Where To See Games with Kids

College sports in Connecticut—football, basketball, hockey, and more—are almost always in season. College sports provide a family fun outing with tons of entertainment, kid-friendly snacks, and photo opportunities with mascots. Many of our picks are indoors—perfect for family entertainment in any weather. Plus, Connecticut’s college sports events are very affordable. And some Connecticut colleges offer a kids sports club with tons of perks, from free admission to meeting players. Whether it is Division I, II, or III, here is our list of Connecticut college sports to watch with kids from the crowd.

Kids love cheering on the home team, wearing college colors, and trying to get on the Jumbotron. If watching a sport live sparks interest in athletics, check out Sports Centers, Gyms, and Fun Zones for Connecticut Kids. 

College Sports in Connecticut – Football (September through November)

 

Handsome Dan XIX, the newest official mascot of the Bulldogs. Photo courtesy of Yale Athletics

Yale Bulldogs – New Haven

Looking for big rivalries, traditions, and basically the founders of certain sports? Bust out your navy blue and white to cheer on the Yale Bulldogs, members of the proud Ivy League. Yale versus Harvard is one of the oldest football traditions in America, dating back 139 years! The match-up, better known as “The Game,” will be held this year at the Yale Bowl on November 18th, with plenty of fanfare for this long-standing rivalry. The Game was even featured in a Gilmore Girls episode! For more football information, check out Yale’s football schedule. 

UConn Huskies – East Hartford

UConn football games are so much fun to watch live with kids, especially the season’s opening game. Tailgate with friends and family before kickoff at Pratt & Whitney Stadium. All home games have a theme. Be sure to mark your calendar on September 20th for Junior Husky Club Day. For more game information, check the UConn football schedule.

Sacred Heart Pioneers – Fairfield

Campus Field is home to Sacred Heart football. The Pioneers have a long-standing rivalry with another Connecticut college team, the Central Connecticut Blue Devils. Known as the “Constitution State Rivalry,” the teams will meet for the 25th time on Saturday, November 4th, at Campus Field. 

 

Get up close with CT sports mascots! Photo courtesy of Central Connecticut State Uinversity

Central Connecticut Blue Devils – New Britain 

Watch the Blue Devils football games at Arute Field in New Britain. Tickets are very affordable for families, starting at $5 per seat. Check out Central Connecticut’s football schedule for more info. While in the area, explore all New Britain has to offer for family fun. 

Wesleyan Cardinals – Middletown 

Wesleyan University is home to one of the oldest active fields, Andrus Field. And Wesleyan football is exciting to watch with kids. Cardinals football has an intense liberal arts college rivalry which includes Amherst (Saturday, October 28th) and Williams College (Saturday, November 4th). Check out their football schedule for more game day information. 

Trinity Bantams – Hartford 

Watch Bantams football right in Hartford. After a 2022 undefeated season (9 – 0), the Trinity football team is ready to defend their winning streak at Jessee/Miller Field at Tansill Muldoon Stadium. Roll Bants!

College Sports in Connecticut – Soccer (August through November)

 

You’ll get a kick out of these games! Soccer photo courtesy of the University of Connecticut Athletics

UConn Huskies – Storrs

Watch UConn’s men’s and women’s soccer at Joseph J. Morrone Stadium at Rizza Performance Center. The stadium holds over 5,000 people for home games. Children under 3 years old are free, 3 – 12 years old are $4, and adults are $7. Definitely add UConn Dairy Bar for an ice cream pit-stop after the game. 

Fairfield Stags – Fairfield

A staple at Fairfield University, men’s and women’s soccer are a must watch. Soccer is an affordable fun family outing at Lessing Field, located in the center of campus. Children under 12 are only $5, and adults are $7 to cheer on the Stags.

Quinnipiac Bobcats – Hamden

Support the men’s and women’s soccer teams as they dominate at Quinnipiac Soccer Stadium. The women’s team were 2022 MAAC champions and voted #1 in preseason polls for the 2023 season. The men’s team were 2022 MAAC champions as well. These are definitely exciting programs to watch live!

