The Worcester Railers (also called Worcester Railers HC ) are a professional ice hockey team based in Worcester, Massachusetts . The team began play in the 2017–18 ECHL season , and is a member of the North Division of the Eastern Conference of the ECHL . The team plays their home games at the DCU Center and are the ECHL affiliate of the New York Islanders . The team filled the void left by the AHL's Worcester Sharks , who relocated to San Jose, California , in 2015 to become the San Jose Barracuda .
39-691: On January 26, 2015, it was reported that the Worcester Sharks would move to San Jose and share SAP Center at San Jose with their parent club, the San Jose Sharks . These reports were confirmed with the Sharks' official announcement on January 29. Worcester did not initially receive an ECHL team to replace the relocated AHL team, unlike the other markets with relocated AHL teams in 2015 , such as Manchester, New Hampshire ; Norfolk, Virginia ; and Glens Falls, New York . On February 8, 2016,
78-458: A luxury box typically includes a bar, televisions, a small seating area, and a private bathroom. The boxes are usually catered, with guests enjoying corporate hospitality, with champagne, canapés , shrimp, and sushi being common favorites. The lease to a box usually comes with allocated parking spaces at the venue and access is usually provided with separate entrances, away from the general public gates. Most luxury suites are leased by contract on
117-547: A new center-hung system from Daktronics that doubled the surface of the old video display system was debuted ahead of the 2022-23 NHL season. The four main LED displays measure approximately 23 feet high by 41 feet wide and the size of the 14 newly installed displays total at more than 9,300 square feet of surface area. In April 2023, construction was announced on a new 10,000-square-foot penthouse lounge, with seven suites and three rows of regular seating being converted to accommodate
156-457: A yearly basis, though some are bought in a manner similar to that for a condominium . These methods usually grant access to the box by the leaseholder or owner for every event held at the venue. A few venues rent them on a per-event basis. Prices vary from US$ 5,000 up to the millions of dollars depending on the venue and events held there. Luxury boxes are a significant source of revenue for most professional sports teams and venue owners. Since
195-435: Is a recent innovation of the 1990s. The mid-stage is the optimal placement for luxury boxes in order to give them good sightlines to make them attractive for lessees, however only a limited number of luxury boxes can be placed there, as adding too many mid-level boxes will reduce seating capacity and degrade the viewing experience for other parts of the venue. For the area/stadium designer, club-level seating can be implemented in
234-499: Is considerably higher in the club level than general seating, avoiding the long washroom lineups that plague regular admission fans. The club level is usually located towards the middle of the stage of seating sections, above the lower deck but below the upper deck. They are usually situated near the luxury boxes, whether right above, right below, or sandwiched between two levels of luxury boxes. Unlike some luxury box levels, most club levels do not extend very wide or wrap entirely around
273-493: Is nearly as high as the revenue from Arsenal F.C. 's previous stadium at Highbury . Particularly in North American major professional sports leagues , luxury suite revenue does not have to be shared unlike gate receipts which are split with visiting teams, leading to teams demanding new venues that contain more luxury boxes. Some have commented that the rise of the luxury box, along with club seating , has degraded
312-451: Is open to the elements, as opposed to the entirely enclosed luxury boxes, which gives more of an outdoor impression at roofless and open-roof stadiums and arenas. Club-level seating is typically considered a more exclusive class of seating than elsewhere in the venue, other than the luxury boxes. Club-level seating can either be sold as individual tickets, or marketed on a contract basis (similar to luxury suites) to allow for maximum profit on
351-615: Is the National Football League . Under the NFL's current revenue sharing agreement, teams must forfeit a large portion of their ticket revenues so that the funds can be redistributed among all the teams, particularly those in smaller markets. However, the luxury boxes, quickly becoming a top source of revenue for the franchises, were exempted from this sharing requirement. Furthermore, the NFL's blackout rule has led stadium operators to sacrifice seating capacity in favor of
