Tothewest
Active Member
A '24 summer/fall start period would put completion in the Feb/Mar '27 territory. The ticketing/suites/operations nightmare of a midseason move, for what might be 1-2 months of play....cant see it happening. The islanders played 13 straight on road, moved in Nov. 19, much different story.The project on the city site now has a timeline stating design reveal and development permit application is targeted for Spring/Summer and construction start Summer/Fall. If the completion date is mid season they'll likely play on the road for the first few months before moving into the new arena like the Islanders did. Only if the completion is expected to be toward the end of the season will they likely stay in the Saddledome for the full season.
*One* team did. That was 25 years ago coming from 70 year old Maple Leaf Gardens. I cant think of a major league team in any sport that's done it since, for all the reasons i mentioned above. The ticketing fiasco alone is enough to avoid it.I think they’ll under promise with the hope to over deliver, but I also think they’ll want to move ASAP to maximize revenue. Other teams have moved mid-season (e.g., Leafs).
June/July '27, that's my prediction for first event.