Best Minor League Hockey Arenas

You don’t have to pay major league prices to enjoy a major league fan experience on the ice.

Best Minor League Hockey Arenas

The North Charleston Coliseum, home of the South Carolina Stingrays, is one of the best places to catch a minor league hockey game.

Minor league hockey often seems a long way from the glitz and glamor of the National Hockey League, but fans can enjoy big league experiences at arenas that dot the sport’s junior circuits.

Many American Hockey League and ECHL hockey arenas now offer an intimate, affordable spectator experience with many of the amenities that are associated with the sport’s premier league, such as luxury suites, full-service restaurants and lounges, and mammoth, high-tech scoreboards.

In some cases, minor league squads even have found elegant homes in arenas that cater to higher-profile sports franchises like the Winnipeg Jets, Orlando Magic and Cleveland Cavaliers.

Our countdown of the best minor league hockey arenas runs the gamut from historic structures that have maintained their charm while undergoing much-needed facelifts to modern, sleek palaces that provide a dazzling array of technological wonders and gastronomical creations.

30. Allen County War Memorial Coliseum

Location: Fort Wayne, Indiana

Year opened: 1952

Capacity: 10,480

Team: Fort Wayne Komets

Affiliate: Vegas Golden Knights

Bottom line: Opened when Harry Truman was still in the White House, Allen County War Memorial Coliseum underwent a $35 million renovation in 2002 that raised its roof by 41 feet to increase its seating capacity.

Another upgrade in 2013 brought updated restrooms, two food courts and three new vendors.

The Komets have called the arena their home since its opening.

29. Coca-Cola Coliseum

Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Year opened: 1921

Capacity: 8,300 (including standing room)

Team: Toronto Marlies

Affiliate: Toronto Maple Leafs

Bottom line: Originally built for the Canadian National Exhibition, Coca-Cola Coliseum has undergone three major renovations during its nearly century-long existence.

The most recent, in 2003, featured the construction of a new, higher roof that expanded and upgraded seating, including 38 private suites.

The Marlies have called the Coliseum home since 2005.

28. MassMutual Center

Location: Springfield, Massachusetts

Year opened: 1972

Capacity: 6,793

Team: Springfield Thunderbirds

Affiliate: Florida Panthers

Bottom line: A $71 million renovation in 2005 ushered in a new era for the longtime hockey arena, including a bar and lounge, clubroom, executive suite and refurbished concession stands.

In 2015, the arena got a major technology upgrade with a new LED video board and LED lighting.

27. Bojangles’ Coliseum

Location: Charlotte, North Carolina

Year opened: 1955

Capacity: 8,600

Team: Charlotte Checkers

Affiliate: Carolina Hurricanes

Bottom line: Known for its signature tin domed roof, Bojangles’ Coliseum ranks as one of the more architecturally distinctive hockey arenas in the minors.

After a five-year refurbishment of the arena, the Checkers became the arena's primary tenant when it reopened in 1993. When the team departed in 2005, however, the Coliseum went a decade without a permanent tenant before major renovations lured another Checkers franchise in 2015.

The additions included improved seating, a restaurant, upgraded concessions and a repainted interior.

26. Blue Cross Arena

Location: Rochester, New York

Year opened: 1955

Capacity: 11,215

Team: Rochester Americans

Affiliate: Buffalo Sabres

Bottom line: The 55-year-old arena was renovated in the mid-1990s and received new upgrades in 2018 in the form of a new scoreboard and ribbon board and audio and video enhancements.

Blue Cross Arena also features 25 private luxury suites and a party deck at ice level for special occasions with meal and beverage packages.

25. Dunkin’ Donuts Center

Location: Providence, Rhode Island

Year opened: 1972

Capacity: 14,000

Team: Providence Bruins

Affiliate: Boston Bruins

Bottom line: After showing the effects of age in the 1980s and 1990s, Dunkin’ Donuts Arena got an $80 million facelift in 2005 that resulted in an expanded lobby and concourse, new LED video board, a new restaurant and 20 luxury suites.

The arena, which is also the longtime home of the Providence College men’s basketball team, reopened in 2008 and has been one of New England’s premier multi-use facilities since.

24. H-E-B Center at Cedar Park

Location: Cedar Park, Texas

Year opened: 2009

Capacity: 6,800

Team: Texas Stars

Affiliate: Dallas Stars

Bottom line: One of the newer arenas in minor league hockey, the sleekly designed, glass-paneled H-E-B Center was built at a cost of $55 million.

Its amenities include on-site valet parking, 15 restroom areas, six concession stands, five public areas and three main entrances.

In the Bud Light Club, executive chefs prepare a special menu for each game.

