Ultimate Checklist for Buying Edmonton Oilers Playoff Tickets

The roar of the crowd, the sea of orange and blue, the electric tension of a must-win game—there’s nothing quite like experiencing the Stanley Cup Playoffs live at Rogers Place. As the Edmonton Oilers gear up for another postseason run, the scramble for tickets is on. Whether you’re hoping to witness the magic of Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl on a power play or feel the building shake after a Stuart Skinner game-saving stop, getting your hands on those coveted seats requires a game plan.

This isn’t your average ticket purchase. Playoff hockey in Edmonton is an event, and demand skyrockets. This guide is your ultimate playbook. We’ll walk you through a practical, step-by-step checklist to navigate the ticket-buying frenzy, avoid common pitfalls, and secure your spot to cheer on the Oilers. By the end, you’ll be ready to act fast and smart, turning playoff dreams into reality.

What You'll Need Before You Start

Before the puck drops on the ticket sale, get your lineup ready. Having these items prepared is the difference between scoring a ticket and taking a penalty for delay of game.

A Budget: Playoff tickets are a premium product. Decide on your spending limit per ticket and in total, including all fees. Prices escalate with each round.
Multiple Devices & Browsers: Have your laptop, smartphone, and tablet ready. Log into ticket accounts on different web browsers (Chrome, Firefox, Safari).
Pre-Registered Accounts: Ensure you are signed up and logged into all necessary accounts well in advance. This includes:
Edmonton Oilers Account: Crucial for any presales.
Ticketmaster Account: The NHL’s primary ticket partner.
Your Preferred Payment Method: Have your credit card details saved and confirmed in these accounts.
Flexible Schedule: Know which potential game dates (e.g., "Round 1, Home Game 2") you can attend. The NHL releases specific dates close to the series start.
Patience and Speed: This process is a test of both. Be ready to refresh pages and make quick decisions.

Your Step-by-Step Ticket Buying Process

1. Confirm the Oilers Have Clinched a Spot

It sounds obvious, but start here. Officially, you can’t buy playoff tickets for a team that isn’t in the postseason. Monitor the NHL standings closely as the regular season winds down. The Oilers Insider site is a great resource for tracking their clinching scenarios and potential first-round matchups in the Western Conference. Once they’ve punched their ticket, the real work begins.

2. Sign Up for Official Presale Notifications

Your best chance at face-value tickets is through presales. Do not miss this step.
Oilers Newsletter: If you aren’t subscribed, do it now. The team sends presale codes and on-sale times directly to subscribers.
Follow Official Social Media: The Edmonton Oilers Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram accounts will announce presale details.
Check Your Email Religiously: Presale codes often come with a strict window of opportunity, sometimes for specific groups like season seat holders first, then general newsletter subscribers.

3. Research the Official Sale Date & Times

Mark your calendar. The National Hockey League and the Oilers will announce the public on-sale date and time (usually 10 AM MT). Be online at least 30 minutes before this time. Also note any presale times (e.g., "Oilers Insider Presale: Wednesday at 11 AM MT"). Treat each presale as a separate shot on goal.

4. Execute Your Purchase Strategy at On-Sale Time

This is game time. Follow this sequence:
10-15 Minutes Before: Open your devices and browsers. Navigate to the official Ticketmaster event page for the Oilers playoffs. You may see a "waiting room" page.
On the Hour: Refresh if needed. You will likely be placed in a digital queue. Do NOT refresh this page. Let it auto-refresh. Your place in line is random, not based on when you clicked "join."
Once Through the Queue: You’ll have a limited time to select tickets. The map will show limited availability. Filter by price or section quickly. Have 2-3 seating preferences in mind (e.g., "lower bowl corners, upper bowl center, or anything under $X").
Checkout FAST: Add tickets to your cart and proceed. Your tickets are typically held for 5-10 minutes. Confirm your price (including hefty fees), enter payment, and finalize. You’ll get a confirmation email—save it!

5. Explore Verified Resale Markets Immediately

If the official sale sells out in minutes (it will), don’t panic. Your next shift begins.
Go Straight to Verified Resale: On Ticketmaster, look for the "Verified Resale" tickets tab. These are the only secondary tickets guaranteed to be valid and will scan at the gate. Prices here are set by other fans and brokers and can be high but often fluctuate.
Monitor Prices: Check resale prices over the following days and weeks. Sometimes prices dip slightly if a series isn’t going as hoped or as the game day approaches (though this is risky for playoffs). Setting up price alerts can help.

6. Consider a Multi-Game Package or Contingency Tickets

Think outside the single-game box.
Strip Tickets: The Oilers may sell "playoff strips" for all potential home games in a round or throughout the entire run. This is a bigger upfront cost but guarantees you a seat for every game and can be cheaper per-game than the resale market.
"If Necessary" Games: For later rounds, you might see tickets for "Game 5" or "Game 7" with an asterisk. These are contingency games that only happen if the series goes that long. If it doesn’t, you get a full refund. They can be a cheaper, strategic gamble.

Pro Tips & Common Mistakes to Avoid

Pro Tips:
Think Beyond Round 1: While getting into the first round is exciting, consider buying tickets for a later round (like the Western Conference Final) during the public sale. They might be easier to get initially than the frenzy of Round 1.
Mobile is Key: Download the Ticketmaster and Oilers apps beforehand. Sometimes mobile queues move faster, and your mobile ticket is your entry to Rogers Place.
The Buddy System: Coordinate with friends. Have multiple people try in the queue using different accounts. The first one to get through buys for the group.
Beware of "Too Good to Be True" Deals: Outside of Ticketmaster Verified Resale, the risk of fraud is extremely high. Avoid unofficial resale sites, social media offers from strangers, and ticketless transactions.

Common Mistakes:
Refreshing the Queue: This is the cardinal sin. It will send you to the back of the line.
Being Too Picky: Hesitating on "perfect" seats means losing all seats. In the cart, they’re yours. Decide quickly.
Forgetting About Fees: A $250 ticket can easily become $320 at checkout. Budget for this.
* Waiting for a "Better Deal": For a marquee event like an Oilers playoff game, especially with Connor McDavid in the Hart Trophy conversation, prices rarely go down significantly. If you see a verified ticket at a price you can stomach, secure it.

Your Quick-Fire Checklist Summary

Run through this list to ensure you’re ready for face-off.

• Set a firm budget including all fees.


• Prepare devices & browsers and ensure all accounts are logged in (Oilers, Ticketmaster).


• Subscribe to the Oilers newsletter and follow social media for presale codes.


• Mark the official public and presale dates/times in your calendar.


• Be online early and enter the waiting room/queue.


• DO NOT REFRESH once in the queue.


• Have seating preferences ready and decide quickly during selection.


• Check out immediately once tickets are in your cart.


• Immediately check Verified Resale if the public sale sells out.


• Consider multi-game strips or contingency tickets as an alternative strategy.


• Only buy from official or verified resale channels to guarantee entry.

With this checklist, you’re not just hoping for tickets—you’re executing a plan. The energy of a playoff game at the Oilers arena is a core part of the team’s storied legacy, a tradition that connects the current runs led by head coach Kris Knoblauch to the glory days of the past. For a deeper dive into that history, from the 80s dynasties to the modern era, explore our Oilers Playoff Runs History. And remember, securing your ticket is just the first step—you’ll need to decide on your own playoff beard superstitions to help will the team to victory. If you need a reminder of what Captain Connor is capable of when the lights are brightest, just look back at the case study of his 2022 playoff performance. Now get set, and good luck! Your playoff moment awaits.