Experiencing Little Caesars Arena: What’s New & What You Need to Know Before You Go
October 25, 2022
Little Caesars Arena, an innovative and award-winning multi-use venue, is home to the Detroit Red Wings, Detroit Pistons and hundreds of other sports, entertainment and community events every year. The fan-centric facility located in the heart of The District Detroit offers unique heritage elements, one of the largest center-hung videoboards in the world, 3-D image mapping, a versatile sky deck, over 1,300 display screens and more.
Whether you’re a season ticket holder or it’s your first time visiting, there is so much to do and see that we’ve rounded up what’s new and what you need to know before visiting Little Caesars Arena.
Parking
Before the excitement of a live event begins, you need to get to the venue! Fortunately, with 8,500 parking spaces across more than five parking structures and multiple surface parking lots, finding safe and convenient parking is a breeze. Please note that all parking structures and lots are cashless.
Food and Beverage
Cheering on your favorite team or dancing the night away at a sold-out concert can work up an appetite! Whether you’re grabbing a bite or drink before, during or after an event, Little Caesars Arena boasts four delicious restaurants and an array of in-venue concession stands for quick service food and beverage on the go.
See below for details and great new menu offerings.
All of these venues are open at 4:00pm on event days. Pro tip: eating at one of LCA’s restaurants gives you direct access to the arena when it is time for the doors to open and events to begin, avoiding lengthy lines outside.
In addition to dine-in restaurants, concession stands throughout the arena offer a wide variety of dishes, including fan-favorite Little Caesars pizza. There will also be a rotation of local food vendors to display the array of diverse tastes you can find around the city of Detroit.
Mouth-watering new menu items this year include:
In addition, before or after your event, check out the variety of dining options in The District Detroit including a number of establishments on nearby pedestrian-friendly Columbia Street, and Basan, which is coming soon to The Eddystone, which is adjacent to Little Caesars Arena.
Team Stores
The Little Caesars Arena Team Store features quality, upscale lifestyle and fashion brands for fans to enjoy. New brands offered this season include Tommy Bahama, Travis Mathew, Lululemon, Vineyard Vines, WEAR by Erin Andrews and local brand Greyson Clothiers.
The Red Wings are also proud to celebrate the 25th Anniversary of the ’97 and ’98 Stanley Cup Championship with an assortment of special merchandise including novelties from pucks to glasses and pins, hats and authentic memorabilia.
Little Caesars Arena is also rolling out arena-exclusive programs this season, including: a Detroit Red Wings custom decal and sticker program; exclusive headwear for both the Red Wings and the Pistons from brands New Era, Mitchell & Ness, Zephyr and 47 Brand; custom premium souvenir puck program and a Red Wings alumni jersey program from Fanatics.
Accessibility
Little Caesars Arena offers accessible parking, entry, seating and concession areas. More information on each of these can be found here.
The arena was also named the 2021 KultureCity Sensory Inclusive Venue of the Year, as all events hosted at the venue are sensory inclusive and promote an accommodating and positive experience for guests and fans with sensory needs. Guests can check in at Guest Service Offices at Portals 10, 20 and 67 for a sensory kit.
Box Office
The Xfinity Box Office at Little Caesars Arena is open at 11 a.m. on all event days, and Monday through Friday non-event days. The Box Office closes after intermission at events, or at 5:30 p.m. on non-event days. More information, event listings and links to purchase tickets can be found here.
If you have any questions about digital ticketing, feel free to call (313) 471-7929 during business hours, or email TicketOperations@OlyEnt.com.
Bag Policy
As you plan for your night out, please take note that Little Caesars Arena has a no bag policy. For safety of guests, all bags, purses & clutches are strictly prohibited, and only wallets sized 4″ x 6″ x 1.5″ or smaller are allowed. Medical bags, diaper bags with supplies for infants, breast pumps, and other medical devices sized smaller than 14″ x 14″ x 6″ are allowed. For details on permitted and prohibited items, click here. Safety and security are a top priority – in fact, Little Caesars Arena is the only arena in the United States to receive the Department of Homeland Security SAFETY Act Certification/Designation.
Cashless Transactions
Please note that the entire venue is cashless! If you bring cash with you to an event, you will be directed to the nearest “cash to card” machine, which allows you to transfer your cash onto a card for cashless use for concessions, apparel, drinks and more.
Additional information can be found on the Little Caesars Arena page and on 313 Presents’ Frequently Asked Questions page, here.
