Columbus Blue Jackets announce Hockey Is Back celebration ahead of 2026-27 home opener The Columbus Blue Jackets have unveiled a month-long slate of fan events, community initiatives, prizes and promotions for September, culminating in the 2026-27 home opener against the Buffalo Sabres on Oct. 1 at Nationwide Arena. The Columbus Blue Jackets are marking the start of the season buildup with a month of fan events, community initiatives, prizes, and promotions leading into Opening Night. The team announced the return of its annual Hockey Is Back celebration, presented by Ticketmaster, with activities scheduled throughout September ahead of the Blue Jackets 2026-27 home opener against the Buffalo Sabres on Thursday, Oct. 1 at Nationwide Arena. The campaign begins Sept. 1 with the installation of the ice at Nationwide Arena. As part of the For Each Other community focus, the Blue Jackets Foundation annual Golf Classic Silent Auction returns on Wednesday, Sept. 2.The auction opens at 9 a.m. and includes items and experiences such as a GM for a Day opportunity with Blue Jackets General Manager and President of Hockey Operations Don Waddell, player meet-and-greets, and a locker room lineup experience on game day. The auction is open to the public and runs through 4 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 8.The Blue Jackets also will partner with the American Red Cross for their annual blood drive at Nationwide Arena on Thursday, Sept. 10, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Activity Center. The team said donors throughout the region from September 1-30 will receive a special ticket offer for select Blue Jackets games and be entered into weekly prize drawings for exclusive CBJ prize packs.The team will partner with the Columbus Clippers on Friday, Sept. 4 at 7:05 p.m., featuring a pregame autograph session with CBJ players on the concourse, a ceremonial first pitch, CBJ-themed promotions, and an appearance by Stinger. The Clippers will wear specialty CBJ-Clippers jerseys that will be auctioned to benefit the Columbus Blue Jackets Foundation. The Blue Jackets also will host Open Practice, presented by OhioHealth, on Saturday, Sept. 19 at Nationwide Arena.Entry through the Front Street doors begins at 8:30 a.m., with players scheduled to take the ice at 9 a.m. and noon. Complimentary parking will be available on a first-come, first-served basis in the Arena Garage attached to Nationwide Arena. The first 1,000 fans will receive a commemorative Training Camp T-shirt, courtesy of OhioHealth, and coffee and donuts will be available for free until 10 a.m., complimentary of Tim Hortons.Concessions on the main concourse open at 10 a.m. with discount offerings available, and the Blue Line Team Store at Nationwide Arena will be open throughout the event. During Open Practice, the club will host two Get Out And Learn (GOAL) street hockey clinics on the main concourse at Section 115/116. The free 30-minute sessions begin at 10 a.m. and 10:45 a.m. and are open to first-time participants ages 5-12.Fans can also take part in weekly interactive games and entry opportunities now through Sept. 28 for the chance to win prizes and experiences, including an opportunity to walk the Blue Carpet alongside Blue Jackets players on Opening Night, presented by Nationwide. From Sept. 3-7, the team will run a Blue Jackets Labor Day Spin-to-Win promotion, where fans can spin a digital slot machine for chances at discounts and complimentary tickets to select games during the 2026-27 season.Beginning Sept. 1, The Monthly Buzz will release a new themed Stinger pin and matching puck on the first of each month throughout the season. Additional raffle opportunities will open at 9 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 19, and continue through the end of the second intermission of the Blue Jackets season opener on Thursday, Oct. 1.The winning ticket will be announced during the third period, with one winner taking home half the jackpot and the remaining proceeds benefiting the foundation and its community initiatives