Visiting Tampa Bay Times Forum--Tips?

[Miss Wing Queen 154]

Hi all,

I'm thinking of going to the game vs the Lightning on 2/8/14 but have never been to the Forum and had a few questions for any of you who may have been there:

1.) From Lightning fans I hear there is no bad seat, but any suggestions?

2.) Can fans go near ice level to watch the warm ups even if their seat is not down there (like at the Joe)?

3.) Any suggestions for parking?

4.) Do you know where the Red Wings stay and is there a spot to catch them for autographs near the arena?

5.) Any other suggestions for my visit?

Thanks in advance!

[McAwesome 754]

Hi all,

I'm thinking of going to the game vs the Lightning on 2/8/14 but have never been to the Forum and had a few questions for any of you who may have been there:

1.) From Lightning fans I hear there is no bad seat, but any suggestions?

2.) Can fans go near ice level to watch the warm ups even if their seat is not down there (like at the Joe)?

3.) Any suggestions for parking?

4.) Do you know where the Red Wings stay and is there a spot to catch them for autographs near the arena?

5.) Any other suggestions for my visit?

Thanks in advance!

If you decide to go, I'll see you there, as will about 10,000 other Wings fans, many of whom I'm sure lurk about these boards.

1) I've been to several games at the Forum, you heard correctly, there are no bad seats. I'm too cheap to try to get lower-bowl seats, but every section I've sat in at the terrace level has had great sight lines.

2) They check tickets before you can go down the steps for the lower bowl, so unless your tickets are in the 100's I'd guess probably no ice level for warmups.

3) Expect to pay about $10, plenty of places to park within 15 minutes walking distance from the arena, well lit streets with plenty of police presence, locals are pretty friendly towards visiting fans, never had a single issue.

4) Don't know, but closest hotels are Marriott Waterside, Embassy Suites Downtown Convention Center, and Westin Harbor Island, probably one of them.

5) The Channel District has lots of decent restaurants, can't speak to the bars/nightlife since I don't drink, but check out the these links for more info

Hope to see you (and a healthier Red Wings lineup) there, I'm in section 322, I'll be wearing my black Wings sweater, my very pregnant wife will be wearing a red Yzerman sweater, and my son will be wearing the road white

[MaynardJmzKeenan 18]

I never had any problems going to ice level for warm ups. Get there early and just go down there. One time they asked for my ticket and when i told them i was just going down for pre skate they let me. It's true there no bad seats but best us center ice upper deck row A. You will see A LOT of wings fans for sure, have fun. I moved to Nashville and although i like it here more i miss going to the forum.

I never had any problems going to ice level for warm ups. Get there early and just go down there. One time they asked for my ticket and when i told them i was just going down for pre skate they let me. It's true there no bad seats but best us center ice upper deck row A. You will see A LOT of wings fans for sure, have fun. I moved to Nashville and although i like it here more i miss going to the forum.

[Miss Wing Queen 154]

Thanks for the tips! I'll be there in 321 in my red Osgood jersey!

[DannyD 79]

I'm going to the game as well. One of the suppliers at my dads job is meeting us there with tickets. Not sure where the seats are. I know all food/beer is included though.

[rrasco 1,312]

Number one rule for ANY Wings game in ANY venue is scream LETS GO RED WINGS as loud as you possibly can. If you have a voice at the end of the night, you did it wrong! Have fun and Go Wings!

[McAwesome 754]

Number one rule for ANY Wings game in ANY venue is scream LETS GO RED WINGS as loud as you possibly can. If you have a voice at the end of the night, you did it wrong! Have fun and Go Wings!

This. Last game I went to at the Forum, it was about 60/40 Wings fans, the Let's Go Red Wings chants drowned out whatever the Bolts fans were trying to chant

[raven756 0]

I will be there too. Also went to the Panthers game yesterday. Made it a mini-vacation to get away from the winter vortex. Go Wings!

Edited February 8, 2014 by raven756

[Euro_Twins 4,476]

Just go in their forum and say to them Stamkos, st. Louis, and filppula all suck, they'll accept you with open arms