Route 103.9: IT'S ALMOST HOCKEY SEASON!
Oh, somehow, we blinked, and hockey season is almost here. 🏒
Seriously… how?!
It feels like we were just wrapping up last season, and now we're already talking about getting back inside Nationwide Arena, hearing the cannon again, and joining the rest of Columbus in cheering on our Columbus Blue Jackets.
And listen, I love a good theme. Give me a reason to dress up, lean into some nostalgia or turn a regular night out into an entire event and I am THERE.
Well… CBJ understood the assignment.
The Columbus Blue Jackets just unveiled their 2026–27 theme nights and special ticket packages, and we're already trying to figure out which ones need to go on the calendar.
First Things First:
Opening Night Is October 1
Circle Thursday, October 1, because that's when the Blue Jackets officially return to Nationwide Arena for Opening Night, presented by Nationwide.
Fans attending will also receive a 2026–27 Blue Jackets calendar, which seems appropriate because you're about to need somewhere to write down all of these theme nights.
🎃 Hockey Halloween + PEANUTS?!
Okay, this one is ridiculously cute.
On Saturday, October 24, CBJ celebrates Halloween AND the 60th anniversary of It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown.
The night includes a CBJ x Peanuts Trick-or-Treat Pillowcase Giveaway, plus there's a special Peanuts ticket package featuring a CBJ-themed Snoopy & Woodstock Bobblehead.
Hockey + Halloween + Snoopy?
Columbus families may have just found their October plans.
💜 Hockey Fights Cancer Night
One of the most meaningful nights of the season returns on Thursday, November 5 with Hockey Fights Cancer Night,
Fans can expect an "I Fight For" T-shirt giveaway, and a special ticket package will also be available.
It's one of those nights that reminds you sports can be about so much more than the final score.
Military Appreciation Night
On Thursday, November 12, CBJ will honor the men and women who serve during Military Appreciation Night!
A special ticket package will be available, including a themed wearable.
🎄 Hockey Holidays
If your December plans need a little more hockey and holiday magic, CBJ has you covered.
Hockey Holidays runs December 10–22, including Santa Stinger appearances and even LIVE REINDEER on December 22.
There's also a Hanukkah ticket package available during the holiday celebrations.
🦸 Marvel Night Is Coming to Nationwide Arena
This one is brand new.
On Saturday, December 19, the Avengers and Dr. Doom take over Nationwide Arena for Marvel Night.
The theme night comes just one day after the theatrical release of Avengers: Doomsday, and fans who purchase the special ticket package will receive a Jet Greaves bobblehead featuring a detachable Dr. Doom mask.
Yes, we're apparently combining superheroes and hockey now.
No complaints here.
🎉 Ring In 2027 With CBJ?! YES PLEASE.
Don't have New Year's Eve plans yet?
The Blue Jackets host New Year's Eve at Nationwide Arena on Thursday, December 31.
Honestly, hockey → cannon → celebrate the new year sounds like a pretty solid Columbus NYE.
Kids Takeover ( THE BEST)
One of the best things about supporting local sports is getting the NEXT generation excited about them, too.
On Saturday, January 24, it's Kids Takeover, presented by Bob Evans Farms, complete with a kids giveaway that will be announced later.
🚒 First Responders Night
On Saturday, January 30, CBJ celebrates the people who show up for our communities every single day with First Responders Night, presented by Jet's Pizza.
A special ticket package featuring a themed wearable will also be available.
🌈 Hockey Is For Everyone
Hockey Is For Everyone Night returns Thursday, February 11, with a lapel pin giveaway.
An LGBTQ+ Pride ticket package featuring a themed wearable will also be available.
COME TO THE DARK SIDE FOR STAR WARS NIGHT!
Okay.
You knew we were getting here.
On Saturday, February 20, CBJ celebrates the 50th anniversary of Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope with Star Wars-themed entertainment throughout Nationwide Arena.
There's also a special ticket package featuring a Star Wars-inspired CBJ wearable.
The Force AND the 5th Line?
We will absolutely allow it. Love you forever Vader.
🍀 St. Patrick's Day
Grab something green because CBJ celebrates St. Patrick's Day on Tuesday, March 16.
Hockey + St. Patrick's Day in Columbus feels like the kind of combination that requires very little explanation.
💥 And Then We Celebrate THE 5TH LINE
This might be the most Columbus night of them all.
On Saturday, March 27, it's the 5th Line Celebration, featuring a Kepi giveaway.
Because the Blue Jackets aren't just the guys on the ice. The 5th Line is Columbus.
It's the families bringing their kids to their first hockey game. It's the longtime fans who know exactly when that cannon is coming and still jump anyway. It's the jerseys around the Arena District. It's strangers high-fiving after a goal.
That's what makes local sports special.
Supporting Local Sports Just Hits Different
There's something pretty great about having a major-league team right here in our backyard.
Going to a Blue Jackets game isn't only about watching hockey. It's dinner somewhere downtown before puck drop. It's making memories with your family. It's introducing your kids to a sport you love. It's running into someone you know in the concourse. It's being part of an arena full of Central Ohioans all rooting for the same thing.
Local sports give a city something to rally around.
And when Columbus shows up for CBJ, we're supporting the team, the people who work the games, businesses around the Arena District and the larger community that makes nights at Nationwide Arena feel like our nights.
That's why we're proud to be part of the 5th Line.
There Are Even More Special Ticket Packages
Beyond the official theme nights, CBJ announced several special ticket packages with exclusive items, including:
- Oct. 24: Snoopy & Woodstock Bobblehead
- Nov. 5: Ivan and Drake Provorov Bobblehead
- Nov. 12: Military Appreciation themed wearable
- Dec. 19: Marvel Night Jet Greaves Bobblehead
- Jan. 8: Jerry Garcia themed wearable
- Jan. 30: First Responders Night themed wearable
- Feb. 11: LGBTQ+ Pride themed wearable
- Feb. 20: Star Wars: A New Hope 50th Anniversary themed wearable
- Mar. 13: CBJ-styled Hawaiian shirt
CBJ says additional ticket packages and promotions may also be announced later.
👨👩👧👦 Looking for an Affordable Family Night?
The Columbus Dispatch Family Value Pack will be available for every Blue Jackets home game this season.
Packages start at $35 per person and include a game ticket, an OhioHealth Chiller Skate Pass and a value meal with your choice of a hot dog, hamburger or chicken fingers, plus a rotating side and Pepsi product.
So… Which Night Are YOU Picking? Theme nights. Giveaways. The cannon. Stinger. The 5th Line.
Yeah… we're ready for hockey season.
Single-game tickets are already on sale, and the special ticket packages went on sale Friday, August 14 at 10 a.m.
Now comes the important question:
Which CBJ theme night are you gearing up for? 🎃🏒🌌🦸
We'll see you there.
LET'S GO JACKETS! 💙❤️
Photos courtesy of the Columbus Blue Jackets.
