Prudential Center
4.5(14K)google
3.5(603)yelp
Youth-FriendlyNight-FriendlyIndoorCity LandmarkSportsConcertPerformance
Overview
Prudential Center is a multipurpose indoor arena in Newark, New Jersey, United States. Opened in 2007, it is the home of the New Jersey Devils of the National Hockey League (NHL), the New York Sirens of the Professional Women's Hockey League (PWHL), and the men's basketball program of Seton Hall University. By 2023, it was among the top five concert venues worldwide by earnings.
Practical Info
Suggested Duration2.5-4 hours
Best TimeOctober through April during the height of the NHL hockey regular season (home of the New Jersey Devils) marks the premium window. Arriving at least 90 minutes before puck-drop (around 5:30 PM for a 7:00 PM game) is critical to bypass intense security checkpoints, explore the high-tech red concourses, and view elite players flashing across the ice surface during pre-game warmups.
Getting ThereCentrally located downtown at 25 Lafayette St, Newark. Drivers should utilize commercial high-rise multi-tier pay parking structures wrapping the block (event pricing applied). Public transit is highly recommended: the world-class arena sits just a 4-minute walk (approx. 400 meters) west from the massive Newark Penn Station rail hub via continuous well-lit urban brick sidewalks.
Travel Tips
- An ironclad No Bag Policy is active; only ultra-compact clutches under 4x6 inches or clear medical cases are allowed, and standard purses or laptop backpacks will be rejected at all gates without exception.
- Event-day parking rates at adjacent private lots experience extreme price spikes; mitigate high fees and gridlock by parking at remote transit rail hubs and walking from Newark Penn Station.
- The arena functions on a 100% cashless payment framework; all concessions and merchandise booths reject physical currency, necessitating the use of lobby Reverse ATM debit-conversion kiosks.
Reviews
Positive
- As Newark's premier world-class arena, the audio acoustics and fan energy during NJ Devils NHL games or massive concerts are utterly unparalleled.
- The interior boasts a modern tech feel with a massive central HD LED scoreboard delivering excellent visual views even from the highest budget sections.
- The location and transit are unmatched, sitting a short walk from Newark Penn Station with direct train and subway links from Manhattan or North Jersey.
- The wide concourses are kept sparkling clean, lined with endless food kiosks, craft beer bars, and abundant restrooms to ease queue pressures.
Heads up
- Concessions like a cup of soda or a hot dog are outrageously overpriced, carrying an extreme and aggressive closed-venue premium markup.
- Entry security checks and post-event crowds can descend into chaos; long security lines move slowly, and bag size limits are aggressively rigid.
- While close to transit, some surrounding downtown Newark streets have questionable safety reputations at late night; walking in large groups is advised.
- Driving here incurs sky-high weekend event parking rates at nearby private lots, and exiting after the show triggers agonizing traffic gridlocks.