390-618: The 2002 , 2007 , and 2017 NCAA men's basketball tournaments; as well as first- and second-round games of the 2010 , 2013 , and 2019 tournaments. Mixed Martial Arts events have played a big role at the SAP Center. The MMA organization Strikeforce held many events in San Jose beginning with Strikeforce: Shamrock vs. Gracie in 2006, then Strikeforce: Carano vs. Cyborg in 2009, through 2012 with Strikeforce: Barnett vs. Cormier . The first Bellator MMA organization event at SAP
429-548: The 2020–21 ECHL season . June 18, 2024 sees assistant coach Bob Deraney promoted to head coach for the 2024-2025 season and Savannah Ghost Pirates assistant coach and director of player development Nick Tuzzolino hired to be the organization's first ever general manager and associate head coach. † Points percentage was used to determine playoff seedings. See also: Higher Education Consortium of Central Massachusetts SAP Center at San Jose The SAP Center at San Jose (originally known as San Jose Arena and
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#1732780668456468-611: The HP Pavilion at San Jose ) is an indoor arena located in San Jose, California . Its primary tenant is the San Jose Sharks of the National Hockey League , for which the arena has earned the nickname "The Shark Tank". Plans for a San Jose arena began in the mid-1980s, when a group of local citizens formed Fund Arena Now (FAN). The group contacted city officials and pursued potential sponsors and partners from
507-548: The Manchester Monarchs . Early reports indicated that ownership group was considering Whitehawks, Railers, and Blast as the name of the team. The team unveiled their name and logo on April 3. On September 12, 2016, Jamie Russell was announced as the team's first head coach and general manager. He had served as head coach of the Elmira Jackals from 2014 to 2016. The team announced their first affiliation with
546-515: The NHL and NBA . In the late 1980s, mayor Tom McEnery met with FAN, and subsequently a measure to allocate local taxes for arena construction came up for a public vote on June 7, 1988, passing by a narrow margin. In 1991, soon after construction began, the NHL granted an expansion franchise to San Jose. After it was discovered that the arena would not be suitable for NBA or NHL use as originally designed,
585-654: The New York Islanders (NHL) and Bridgeport Islanders (AHL) at the end of the 2016–17 season. The Railers played their first game on October 14, 2017, defeating the Monarchs 4–3 at the DCU Center in front of a crowd of 12,135. The first goal scored in franchise history was by forward Wade Murphy. The Railers qualified for the playoffs in their first season, losing to the Adirondack Thunder in
624-607: The TD Garden , home of the Boston Bruins of the NHL. In June 2013, German software company SAP (co-founded by Sharks managing partner Hasso Plattner , who is also SAP's chairman of the board) purchased the naming rights to the facility in a five-year deal worth US$ 3.35 million per year. The arena was renamed "SAP Center at San Jose" upon approval by the San Jose City Council . In September 2022,
663-578: The major professional sports league system in North America. The Palace of Auburn Hills ' large number of luxury suites was a pioneer for the building boom of modern-style NBA arenas in the 1990s. The Detroit Pistons played in The Palace from its opening in 1988 through the 2016–17 season, by which time it was one of the NBA's oldest arenas. Nonetheless, The Palace's forward-thinking design contained
702-415: The "Turn Two Suites") in 1973 as part of the existing motel complex on the grounds. One unusual set of luxury boxes is located on the campus of Boston College . The school's main indoor arena, Conte Forum (also known as Kelley Rink for hockey games), is directly attached to its football venue, Alumni Stadium . Some of the luxury boxes in the combined complex overlook both the stadium's playing field and
741-663: The ECHL announced that Worcester would be home to an expansion team, set to begin play for the 2017–18 season. The team is owned by Cliff Rucker, with Toby O'Brien initially serving as president and general manager (although O'Brien would leave in May 2016 for an NHL job and replaced by former Worcester Sharks executive, Mike Myers, as president). The team is the ECHL's first franchise in Massachusetts and second in New England after
