The other minor league teams in the area are a little bit easier to cover as far as their stadiums mostly because they overlap each other.  For example, the Chicago Rush AFL team plays at the same stadium as the Chicago Wolves hockey team.  In Rockford, the same stadium or arena is used for the Rockford Icehogs and the Rock River Raptors.  Needless to say, this makes describing their respective arenas a little bit easier.

The All-State Arena

The All-State Arena is located in suburban Rosemont Illinois.  It began its life as the Rosemont Horizon.  In its very early days it was notorious for the accident that killed several workers when the building was being constructed.  However, since that time, the stadium has withstood storms and the many airplanes that fly seemingly inches from the roof of this place.

It is, in my opinion, in one of the best places to watch a sporting event in the Chicago area.  I have been to many games, from soccer to basketball, at the All-State Arena and I have never been disappointed no matter where I have sat.  I have never found myself without a good view of the field and never been disappointed.

The stadium is very large.  It will cost you to park, but the parking fees will depend on if you are at a Chicago Rush game or a Chicago Wolves game and right now neither of them are playing so the parking fees are not listed.  More than likely it will be more than any of the baseball teams. 

When you get out of your car, try not to let the airplanes startle you.  Trust me, they are low because the runway is just on the other side of the tollway, which runs right past the arena.  Having a conversation between the car and the arena is very difficult because the planes come fast and furious. 

The stadium is located just off of I-94.  It’s actual address is 6920 N. Mannheim Road.  It has lots and lots of parking and the people who control the traffic, I feel, do a very good job of keeping the lines moving in and out.  You may not get in and out as fast as at one of the baseball games, but it won’t be like attending a game downtown either.

Inside, it’s your typical indoor arena.  The hallways can get a bit clogged at times, but it’s not too bad.  There are souvenir and concession stands scattered about the upper and lower level halls throughout the arena.

At a Wolves game, the scoreboard itself is part of the show.  At the beginning of the game, just after the team is announced, the scoreboard explodes in fireworks and confetti.  Trust me, it’s cooler than it seems just from reading it.

There are upper and lower levels.  While the lower levels at a Wolves or Rush game will cost you more, they are nothing compared to a ticket in a similar location at a Blackhawks or Bears game.  I have sat only a few feet from the ice at a Wolves game and, trust me, it’s worth the investment. 

The Metro Centre

The home of the Rockford Icehogs ice hockey team and the Rock River Raptors indoor football team is located right in the middle of downtown Rockford.  It is a beautiful red brick building.  There is also plenty of parking and it is an easy walk to and from the stadium to all of the parking areas in and around the arena.

The stadium seats about 10,000 people and is a very quality arena for watching a hockey game.  There is an upper and a lower level.  Again, there are many similarities between this arena and the All-State Arena.   You can walk around the outside of the arena and find plenty of concessions and souvenirs.  Plus you can purchase the orange pucks for the “Chuck- A – Puck” game which happens between periods during the hockey games.

The Metro Centre is scheduled to undergo a major renovation during the summer of 2007. Exactly what the renovation will do to the place is not entirely clear.  Already the stadium is very nice and a great place to take a family to watch a game.  

There are no planes to deal with when you go to a Metro Centre event, like there are at the All-State Arena.  I have to confess, I have only been into the arena once and that was for work purposes, but I have a kind of fondness for this arena.  I had a great time, found the entire experience pleasant and found the arena a great place to hang out and watch a game.

So, that’s it.  There’s your tour of the various arenas and stadiums where you can view the stellar minor league teams in and around the Chicago area.

Whether the sport you want to watch is baseball or one of the others, you will find the experience vastly different from the big-league games.  The crowds are lighter.  The parking is cheaper.  The stadiums tend to get you closer to the action regardless of the sport.  In short, it’s a great place to see a sporting event and will not break the bank even for someone with an entire family.

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