Ball Arena Adds Tempting Local Food Options and Some Very Meh $5 Deals

When fans flood into Ball Arena for the Colorado Avalanche home opener on Thursday, October 9, they’ll find a variety of new food options — though some are better than others. The changes result from a fan survey conducted last spring, which “revealed that quality was paramount, surpassing even price and value, which also rated as major concerns,” according to a press release.

The news that’s getting the most buzz is the addition of “Avs Faithful Pricing and Nuggets Nation Pricing.” Similar to the program launched at Empower Field in 2023, it includes hot dogs, a pretty small serving of French fries, soft pretzels, nachos with cheese, popcorn, chips, candy and an also quite small fountain soda, each for $5.

It’s definitely a step in the right direction for fans on a budget, but $10 for a hot dog and a drink still feels like a poor value when Costco is selling the same combo for $1.50.

The other issue: The cheap eats will only be available in three locations (sections 112, 319 and in Colorado Social on the Club Level), so you’re gonna have to plan ahead — and likely wait in a long line — to access them.

The price has also dropped from $14 to $10 for 20-ounce domestic drafts (Coors, Coors Light, Michelob Ultra and Avalanche Ale). It’s still more than you’d pay at a typical bar, but again, an improvement.

Six New Local Eateries at Ball Arena

The survey also revealed that fans “would prefer to order favorites from local restaurants,” and that “the most-requested type of cuisine was Mexican.”

Enter Mexico City Lounge, a family-owned restaurant that’s been a Ballpark staple for over 65 years. Famed for its fried tacos (some of the best tacos in town!), it’s one of six new vendors at Ball Arena that are part of its new Local Eats program.

Here are all the new local vendors, and where to find them:

• Big Belly Brothers BBQ: Sections 148 and 379
• Redeemer Pizza: Sections 126 and 342
• Nola Jane: Section 303
• Illegal Burger: Section 102
• Mexico City: Sections 118 and 330
• Jake’s Baby D’s: Section 134