Scotiabank Saddledome - Calgary Roughnecks

Photos by Jim Flannery, Stadium Journey

Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.86

Scotiabank Saddledome 555 Saddledome Rise SE Calgary, AB T2G 2W1 Map It

Calgary Roughnecks website

Scotiabank Saddledome website

Year Opened: 1983

Capacity: 19,289

Back in the Saddle

The Calgary Roughnecks (NLL) are one of the most successful franchises in Calgary sports history. Since they started playing in November, 2001, they have won three championships, in 2004, 2009, and 2019.

Needless to say their standards for performance are high and their fanbase are dedicated and enthusiastic.

The Scotiabank Saddledome is the home of the Roughnecks. The ‘Dome has been open since 1983 and is also host to the NHL’s Calgary Flames and the WHL’s Calgary Hitmen. Conveniently, the Flames own all three franchises, so it’s very much an All In The Family situation at the Saddledome.

While the Saddledome was state-of-the-art when it opened for business, it is starting to be a little long in the tooth more than 30 years later.

However, a new arena is now under construction just north of the Saddledome. It is slated to open in 2027, so the clock is officially ticking on when the Saddledome will close its doors.

A new arena aside, the Saddledome remains a solid structure that has seen a number of renovations over the years to keep it fairly modern, and is still a good place to watch an event.

Food & Beverage 4

For the most part, there are the standard concessions stands selling the standard selection of soft drinks, hot dogs, popcorn, etc., at fairly typical prices (hot dogs are $7.50, nachos are $11.50). You’ll also find Original 16 on tap at all the regular concession stands ($11.75 for a glass).

There are also numerous specialty stands throughout the concourse. The Dog House serves, you guessed it, gourmet hot dogs. Madame Tiger has some interesting Indian options, including Vegan dishes.

In addition, there are Pizza 73 stands, Italian ice kiosks, little doughnut stations, and Good Earth Coffee available for fans who want something a little different than cola and popcorn. There is also a Jugo Juice stand on the east side, which offers some healthier choices with their yummy juice concoctions and wraps.

Beyond all that, there are several bars and restaurants around the Saddledome. The Ultra Club Lounge, Molson Hockey House, the Saddledome Restaurant, the Sportsnet Platinum Club, the Alumni Lounge, and the Telus Club Restaurant are all situated within the building, providing fans with a number of different dining options and experiences.

Atmosphere 4

Box lacrosse, as the indoor game is known, is the best spectator sport in the world, in my humble opinion. It is fast and furious, full of strength, finesse, speed, and grace. I have never yet taken a sports fan to a game and had that person say they didn’t enjoy the experience.

The atmosphere, not surprisingly, is pretty fired up. Music is played throughout the game (some people I’ve talked to like this; some not so much), and fans are encouraged by the announcer to cheer their team and taunt the opposition. As a result, the fans at Roughnecks games are quite boisterous.

The Roughnecks have won three league championships in their time in the NLL. Consequently, the energy and sense of pride the team brings to the stadium is very strong, and the entire building and the people inside seem to feed off it. It is infectious and makes for an entertaining, exciting event.

The lacrosse community in town is 10 times larger now than it was when the Roughnecks arrived here, so the audience has a significant group of younger fans and their parents. The powers that be within the organization do a good job of appealing to them with meet-and-greet opportunities after games, youth-oriented events between quarters, and at halftime, etc. The net result is that kids of all ages are likely to have a great time at a game.

Adding to the overall atmosphere are the championship banners displayed in the rafters, giving a sense that the Roughnecks are indeed home.

The downside is that attendance at Roughnecks games is usually around half of the Saddledome’s capacity. In spite of the energy in the occupied parts of the stands, it still, at times, can feel pretty empty, although crowds of 10,000 or more are the norm. In fact, in the 2025 regular season, Calgary had the second-best attendance in the NLL.

Neighborhood 3

The Saddledome is situated on the Calgary Stampede Grounds, located on the southeast edge of the downtown core. Victoria Park, the neighbourhood directly north, is slowly becoming more and more gentrified, which means more dining and entertainment options in the immediate vicinity are popping up.

