The Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees began play in 2003 as a member of the Central Hockey League. Since that time, the team has been the most successful professional sports team in the Rio Grande Valley. The Killer Bees have welcomed over one million fans to its games and average just about 4,800 fans per game in the 5,500-seat Dodge Arena.

A fan and family-friendly experience, value for the dollar, exceptional customer and client service and strong corporate partnerships go hand-in-hand with putting a highly competitive team on the ice. The Killer Bees strive to provide the best sports entertainment value in the RGV.

A winning “Fan Experience”,  “Over-delivering,”  and a strong presence in community activities are tenets of the organization’s philosophy. The team has twice been recognized as the CHL’s Franchise of the Year and is a two-time winner of the league’s Community Relations award for charitable and community enhancement projects.

The Killer Bees enjoy tremendous community and corporate support and receive extensive media coverage by The McAllen Monitor newspaper as well local TV affiliates XHRIO-2 (FOX), KGBT-4 (CBS), KRGV-5 (ABC), XHAB-7 (Televisa), XERV-9, (Televisa) and KNVO-48 (Univision). The team broadcasts every game on radio (KBUC 102.1 FM) and the Internet (CHLTV and audio-only broadcasts). The Killer Bees also have the distinction of becoming the first professional hockey team to broadcast live games on a Mexican-based TV station (XERV-9).

Based in Hidalgo, Texas, the team plays out of State Farm Arena, referred to on game days by fans as The Hive. The Arena is located just south of the McAllen Miller International Airport, just over the McAllen/Hidalgo city line. The McAllen area and the Rio Grande Valley in general is one of the fastest growing areas in the United States. Forbes Magazine recognized the McAllen area as the 33rd Best City in the U.S. for jobs with the No. 1 job growth rank, No. 2 income growth rank and the 22nd-lowest cost of living rank in 2008.

Also within a stone’s throw is the Hidalgo/Reynosa International Bridge, which connects the United States and Mexico. The beaches of South Padre Island are about an hour east of the Arena, while San Antonio is approximately a three-and-a-half hour drive north.