Stadiums / SAP Center
SAP Center
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San Jose
Stadium information
- Type
- arena
- Capacity
- 17,562
- Opened
- 1993
- Roof
- Indoor
- Surface
- Artificial Ice
- League
- NHL
- Sports
- Hockey
- Categories
- sport_hockey
- Timezone
- America/Los_Angeles
- Status
- active
- Address
- [object Object]
- Location
- San Jose
- Nicknames
- The Shark Tank, The Tank
Bay Area arena nicknamed the Shark Tank.
Former names
- San Jose Arena
- Compaq Center at San Jose
- HP Pavilion
Passport Score
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0 ratings · 0 check-ins
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Naming rights history
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Compaq Center at San Jose
2001-2002
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Home team history
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San Jose Sharks
1993-present · NHL
Features · Architecture
Diridon Station Access
Architecture · Throughout the stadium, gameday
Connected to major regional transportation.
Silicon Valley Connection
Architecture · Throughout the stadium, gameday
The venue represents technology and hockey culture.
The Shark Tank
Architecture · Throughout the stadium, gameday
The famous nickname represents one of hockey's strongest identities.
Features · History
2016 Stanley Cup Final
History · Throughout the stadium, gameday
Highlights the franchise's championship run.
Cow Palace
History · Throughout the stadium, gameday
Connects with early Sharks history.
Evgeni Nabokov
History · Throughout the stadium, gameday
Celebrates the franchise goaltender.
Joe Thornton
History · Throughout the stadium, gameday
Honors the longtime captain.
Patrick Marleau
History · Throughout the stadium, gameday
Celebrates the franchise games-played leader.
San Jose Sharks Retired Numbers
History · Throughout the stadium, gameday
Honors franchise legends.
Sharks Legends
History · Throughout the stadium, gameday
Honors franchise icons.
Features · Experience
San Jose Sharks Stadium Tours
Experience · Throughout the stadium, gameday
Behind-the-scenes arena access.
Shark Head Entrance
Experience · Throughout the stadium, gameday
The famous pregame entrance tradition.
Sharkie
Experience · Throughout the stadium, gameday
The mascot experience.
Sharks Store
Experience · Throughout the stadium, gameday
Official merchandise destination.
Silicon Valley Hockey
Experience · Throughout the stadium, gameday
Combines NHL hockey with Bay Area innovation culture.
Teal Town
Experience · Throughout the stadium, gameday
The passionate fan community.
Traditions
Shark Head Entrance Iconic Must experience
Pregame Ritual · Throughout the arena, gameday
Players skate through the giant inflatable shark head ("The Shark Head") during introductions, one of hockey's most iconic entrances.
Jaws Theme Iconic Must experience
Pregame Ritual · Throughout the arena, gameday
The "Jaws" movie theme builds as the lights dim before player introductions, with fans anticipating the team's entrance.
"Hey!" Goal Chant Iconic Must experience
Crowd Chant · Throughout the arena, gameday
Following every Sharks goal, fans respond with synchronized "Hey!" chants during the goal celebration music.
"Let's Go Sharks!" Chomp Iconic Must experience
Crowd Chant · Throughout the arena, gameday
Fans perform the signature arm "chomp" motion while chanting "Let's Go Sharks!"
Teal Towel Wave Iconic Must experience
Crowd Ritual · Throughout the arena, gameday
Playoff crowds wave teal rally towels, creating the famous "Teal Takeover."
History & timeline
2004 Western Conference Final Exhibit Iconic Must experience
Historic display · Championship Plaza, 2004 exhibit
2004 Western Conference Final — the Sharks' first trip to the conference championship.
2010s Sharks Era Exhibit Iconic Must experience
Historic display · Main concourse, 2010s era exhibit
The 2010s Sharks era — Thornton, Marleau, Pavelski, and sustained Pacific dominance.
