PHOTOS: See the Barracuda’s New Home

The San Jose Barracuda opened the doors to their new arena this morning.

Well, not quite. Construction is ongoing and isn’t expected to be completed until August 2022, in time for the 2022-23 AHL season. But they gave the media a tour, and there’s plenty for San Jose Sharks and Barracuda fans to be excited about!

Here are some of the highlights:

Here’s what walking into the yet-to-be-named arena looks like, designed for 4,200 fans. It’s certainly going to be cozier than a typical Barracuda game at San Jose Sharks’ home SAP Center, where 500 or so fans couldn’t overcome the relatively cavernous surroundings. That should be different here.

There will be views along the ice here, center ice and behind the goal, along with an ice-level sports bar concept.

This is a view from the suite section — a great view! But there doesn’t look like there’ll be a bad view in this house.

Here’s a look at center ice from the second floor.

On the second and third floors, there will be 20,000 feet of commercial space available, complete with views of the San Jose Giants’ neighboring ballpark and downtown San Jose.

This is the third level and highest view from the arena — like I said, not a bad seat in the house. San Jose Sharks management and scouts will have a nook on this floor to take in Barracuda contests.

Overall, this rink is part of a 200,000 square-foot expansion of Sharks Ice, or Solar4America Ice, at San Jose. This is where the San Jose Sharks currently practice. Two recreational ice sheets will be added — increasing the building’s number to six ice sheets — making Sharks Ice at San Jose the largest ice facility in North America.

These are some of the other amenities that will be added, according to the San Jose Sharks:

• 12 premium suites
• 1 theatre box and 8 loge suites
• New ice-level sports bar concept
• 7 food and beverage concepts
• 2 merchandise locations
• 3 club and group areas
• Focus on green building initiatives including Bloom Energy cells, high efficiency LED lighting, electric Zamboni, and electric vehicle chargers in the parking lot.
• 20,000 feet of commercial space is also available for lease

Also, joining Stanley’s Sports Bar at Sharks Ice at San Jose:

Bar at new Barracuda arena will be called Calder's…aspirational thinking! You'll be able to watch the Sharks practice from here too

— Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) August 24, 2021

Check out some artist renderings of the Barracuda’s new home here.

See you here in a year!