My First San Jose Sharks Game: A Solo Traveler Guide
While this is a travel blog, I don’t think I can wrap up my California trip without talking about hockey, especially the San Jose Sharks.
I was first introduced to the sport during the 4 Nations Face-Off in 2025. However, I really fell down the hockey rabbit hole during the 2026 Winter Olympics, when both the USA Men’s and Women’s hockey teams brought home gold.
Since then, I’ve fallen in love with the sport and have been learning everything I can. Naturally, I knew I needed to pick a team of my own.
Somehow, an Alabama girl living in Texas decided that the San Jose Sharks were going to be my team.
It certainly helps that the Sharks have one of the league’s most exciting young players in Macklin Celebrini, along with a young, talented roster that makes them fun to watch.
So, when I planned a four-day solo trip from San Francisco down to Big Sur, I knew I had to add one more stop to my itinerary: a Sharks game at home.
Not only was this my first time seeing the Sharks play, but it was also my first-ever NHL game.
As someone relatively new to hockey, I quickly realized there was a lot to learn, from the logistics of attending a game to the traditions, atmosphere, and culture surrounding the sport.
And honestly? I loved almost every aspect of the experience!
As a solo female traveler who enjoys going to hockey games, concerts, and exploring new places on my own, I know that doing something for the first time can feel a little intimidating.
But you don’t need to wait for someone else to be available to experience something you love.
So, whether you’re a fellow hockey newbie, a Sharks fan planning your first game, or a solo traveler wondering what it’s like to attend an NHL game alone, I’m sharing everything I learned from my first experience at the SAP Center in San Jose, California.
Quick Guide for a San Jose Sharks Game
- Game: San Jose Sharks v. New York Islanders – March 7th, 2026
- Hotel: Hampton Inn & Suites San Jose Airport | 4.3 miles from SAP Center
- Ticket Section: Section 128, Row 2, Seat 15
- Parking Location: Prepaid $30 for Lot D at SAP Center
- Approximate Game-Day Costs: $350, including all game-related expenses. Costs can be reduced depending on seat selection.
Where to Stay for a San Jose Sharks Game
For my stay in San Jose, I chose the Hampton Inn and Suite San Jose Airport. I paid $109 for a Saturday night stay, plus $10 for parking.
The hotel is conveniently located near the San Jose Airport, making it a good option for anyone flying in from out of town. It is also about 4.3 miles from the SAP Center, home of the San Jose Sharks.
With normal traffic conditions, the drive takes about 10 minutes but this could vary depending on day and time.
As a female solo traveler, I felt comfortable in both my room and the hotel as a whole. Everything was clean, and there were several families and couples staying at the property during my visit.
There were a few people hanging out in the parking lot late at night, which made me uneasy when I went back out to my car to grab something. However, I didn’t experience any issues during my stay.
My biggest complaint was the parking situation.
The hotel offers standard parking as well as electric vehicle charging stations towards the back of the lot.
However, with two hotels right next to each other and high demand for parking, finding an open spot after the game was more difficult than I expected.
Despite the parking headache, I would stay here again.
For $109 a night, it was a clean, comfortable, and budget-friendly option for a one-night stay in San Jose. I’d just keep the parking situation in mind when planning my next visit.
Where I Sat: The Pros and Cons
When it comes to events, I’m always looking for the best seats while still getting the most bang for my buck. This is especially true as someone who doesn’t mind going alone.
A lot of the time, I can find discounted seats because people are trying to sell individual tickets rather than pairs or groups.
This has worked to my advantage on multiple occasions, and it was no different for my first Sharks game.
I was able to find a Row 2 ticket right next to the Sharks bench for $270. I thought this was a steal because I was so close, and other tickets in similar spots were going for upwards of 500–700.
At the time, I was more than willing to pay that amount, considering the prices around it and the fact that I genuinely wanted to be as close to the ice as possible for my first game.
Even though I wanted to splurge, you can find seats for as little as $35 on the third level.
SeatGeek, StubHub, and Vivid Seats are also my best friends when it comes to events, especially hockey games.
I’ve found that if you wait until the night before or the day of a game, prices can drop significantly.This is how I’ve been able to watch the Sharks play in Dallas for around $150 for Row 2 seats behind the goal.
Big risk, but big reward.
The only downside I experienced as a first-time visitor was the crowds during warm-ups. I didn’t realize that fans could go down closer to the ice during warm-ups regardless of where their tickets were located.
As a result, I ended up waiting about six rows up because people had crowded both the stairs and the first five rows.
Technically, you have first dibs on your assigned seat and can make your way through the crowd since you paid for that spot.
However, I didn’t want to push my way through everyone, so I patiently waited for warm-ups to end and the crowds to thin out before heading down to my seat.
If I were to go back, I would arrive earlier. For a 7 p.m. game, warm-ups start at 6:29 p.m. and last 16 minutes, so I would aim to get there around 6 p.m. to secure my spot.
Where I Parked: Getting to SAP Center
On this trip, I had rented a car since I was driving down from San Francisco, but you can also get around San Jose with Uber or public transit.
People at my hotel were taking Uber to the game, but since I was traveling alone, I felt like that would be a waste of money.
I don’t think ride shares have the same appeal for solo travelers who have to cover the cost themselves rather than splitting it with others.
When I purchased my ticket, I also prepaid for a parking spot at SAP Center. It cost me $30, and I found this super convenient.
My parking pass was for Lot D, which is right across the street from SAP Center. I walked about 500 feet across the street to the entrance alongside crowds of other Sharks fans.
My suggestion would be to back into your parking spot because that made it significantly easier for me to get out afterward for that lot specifically.
However, I did wait for traffic to die down after the game before attempting to leave.
