The Edmonton Oilers are headed back to the playoffs and, for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic began, fans get to be part of the action.
The last time fans were in Rogers Place during the playoffs was 2017 when the Oilers were eliminated in the second round by the Anaheim Ducks.
The Oilers have won home-ice advantage in the first round, meaning fans will get at least two games in Rogers Place.
According to president of the Oilers Entertainment Group Stew MacDonald, the energy at Rogers has been building for weeks.
“It’s felt like a playoff atmosphere in Rogers Place for the last month. We’re seeing more and more orange every game,” he said.
“We almost seem to be ahead of where we were in 2017, the last time we had playoffs with fans, with way more engagement down the stretch run of the regular season.”
Single game tickets for Round 1 went on sale at noon on Friday, while fans with 2022-23 season tickets will have access to purchase playoff tickets. The team is also running a draw to give fans a chance to purchase playoff tickets by the round.
A spokesperson for the Oilers said the team released a few hundred tickets for each possible home game in Round 1. All tickets were sold within 10 minutes.
Game 1 for the Oilers is Monday night at 8 p.m. MT against the Los Angeles Kings at home at Rogers Place.
For those unable to score the coveted tickets in the bowl, the Oilers organization is planning a number of ways to allow fans to still be part of the action.
Playoff games will see the Ford Tailgate Party live from ICE District Plaza outside Rogers Place, the JW Marriott and Stantec Tower.
The tailgate parties will have a fully licensed 18+ area as well as a family-friendly area. Both will offer live entertainment, hot food, cold beverages, Oilers alumni, appearances from mascot Hunter and the game broadcast on the big screen.
For away games, fans will also have the opportunity to buy a $5 ticket to watch the game on the jumbotron inside Rogers Place. Arena food and drink will be available during those games.
“We hope we’ll see what we saw in 2017, which was 10,000 plus on a nightly basis getting together inside Rogers Place to cheer us on from a couple thousand miles away,” MacDonald said.
Proceeds from the tickets for the away game watch parties go to the Edmonton Oilers Community Foundation.
Fans wanting to watch inside Ford Hall will also have the opportunity to do so. Molson Hockey House will be expanded for people to watch the game and for post-game celebrations with DJs and other live entertainment.
Whether watching at home, in a bar or at one of the Oilers’ events, MacDonald encouraged all fans to break out their orange gear.
“Throw your jersey or your orange shirt on and join the wave that hopefully has got a few weeks of playoff hockey in front of us.”
ICE District Plaza and Ford Hall will open two hours before puck drop on game days and entry is free of charge. Space is limited in both areas, so fans are encouraged to get there early.
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