Photos by David Welch, Stadium Journey
Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.71
Cross Insurance Arena 1 Civic Center Square Portland, ME 04012
Year Opened: 1977 Capacity: 6,200
Turn the Tide
The southern Maine city of Portland has long been a year-round minor-league sports town, and was named by Sports Business Journal as the top minor league market of 2024.
Through the spring and summer months the city’s sports attention is dominated by the Portland Sea Dogs (MiLB), but a lot of excitement also surrounds the start of professional soccer here in Spring 2024, with the Maine Hearts of Pine in USL One. In addition, from the fall and throughout the winter, fans seek safe harbor from Maine’s brutal winters at the Portland Exposition Building for Maine Celtics (G League) basketball, as well as across town at Cross Insurance Arena for the Maine Mariners of the ECHL.
The original Maine Mariners (AHL) began play in 1977 at the newly built (at the time) Cumberland County Civic Center, quickly capturing the attention of Maine’s largest city. As the top affiliate of the Philadelphia Flyers, the Mariners wasted no time making their mark, winning the Calder Cup in their first two seasons (1977-78 and 1978-79) and adding a third championship in 1983-84.
The Flyers sold the Mariners to the New Jersey Devils the following year, but this partnership was brief, as the team was soon sold to the Boston Bruins, sparking excitement among local fans. However, the franchise moved to Providence in 1992, leaving Portland without a hockey team for the 1992-93 season.
AHL hockey returned to Portland in 1993 with the Portland Pirates – the Pirates, much like the Mariners, achieved instant success, winning the Calder Cup in their inaugural season (1993-94). Over the next 23 seasons, the Pirates cycled through various NHL affiliations. Despite their early success, however, the team struggled with declining attendance and a contentious lease dispute. Ultimately, the franchise was sold and relocated to Springfield, Massachusetts, becoming the Springfield Thunderbirds, leaving behind a storied hockey legacy in Portland.
This would mark the end of AHL hockey in Portland, but the absence of professional hockey would last just one season – the void would be filled by a new incarnation of the Maine Mariners to the delight of many locals, who understood the connection with Portland’s hockey history.
Food & Beverage 3
The usual collection pizza slices, hot dogs, popcorn, and pretzels are widely available throughout Cross Insurance Arena. Burgers and fries are also on the menu, as is the carnival favorite, fried dough with powdered sugar. In addition, the “Local Flavah Farmstand” does have a handful of locally sourced items which include a steak and cheese sandwich, honey chipotle bacon burger, and the area’s French-Canadian influenced tater-tot poutine that comes served in a miniature goalie mask. The Maine classic Whoopie pies come in both traditional chocolate and gluten free carrot cake, while beverages available include Gatorade, bottled water, and a full selection of bottled Pepsi products.
Craft beer enthusiasts will be treated to an extensive menu of some of Maine’s finest – Portland brewer Lone Pine has created a Maine Mariners branded Sessions Ale. Also featured are crafts from Definitive Brewing, Orono Brewing Company, and Nonesuch River Brewing. Typical national brands are also available, but in large part are ignored. For those who are not fans of beer, there still is a large selection of vodka seltzers, pre-mixed cocktails, wine, and cider choices, as well as even a pair of signature cocktails in the main lobby area.
For fans of craft beer, though, Cross Insurance Arena might be one of the top destinations at any level, with no less than thirteen different beers available. Food options are not nearly as impressive, but sufficient for basic arena food needs.
Atmosphere 3
Cross Insurance Arena is a cozy venue for hockey, small enough where just about any seat keep fans on top of the action on the ice, and with seats roomy enough that each fan has plenty of room. The building was built in the 1970s, when suites and luxury boxes were not a consideration, especially at the minor league level. As the arena aged and amenities became more of a necessity than a luxury, however, renovations saw three levels of suites built into the corners at one end of the arena – due to nearby support structures these do seem awkwardly placed.
Both ends of the rink also have ice level lounges that add some premium seating options. Seats to be wary of are those along the aisles in the first few rows of the upper tier seating, and the handrails along the stair landings do significantly obstruct views of the ice. A four-sided scoreboard hangs over center ice and serves to stream the game and provide basic game information: time left in the period, shots on goal, score, and time left on power-plays.
As has become the norm throughout much of in-game entertainment, an in-game host prompts fans with trivia contests, seat upgrades, and fan cams during stoppages in play. The first intermission is filled with junior hockey players scrimmaging at each end of the ice, while the second intermission features “Chuck-a-Puck”, where fans can purchase pucks to toss on the ice – if they land on the target the thrower can win prizes. Also, in what seemingly has become a de facto sports anthem in New England, fans sing “Sweet Caroline” to kick off the third period.
Neighborhood 5
Cross Insurance Arena is on the Portland peninsula, where the city’s arts district transitions to the Old Port, known for its shops, restaurants, nightlife, and high density of hotels. Portland is also known as one of the most beer friendly cities in the country – while Portland has over 20 breweries, the Old Port is highlighted by Shipyard Brewing and Gritty McDuff’s, both within walking distance. Alternatively, if finding nighttime entertainment following the game is more the goal, the bars of the Old Port are a popular stop. Maine winters definitely impact the overall frivolity of the neighborhood, however, moving much of the entertainment indoors.
