I went to UND and always love the atmosphere of the Ralph! It's always clean, great staff, and there's not a bad seat in the house. There's always delicious food available and drinks! Although all the bars only take cash so come prepared otherwise there's ATMs available. My favorite food to get is the happy bread with Little Caesar! So delicious! Always love going to UND hockey games and how they keep the crowd engaged. As far as parking you can park on-site or park by the neighborhoods but it might be a cold walk during the winter. Always look forward coming back to the Ralph! read more

Ralph Engelstad Arena - Stadiums & Arenas Near Me - Grand Forks, North Dakota

My first time to a college hockey game. It was electric just like back home watching minor league. The crowd was fired up and chanted the bathrooms were clean and attended to the whole night. It is still weird that the mascot changed but they still sell the old logo in the store. I mean I get why they are doing it just seemed strange. Moose Out read more

What can you say about a hockey arena that was given to the school as a gift from the most prominent couple in NODAK!!!! Well you can say "Awesome" This place it the Holy Grail of Collegiate Hockey the one place if you love the sport should visit before you dies!! So add it to your Bucket List!!! Where else can you lounge in a Leather seat watching hockey well only one other place your house that is if you own a leather chair... For those that don't know the Arena was built because Ralph & Betty Engelstad had no children and loved Hockey, so what better way to be remembered than to build the Taj Mahl of Hockey Arenas? If you like basketball than stop by the Betty and check it out it too is pretty awesome If you like Hockey or not this place is something to behold... read more

Hockey is king here Hey Sioux Sioux-ooo, Sioux yeah-yeah We will kick your ass (For better or for worse, this IS a Grand Forks institution, and it IS impressive. Mr. Engelstad plastered the entire hockey arena with the beloved (and offensive) 'Fighting Sioux' logo as a giant F.U. to the world. But, when you spend $100 million on a college arena, you certainly get a nice looking building! Check it out. Highly recommended.) read more

Ralph Engelstad Arena - Side view... - Stadiums & Arenas Near Me - Grand Forks, North Dakota

See all

Holy.Crap. This place is SUPER nice! From the highly polished imported stone floors, to the Sioux heads embedded in everything, this place is really a site to see. TVs everywhere so you don't miss any action, giant jumbo tron that they replay all the goals and fun things on, intermission games. It's more like going to a pro hockey game than college game. So fun! I do like that they have the band playing the fight songs and all that too. I'm from Detroit & love hockey, so it's nice to have something in ND that I love while I'm here for school. I think I will be spending a lot of time here. read more

One word....UNREAL!! There is no other hockey arena like this in the nation!! I guess I am kind of bias because I went to school here, but before that I was a Gopher fan. So something about The Ralph clicked for me. Let's first start with the outside of the building...truly AMAZING! It looks like a pro arena before you even enter. As you enter the arena you are welcomed by friendly staff in green jackets and of course a large Fighting Sioux logo in the marble floor! The Sioux Shop is top notch. They sell everything you could even imagine in Sioux gear. The main lobby is like a Sioux museum. There is so much tradition at this school with the hockey team and Sioux logo. You can see that the school and the team respects and honors the Sioux logo and tradition. The lobby has many old and recent pictures along with trophy's and videos. Inside the arena I can't say enough about. The seats are leather, the arm rest are cheery wood, the floors are marble and sight lines are great no matter where you sit. Oh and thousands of Sioux heads plastered all over the arena. The score board is great with video as well as a wrap around score board around the arena. The suite level is too good to be true. The carpet has Sioux logos!! Each suite has it's own stadium style seating and bar top seating. They also come complete with their own bathroom. You can even order food and beer to arrive before or during the game!! The end zone bars are also great. The selection of alcohol is top shelf! The size of beers (32 oz) for the price ($6.75) cannot be found in any other sports stadium! The end zone bars are a lot of fun before and in between periods. If you're lucky enough to score tickets to sit in the end zone bars, you get a reserved seat, free beer 1 hour before the game, free snacks during the game and you get to stay an hour after the game to dink in the bar! This is one of the best sport stadiums I have ever been in. It is a must see during a hockey game. The Ralph also host many other events during the year, but if you want the full experience, you need to come during a Sioux hockey game. Even if you hate the Sioux, you will still find yourself enjoying the atmosphere that Ralph wanted each fan to experience!! (Even my Gopher buddy said that he really liked the Ralph and could see why we love our Sioux!) GO SIOUX!!!!! read more

