Game Day: Avs Host the Flames on Halloween Night at Ball Arena

Your Halloween plans now have a hockey problem: the Avs host the Calgary Flames tonight, Saturday, October 31, at Ball Arena, puck drop at 8pm.

The late start means you can do a costume party first and still catch the whole thing. It's on ALT and SN if you're not going, per the NHL's On Tap notes. Our event page is here.

The matchup

Colorado comes in at 7-5-1, according to the NHL On Tap notes from Oct 31, 2026. ESPN had them 3rd in the Central as of 2026-10-31.

Calgary beat Seattle 6-2 on Friday, per the NHL recap. And here's the fun part for a spooky night: the Flames own the NHL's best Halloween record at 10-2 (.833), according to the same On Tap notes. Tonight's a chance for the Avs to dent that.

Both teams are a little banged up. The NHL status report says Avs defenseman Manson is out eight weeks with an ankle injury, and Flames goalie Devin Cooley is week to week.

Watching from a bar

Run For The Roses (1801 Blake St #10, LoDo) is the closest, 0.64 miles from the arena in a straight line. Our listing tags it as a sports bar, with bourbon and cocktails in the mix. It has 4.4 stars on Google from 330 reviews (as of 2026-05-02).

Bar 404 (404 North Broadway) is 2.1 miles out. Its listing calls it both a local sports bar and an independent music venue. It's a $ spot with 4.5 stars from 287 Google reviews (as of 2026-05-02).

Players Pub (8 S Broadway, Baker) is 2.49 miles away and tagged as a sports bar with local beer. It sits at 4.5 stars from 249 Google reviews (as of 2026-05-02). More options live in our bar directory.

Pregame near the venue

Tavernetta (1889 16th St Mall) is 0.43 miles from the arena. It's Italian, pasta and wine, priced $$$, with 4.6 stars from 2,511 Google reviews (as of 2026-05-02). Good if your group wants a real dinner before an 8pm puck drop.

My Brother's Bar (2376 15th St) is 0.53 miles away: a $ dive with burgers and cheap drinks, 4.5 stars from 2,965 Google reviews (as of 2026-05-02). It's cash only, so hit an ATM first.

Getting there and home

Ball Arena / Elitch Gardens Station at 1700 9th Street serves 3 rail lines and has no RTD parking, per RTD's station page. Check which line works for you on RTD's site before you head out.

There's also a bus stop next to the arena at 9th Street and Auraria Parkway with several routes, according to Ball Arena's transit page, which is a couple years old. Look up your route home before the third period so you're not doing it in a costume in the cold.