Vote: What Section V school/venue has the best atmosphere at games?

High school sports in Section V aren’t just about the games—they’re about the energy, traditions, student sections and boosters that make every matchup unforgettable.

From packed gyms echoing with chants to the roar of the crowd at the Rochester War Memorial, each school or venue has its own unique vibe.

But which place offers the ultimate atmosphere for fans? We want to hear from you! For this poll, we are just talking about winter sports.

Cast your vote and let us know where you think the experience is second to none. Whether it’s the roar of the crowd or the hometown pride, your opinion matters in crowning the best game-day destination.

Your vote will determine which school/sports venue wins the Faber Builders Best Game-Day Experience for Winter Sports. Each school or sport venue is listed above the poll — which will be live until 8 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 31. The winner will be announced on our Instagram page Friday, Jan. 2.

The nominees were chosen by our sports reporters and photographers. 

The poll can be found at the bottom of the article. Now, let's meet the nominees:

Brighton

Brighton fell just short of winning a state football championship this season and it made for an electric atmosphere at games.

East Rochester

As one D&C staffer put it, games at the "Home of Champions" have a fun atmosphere. The Bombers were one half of a locally renowned, decades-long high school football rivalry with neighboring Fairport.

Greece Athena

This is J-Mac Country, named for Jason McElwain, the former manager of the boys basketball team who became famous for his magical night nearly 20 years ago. If you go to a game here, "sitting will not be tolerated."

Fairport

The Red Raiders have one of the most passionate fanbases in Section V and it makes for a fantastic atmosphere at games. It's also home to the popular fairportredzone Instagram account

Penfield

The Patriots have the classic high school sports atmosphere where the popular penfield.birdhouse Instagram account extols fans to #PACKTHEHOUSE on game night.

Rochester War Memorial

If your team is playing in Section V's Big House, then you're in for a tension-packed experience where players and teams are battling for a shot at history. It doesn't get better than this.

Rush-Henrietta

The recent success in football (fall 2025) and boys basketball (2024-2025 season) has led to a charged atmosphere at games.

— Bill Wolcott is a producer who helps cover the Buffalo Bills, high school and Rochester sports in general. The lifelong New Yorker has been a journalist for 31 years.

This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: What Section V school has the best atmosphere at games? Vote now