Delaware Sports

Delaware is (in)famous for not having any professional sports teams. Depending on where in the state you find yourself, you will be surrounded by rabid Philly fans, Baltimore fans, or DC fans.

But, don't let our small size fool you. We are a state with many opportunities to watch sports. And, because our teams are not national teams playing in huge stadia, we are able to get up close and personal with the field and the team in question. Here are some of the opportunities that await you if you want a sporting experience in Delaware

CENTRE ICE ARENA, Harrington

Delaware Thunder

Located within the State Fair Grounds in Harrington is an ice rink. It is here that you are able to watch the Delaware Thunder, a professional ice hockey club, play.

I will admit that I am not a hockey fan, but I enjoyed the game I went to see. (If we're being scrupulously honest, the two periods I watched...). The fans are all ages and most of them know someone on the ice. There is a lot of hollering and hellos as the players skate near the glass. Even better, when the team does something good, there is lots of pounding on the glass and cheering. The noise is something else.

This is not a professional rink. I was literally feet from some of the players on the sidelines and most people stand through the game as there is not a lot of seating. If you are a fan, I highly recommend checking out a game. The price is right and the ability to get so close to the action is a treat.

CHASE (76ERS) FIELDHOUSE, Wilmington

Wilmington Blue Coats

I had passed by this building many times, often wondering what was inside such a large place sitting just off the Wilmington Riverfront. I was suitably impressed when I finally walked inside.

It is a basketball arena on the smallish size (University of Delaware's arena is bigger), yet it is set up beautifully. Off to side, they have an area for children to play while their parents watch the game. It is filled with games, inflatable slides, face painting, and other opportunities for children to simply enjoy themselves..

The arena itself is very nicely put together. The seats are not jammed next to each other so you have some breathing room. The people who go tend to be the players' family members or just people who love basketball. The players are the farm team for the Philadelphia 76ers, so they are playing their hearts out while coaches and scouts sit on one end of the court and watch.

Recommended for an afternoon's outing with your kids.

DE TURF SPORTS COMPLEX, Frederica

Conveniently located just off Route One, this complex boasts twelve full sized playing fields and an indoor stadium. On any given weekend, you will find a tournament in progress featuring teams from all over this part of the country. The complex hosts lacrosse, flag football, rugby, field hockey, and other sports. It also provides lessons for those just starting out.

I have been known to duck off Route One if I see something happening and just watch for a while. I especially love watching the very young kids play soccer. They haven't figured out yet that the game is competitive and they are just having fun running up and down and kicking a ball.

There are good, but expensive, concessions if you are hungry and the restrooms here are extremely clean. I have also been known to sneak in for a comfort break on my way to or from the beach.

DELAWARE STADIUM, Newark

It goes without saying that you are able to watch pretty much any sport you want at the University of Delaware. Since all of the other major sports were already represented in this article, I chose to go to a Blue Hens football game.

This is a pure college football experience. I arrived early and wandered around looking at the various tailgates that were happening. Some of them were fancier than the last party I threw. Tents covering comfortable seats, grills firing all kinds of meat, huge tubs of ice holding every beverage (adult and otherwise) you can imagine. Kids were running around and the adults were playing cornhole and just hanging out. It looked like fun.

The stadium holds roughly 18,000 people and the attendance the day I was there was just shy of 12,000. It makes for a lot of noise and a lot of people having a lot of fun. The marching band plays throughout the game and during halftime and the mascots are running causing mischief and making everyone laugh.

I had much more fun than I expected I would. Recommended for a great day out in the fall.

FRAWLEY STADIUM, Wilmington

Wilmington Blue Rocks

Is there anything better than a baseball game on a summer night? I love sitting in the bleachers with a cold beer in my hand watching young men hit balls and run around bases.

The Wilmington Blue Rocks are the High-A farm team for the Washington Nationals. As a result, you get to watch young men who are making their dream come true.

The pricing for a ticket is extremely reasonable and you get to sit so close to the field that you can almost reach out and touch it. By the end of the evening, you will be friends with everyone around you, some of whom are family members of those young men out on the field. Not to be missed.

LOWER SUSSEX LITTLE LEAGUE COMPLEX, Frankford

Of course, there are little league fields in nearly every town in Delaware. What makes this complex special is that there are ten fields all within shouting distance of each other.

These fields are so well maintained that for twenty years, this complex hosted the Senior League Softball World Series. Some of the best teen players in the country would descend on Lower Delaware and play for the championship. Unfortunately, much has been cancelled lately because of the pandemic, but you will often find local teams playing on these fields.

SPORTS AT THE BEACH, Georgetown

The home of sixteen baseball fields, you will often find youth baseball tournaments happening here. But it doesn't stop at baseball.

This nearly 100 acre complex includes basketball courts, an archery range, a swimming pool, fishing ponds, pickleball courts, batting cages, playgrounds, dog parks, and a walking trail. They recently expanded to include an indoor sports training facility

It also provides food and accommodation for the players, coaches, and families taking part in the tournaments. There is a pro shop and a gift shop where you can find anything you may have forgotten at home.

You are welcome to use all the facilities here for a parking fee of $7 per day. For that, you will have access to the pool, the ponds, the playgrounds, and the general grounds. The fee is waived for players in uniform and coaches.