It’s one of the best starts to a National Hockey League season the Edmonton Oilers have ever put together, led by Connor McDavid, who is scoring at a record pace. But as was the case a week ago Thursday, the crowd at the Oilers’ home arena was about 2,000 short of capacity. McDavid recorded his third five-point game of the young 2026-27 campaign in Thursday’s thrilling 6-5 shootout win over the defending Stanley Cup champion visitors to run the team’s record to 8-1-1 to put it second in the overall league standings. Yet only 16,420 spectators were at Rogers Place to witness it. Just one home game, the season-opening loss to the Vancouver Canucks, has sold all 18,347 seats. Why? Ticket prices could be one factor. TSN reporter Ryan Rishaug, who covers the team, said season-ticket prices have steadily increased in recent years, but added it’s “a confluence of events,” including a tough economy. “I’m sure they’re getting to work trying to figure it all out, but it’s certainly not exclusive to just the Oilers right now,” he told CTV News Edmonton on Friday. There are examples elsewhere in the NHL. The Vegas Golden Knights, who reached the Stanley Cup final last season, drew about 2,000 fewer fans than capacity for their home opener, ending a streak of nine straight years of sellouts. The Oilers will have a good chance to fill Rogers Place on Saturday when the Toronto Maple Leafs, owners of one of hockey’s largest fan bases, visit Edmonton. As of 4:30 p.m. Friday, the least expensive seat available through Ticketmaster resale was $206.94. The cheapest standard ticket, located in the upper-bowl corner, was listed at $260.05. Fans willing to wait for Monday’s game against the Detroit Red Wings will find lower prices. The cheapest resale ticket was listed at $58.56, while the least expensive standard ticket cost $83.75. Could food costs be a factor? No matter which game fans attend, food and beverage prices remain the same. At Studio 99, which is accessible to game-ticket holders, a 473-millilitre can of Molson Canadian, Coors Light, Pilsner or Miller High Life, among the least expensive beer options available, costs $16.50. A 600-millilitre fountain drink costs $9.75. A small popcorn costs $9.75. On the concourse, fans can find some of the same offerings as Studio 99, along with other options, including a $10 menu marking the arena’s 10th anniversary. Beer and other prices also remain unchanged from last season. Perhaps other factors are at play, including the team’s decision to sign Alex Formenton just before training camp. The 27-year-old forward was one of five players from Canada’s 2018 world junior team who were charged with sexual assault and later acquitted. The signing prompted Oilers superfan Mary Loewen, a sexual assault survivor known for her Mama Stanley persona, to voice her disappointment and say she will not support the team as long as Formenton remains with the organization. Her online petition calling on the Oilers to cut ties with Formenton has garnered more than 75,000 signatures. Oilers general manager Stan Bowman defended the signing in mid-September, saying the team had done its “due diligence making sure legally it was the right decision to make.” With files from CTV News Edmonton’s Evan Kenny
