Ralph Engelstad Arena
4.8(1.2K)google
4.6(16)yelp
Youth-FriendlyIndoorCity LandmarkLuxuryMust-SeeLocal FavoriteSportsConcert
Overview
Ralph Engelstad Arena (REA), commonly called the Ralph, is an indoor arena located on the campus of the University of North Dakota (UND) in Grand Forks, North Dakota, and serves as the home of UND men's ice hockey. The arena was built by controversial UND alumnus Ralph Engelstad. The North Dakota Fighting Hawks men's hockey team is the tenant.
Practical Info
Mon–Fri8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Sat–SunClosed
Suggested Duration2-4 hours
Best TimeOctober through March during the NCAA college hockey season is the definitive time to visit this multi-million dollar arena. Booking a weekend home game at 7:07 PM and entering early at 5:30 PM is highly recommended; you can marvel at the grand granite-and-marble lobby architecture before catching the electric, deafening crowd energy.
Getting ThereCommanding the northern gate of the University of North Dakota campus at 801 Ralph Engelstad Arena Drive in Grand Forks. Drivers should take I-29 to the University Avenue exit heading east, then make a quick left onto N 42nd Street. The arena provides a massive, well-organized surface parking footprint wrapping the venue.
Travel Tips
- As a premier luxury hockey venue, winter UND home game tickets must be purchased via Ticketmaster; gates swing open exactly 1.5 hours prior to puck drop.
- The arena enforces a strict clear bag policy; opaque backpacks, large professional DSLR long-lens bags, and purses exceeding 4.5x6.5 inches are completely denied entry.
- Primary parking lots adjacent to the main gate are reserved for season pass holders; independent single-game attendees are funneled to distant north overflow parking.
Reviews
Positive
- Widely regarded as the world's finest hockey arena! Built with premium granite, leather seats, and brass—visually breathtaking.
- The home game energy for the UND Fighting Hawks is legendary; the deafening crowd roars and ice-projection shows are worth every cent.
- Arena management operates at a textbook standard, boasting sparkling clean public restrooms and immaculately swept corridors.
- Accessible paths offer unhindered views with intuitive signs; the outer grounds pack ample parking and exceptional event security.
Heads up
- Due to its high prestige, game tickets routinely sell out in minutes, pushing secondary market prices to premium levels for tourists.
- They enforce a strict clear-bag/no-bag policy; even small standard purses are banned, catching unprepared tourists off guard at security.
- The on-site concession food and gear options are heavily marked up; basic hot dogs and soda feel overpriced for families.
- Post-game parking lot evacuation can take over an hour; narrow exits and university road bottlenecks cause severe traffic standstills.