What’s on your Saddledome bucket list?

Gang, in two more seasons, the Scotiabank Saddledome will be closing its doors forever.

After 83 more Calgary Flames regular season games – and however many Stanley Cup playoff games that follow – the Flames will pack everything up and move 150 meters north to Scotia Place in time to start the 2027-28 NHL season.

And that means that, folks, we’ve got two years to get the most memories we can out of the ‘Dome. With that in mind, we’ve compiled a rundown of things that are on our bucket list for y’all.

Stuff to do

Check out the old Stampede posters on the walk from the Victoria Park C-Train station

One of the coolest things about the old BMO Centre/Stampede Corral set-up was the walk through the Plus-15 level past all the old Calgary Stampede event posters. The entire Plus-15 level was removed during the BMO Centre expansion, but a dozen old posters from different Stampedes were etched into the concrete on the sidewalk between the Victoria Park C-Train station and the Saddledome. If the weather’s good, take a bit of a stroll down memory lane.

Pre-game at Dutton’s

If you’ve never checked it out, Dutton’s is the bar that’s located on the west side of the Saddledome entrance between the two sets of stairs. It’s named after Hockey Hall of Famer Red Dutton, a local hockey legend who played for the Calgary Tigers when they went to the Stanley Cup Final in 1924 (and after retirement, his construction company built McMahon Stadium).

Anyway, Dutton’s rules. The only knock against it is there’s no windows so it feels a bit bunkery, but the food is good and the decor is very cozy and hockey-themed. The vibe is very much like your friend’s tricked-out basement bar, except the bar is in the Saddledome. Grab a bite and a beverage there before a game.

Watch warm-up along the glass

If you have small children that like hockey, this is virtually a must. The teams warm up roughly a half-hour before the advertised game start time – it’s around 6:30 for 7 p.m. starts, for example – and early-arriving fans can head down to watch warm-ups along the glass. Sometimes players toss pucks to fans. (Remember, if you’re an adult, try to give any pucks you catch to a kid.) It’s a fun time.

Watch a game in the press level

I grew up watching hockey games at the ‘Dome. I honestly believe there’s not a bad seat in the house. The atmosphere in the press level – the tippity-top of the building, behind the press box – is very unique and fun. Bonus points if you sit so high up in the press level that you can physically reach up and touch the Saddledome’s iconic roof.

Get a selfie with a mascot

The Flames have had Harvey the Hound as a mascot since 1984, when he became the first mascot in the NHL. Harvey rules. He was joined by Blasty, the Wranglers’ mascot, 2023. Blasty also rules. Harvey is at every Flames game. Blasty is at Flames games where the Flames wear their black third jersey, otherwise he’s at every Wranglers game.

Get a selfie with one, or both, of them.

Bonus points: do a tour of the ‘Dome in the summer

During the off-season, the Saddledome does tours. They’re done for this summer, but do your best to get into one during the 2026 off-season.

Games to experience

As loathe as we are to admit it, not every game is made equally…

The Battle of Alberta

The Flames host the Oilers twice at the ‘Dome in 2025-26 and twice more in 2026-27. The building is loud and full of energy for the Battle of Alberta, so try to experience at least one if you haven’t already.

The Canucks

It’s a bit of a shame that we don’t have a name for the rivalry between the Flames and Canucks, because the games are usually excellent. They may not have as bitter a rivalry as the Flames and Oilers… but it’s pretty close. The Flames host Vancouver once in 2025-26, and then twice more in 2026-27.

The Leafs or the Habs

These games aren’t quite as rowdy as the Oilers or Canucks visits, but there’s a pretty fun atmosphere when Toronto or Montreal visit. Each team visits once per season in each of the next two seasons.

The Teddy Bear Toss

Last but not least: the Calgary Hitmen host the annual Teddy Bear Toss in early December every year. You get to throw a stuff animal on the ice after the Hitmen score, and the animals go to kids. It rules.