Blue Jackets announce Opening Weekend festivities

COLUMBUS, OHIO -The Columbus Blue Jackets invite fans to kick off the club's 2016-17 season by visiting the Opening Night Plaza Party, presented by Nationwide, on Thursday, October 13 before the Jackets host the Boston Bruins at 7 p.m. The party on the Front Street plaza starts at 3 p.m. and game tickets are not required to attend.

A special attraction of the plaza party is the "blue" carpet arrival of the Blue Jackets. Fans are invited to line up and welcome the players as they proceed across the plaza and into the front doors of Nationwide Arena. Arriving in Lexus vehicles, most players are expected between 3:30-5 p.m.
Additional plaza party festivities include music, games, food and drink, and live broadcasts starting with Sports Radio 97.1 The Fan's Common Man & T-Bone show from 3-6 p.m. followed by FOX Sports Ohio's expanded edition of the Blue Jackets Live pre-game show hosted by Brian Giesenschlag and Bill Davidge starting at 6 p.m.
All fans attending the game will receive a 2016-17 schedule magnet courtesy of Papa John's Pizza. Arena doors open early at 5:30 p.m. and fans are encouraged to take their seats by 7 p.m. for the Opening Night show featuring individual player introductions.

Opening weekend festivities continue on Saturday, October 15 when the Jackets face off against Western Conference Champion San Jose Sharks at 7 p.m. A pre-game plaza party, presented by Nationwide, kicks off at 5 p.m. That night, the first 10,000 fans attending the game will receive a 5th Line T-shirt courtesy of FOX Sports Ohio.
Tickets for all home games are currently available for purchase online at BlueJackets.com, Ticketmaster.com, or in person at the Big Lots Box Office at Nationwide Arena, OhioHealth Chiller Ice Rinks and all Ticketmaster Ticket Centers. Fans may purchase tickets by phone at (800) 745‐3000.