Bakersfield Condors

We recently stopped in at Rabobank to see a Bakersfield Condors game. Long gone are the days when the Condors were a low-​level minor league team. They are now part of the AHL, which is basically the triple-​A of hockey, and they are the top minor league team for the Edmonton Oilers. The overall experience was good, but the arena itself is not without its flaws.
TICKETING:
Whether you buy online or at the arena you are charged a $ 2/​ticket facility fee. The Condors sell their tickets online through
, so if you buy online you are charged an additional $ 4.25-$ 8.25/ticket convenience fee. Due in part to the high online fees, the lines on game-​day to get tickets are utterly absurd — we waited about 15 minutes to get tickets despite the fact five ticket windows were open plus a will-​call window. To top it off, due to the mass of people trying to get tickets, the ticket agent at the window would only give us the best available at a certain price point but wouldn’t let us request a specific section number only. On the plus side, I did see a guy give away two tickets that he couldn’t use to a random fan in line making that fan’s day. Plus one for humanity!
PARKING:
If you can’t find free parking on the streets nearby, there’s a lot on the other side of the train tracks charging $ 6, which seems a bit steep for a minor league hockey game. If the trains are barreling down the tracks you can take a bridge over the train crossing to get to/​from the arena.
CONCESSIONS:
Rabobank has as many different concession items as you’d find at any major sporting event or arena, along with typical arena pricing. In addition to the usual hot dogs, you could get fries, a variety of Mexican items, and pizza. There were a few standalone beer stands as well as a Tap Room, which is more or less a bar with high tops and TVs. For those craving sweets Rabobank Arena has both ice cream and shaved ice.
SEATING:
The seats are cushioned and have cup holders, and the sight-​lines are pretty good, but there isn’t a lot of legroom. It doesn’t help that people wouldn’t stand up when fans were trying to get into and out of the row. Have some common sense people — if you’re a big guy simply spreading your legs open doesn’t provide enough room for someone to walk by you.
CONCOURSES:
The concourses in the arena are painted a dull steel/​blue but there was enough room to walk around in between periods without bumping into people. Along the concourse walls are displays honoring local heroes such as founder Thomas Baker, NASCAR driver Kevin Harvick, and Raiders QB Derek Carr. Kids can have fun too with a Kids Zone featuring a small bounce house and mini-​hockey. The mascots walk around the interior of the arena as well as the concourses for photos and high fives.
THE GAME:
Perhaps it was because we saw a game the day after Christmas, but the arena was probably no more than ¹⁄₃ full. There were a handful of Stockton fans that the Condors fans razzed a bit — all in good fun. The announcer tried to pump up the crowd but even though the Condors scored five goals in a win over Stockton, the place never got jumping. This was quality, high speed hockey with defenseman Brad Hunt scoring two goals getting called up to Edmonton the very next day.
SOUVENIRS:
There are random souvenir stands/​tables scattered throughout the arena and they don’t all have the same merchandise, so if you’re looking for something specific you may have to do a lap. The deal of the day was a mini-​puck (about 2″ in diameter) with the Condors logo for just $ 1 (tax included).

The team may not be playing their best but boy do they have fun! Condors games are jam packed with entertainment from start to finish. First off, their announcer is a hoot! He’s hilarious and instantly got the crowd on their feet! From the kiss cam to the oblivious can, he was cracking jokes and kept us engaged during the breaks! Usually people get up for refills between periods, but this guy was enough to keep us in our seats!
I love the arena itself. Very clean and nice. Great scoreboard in the center.
The games that they played between periods were so hilarious!!! Watching grown people run around in inflatable plastic balls and slipping around was so funny. I absolutely loved it!
Prices in this arena are also affordable! Beers are $ 7.50 on draft and they’ve got some deliciously stinky garlic fries for $ 5. Definitely normal prices compared to most arenas!
Such a fun place to come with anyone! Great for families, date night or a big group of friends!

If you live in Bakersfield and have never been to a Condor’s game — you’re missing out!
The excitement and energy at these games is a total hoot. You don’t necessarily have to be a fan of hockey to enjoy the game. There’s plenty of variety at the games for everyone to have a little fun. Tons of contests and opportunities to win things as well.
Parking is always atrocious, and the concessions are downright terrible. But in all, the Condors are great local fun.

