Strykers vs. Monster Trucks: Which Family Experience Wins?

More action, better value and family fun without the roar.

Strykers vs Monster Trucks graphic

The Family Fun Face-Off: Why Taking the Family to an Empire Strykers Game Beats a Touring Monster Truck Show for Your Next Weekend Outing

Every parent knows the weekend dilemma. The kids are bounce-off-the-walls bored, you want to get out of the house, but you also don't want to mortgage your home just for a few hours of family bonding. Let's compare a couple of nearby options for family entertainment in the Inland Empire: a high-energy professional indoor soccer match with the Empire Strykers, or taking the family to the massive arena floor for the Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live tour.


While seeing giant trucks crush cars sounds like an easy win for the kids, when you look at the actual ticket premiums, hidden fees, and overall value, hitting the pitch with the Strykers crushes the competition. Here is how the breakdown looks for a family of four.


Touring stadium events are notorious for high baseline ticket costs and sudden upcharges for premium seating. According to regional event data, monster truck tickets frequently scale from $35 up to $90 per person depending on how close you want to be to the floor. The Empire Strykers keep your budget on a clear, predictable track with individual tickets running just $20 to $25 each, allowing you to secure great views without paying touring entertainment premiums.


Here is how a complete family outing actually compares:

Expense Item

Empire Strykers Game

Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live

Tickets

$80.00 – $100.00

$140.00 – $360.00 ($35 – $90 per ticket)

Parking / Arena Fees

$15.00

$15.00 – $20.00

Food & Drinks

$50.75 (4 Hot Dogs, 4 Sodas, 1 Popcorn)

$55.00 (Standard Arena Concessions)

Adult Beverages / Extra Sodas

Included above

$24.00 (2 Beers/Cocktails + 2 Kids Sodas)

Estimated Total

~ $165.00

$234.00 – $459.00+

At a touring show, a family of four can quickly approach or exceed a $400 bill just to secure decent seats and basic snacks. With the Strykers, your $165 evening out is locked in, simple, and far more gentle on your wallet.

A high-production monster truck show relies heavily on pauses, resets, and track clearing between runs. While the visual of a truck jumping through the air is exciting, the actual "action time" is broken up by long intervals of rebuilding dirt ramps, towing stalled vehicles, and extended promotional segments to sell merchandise. If your kids have short attention spans, the downtime can quickly lead to restlessness.


An Empire Strykers game gives you a full evening of sustained, rhythmic entertainment. You get pre-game warmups, four quarters of fast-paced, high-scoring indoor soccer action, quick halftime shows, and continuous play. Because the ball bounces off the perimeter walls, the clock rarely stops, keeping the energy moving for a structured 2- to 3-hour window. There is no waiting around for track maintenance—just non-stop athletic feats from start to finish.


Let’s be honest about major motorized stadium events: they are incredibly loud. For many younger kids, the intense roar of 1,500-horsepower engines requires heavy noise-canceling headphones, turning a shared family conversation into a series of hand gestures and muffled shouting. It is an overwhelming sensory experience that can sometimes leave parents more exhausted than when they arrived.


At a Strykers game, you share an authentic, interactive sporting atmosphere:

  • You cheer together as a community when the home team strings together a flawless passing play.
  • You hear the direct action—the squeak of sneakers, the shout of the players, and the thud of the ball against the glass.
  • You high-five local fans and build neighborhood pride supporting a local Inland Empire franchise.


Indoor soccer balances high-octane energy with a welcoming, family-friendly environment. It teaches kids the joy of live sports and creates shared memories you'll actually talk about on the car ride home rather than just trying to clear the ringing out of your ears.


While seeing massive trucks fly through the air is a spectacle, the steep pricing and heavy sensory environment can make it a stressful, expensive gamble for a family weekend. For a smooth, high-energy, and genuinely collective family experience, the Empire Strykers take the win. You get reliable pricing, hours of non-stop action, and a chance to truly bond as a squad.


Pack up the family, skip the heavy ear muffs, and head to the pitch instead!


If you are looking for things to do in San Bernardino County, San Bernardino County attractions, things to do in San Bernardino County this weekend, or especially family activities in San Bernardino County, look to the Empire Strykers of the Major Arena Soccer League. It is one of the best sports events in San Bernardino County that you will ever attend. You can find season tickets for the Empire Strykers, individual game tickets for the Empire Strykers, and Empire Strykers fan gear at www.theempirestrykers.com.