Photos by David Hegler and Dave Cottenie, Stadium Journey
Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 2.86
SAP Center 525 W Santa Clara St San Jose, CA 95113
Year Opened: 1993
Capacity: 17,562
The Shark Tank
Ever since the San Jose Sharks were founded in 1991 and moved into the newly-built San Jose Arena two years later, their hometown has wholeheartedly embraced them. By the time the playoffs roll around, the vast city of San Jose, California is very much a Hockey Town.
The SAP Center is perfect for the Sharks as it represents the city’s culture while providing impeccable views in all corners of the arena. Of course, the arena hosts much more than Sharks hockey. In the past, it has hosted the Golden State Warriors, the Arena Football League’s Sabercats, and the Indoor Football League’s Bay Area Panthers as well as a plethora of concerts. As a result of its history, the SAP Center is a staple in the San Jose community.
Food & Beverage 4
San Jose is a melting pot of all sorts of nationalities and cultures, most of which are represented in SAP Center’s food court. It has virtually everything from the Smoking Pig BBQ, The Hula Truck, Umai Sushi, and Launch Test Kitchen. The only culture that the arena doesn’t embrace is the rich Indian culture that has richly enhanced the city’s eatery landscape.
If you’re looking for something sweet, then Sweet Treat just might be for you. They offer ice cream sundaes topped with sugary cereal such as Cinnamon Toast Crunch.
There is a wide variety of alcoholic beverages available. Coors Light and Modelo are the main beers available throughout. Coca-Cola products are the soft drinks available at the arena.
Atmosphere 3
As of this writing, the Sharks sit near the bottom of the NHL. You wouldn’t know it if you saw their entrance. As the players run through the giant shark head and onto the ice, the crowd roars its approval, no matter the record.
Their guest service representatives do a fantastic job of inspiring positive energy throughout the game. All through the game, the video board shows employees giving gifts to lucky winners throughout the arena, keeping the audience engaged.
Neighborhood 3
In general San Jose is a pretty safe place to visit and the same can be said about the surrounding neighborhood of the SAP Center. It’s a relatively unique setting with residential neighborhoods directly surrounding the arena and various restaurants outlining the general area.
If you’re willing to walk a couple of blocks, Chipotle Mexican Grill, Mexico Lindo Y Cantina, La Cuevelas Restaurant and Five Guys are all to the right of SAP Center on the Alameda. The closest eatery to the arena is the Botanero Bar & Grill, which is directly across Julian St.
The closest hotels are right down W. Santa Clara St., the Hotel De Anza: A Destination by Hyatt and AC Hotel San Jose Downtown, both four stars.
If you’d like to catch a minor league hockey or college football game, both the San Jose Barracuda hockey and San Jose State football teams are less than three miles from the SAP Arena.
Fans 2
The fans know that good things are just around the corner for their team. All through the game, they cheer and groan as loud as possible, living through each moment of the contest. Still, the empty aisles are noticeable. At a glance, the arena was 65% full at the game of this review, which was fuller than expected.
Access 3
Located just four miles south of the San Jose-Mineta Airport, there are several viable options to getting to SAP Arena. Both Uber and Lyft are popular options in this part of town and bus stops are all along the Alameda and W. Santa Clara Street (they’re the same street but change names at the arena). Fans should check out the Valley Transportation Authority website for fares, maps and schedules. There is also parking at the arena, which goes for between $25 and $35.
Security is pretty standard for a pro sports facility, with a bag check and bomb sniffing dogs, but it’s not congested.
Return on Investment 3
The neat thing about teams that are stuck at the bottom of the league is that the tickets tend to be cheaper. I sat in the second to last row of general admission and paid just $41 with a good bird’s eye view. The more expensive seats in the lower bowl go for $90 to $320. Despite being so far from the action, I could still hear the pop of the pads and always had a clear view of the action. This is an arena where there is no bad spot to watch the action.
Extras 2
You may have noticed numerous lights that seem to be flashing onto the ice in one of the pictures. Those lights are not fans. Instead, the arena has fitted each seat with a set of lights that flash three different colors throughout the game. I’m sure other arenas throughout America have this feature, it’s just my first time seeing it firsthand.
Another interesting feature in the arena is the San Jose Sports Hall of Fame. All along the arena’s walls, you can see plaques depicting the greatest athletes and sports figures that have hailed from San Jose. It’s always neat to have a free history lesson.
Final Thoughts
San Jose loves its hockey. Whether it’s through the trauma of another playoff exit or the joy of finally winning a game, the city’s love for the sport has been forged through fire. It’s a passion that you can’t truly understand unless you go to a game.
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