MassMutual Center - Springfield Thunderbirds
- Paul Baker
- Dec 28, 2025
- 7 min read
Updated: Jan 5
Photos by Paul Baker, Stadium Journey
Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.86
MassMutual Center 1277 Main St Springfield, MA 01103
Year Opened: 1972
Capacity: 6,800
A Decade of Thunder
The Mass Mutual Center debuted in 1972 as the Springfield Civic Center. Attached to the arena is the largest convention center in western Massachusetts, which was built in 2005. In addition to hosting several minor league hockey teams over the years, this was the home of the Hartford Whalers for part of the 1978 season when a roof collapse at the Hartford Civic Center forced the Whalers to search for a temporary home.
The city of Springfield is a charter member of the American Hockey League, with a hockey history that goes all the way back to 1926. Seven Calder Cup Championship teams have played in Springfield. The original AHL team in the city, the Indians (who were rebranded as the Kings from 1967 to 1974) played in Springfield for 60 seasons before moving to Worcester in 1994.
Ex-Indian players Bruce Landon and Wayne LaChance secured an expansion franchise for the following season, but the team, named the Falcons, was plagued by inconsistent attendance and a revolving door of affiliations. At the conclusion of the 2015-16 season, it was announced that the Arizona Coyotes were purchasing the team and moving them to the Tucson Arena as part of the AHL’s westward expansion.
On May 4, 2016, a consortium of local business owners announced they were purchasing the Portland Pirates and relocating them to Springfield for the 2016-17 season. The name Thunderbirds was chosen to evoke not only images of the mythological bird but also to honor the Air Force’s presence in the region. The Thunderbirds have qualified for the playoffs three times in their first nine seasons, reaching the Calder Cup Finals in 2022.
Food and Beverage 5
The MassMutual Center has an impressive array of concessions options for such a small arena. Highlighting the offerings is a stand run by Bear’s BBQ, where hungry fans can grab their popular Mac Attack bowls topped with brisket or pulled pork. Randy’s Wooster Street offers its specialty pizza slices, and Barrio Cantina serves up Tacos, nachos, and flautas. The Tater & Tot stand serves up its signature chili served over loaded hot dogs, tater tots, and baked potatoes.
Fenway Park’s legendary Sausage Guy operates a busy stand, and fans can also hit up the Chick-fil-A stand for a sandwich or the Casa del Sol Cantina for some loaded nachos. Stadium Journey recommends getting yours in a souvenir goalie helmet. Fans looking for a healthier alternative can head to the Jugitos stand, where assorted smoothies and acai bowls are sold.
Fans looking for a pub-type atmosphere can visit the Breakaway Lounge or the Center Grille, where a selection of drinks and arena classics is served up. If you have a sweet tooth that needs a fix, Crumble serves up their oversized gourmet cookies, and fans can get soft serve ice cream and Dippin’ Dots.
Pepsi products are featured at the MassMutual Center. Fans looking for adult beverages will find no shortage of options, headlined by the Michelob Ultra Bar. Alongside a massive selection of macro brews is local favorite Thunder Boom IPA from White Lion Brewing.
Atmosphere 4
After decades of sporadic crowds and a lackluster game day atmosphere in Springfield, the Thunderbirds front office has found the magic formula to attract fans and bring excitement to MassMutual Center.
The Thunderbirds staff put on a high-energy show with a lot of noise and distraction to keep casual and younger fans interested. They integrate the arena’s lights, video board, and sound system to maximize the atmosphere in this small facility. The team’s mascot, Boomer, is the center of attention from the moment he takes the ice for pregame introductions.
The schedule is filled with giveaways and special events, and the team store is stocked with special items honoring Springfield’s hockey heritage and special themes like the Ice-o-topes. During intermission, the ice is loaded with youth hockey teams, vehicles packed with folks throwing t-shirts into the stands, and more. “Organized chaos” is the term that comes to mind.
There’s a large video board that is put to great use with replays, fan cams, advertisements, and graphics. The sound system is fantastic, and the energy is high. The team employs a PA announcer and an emcee who make sure the fans are engaged. On the concourse, fans can purchase tickets for the 50/50 or jersey raffle, and younger fans can head to the kids’ area at the back of the arena, where there are coloring stations, a video game screen, and a slapshot cage.
Neighborhood 4
The MassMutual Center is located in downtown Springfield, long considered an area to avoid, but whose reputation is changing as the area goes through a metamorphosis. Central to the area’s rejuvenation is the MGM Springfield Casino, located just a block from the arena.