23. Webster Bank Arena

Location: Bridgeport, Connecticut

Year opened: 2001

Capacity: 8,412

Team: Bridgeport Sound Tigers

Affiliate: New York Islanders

Bottom line: Webster Bank Arena, built at a cost of $56 million, features 33 executive suites, 1,300 club suites, three hospitality suites and a Sony Jumbotron.

The Stags Club bar in the executive suite level features 25 different bottled beers along with premium liquors and wines.

The Sound Tigers have called the arena home since joining the American Hockey League in 2001.

22. Allstate Arena

Location: Rosemont, Illinois

Year opened: 1980

Capacity: 16,692

Team: Chicago Wolves

Affiliate: Vegas Golden Knights

Bottom line: Known for its distinctive wooden roof, Allstate Arena has hosted four Calder Cup finals during its nearly 40-year history, most recently in 2019.

Located at the gateway to Chicago, the arena boasts excellent sight lines and extensive on-site parking.

With 48 luxury suites, it ranks as one of the largest indoor entertainment facilities in the Chicago area.

21. Budweiser Events Center

Location: Loveland, Colorado

Year opened: 2003

Capacity: 5,289

Team: Colorado Eagles

Affiliate: Colorado Avalanche

Bottom line: The Budweiser Events Center was an immediate hit with Colorado hockey fans, setting a professional minor league record for consecutive sellouts four years after opening its doors.

Featuring 777 club seats and 24 luxury suites, the arena is part of a larger 374,000 square-foot fairground complex known as The Ranch.

The Blue Bar & Grill restaurant offers an expansive menu of local and regional cuisine as well as spectacular views of the Rocky Mountains.

20. Norfolk Scope

Location: Norfolk, Virginia

Year opened: 1971

Capacity: 8,701

Team: Norfolk Admirals

Affiliate: Arizona Coyotes

Bottom line: Norfolk Scope’s claim to fame is that it features the world’s largest reinforced thin-shell concrete dome, making it a landmark of downtown Norfolk.

It was designed by Italian architect Pier Luigi Nervi and modeled after Rome’s PalaLottomatica, which was built for the 1960 Summer Olympics.

The arena has received $11 million in renovations since 2003, including a new LED scoreboard and LED video boards.

The newly remodeled Showcase Restaurant includes an all-you-can-eat buffet and full-service bar.

19. North Charleston Coliseum

Location: North Charleston, South Carolina

Year opened: 1993

Capacity: 10,537

Team: South Carolina Stingrays

Affiliate: Washington Capitals

Bottom line: The past decade has brought substantial upgrades to the 27-year-old arena, including a new audio system, expanded concessions and new luxury boxes. The new concession areas feature food court layouts designed to eliminate long lines.

The $22 million spent on renovations has helped to maintain the Coliseum’s place as one of the top venues in minor league hockey.

The city is planning a 2,000-space parking garage as the latest amenity to the Coliseum complex.

18. Mile One Centre

Location: St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada

Year opened: 2001

Capacity: 6,287

Team: Newfoundland Growlers

Affiliate: Toronto Maple Leafs

Bottom line: Located at the starting point of the Trans-Canada Highway, Mile One Centre has seen multiple hockey franchises come and go since opening nearly two decades ago, with the ECHL-expansion Growlers arriving in 2018.

Nite Cap’s Sports Bar & Grill overlooks the action on the ice and features a full bar and restaurant table service.

The venue also gets high marks from fans for its superior sight lines.

17. Santander Arena

Location: Reading, Pennsylvania

Year opened: 2001

Capacity: 7,160

Team: Reading Royals

Affiliate: Philadelphia Flyers

Bottom line: The longtime home of the ECHL’s Royals features 701 club seats and 22 luxury suites, with gourmet meal offerings created by the arena’s executive chef.

Concession offerings include Chickie’s & Pete’s Famous Crabfries, the Fryworks Fun Food Factory featuring hand-poured funnel cakes, and The Cabana with authentic Cuban and Spanish dishes.

16. Indiana Farmers Coliseum

Location: Indianapolis, Indiana

Year opened: 1939

Capacity: 6,200

Team: Indy Fuel

Affiliate: Chicago Blackhawks

Bottom line: Originally built during the Great Depression as part of the New Deal’s Works Progress Administration, the arena underwent a $63 million renovation from 2012-2014 that reinvigorated an aging facility with modern amenities while preserving its distinct architectural legacy.

Food and beverage highlights include the Jose Cuervo Bar and Bier Brewery Lounge.

The Coliseum was infamously the site of a gas explosion during a holiday ice show in 1963 that killed 74 people, and a plaque honoring the victims hangs inside the arena’s lobby.