One of the relatively new locations is the Cowboys Casino, just north of the ‘Dome on the Stampede Grounds. The Casino features several restaurants, including Melrose Café, Centre Bar, and Hitman’s Bar.

Next door to Cowboys Casino is Cardinale, an upscale Italian restaurant, if you’re looking for some fine dining before a game.

Heading west from the Stampede Grounds along 17th Ave., you’ll find many good options. For example, Model Milk, at 308 17th Ave., is another upscale restaurant sourcing its ingredients locally, as much as possible. Or you can try PinBar, at 501 17th Ave., for a place that is open late, serves all manner of burgers and other pub grub, and also has a selection of pinball machines.

Heading east into the Inglewood area, you can check out The Hose and Hound Pub, located in an old fire station, or the Nash, located at 925 11 St. SE, in the historic National Hotel.

Fans 4

Roughnecks have averaged more than 11,000 fans per game for three straight years, which fills it to about half or two-thirds. That puts them right near the top of the league in average attendance.

The fans are fiercely loyal and very enthusiastic, resulting in lots of noise and great energy during the game, especially in comparison to the relatively quiet crowds you might find at a hockey game in the ‘Dome. With the explosion of interest in lacrosse within Calgary, the crowds have become more stable and have seen gradual but steady growth over the years.

Access 3

Located downtown, the Saddledome is relatively easy to get to, aside from the traffic woes that are par for the course in the inner city. Expect stop-and-go traffic and delays getting to and from the facility, which can be anywhere from distracting to downright irritating.

Calgary is one of the most expensive places to park in North America, and consequently, parking on the Stampede Grounds will run you $18. The lot also fills up fairly quickly, especially if there are other events happening around the Grounds. There are other alternate off-site parking options at similar or slightly lower rates, but plan for a bit of a walk after that.

The other option is to take the city’s Light Rail Transit system to the game. The “C-Train” has a stop on the west side of the grounds, making it easily accessible from all over the city heading north, south, or west. This can be a much more convenient option for fans not wanting the hassle of driving downtown, although the trains can get pretty crowded after events. An adult fare for Calgary Transit is $3.80, youths are $2.55.

The concourse itself is spacious enough for a typical Roughnecks crowd on the east and west sides, but gets pretty narrow to the north and south. This isn’t too much of a problem at Roughnecks games, where the building is only at half capacity, but it can get badly crowded when the house is full.

Return on Investment 4

Compared to the price of a Flames game, the cost of a Roughnecks game is a bargain. Prices start at $31 for upper bowl end zone tickets; tickets at the door go for anywhere from $38.55 for the higher rows of the upper bowl to $42.37 for seats in the lower bowl.

With as good a price as this is for a professional sporting event, coupled with the entertainment value provided by box lacrosse, this is a pretty good deal.

Extras 5

The Saddledome provides a good environment for enjoying sports, with good sight lines for everyone.

There are several points of interest along the concourse walls, including 1988 Olympic displays and Alberta’s inductees into the NHL Hall of Fame. Virtually every concourse wall has something to look at.

Several times during the game, the Drill Crew dance team makes appearances on the floor to wow the fans with their award-winning moves. When they’re not center stage performing, they can be seen in the concourse and the stands selling their always-popular calendars.

The Roughnecks also have a mascot, Howie the Honey Badger. Howie helps entertain the kids in the crowd and also helps out with giveaways and promotions during the game.

There are two locations of the Flames Fan Attic on the premises, on the east and west sides of the concourse. In either of those stores, you can stock up on all the Roughnecks merchandise you can carry, from shirts and jerseys to hats, mugs, and keychains.

The players stick around after games to sign autographs on the field for dedicated fans. This is a really cool feature of attending one of the smaller-scale pro sports, and it really helps get the fans in touch with the athletes they’re supporting.

Final Thoughts

When you put it all together, attending a Roughnecks game, or any NLL game, is almost guaranteed to be a fun and entertaining experience. The game itself is more than worth the price of admission, and there are any number of other excellent reasons to make the visit to the Scotiabank Saddledome.