
Rock Lobsters Shatters Record with 5,913 Sell out on NASCAR Night
Published on January 10, 2026 under Federal Prospects Hockey League (FPHL)
Athens Rock Lobsters News Release
Athens, GA - Saturday, January 10th will go down as a defining moment in Athens sports history. The Athens Rock Lobsters officially sold out Akins Ford Arena, welcoming a franchise-record 5,913 fans for NASCAR Night, marking the largest crowd ever for a Rock Lobsters home game and one of the most electric nights the arena has ever seen.
What unfolded was far more than a hockey game; it was a full-throttle celebration of Georgia culture, speed, community, and what professional hockey has quickly become in Athens.
WHERE HOCKEY MEETS HORSEPOWER
From the moment fans arrived, the energy was undeniable. Foundry Street transformed into a motorsports showcase as NASCAR Cup Series Show Cars, EchoPark Pacer Car, and Wild Willies custom vehicles lined the street outside the arena, turning heads and setting the tone for a night built for speed. Inside, fans packed the concourse early to meet 9 NASCAR drivers, snapping photos, collecting autographs, and experiencing a crossover event unlike anything Athens has seen before.
The Rock Lobsters took the ice wearing their limited-edition NASCLAW fire-suit jerseys, a bold NASCAR-inspired design that paid tribute to racing heritage while proudly repping Athens hockey. The jerseys were an instant hit - with replicas flying off the shelves and team-worn versions later auctioned to roaring applause.
A SELL OUT THAT MEANS MORE
"This night was unforgettable, but what it truly represented runs much deeper," said Britton Briley, CMO of the Athens Rock Lobsters and owner of Ghost Brands. "A sold-out crowd of 5,913 doesn't happen by accident. It happens when a community shows up, believes in something new, and makes it their own. In a short amount of time, hockey in Athens has grown from an idea into a movement; uniting families, students, racing fans, lifelong hockey supporters, and first-time fans all under one roof."
"The energy inside Akins Ford Arena was relentless," Briley added. "From puck drop to the final horn, the building was shaking. Chants echoed, rally towels were flying, and Athens proved it can stand shoulder-to-shoulder with any hockey market in the country."
ATHENS SHOWED UP AND SHOWED OUT
NASCAR Night wasn't just about honoring racing legends or showcasing speed; it was about celebrating what happens when a city rallies behind its team. It was about community pride, shared experiences, and the realization that hockey belongs in Athens. With a franchise attendance record now etched into the history books, the Athens Rock Lobsters continue to prove that this city is hungry for big moments and ready to create them.
Federal Prospects Hockey League Stories from January 10, 2026
- Moccasins Roll to 14th Straight in 9-1 Win over Zydeco - Monroe Moccasins
- IceCats Lose Close One at Athens - Pee Dee IceCats
- FPHL Ice Chips - Game Recaps - FPHL
- Thunderbirds Drop Home Game to Black Bears - Twin City Thunderbirds
- Wild Third Period Rally Falls Short in 6-5 Loss at Athens - Pee Dee IceCats
- Lobsters Hold off Ice Cats on NASCAR Night - Athens Rock Lobsters
- River Dragons' Comeback Falls Short, 5-4 - Columbus River Dragons
- Black Bears Take All Six Point in North Carolina - Binghamton Black Bears
- Sharma Makes Career High 55 Saves in Loss to Topeka - Biloxi Breakers
- Dragons Comeback Falls Short as They Fall 5-4 in Regulation - Columbus River Dragons
- Hat Tricks Fall 8-5, Split Weekend Series with Watertown - Danbury Hat Tricks
- Rock Lobsters Shatters Record with 5,913 Sell out on NASCAR Night - Athens Rock Lobsters
- Game Preview: Danbury Hat Tricks Host Watertown Wolves: January 10 - Danbury Hat Tricks
- Thunderbirds Set for Novant Healthcare Night - Twin City Thunderbirds
- Moccasins Win 13th Straight with OT Victory - Monroe Moccasins
- Forward Ryan Hunter Loaned to the ECHL's South Carolina Stingrays - Columbus River Dragons
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
Other Recent Athens Rock Lobsters Stories
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- Athens to Reschedule January 24th to February 1st
- Athens Rock Lobsters Announce Schedule Adjustments & Theme Night Updates
- Athens' Win Streak Snapped at Eight by Pee Dee
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