Rob Metzler Joins Detroit Tigers as Vice President and Assistant General Manager
October 24, 2022
The Detroit Tigers today announced that Rob Metzler has joined the organization as Vice President and Assistant General Manager. Metzler comes to the Tigers after 15 seasons with the Tampa Bay Rays, including the last seven as the Senior Director of Amateur Scouting where he led the club’s MLB Draft processes.
His efforts in Tampa Bay helped lead the organization to frequent rankings as one of the top farm systems in the game and significant positive results on the field at the Major League level.
“I hope all Tigers fans will join me in welcoming Rob and his family to our organization,” said Scott Harris, Detroit Tigers President of Baseball Operations. “I am thrilled to add an executive of Rob’s caliber to lead our Amateur and International Scouting departments. Rob’s track record of success with the Rays speaks for itself, and his innovative approach to talent acquisition will help us achieve one of our main goals: to acquire, develop and retain young talent in Detroit.”
In his most recent role with the Rays, Metzler was responsible for all day-to-day scouting activities within the U.S., Canada and Puerto Rico in preparation for the MLB Draft. Among many accomplishments he was responsible for drafting 2022 All-Star Game starter Shane McClanahan, as well as current Major Leaguers Nathaniel Lowe, Joe Ryan and Taylor Walls. Those results helped Tampa Bay develop a great core of young talent, helping them reach the postseason in four consecutive seasons.
“This is a tremendous opportunity and I’m excited to work with Scott and the rest of our baseball operations staff,” said Metzler. “We’re going to hit the ground running to ensure our processes of amateur scouting at both the domestic and international levels are the best they can possibly be, and search for the most comprehensive information possible to help inform our decision making. I’d also like to thank the Tampa Bay Rays organization for an incredible 15 seasons, and I couldn’t be prouder of what we accomplished. The reason I’m here in Detroit is to bring that same energy, passion and innovative spirit, culminating with winning baseball on the field at Comerica Park for years to come.”
Two Rays players who were recently drafted by Metzler are currently ranked in MLB Pipeline’s top 100 prospects: No. 20 Taj Bradley (2018, 5th round) and No. 81 Carson Williams (2021, 1st round). In recent years numerous other Tampa Bay draft picks were on the top 100 list, including Josh Lowe (No. 73 in 2021, drafted in 2016 1st round), Greg Jones (No. 84 in 2021, drafted in 2019 1st round), and Brendan McKay (No. 12 in 2020, drafted in 1st round in 2017).
Prior to joining the Rays, Metzler interned for the Boston Red Sox, Baseball Info Solutions and the Brewster Whitecaps of the Cape Cod Baseball League. He also served as an assistant coach at Roger Williams University.
A native of West Hartford, Connecticut, Metzler earned a physics degree from Bowdoin College, where he also played baseball, and a master’s dual-degree from the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Rob and his wife, Lindsey, have one daughter, Jordan.
Detroit Red Wings adidas Reverse Retro 2022 Jersey Unveiled
October 19, 2022
adidas and the National Hockey League (NHL®) unveiled the newest adidas Reverse Retro 2022 jerseys for all 32 NHL® teams. Reverse Retro 2022 is the sequel to the disruptive uniform franchise that fuses the storied logos, colors and designs of all eras of NHL sweaters with a lifestyle and fashion-inspired energy to introduce 32 never-before-seen on-ice looks
Slated to be worn throughout the 2022-23 NHL® season, Reverse Retro jerseys remix nostalgic elements of each club’s past in combinations that honor history and tradition while delivering a new experience for fans.
The Detroit Red Wings adidas Reverse Retro 2022 jersey will be available for purchase in the Little Caesars Arena Team Store beginning November 15.
Honoring Detroit Tigers Legend Willie Horton
October 17, 2022
For the 19th consecutive year, the Detroit Tigers and the entire state of Michigan are celebrating “Willie Horton Day” on Tuesday, October 18, marking Horton’s 80th birthday and honoring the legend’s baseball career and lifelong commitment to community.
Horton, a hero in Detroit, is known for his strong values and generosity. His work with the Detroit Police Athletic League encouraged more kids from the city of Detroit to learn the game of baseball, with the organization doubling over the years.
The youngest of 21 children, Horton was born on October 18, 1942 in Arno, Virginia. At the age of nine, Horton’s family moved to Detroit. By 13, he was turning the heads of area baseball scouts and on August 6, 1961, he became a member of his hometown team when he signed his first professional contract with the Tigers after an outstanding career at Detroit’s Northwestern High School.