My San Jose Sharks Experience
Once I parked, I headed to the main entrance of the SAP Center. It was around 6 p.m., and the lines were moving steadily, so I didn’t have to wait long to get in.
The marketing staff was giving away free Sharks bucket hats, so I grabbed one before heading to find some merch. I wanted either a T-shirt or a hat since I was wearing regular clothes.
I settled on a hat that I’ve since worn so much that I feel like the $36 price tag was worth it. Plus, it’s just a really nice hat.
With my merch secured, I wanted to find my seat before looking for food.
Like I mentioned above, I arrived at my seat to find a crowd of people getting ready for warm-ups, which left me super confused at first.
After a quick Google search, I realized this was a normal hockey tradition.
I decided to wait until the first intermission to get food because I didn’t want to miss any of the action.
I’m glad I stayed put because Will Smith came and stood right in front of our section as the players prepared for the national anthem.
It was so cool to see the players up close before the game actually started. However, this was about the time I realized that my thin jacket was a little too thin for my liking.
I would suggest wearing a warm jacket or sweatshirt. Every time I’ve been to the ice rink, I’ve been cold despite the layers.
This was of little concern once the game began because it was nothing but action. My favorite part, as crazy as it sounds, is the hits and the fights, and we got plenty of both throughout the game.
There were a few big hits into the glass right in front of me, and at that point, I was really getting into it.
A major part of hockey culture is fans chirping (taunting players on the ice), while others resort to just yelling, me included. Be prepared for a rowdy crowd!
I eventually took a break during the second-period intermission to find food. I wasn’t overly hungry, so I settled for cream-cheese-stuffed pretzels and a Coke from one of the vendors.
During the second and third periods, we saw some after-the-whistle scuffles involving Ryan Reaves and Kiefer Sherwood on separate occasions.
There was even some drama involving William Eklund, who, according to my understanding of the off season moves, is now an Ottawa Senator. However, at the time, he was a prominent player for the Sharks.
After Eklund tossed Bo Horvat’s stick down the tunnel, Horvat pushed Eklund’s visor/helmet. This incident resulted in an NHL Player Safety fine of $2,500 for Horvat due to unsportsmanlike conduct (NHL, 2026).
After three periods, the game went to overtime, and unfortunately, the Sharks lost to the Islanders 2–1. But regardless, #TheFutureIsTeal 🩵
Despite the heartbreaking ending, I was able to get plenty of videos for content and some close-up photos.
What to Know Before Your First San Jose Sharks Game
If this is your first NHL game, there are a few things I would recommend knowing before heading to the SAP Center. From getting there early to budgeting for the experience, a little planning can make your first game that much better.
Arrive Early for Warm-Ups
If you want to get close to the ice during warm-ups, arrive early. Fans can gather near the lower rows regardless of their assigned seats, so getting there with enough time can make the experience easier.
Budget for More Than Your Ticket
I splurged on my seats, yes, but I don’t love spending more on unexpected expenses. Between parking, food, and merchandise, the costs can add up quickly.
Even if you don’t plan to purchase anything at the arena, it’s worth setting aside a little extra in case something catches your eye.
You know, everybody could use a puck at least!
Mystery Pucks and Theme Nights
Speaking of pucks, you can purchase a mystery puck for around $30 at select home games (card only). These pucks, wrapped in teal, white, or gold foil, are signed by a Sharks player whose identity is kept secret until you unwrap it.
You might just luck out and get your favorite player!
The Sharks Foundation has released its 2026–27 season dates for mystery pucks, which you can find here.
The Sharks also host theme nights throughout the season, ranging from Heritage Appreciation and Pride Night to events like Love Island, Fourth Wing, and First Responders Night.
Special events like yoga and Pilates on the ice are available, too. These events may come with merchandise such as shirts, bobble heads, and hats.
That’s how I ended up with my Sharks bucket hat! It was Women of Teal Night, which included pregame and intermission presentations honoring women in hockey.
You can find upcoming special events and their respective ticket packages here.
Plan Your Parking Ahead of Time
I recommend checking the SAP Center parking options and prepaying if you plan to drive. I chose Lot D for $30 and would use it again.
Don’t Let Going Alone Stop You
While this was my first NHL game, I’ve been to two more by myself since. I’ve never had any issues, and I’ve even been able to meet people sitting around me.
Even if someone thinks it’s weird that I’m sitting by myself, most people keep to themselves or stick with the people they know, especially in sections with season ticket holders.
You can talk to people as little or as much as you like without feeling uncomfortable.
There’s no pressure to make friends with everyone around you, but you also don’t have to avoid conversations just because you’re there alone.
One thing I love about the atmosphere at hockey games is how energizing it can be. You start to feel like you’re part of something bigger rather than sitting there alone.
Between the occasional high five and the excitement of the game, you might find yourself forgetting you were ever nervous about going alone.
If you’ve been wanting to go to a game but are nervous about going alone, I hope you don’t let that stop you. You might find that once the game starts, you’re too caught up in the excitement to worry about being there by yourself.
Would I Go Again? My Final Thoughts
Oh, I’ve already started planning my next trip to San Jose to watch the Sharks play again! I absolutely loved every second of the game and the atmosphere. I sat so close for my first game that it honestly made me a little bougie.
Since then, I’ve been to two other NHL games in Dallas, which is about a three-hour drive from where I live in Texas. One of those was a Stars vs. Sharks game just a few weeks ago.
Obviously, you can tell how much I love hockey if I’ve willingly driven six hours round-trip twice just to watch a game.
There’s just nothing like a hot dog and a front-row seat to watch players crash into the boards or, frankly, my favorite, fist-fight right in front of you.
10/10, no notes!
If you are thinking about planning your own trip to a Sharks game and want to add a few days in Big Sur, California, check out my Big Sur Travel Guide!
