Rio Rancho Events Center - New Mexico Goatheads
Photos by Meg Minard, Stadium Journey
Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.14
Rio Rancho Events Center 3001 Civic Center Cir NE
Rio Rancho, NM 87144
Year Opened: 2006 Capacity: 6,000
Rio Rancho Welcomes Back Hockey
A goathead is type of plant found in the southwest. Its seeds have lots of sharp tips that stick in your shoes, or worse, your feet. It is a good name for a sports team with New Mexico connections.
The hockey team, New Mexico Goatheads, began their inaugural season in 2026-2027 and serve as an ECHL affiliate for the NHL's Colorado Avalanche and the AHL's Colorado Eagles. In Albuquerque’s suburb, the Rio Rancho Events Center hosts the Goatheads home games. Hockey is not new to the arena as the New Mexico Scorpions of the now defunct Central Hockey League (CHL) played there for three seasons as did the New Mexico Mustangs, a tier II female hockey team.
Indoor football and basketball teams have also called the venue home, such as the New Mexico Wildcats, New Mexico Thunderbirds, New Mexico Stars, Duke City Gladiators, and the indoor soccer team New Mexico Runners. As of this writing, the only sports team playing at the venue is the Goatheads, but the arena serves as host to many types of entertainment, e.g., Sesame Street, volleyball tournaments, Disney on Ice, wrestling, concerts, graduations, and much more.
It’s a decent place to watch some hockey and the New Mexico fans I met are delighted to have hockey back.
Food & Beverage 3
The Rio Rancho Events Center features several permanent concession stands and multiple portable stands selling snacks and drinks. The prices are steep, but fans don't seem to mind, as queues frequently stretch into the concourse and impede pedestrian traffic.
The most popular stand is the Black Angus Grill that sells chicken tender baskets, pulled pork sandwiches, or smash burgers as their main entrees ($15 - $16). Hot Dog Nation provides Pretzel Dogs and Jumbo Dogs served with a bag of chips ($13 - $14). Chicken Fry Fry offers several varieties of chicken and vegetable wraps ($17) or bratwursts ($10), while 505 Power Play sells walking tacos. Most kiosks, as well as the main stands, sell traditional snacks such as cotton candy, pretzels, pickles, candy, popcorn, cookies, chips, etc., ranging from $4 - $8.
The arena is a Pepsi facility with sodas costing $7 - $12. A Santa Fe beer is $17.50, while a can of beer costs $15. A variety of stands sell mixed drinks, margaritas, and wine ($14 - $21).
It’s a decent selection but is way too expensive for my budget.
Atmosphere 4
Attending a Goatheads hockey match is an enjoyable experience. The stands are full, the crowd is energized, and the play on the ice is entertaining.
Seating is arranged in a single U-shaped bowl with suites above the seating area. The closed end of the arena serves as the players' entrance to the ice. Sightlines are excellent, and the comfortable seats place fans close to the action. Rather than a traditional four-sided center-hung scoreboard, Rio Rancho Events Center utilizes two video boards mounted above the suites on either side of the rink, displaying the score and game action. At each end, dot-matrix scoreboards provide game information, including the score, time, penalties, and shots on goal. The setup fits the venue well and ensures fans can easily follow the action from any seat.
Temperatures around the rink are comfortable, and a jacket or sweater is generally adequate without feeling overly cold. The ice surface is covered with advertisements (I don’t recall that being common in rinks in the U.S.).
The public-address announcer keeps fans informed and engaged, while the music selection complements the game atmosphere. Entertainment during stoppages and between periods includes fan favorites such as trivia and other fan contests, zamboni rides, the Kiss Cam, and Chuck-a-Puck. The team's Billy goat mascot regularly mingles with fans, delighting most children and adults alike.
A Goatheads hockey game delivers an entertaining night out whether you're a dedicated hockey fan or a first-time visitor.
Neighborhood 2
Rio Rancho is 25 – 30 miles northwest of Albuquerque. Residential housing developments, a hospital, City Hall, an HP office, UNM Health Sciences Rio Rancho Campus, and parking lots surround the arena.