Despite the many new places going up around the casino, Stadium Journey recommends a trio of old dining options for visiting fans. First and foremost is Red Rose Pizzeria, located downtown since 1963, where diners can enjoy quality pizzas and enormous servings of Neapolitan fare.
Also worth a look is The Student Prince Café and the Fort, where German-style food and drink have been served since 1935. Finally, fans can head over to Theodore’s Blues, Booze, and BBQ, where local and national blues acts perform every Friday and Saturday while the staff serves up some of the area’s best BBQ.
Of course, Springfield’s biggest attraction may be the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame, located a mile from the MassMutual Center. Also located nearby are the Springfield Armory and the Amazing World of Dr. Seuss Museum. Located near the museum are several life-sized statues of Dr. Seuss characters.
Fans 4
This writer has been attending games in Springfield since the 1990s, and the success of the T-birds has been astounding. The team has averaged over 6,000 fans per game in each of the last three seasons and is well on its way to a fourth straight season topping that mark in 2025-26 as we approach the new year.
So why have the Thunderbirds succeeded when the Falcons struggled to attract fans? The team has worked hard to integrate itself into the fabric of the community, has attracted groups with ticket deals, and has enriched the game day experience with improvements to the facility.
Overall, a Thunderbirds crowd looks similar to many others across the minor league hockey landscape. You’ll find lots of families, groups, and diehard fans who’ve been coming downtown for hockey games for decades. There’s a lot of enthusiasm and noise in the crowd here, especially when fans from the nearby Bruins or Rangers farm teams descend on Springfield.
Access 3
The MassMutual Center is located in downtown Springfield, MA, a city of almost 156,000 residents. Springfield is the third-largest city in Massachusetts and the fourth-largest city in all of New England. The MassMutual Center is easy to get to, as it is just a few blocks from Interstate 91. Interstates 291 and 90 (the Mass Pike) run just a few miles away. Springfield refers to itself as “The Crossroads of New England.”
Springfield’s Union Station, with hubs for Greyhound, Peter Pan, and Pioneer Valley Transit bus lines, as well as Amtrak and CT Rail trains, is located only a half mile from the arena. Several Pioneer Valley Transit bus routes stop at Court Square, right across the street from MassMutual Center. Plentiful parking can be found at the MGM Casino garage, in surface lots in the area, or on-street for fans who want to search for it.
So, why the average access score? Two reasons. Bruce Landon Way, directly in front of MassMutual Center, continues to be closed, even though the garage and construction in the area appear to be completed.
Secondly, the MassMutual Center is just too small for the crowds showing up these days. A happy consequence of the increased attendance is that the facility has a hard time handling crowds that large. There’s just not enough room for everyone on the concourse during intermissions, so time your trips to the concession stands and restrooms wisely.
Return on Investment 4
Prices for Thunderbird tickets start at $21, escalating to $39 for the most expensive seats. The team offers several ticket deals, including Deuces Wild Fridays, featuring $2 domestic drafts, hot dogs, and sodas, and Winning Wednesdays, where a T-Birds win gets you a ticket for another weekday game. Sunday games are designated as Sensory Sundays, with special sensory booklets given out to those fans who need them.
Parking will cost an additional $10 in the Civic Center Garage across the street from the MassMutual Center, with free parking on local streets and in the MGM Parking Garage. With concessions generally priced in line with other local venues, a night at a Thunderbirds game is an affordable entertainment option for Western Massachusetts sports fans.
Extras 3
The Springfield Hockey Hall of Fame is located on the arena concourse. Significant persons in the area’s hockey heritage are honored here. Among the familiar names you’ll find here are Eddie Shore and Willie O’Ree.
The Thunderbirds also honor the city’s hockey heritage with banners honoring all of Springfield’s Calder Cup champions and several retired numbers.
If you can, be sure to check out the tiny team store in the northwest corner of the arena. Throwback merchandise from the Indians and Falcons can be found here, as well as the popular Simpsons crossover merchandise featuring the Thunderbirds’ alternate identity, the “Ice-O-Topes.” Time your trips well, as lines can last throughout the game.
Final Thoughts
Springfield is an original AHL city, but it looked like their time in the league was done when the Falcons left town. That all changed when a new team and new ownership arrived, reinvigorating interest in minor league hockey in the city. The MassMutual Center may have a definite '70s vibe to its design, but the game day experience here is all new.
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