2016 Stanley Cup Final Exhibit Iconic Must experience
Historic display · Championship Plaza, 2016 exhibit
2016 Stanley Cup Final — the closest the Sharks have come to hockey's ultimate prize.
Bay Area Hockey History Iconic Must experience
Historic display · Main concourse, Bay Area hockey exhibit
Bay Area hockey history — from the Cow Palace to SAP Center and the Teal Revolution.
Doug Wilson Legacy Iconic Must experience
Historic display · Hall of Fame area, Wilson gallery
Doug Wilson — captain, GM, and architect who built the Sharks into a perennial contender.
Evgeni Nabokov Legacy Iconic Must experience
Historic display · Hall of Fame area, Nabokov gallery
Evgeni Nabokov — franchise goaltending legend who backstopped the Sharks' best years.
Greatest Sharks Moments Iconic Must experience
Historic display · Main concourse, greatest moments gallery
The greatest moments in Sharks history — from Nolan's salute to the 2016 Cup Final.
Joe Pavelski Legacy Iconic Must experience
Historic display · Hall of Fame area, Pavelski gallery
Joe Pavelski — Captain America and the clutch scorer of the 2010s Sharks dynasty.
Joe Thornton Legacy Iconic Must experience
Historic display · Hall of Fame area, Thornton gallery
Joe Thornton — Hart Trophy winner and the face of Sharks hockey for over a decade.
Owen Nolan Legacy Iconic Must experience
Historic display · Hall of Fame area, Nolan gallery
Owen Nolan — captain, power forward, and the two-goal salute that defined an era.
Patrick Marleau Legacy Iconic Must experience
Historic display · Hall of Fame area, Marleau gallery
Patrick Marleau — franchise scoring leader and the most games played in Sharks history.
Playoff History Iconic Must experience
Historic display · Main concourse, playoff exhibit
Playoff history — 2004, 2016, and every spring when Sharks Nation believes.
Sharks Hall of Fame Iconic Must experience
Hall of Fame · Hall of Fame area, main concourse
The complete Sharks Hall of Fame — every immortal honored at SAP Center.
Sharks vs Ducks Rivalry Iconic Must experience
Historic display · Main concourse, rivalry exhibit
Freeway rivalry with Anaheim — California hockey at its most intense.
Sharks vs Golden Knights Rivalry Iconic Must experience
Historic display · Main concourse, rivalry exhibit
Pacific Division rivalry with Vegas — two West Coast powers clashing in The Shark Tank.
Sharks vs Kings Rivalry Iconic Must experience
Historic display · Main concourse, rivalry exhibit
California rivalry with Los Angeles — Beat LA and Pacific Division battles.
Teal Revolution Exhibit Iconic Must experience
Historic display · Main concourse, Teal Revolution exhibit
The Teal Revolution — how San Jose's bold color choice changed NHL branding forever.
Expansion Franchise History Iconic
Historic display · Main concourse, expansion exhibit
1991 expansion franchise history — from the Teal Revolution to The Shark Tank.
Franchise Timeline Iconic
Historic display · Main concourse, timeline exhibit
Complete franchise timeline from 1991 expansion to the Thornton-Marleau era and beyond.
Northern California Hockey Legacy Iconic
Historic display · Main concourse, NorCal hockey wing
Northern California hockey legacy — NorCal roots and Bay Area hockey growth.
Entertainment
S.J. Sharkie Iconic Must experience
Mascot · Throughout the arena, gameday
S.J. Sharkie — the beloved Sharks mascot and symbol of teal pride on gameday.
Teal Takeover Nights Iconic Must experience
Special Event · Throughout the arena, Teal Takeover gamedays
Teal Takeover theme nights flooding SAP Center with teal pride.
Sharks Ice Crew Iconic
Live Performance · Ice level and concourse, gameday
Sharks Ice Crew performances energizing the crowd between periods.
Military Appreciation Events Iconic
Special Event · Throughout the arena, military appreciation games
Military appreciation events honoring service members at SAP Center.
Community Nights Iconic
Special Event · SAP Center and plaza, special events
Community nights celebrating San Jose and Bay Area hockey culture.
Pregame Plaza Events Must experience
Fan Festival · Arena plaza, pregame
Pregame plaza events outside SAP Center before puck drop in San Jose.
