Bears Overview

Fast facts

League: American Hockey League

Head Coach: Spencer Carbery

Team Mascot: Coco the Bear

Year Opened: 2002

Capacity: 10500

City / State: Hershey / Pennsylvania

Rivalries & Top Games to Attend

Hershey Bears vs Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins

Rival Team: Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins

The rivalry between the Hershey Bears and in-state rivals Wilkes-Barre/Scranton mirrors the rivalry between the club’s parent teams the Washington Capitals and Pittsburgh Penguins. There is always a lot at stake whenever the Bears and Penguins face off, so make sure to be in attendance when the Penguins come to town.

Hershey Bears vs Lehigh Valley Phantoms

Rival Team: Lehigh Valley Phantoms

You won’t want to miss it when the Bears takes on fellow Pennsylvania-based rivals Lehigh Valley. The rivalry between the Bears and Phantoms is an intense one, so don’t miss it when future Capitals take on their current and future division rivals from the Philadelphia Flyers’ AHL affiliate the Lehigh Valley Phantoms.

Bears Stadium Guide

In Game

The Hershey Bears are the oldest and most successful team in the AHL, having started won a record 11 Calder Cups since starting play in 1932. The Bears long history and success on the ice have built up a strong fan base in the Hershey area that packs the stands for just about every game creating a fun atmosphere inside the Giant Center. The fans here adore this team, so come prepared to get loud and show your support for the Bears when attending a game at the Giant Center.

In addition to incredible fan support, you’ll also find several tributes to former Bears greats around the arena. The Bears Hall of Fame fills the concourse and consists of plaques dedicated to each inductee, making it a must-see for any hockey fan visiting the arena. You also won’t want to miss the photos of the Bears’ 11 Calder Cup winning teams on the concourse or the banners hanging above the ice.

Finally, being that this is Hershey, you’ll find a lot of candy related items on the concourse. The signage in the arena features famous Hershey candies, and you’ll want to stop by the Tweet for a Treat vending machine to get a free candy bar.

The Bears are the most storied team in the history of the AHL, so start planning your trip to Hershey, Pennsylvania today.

Things to check out

Bears Hall of Fame

Make sure to take a trip around the concourse to see the Bears Hall of Fame. The Hall of Fame honors the greatest players in Hershey Bears history, including the franchise’s all-time scoring leader Mike Nykoluk, and is a must-see for any hockey fan.

Calder Cup Champions Photos

Around the concourse are photos of all 11 of the Bears’ Calder Cup winning teams. The photos are a can’t-miss part of visiting the arena for any hockey fan, so take some time to check them out.

Banners

Check out the banners hanging above the ice, which celebrate the Bears’ 11 Calder Cups and retired numbers. The retired numbers include Bears legends Frank Mathers, Ralph Keller, Mike Nykoluk, Arnie Kullman, Tim Tookey, Willie Marshall, and Mitch Lamoureux and are an excellent way to remember these past greats.

Free Candy

Hershey is famous for its chocolate, and you can receive a free chocolate bar at the Tweet for a Treat vending machine. All you have to do is include the sponsored hashtag, and you’ll get a free candy bar from the machine.

Hershey Sports

Pick up a souvenir from your trip to see a Bears game at Hershey Sports. The team shop features a wide selection of Bears merchandise including jerseys, hats, sweatshirts, and more.

Giant Center Tour

If you have the opportunity, take a tour of the Giant Center. The tour lets you see what goes on behind the scenes at the arena and takes you to the press area, suites, and elsewhere around the arena.

Puckhead

If you’re lucky enough to attend a game where Puckhead is present, join in his signature “B-e-a-r-s, Bears, Bears, Bears, Woooo!” chant to get pumped up for the game.

Coco

Don’t miss the Hershey Bears mascot, Coco, when attending a Bears game. Fans young and old love Coco and his antics, making him a fun part of any Bears game.

Fight Songs

  1. Goal Horn and Goal song

  2. B-E-A-R-S Chant

    B-E-A-R-S

    B-E-A-R-S

    B-E-A-R-S

Bears Bars & Restaurants

  1. Troegs Independent Brewing

    Troegs Independent Brewing

    Brewery offering self & guided tours plus a tasting room & snack bar with elevated American grub.

    200 Hersheypark Dr, Hershey, PA 17033, USA

    Bar website

    american - $$

  2. What If…of Hershey

    What If...of Hershey

    Howard Johnson Inn's casual eclectic eatery offers beef & seafood sliders, pasta & infused martinis.

    845 E Chocolate Ave, Hershey, PA 17033, USA

    Bar website

    american - $$

  3. Rotunda Brew Pub

    Irvs Pub

    Contemporary, rustic-inspired place for elevated comfort food, rotating craft brews & cocktails.

