#WestCoastPeachy #NHLPeachy HONDA CENTER KICKS OFF 2026-27 SEASON WITH EXCITING NHL SCHEDULE, HIGHLY ANTICIPATED CONCERTS, NEW FOOD & BEVERAGE, AND CONTINUED ARENA UPGRADES AHEAD OF OCVIBE OPENING SPRING 2027
Honda Center Encore continues its $1 billion transformation as Phase 1 of OCVIBE prepares to open with new dining, entertainment, and public spaces around Honda Center
As the Anaheim Ducks return to the ice for the 2026-27 NHL season which in the opinion of Whom You Know is the best thing to happen to the West Coast since Joel Quenneville became coach, Honda Center is welcoming guests with new food and beverage offerings, enhanced amenities, and continued arena upgrades designed to make every visit even better. Alongside a packed calendar of NHL games, concerts and family entertainment, work continues on the $1 billion Honda Center Encore transformation. And beginning in 2027, the opening of OCVIBE will extend that experience beyond the arena, introducing new places to dine, gather, and spend time before and after events, and creating more reasons to visit the area around Honda Center year-round.
OCVIBE South Plaza, Urban Park, and Honda Center
Honda Center and OCVIBE
The excitement begins on October 1 with the World's Collide Concert Tour, followed by Thomas Rhett on October 2 and Breaking Benjamin on October 3, leading into the Anaheim Ducks home opener against the Florida Panthers on October 4. The four-day stretch reflects the range of sports and entertainment experiences that will fill Honda Center throughout the 2026-27 season.
"We're entering this season with more momentum than ever, both inside Honda Center and across the broader OCVIBE district," said Bill Foltz, Chief Executive Officer of OCVIBE. "We continue to invest in Honda Center to elevate every part of the guest experience, while OCVIBE is creating new ways for fans to spend time here beyond an event. Together, these investments are creating a destination unlike anything in Orange County."
Honda Center Encore Continues to Transform the Arena
The new season comes as progress continues on Honda Center Encore, a $1 billion privately funded transformation of the city-owned arena designed to elevate the guest experience while Honda Center remains open for games, concerts, and other events.
The multi-year project is bringing new premium spaces, upgraded guest amenities, enhanced food and beverage offerings, and arena-wide improvements, with construction continuing through 2027.
Among the new and enhanced experiences being introduced as part of Honda Center Encore are:
Splitero Club
The new Splitero Club gives guests another premium way to experience events at Honda Center. Located on the Columbia Bank Club Level, the club features private booths, loge seats, dining tables, a full-service bar, buffet, and lounge areas.
"Honda Center is investing in the guest experience at a remarkable scale, and we're proud that the new Splitero Club is part of it," said Michael Gifford, CEO and Co-Founder of Splitero. "Members of the Splitero Club will enjoy a premium experience, and we can't wait to share the space with the incredible Orange County community."
The club also provides premium parking and direct access from the new River Garage, creating a more seamless experience from arrival through the event.
Splitero Club offers unparalleled views for all ticketed events at Honda Center and is the first in arena history to offer concert views from within a club, giving its members the opportunity to enjoy live performances from the comfort of the premium space.
Renovated Restrooms and Guest Amenities
Honda Center Encore continues to bring exciting guest-forward improvements to some of the most frequently used spaces throughout Honda Center. Newly renovated restrooms feature updated finishes and Kimberly-Clark products, while continued improvements throughout the arena are designed to make the guest experience more comfortable and convenient.
"Kimberly-Clark Professional is excited to partner with Honda Center to elevate the fan experience through a shared focus on sustainability and care," said Laura Hibbard, Kimberly-Clark Professional District Manager. "From puck drop to the final encore, we're proud to support a cleaner, more responsible arena environment that reflects Honda Center's commitment to their guests and community. Together, we're creating a positive impact that extends far beyond the stage, because better care leads to a better world."
Honda Center's First Aid location has found a new home this season just outside of Section 202. In partnership with UCI Health, Honda Center's First Aid offers guests medical services, including an on-site doctor, EMTs, complimentary feminine products, wheelchair assistance, and a family restroom.
Additional enhancements are being introduced throughout premium areas, concourses, and guest spaces as the transformation continues.
