Canucks to play at home in front of thousands for the first time in nearly 600 days

The Vancouver Canucks’ home opener Tuesday night is expected to be the biggest crowd B.C. has seen since last year, when the pandemic forced fans out of the stands and reduced crowd sizes across the province.

It’s the first regular season game in front of Vancouver fans in 595 days, with the Canucks set to take on the Minnesota Wild starting at 7 p.m.

On Monday, B.C.’s capacity limits for arenas in most of the province were lifted, allowing the Canucks to sell thousands more tickets to Rogers Arena.

All smiles being back at home ???? pic.twitter.com/Ua0X7y6obY

— Vancouver Canucks (@Canucks) October 25, 2021

“We have a very special and emotional night planned and we can’t wait to welcome back our Season Ticket Members and fans,” said Michael Doyle, president of Canucks Sports & Entertainment.

The players are looking forward to it and say they have been missing the fans.

“It’s like an extra player almost. Last year made me realize that fans play a big part of getting you going into a game, ” Canucks forward Elias Pettersson said Monday.

“It”s like an extra player almost. Last year made me realize fans play a big part in getting you going in a game.”

Elias Pettersson on looking forward to having #Canucks fans back in the building pic.twitter.com/eTQIk8RS06

— Vancouver #Canucks (@Canucks) October 25, 2021

Thatcher Demko echoed that sentiment, Canucks goalie going on to say that having those cheers makes a world of difference.

“I still remember that game and it’s crazy to think that we haven’t seen our fans in that long. I know everyone is really excited, we’ve been talking about it, we are getting a little itchy on the road there,” Demko said, thanking back to March 2020, the last time fans were able to attend a regular season game in Vancouver.

Game not sold-out, yet

While Rogers Arena has capacity for more than 18,000 fans, tickets are still available for Tuesday’s matchup.

Showtime Tickets President Mario Livich isn’t surprised and says some fans are likely hesitant to come back.

“That’s with a smaller customer base than one would think, there’s still people (who) are still hesitant. I’m thinking it will pick up speed as people get more and more comfortable,” Livich said.

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He says regardless, the return of fans to Rogers Arena is a sign of a turnaround for the industry which heavily depends on these events to survive.

“It’s been a long time for our organization to be sidelined as well as the entire events industry. It’s a big economic contributor to the downtown core, restaurants, all kinds of auxiliary businesses depend on getting events back to as they once were,” Livich said.

Dr. Brian Conway with the Vancouver Infectious Diseases Centre says even with vaccine rules and mask mandates, the spread of COVID-19 is still a concern.

“I’m hoping that there will be some kind but forceful enforcement of the mask mandates, so wearing a mask when you’re not eating or drinking. And I hear ‘Go Canucks Go’ sounds just as good with a mask on as with a mask off,” Conway said.

“There will be a risk of transmission in indoor spaces but it can be managed, it can me minimized, and we need to do so to move forward,” he said.

What to expect at the game

There will be some changes for fans with COVID-19 measures in place. Everyone 12 and older attending the game must be double vaccinated and be able to show their proof of two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine through their official B.C. Vaccine Card.

A mobile version or a printed off version will be accepted. Get your vaccine card on the province of B.C.’s website.  

Do not forget your government-issued photo ID, staff will be checking to see that it matches the vaccine card. Those without it will not be allowed entry.

For fans from out of province, their local proof of vaccine will be accepted but they will need to check in with the fan support desk before they get in line. There will be a desk in front of every gate.

Long lines are expected, and fans are urged to get to Rogers Arena early in order not to miss any excitement. Doors open at 6 p.m., and the pregame show starts at 6:45 p.m. with special tributes to frontline workers.

The party on the plaza will start at 5 p.m. with DJs, drummers, and Canucks alumni Kirk McLean meeting fans.

Rogers Arena has limits on bag sizes and what you can bring into the game. Everyone will have to pass through a metal detector as well.

Commuting to the game

TransLink’s Gabrielle Price is encouraging fans to skip the stress and cost of parking downtown and take a train or bus to get to the arena.

“Transit is still a safe and reliable option for people and has been throughout the pandemic and continues to be,” she told CityNews. “We, of course, want to remind customers that masks are still mandatory in transit — and that includes while you’re waiting for transit and as well as boarding, and inside any SkyTrain stations or sheltered bus stops as well.”

Over the pandemic, TransLink has seen a decline in ridership, but Price says she’s optimistic things will take a turn for the better as Canucks games and other activities and events bring more riders back.

“And we’re ready for that,” Price said. “We’re still seeing our ridership is still around about 55 per cent of pre-COVID norms. And of course, we anticipate there to be some uptick in the return of these events in sports games specifically.”

TransLink saw an uptick when post-secondary students returned to campus this fall, so Price expects “some jump in our ridership,” with capacity limits for arenas lifted.

With files from Vanessa Doban, Kurtis Doering, Claire Fenton, Martin MacMahon and Nikitha Martins and John Ackermann