Theme Nights
Special Event · Throughout the arena, theme gamedays
Special theme nights throughout the Sharks season at SAP Center.
Alumni Meet & Greets
Alumni Event · Team store and concourse, special events
Meet-and-greet events with Sharks alumni and Hall of Fame members.
Experiences
Bay Area Hockey Culture Iconic Must experience
Special Event · SAP Center and downtown San Jose, gameday
Experience Bay Area hockey culture — Silicon Valley meets the ice at SAP Center.
Downtown San Jose Iconic Must experience
Entertainment District · Downtown San Jose, pregame
Explore downtown San Jose before the game — San Pedro Square and Silicon Valley gameday.
Golden Knights Rivalry Weekend Iconic Must experience
Rivalry Game · SAP Center, Golden Knights game weekend
Full Golden Knights rivalry weekend — Pacific Division hatred at SAP Center.
Joe Thornton Tribute Night Iconic Must experience
Special Event · SAP Center, Thornton tribute game
Joe Thornton tribute night — honoring Jumbo Joe and his Sharks legacy.
Kings Rivalry Weekend Iconic Must experience
Rivalry Game · SAP Center, Kings game weekend
Full Kings rivalry weekend — Beat LA energy in The Shark Tank.
One of Hockey's Loudest Playoff Crowds Iconic Must experience
Special Event · Throughout the arena, playoff gameday
Experience one of hockey's loudest playoff crowds — Sharks Nation at full roar.
Participate in the Chomp Chant Iconic Must experience
Crowd Chant · Throughout the arena, gameday
Join the Chomp Chant — the defining ritual of Sharks Nation in The Shark Tank.
Patrick Marleau Tribute Night Iconic Must experience
Special Event · SAP Center, Marleau tribute game
Patrick Marleau tribute night — honoring the franchise scoring leader.
SAP Center Iconic Must experience
First Visit · Main entrance, SAP Center
Your first time walking into SAP Center — Shark Head, teal, and The Shark Tank.
SAP Center Tour Iconic Must experience
Tour · SAP Center tour entrance
Behind-the-scenes SAP Center tour — Shark Head, suites, and ice.
Saturday Night Hockey Iconic Must experience
Special Event · SAP Center, Saturday Night Hockey
Saturday Night Hockey at The Shark Tank — teal pride at full volume.
Shark Tank Iconic Must experience
Special Event · Throughout the arena, gameday
Experience The Shark Tank — one of hockey's loudest and most intimidating home-ice atmospheres.
Sharks vs Ducks Iconic Must experience
Rivalry Game · SAP Center, Sharks vs Ducks
Freeway rivalry when Anaheim visits The Shark Tank.
Sharks vs Golden Knights Iconic Must experience
Rivalry Game · SAP Center, Sharks vs Golden Knights
Pacific Division rivalry when Vegas visits SAP Center.
Sharks vs Kings Iconic Must experience
Rivalry Game · SAP Center, Sharks vs Kings
California rivalry when Los Angeles visits The Shark Tank — Beat LA at full voice.
Skate Through the Shark Head Entrance Iconic Must experience
Pregame Ritual · Shark Head tunnel, pregame
Skate through the Shark Head — the most iconic player entrance in hockey.
Teal Takeover Iconic Must experience
Special Event · Throughout the arena, Teal Takeover gameday
Experience Teal Takeover — the arena floods with teal when Sharks Nation takes over.
Western Conference Final Game Iconic Must experience
Special Event · SAP Center, Western Conference Final
Western Conference Final at SAP Center — the pinnacle of Sharks playoff hockey.
Barracuda Doubleheader Weekend Must experience
Special Event · SAP Center and Tech CU Arena, doubleheader weekend
Barracuda doubleheader weekend — AHL and NHL hockey in the Bay Area.
Sharks Victory Celebration Must experience
Victory Celebration · Ice surface and stands, postgame
Stay for the postgame victory celebration when the Sharks win at home.
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San Jose Sharks