Sports Venues - Saddledome

While it's a fun experience to watch a live sports event anywhere, let’s face it, some places are better than others. We're profiling some of the coolest places to watch sports - like the Pengrowth Saddledome, home of the NHL’s Calgary Flames. You're guaranteed a great hockey experience in Cowtown, but you better wear red!

Pengrowth Saddledome – History

Opening in 1983, the Pengrowth Saddledome was built for the Calgary Flames, who had just moved to the city from Atlanta. The Pengrowth Saddledome (previously named the Olympic Saddledome) also served as a venue for the figure skating and hockey events during the 1988 Winter Olympics. Calgary really started to embrace the team in the late 80’s, as the Flames became regular playoff contenders. That popularity peaked in 1989, when the Flames won the Stanley Cup. With the help of superstar Jarome Iginla, the Flames made it back to the Stanley Cup Finals in 2004 before falling to the Tampa Bay Lightning in seven games. Calgary Flames fans are known as some of the best fans in professional sports.

Pengrowth Saddledome – The “C” of Red

Going to a Flames game, the first thing you notice is that there's a whole lot of red. At playoff time especially, the seats look like what the nickname suggests – a “C” (sea) of red. The arena is incredibly loud, and during the 2004 Finals, the decibel level inside the Pengrowth Saddledome topped 114! At playoff time, the chant of "Lets Go Flames" lasts all game, even after the opposing team scores. After a playoff victory, a nearby street outside the arena - 17th Avenue (nicknamed "The Red Mile") - serves as the location for the post-game party. Thousands of fans celebrate on the streets for hours after a game. Calgary is a pleasant place, but it isn't advised to wear Edmonton Oilers or Vancouver Canucks gear around here.

Pengrowth Saddledome – Fun Facts

The Pengrowth Saddledome seats 19,289 people for hockey games.

There are 72 luxury suites, two super-suites and six restaurants and bars in the Pengrowth Saddledome.

The Calgary Flames sold out 45 home games during the 2005-2006 season.

The Pengrowth Saddledome is located in the middle of Stampede Park where the Calgary Stampede takes place every summer. The week-long event attracts over a million visitors worldwide.

Related Stories:

Jarome Iginla Biography

Hockey Goalies

Bizarre Sports Fan Traditions

More Sports Facts and Trivia from The Sports Almanac

Read more: Sports Almanac