Amica Mutual Pavilion - Providence Bruins
- Paul Baker
- 4 days ago
- 6 min read
Photos by Paul Baker, Stadium Journey
Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.86
Amica Mutual Pavilion 1 LaSalle Sq Providence, RI 02903
Year Opened: 1972
Capacity: 11,273
Get AMP’ed!!!
The Amica Mutual Pavilion, which opened in 1972 as the Providence Civic Center, was built to house the Providence College basketball team and the Providence Reds of the American Hockey League. Rechristened due to a new naming rights agreement with Rhode Island-based Amica Mutual Insurance, “The AMP” (the new nickname really hasn’t caught on yet) is a popular site for national touring acts as well as a regular stop for the NCAA basketball and hockey tournaments.
The Providence Bruins are the American Hockey League affiliate of the nearby Boston Bruins. The P-Bruins moved to the Ocean State from Portland, Maine in 1992 and currently enjoy the longest uninterrupted affiliation in the AHL, playing their 34th season in 2025-26. The team has qualified for the playoffs in 26 of their first 33 seasons in the Ocean State’s capital. The P-Bruins have won one Calder Cup, in 1999.
Providence is one of minor league hockey’s legendary cities, with a history the predates the AHL. The Reds called Providence home from 1926-1977. The Reds won four Calder Cups and three Fontaine Cups as champions of the Canadian-American Hockey League.
Food & Beverage 4
Most of the concessions at the AMP are located in a pair of food courts on either side of the arena. Stands are operated by local favorites Sal’s Pizza and Saugy Franks. You’ll find all your arena standards here, including burgers, chicken tenders and oversized pizza slices. Hot dogs come in regular and jumbo sizes.
The snack game is strong at Amica Mutual Pavilion, highlighted by the most popular items at P-Bruin games, Dough Boys and Del’s Lemonade. Both are so in-demand that they get multiple carts scattered around the concourse. Of course, nachos, pretzels, popcorn, fries and more can be found at all the stands.
Coca-Cola products are featured at the AMP. A wide variety of macro beers can be found all over the facility alongside many local brews, including Five Minute Major golden ale, brewed by Union Station Brewery.
Atmosphere 4
The AMP is a pretty entertaining place to be on weekend nights. The affiliation with the nearby Boston Bruins ensures that the fans who visit downtown Providence are enthusiastic and knowledgeable about the team on the ice.
The focus of the game day presentation is the large video board that hangs at center ice. Videos, fan cams, graphics grab fans’ attention during play stoppages. Contests and giveaways during stoppages get the younger fans involved, filling the arena with noise at the most random times. Samboni, the team’s mascot, wanders the crowd from time to time, but doesn’t add a whole lot to the experience. Tables set up along the concourse for sponsors hawking their wares provide the occasional bit of swag for visiting fans.
Neighborhood 5
The Amica Mutual Pavilion is located in downtown Providence, within walking distance of a great number and variety of restaurants and attractions. Providence has a reputation as one of the top destinations in the country for foodies, and the area within walking distance of The AMP reflects the diversity and quality of options in the city as a whole.
Federal Hill, Providence’s Little Italy, is located a short walk from the arena. Several nationally renowned Italian restaurants can be found here. Closer to the front entrance of the AMP are local mainstays such as Blake’s, Murphy’s Pub and the Vig.
Also within walking distance is the Providence Place Mall, an upscale shopping center with several national stores and several more choices for the hungry basketball fan. If visiting during the fall or spring, you may be able to check out Waterfires, an outdoor festival which has been held several weekends every year since 1994, during which eighty cauldrons lining the Providence, Woonasquatucket and Moshassuck Rivers are lit on fire. Many other cities have copied Waterfire, but the original started right here in Providence. The full schedule of Waterfire lightings can be found here.
Entertainment options in downtown Providence vary from the nationally renowned Trinity Repertory Company and Providence Performing Arts Center to historic sites such as the Arcade, the nation’s first enclosed shopping center, and the Rhode Island State House.
