Photos by Gregory Koch and Paul Baker, Stadium Journey
Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.14
Bedford Field
South Drive
Princeton, NJ 08540
Year Opened: 2012
Capacity: 1,200
Tigers Field Hockey at Princeton
Bedford Field on the campus of Princeton University is home to the Tigers' field hockey program. It is a relatively new stadium, having just opened in 2012, and is located right next door to Class of 1952 Stadium, home of Princeton lacrosse, with which it shares a concourse.
Princeton field hockey has historically been among the most successful programs in the country, qualifying for 25 NCAA Tournaments, which is ninth on the all-time list. They won one national championship in 2012.
Food & Beverage 3
Concessions are sold out of a truck with a Coca-Cola logo that is parked on the concourse between Bedford Field and Class of 1952 Stadium. The menu includes hot dogs, crispy chicken sandwiches, pretzels, popcorn, chips, cotton candy, candy, soda, and water. Coffee, tea, and hot chocolate are also available on cold days. Other than the crispy chicken sandwich, which is $7.50, everything is under $5.
Atmosphere 5
As mentioned above, Bedford Field shares a concourse with the Class of 1952 Stadium, and you will enter through the gates between the two venues. Bedford Field will be to your right as you come in, and you can walk up into a large set of bleachers along one sideline.
A small scoreboard behind the goal on the left shows shots, saves, and penalty corners in addition to the score and time. There is also a grassy area behind one goal where some fans like to stand or sit in their chairs or on the ground. Although animals are not permitted inside Bedford Field (except service animals), this area is not considered part of the stadium, so it is a popular area for fans to hang out with their furry friends and watch the game.
Princeton keeps fans engaged with music and sound effects to pump up the crowd during penalty corners and after goals. All the seats are up close to the action, with no track or anything else separating the crowd from the field. The concourse is lined with posters honoring Princeton lacrosse and field hockey, and the effort the school put into this facility shows they truly care about the sport.
Neighborhood 4
Princeton has that feel of a small college town. But there is certainly plenty going on here. The Dinky Bar & Kitchen, named for the NJ Transit line that connects the Princeton campus with Princeton Junction, is located in a former train station near campus. There are many more options in downtown Princeton, ranging from hoagies to seafood to pizza and more. Parking may be a challenge downtown, but there is much to do there, even if you have to walk a bit from your car.
Fans 5
Princeton fans pack the 1,200-seat bleachers for field hockey games as well as lining the grassy area behind the goal. They proudly wear their orange and black and come ready to cheer on their team for the whole game. When Stadium Journey visited, the bleachers were mostly full, although some fans were late to arrive, and it was not nearly as full when the game started as it would eventually become. With a strong fan and alumni base, this seems typical for Princeton field hockey. There is a good mix of friends and family of the players, alumni, and locals coming to check out a game.
Access 4
Parking for Bedford Field is available in Lot 20, about a five-minute walk from the stadium. Lot 20 is a huge lot that accommodates many places, not just Bedford Field, but you will want to park near the entrance from the traffic circle at Theatre Drive. This will offer the shortest walk to the stadium, about five minutes via Woodlands Way.
For those arriving by public transit, the Princeton station on NJ Transit's Princeton Branch is located a short walk from the stadium, and if driving, you will likely pass it as you get on campus. The Princeton Branch, better known as The Dinky, is the shortest commuter rail line in America and connects Princeton's campus to Princeton Junction on the Northeast Corridor. It consists of just those two stops, and the trip takes about five minutes.
Restrooms are available on the concourse, under the Class of 1952 Stadium bleachers, and are of a more than sufficient size for the crowds.
The one thing to keep in mind is that there is a lot of construction going on at the moment in the vicinity of Lot 20 and Bedford Field, and some roads or sidewalks may be blocked off.
Return on Investment 5
Admission to all regular season Princeton field hockey games is free. Parking is free, too, and concessions are quite affordable.
Note that there may be a charge to attend Ivy League and NCAA Tournament games as the ticketing policy is set by those respective organizations, not the school.
Extras 3
One star for the banners on the concourse honoring Princeton field hockey and lacrosse.
A second star for the sign on the scoreboard honoring the 2012 national championship and the adjacent sign honoring all of Princeton's postseason appearances.
Finally, be sure to look for the tiger statue by the entrance on the Class of 1952 Stadium side of the concourse, a reference to Princeton's mascot.
Final Thoughts
Bedford Field is one of the nicest college field hockey stadiums in the country, with a fan base to match. For fans of the sport, a trip to a Princeton field hockey game is a must. This is an outstanding facility.
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