A Season‑Opening Celebration Like No Other
The Columbus Blue Jackets will kick off a month‑long fan festival on September 1 at Nationwide Arena, a celebration that stretches through October 1 and builds anticipation for the team’s home opener on October 1 against the Buffalo Sabres.
The festivities blend on‑ice excitement with community outreach, featuring a series of charity auctions, blood‑drive incentives and interactive experiences designed to give back to the city that supports the club.
Highlights include the Golf Classic Silent Auction on September 2, where fans can bid for a once‑in‑a‑lifetime GM for a Day experience with General Manager Don Waddell, and a 50/50 Raffle presented by KEMBA Financial Credit Union that runs from September 19 to October 1, offering a chance to win half the jackpot.
Blood donors who visit the American Red Cross drive at Nationwide Arena on September 10 receive special ticket offers and enter weekly drawings for exclusive Blue Jackets prize packs, reinforcing the team’s commitment to health and safety in the community.
On September 4, Blue Jackets Night at the Columbus Clippers will feature a pregame autograph session, a ceremonial first pitch and a charity auction that benefits the Blue Jackets Foundation, while Open Practice on September 19 provides free street‑hockey clinics for children ages 5‑12 and a commemorative T‑shirt for the first 1,000 attendees.
The club is also launching a new collectible series called “The Monthly Buzz,” which will release themed Stinger pins and pucks each month throughout the season, and a Spin‑to‑Win promotion from September 3‑7 lets fans spin a digital slot machine for discounts and complimentary tickets to select games.
All of these events underscore the Blue Jackets’ focus on youth engagement, charitable giving and fan interaction, positioning the upcoming season as one of the most community‑driven in franchise history.