Time for a spring blizzard: Winnipeg Jets announce plans for playoff whiteout parties
Whiteout tradition dates back to 1987 and the original Jets franchise
Downtown Winnipeg is forecast to be hit by a spring whiteout soon, but the shovels can stay in the shed — this storm needs pompoms, boas and a lot of creativity.
The NHL Stanley Cup playoffs begin April 19, and the Jets, who clinched their spot back on March 25, are inviting their fans to one of the most envied parties in pro sports: the Winnipeg whiteout.
"Manitobans are used to whiteouts, but let's be honest, the ones that hit us in April are undoubtedly our favourite kind," said Sara Orlesky, a senior host and producer for the Winnipeg Jets on TSN.
"Of course, there's the hockey, but it's the pride and spirit … of our city that elevates Manitoba's playoff experience to the legendary celebration that it has become. It is a spectacle that is shared and admired the world over."
Orlesky and others from the Jets organization and Manitoba politicians gathered Tuesday at True North Square plaza, kitty-corner to the Jets' home arena, to unveil the plan for the 2025 playoff parties.
"We will once again welcome fans to join 5,000 of their closest friends and neighbours on the street and share in a playoff viewing experience next to the action inside Canada Life Centre … and show North America and the world that Winnipeg is the epicentre of hockey," said Kevin Donnelly of True North Sports & Entertainment, which owns the Jets and arena.
Whiteout street parties will take place before and during every Jets home playoff game, transforming Donald Street into a sea of thousands of white-clad fans, dressed in hockey jerseys and everything else from body suits and wedding dresses to polar bear costumes, Elvis jumpsuits, Santa beards and anything else that fits the mood.
The NHL regular season is still wrapping up, with the Jets holding a slim lead for first place overall. Playoff game dates and times will be announced April 11, when tickets for the first round go on sale.
The parties will feature large screens broadcasting the games, as well as DJs before puck drop and between periods, a variety of food trucks and concessions, prizes and giveaways.
The party zone will be the same footprint as in recent years — along Donald between Portage Avenue and Honourary Dale Hawerchuk Way (Graham Avenue), adjacent to Canada Life Centre.
The Metropolitan Entertainment Centre, across from Canada Life Centre, will be included within the footprint this year, accessible to ticket holders for food and beverages and other amenities.
The party zone will have a capacity of 5,000 fans with an entrance fee of $10 per ticket. Those will go on sale April 15 at noon through Tickemaster.
Party gates will open two hours before the opening faceoff of each home game.
Fans with tickets to a particular day's playoff game can also access the party that same day, before heading to their seats inside the arena. A separate ticket is not required.
Five dollars from each entry fee will go to United Way Winnipeg and be redirected to agencies that help people experiencing homelessness, addictions and mental health challenges.
More than $312,000 has been raised from past whiteout parties.
The province has promised to kick in as much as $300,000 — the amount depends on how far the Jets go — to support the parties.
A slightly more intimate party for 1,200 will happen at the same time at True North Square plaza, hosted by the Hargrave St. Market.
The Party in the Plaza will feature the game on a big screen and amenities inside the market. Tickets for that are $20, with $5 going to the United Way.
New this year, fans can also take in a game-day experience when the Jets are on the road. Watch parties will be held inside Canada Life Centre for $10.
Fans will get a whiteout rally towel and can access arena concessions as they watch the game on the scoreboard. Proceeds from every ticket will go to the True North Youth Foundation.
Dating back to 1987 and the original Jets franchise, the whiteout tradition has wowed visiting and home players alike, as well as broadcasters.
It disappeared, along with the Jets 1.0, in 1996, but was revived in 2015 when the Jets 2.0 (the relocated Atlanta Thrashers) made the post-season for the first time since landing in Winnipeg in 2011.
"Some people say when you're waving white, you surrender. Well, we don't surrender here," said Dan Nolin, whose vintage Chevy Vega was decked out in Jets decor and featured in the plaza for Tuesday's event.
The car is a familiar sight on the streets during the playoffs, and then stored the rest of the year when the post-season ends.
"I'm hoping this year they go deep into the playoffs and I get some miles on my car. So go Jets, go," Nolin said.
The Vega is festooned in gear, including flags, a goalie mask, a jet fighter plane, a plush version of Jets mascot Mick E. Moose and ministicks on the wiper blades. It's also equipped with a specialized siren that can be heard for several blocks.
"We call it white noise. So I go all over the place, and we raise hell," Nolin said.
He also has a reproduction Stanley Cup on top but hopes to one day sport the real one for a photo, along with the champion Jets players.
"We're just gonna see what happens," Nolin said, calling the whiteout party "great for the city, great for the team, great for business.
"It's a blast. It's fun."
The Jets are also running a contest throughout the playoffs to highlight the passion and creativity of fans, who are invited to show costumes, home decor, special recipes, cheers, hype songs or other ways they celebrate the team for a chance to win tickets to a 2025 playoff game.
Free whiteout mania lawn signs will also be made available beginning April 15. They can be picked up at any Princess Auto location.
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With files from Ilrick Duhamel