The Houston Field House at RPI is an on-campus, multi-purpose arena in Troy, New York. Opened in 1949 and renamed in 1978 to honor Livingston W. Houston, the venue serves as the home for RPI hockey, concerts, skating, and a variety of major events. With a hockey seating capacity around 4,780–4,800, the Field House offers an intimate atmosphere for fans while hosting a range of performances and university activities.

As a historic on-campus venue, Houston Field House blends classic collegiate charm with modern renovations planned for 2026, including updates to the ice surface, boards, cooling system, locker rooms, and concourse. The building will be preserved and refreshed, not demolished, ensuring a continued home for Red Hole sports and events for years to come.

Whether you’re catching RPI hockey, a concert, or a special campus event, we’ve got you covered with straightforward, friendly guidance to help you secure your seats and navigate parking, transit, and nearby accommodations.

Parking is available in campus visitor lots, and a RPI guest parking permit is required for events. The Field House is served by CDTA buses and on-campus RPI shuttles, with the venue designated as a stop on campus shuttle routes for easy access. When planning an event, consider nearby lodging such as Hilton Garden Inn Troy and Best Western Plus Franklin Square Inn Troy/Albany, as well as Franklin Square Inn in downtown Troy. These partner accommodations offer convenient access to the campus and rolling updates from the university community.

We’ve got you covered with practical tips, including seating options, parking logistics, transit routes, and curated dining and hotel recommendations to make your visit smooth and enjoyable.

Good to know

Seating, Parking & Venue Information

Address: 1900 Peoples Avenue, Troy, NY 12180.
Venue type: on-campus multi-purpose arena for RPI hockey, concerts, skating and other major events.
Capacity: hockey seating around 4,780–4,800 (RPI sources list >4,800; hockey seating commonly cited as ~4,780).
Opened: 1949; originally named RPI Field House and renamed Houston Field House in 1978 in honor of Livingston W. Houston.
Notable history: hosted NHL minor-league action (Capital District Islanders), concerts, Big Red Freakout; Harlem Shake video by Matt & Kim recorded there.
Renovations planned for 2026: updates to ice surface, boards, cooling system, locker rooms, concourse; building to be preserved, not demolished.
Parking: campus visitor parking lots; must use RPI guest parking permits for events.
Transit: served by CDTA buses and on-campus RPI shuttles; Houston Field House is a designated stop on campus shuttle routes.
Nearby hotels: Hilton Garden Inn Troy; Best Western Plus Franklin Square Inn Troy/Albany; Franklin Square Inn (downtown Troy).