NHL playoff runs give local businesses a major boost: Moneris

As hockey fans eagerly await the start of the Stanley Cup playoffs, businesses in the four Canadian cities with teams that qualified for the postseason are preparing for a big sales boost, according to Moneris.

The payment services firm examined sales data from the last three NHL postseasons and found that playoff games in Canadian cities provide a significant boon for local economies.

Businesses near a team’s arena consistently see the biggest uptick in sales, Moneris said.

During the second round of the 2022 NHL playoffs, the Edmonton Oilers battled their inter-provincial rival Calgary Flames. During Game 3 of that series, Edmonton restaurants near Rogers Place saw a 233 per cent increase in spending, Moneris said.