May 11, 2025
Canadian NHL teams skating into the playoffs doesn’t just lift national spirits, it boosts bottom lines. Across the country, the ripple effects of playoff hockey are being felt in restaurants, pubs and entertainment venues as fans gather to cheer, groan and occasionally throw their jerseys in frustration.
Playoff hockey means packed pubs
Back in the 2023 playoffs, bars and restaurants across Canada saw a serious boost — proof that when the puck drops, the tills start ringing. Data from NielsenIQ reported a 12% jump in bar and restaurant sales nationwide during the week of April 22 to 29, 2023. In Ontario, where Leafs fans were still clinging to hope, that spike hit 16%.
“It’s a big deal. We definitely saw a jump in traffic and sales during the playoffs,” Christopher Murie, owner of The Dizzy Pub in Toronto, told CityNews at the time. He said the vibe reminded him of the Raptors’ 2019 championship run — that electric, anything’s-possible kind of energy.
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That playoff bump is expected to repeat this year, especially with multiple Canadian teams still in contention.
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The Oilers and Jets keep cash flowing
Figures from Moneris show just how powerful playoff hockey can be on a local scale. During the last postseason, spending around Edmonton’s Rogers Place rose by over 200% on Oilers game nights, even when the team was on the road. The city’s Ice District also saw spending jump 50% on game days versus off days.
In Winnipeg, the energy is just as intense. “It’s absolutely bonkers in here,” Dana Cherski, general manager of Underdogs Sports Bar, told BNN Bloomberg during that playoff run. “We’re packed wall to wall, and staff are pulling double shifts."
Canada’s true national sport (sorry, lacrosse)
Whether it’s the Leafs’ hopeful faithful or Edmonton fans living in McDavid-mode, one thing is clear: playoff hockey is good for business. And while not every team will make it past round two (maybe this is your year, Leafs!), the passion — and the spending — never really dies.
As this year’s playoff rounds continue, local businesses are hoping the deep runs from Canadian teams will last. After all, a few more wins could mean more packed patios, longer beer lines and, maybe, just maybe, another shot at the Cup.
Elbows up!
Sources
1. NIQ: Stanley Cup Playoffs having positive impact on sales in bars and restaurants across Canada (May 12, 2023)
2. CityNews: Business booming for Toronto bars as Maple Leafs advance (May 1, 2023)
3. BNN Bloomberg: ‘Absolutely bonkers’: Bars, restaurants cash in with Canadian NHL teams in playoffs (April 23, 2025)
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Leslie Kennedy served as an editor at Thomson Reuters and for Star Media Group, followed by a number of years as a writer and editor and content manager in marketing communications, before returning to her editorial roots. She is a graduate of Humber College’s post-graduate journalism program and has been a professional writer and editor ever since.