College Sports in Connecticut – Hockey (October through March)

The biggest sport among Connecticut Division I colleges is ice hockey. There’s even a tournament dedicated to it! The Connecticut Ice Tournament will take place in January with Yale, Quinnipiac, UConn, and Sacred Heart battling for the elusive title of best in the state. These schools boast a number of NHL hockey players including Alexander Augustus Lyon, Connor Clifton, and John Hayden. 

Yale Bulldogs –  New Haven

Yale men’s hockey is the oldest collegiate team in the county. Yale’s unique Ingalls Rink is called “The Whale.” Yale men’s hockey has had a huge rivalry with the Quinnipiac Bobcats since 2006. Women’s ice hockey is equally exciting to watch at Ingalls Rink. Elle Hartjie, captain, was selected to the 2023 US Collegiate Women’s Select Team.

 

Show your support for CT college sports at the games! Photo courtesy of Quinnipiac University

Quinnipiac Bobcats – Hamden

2023 Men’s ice hockey National Champions, Quinnipiac dominates on the ice. “The Battle of Whitney Avenue” is their biggest game of the season against in-state rivals, the Yale Bulldogs. Watch two Connecticut teams on Saturday, November 11th at M&T Bank Arena. Women’s ice hockey also kicks off their season at M&T Bank Arena. 

Sacred Heart Pioneers – Fairfield

Martire Family Arena opened in 2022 after 2 years of construction, and it is awesome. Featuring true hockey excitement with all the latest technology, the arena is home to the Pioneers’ men’s hockey team. There are plenty of food options, so come for dinner and entertainment!

UConn Huskies – Storrs

Men’s and Women’s hockey are two more CT college sports games to watch with kids at UConn. Games are held at Toscano Family Ice Forum. While in the area, check out the best things to do in Hartford. 

College Sports in Connecticut – Basketball (November through March)

 

See CT hoops action courtside at UConn! Photo courtesy of the University of Connecticut Athletics

UConn Huskies – Storrs and Hartford

UConn men’s and women’s basketball is basically royalty amongst all collegiate Connecticut teams. The men’s basketball team won the NCAA National tournament last year, adding to UConn’s impressive pile of NCAA titles: 11 women’s championships and now 5 men’s. Gampel Pavilion just updated their basketball court, making the arena a modern space for exciting games. In addition to Gampel, both men’s and women’s basketball play at Hartford’s XL Center too. Check out the men’s schedule and the women’s schedule for dates, times, and locations. Pro tip: bring headphones for younger kids as the crowd can get loud.

Fairfield Stags – Fairfield

The most popular sports to watch with kids are men’s and women’s basketball. It is my son’s favorite sports outing. Renovated last fall, Leo D Mahoney Arena is gorgeous. And seats close to the court make it more enjoyable for kids. Plus, there are a lot of jumbo-tron opportunities between timeouts—every kid’s wish. 

Yale Bulldogs –  New Haven

See the Bulldogs in action at the historic John J. Lee Amphitheater, known as the “the Cathedral of Sweat.” The amphitheater is worth the visit; it’s a nine story building with an old school environment. No jumbo-tron or modern scoreboard—only a board on one side of the amphitheater. Yale’s band plays between breaks, adding to the atmosphere. Check out the men’s basketball schedule and women’s basketball schedule. Grab dinner nearby at one of the best pizza places in CT. 

College Sports in Connecticut – Kids Clubs/Rewards

UConn Huskies – Junior Huskies Club

Join the Junior Husky Club for free. Open to all kids in 8th grade or under, the Husky Club gives kids tickets to select home games for basketball and hockey (first-come, first served). Membership includes exclusive game day experiences and even a zamboni ride (limited availability). 

 

Bring the Lil’ Stags out to root for the big Stags! Photo courtesy of Fairfield University

Fairfield Stags – Lil’ Stags Club

Lucas the Stag wants to see the entire family at a Fairfield University sporting event. The Lil’ Stags Club gives children an opportunity to explore many sports, such as basketball, soccer, lacrosse, baseball, and more. For $35 per child, kids get free admission to over 100 home games on campus (select men’s and women’s basketball games), Stag merchandise, meet and greets, and exclusive events throughout the year. 

Quinnipiac Mobile App

Launched in Fall 2022, Bobcat Rewards is an app rewarding fans with points for “checking in” to game events. Points can be used on merchandise and experiences. The app is dedicated to all things Quinnipiac sports, with scores, news, and events.