780-586: The Sharks requested an upgrade to NHL standards, including the addition of luxury suites , a press box , and increased seating capacity . In 1993, the arena was completed and initially named the "San Jose Arena". For the 1996–97 NBA season, the arena served as home to the Golden State Warriors while their regular home court in Oakland (now known as Oakland Arena ) was under renovation. In 2001, naming rights were sold to Compaq , and it
819-525: The amenities that most NBA teams sought in newer arenas. The Pistons moved to the new Little Caesars Arena in midtown Detroit for the 2017–18 season, by which time only one of the five other NBA venues that opened in the 1988–89 season was still in use—the Bradley Center , which was replaced in 2018 by Fiserv Forum and then demolished in early 2019. Three others had already been demolished ( Amway Arena , Charlotte Coliseum , and Miami Arena ), and
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#1732780668456858-551: The arena floor. The University of South Dakota later borrowed Boston College's concept when it built the Sanford Coyote Sports Center , which opened in 2016 as the new home for the school's basketball and volleyball teams. Several boxes at the Sports Center allow their users to watch games at both the arena and the attached DakotaDome , home to USD football. Luxury boxes have become a feature of
897-623: The arena hosted the Kellogg's Tour of Gymnastics Champions. The annual US Figure Skating Championships have been staged here in San Jose five times now — 1996, 2012, 2018, 2021 and 2023. SAP Center has also hosted WWE Pay Per Views. Royal Rumble (1998) , SummerSlam (2001) , The Great American Bash (2007) , Payback (2017) took place where Braun Strowman defeated Roman Reigns in the main event. TLC: Tables, Ladders & Chairs (2018) took place at SAP Center. Luxury suites The luxury box (or skybox ) and club seating constitute
936-621: The arena housed introductory media activities for the event. The SAP Center hosted games 3, 4, and 6 of the 2016 Stanley Cup Finals in the Sharks' first appearance in franchise history, with the Cup being presented to the series-winning Pittsburgh Penguins after game 6. In 2012 and 2016, the arena played host to the USA Gymnastics Olympic Trials. The arena was the host to the West Regional semifinals and finals of
975-447: The arena include the 1996 United States Figure Skating Championships , the 47th National Hockey League All-Star Game in 1997, the 1999 NCAA Women's Final Four , ArenaBowl XVI in 2002, the 2007 USA Gymnastics Visa Championships, and UFC 139 on November 19, 2011. Intel Extreme Masters Season IX – San Jose in 2014 and Intel Extreme Masters Season X – San Jose were held at the venue. Prior to Super Bowl 50 in nearby Santa Clara ,
1014-703: The arena; however, renovations that took place during 2017 removed the upper level luxury boxes and were replaced with a traditional upper deck and premium seating spread throughout the arena. The stadium with the most luxury boxes is the Estadio Monumental "U" in Lima , Peru : with 1,251. The first stadium to contain a luxury box was the Astrodome in Houston, Texas , built in 1965. The Indianapolis Motor Speedway constructed their first luxury boxes (dubbed
1053-640: The first round. They finished last in the competitive North Division in the 2018–19 season . The Railers then started the 2019–20 season with four wins in their first 15 games and fired head coach Jamie Russell. He was replaced by David Cunniff , who had been serving as an assistant with the Hartford Wolf Pack in the AHL. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic , the Railers voluntarily suspended operations for
1092-569: The game-day experience for the average fan, because placement of the boxes has moved the upper decks higher and farther away from the playing surface. Three current North American venues, Ford Field , Red Bull Arena , and Levi's Stadium , have addressed these concerns by placing all luxury boxes on one side of the playing surface, which allows the other sides of the venue to have closer sightlines than most modern venues. State Farm Arena in Atlanta formerly had all of its premium seating on one side of
1131-490: The last, Sleep Train Arena , was replaced in 2016. Top-tier European pro association football teams have moved to new stadiums designed with a large number of luxury boxes, such as Benfica , Bayern Munich , Arsenal , and Juventus . Other clubs such as Real Madrid and Manchester United have extensively renovated their existing stadiums to add large numbers of luxury boxes. Most notable in their use of luxury boxes