15. Bell MTS Place

Location: Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada

Year opened: 2004

Capacity: 15,321

Team: Manitoba Moose

Affiliate: Winnipeg Jets

Bottom line: MTS Place doubles as the home of both the Moose and their parent, the NHL’s Winnipeg Jets. Built at the location of the landmark Eaton’s retail store, the arena incorporated red bricks into the design of the facade to evoke memories of the store.

A statue of the retailer’s founder that was once featured inside the store is now located inside the arena. Bell MTS Place features an impressive array of culinary options, including The Observation Deck Bar & Buffett and Exchange Restaurant and Beer Market.

14. Rushmore Plaza Civic Center

Location: Rapid City, South Dakota

Year opened: 1977

Capacity: 5,119

Team: Rapid City Crush

Affiliate: Arizona Coyotes

Bottom line: The complex’s ice arena, which was completed in 2008, features club seating with large cushioned seats, a full-service bar and a concession stand.

There are also 13 luxury suites that can accommodate up to 30 people and offer amenities such as private entrances and restrooms and a special dining menu.

With one level of U-shaped seating, the arena provides one of the more intimate spectator experiences in minor league hockey.

13. Intrust Bank Arena

Location: Wichita, Kansas

Year opened: 2010

Capacity: 13,450

Team: Wichita Thunder

Affiliate: Edmonton Oilers

Bottom line: The second-largest indoor arena in the state of Kansas, Intrust Bank Arena features over 300 premium seats, 22 suites and two party suites.

Its relatively low 65-foot ceiling provides for better acoustics, and the arena features a large four-sided, high-tech centrally hung scoreboard and 16 concession stands.

12. CenturyLink Arena

Location: Boise, Idaho

Year opened: 1997

Capacity: 5,002

Team: Idaho Steelheads

Affiliate: Dallas Stars

Bottom line: Built at a cost of $50 million, CenturyLink Arena features 39 corporate suites, 1,100 premium club seats and a restaurant (The Zone) that overlooks the arena.

Fans can even stay the night at the complex, as the arena is connected to the Grove Hotel.

The open concourse offers nine fixed and five portable concession stands.

11. Maverik Center

Location: West Valley City, Utah

Year opened: 1997

Capacity: 10,100

Team: Utah Grizzlies

Affiliate: Colorado Avalanche

Bottom line: The site of the 2002 Winter Olympics hockey competition, the Maverik Center was built in 1997 at a cost of $54 million.

The arena boasts a state-of-the-art sound system and world-class acoustics.

Its wide array of concessions include Angelina’s Fresh Pasta, Aloha Beach Hawaiian Rice Bowls and the Maverik Bonfire Grill.

10. Huntington Center

Location: Toledo, Ohio

Year opened: 2009

Capacity: 8,300 (including standing room)

Team: Toledo Walleye

Affiliate: Detroit Red Wings

Bottom line: Built for $105 million, the Huntington Center boasts the distinction of being the first new LEED sports arena in the United States.

It includes a 900-square-foot "green" wall that uses plant life to help shade and cool the arena’s glass-enclosed main entrance. It also makes use of a light-colored roof membrane to reflect heat and sunlight.

Fan amenities include 20 private suites, 750 prestige club seats and a club-level lounge.

9. Silverstein Eye Centers Arena

Location: Independence, Missouri

Year opened: 2009

Capacity: 5,800

Team: Kansas City Mavericks

Affiliate: Calgary Flames

Bottom line: Only a decade old, Silverstein Eye Centers Arena features a 360-degree LED ribbon scoreboard, 200 VIP-style loge seats, 29 luxury suites and four full-service concession stands.

All foods are prepared fresh on-site, with nothing pre-wrapped. The Craft Corner offers a wide variety of craft beers, and the KC Bier-Biergarten features local beers and hot Bavarian pretzels and bratwursts.

8. Amway Center

Location: Orlando, Florida

Year opened: 2010

Capacity: 17,353

Team: Orlando Solar Bears

Affiliate: Tampa Bay Lightning

Bottom line: One of many arenas built by the prestigious architecture firm Populous, the massive Amway Center cost $480 million and is also home to the NBA’s Orlando Magic.

Among its more unique features is an art collection featuring more than 340 works, including about 200 museum-quality photographs. Its high-tech, center-hung scoreboard is one of the most impressive in all of sports, boasting 18 displays.

Amenities include an assortment of restaurants, lounges and bars, and luxury suites and other premium seating options.

