The Colorado Avalanche get their 2026-27 season underway on Wednesday evening, when the Los Angeles Kings come to town. The two teams met in the Stanley Cup Playoffs last year, with Colorado winning the series in four games. One thing that those who haven’t ever been to a sports event should know is that a home arena/stadium is generally very loud.
The crowd is usually heavily tilted toward the home team. The home crowd comes with so much passion and hatred of their team’s opponent, which makes it a lot of fun. It is a very unique environment to be in.
On Wednesday, Avalanche center Nazem Kadri spoke with the media and mentioned Avs Faithful and how they will give off the energy needed to help keep the team engaged and focused on their task of defeating each of their opponents.
"It’s always fun to play at home in front of these fans. Ball Arena always brings such great energy and fans are certainly loyal. So, I always appreciate trying to come back and give them something to cheer about."Nazem Kadri on Avs fans
Kadri has faced the Avalanche a total of 21 times, including nine following his first departure after winning the Stanley Cup. So, it is safe to say that he knows better than a lot of players what it is like to show up to the game as an Avalanche player as well as for the opposing team. A lot of fan loyalty goes out the window once a player no longer wears the team’s uniform.
It’s one of those things that can’t be fully explained without actually experiencing it. In terms of the NHL, Ball Arena is below average in terms of seat capacity at 17,809. The numbers fluctuate up and down depending on the type of event is being held there.
Kadri got a firsthand look at what it is like to have Avs Faithful backing him and the team up. Colorado won the Stanley Cup in 2021-22 and the crowd was absolutely electric, along with the massive turnout at the parade that was held in Denver following the victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Additionally, the fact that is opening night makes things much more energized. Fans have been craving the hockey atmosphere for months. To finally get back to it is a surreal feeling for dedicated fans around, well, every sport—particularly hockey.
In terms of the postseason, everything gets turned up a notch—perhaps several notches. That includes the play of every team, as well as the intensity of the crowd noise. I have been to games at Empower Field (the home of the Broncos, which is just across the street from Ball Arena) and that stadium is extremely loud despite it being outdoors. I can only imagine the decibel level at Ball Arena, where it is an enclosed building, as are all arenas across the NHL.
The Kings are going to come into Ball Arena fuming due to their early departure in the hands of the Avalanche. Similar feelings will be on the other side, however, since Colorado was eliminated in the following round—the Western Conference Finals. Once the puck drops, it is all hockey from here on out.
Kadri and Co. would want it no other way.
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