3. April 2025
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Wheeling Nailers at WesBanco Arena

Florian Buechtingby Florian Buechting

Wheeling Nailers at WesBanco Arena

Wheeling Nailers at WesBanco Arena
3.8

Rating

 3.8/5

Flyctory.com Pros

  • Good services and nice range of food
  • Nice location, including easy parking

Flyctory.com Cons

  • Rather old arena
  • Limited support by the people

In February 2025, I somehow “completed” visitng the Pittsburgh Penguins franchise. After their PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh is some sort of “home place” to me and I shared my experience at a Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins home match with you, I made it to Wheeling in West Virginia. The Wheeling Nailers are not only the oldest surviving ice hockey minor league team below AHL level, they are also the farm team of the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins. Thus, they are also part of the Penguins’ organization. On Friday, 28th February 2025, I thus headed to their home ice WesBanco Arena, watching an ECHL home match against Adirondack Thunder. Here is my arena review.

 

WesBanco Arena – Location & Traffic

WesBanco Arena is beautifully located in the historic district of Wheeling in West Virginia. The city might not be on the bucket list for tourists, especially from overseas, but you can explore industrial heritage there. Another nice factor is the Ohio River, which is flowing right west of the venue. The area around is rather commercial, but there are a few restaurants around as well.

The only public transport spot I spotted is the Wheeling stop of Greyhound Bus Services, which is just a block away. Getting to WesBanco Arena by car is comparably easy, though, there are multiple parking opportunities around. I used the parking garage right next door to the area, which was a very convenient 10 USD parking fee.

 

Wheeling Nailers at WesBanco Arena – Arena & Ticket Situation

WesBanco Arena was built in 1977. For ice hockey matches, it has an approximate capacity of 5,400 spectators. You do see that the venue is a bit of outdated, but it is also quite charming. I typically do like to have a full walk along the concourse of an arena. For the WesBanco Arena, I absolutely recommend that at a first visit. There are numerous showcase. Not only that the Nailers honor former players, including German Tom Kühnhackl, there is a lot of regional sports history displayed in there. Here and there, you also have a lovely view over the Ohio River. A rather unique feature is that you typically even enter the lower ranks of the stands by taking stairs up from the concourse.

The video screens in the arena feel a bit of outdated, but overall, the setting inside the arena is quite charming. I had a seat close to the center line, which was absolutely comfortable. The prices are obviously much lower than in the NHL or the AHL. The ticket situation in Wheeling is relaxed. I bought my ticket way before the game, but walking in for tickets would have been possible easily. This may differ in very attractive matches.

 

Wheeling Nailers at WesBanco Arena – Atmosphere

The people in that part of West Virginia do identify with the Wheeling Nailers. Despite the match was an interesting and close one, the atmosphere was rather limited, especially compared to European lower league ice hockey teams. Nonetheless, you get quite a lot of typical North American sports feeling at WesBanco Arena, when the team is playing. One thing I loved was playing “volleyball” between two sections of the arena with a beach ball, for example. Overall, it was a very relaxed and friendly atmosphere in Wheeling during my visit.

 

Wheeling Nailers at WesBanco Arena – Food & Shopping

Based on the typical attendance of Nailers matches, the availability and selection of food was quite nice. There is a mixture of local brands as well as nationwide providers like Chick-fil-A on concourse level. The prices are slightly below major league teams. However, the wide availability of food also means that you can grab a bite in the intermissions in a rather relaxed way. The food I tested, a pulled pork sandwich and a hot dog, was absolutely fine. A very popular place, especially during the intermissions, is a bar next to ice level.

There are two merchandise stores in the arena. One is next to the entrance, before the ticket check. During matches, there is also a rather large selection of items at a store. Especially the prices for jersey are significantly lower than for higher leagues.

 

Wheeling Nailers at WesBanco Arena – My View

I like minor league hockey in the United States. Watching AHL or lower league matches kills two of the typical disadvantages of NHL matches: ticket prices and additional costs like parking. WesBanco Arena is definitely not the most modern ice hockey venue out there, but I liked the people and the atmosphere. As you see below, I even ran into one of their mascots. The location is nice, getting there is easy, so I definitely enjoyed that evening at the Wheeling Nailers.

 

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