Ready for the return of action on the ice? The Toledo Walleye just celebrated opening weekend kicking off their 11th season at the Huntington Center. Last season the Walleye ended as Western Conference Champs with record-breaking sell outs of almost every home game. This season, the Walleye are off to a strong start with awesome theme nights and sold-out games in store. Fins up and get ready to party! 

Fun for the Whole Family

Hockey and families are synonymous, and that’s why the Toledo Walleye plan so many cool activities for the kiddos. The Teddy Bear Toss on Dec. 7 encourages fans to bring a teddy bear to toss on the ice after the Walleye score their first goal. All teddy bears collected will be donated to local children’s charities just in time for the holidays. And the Walleye have paired up with Love Your Melon for two special nights: Dec. 27 and Dec. 29 and is dedicated to providing a hat to every child in America that is battling pediatric cancer. Fifty percent of net profit from all Love Your Melon products is given to support their nonprofit partners in the fight against pediatric cancer.

Back by popular demand, Marvel Super Hero Night happens Jan. 10 & Jan. 11, 2020 with the players sporting specialty Black Panther jerseys while fans enjoy movie clips, sound bites, music and contests throughout the game!

Make sure to swing by The Swamp Shop to pick out your new Walleye gear, and after the game, there are plenty of downtown hot spots for food, drink and live music to keep the party going well into the night. Check the website for all the themed Walleye events happening throughout the season.

Great Night Out

The wide appeal of attending a Toledo Walleye game is that you don’t have to be a die-hard Walleye fan – or even hockey fan - to have a great time. There is an unspoken energy from the fans giving it a concert-like feel that sets the mood for a good time.

Check out The Blarney Irish Pub with live music every Thursday-Saturday (locals recommend checking out Tóraígh An Sonas, the first Saturday of each month for traditional Irish music). A few more choices for live local music include Ye Olde Cock ‘n Bull with a great selection of rare and seasonal beers, Table Forty4, a fan favorite with great specials and Ye Olde Durty Bird, downtown Toledo’s “Gastropub” with heated outdoor seating, just to name a few. The best part is that they are all part of DORA, Toledo’s Downtown Outdoor Refreshment Area, allowing guests to grab their drink of choice in a special to-go-cup and hit the streets. Plan which spots you'll hit before or after the game by checking out our Nightlife page.

A Walleye game is perfect for a guys’ or girls’ night out, family get-togethers or a class reunion. And with the nightlife line-up after the game, there’s plenty of reasons to make it an overnight occasion. Stay at the stylish, new Renaissance Toledo Downtown Hotel and check out their awesome roof top bar, The Heights, before hopping on the complimentary shuttle to the game. Or stay at the Park Inn by Radisson, Toledo’s official hotel to the Toledo Walleye that is conveniently connected to the Huntington Center. Make sure to check for special Walleye hotel rates before booking your room.

Trivia Corner: What’s with the Walleye? 

Also known as a yellow pike, walleye are native to northern United States and Canada. The annual walleye run begins early spring when thousands of visitors flock to Toledo, pull on their waders and head into the icy Maumee River to fish for the spawning walleye. Popular for their mild, slightly sweet taste, they can generate up to $18 per pound!