COLUMBUS, Ohio – Columbus officials are hoping hockey fans aren’t the only ones getting a boost from the 2015 NHL All-Star weekend.
An estimated 140,000 people including up to 10,000 out-of-towners are expected to take part in several events, including games, entertainment, skill competitions and a Fan Fair, in the Arena District this weekend.
Columbus Blue Jackets All-Star Winter Park presented by Worthington Industries, located at McFerson Commons across the street from Nationwide Arena, will be open 10 a.m.-10 p.m Thurs-Sun and 10 a.m.-11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.
The Honda NHL All-Star Game is scheduled for 5:00 p.m. on Sunday.
The All-Star Skills Competition: Saturday, Jan. 24 at 7:00 p.m. live on NBCSN in the U.S. Each captain will lead the team selection process to determine which players will participate in the six Honda All-Star Skills Competition events:
Bridgestone NHL Fastest Skater™
Honda NHL Breakaway Challenge™
DraftKings NHL Accuracy Shooting™
Gatorade NHL Skills Challenge Relay™
AMP NHL Hardest Shot™
Discover NHL Shootout™
The Columbus Dispatch reports Wednesday visitors are expected to spend about $12 million during the event. Columbus is the first city to aim for a Super Bowl type experience, according to Bruce Wimbish, spokesman for the Greater Columbus Sports Commission.
Columbus economist Howard Fleeter says the expected media exposure is a big payoff by putting Columbus on the radar of people who didn’t have it there before.
Columbus is also one of three finalists for the 2016 Democratic national convention.
Fans and visitors can take COTA’s free downtown circulator, CBUS, to the Brewery District, Downtown, the Arena District and the Short North throughout All-Star Weekend, as well as use the CBUS to get to the game on Sunday, and back to their cars and hotels afterward. The CBUS service will be extended until midnight Sunday.
Street closings for NHL All-Star Weekend
John H. McConnell Boulevard will be closed between New Public Lane and West Spring Street through Sunday, February 1
W. Nationwide Boulevard will be reduced to one lane in each direction between West Street and Marconi Boulevard through Saturday
West Street will be closed between W. Nationwide Boulevard and Marconi Boulevard from Thursday morning through 5:00 a.m., Monday
W. Nationwide Boulevard will be closed between John H. McConnell Boulevard and North Front Street from Saturday morning at 6:00 a.m. through Monday morning at 5:00 a.m.
Rolling Closures: Brief rolling closures will be in place for the NHL All-Star 5K Run on Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to about 11:00 a.m. The route includes High Street between Nationwide Boulevard and Mound Street. Click here for a complete course map.