Maine Athletics to Celebrate 50th Anniversary of Alfond Arena in 2026-27 Season
8/7/2026 10:30:00 AM | General, Men's Ice Hockey, Women's Ice Hockey
One of college hockey's most iconic venues will be honored throughout the 2026-27 season with celebrations recognizing its history and legacy.
ORONO, Maine – The University of Maine Athletic Department is set to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Alfond Arena throughout the 2026-27 season, honoring five decades of one of college hockey's most iconic venues.
Since its dedication on Feb. 5, 1977, Alfond Arena has served as the heartbeat of Black Bear hockey and the surrounding community. Home to the men's and women's ice hockey programs, it has been the backdrop for championships, unforgettable moments, over 700 wins, packed student sections and five generations of memories shared by Black Bear Nation.
The celebration begins this fall when the programs return to the ice. The women's team will kick things off at home on Sept. 25 and 26 against Quinnipiac, while the men's program opens its home slate on Oct. 9 and 10 against the Bobcats, officially launching a season-long celebration of Alfond Arena's golden anniversary. Single-game tickets for both programs go on sale to the general public at 8:30 a.m. on Aug. 25.
Throughout the year, fans can expect special pregame ceremonies, alumni recognitions, era-specific celebrations and other anniversary features at select home games. A commemorative 50th anniversary logo has been designed for the celebration and will appear on apparel and merchandise available at the Bear Necessities Fan Shop. Additional initiatives and special events will be announced during the season.
The celebration will culminate with an anniversary weekend on Feb. 4-5, 2027 as the women's hockey team will host UConn on Feb. 4 before the men's team welcomes Boston University on Feb. 5. The weekend will feature festivities honoring the building's history and the generations of Black Bears who have called it home.
The 2026-27 campaign also marks the 50th season of Maine men's ice hockey, tying the arena's anniversary directly to the program it was originally built to house. Throughout the year, the people, teams and moments that have shaped the program will be featured on the Maine men's ice hockey social channels.
Share Your Alfond Arena Memories
As part of the celebration, Maine Athletics is inviting fans, alumni, former student-athletes and everyone in Black Bear Nation to submit their favorite Alfond Arena memories. Fans are encouraged to submit their favorite memories, photographs and stories from the past 50 years for the opportunity to be featured throughout the anniversary celebration on social media, GoBlackBears.com and during select game presentations. Whether it was the first game a fan ever attended, a championship celebration, soldout student section or a memory shared with family and friends, every fan has helped write the story of Alfond Arena.
Share your memories and photos here!
About Harold Alfond
The single-greatest benefactor of University of Maine Athletics, Harold Alfond and the Harold Alfond Foundation have contributed, and continue to contribute, over $200 million to Maine Athletics. In 1958, Harold Alfond purchased a vacant woolen mill in Dexter for $10,000 and Dexter Shoe Company was born. At its peak, Dexter employed over 4,000 people, manufactured over 36,000 pairs of shoes daily and over 7.5 million annually, and generated annual sales exceeding $250 million. In 1993, at age 79, Harold Alfond sold Dexter Shoe Company to Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway for Berkshire Hathaway stock. Over his life, Harold Alfond contributed millions of dollars to charitable causes. Harold Alfond was an accomplished athlete, a sports fan, and someone who believed strongly that athletics offer young people valuable opportunities for personal growth. Harold Alfond gave freely of his wealth, time, and talents. He believed, Whatever you can give you've got to give. You've got to make your town better, you've got to make your state better, you've got to make everyone better because they can't get by on promises. He lived his life trying to make his world a better place. Mr. Alfond passed away in November 2007 and his impact on the state and region continues through the world of The Harold Alfond Foundation, which is one of the oldest in the state and contributes to more than 100 charities each year.