Though Portland is well known for high end dining, native Portlanders would likely point to better kept secrets for the real local tastes. One of the worst kept secrets in town is the breakfast menu at Becky’s Diner on Hobson’s Wharf, which commonly has lines out the door. In addition, though a bit touristy, DiMillo’s floating restaurant on Long Wharf has been a fixture of seafood dining in this area for nearly five decades. Or, if a quick bite on the go is more the need, Amato’s on India Street is the home of the “Real Italian” sandwich.
Portland and the surrounding area are also rich in historic points of interest; within walking distance are Victoria Mansion and the Henry Wadsworth Longfellow House, and across Portland Harbor in nearby Cape Elizabeth is the iconic Portland Headlight, which is the most photographed lighthouse in the world.
Fans 4
Portland is a city that gets behind their teams, and the Mariners’ affiliation with the Boston Bruins helps draw out a bit more of the local interest and regional enthusiasm and pride. The Mariners typically find themselves in the middle of the pack when it comes to overall attendance, however, ranging from four to five thousand per game.
Fans at Cross Insurance Arena are actively and organically engaged in the game, commonly starting up chants of “Let’s Go Mariners!” with no prompting. They are also cognizant of good hockey plays that might go unnoticed by less well-versed fans – big hits, clearing the zone during power plays, or simple hustle plays are commonly, and rightfully, applauded.
No conversation of hockey fans in Portland would be complete without mentioning one of its most beloved hockey fans, Raymond “Switchboard” Dudley; anyone familiar with professional hockey in Portland surely has a memory of Switchboard. Dudley’s fandom earned him enshrinement as one of nineteen members of the Portland Pirates’ Hall of Fame, and upon his passing during the 2024 season, Switchboard’s seat was adorned with flowers, cards, and other trinkets in his memory. It is the dedication of fans like Dudley and those who recognize how his presence helps make the experience special, as well as the appreciation this fanbase as a whole has for their hometown team, that makes hockey at Cross Insurance Arena so special.
Access 4
Portland is a fairly easy city to navigate; not much is far away from one point to another. The city also has a serviceable bus system for those coming from areas outside of downtown, and with such a large concentration of hotels in downtown Portland, simply walking to the Cross Insurance Arena certainly could be a possibility for those visiting from out of town.
For those driving, there is plenty of parking around the area, the most convenient being Spring Street garage which is practically attached to the arena. There is also a fair amount of street parking nearby; note that meters must be paid Mondays – Saturdays until 6 pm.
Cross Insurance Arena has three entry points, one at the corner of Spring and Center Streets, plus a main lobby that is accessible from both Spring and Free Streets, which pass on each side of the arena – the lobby entry is a bit more popular as it provides shelter from the elements. However, once passing through security just inside the lobby, fans do tend to congregate as they wait for others; adding in a handful of promotional tables, as well as beer carts and concessions, the entry does become a bit congested.
The concourses here are rather narrow, when considering the normal flow of fans and along with concession lines during pre-game and intermissions. For the most part, though, fans stay in their seats during play, which does help alleviate overly crowded walkways.
Return on Investment 4
Ticket prices do seem reasonable; seats in the far end where the Mariners will be on offense once start at $19, but what ends up being a downer are the Ticketmaster fees that are added on, making a $19 ticket quickly become $37. The secondary market does have a slightly less expensive base price, but there are still fees to consider. On the plus side Saturday night games can be purchased for just $8, and if you are able to get to the box office ahead of time, you can avoid the Ticketmaster fees.
Parking in the adjacent garage runs $15, also a bit high, but the availability of street parking for early birds will just run the going meter rates, which currently are not more than $2.50 per hour.
Inside the arena, concession prices are subject to typical stadium markups, so the high costs for food and drinks are not much of a surprise. There are opportunities to get into several games with highly discounted tickets, however.
Extras 3
Cross Insurance Arena pays tribute to the accomplishments of the AHL teams that previously played there – banners recognizing the four Calder Cups, three won by the original Mariners (‘78, ‘79, and ‘84) and the last by the Pirates (‘94), are proudly displayed from the rafters.
The Mariners obviously consider the overall fan experience that accompanies the game; mascot Beacon, a puffin, makes its way through the stands stopping for photos and interacting with fans during stoppages in play. Also, during the first period players not dressed out sign autographs for fans in the main lobby.
Just off the main lobby of Cross Insurance Arena is the Saco & Biddeford Savings Hall of Fame Lounge – this lounge recognizes Portland’s previous professional hockey teams and their division and league championships, along with major events to have come through the then civic center.
Final Thoughts
Attempts to build a new arena in Portland in the early 2000s never came to fruition, as city and county officials were never able to come to a consensus on funding; the debate left the city with a facility that was quickly becoming obsolete. By the time the future of Cross Insurance Arena was decided, the only option was to renovate a facility which had limited options for significant expansion. For hockey, Cross Insurance Arena is fine – its limitations do not necessarily take away from the overall experience, so the facility and amenities create a cozy hockey atmosphere.
While several arenas around the league might be much more impressive with their size, amenities, and overall awe factor, the atmosphere can easily get lost in a larger venues that might only be half full, even with larger crowds; Cross Insurance Arena’s smaller size helps to create more of an air of excitement, and an environment that easily engages fans.
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