Oilers See Smallest Home Crowd Since 2022 as Empty Seats Grow
Edmonton announced 16,176 fans for Thursday's game against Utah, leaving 2,171 seats empty at Rogers Place. It was the Oilers' smallest home crowd since October 2022, even as the team started 5-0-1. A former postgame host said playoff tickets were easy to resell at cost, but regular-season tickets were not, and other NHL teams are also seeing attendance drops.
Edmonton’s announced turnout of 16,176 against Utah left 2,171 seats unfilled in an 18,347-capacity arena. The club’s prior two home dates exceeded 18,000, and its record stood at 5-0-1, so poor results were not the cause. The previous low in 2022-23 was 16,023 for a Carolina visit.
Leaguewide, Vegas’ 420-game home sellout run ended Oct. 8 with 15,977 versus Toronto. On a 32-team game day, several clubs fell below 90% capacity, including Columbus (75%), the Islanders (79%), Ottawa and San Jose (82%). Dan Tencer said postseason tickets could be resold at cost, while regular-season ones could not. Commentators cited ticket prices and household budgets.
If attendance softness continues, teams and arena workers may feel it first, from concession staff to nearby businesses that rely on game nights. Fans could benefit from cheaper or more available seats, though lower gate revenue may pressure clubs to raise other prices or adjust promotions. The trend may also shape how families weigh entertainment spending amid cost-of-living concerns, especially in markets where hockey tickets compete with other expenses.