DETROIT (News 10) – With the official start of autumn, hockey season is just around the corner.
On Tuesday, the Detroit Red Wings welcomed spectators to Little Caesars Arena for a sneak preview of what to anticipate on and off the ice during the 2026-27 campaign.
Hockeytown 101 has replaced the team’s centennial festivities from the previous campaign as the new brand.
Theme evenings and giveaways
There will be a number of door freebies throughout the season, including a bobblehead series celebrating the Red Wings’ 25th anniversary of their 2002 Stanley Cup victory.
Giveaways include:
Bobblehead of Sergei Fedorov on Oct. 4
Nicklas Lidstrom Bobblehead, Oct. 29
Military Appreciation Night Hat: November 5
November 18th: Scotty Bowman Bobblehead
Thanksgiving Salt & Pepper Shakers will be on November 25th.
Moritz Seider: January 23
Wearable Item: March 24
Additionally, the club will host seven theme nights dubbed “We Are Hockeytown” to honor the community’s diverse populations:
Hispanic Heritage Celebration on October 6
Oct. 9: Pride Night
October 15: Hockey Fights Cancer
Military Appreciation: November 5
Feb. 18: Black History Celebration
Sports for Women and Girls: March 18
Hockey without limits: March 24
Fresh beverage and culinary options
Other new concession items that supporters can anticipate a creative spin on classics include pizza box nachos and corn dogs.
Portal 46 offers new items like the Arena Cantina Pizza Box Nachos, which are prepared with house-fried cantina-style tortilla chips and either smoked pulled chicken or barbacoa. At Portal 42, a Meat Lovers Hot Dog will be offered. It consists of a cheddar brat wrapped in beef bacon and is topped with pulled pork, hot honey, and crispy onions.
The Hamtramck Salchipapa, Foundry Fried Rice, Street Lab Coney, and Light the Lamp Korean corn dog are among the items that will be available at Portal 28’s new Detroit Street Lab concession concept.
The Red Wings are introducing Hockeytown Blonde, a Blonde Ale brewed with New Zealand artisan hops, as an arena-exclusive beer brand for the season in collaboration with Labatt. It will be offered on tap at the Labatt Blue Club and Labatt Blue Zone.
At certain games, the arena will also serve new cocktails including the Duck Duck Goal, Bling Wing, and Original Six Shooter.
New items
Local companies are working with the squad to create fresh products for youngsters and adults.
Senior vice president of brand marketing Asia Pierson said, “Our merch last year was incredible, so we wanted to maintain the momentum going, and there are some awesome new things there.” “We are bringing in new products that will keep the fans entertained year-round, not just during the hockey season.”
opening game of the season
On September 24, the Red Wings will play the Buffalo Sabres in their preseason home opener. The Red Wings will play the New York Rangers on Friday, Oct. 2, to begin the regular season.
