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Oilers’ Rogers Place ranked 11th best rink in league, but among least affordable
Edmonton Oilers
Photo credit: Perry Nelson-Imagn Images
Zach Laing
Jan 31, 2026, 09:00 ESTUpdated: Jan 30, 2026, 20:52 EST
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The construction of Rogers Place in Edmonton in the mid-2010s was imperative for an Oilers franchise that grew out of their old rink at Rexall Place.
It helped usher in a new era of hockey with a state-of-the-art facility right in the heart of downtown, inspiring other arenas being built around the league, like Calgary’s new barn.
The Athletic recently released a fan and beat writer poll looking at the best rinks in the NHL, and Rogers Place was among the best in terms of location, ranking ninth, amenities and atmosphere, both ranking seventh. Those marks helped lift the rink’s overall ranking, but one area played a significant part in keeping it out of the top 10: affordability.
In fact, Rogers Place’s affordability is 26th overall across 32 different NHL arenas.
It should come as no surprise that’s the case for anyone who has attended Oilers games, concerts or any other events there.
“Rogers Place is proof that Edmonton can build a world-class arena … and still make you remortgage your house for popcorn,” said one fan who responded.
The Oilers originally partnered with food service provider Aramark when Rogers Place opened, but amid the COVID-19 pandemic, launched their own provider in 2021 — ICE District Hospitality — which handles “general concessions, suites and club level dining, restaurants and catering,” in partnership with Compass Group Canada and Levy.
While the arena has the Molson Hockey House in Ford Hall, opened before the game, serving $6 beers, that price nearly tripled inside during the playoffs. Others have raised ire over the years for how expensive food items like burgers and hot dogs are.
Here’s what The Athletic wrote about Rogers Place:
Edmonton’s big, bold new home is an impressive state-of-the-art manifestation of Oilers fandom right in the heart of the city. Fans gave Rogers Place fantastic marks in every category except for affordability, in which the building was ranked 26th, greatly reducing its score.
But if you’re willing to pay the freight, it’s a fantastic place to watch a game — especially if Connor McDavid is in the lineup.
Pricing aside, there’s many, many strengths the arena has and those who voted clearly agreed. Having attended both hockey games and concerts, it’s one of those rinks where there’s truly no bad seat in the house. Certain seating sections are a little more crammed than others, but it puts you right on top of the action wherever you sit.
Last April, Rogers Place was voted as the rink with the second best ice in a poll done by the NHL’s player association.
In August, Edmonton’s city council approved plans for a massive $400 million project that will see a new event part built adjacent to the arena, while also helping develop other areas around it.
What do you think of Rogers Place?
Oilersnation wants to hear from you, the reader, in our new weekly “Letters to the Editor” segment. Letters can be emailed to Oilersnation’s managing editor Zach Laing (zach.laing@bettercollective.com), titled “Letters to the Editor.” Please include a letter up to 200 words, including your name, place of residence (city, town, province, or state). Your letters may be edited for length and/or clarity. Letters must be submitted by 6 PM MT Saturday night to be considered for feature on Sunday mornings.
Zach Laing is Oilersnation’s managing editor, and The Nation Network’s news director. He also makes up one-half of the Daily Faceoff DFS Hockey Report. He can be followed on X at @zjlaing, or reached by email at zach.laing@bettercollective.com.

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