Bulldog football has long reigned as king of the sports world in Athens. But there’s a new team in town now, and they’re quickly winning over the hearts of local fans.
The Athens Rock Lobsters, a professional minor league ice hockey team, are skating through their second season in the Classic City. A loyal fan base, called Crustacean Nation, is filling rink-side seats in the Lobster Tank, the team’s nickname for the Akins Ford Arena.
With a new head coach and fresh faces on the roster, the team kicked off its long 2025-2026 season in late October. The regular season schedule runs through early April.
The Rock Lobsters are an expansion team in the Federal Prospects Hockey League. The single-A, independent league has 14 teams this season, stretching from the Louisiana bayou to upstate New York.
Fan favorites
In a city already known for its good musical vibes, the pro hockey organization is delivering exceptional engagement opportunities to quickly grow its fan base. Those efforts resulted in the Rock Lobsters ranking among the highest attendance within the league in its debut season.
The positive fan experience began even before the first puck drop. The team name was selected by the community. Some 8,000 participants helped choose the name honoring an iconic Athens band, The B-52s, and their quirky 1970s song “Rock Lobster.”
“…we knew we wanted a name that encapsulates
the unique energy and spirit of Athens.”
"From the start, we knew we wanted a name that encapsulates the unique energy and spirit of Athens," said Britton Briley, the team's director of marketing. "The name 'Rock Lobsters' struck a chord with our fans, blending music, creativity, and a touch of humor."
Families are finding plenty of reasons to head to the Lobster Tank. Topping that list are personal encounters with Clawdius, the team’s beloved mascot. Playful theme nights add an extra layer of fun. Rodeo Night (April 3) and Star Wars Night (April 4) are among some of the remaining theme events occurring this season. The team’s youngest fans can enroll in the Little Lobsters Kids Club to experience exclusive events and opportunities.
Fans often head to Akins Ford Arena, aka the Lobster Tank, for theme nights. Walton Gas helped sponsor the Rock Lobsters’ First Responders Night in 2025, treating members of Station #24 in Athens to dinner and the game. This year, firefighters, EMTs and others who keep local communities safe will be honored on March 14.
Good vibes
Home games are played in a brand-new, state-of-the-art arena, just steps from the vibrant downtown of Athens. Hints about the city’s rich musical history are evident everywhere.
Music lovers want to be sure to arrive early to take in the displays featuring the best of Athens and Georgia music. Among the collection of memorabilia on display are a Gibson Les Paul guitar Duane Allman used while recording “Statesboro Blues” and James Brown’s red velvet cape.
In front of a gigantic mural at the entrance to the arena, guests can explore facts about musicians at an interactive digital table. Arena displays also include Spotify playlists, trivia games and a gigantic floor piano.
While fun and music are unquestionably part of the Rock Lobsters game day experience, there’s plenty of competitive pro hockey happening, too. The team clinched a playoff spot in their first season and have spent time sitting atop the league standings this year.