1170-469: The late 1990s, it has been proven that luxury suites and club seating are lucrative revenue-generating features that make pro sports teams financially successful in order to remain competitive long-term. While originally widespread among North American major pro sports, this trend is also gaining popularity in Europe. For instance, Emirates Stadium 's revenue from premium seating and corporate boxes alone
1209-538: The luxury boxes, as it makes a sell-out easier with a lower total number of regular seats. Teams have used the threat of relocation to press state and local governments for financial assistance to either build new stadiums or renovate older venues. Club seating , club-level seating , or premium seating is a special section of seating in modern sports stadiums and arenas . These may be known by different terms, such as "Legends Suite seats" at Yankee Stadium or "Platinum Club" at Scotiabank Arena . Club-level seating
Worcester Railers - Misplaced Pages Continue
1248-474: The middle tier at lower cost and less space than having all luxury boxes. Club levels normally provide fans several additional amenities than standard seating. The seats themselves are often wider and more comfortable than regular seats. The club level provides fans with special access to an indoor part of the venue exclusive to fans with special tickets. These areas are air conditioned and allow access to special restaurants, merchandise stands, and lounge areas of
1287-417: The midsection and/or main stand or grandstand . However at some tennis venues (where stadiums are smaller) the luxury boxes are often but not always located at the lowest ring of seats, nearest to the playing court. Stadium luxury boxes sometimes have their indoor facility glass panels which can be opened to a balcony type area, in order for the user to feel immersed in the action of the event. The inside of
1326-539: The most expensive class of seating in arenas and stadiums , and generate much higher revenues than regular seating. Club ticketholders often receive exclusive access to an indoor part of the venue through private club entrances, to areas containing special restaurants, bars, merchandise stands, and lounge areas of the venue that are not otherwise available to regular ticketholders. These special private seating sections located within stadiums , arenas , and other sporting and entertainment venues, are typically located in
1365-411: The part of the venue. This gives club seats more flexibility for individuals and small companies, while luxury boxes can typically only be leased by large corporations willing to pay around US$ 500,000 or higher a year. Like luxury suites, club seating generates much higher revenues than regular seating. While luxury boxes and personal seat licenses have been around since the 1960s, club-level seating
1404-792: The project. With the new premium seating completed, the arena's total attendance capacity for hockey games changed from 17,562 to 17,435. In 2006, the SAP Center sold the most tickets (633,435) to non-sporting events of any venue in the Western United States , and the fourth highest total in the world, after Madison Square Garden in New York City (US), the Manchester Arena in Manchester (UK), and Scotiabank Arena in Toronto (Canada). Other events hosted at
1443-449: The venue that are not otherwise available to standard ticketholders. Concession stands and vendors on the club level also often offer different menus than in other stands to give more of a special feel to the club. These areas are closed off to the rest of the venue, and they usually can only be accessed through the exclusive, private club entrances. Parking and concierge service are often available to club levels. The ratio of toilets to fans
1482-588: Was Bellator MMA & Glory: Dynamite 1 in September 2015 and since has held 6 total events with the most recent being Bellator 199 on May 16, 2018. SAP Center has also been the host of premiere MMA promotion the UFC . The first event was UFC 139 on November 19, 2011, then UFC on Fuel TV: Muñoz vs. Weidman on July 11, 2012, UFC on Fox: Henderson vs. Melendez on April 20, 2013, and most recently UFC on Fox: Lawler vs. Brown on July 26, 2014. On September 18, 2016,
1521-586: Was renamed "Compaq Center at San Jose" (not to be confused with the Compaq Center (formerly The Summit) in Houston, Texas ). After HP purchased Compaq in 2002, the arena was renamed "HP Pavilion", the same name as one of its computer models . In late April 2007, it was announced that the HP Pavilion at San Jose would be receiving several building improvements, including a new center-hung LED video display system from Daktronics similar to that of
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