"Honda Center Encore is transforming the way guests experience the arena, and we're excited to see more of that vision come to life this season," said Kevin Starkey, Chief Venue Operations Officer, OCVIBE. "From new premium spaces and renovated amenities to improvements throughout the building, every part is designed with the guest in mind. We're continuing this work while hosting a full schedule of events, and that takes an incredible amount of coordination across our teams. Our goal here is to make sure guests continue to have a great experience every time they visit Honda Center, even as we build what's next."
Construction on the new South Entrance is also progressing, with the structure now taking shape on the south side of Honda Center. The east and west elevator towers have reached full height, and steel construction is advancing on the center tower and atrium. Guests can now see the scale of the new five-story entrance coming to life as part of Honda Center Encore.
The continued investment in Honda Center is designed to enhance the experience from the moment guests arrive through the final moments of an event, while positioning the venue for the next generation of sports and entertainment in Southern California.
New Food & Beverage Experiences
As guests return to Honda Center this season, they will encounter new food and beverage offerings, amenities, and enhancements designed to make every part of the event experience more convenient and engaging.
Executive Chef Cesar Regalado and the in-house culinary team are excited to showcase new menu items and returning fan favorites. New menu highlights include the Schiacciata Sweet Sandwich with Nutella and fresh fruit, Buñuelos topped with cajeta caramel and Abuelita hot chocolate ganache, Chicken Tender Tacos, a Mediterranean Bowl with grilled chicken and turmeric rice, The Golden Dog, an elevated twist on the classic hot dog, Pork & Roll with pulled pork and beer cheese, Fish & Chips, the shareable Fun Bucket with fried chicken and sides, and the Griddle Double Stacker with maple bacon jam and garlic aioli. Developed by Executive Chef Cesar Regalado and the Honda Center culinary team, the new offerings bring greater variety and creativity to the arena's food program this season.
Additional new menu items include a Classic Italian Sandwich, Burritos, Protein Bowl, Orange Lasagna, Shrimp and Chips, Gumbo, Beignets, Loaded Pretzels, and more.
"Food and beverage is an important part of the overall experience at Honda Center, and we're always looking for new ways to surprise and delight our guests," said Anthony Olheiser, Senior Vice President, Hospitality. "This season, our culinary team is introducing creative new dishes alongside returning favorites, while our beverage program continues to evolve with new brands, technology, and ways to enjoy a drink throughout the arena. From our concessions to our bars and outdoor spaces, we want guests to have more choices and more reasons to explore everything Honda Center has to offer."
The expanded menu is complemented by new beverage offerings from Honda Center's growing lineup. Guests can now enjoy Coors Banquet, Coors Light and Coors 0.0 from Molson Coors, Modelo and Pacifico from Constellation Brands. Draft Picks, recently awarded the 2026 Excellence in Concessions Award for Best New Technology by Pollstar, will be serving up new brews this season.
The automatic self-serving beer stands, Blue Moon Draft Picks, located at Section 424, will serve Coors Lights, Coors Banquet, Blue Moon, Blue Moon Mango Wheat, and more. Opening later in the season, Modelo Puck Draft Picks at Section 210 will offer Modelo, Modelo Negra, Modelo Oro, Modelo Chelada, and non-alcoholic Modelo Salt and Lime Chelada, plus assorted hot foods, snacks, wine by the bottle, and more.
The Tito's Handmade Vodka space at Section 415 offers cocktails, mocktails, and beer and wine. The bar will also serve Tito's handcrafted cocktails, including Lemon Puck Drop with Tito's Handmade Vodka, lemon juice, simple syrup, triple sec, and Sprite in a souvenir cup, and the Penalty Punch with Tito's Handmade Vodka, pineapple juice, orange juice, cranberry juice, and grenadine in a souvenir cup.
A returning fan favorite is Modelo Puck Drop Patio, offering ticket holders a way to enjoy the Southern California weather, shop the latest Ducks merchandise, and special offers like $5 12oz Modelo, Modelo Negra, and Modelo Oro from opening until puck drop.
Additional spaces will debut later this season, including the Coors Light Cold Zone and Jack Daniel's Backstage Bar, giving guests even more new experiences to discover throughout the season.
A Full Season of Sports, Music, and Entertainment
The 2026-27 season brings an expanded mix of sports, music, family entertainment, and new guest experiences to Honda Center. While the Anaheim Ducks remain at the center of the calendar, the venue continues to evolve as a place where guests can come for a game, concert, or special event and find more ways to enjoy their time before, during, and after each experience.
