The Giant Center, the main entertainment venue in Hershey, PA opened in 2002 to replace the decaying Hersheypark Arena. Giant Center is primarily host to the Hershey Bears of the American Hockey League, but also holds area graduations, concerts, high school sports championships, and cheerleading and dance competitions. It has a seating capacity of 10,500 for hockey, 10,000 for end stage concerts, and 12,500 for center stage seating.
Club seats in the Giant Center are located in sections 106-108. Along with tickets to all Bears home games, seat holders can also purchase tickets to other events throughout the year. They have access to the Bud Light Champions Club, which comes with a TV area, food and beverage service, and private restrooms.
The arena also has 40 hospitality suites which come with 17 tickets to all Bears games. Each suite holds 13 theatre style seats and four barstools. Holders are entitled to private parking in the Giant Center parking lot, a private entrance and concourse, concierge service, and private restrooms. Those who purchase a suite will also have televisions, telephone access, and catering services.
There are 7,700 lower level seats and 2,800 upper level seats. During events, attendees can select from 14 main concession stands along with other portable stands on the concourse. Aside from traditional event snacks, unique selections such as deli sandwiches, salads, flavored coffees, and wings are available. The main concessions at the Giant Center are:
Boulveard Café
Center Ice Grill
Coffee Time
Famous Famiglia and accompanying pizza cart.
Four Seasons Grill
Hat Trick Café:
Hot Shots Café
Kunzler Sandwich Shop
Nacho Grande
Players’ Pantry
Skate Snacks
Wing Stand
For anyone who does not want to take their food back to their seats, tables are available on the concourse.
All restroom facilities (five men’s rooms, seven women’s rooms, and one family restroom), are handicapped accessible. The restrooms are small but generally the line moves quickly. All restrooms are kept very clean. The family restroom is located near section 125.
Like most other sports venues, the Giant Center sells Bears merchandise within the arena. Along with the kiosks, there is a Hershey Sports gift shop located on the main concourse of the arena; right near the front entrance. In addition to Hershey merchandise, the shop also sells memorabilia from the Washington Capitals, the Bears’ NHL affiliate and other hockey collectibles. The shop is open on all event days and also Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
I have visited this arena four times for hockey games, and have gone away having a good time. The food, although high priced like most sporting venues, always makes you feel like you are getting your money’s worth. It is well cooked and filling. In order to ensure fan and player safety, concessions workers remove the caps on soda bottles before they give them to you. This prevents fans from throwing them on to the ice or at others out of frustration.
Another amenity that is well appreciated is the cup holders on every seat. This makes it easy for you to keep track of your drink and not worry about someone kicking it over. However, if you do spil, the Giant Center ushers are very helpful in sending a housekeeping employee immediately. The housekeepers do their job to clean up your spill without making you move out of your seat.
Back to the ushers: Each staff member is dressed in a uniform with a Giant Center nametag to make them easily identifiable. They always greet you with a friendly hello regardless of what team you’re a fan of. If they do mention your affiliation, they simply tease you but still help you find your way to your seat if needed.
The only problem at this relatively new building seems to be tensions among fans. Many times, some have wondered if the Giant Center is a free for all with fans banging on glass, noisemakers being used throughout the arena, and opposing fans finding themselves being shoved on the concourse. However, when complaints about other spectators have been addressed to those in power, the staff member addresses the situation professionally and settles the complaint as quickly as possible. There are specific policies in place regarding fan conduct and spectators can be asked to leave if they fail to comply.
If you attend a hockey game and find yourself being harassed by fans, rest assure that this problem is few and far between. Most Hershey fans are knowledgeable about the game and are willing to strike up a conversation with anyone regardless of the jersey they are wearing. Often times they even apologize to the visitors for the behavior of these “fans” and tell you that these people do not truly represent Hershey’s fan base.
As an occasional visitor to the Giant Center, I am impressed by the building as well as the treatment I’ve received during my time there. The arena is kept clean and navigating the concourse is very easy. The games always provide high entertainment value, but at the same time, seats are affordable with regular season hockey tickets costing $15 for upper level and $21 for the lower level.
Tickets for the Hershey Bears and other upcoming events can be purchased by calling the Giant Center box office, visiting in person, calling your local Ticketmaster hotline, ordering by mail, or ordering via fax. For a schedule of upcoming events and ticket prices, visit the Giant Center website (listed in the reference section), or call 717-534-3911.
