Guide To 'The Joe': Home Of The Detroit Red Wings
This mecca of NHL hockey and home to the storied Detroit Red Wings, holds a special place in the heart of Michiganders. Built in 1979, the history of the venue is thick with stories of Stanley Cups and raucous concerts. Get schooled on the basic information and learn some little known facts about "The Joe" as it is referred to by Detroiters.
Facts & History
Opened: December 12, 1979
Built: 1977-79, completed 19 days ahead of schedule
Capacity for:
Hockey - 20,066
Basketball - 20,153
Concerts - 21,666
Ice Shows - 14,416
Circus - 19,259
Hockey Ice Surface: 200-feet by 85-feet
First Event: December 12, 1979 - basketball game between the University of Detroit and the University of Michigan.
First Hockey Game: December 27, 1979 - Red Wings vs. St. Louis Blues (St. Louis 3, Detroit 2); attendance 19,742
Olympia Entertainment manages Joe Louis Arena, Cobo Arena, Fox Theatre, City Theatre Johnny Rockets and Hockeytown Cafe restaurants.
More Info: visit www.olympiaentertainment.com
Tours
Get a behind the scenes look at the Alumni Room, Olympia Club, Media Lounge, Press Box, a Supersuite, and the visitors' Locker Room. Tours are given September - March on Wednesdays and Fridays at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. on non-event days only.
- Tours are $6 for adults and $3 for children (ages 5-17). Children under 5 are free.
- Tickets can be purchased at the Joe Louis Arena Box Office
- Group tours may be scheduled all year round by advance reservation only
- Groups must have at least 15 members to be eligible
- For more info and available tour dates call 313-471-667
Tickets
Purchase tickets for any event at the Joe Louis Arena Box Office, any TicketMaster outlet by calling 248-645-6666 or online at www.detroitredwings.com.
Box Office hours are from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Saturday, and event Sundays. Hours are extended on event and game nights. Tickets for upcoming events at Joe Louis Arena, Cobo Arena, and the Fox Theatre are on sale through the second period of all home games at the box office window on the concourse level behind section 101.
Doors open one and a half hours before every game.
Refunds or Exchanges are not available for any game for any reason.
Guest Services
Kids welcome! Children under the age of two are admitted without charge provided they sit on someone's lap, however, if any child's behavior becomes disruptive, the child and parent(s) may be asked to leave.
Watch out! Pucks may fly into the spectator area causing serious injury. Stay alert at all times including during warmup and after play stops.
Disabled Seating: To purchase disabled seating, please call 313-396-7929. Disabled parking is also available in the Joe Louis Arena parking structure. For all other questions regarding disabled accessibility, please call 313-396-7422.
Rules
Things you should leave at home: Octopus
Don't try it! Any person throwing objects in the arena will be subject to eviction from the premises, revocation of his/her season tickets and possible legal prosecution.
No smoking will be tolerated inside Joe Louis Arena. Smoking is permitted in designated areas only.
Cameras under 80mm are allowed inside Joe Louis Arena on game day. Video cameras and flash photography are NOT allowed.
Coming and Going
Joe Louis Arena is located at 600 Civic Center Drive: on the western banks of the Detroit River and next to Cobo Hall.
From Pontiac, Troy, Flint and Northern Suburbs:
Take I-75 Southbound to I-375/Civic Center until it ends (about a mile). Head West on Jefferson and stay in the left lane. Go underneath Cobo Center and exit on West Jefferson. You'll be directly in front of the Joe Louis Arena Parking Structure.
From Southwest Detroit, Toledo and Downriver Suburbs:
Take I-75 Northbound to the Lodge Freeway (M-10) South. Take to Lodge Southbound to the West Jefferson/Joe Louis exit. This exit will place you directly in front of the parking garage.
From Mt. Clemens, Grosse Pointe, Port Huron and Eastern Suburbs:
Follow I-94 West to the Lodge Freeway (M-10) Southbound. Take the Lodge to the West Jefferson/Joe Louis exit. This exit will place you directly in front of the parking garage.
From Lansing, Livonia, Westland and Western Suburbs:
(From Lansing area, take I-96 Eastbound to I-275 South) Take I-96 (Jeffries Freeway) Eastbound to the Lodge Freeway (M-10)/Civic Center exit. Follow the Lodge Southbound to the West Jefferson/Joe Louis exit. This exit will place you directly in front of the parking garage.
From Bloomfield, Farmington Hills, Central and Northwestern Detroit and Oakland County Suburbs:
Follow Southbound Lodge (M10) to West Jefferson/Joe Louis exit. This exit will place you directly in front of the parking garage.
From Ann Arbor, Dearborn, Inkster and Wayne:
Follow Eastbound I-94 (Ford Freeway) to the Lodge (M-10) Southbound. Exit at the West Jefferson/ Joe Louis exit. This exit will place you directly in front of the parking garage.
