Going to my first Canes game on November 24 Vs Tampa.
Congrats!
Some questions for everyone:
1. Practice - It’s an 8pm game - when would practice usually start? And are fans allowed to watch practice?
They take the ice for warmups about 30 minutes before game time. If you’re in the arena at 7:30 you’ll catch the whole thing.
Yes you are allowed to watch warmups — you’re even allowed to go right down to the glass and pick a spot to watch from. For a first-game experience this is highly recommended and 100% worth getting there early for. If you want to be right on the actual glass with nobody in front of you, cut it a little earlier to be safe. Trust me, it’s a magical experience the first time you do it. Once they blow the horn to end warmups, you need to get out of that area so folks can get to their seats.
2. Parking - what does everyone usually do for parking? Is there any free parking around? If not where can I find some affordable parking for 1 car (sedan)?
The vast vast majority of cars park in the arena lots for $25. I would advise not paying for premium parking unless you plan to tailgate early and leave very late. Yes the walk to the door is a little shorter, but the traffic is horrific when you’re at the very back of the line while trying to leave.
If you want to cut the price back to more like $10-$20 you may be able to find parking at a nearby business (try Backyard Bistro) but be advised that it’s a long walk considering you’re still paying money for the privilege. The weather should be crisp and dry in November, but in the event of poor weather it can be a miserable walk with moving cars all around.
Free parking is available at the deck at Wade Park. It’s slightly under a mile walk to the arena from there, and not unpleasant, but be advised that it involves a brief but rather dark passage through a greenway area. It’s absolutely safe and I’ve never heard of any issues there, but it’s dark enough to require phone flashlights and some people just don’t like the creepy factor. Otherwise it’s fine. If you decide to go that route, just route yourself to Wade Park Cafe. Park in the nearby deck (you can’t miss it) and follow anyone in a Canes jersey as they will be headed toward the arena. People are very nice about giving directions if you need them.
3. Traffic - how bad is traffic for game nights? I’m coming from north…likely taking capital Boulevard.
“Bad traffic” is a relative thing, depending on what you’re used to. Is it Los Angeles bad, no. But there are jams around the arena which start building up about 30-45 minutes before game time, so getting there early will make for a much less stressful experience than pushing it till the last minute. Assuming full physical mobility and a willingness to speed-walk, I’d say the drop-dead cutoff for making puck drop is to get into the area around 20 minutes before the hour. Assuming no shenanigans, that should give you time to fight traffic, park, walk, get through security, and find your seat just as the anthem is wrapping up. But for your first game, I’d give it a little more time so you can catch the pregame hype intro which is worth seeing.
Overall, as long as you’re cool with paying the $25, I would strongly recommend:
- Arrive at the arena at 6:45pm. Park about halfway back in the parking lot if possible. Take some time to enjoy the pregame atmosphere outside the arena.
- Try to get in the security line by around 7:00pm. Remember to check the arena bag policy, especially if there are any purses involved.
- Circle the arena to the north end, in the range of sections 110-113. Enjoy the walk but don’t linger too long. Just make a mental note of things to come back to later. Once you’re at the north end, go into the lower bowl. If an usher asks for a ticket, just say you’re there to watch warmups and they’ll wave you through. If you get there quickly, you might still be early enough to post up on the glass. Worst case, you’ll be very close. It will be worth the wait once the players come out.
- After warmups, go back and check out some of the things you didn’t have time to see on the walk in.
- Be in your seat by 8:00pm sharp. Catch the whole pregame show, it’s worth it and you’ll be pumped by the time the anthem ends. From there, enjoy the game and explore the arena.
- After the game, don’t rush to leave. The parking lot’s a mess regardless, so **** it. Watch the 3 stars, catch the postgame interview. Take your leisurely time leaving the building. Once outside, go back to the north end. You’ll see the loading dock at the back of the building, which is also the players’ entrance. There will be a crowd lined up along the street. Find a good front row spot and hang out for a bit. The people there are all diehard fans and will openly welcome Canes chat from strangers. Tell them it’s your first game, you never know what might happen. Give it about another 15 minutes and the players will start driving out one at a time. Most will just wave and drive by, but at least half a dozen will pull up and roll their windows down to sign autographs and take selfies. You can count on Slavin, and it’s a really safe bet you also get to meet Staal and Burns among others. This is your chance, ask them anything. Get your face autographed. The ones who like to stop are good guys and great with the fans.
- If you parked in the lot, there will be literally zero traffic so you can just get back to your car and drive out with zero stress. If you decided to save the money and park at Wade Park: when you get to the greenway, you will 100% have that moment of reconsidering why you trusted a stranger on the internet. It’s viscerally weird to walk that path in the dark. I promise, it’s dark but not dangerous. Again, there will be no more traffic jam in that deck area by the time you get there.
Yes you’ll finally get home 6+ hours after you left, but that’s the most bang you can get for your buck at PNC.
