Ralph Engelstad Arena facts for kids
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"The Ralph"
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 REA
Location in Grand Forks, North Dakota
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| Address | One Ralph Engelstad Arena Dr |
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| Location | Grand Forks, North Dakota |
| Coordinates | 47°55′40″N 97°04′17″W / 47.927641°N 97.071438°W |
| Owner | Engelstad Family Foundation |
| Operator | Arena Network |
| Capacity | Hockey: 11,643 Basketball: 12,119 Concert: 13,154 |
| Surface | 200' x 85' (hockey) |
| Construction | |
| Opened | October 5, 2001 |
| Construction cost | $104 million ($172 million in 2022 dollars ) |
| Tenants | |
| North Dakota Fighting Hawks men's ice hockey Women's (2002–2017) Winnipeg Jets (NHL Preseason) (2011–present) |
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Ralph Engelstad Arena (REA), often called the Ralph, is a large indoor sports building. It is located on the campus of the University of North Dakota (UND) in Grand Forks, North Dakota. This arena is the main home for the UND men's ice hockey team. The arena was built by Ralph Engelstad, a former student of UND. The men's hockey team plays their games here. The arena also used to host the North Dakota women's hockey team until 2017.
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What is the Ralph Engelstad Arena Like?
The Ralph Engelstad Arena opened on October 5, 2001. It can seat 11,643 people for hockey games. The arena is found right on the UND campus. It is the home for the UND men's ice hockey team. It also hosts some games for UND men's and women's basketball.
Unique Features of the Arena
The arena is sometimes called the "Taj Mahal of hockey." It cost $104 million to build. Special materials were used that you don't usually see in sports buildings. For example, the floors in the hallways are made of granite. Every seat is made of Cherry wood and soft leather. There are escalators to help fans move between levels. Many full-color LCD screens are placed around the arena.
People say the REA is one of the best sports buildings in the world. Even famous former NHL player Wayne Gretzky called it "one of the most beautiful buildings we have in North America."
Other Buildings at the REA Complex
The REA complex has grown to include more than just the main arena. There is a second ice rink next to the main one. This rink is Olympic-sized, meaning it's bigger than a standard hockey rink.
Another building, called The Betty Engelstad Sioux Center (or The Betty), was finished in 2004. This building is now the home for UND's basketball and volleyball teams.
Who Owns and Manages the Arena?
Even though the arena is on the University of North Dakota campus, it is owned by The Engelstad Family Foundation. The university rents the arena each year for just $1. This special arrangement gives the Engelstad family control over the building.
In 2015, the Ralph Engelstad Arena received an award. Trip Advisor gave it a certificate of excellence. This means it was one of the top-rated places to visit in America.
In 2019, the REA got a new scoreboard that cost $6 million. It was first shown on June 26, 2019. This new scoreboard is considered one of the best in the country. Many other updates were also made, like a new LED ribbon display. This display wraps all the way around the arena.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the NHL thought about using the Ralph for playoff games. This was because North Dakota has a low population density. Also, the REA is a very high-quality facility.
What Major Events Has the Ralph Engelstad Arena Hosted?
The very first hockey game at the REA was on October 5, 2001. The Fighting Sioux men's team played against their rivals, the Minnesota Golden Gophers. This game was part of the US Hockey Hall of Fame Game. Minnesota won that game 7–5.
Ice Hockey Tournaments and Games
The REA has hosted many important ice hockey events. In 2006, it hosted the West Regional for the 2006 NCAA Men's Division I Ice Hockey Tournament. This meant North Dakota got to play in their home building.
The arena also hosted the 2005 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships. Over 195,000 tickets were sold for this event. The Minnesota Wild, an NHL team, have played several practice games here too. In 2016, the REA hosted the 2016 IIHF World U18 Championships.
Other Sports and Entertainment Events
Beyond hockey, the REA has hosted many other events. It held the 2005 NCAA Men's Division II Basketball Championship. In 2008, it hosted the 2008 World Men's Curling Championship.
The arena also brings family-friendly ice shows. These include Stars on Ice and Disney's High School Musical On Ice.
Many famous music artists have performed concerts at the REA. These include Tim McGraw, Brad Paisley, Sugarland, Kenny Chesney, Rascal Flatts, Toby Keith, Kelly Clarkson, Reba McEntire, Carrie Underwood, Clay Aiken, Incubus, Elton John, Eric Church, Little Big Town, and Florida Georgia Line. The arena even hosted a tennis match between famous players Andre Agassi and Andy Roddick.
High School Hockey Tournaments
The Ralph Engelstad Arena shares the job of hosting the State Boys' and Girls' Hockey Tournament. This is for the North Dakota High School Activities Association. The other arena that hosts is Fargo's Scheels Arena. These tournaments usually happen at the end of February. The REA typically hosts the tournament in years with an even number, like 2024. Scheels Arena hosts in odd-numbered years, like 2023.