His 18-year big league career included 14 seasons with the Tigers and he was an important part of the 1968 World Championship team. A lifetime .273 hitter, Horton had 1,993 hits, 325 home runs and 1,163 RBI over 2,208 games.
On July 15, 2000, the Detroit Tigers retired Horton’s uniform number 23, and a statue in Horton’s likeness was unveiled in Comerica Park, where it stands today.
Detroit Red Wings, Tigers and Comerica Bank Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month Game Changers
October 12, 2022
The Detroit Red Wings and Detroit Tigers, in partnership with Comerica Bank, have continued the Game Changers program, celebrating individuals making a positive impact in the community by working to create an inclusive environment for all. In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, four local Game Changers were honored in a pre-game ceremony and received a $1,000 grant to donate to a charity of their choice.
The four Hispanic Heritage Month Game Changers are:
Return of Free and Family-Friendly Hockeytown Red Carpet Walk Highlights Red Wings Opening Night, Presented by Coca-Cola and Meijer
October 11, 2022
For the first time since 2019, the fan-favorite “Hockeytown Red Carpet Walk” will be hosted in Chevrolet Plaza outside Little Caesars Arena prior to Detroit Red Wings Opening Night, presented by Coca-Cola and Meijer, on Friday, Oct. 14 against the Montreal Canadiens. Puck drop is set for 7 p.m. The Red Wings today announced special events surrounding the home opener, in addition to new features at Little Caesars Arena for the 2022-23 season.
Red Wings fans have shown their excitement and anticipation for the upcoming campaign, with very few tickets remaining for Opening Night at DetroitRedWings.com/tickets. Detroit’s home schedule also features two home dates vs. the rival Toronto Maple Leafs, the annual Thanksgiving Eve and New Year’s Eve games, additional Original Six matchups against the Boston Bruins, Chicago Blackhawks, New York Rangers and much more.
“We’re looking forward to welcoming Red Wings fans back to Little Caesars Arena for what will be a memorable Opening Night,” said Chris McGowan, President and CEO of Ilitch Sports + Entertainment. “The Red Carpet Walk is a tremendous way to celebrate the start of the season, and we know our fans will create a great home-ice advantage for our new-look roster and coaching staff. We encourage everyone to arrive early to enjoy the atmosphere and the great activities we have planned, both inside and outside the arena.”
HOCKEYTOWN RED CARPET WALK, PRESENTED BY COCA-COLA AND MEIJER
The Hockeytown Red Carpet Walk, free and open to both ticketed and non-ticketed fans, will feature exciting opportunities to interact and engage with current and former Red Wings players. Gates will open to Chevrolet Plaza at 3 p.m., with players and alumni expected to walk the Red Carpet between 3:45 and 4:45 p.m.
The Red Carpet path will begin at the Little Caesars Arena Garage (165 Sproat St.), and pass through the plaza, where fans can greet attendees before they enter the arena. Many players will briefly sign autographs while walking the Red Carpet. Players and alumni will be escorted by youth participants of the Red Wings’ Learn, Play, Scoreprogram, of which more than 30,000 youth across the city of Detroit experience the game of hockey each year.
Additional activities for fans include a 360 degree “FanCam,” photo opportunities, face painting, balloon artists, airbrush tattoos, the Hockeytown Experience presented by Coca-Cola and much more. Live music will be performed by “Power Play Detroit,” and the Red Wings Drumline will make its season debut in Chevrolet Plaza. Coca-Cola will be serving free samples of its Dreamworld and Zero Sugar products.
Food and beverage specials will be available outside the venue, and all four Little Caesars Arena restaurants will be open to the public. Hockeytown Café will open at 4 p.m., and feature a DJ, outdoor games and fire pits. All floors will be open.
Red Wings TV personalities Daniella Bruce and Art Regner, radio play-by-play voice Ken Kal and select Red Wings Alumni will also preview the upcoming season with an interactive discussion in the plaza.
ARRIVE EARLY!
A special Opening Show will begin in the arena bowl at approximately 6:30 p.m., so ticketed fans are encouraged to be in their seats by 6:20 p.m. All 23 Red Wings players comprising the Opening Night roster will be introduced to the crowd, in addition to new Red Wings coach Derek Lalonde, his assistant coaches and the hockey operations support staff. An immersive lighting display will take place on the ice leading up to puck drop.
WHAT’S NEW AT LITTLE CAESARS ARENA?
