When dealing with lacrosse games at a neutral site with high stakes, be it a prep school state championship, a college game, or a PLL match, the ability to choose the venue can set fans right in terms of the experience. The discussion here is on whether small or large venues would be better suited to host such matches. In these cases, the athlete’s experience is paramount, for the memories created in those big-game situations can last a lifetime. In this article, we will compare the pros and cons of small and large lacrosse stadiums so that you can understand how each setting enhances or detracts from athletes’ experiences during these memorable events.
Big Venue Pros
Probably the greatest advantage of big-venue lacrosse games with high stakes is that it provides a grand experience. The playing of games within a stadium, irrespective of the number of fans, brings an air of grandeur and scale to the event. This bigness can elevate the athletes’ experience of the game to feel like a big deal.
The facilities are generally very good at larger venues. Most of these are high-level Division 1 schools or professional arenas that would have excellent locker rooms, training rooms, and so on. In other words, the infrastructure of the venues is such that it keeps elite athletes in a great environment to help them get prepared and then recover from their games.
When these venues are full, it’s something else. Events like NCAA Championship Weekend at full 30,000-fan capacity give a feeling that is so difficult to replicate on smaller occasions. For the players, having that many in the audience cheering would be quite intoxicating; their intense roar could elevate or intensify energy and excitement in the game.
Also, the larger the venue, the more likely it is to be located in larger cities or areas with a number of local attractions. This makes the experience of attending the game much more rewarding for the fans but also gives the athletes a lot more to do on their off time. These surrounding attractions can make what would have otherwise been just a simple game into an overall great trip.
Big Venue Cons
However, the large venues also have their own negatives. Among the more significant of these concerns can be said to be affecting the atmosphere with smaller audiences. With huge stadiums that are not filled, one is left with a lifeless and empty feel which takes away from the energy of the game. This was quite apparent in earlier events such as the NCAA Men’s Quarterfinals at Ohio Stadium, where the small crowd really made this venue lack what it could have had compared to a more local place like Delaware.
Another disadvantage: big venues rarely feel like they’re meant for lacrosse games. Many of these spaces are multipurpose, designed for hosting a variety of sports and other events, which makes for less truly lacrosse experiences. The field setup and sightlines may not be great, and it will lack all the specific touches that give a venue true home-field feel for lacrosse.
Scheduling can also be an issue when one has to consider larger venues. Given the demand and sometimes popularity, even these facilities have jammed schedules accommodating many different events; these could cause logistic dilemmas, limited availability that may influence the preparation and time conceived for lacrosse games.
Small Venue Pros
One of the larger advantages to having a high-stake lacrosse game at a smaller venue would be that these kinds of venues seem to be purpose-built for the sport. The majority of smaller universities that traditionally support college lacrosse programs have facilities dedicated to the sport. Staff in such facilities understand the particulars involved in lacrosse and thus will ensure no problems concerning running the event or meeting specific needs for both the game and players.
Another huge plus would be the atmosphere. For athletes, nothing can beat having a full house when competing, and it was easier to attain that in smaller venues. Lacrosse supporters are more likely to fill up a smaller venue, much more so for an important match, where players can really feel their energy and feel the fans’ support.
The game, experienced in an intimate setting, can be more stimulating, notching up its intensity to an unforgettable experience for the athletes. Also, while big venues are really nice and provide a “Wow” factor, they at times can be a little bit intimidating to younger athletes. Trying to play in larger general-admission seating areas than usual, particularly inside a championship game venue, raises the pressure and nerves already present in such high-stakes situations. This intimidation factor exists minimally in a smaller venue.
Small Venue Cons
Small venues, on the other hand, are hit or miss. Though some of the smaller spots really seem tailor-made for the sport, from easily accessible locker rooms to well-placed stands and high-quality facilities such as scoreboards, some others indeed leave much to be desired. Take one great facility ruined because something so easily alterable—like a running track around the field—is going to make it lose its vibe. Unlike larger venues, where there is usually some sort of assurance of quality, smaller ones vary in their quality.
Another disadvantage is a lack of grandeur. A major game, as it should be, in a third-party venue may not be as overwhelming. At times, small facilities can make the event feel void of magic. Games held within these respective venues seem, rather than such a momentous event, very much like another day on the field. Such lack of display could taint the experience for athletes who may not walk away with lasting impressions to remember, as could a larger and more whimsical venue.
In summary, although smaller venues provide a more intimate and less possibly intimidating environment for high-stakes lacrosse games, quality may vary from one place to another, and such grandeur that actually makes an event special could be lost. Balancing those pros and cons is key in selecting the right venue for a championship-level game.
