Most big events in Anchorage happen at the Sullivan Arena, at 16th Avenue and Gambell Street (sometimes known as the Sully, it's named after a former Mayor Sullivan who was the current Mayor Sullivan's father). The ticket agency is Ticketmaster (tel. 800/745-3000; www.ticketmaster.com), which also sells through local Fred Meyer grocery stores.
Baseball -- Anchorage has two semipro baseball teams -- the Anchorage Glacier Pilots (tel. 907/274-3627; www.glacierpilots.com) and the Anchorage Bucs (tel. 907/561-2827; www.anchoragebucs.com) -- with college athletes playing in a six-team Alaska league during June and July. Cool summer nights under the natural light at tiny Mulcahy Stadium bring the game close: the sound, smell, and rhythm. The quality may be uneven, but exceptional players grow up in this league and dozens are currently in the majors. Famed alumni include Mark McGwire, Rick Aguilera, Tom Seaver, Dave Winfield, Barry Bonds, Wally Joyner, Randy Johnson, and Jason Giambi. Check the Anchorage Daily News or the websites above for game times. Mulcahy is at 16th Avenue and A Street, a long walk or a short drive from downtown. Tickets are around $5. Dress warmly for evening games; a blanket is rarely out of order. A weekend day game is warmer, but then you won't get to see baseball played at night without lights.
Basketball -- The University of Alaska Anchorage hosts an NCAA Division I preseason basketball tournament, the Carrs/Safeway Great Alaska Shootout (tel. 907/786-1293; www.goseawolves.com), in late November. The noted men's tournament takes place at the Sullivan Arena over Thanksgiving weekend. The women's tournament is held on the 2 days prior to Thanksgiving. The Seawolves, themselves in Division II, play the regular season at the Well Fargo Sports Complex, on campus on Providence Drive.
Hockey -- Anchorage is a hockey town. The biggest headline we've ever seen on the local newspaper is when the minor league hockey team won the national ECHL championship in the spring of 2006. The team, the Alaska Aces (tel. 907/258-2237; www.alaskaaces.com), competes at the Sullivan Arena. The western division of the national conference, in which Alaska plays, pits the team regularly against Las Vegas, Boise, and Victoria, B.C. The season generally lasts from October to May.
Most years, the University of Alaska Anchorage Seawolves (tel. 907/786-1293; www.goseawolves.com) get plenty of attention all winter. They play NCAA Division I hockey at the Sullivan, a notoriously noisy and raucous venue for opposing teams.
Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.
