Photos by Greg Venuto, Stadium Journey
Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.43
Ingalls Rink
73 Sachem St
New Haven, CT 06511
Year Opened: 1958
Capacity: 3,500
Same As It Ever Was At The Yale Whale
The more things change, the more they remain the same. And maybe that’s a good thing, especially if you are a fan of old-time hockey barns. Ingalls Rink, affectionately known as the Yale Whale, has changed little since our last visit to New Haven. The building was designed by famous Finnish-American architect Euro Saarinen, who created the Gateway Arch in St. Louis.
Ingalls Rink, named after David S. Ingalls (‘20) and David S. Ingalls Jr. (‘56), was completed in 1958 and renovated in 2009. It fits all the cliches: old school, old-time hockey, and turning back the clock. This hockey rink is all about one thing—hockey. There are no LED ribbon boards, digital signage, fancy scoreboards with video replays, fog horns, or air raid sirens.
But the building has charm, sort of like the Old Boston Garden did. The seats are close to the action, and the glass sounds like it’s going to crack when hit by a shot or run into by the players. Other distinctive features are the cold interior, although not as bad in November, the occasional smell of locker room aroma, and a public address system that is, at best, difficult to decipher when seated behind the goals. There are no luxury boxes or high-end food choices.
Yale University boasts the oldest collegiate hockey program in the United States. Yale played its first game in 1896, a 2-2 tie versus Johns Hopkins. The Bulldogs are members of the 12-team ECAC (Eastern Collegiate Hockey Conference) and have qualified for eight NCAA Tournaments, a pair of Frozen Fours, and the national championship in 2013.
Food & Beverage 2
Viewing a game at Ingalls is a great experience, eating there is not so much. There is one concession stand at the back of the arena, and there is one underneath the main entrance, which offers identical fare. To access the lower concession stand, team store, and additional bathrooms, fans need to hit the stairs. The other concession stand has bathrooms on the main level.
The limited menu includes hot dogs ($4.50), nachos and popcorn for $4, peanuts, and cotton candy and chips. The drinks include Coca-Cola products, water, hot chocolate, and coffee.
On the plus side, one change is a bar at the back side of the arena next to the concession stand.
Atmosphere 3
The atmosphere can be electric, but on this visit, the arena was only one-third of capacity, and the mascot was not in attendance.
The ceiling, which looks like the bottom of an old ship, is quite captivating. Fans are often looking up to check out the surroundings. The scoreboard is old school and displays - the score.
The arena has several display cases to showcase great moments in Yale men’s and women’s hockey. Banners hang from the rafters to commemorate conference champions, NCAA tournament appearances, and its 2013 National Championship.
There are also 12 large flags, six each on each side, containing the logos of all 12 ECAC member schools. On the lower level, there is a timeline of Yale hockey containing pictures and memorabilia that was erected following a renovation of the building.
Neighborhood 4
Ingalls Rink is situated on the northern edge of a charming campus with beautiful architecture. It is an open campus and easily walkable. Less than a mile away are a host of restaurants, including Bar for classic pizza (not coal or wood-fired), Louis Lunch (opened 1895), which claims it invented the hamburger sandwich, and Rubamba, a small, unassuming restaurant on 25 High Street.
New Haven, referred to as the pizza capital of the United States by Barstool Sports, boasts a small but hearty Italian section that includes legendary pizza places Frank Pepe’s and Sally’s Apizza (both coal-fired) on Wooster Street.
There is also Modern Apizza (brick oven) and Next Door less than 1 mile from Yale. Fans can’t go wrong with a pie from any of these four establishments, but be prepared to wait for a table at Pepe’s and Sally’s, especially on weekends.
New Haven also offers an array of entertainment. The Schubert Theater (247 College Street) and the College Street Music Hall offer plays, shows, concerts, and comedy acts.
The only concern for fans is not to wander too far off campus, as New Haven has some less desirable areas that are not as safe, especially at night. The bars on Temple and Crown Streets are hopping on weekend nights and are a great place for post-gaming.
Fans 3
Fan support had been staunch at Ingalls, but losing seasons have taken a bit of starch out of the fan base. Tickets were readily available last season (2023-24). Yale has not posted a winning season since 2018-19. The Bulldogs averaged 1683 per contest in 2023-24 (48% of capacity) but averaged over 3000 per game from 2009-10 to 2018-19.
Several locals attend games, and many enjoy standing and watching from above, which might be the best view at Ingalls. The bowl has an interesting configuration with walkways on each side of the ice that go up and then back down and afford great views of the ice.
Access 4
There is adequate access to the campus coming from I-91 or I-95 into downtown New Haven. The campus is about 90 minutes from New York City and 45 minutes from Hartford to the North and Stamford to the South.
There is the four-level Prospect-Sachem parking garage next to the rink, and there is another garage on 55 Lock Street There is also street parking, and meters are in effect until 9 pm.
New Haven is the last stop on the Metro-North Railroad, and the station on State Street is situated just over one mile from Ingalls.
Getting into the arena can take a bit of time as there is no lobby. Crowds sometimes back up outside on a cold night, waiting to get through security.
The seating area consists of wooden benches with backs, and the sightlines vary based on the irregular configuration of the seating area. Most of the views are great. There are no chairbacks in the facility.
Return on Investment 5
A center ice seat runs $25 and $35 for premium games versus Harvard and Quinnipiac. Seating behind the net is $20 for non-premium games, and standing room is only $10 ($15 for premium). Seniors (62 and up) can get seats for $25 on the sides and $15 behind the goals for all non-premium games, with an additional $5 for premium.
Extras 3
The display and trophy cases in the lobby and downstairs are a nice touch and include the 2013 NCAA trophy. Downstairs, there are tributes to past Yale teams and the history and construction of Ingalls Rink.
Ingalls Rink is about as extra as a rink can get. The great design and the classic feel make one reminiscent of the old Boston Garden on a much smaller scale. The building was included on America’s Favorite Architecture list of 2007 by the American Institute of Architects.
There is no organ, but the crowd and the Yale band generate excitement. The PA system plays many arena classics.
Final Thoughts
The Yale Whale is a bucket list destination and worthy of inclusion with other classic hockey arenas like Matthews Arena in Boston, home of Northeastern, and Hobey Baker Rink in Princeton, New Jersey, home of the Princeton Tigers. Once a ticket is purchased, a treat is in store for all sports fans; just bring some warm clothing if attending on a cold winter’s night. Hopefully, it stays the same for years to come.
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