The season will also bring unique moments that connect Honda Center's past and future. On December 2, the Jonas Brothers for their Burning Up Tour All Over Again, revisiting the setlists, staging, and signature moments of the group's original 2008 Burning Up Tour, which made a stop at Honda Center and was filmed for Jonas Brothers: The 3D Concert Experience. Three days later, UCLA men's basketball will take on Gonzaga in the West Coast Hoops Showdown, bringing two nationally recognized college basketball programs to Anaheim. Together with a full calendar of concerts, Ducks hockey and family entertainment, the season offers the community a broad mix of experiences throughout the year.
Honda Center is proud to bring an incredible range of sports and entertainment to Orange County, from Anaheim Ducks hockey and major concert tours to family shows and special events," said Eric Bresler, Senior Vice President of Entertainment. "This season's calendar reflects the breadth of experiences we can offer right here in Anaheim, giving guests more opportunities to see their favorite artists, discover something new, and create memorable experiences close to home. We're continuing to build on that momentum, with more events and experiences to come throughout the season."
Click here to view the full Honda Center event schedule.
OCVIBE Takes Shape Around Honda Center
Honda Center's transformation is taking place alongside the construction of OCVIBE, a privately funded 100-acre mixed-use district being developed by the Samueli family around Honda Center.
Phase 1 of the OCVIBE district will begin opening in early 2027, adding new dining, entertainment, public spaces and art around Honda Center. In March, the new 5,000-capacity Concert Hall will open, making it the first venue of its size in Orange County. Katella Commons, a 50,000-square-foot, two-story market hall, will showcase 21 chef-driven kitchens and six integrated bars and lounges. This phase will also include new outdoor gathering spaces and Urban Park, featuring a media screen wider than a Boeing 737's wingspan, measuring 36 feet high by 126 feet wide, with 8-millimeter pixel spacing, in partnership with Daktronics. The Weave, the county's first mass-timber office building in a mixed-use development, will also open in 2027, with KILN as the first announced company to join the building and bring its coworking concept to the space.
Later in 2027, internationally acclaimed chef Roy Choi will bring his celebrated restaurant concept, Best Friend, to OCVIBE. The restaurant will join OCVIBE's growing collection of chef-driven dining experiences, which includes Orange County favorite Osen Urban Table, giving guests even more places to dine and gather as the district continues to take shape. OCVIBE will continue to take shape throughout 2027, with additional dining, entertainment, office, hotels, hospitality, and public spaces opening in phases.
Together, Honda Center and OCVIBE are creating more opportunities for guests to make a day, evening, or entire visit to Anaheim into an experience, with something new to discover throughout the year.
About Honda Center
Located in the heart of Orange County, Honda Center has been a premier entertainment and sports venue since 1993. Home to the 2007 Stanley Cup champion Anaheim Ducks, the arena hosts sold-out concerts, family shows, and major sporting events. With over 4,700 events and 46 million guests over three decades, Honda Center remains a cornerstone of live entertainment in Southern California. Currently underway, Honda Center Encore is a $1 billion transformation project slated for completion by the end of 2027, designed to elevate the guest experience with new parking garages, upgraded premium amenities, reimagined suites, state-of-the-art food and beverage offerings, and more. The arena also anchors OCVIBE, a 100-acre immersive district built to bring people together through shared experiences.
About OCVIBE
OCVIBE is a new district currently under construction in the heart of Orange County, California. Privately funded with a $5 billion commitment by the Samueli Family, OCVIBE will turn 100 acres of Anaheim into an easily accessible, walkable community and transform the area surrounding the Honda Center into a vibrant, year-round destination. The first phase of OCVIBE will open to the public in early 2027 with Katella Commons – a food-driven market hall, public plaza, concert hall, and new office space at The Weave – the county's first mass timber office building in a mixed-use development. Once fully complete in 2033, the new community will bring 20 acres of open space to Southern California, along with three miles of connected walking trails, more than 2,000 residences, 35+ new dining experiences, and three state-of-the-art entertainment venues. The development of OCVIBE is one of the largest private investments ever made in Southern California and promises to bring unparalleled experiences and amenities to its visitors and residents.
Read more...
