We heard the Scorpions got a new stadium, so when we were in town we made sure to catch the visiting Atlanta Silverbacks.
There is $10 parking if you park around the north side of the stadium, and looks like a lot of supporters also tailgate here. If you come in from the north side of the stadium, there is an area where vendors set up carts to sell food, sponsors set up stalls to give out free prizes, and a DJ plays music. A great place to take your kids if you get there early. Oddly, the attendants didn't have scanners for our tickets, and simply tore off the barcode. Maybe it was just because this was the second game at the stadium, and they didn't have enough handheld scanners, but this needs to be addressed before scalpers figure out this work around. Also, we didn't get programs until we walked around to other entrances. (We love game programs, so that was annoying.)
Overall, the stadium is a great 8,000 seat venue that is clearly optimistic about expansion in the future (as evidenced by the free standing I-beams around the stadium. The west side of the stadium has different colored seats that make a picture of the Scorpions logo (pretty cool). The west side has a shade cover and nice leather seats that are embroidered with the Scorpions' logo-pretty sweet. One minus/indication of a stadium on a budget is the lack of cup holders, even in the VIP seat area. A minor inconvenience, but a cost saving measure that enables the team to afford the stadium.
The concourses are wide, and so if your hands are full of stuff, the risk of getting knocked around is low. The concessions serve up the standard hot dog/hamburger/nachos/pretzel/popcorn fare. If you go early, try to stand around the south side of the stadium to watch the teams warm up. (Not really supposed to loiter there.) You get pretty close, but are safe from errant shots thanks to some field-goal netting. As you walk up the south ramp, there's a team store, where you can get various Scorpions swag like jerseys and scarves.
Since we had VIP tickets, we got to go to the upper deck where there's a patio (with a TV), a bar, and access to suites. The stand alone bar girls are cash only, but if you walk around the corner to the bar, they take credit card. The bar area is pretty nice, with tvs showing highlights. It would have been a bit nicer if they added a few more pieces of Scorpion memorabilia, instead of the 6 kinds of liquor they serve. The bar has a nice selection of draft and bottled beer, as well as the aforementioned liquor. You can also watch the traffic come in from the upper patio area. Any drinks purchased in the upper deck have to remain up there.
After we had a couple beers on the upper patio and a quick restroom stop, we headed down to our seats in section 103. (The bathrooms are pretty basic, but clean and air-conditioned!) We had a great view of all the game and the seats had a lot of leg room, while be at a good pitch to see the match. Before the game, they have someone (not sure of her title) named Vanessa to introduce all the traditions they're trying to implement in the stadium (bang on the aluminum stands during corners, sing along, chants, yell out player's last names during introductions). I think that's really great for a young team to try and introduce to create a fun atmosphere.
The supporters groups sit in the lower seats on the north side of the stadium, and I counted 2, maybe 3 supporters groups. I thought it was odd that they didn't sit together, but rather anchored the north corners. It seemed like they were fighting with each other for attention. I think the front office needs to work with both groups to bring them together to create a better atmosphere. I did like how they did have a supporter out front to serve as the "drum major." He was pretty good at leading the group in songs and chants. I forget which minute they started playing the "Dale, dale, San Anton" (not a typo) song, but it was entirely too loud and jarring.
Because we had a long drive back, we left in the 80', back through that north entrance party plaza. At first we thought the exit was blocked, till we asked an attendant, to which she said, "Yes, but you CAN'T come back in." Uhh...are you ever allowed to come back in if you leave? Odd.
Out of the parking lot, there's only one way back to the freeway, so we could see potential traffic issues here. The potential for a huge backlog of cars is pretty probable, unless traffic officers take charge.
Overall, a great place to catch some soccer, but they have a few minor kinks to work out. Tickets were affordable, so hopefully the Scorpions manage a few sellouts soon! read more