The main rink is certainly nice but my review is for the Olympic rink. We were told that our kids will be competing in the nicest rink this entire time leading up to the Midwestern Sectional and they put them up in the practice rink. We flew 1000 miles to skate in a rink equivalent of a local high school rink and pay $4 for water bottle. Airfares doubled for this week booking ahead several months. They do not have the right facilities to run this kind of event and I feel bait and switched. Very low turn out for vendors compared to all the other competitions we've been to in the last four years. We've been scammed. To Synchro skating selection committee, why was it okay to treat one groups of young athletes like second class? read more

Ralph Engelstad Arena - Stadiums & Arenas Near Me - Grand Forks, North Dakota

It is truly disgusting how amazing this place is for a college hockey venue. This is the only reason I went to North Dakota (my team was playing there, so that didn't hurt), and I am SO glad that I went. It makes most arenas look like a kiddie park. Marble floors complete with Sioux head designs, huge souvenir store, gorgeous all around, and it looks like a pro arena. I swear, they must wash/paint the joint after every single game... it looks that good. I know a lot of money went into this place, but it still looks, simply, amazing. It comes out of no where in this vast flat land of North Dakota, and it is monstrous and looms huge and proud. My ONLY complaint would be the parking situation. If you don't have a sticker to park on-site, you have to pay $10. Now, there is a VAST amount of parking space, not to mention land period, so it seems ridiculous to me that anyone should have to pay to park at this venue (local charity or restaurant or otherwise.) Just seems silly. But still, just wow. read more

If you love visiting different Arena's, then I must say- Ralph Engelstad Arena in Grand Forks, ND is a world class arena- the floors are marble, brass railings, top of the line bricks and just a real beautiful Arena- Like I said, this Arena makes others look third class, and is the home of the University of North Dakota. Last time I was here, there wasn't much in lines of walking distance in regards food and drinks, which is a important thing IMO when going to a game, since you want to get something to eat and drink before the games- inside the Arena, they have a wonderful place you can spend money on t-shirts and other things lol. I love this place, and if you ever get a chance to go to a event here- GO! You wont be disappointed! read more

The best college hockey experience and venue in the nation besides the Xcel center in st Paul. Great atmosphere and passionate fans are guaranteed! Parking and the traffic before and after are hectic but worth it. Get tickets early because they go fast! read more

Ralph Engelstad Arena - The Ralph! - Stadiums & Arenas Near Me - Grand Forks, North Dakota

This is definitely one fantastic sport arena with beautiful architecture in and out. To be present here and when in attendance for a Sioux game is an honor and privilege. Grand Forks, UND and ND are fortunate to have such an amazing place to call their own. read more

You haven't been to a First Class Arena until you see a FIGHTING SIOUX (Yes I still call them that game at the Ralph! This place is a gem of all Arenas in the USA! GO NORTH DAKOTA FIGHTING SIOUX! read more

One of the best arenas that I've been to, hockey or otherwise. This is a professional stadium in a college town, and really brings the Fighting Sioux to a whole other level. Ralph Engelstad spent a ton on this place, but it really was worth it. Everything is top notch here. read more

Best arena for college hockey! The atmosphere is great, the student section is loud and we love our hockey team. The Ralph is beautiful on the inside and the Sioux Shop is a great place to visit for any sort of North Dakota gear. Students get a discount which is nice. I highly recommend trying the Bavarian Almonds if you go to a game, they make the arena smell wonderful and taste great too! read more

It's very pretty, and very big, and very clean, and has no soul or personality whatsoever. If the Ralph were an AHL arena I'd call it a five-star job for sure but atmosphere is very important for a college rink and the Ralph has none. read more

OMG! My wife and I visited "the Ralph" in 2005 to see the NCAA Division II Men's Basketball Championship, which was won by our team Virginia Union University. I had never imagined gong to North Dakota and not being a hockey fan had no knowledge of REA. Let me tel you, this arena is not only the best sport facility you will ever see, but one of the best buildings period. Of course there are places known for size (Cowboys Stadium) or history (Yankees Stadium or Fenwick Park). But for sheer quality of materials and construction I put the Ralph first. Who has cherry wood and leather seats for everyone? This is not in skyboxes, but for everyone. Who has granite floors? Check this place out. read more