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3mo ago

Oilers Set for Game 5 as Fan Culture and Downtown Revitalization Boost Edmonton

Jacob Golka’s face-painting tradition highlights fan enthusiasm during the Stanley Cup final as city council moves forward with a $550 million Downtown Action Plan.

A file photo of the since demolished Boyle Street Community Services building on 105 Avenue. On June 11, 2025, Katz Group Real Estate and Boyle Street Community Services issued a two-sentence statement announcing the end of a legal battle between the two groups.
Edmonton Oilers' fan drinks a beer out of a Stanley Cup worn on the head of another fan, ahead of Game 3 of the Stanley Cup finals between the Oilers and Florida Panthers, from a watch party outside Rogers Place in downtown Edmonton, Monday, June 9, 2025.
Edmonton Oilers superfan Jacob Golka, who paints fans' faces at the Moss Pit watch party outside Rogers Place in Edmonton, is seen in this image from video on Monday, June 9, 2025.

Overview

  • With the Stanley Cup final tied 2–2, Edmonton heads to Florida for Game 5 on Thursday seeking to rebound from Monday’s 6–1 loss to the Panthers.
  • Superfan Jacob Golka has painted an estimated 250 to 300 faces per game at Moss Pit watch parties outside Rogers Place, a tradition he began in the second playoff round and prioritizes for young fans.
  • Edmonton’s playoff run has generated about $280 million in extra economic activity over the past year, with restaurant spending near Rogers Place surging as much as 69% on home game days.
  • Parents and community members are calling for a dedicated family-friendly, alcohol-free watch party downtown to ensure a safe environment for children during Oilers games.
  • City council’s Downtown Action Plan proposes more than $550 million in upgrades—including better LRT access, public washrooms, car-free streets, green spaces, and housing to double the downtown population—with a Community Revitalization Levy extension vote scheduled for June 26.