The Red Wings enter their sixth season at Little Caesars Arena with exciting new offerings available to fans:
20 Weekday Start Times Moved to 7:00 p.m.
On Oct. 3, the Red Wings announced updated start times for 20 weekday home games that will now feature fan-friendly 7:00 p.m. puck drops. The Red Wings worked in conjunction with the National Hockey League and visiting teams to make the schedule adjustments, which can be seen in their entirety on the DetroitRedWings.com schedule page.
New Merchandise and Menu Items
In partnership with Delaware North, Ilitch Sports + Entertainment is proud to introduce several new Red Wings merchandise lines at the Team Store, including Greyson Clothiers, Levelwear, lululemon, Peter Millar, Tommy Bahama, TravisMathew, Verve Athleisure by Levelwear, vineyard vines and Wear by Erin Andrews. Items from Greyson Clothiers, Levelwear, Tommy Bahama, vineyard vines, Wear by Erin Andrews and Verve Athleisure by Levelwear will be introduced on Opening Night, while brands and additional arena exclusive merchandise will be unveiled throughout the upcoming season.
Mike’s Pizza Bar, The Mixing Board and PointsBet Sports Bar will launch all-new menus, while the UWM District Market has added a Wine Bar, with bottles available for purchase.
25th Anniversary Celebration Set for November 3 and November 5
Two of the most iconic teams in Red Wings history – the 1997 group that won the club’s first Stanley Cup in 42 years and the 1998 team that went back-to-back – will be welcomed back to Detroit for the 25th Anniversary Celebration on Nov. 3 against the Washington Capitals and Nov. 5 vs. the New York Islanders.
The 1997 team will be honored on Thursday, Nov. 3, while the 1998 Red Wings will be celebrated on Saturday, Nov. 5. For additional information and ticket information, fans can visit DetroitRedWings.com/Anniversary.
Dozens of former players, coaches and front office executives from the 1997 and 1998 championship teams are scheduled to be in attendance at Little Caesars Arena for the pregame ceremonies. The Stanley Cup will be available for photo opportunities on the Via concourse, and a replica ticket from the era will be provided to all fans. Exclusive celebration and replica Stanley Cup championship merchandise will also be sold in the Team Store.
Four Bobblehead Nights Scheduled
Four Bobblehead Nights will return to Little Caesars Arena, featuring reigning Calder Memorial Trophy winner Moritz Seider (Dec. 3 vs. Vegas Golden Knights), NHL Hall-of-Famer Nicklas Lidstrom (Jan. 21 vs. Philadelphia Flyers), 2021-22 NHL All-Rookie selection Lucas Raymond (Feb. 25 vs. Tampa Bay) and former Red Wings captain Henrik Zetterberg (March 18 vs. Colorado Avalanche).
Columbia Street Fall Fest, Presented by Michigan First Credit Union
For the next five weeks, the season of pumpkin-spice-everything comes alive in The District Detroit during “Columbia Street Fall Fest,” a free community event presented by Michigan First Credit Union that is an ideal spot to visit before or after a Red Wings game. Columbia Street restaurants, including the brand-new JoJo’s ShakeBAR, Union Assembly and Frita Batidos, will each offer seasonal menu specials.
On select dates throughout October and November, the festival will feature live music, hot chocolate and cider carts, a farm stand and interactive activities including a pumpkin painting station, inflatable axe throwing and bobbing for apples. Columbia Street is located in the heart of The District Detroit next to the historic Fox Theatre.
2022-23 Winged Wheel Nation Memberships Available
Winged Wheel Nation is the Detroit Red Wings Season Ticket Membership Program. Designed with your unique needs and interests in mind, Winged Wheel Nation membership offers unprecedented inside access, unforgettable experiences and exclusive benefits for the Red Wings’ most loyal fans on a year-round basis.
All members receive invitations to VIP events, flexible payment plans, a ticket exchange program and much more. You can choose from multiple membership types tailored to your schedule and fandom. Learn more about becoming a member by visiting DetroitRedWings.com/WingedWheelNation.
Fans interested in group ticket packages can visit the Group Tickets page on DetroitRedWings.com.
Columbia Street Fall Fest, Presented by Michigan First Credit Union, Brings an Urban Pumpkin Patch Experience to The District Detroit
October 11, 2022
Guests Can Enjoy Fall-Themed Activities, Photo Opportunities and Seasonal Food and Beverage From Restaurants Including JoJo’s ShakeBAR, Union Assembly and Frita Batidos Along Walkable Columbia Street
Fall is officially here, and along with cooler temperatures, endless opportunities exist for gathering with friends for food and fun! Beginning on October 6 for six weeks, the season of pumpkin-spice-everything comes alive in The District Detroit during Columbia Street Fall Fest, presented by Michigan First Credit Union. The festival will feature an urban pumpkin patch experience with fall décor, games and activities and mouth-watering food and beverage specials.
