4

The Stingrays and the North Charleston Coliseum have partnered up to provide a better-than-average gameday experience for their fans. The ice surface features the very colorful blue and red Stingrays logo. Banners saluting the multiple Stingrays’ championship seasons hang from the rafters at the venue.

The center-hung videoboard features replays of significant plays on the ice, updated game statistics, and information on upcoming events at the venue. The video board is also used for fan-based contests, kiss cams, and dance cams.

Neighborhood 4

North Charleston is a bedroom suburb of Charleston, SC. It offers many shopping and dining options that can’t be found in Charleston due to narrow streets and strict Historic District regulations. It also provides free parking for the most part… something that is unheard of for the most part in Charleston.

The closest accommodation to the North Charleston Coliseum is the Hyatt Place Charleston Airport. It is located next door to the Coliseum, just a two-minute walk from door to door. This saves you from paying the $10 parking fee charged by the Coliseum. The nearby Bonefish Grill is an excellent option for a pre or postgame meal. Rusty Bull Brewing Company provides an excellent option for those looking for a wide selection of craft beers.

Two attractions you will want to check out in North Charleston are the Waterfront Park along the Cooper River and the Hunley Project. The Hunley was a Confederate submarine that was lost at sea during the Civil War. The submarine was recovered in 2000. The Hunley Project outlines the history of the Hunley during the Civil War and the long painstaking process of restoring the 150-year-old vessel.

Fans 4

The South Carolina Stingrays have built one of the largest fan bases in the ECHL. This is due partly to the long history of the team in the area. It is also due to the many retirees from the northern climates that have relocated to Charleston due to its warmer climates. They are well-versed in hockey from living in the north. A third source of fans is the many military personnel in the area. They also come from areas of the country with a strong hockey influence. The average attendance for home games is 7,447.

The crowd is at its loudest on power plays and Stingray goals. You can expect to hear “(enter the name of opposing goalie)… you suck!” after a Stingrays goal. Stingray gear is very popular attire at games, and if you forgot your gear, the Reef shop at the Coliseum will be glad to help you.

Stingrays’ mascot Cool Ray does a great job of keeping the fans energized throughout the game.

Access 4

The North Charleston Coliseum is easily accessed from virtually anywhere along the Atlantic coastline.

Directions from Downtown Charleston: Take I-26 West to Montague Avenue (Exit 213). Turn left on Montague. Follow Montague past International Boulevard. The Coliseum entrance will be on your right.

From Savannah/ Hilton Head: Take I-95 North to Highway 17 North.  Take Hwy 17 North to I-526 East.  Take the Montague Avenue exit off I-526 East. At the end of the ramp turn right on Montague and the Coliseum will be on your left.

From Myrtle Beach: Take Highway 17 South to I-526 West.  Follow I-526 to Montague Avenue and exit. Go straight to the base of the ramp. Turn left at Montague Avenue and the Coliseum will be on your left.

Coliseum gates open one hour before the puck drop, leaving fans plenty of time to get something to eat or drink and find their seats.

Return on Investment 3

The Stingrays offer tickets at a wide variety of prices. 200-level seats are priced at $19-$26. Tickets at the 100 level of seating start at $27 for seats in the corners and behind the goals. The top pricing level is $36 for seats between the blue lines.

Parking at the North Charleston Coliseum is $10 on game nights.

Concessions prices are very reasonable by arena standards.

Extras 4

The Pink in the Rink fundraiser at the North Charleston Coliseum is one of the largest events of the year to benefit Susan G. Komen for the Cure. Funds raised go towards breast cancer research and programs that benefit breast cancer patients.

The Fan Zam rides between periods are unique in that the Zambonis are specially rigged to carry multiple riders, rather than the usual one.

The North Charleston Coliseum has hosted concerts by Shania Twain, Taylor Swift, Hootie and the Blowfish, Brad Paisley, Mumford and Sons, and many more. It has also hosted both the Big South and Southern Conference basketball tournaments and two presidential debates.

Final Thoughts

The South Carolina Stingrays are a solid organization that brings many of the northern transplants to the Charleston area regularly to enjoy a night of great hockey. The North Charleston Coliseum is the longtime home for Stingrays hockey. It provides easy access to the major interstates in the Charleston area. With fellow ECHL members located close by in Savannah and Greenville, every game is a rivalry game.