The Edmonton Oilers’ playoff run is not only exciting for hockey fans, but it also brings a significant boost to businesses in the city, particularly in the downtown area.
With fans gathering to cheer on the home team, restaurants, bars, and other establishments are experiencing a surge in sales and customers. María Restaurant on 102nd Avenue and 103rd Street has seen a 60 percent increase in sales on game days, and the restaurant has been packed with Oilers fans.
“All year we wait for the games because it’s actually the busiest time of the year,” said Arturo Martinez, owner of María Restaurant. “People, families come to downtown. They come to the restaurant and they have supper or dinner before the game, they have some drinks.”
The restaurant plays all of the Oilers games on screens throughout the building and offers game-day specials to cater to the influx of customers.
Down the street at XO Bistro + Bar, the feeling is mutual. “Business has been booming since playoffs started,” said manager Branda Huynh. “We’ve been two to three times busier because of playoffs.” The bistro and bar also shows the Oilers game on its TVs and has a DJ on some nights after the games.
“It honestly is really nice to see,” Huynh said. “It’s good to see Edmontonians coming downtown, cheering on the same team. We all love the Oilers.”
Data has shown that the Oilers being in the playoffs leads to huge benefits for local bars and restaurants. Consumer spending spikes across the city on game days, and the boost to the economy has been building over the past several years with the arena now being located downtown.
“As much as it’s just fun as a hockey fan, as an Oilers fan, it’s also a really, really great economic boost for Edmonton,” said Puneeta McBryan, executive director of the Downtown Business Association of Edmonton. “It becomes this kickoff for what’s become a really exciting summer downtown the last couple of years.”
