The Complete Fan Guide to Rogers Place in Edmonton
Everything you need to know before your first visit to Rogers Place — parking, transit, food, sightlines, and the best sections to pick for hockey or concerts.
Rogers Place is one of the newest NHL-scale arenas in North America and has quickly become a favourite for both Oilers fans and concertgoers passing through Edmonton. Here is the practical guide you want before your first visit.
Getting there
Rogers Place sits at the north end of downtown Edmonton, right in the ICE District. The easiest arrival is via the Edmonton LRT: both the Capital and Metro lines stop at MacEwan station, which connects directly into the arena concourse. For fans driving in from the suburbs, several large park-and-ride lots along the LRT are the cheapest option.
If you must drive to the venue, parking is plentiful but not cheap. Event-night rates in nearby lots are typically 25 to 50 Canadian dollars. Book through a parking app ahead of time to save a bit and skip the line.
The ICE District
The entire neighbourhood around Rogers Place is built for event nights. JW Marriott, Stantec Tower and a cluster of restaurants mean you can park or check in once and stay on foot for the entire evening. Pre-game dining options range from quick counter-service to sit-down steakhouses. If you want to stay past the final whistle or the encore, there are late-night bars within a two-block walk.
Doors and security
Doors for hockey open 90 minutes before puck drop; for concerts, typically 60 to 90 minutes before the listed start time. Bag policy is strict — small clutches and medical bags are fine, backpacks are not. Metal detectors move quickly if you arrive early.
Inside the arena
The bowl is steep and the seating rake is excellent. This is the biggest selling point of Rogers Place as a concert venue: even the last row of the upper bowl has a clear sightline to the stage. The centre-hung scoreboard is one of the largest in the league and doubles as a primary screen for concerts where production allows.
Concourses are wide, bathroom lines move reasonably well, and concessions are varied. Local Edmonton favourites share menu space with arena standards, and vegetarian and halal options are clearly marked.
Best sections
For hockey: the Oilers shoot twice toward the west end. If you want to see them score up close for two out of three periods, aim for sections behind that net. For full-game strategy viewing, centre ice upper bowl is the best value.
For concerts: if the stage is set at the east end, lower bowl sections along the long sides offer the best balance of sightline and proximity. Upper bowl sections immediately over the soundboard are a hidden gem — great sound, full view of the production, and lower price.
Avoid seats directly behind the stage for end-stage concert setups unless they are specifically marked as limited view and priced accordingly.
Food and drink
The arena has stepped up its food game in recent years. Expect to find classic hot dogs and popcorn plus a few local Edmonton restaurant partnerships. Drinks are arena-priced, as always. Alcohol service cuts off late in the third period or during the last song of the main set for concerts.
Accessibility
Rogers Place is fully accessible. Elevators serve every level, accessible seating is available throughout the bowl, and staff are responsive. Request accessible seating through the box office or the team ticket office in advance for the best placement.
Merch
The Oilers team store on the main level is one of the largest in the league, with jerseys, hats, throwback gear and rotating tour merchandise for concerts. On busy concert nights, buy merchandise before doors rather than after — lines after the show can stretch past the parking garage.
A few final tips
- Dress in layers. The arena can feel cold during long intermissions.
- Keep your mobile ticket screen on maximum brightness at entry.
- Download the team or arena app for wayfinding and in-seat ordering at concerts where it is available.
- If you want to avoid the post-event crush, leave at the two-minute warning or during the final encore.
Rogers Place is a modern, well-run building that rewards a little planning. Do the basics right and you will have one of the better NHL-scale nights in the country.