John J. Lee Amphitheater – Yale Bulldogs
- Greg Venuto
- Dec 4
- 6 min read
Updated: Dec 3
Photos by Greg Venuto, Matt Fiedler, and Paul Baker, Stadium Journey
Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.29
John J. Lee Amphitheater 70 Tower Parkway New Haven, CT 06511
Year Opened: 1932
Capacity: 2,532
An Ageless Wonder in New Haven
A relic, a throwback, a mini Palestra are some of the thoughts that come to mind as you enter John Jay Lee Amphitheater on the campus of Yale University, founded in 1701.
Payne Whitney Gymnasium is hardly your typical basketball structure. The gymnasium is housed in a 9.5-story tower building, which looks more like a cathedral and includes a third-floor swimming pool, fencing facilities, and a polo practice room. The building is home to many teams, including basketball, fencing, gymnastics, squash, swimming, and volleyball. I
t is the second-largest gym in the world by cubic feet and contains 12 acres of indoor space. The facility is the 8th-oldest Division One facility in the nation. Matthews Matthews Arena (Northeastern University) in Boston is the oldest, but it will be torn down in 2026, which will make Rose Hill Gymnasium at Fordham University in the Bronx the oldest (opened in 1925).
The building, designed in Gothic Revival style, was donated to Yale by John Hay Whitney, class of 1926, in honor of his father, Payne Whitney. The exterior walls are made of brick faced with stone.
Basketball has been played at Yale University since 1896. Payne Whitney Gymnasium, renamed John J. Lee Amphitheater in 1996, has been the home of the Lady Yale Bulldogs of the Ivy League since 1973. Yale named the venue in honor of alumnus John Lee ’58, who set a number of Yale records in basketball and helped lead the Bulldogs to the first official Ivy League Championship.
Food & Beverage 2
There is a concession stand just outside the entrance to John J. Lee Amphitheater. It offers the stadium essentials. In terms of beverages, fans will find Coca-Cola products and no alcohol, as this is an on-campus venue. There are also two vending machines as you enter the lobby area, filled with snacks and drinks. Although the prices are reasonable ($5 for hot dogs or popcorn and $4 for soda or water), eating before or after the game in New Haven is the best decision.
Atmosphere 3
The atmosphere at JLA is unique. While the building is not a cathedral in the true sense, it is a cathedral of basketball. The arena is all about the sounds and sights of the game as fans are close to the action with mostly unobstructed views.
The stuffed original Handsome Dan, the Bulldog mascot of Yale and the first college mascot in the United States, resides in a glass cabinet near the entrance to the building. The lobby features two cases which honor John J. Lee and Yale basketball, and a souvenir stand. Upon entering the facility, there is a tribute on the left wall to Yale athletes who reached the professional ranks in men’s and women’s basketball and volleyball.
There are twin video boards elevated above each baseline of the arena that display the relevant information. Statistical information is at a minimum, and no replays are shown. The ceiling does not contain any banners, and a track lighting system illuminates the court. There are four banners, one in each corner of the building, to commemorate the Men’s and Women’s basketball teams, gymnastics, and swimming.
Neighborhood 5
New Haven, the third-largest city in the state, with a population of around 135,000, has branded itself as the Pizza Capital of the United States, but it has so much more. The city is also home to great entertainment and culture from the Shubert Theater (opened in 1914) to The Connecticut Children’s Museum, the Yale Peabody Museum (free admission), the Yale Art Gallery, and the The Blessed Michael McGivney Pilgrimage Center can all be found in New Haven.
The food scene is hardly limited to pizza, with some great establishments such as Geronimo for southwestern fare, Mecha Noodle Bar for Dumplings, Ramen, and Pho, Villa Lulu for Italian, Pacifico for Latin, and, of course, for burgers at Louis’ Lunch since 1895 and Prime 16 (also noted for its craft beers and specialty cocktails).
Of course, a stop at a pizza shop is mandatory. Old school Frank Pepe’s or Sally’s Apizza on Wooster Street are the mainstays, but the newcomer to the scene, Zeneli, is making its mark on the same block.
The only caveat is that New Haven can be a bit sketchy at night, so be vigilant.
Fans 2
The women do not draw big crowds, with about 400 to 600 spectators in the building per game. The team has not been over .500 since 2021-2022 and has never made the NCAA Tournament. The Bulldogs have only won the Ivy League title once, in 1979.
The good news is the arena can get loud with not many fans in the seats. The sound reverberates inside the old building and makes for a better atmosphere. Yale averaged only 538 spectators per game last season.
Access 4
There are a lot of ways to get to New Haven. The city itself is located off the busy I-95 and I-91 interchange. There are several free parking lots in the area around the arena. There is also parking on the side streets that surround the arena. As you enter the lobby, make a right to find the entrance to the John J. Lee Amphitheater.
Taking public transportation is another way to get to New Haven. Union Station in New Haven is only eight minutes away from the John J. Lee Amphitheater by car, but a 35-minute hike on foot. If coming from NYC or Boston, you can take the Amtrak to Union Station or Metro North if coming from local towns, and then Uber or Lyft to the arena.
Once inside, the layout of the seats is unique. Fans enter the building in the upper portion of the arena and walk down to the lower seating area. There is also the option to stand and watch the game from above in the balcony, which affords a fabulous view of the action.
There are steep stairwells, which give off the look of an old high school building, to access the club seating and upper balcony behind each basket. The club seats and lounge are on the opposite side as you enter. The only thing that detracts from the accessibility is that the bathrooms are located downstairs. The good news is that the bathrooms are spacious and clean.
Return on Investment 5
Going to see a Yale women’s basketball game is an experience that will not punish the wallet. Tickets range from $8 for general admission to $15 for a court-side seat. The arena offers mostly wooden seats (not the most comfortable) with ample leg room. The original brown seats are a throwback to the past and actually have wires under each seat to stash your Stetson or top hat. There are benches down low for students and the band.
There are several free parking lots (Lot 78 on Ashmon Street is a great option) around the arena, but there is also street parking. Be mindful of parking meters on the street, as most meters are in effect until 9 p.m. except on Sunday.
Extras 2
One point is awarded for the experience of attending a game at the John J. Lee Amphitheater. It’s old in a good way. Fans are close to the action and can appreciate the sport without too much else getting in the way.
Lee Amphitheater was selected as one of college basketball’s historic venues by ESPN The Magazine in 2011.
Another point is given for the excellent food scene of New Haven. It’s almost a requirement to sample some pizza either before or after the game. But cuisine from almost any country is readily available. New Haven is one of the first planned cities in the US, founded by English Puritans in 1638 and established in 1640.
Final Thoughts
Lee Amphitheater has to reach bucket list status for all sports fans. The uniqueness and no frills atmosphere give spectators a glimpse of the past, and the city of New Haven provides plenty of entertainment and educational opportunities to complement the experience.
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