Business for restaurants rose to up to 89% during playoffs: report

Edmonton, Vegas, Anaheim and Los Angeles are all jockeying for first place in the Pacific Division. Draisaitl says he will be back for playoffs.

With the Edmonton Oilers taking another shot at making the Stanley Cup Final, local restaurants and bars are gearing up to host riled-up fans.

The Oilers’ playoffs runs have historically helped boost business for them.

In 2024, the playoffs increased revenues for Edmonton businesses by $102 million, according to Explore Edmonton. That number more than doubled last year with an economic impact of $266.7 million.

A new report from Moneris, a Canadian commerce provider, shows that each playoff run helps boost the city’s economy and home games draw in more crowds.

As early as Round 1 of the playoffs in previous years, restaurants near Rogers Place saw increases of 82 and 89 per cent during games 3 and 4, according to Moneris.

By Game 7 of the 2024 finals, restaurants in bars in Ice District jumped 214 per cent.

“When Canadian teams make the playoffs, it can lift spirits and it can boost sales. Moneris data has consistently shown that when Canadian teams hit the ice, local businesses feel that momentum, too,” said Sean McCormick, VP of Business Development, Data Services with Moneris.

The Oilers’ last regular-season game is on Thursday against the Vancouver Canucks at Rogers Place. While the Stanley Cup playoffs begin Saturday, it’s unclear who the Oilers will face in Round 1.