Blue Jackets elevate game-day experience with new food and trendy merchandise

From surf and turf burgers to cannon-shaped foam hats, the Columbus Blue Jackets are bringing unexpected menu items and trendy merchandise to Nationwide Arena this season. 

While concession stands will continue to sell fan favorites, Executive Chef Sean Barger is adding 15 new food items to menus across the arena. Barger said he and his team have worked to create an elevated dining experience for fans.  

“We are constantly trying to break the mold on typical arena food,” Barger said. “Especially in concessions where people just expect to get popcorn, hot dogs and pretzels, we’re elevating that experience exponentially.” 

Barger and his team develop new menu concepts from season to season. This year, Barger said they drew inspiration from Asian flavors, which feature in the loaded fried rice, Korean beef nachos and Barger's personal favorite, the pimento fried rice, which he described as an “incredible combination of flavors.”  

For fans with a sweet tooth, the root beer float poutine combines crispy funnel cake fries and funnel cake-battered cheese curds topped with root beer syrup, whipped topping and a maraschino cherry. Barger said the unexpected dessert, created by Chef Ed, took years to perfect.

“We found those funnel cake curds a couple of years ago, and both of us were like, ‘Those are incredible. We have to find a way to do it," Barger said. “He [Chef Ed] had been working on the dessert poutine for a couple years, and I really think he hit the nail on the head with that one.”  

While Barger handles food options, Retail Director Robin Vlah oversees merchandise at Nationwide Arena for Blue Jackets games. Vlah said her team is focusing on capitalizing on current fashion trends.  

“We’re trying to find exclusive things; we’re going on trends,” Vlah said. “We’re also looking at cool things that we see on TV. We look at other sports, such as NFL [and] basketball.” 

This season, fans can purchase collections from UNRL, a high-end athleisure brand, and 108 Stitches, a woman-owned business specializing in custom apparel.  

“The touch and feel of [UNRL] products are super nice,” Vlah said. “We’re also doing a collection through 108 Stitches. They're able to do custom items, say we want to do the skyline or 614, they’re able to do whatever we want.”

Vlah noted that current fashion trends directly influenced this season's apparel selections. 

“The upside-down hats are really big right now with graphics upside down; we did lean into that a little bit more on the women’s side,” Vlah said. “I know mock necks are a big thing so we have those: knit sweaters, henleys, and rugby shirts.”  

Vlah said the goal of incorporating these streetwear trends is to cater to fans’ everyday style preferences rather than forcing traditional sports apparel.  

Additionally, special apparel runs will accompany the team’s theme nights.  

“There will be a big focus this year around our theme nights,” Vlah said. “Some of our lines, and exclusive lines we’re coming out with, will only be here in the arena.”  

Fans can stop by the team store at Nationwide Arena or Polaris Fashion Place, or shop online at thebluelineonline.com.