Columbia Street restaurants, including JoJo’s ShakeBAR, Union Assembly and Frita Batidos, will each offer seasonal menu specials throughout Fall Fest. JoJo’s, which opened to the public on September 24, is going all-in on fall with items such as the Pumpkin Patch Biggie Shake, apple pie slices, homemade taffy apples and specialty cocktails like the Caramel Apple Mule, Witches Brew, Pumpkin Spiked Latte and more.
Union Assembly, located at the corner of Columbia Street and Woodward Avenue, will be decked out in fall décor and offering a rotating list of Michigan-sourced ciders as well as hand-crafted fall cocktails. During Detroit Lions home games on Sundays, Union Assembly will be open from 10:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.
On select dates during Columbia Street Fall Fest, Sahara – which is slated to open later this year – will sell their signature beef and chicken shawarma sandwiches on pita bread.
Frita Batidos Detroit, known for Cuban-inspired street food, is adding specialty menu items including hot apple cider – with or without a splash of dark rum, autumn spiced mini churros, Mocha Cubano – with or without Spaulding coffee liquor and more.
“Columbia Street’s pedestrian-friendly brick walkway, festive lighting and welcoming ambience make it the perfect gathering place before or after a game, concert or show in the heart of The District Detroit,” said Keith Bradford, President of Olympia Development of Michigan and The District Detroit. “Together with our wonderful restaurant partners – JoJo’s ShakeBAR, Union Assembly and Frita Batidos Detroit – we’re transforming the area into an unforgettable Fall Fest experience for residents and visitors alike.”
Along the walkable Columbia Street, every step offers a seasonal photo opportunity. Hundreds of pumpkins will line the corridor, accented by hay bales, cornstalks, fresh flowers, towering windmills, life-sized animal statues, a massive hay couch, a wall of pumpkins and more.
“Michigan First Credit Union is proud to support the Columbia Street Fall Fest. It’s exciting to be part of such a fun, unique, and memorable experience during Detroit’s fall season,” said Jennifer Glenfield, Chief Marketing Officer at Michigan First Credit Union.
On select dates throughout the months of October and November, the Columbia Street Fall Fest will feature live music, hot chocolate and cider carts, a farm stand and interactive activities including a pumpkin painting station, inflatable axe throwing and bobbing for apples.
Columbia Street is located in The District Detroit next to the historic Fox Theatre and between Woodward Ave. and Park Ave. Dates, times and additional information will be updated here, and can also be found on the Facebook event page and at www.columbiastreetfallfest.com.
Red Wings Trim Roster to 23
October 9, 2022
The Detroit Red Wings today assigned forwards Kyle Criscuolo, Taro Hirose and Givani Smith, and goaltender Jussi Olkinuora to the American Hockey League’s Grand Rapids Griffins. Detroit has also placed forward Robby Fabbri on injured reserve and designated defensemen Seth Barton, Mark Pysyk and Jake Walman as injured non-roster. Additionally, the Red Wings released defenseman Jeremie Biakabutuka from his amateur tryout.
The roster moves bring the Red Wings to a 23-man roster, consisting of 14 forwards, seven defensemen and two goaltenders. The Red Wings will begin the 97th season in franchise history on Friday, Oct. 14 at 7:00 p.m. when they host the Montreal Canadiens at Little Caesars Arena.
A.J. Hinch to Serve as “2022 Korea Series” Manager
October 9, 2022
Major League Baseball announced today that Detroit Tigers Manager, A.J. Hinch will serve as the manager for the “2022 Korea Series,” in South Korea, part of MLB’s ongoing World Tour. The team will feature Major Leaguers and players of the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) from November 9-16. The event, which will mark the first time that Major League players have traveled to the country to play games since 1922, will be hosted in Busan at the Busan Sajik Baseball Stadium on November 11-12 and at Seoul’s Gocheok Sky Dome on November 14-15.
“I’m very excited to lead this group of Major Leaguers in the upcoming Korea Series,” said Tigers Manager, A.J. Hinch. “South Korea has a rich baseball tradition, and I’m looking forward to seeing our players matchup against some of the top talent from the KBO. I’m also honored to play a part in Major League Baseball’s continued focus on expanding our game’s international footprint, and know that our work in South Korea this fall will help spread the message that baseball is for everyone.”