The Ralph Engelstad Arena in Grand Forks, North Dakota is home to the University of North Dakota Fighting Hawks men’s ice hockey team. It is named after Ralph Engelstad, a former UND hockey player and casino owner who donated substantial funds towards its construction. The arena opened in 2001 and has a seating capacity of 11,634 for hockey games.
History of Ralph Engelstad Arena
The idea for the Ralph Engelstad Arena originated in the late 1990s when Ralph Engelstad donated $100 million towards building a new hockey arena for UND. Engelstad had played hockey for UND in the late 1950s before going on to a successful business career as the owner of the Imperial Palace casino in Las Vegas.
The old UND arena, known as the Winter Sports Center, was aging and considered inadequate for a top-tier Division I college hockey program. Engelstad’s donation provided the funding needed to construct a new state-of-the-art facility. The arena was built on the western side of the UND campus near the intersection of University Avenue and Columbia Road.
The total construction cost for the Ralph Engelstad Arena was $104 million. It was designed by JLG Architects and McGough Construction was the general contractor. The building’s exterior features a brick façade and arched windows inspired by nearby historic buildings on the UND campus.
The arena is multi-purpose, hosting not only Fighting Hawks hockey but also UND basketball and volleyball games, concerts, conventions, and other community events. However, its main purpose was always centered on being a new home for the hockey program.
Arena Construction and Features
The Ralph Engelstad Arena complex contains three sheets of ice. The main rink has an NHL-sized surface (200 feet x 85 feet) and seating for 11,634 spectators. It has lower and upper bowl seating areas as well as 22 luxury suites and 2 party suites.
The two auxiliary rinks are located in the adjoining Betty Engelstad Sioux Center. This facility includes the Olympic ice sheet (200 feet x 100 feet) and the Midco Warriors ice practice facility. These provide additional ice surfaces for UND hockey practices, intramurals, and community use.
Some key features of the main arena bowl include:
- The arena bowl is sunken below ground level to give spectators excellent sight lines
- Wide concourses allow easy circulation for fans accessing seats or concessions
- Sculpturedceilings provide an intimate feeling in such a large venue
- Luxury suites, club seating, and loge boxes offer premium amenities
- State-of-the-art locker rooms, training facilities, and media areas service Fighting Hawks hockey operations
The arena has expansive lobby spaces decorated with wooden designs, etched glass, and granite floors. The concourse offers a wide selection of food stands and other concessions to serve fans.
Seating Capacity
When originally constructed, the seating capacity for hockey games at the Ralph Engelstad Arena was 11,406. This number was slightly increased to 11,640 after a 2015 renovation that added some additional club seats.
Here is a breakdown of the seating capacity by area:
- Lower bowl – 6,307 seats
- Upper bowl – 4,373 seats
- Suites – 432 seats
- Club seats – 528 seats
The lower and upper bowls extend continuously around the hockey rink, providing optimal sight lines for watching the action. The lower bowl seats are padded folding chairs while the upper bowl seats are benches. The 400 level suites and club seats offer the most luxurious experience with amenities like catered food and dedicated lounge access.
Notable Events
In addition to being the home of UND hockey, the Ralph Engelstad Arena has hosted many other major events:
Hockey
- NCAA Division I Ice Hockey Championship – 2005, 2016
- NCHC Frozen Faceoff – 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021
- IIHF World Junior Championships – 2016
- IIHF World Women’s Championships – 2016
The NCAA has awarded UND the right to host the 2026 NCAA Frozen Four at the arena as well.
Concerts
Many famous musicians have performed concerts at Ralph Engelstad Arena over the years, including:
- Eric Church
- REO Speedwagon
- Styx
- Journey
- George Strait
- ZZ Top
- Tim McGraw
- Kenny Chesney
The arena can accommodate concerts in a full 360 degree setup or a smaller end-stage arrangement depending on the artist’s preferences.
Other Events
Some other notable events held at the Ralph Engelstad Arena include:
- DISNEY ON ICE
- Sesame Street Live
- Professional Bull Riders (PBR)
- MONSTER Jam
- UND Commencement Ceremonies
The arena’s large capacity, modern amenities, and ice capabilities make it a versatile venue to host diverse events for the community.
History of UND Hockey at the Ralph
The Fighting Hawks men’s ice hockey team has enjoyed immense home ice success playing at the Ralph Engelstad Arena:
- 16 NCAA tournament appearances
- 2 NCAA national championships (2016, 2000)
- Over 75% winning percentage at home
After moving into the new arena in 2001, UND quickly became one of the most dominant college hockey programs in the nation. They drew over 11,000 boisterous fans per game, providing an intimidating atmosphere for visiting opponents.
The Early Years
In the first decade after opening the new arena, UND qualified for the NCAA tournament 7 times. They appeared in the Frozen Four in 2005, 2006, 2007, and 2008. UND won over 300 games on home ice during this period.
Several UND players from this era went on to successful NHL careers, including Jonathan Toews, T.J. Oshie, Travis Zajac, and Zach Parise. The program was emerging as a prolific developer of professional talent.
The National Championships
After years of Frozen Four heartbreak, UND finally broke through and won their eighth national title in 2016 on home ice in Tampa, Florida. They defeated arch-rival Denver 4-2 in the championship game.
UND won again in 2017, though this time at the United Center in Chicago. Nevertheless, winning back-to-back championships solidified UND as one of college hockey’s premier dynasties.
Recent Seasons
North Dakota has continued achieving consistent success in the years since their national titles. They have won four NCHC regular season conference championships and appeared in the NCAA tournament every year except 2020.
New coaching staff and players have stepped up to keep UND hockey in the national spotlight. The program’s tradition of excellence seems poised to continue playing in one of college hockey’s finest arenas.
Conclusion
The Ralph Engelstad Arena has been the home of North Dakota hockey since 2001. With a seating capacity of 11,634 dedicated fans, it provides one of the best home ice environments in college hockey.
The arena has state-of-the-art amenities and a design focused on creating an electric game atmosphere. UND has enjoyed tremendous success on the ice since moving into the building, winning over 75% of their home games.
In addition to hockey, the arena hosts many other events and concerts that bring the community together. The Ralph Engelstad Arena has cemented itself as one of the premier venues in the Upper Midwest and an iconic part of eastern North Dakota.