The closet hotels and restaurants are greater than 5 miles away. For breweries, try the Turtle Mountain Brewery South (has food), Brew Lab 101 (beer and cider), or Ex Novo Brewing Company (beers). Other restaurants worth checking out are O’Hares Grille & Pub or K’Lynn’s Southern & Cajun Fusion. Click here for a complete listing of Rio Rancho restaurants.
The closest hotels are a Days Inn, Hilton Garden Inn, Quality Inn, and an Extended Stay.
Rio Rancho does not have any tourist attractions, your best bet would be to head to Albuquerque which has multiple museums, wineries, Sandia Crest Overlook, and the River of Lights at the ABQ BioPark Botanic Garden (a winter holiday attraction).
In Albuquerque, you can catch an NMU football, basketball, or baseball game. An NAHL team also has its home in Albuquerque: the New Mexico Ice Wolves. The early part of the season may coincide with a New Mexico United USLC soccer playoff match, as the club has been a frequent postseason participant.
While there’s plenty to see and do, none of it is close to the Rio Rancho Events Center.
Fans 4
The Goathead fans are staunch. They create a tremendous energy in the rink by cheering, applauding, chanting ‘Let’s Go Goats’ even without any prompting from the PA-announcer. Not surprisingly, any on-ice scuffle or fight is met with an enthusiastic reaction from the crowd. Even though it’s a new team, many fans are already adorning the Goatheads attire. Attendance has averaged around 4,500 fans per game so far, creating a lively atmosphere inside the arena.
Most Goathead fans are conscious of hockey etiquette and remain in their seats during action on the ice but quite a few are clueless. In fairness, spectators returning to their seats cannot see the ice until they reach the top of the stairways, making it difficult to know when play has resumed. At several entrances, arena staff hold fans back until the next stoppage in play, which helps minimize disruptions.
During the warmer months, fans arrive early and gather in the parking lots, where tailgaters set up tents and lawn chairs to socialize before puck drop.
Access 2
Getting to the event center can only be done by car. Public transportation in not available in Rio Rancho, though fans can request Uber and Lyft rides if needed. Albuquerque International Sunport (ABQ) is approximately 31 miles south of the venue. Once on site, fans will find ample free parking, though the lots fill quickly as game time approaches. The arena has two entrances, east and west. The east entrance is closest for sections 210–218; the west is closest for sections 201 – 208.
Gates open an hour before the puck drop, and clear sports tote bags and small clutches are permitted and subject to search.
The concourse is narrow and gets extremely crowded closer to game time and between periods. Except for handicapped seating, all fans must walk up a flight of stairs (even two, depending on which row their seats are located). Row G is roughly level with the top of the first staircase, with rows extending upward through Row S or downward to row A.
Queues to restrooms are long; I recommend heading to ones further from the entrance and exits.
Getting out of the parking lot after the game is bottlenecked because there are so many cars departing simultaneously.
Return on Investment 4
Ticket prices range from $15 to $36, with discounted rates available for groups of 10 or more. Family Four-Pack promotions are also offered for select games. For the latest ticket offers and promotions, visit the team's website. Parking is free, though concession prices are on the high side.
The Goatheads schedule is packed with theme nights, special promotions, and giveaway events, so it's worth checking the calendar before purchasing tickets.
Even with the higher concession prices, a Goatheads game remains an excellent value for live sports entertainment.
Extras 3
The Goatheads' name and logo are a clever nod to New Mexico's landscape and wildlife, and team merchandise has proven to be extremely popular with fans.
Free parking is another significant benefit and helps enhance the overall value of the game-day experience.
Finally, the return of minor league hockey to New Mexico has been warmly embraced by local hockey fans, who enthusiastically support the franchise.
Final Thoughts
A passionate fan base, entertaining hockey, strong game presentation, and affordable ticket prices combine to create a memorable night out in Rio Rancho. The return of professional hockey to New Mexico is a welcome addition to the state's sports landscape.