Fans 4
Providence received the equivalent of the New England hockey “Golden Ticket” when the incredibly popular Boston Bruins placed their top farm team here in 1992. Since then, the P-Bruins have ranked in the top 5 in terms of attendance in the American Hockey League in almost every one of their 30 seasons.
The Bruins fell out of the top five in the AHL attendance rankings in 2024-25, but still managed to draw over 7,100 fans per game. The team is on pace to match or exceed that figure again this season.
Rhode Island is one of the most hockey-crazed parts of the country, with a rabid fanbase and strong youth programs in all parts of the state. This is reflected in the typical P-Bruins crowd, which is a mix of long-time diehards, casual fans, families and groups. The Dunk is full of noise and energy throughout the season.
Access 4
The Amica Mutual Pavilion is located in downtown Providence, easily accessed via Interstate 95. Be warned that traffic in and around Providence can be quite heavy if visiting on a weekday, so prepare to take some extra time to arrive. The recent demolition of half of the Washington Bridge, the main access into the city from the East Bay, has exacerbated traffic around Providence.
There is ample parking in the many surface lots and garages around the Amica Mutual Pavilion. Downtown Providence can be a busy place, particularly around the holidays. Fans utilizing public transportation will be pleased to know that both Kennedy Plaza, the hub of the local RIPTA bus service, and Union Station, the local Amtrak stop, are located a short walk from the Amica Mutual Pavilion.
The Amica Mutual Pavilion features a large seating bowl with excellent views of the court. All seats at the arena are individual folding arena seats. The concourse and restrooms received a makeover in 2008, and the arena is fairly easy to get around. Expect lines to form in the food court and restrooms during halftime, so plan your trips accordingly.
Return on Investment 3
Tickets to P-Bruins games are priced at $37-45 for lower bowl seats, with upper-level seats priced between $30-37. The P-Bruins run specials that will help defray the cost of tickets, with $10 off, Two for One and Me Plus Three packages offered for practically every game on the schedule.
As you may expect, parking in the downtown area around The Dunk will incur another charge. Parking in the lots and garages around the arena costs between $20-40 dollars, depending on location and night of event. If you don’t mind a little walk, you can park at the Providence Place Mall and get your parking validated for just $5. Enclosed walkways bring you from the mall all the way to the Dunk. There is plenty of free parking in the neighborhood for those who want to search a little bit.
Concessions are generally in line with other venues in the area. Local fans comparing a P-Bruins game to the big boys in Boston will undoubtedly enjoy the cheaper prices here.
Extras 3
Providence is an original AHL city, with a professional hockey history that predates the league. Hanging from the rafters of The Dunk are banners commemorating championships won by the Providence Bruins and their predecessor, the Providence Reds. Located in the lobby are plaques honoring local soldiers, the Providence Bruins 1999 Calder Cup championship team, and Providence player of the (20th) century Zellio Toppazzini.
Be sure to seek out the historical touches that abound around the arena, in particular the interactive kiosks on the far side of the concourse that commemorate the long history of the Providence Reds. The Reds have their own historic society that continues to operate today. In addition, the Rhode Island Hockey Hall of Fame has added an interactive kiosk to the display.
Fans looking to pick up some Providence or Boston Bruins gear will enjoy the well-stocked Pro Shop located at The Dunk. In addition, there are small kiosks on the concourse and in the lobby. The team has numerous specialty nights throughout their schedule, and has started adding merchandise for these theme nights, including the very popular Providence Fightin’ Parms.
Final Thoughts
Providence and the Amica Mutual Pavilion are often mentioned among the top American Hockey League travel destinations. The combination of a modern arena, frenzied fan support and a fantastic downtown area make The AMP a first-rate destination. Rhode Island has no shortage of quality hockey arenas in the area. It’s a quality Stadium Journey destination.
Comments