I have been going to condors games for years and became a season ticket holder last season I feel every appreciated and I was given a free jersey for renewing my tickets as well as dollar soda refills and free parking for next season. I enjoy the chill of the ice at the arena and being able to buy full season tickets for the price of comparable seats and gas and parking at an LA Kings or Anaheim Ducks game. The marketing team is amazing and I have gotten beanies and baseball caps and welcome mats giveaways because they let even in every ticket plan holder 15 minutes early from the big 36 game full season plan to the small 3 game hat trick plan. I am very proud of the organization and excited for us moving up to AAA one step bellow the NHL next season. Go Condors

I love the Condors! The energy, the excitement of the games, everything. I don’t really know anything about hockey, but the competition is palpable. If you like ANY sport, you’ll love this. I appreciate the ticket deals that make it possible for schlepps like me to get in.
Deduct a star for concessions that are astronomically expensive. $ 7 for a slice of pizza? $ 10.50 for a beer? Insane.

I recently attended my first Condors game as a new resident of Bakersfield. It was surprisingly fun! Compared to Los Angeles arenas (where I’m from), Rabobank is on the small side but parking is very affordable ($ 6) as are the concessions. The game was super exciting! I even purchased a team sweatshirt since I plan on returning to more games. And people say there is nothing to do in this town.

Keeps getting better and better and better… fans and players and free stuff and crazy themes, ie. puffy shirt jersey Seinfeld night for tomorrow nights game! LETS GO CONDORS, LETS GO!

I’m a Las Vegas Wranglers fan and love coming to Bakersfield to watch them play the Condors. Most of the Condors fans are really friendly and welcoming even though I’m cheering for their opponent. My hubby and I are starting to make friendships with some of the fans and plan on buying a mini plan next season.

This review will not do justice to my overall experience to this arena for the Condors hockey game. If I was not trying to set a better example for my young son who is the reason we are here I would’ve had the right to light the ticket and customer service group up publicly. We came prior to game time to purchase tickets for tonight’s game and specifically requested the dog tickets but the inexperienced ticket agent at the time sold us tickets telling us they were the correct tickets. When arriving at the game we went to the ticket office to inquire how we would collect our good from our tickets. The inexperienced ticket agent that had helped us earlier purchase the tickets was again at the ticket window. He had that look of total confusion when we inquired about the tickets. He remembered us and was «trying» to figure something out. It was a total debacle. The whole process was excruciating. He even quoted me the wrong price again for the tickets. So when he came back and told me I’d have to pay an additional $ 60+. I asked what about the price you just quoted me. To which I got another blank and distant stare. The ABSOLUTE best part is what appeared to be two female managers offering no apologies or solutions to the mix up. I had to bite my tongue and walk away. I know what good customer service is, how to give it, and what should be done when your customer feels dissatisfied. Let’s just say we will NEVER be back. Shame on the ticket staff and their inability to take care of their customers.

go condors! we are so proud!!!

What bad things can I say about this organization? not much. They offer an exciting game, the venue is still top notch (even after 10+ yrs), the promotions are always interesting, the price is right, and they are actively involved in the community. If they could just get past the first round of playoffs and stop bragging about being back to back pacific division champions… division champs means nothing, and even seems kind of silly to brag about it after not even getting past the first round of playoffs both years, without winning the Kelly cup. Go condors…

Fast, exciting hockey. Several Condors have made it to the NHL in the last few years and stuck with an NHL team (Bolduc, Sexton). In recent years, the team has been affiliated with the Wild and the Ducks, who send them top notch players for this league. If you give it a chance, you’ll be hooked!

Condor’s games are one of the funnest things to go to in Bakersfield. It’s a couple hours of good fast pasted entertainment, win or lose. We have a pretty nice arena with all the digital boards you could want. I think the concessions and customer service could be worked on but it still doesn’t take away from the hockey experience.
If you’re looking for something to do and you think that there is nothing besides eating or going to the movies check out a condors game on a Friday or Saturday night. Even if you are not a hockey fan you will quickly become one once you watch it in person. It is a whole different experience.
–I suggest you get one of the bottom level seats because when you’re up top it’s not nearly as exciting or immersive. The closer to the ice the better.
–Most of their food is decent. If you are in a club seat there are servers so you don’t even need to find the different shops. The best deal in the house is the kids meal. It’s a regular size hot dog with a decent amount of fries and a 16 oz. soda for $ 3.50. A hot dog alone is $ 4. I forget which stand it is but it’s the one that sells pizzas.