My visit to Honda Center was one that had been on my list for a long time. Southern California has a way of pulling you toward the beach and the theme parks, but this trip was about checking another NHL arena off the board. I was in Anaheim for a conference that was 2 miles from the venue, so I decided to check the schedule and saw there was a game schedule for that day. I went to Gametime and purchased a ticket and that’s where this story begins.
This particular visit was for an early-season matchup between the Edmonton Oilers and the Anaheim Ducks on Wednesday, October 7, 2026. It was the first time these two teams had met since the Ducks knocked the Oilers out of the first round of last season’s playoffs, so there was a little extra edge in the building before the puck even dropped.
Here are my thoughts on Honda Center.
Pros
When walking up to Honda Center, the first thing you notice is that the area around the arena is changing fast. Honda Center opened in 1993 and is now the centerpiece of OCVIBE, a $4 billion district of restaurants, shops, apartments and entertainment being built on roughly 100 acres around the building. It sits right next to Angel Stadium and the ARTIC transit center, so getting there without a car is a real option. I took an Uber from hotel that was nearby and it cost less and $20.
The arena itself is in the middle of a $1.1 billion renovation called Honda Center Encore, and the building stays open while the work goes on. The new parking garages add more than 6,000 spaces, and a members-only club on the third level opened just days before the Ducks’ home opener. It was interesting to see a venue mid-transformation, and it makes me want to come back once everything is finished ahead of the 2028 Olympics, when Honda Center will host volleyball.
Upon entering, the concourse is actively under construction so the walkway is not the smoothest but that is understandable based on what is going on. I tried a burger combo with a beverage, and the prices are typical stadium prices with the California bump.
The crowd of 17,174 came in ready after last spring’s playoff series, and the first period gave them everything they wanted. The Ducks jumped out to a 2-0 lead, with Leo Carlsson scoring one of the goals, and the building was rocking. Then the second period happened. Edmonton answered with five straight goals in that period alone, and the Oilers walked away with a 5-2 win. Even as a neutral fan, watching Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl take over a game in person is something every hockey fan should experience at least once.
Cons
Honestly, there were not many negatives from my experience at Honda Center. If I had to choose something to point out, it would be the construction. With the renovation happening while the arena stays open, some entrances and walkways were rerouted or blocked off, which took a little extra time to figure out. This isn’t really a negative since it is all leading to a better building, but first-time visitors should give themselves extra time to get in.
The other thing I would point out has nothing to do with the arena. After the Ducks built that 2-0 lead, the second period took all the air out of the building, and a lot of fans [headed for the exits early]. That is the home crowd’s right after a tough period, but it changed the atmosphere for the third.
Overall Game Day Experience
I would give Honda Center an 8 out of 10. It is a well-run arena with a passionate fan base, and the OCVIBE district growing around it is going to make the whole game day experience even better over the next couple of years. The ticket prices for this game were very reasonable, with seats in the upper Terrace Level available in the $40 to $50 range, so it is definitely family friendly.
If you find yourself in Southern California between October and April, skip one day at the theme parks and make a trip to Anaheim to watch the Ducks. I will definitely be back once Honda Center Encore is finished to see what the new building has to offer.
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