    814 E Chocolate Ave, Hershey, PA 17033, USA

    Bar website

    american - $$

  4. The Bears Den

    Hershey Lodge

    Modern, hockey-themed tavern offering a full bar, American eats & big TVs in the Hershey Lodge.

    325 University Dr, Hershey, PA 17033, USA

    Bar website

    american - $$

  5. Arooga’s Grille House & Sports Bar

    beer bottles

    Sports bar & grill featuring a variety of classic bar eats, free WiFi, trivia games & more.

    637 E Main St, Hummelstown, PA 17036, USA

    Bar website

    sportsbar - $

  6. Parkside Hotel

    Parkside Hotel

    Historic bar & grill serving American favorites like burgers & chicken in a casual setup.

    3 E Derry Rd, Hershey, PA 17033, USA

    Bar website

    american - $

  7. Penn Hotel Sports & Raw Bar

    Penn Hotle Sports and Raw Bar

    Pub grub & beer offered in a mellow hangout with shuffleboard, darts & flat-screen TVs.

    600 Old West Chocolate Ave, Hershey, PA 17033, USA

    Bar website

    sportsbar - $

  8. Sinkhole Saloon & Grill

    Sinkhole Saloon and Grill

    The Sinkhole Saloon family friendly restaurant in Palmyra Hand pattied cheeseburgers Burgers sandwiches great wings and hand cut fries.

    1218 E Main St, Palmyra, PA 17078, USA

    Bar website

    american - $$

  9. Bartolo’s Pizza

    Pizza Ye Olde Pub

    No-frills counter serve offering Neapolitan- & Sicilian-style pies, pasta, cheeseburgers & salads.

    206 Campbelltown Rd, Palmyra, PA 17078, USA

    Bar website

    pizza - $$

  10. Soda Jerk

    Soda Jerk

    50s-style diner & ice cream bar serving all-day breakfast plus American, Greek & Italian food.

    403 E Main St, Hummelstown, PA 17036, USA

    Bar website

    american - $$

  11. Babe’s Grill House

    Babes Grill House

    Homey sports-centric hub with eco-friendly dishes & craft beers on tap, plus a patio & a kids' room.

    312 E Main St, Palmyra, PA 17078, USA

    Bar website

    steakhouse - $$$

  12. Devon Seafood & Steak

    Devon Seafood and Steak

    Lobster mac 'n' cheese, crab cakes & seafood specials plus martinis in a chic, wood-decked space.

    27 W Chocolate Ave, Hershey, PA 17033, USA

    Bar website

    american - $

  13. Chocolate Avenue Grill

    Pizza

    Airy bistro space with a patio for an eclectic menu of wraps, pastas, seafood & chocolate martinis.

    114 W Chocolate Ave, Hershey, PA 17033, USA

    Bar website

    american - $$

  14. The Mill in Hershey

    Steak

    This rustic eatery set in an historic mill has farm-fresh American fare, 3 bars & a late-night menu.

    810 Old West Chocolate Ave, Hershey, PA 17033, USA

    Bar website

    american - $

  15. The Hershey Pantry

    The Hershey Pantry

    Popular breakfasts of stuffed french toast & pastries, plus lunch in a country-style space & patio.

    801 E Chocolate Ave, Hershey, PA 17033, USA

    Bar website

    american - $$$

  16. The Filling Station

    The Filling Station

    Long-standing, unfussy American diner with an on-site bakery specializing in pies & donuts.

    320 W Main St, Palmyra, PA 17078, USA

    Bar website

    american - $

  17. Funck’s Restaurant

    Funcks Restaurant

    Inviting, family-owned restaurant serving American comfort fare, including burgers, pasta & seafood.

    664 W Main St, Palmyra, PA 17078, USA

    Bar website

    american - $$

  18. Fenicci’s of Hershey

    Feniccis of Hershey

    Circa-1935 Italian eatery & bar is a casual spot for pizzas & pastas, plus a family-style menu.

    102 W Chocolate Ave, Hershey, PA 17033, USA

    Bar website

    italian

  19. Smoked Bar & Grill

    Smoked Bar and Grill

    House-smoked meats come with an array of BBQ sauces at this warm gastropub serving local brews.

    1201 W Chocolate Ave, Hummelstown, PA 17036, USA

    Bar website

    american - $$

  20. Union Canal House

    Union Canal House

    Former inn with Revolutionary War history, now a rustic eatery & bar for American steak & seafood.

    107 S Hanover St, Hershey, PA 17033, USA

    Bar website

    american - $$