7. BOK Center

Location: Tulsa, Oklahoma

Year opened: 2008

Capacity: 17,096

Team: Tulsa Oilers

Affiliate: St. Louis Blues

Bottom line: Built at a cost of $196 million, the BOK Center features an iconic design that incorporates Native American, art deco and contemporary themes.

Among its features are a 103-foot-long glass facade, 33,000 stainless steel panels and grand staircases. Its 50,000-pound hanging scoreboard is considered among the most advanced in the country.

The arena offers 11 fixed concession areas, 13 bar locations and three levels of premium seating.

6. Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza

Location: Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania

Year opened: 1999

Capacity: 8,300

Team: Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins

Affiliate: Pittsburgh Penguins

Bottom line: Known as one of the top small arenas in the nation, Mohegan Sun has long been a fan favorite. The Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins set an American Hockey League record for most sellouts in a season and put together a streak of 90 consecutive sellouts from 2002 to 2004.

Concessions include the "sticky pig" featuring pulled pork on a doughnut shell, topped with an onion ring, and a craft vodka bar.

The arena offers standard suites accommodating as many as 17 guests and party suites that can hold up to 43 fans.

5. Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse

Location: Cleveland, Ohio

Year opened: 1994

Capacity: 18,926

Team: Cleveland Monsters

Affiliate: Columbus Blue Jackets

Bottom line: Also home to the NBA’s Cleveland Cavaliers, Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse underwent a major renovation in 2018 that expanded the concourses and removed three levels of seating.

The main scoreboard, nicknamed "Humongotron," is one of the largest in professional sports, featuring four large high-definition video screens and sabers that can shoot fire.

The 75-person Fahrenheit Restaurant is open to the public before each game, and the arena’s concessions are organized into separate "neighborhoods" each with its own theme.

Fans also can choose from five bars and lounges.

4. Wings Event Center

Location: Kalamazoo, Michigan

Year opened: 1974

Capacity: 5,113

Team: Kalamazoo Wings

Affiliate: Vancouver Canucks

Bottom line: The Wings Event Center plays host to one of the most iconic events in minor league hockey, the "Green Ice Game" played each St. Patrick’s Day. Other promotions include "Marvel Night" where the Wings dress as Spiderman.

The arena features four full-service concourse cafes with three specialty bars and five private event spaces that can accommodate up to 400 guests.

The team’s three-pack ticket deal comes with one Red Level ticket to each game, a $5 concessions voucher, an autographed hockey puck and an exclusive locker-room tour, among other goodies, all for only $49.

3. Van Andel Arena

Location: Grand Rapids, Michigan

Year opened: 1996

Capacity: 11,000

Team: Grand Rapids Griffins

Affiliate: Detroit Red Wings

Bottom line: Known as the "Freezer on Fulton" for its street location, Van Andel Arena features 1,800 club seats, 1,300 retractable seats and 44 luxury suites.

The Intermission Restaurant & Bar opens two hours before games and features a wide variety of entrees, shareables, flatbreads and handheld sandwiches.

One of the Griffins' popular promotions is D-Zone 4-Packs on Friday nights featuring $2 beers and hot dogs delivered right to your seats.

And every time the Griffins win at home on Wednesdays, every fan in attendance receives a free ticket to the next Wednesday home game.

2. Place Bell

Location: Laval, Quebec

Year opened: 2017

Capacity: 10,000

Team: Laval Rocket

Affiliate: Montreal Canadiens

Bottom line: Opened in 2017 after a $200 million construction, Place Bell ranks among the most modern and stylish facilities in professional sports.

It features two stunning pieces of public art, Michel Goulet’s "Faire la vague" (consisting of 14 poles with large white ribbons) near the main entrance , and Louis Viger’s "La voie des souffles" (a suspended sculptural work of gold, silver and bronze) in the lobby.

The Tavern 1909 restaurant features a signature roast beef dish and one of the largest video screens in Canada, spanning 33 feet.

1. Giant Center

Location: Hershey, Pennsylvania

Year opened: 2002

Capacity: 10,500

Team: Hershey Bears

Affiliate: Washington Capitals

Bottom line: Giant Center is home to one of the most storied franchises in professional hockey, the Hershey Bears, who were founded in 1938 and are the longest continuously operating club in the American Hockey League.

With 688 club seats featuring exclusive access to the Bud Light Champions Club and 40 luxury suites, the Giant Center has drawn more fans than any other arena in the AHL since 2006.

As you’d expect from the nation’s chocolate capital, Giant Center more than holds its own when it comes to food, with 12 distinct concession areas, including Center Ice with Yuengling beer-battered fish and the Cross Check Cafe with made-to-order Deitz & Watson deli sandwiches.

And, of course, sweet treats featuring Hershey’s chocolate.