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Crowd RitualIconic
Replica Civil War Cannon
Following every Blue Jackets goal and at the start of each home game, a full-size replica Civil War cannon is fired inside Nationwide Arena, one of the loudest celebrations in the NHL.
7.8Passport Score
2000Opened
18,500Capacity
IndoorRoof
Artificial IceSurface
2Check-ins
The basics
About Nationwide Arena
Downtown Columbus arena serving NHL hockey and entertainment events.
- Type
- arena
- Sports
- Hockey
- League
- NHL
- Nicknames
- NWA, The Cannon
- Location
- Columbus, OH
- Time zone
- America/New York
- Status
- active
Rated by fans
How fans rate it
7.8Passport Score
2 fan ratings · 2 check-ins
Atmosphere7.5
Attractions7.2
Access8.5
Concessions7.2
Neighborhood8.2
Facility8.3
Don’t miss
Landmarks, traditions & experiences
🎵
Goal SongIconic
"The Whip" Goal Celebration
After every Jackets goal, "The Whip" by Locksley plays while fans clap and dance along with the song's signature rhythm.
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Pregame RitualIconic
Union Soldier March
Prior to puck drop, a Civil War-era Union soldier skates onto the ice carrying the team flag before the ceremonial cannon blast.
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Crowd ChantIconic
"C-B-J!" Chant
Fans chant "C-B-J!" instead of the full team name, creating one of the NHL's most recognizable abbreviated chants.
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Historic displayIconic
2019 Tampa Bay Sweep Exhibit
2019 Tampa Bay sweep exhibit — the historic first-round upset of the Presidents' Trophy winners.
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Historic displayIconic
Blue Jackets Heritage
Blue Jackets heritage — The Cannon, Union Blue, and Fifth Line culture in Columbus.
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Historic displayIconic
Blue Jackets vs Penguins Rivalry
Blue Jackets vs Penguins rivalry — Metro Division battles and the 2019 sweep.
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Historic displayIconic
Cam Atkinson Legacy
Cam Atkinson — franchise goals leader and beloved Fifth Line winger.
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Historic displayIconic
Columbus Hockey History
Columbus hockey history — from expansion franchise to Ohio's hockey capital.
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Historic displayIconic
First Playoff Series Win Exhibit
First playoff series win exhibit — the milestone that changed Columbus hockey forever.
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Historic displayIconic
Franchise Timeline
Complete franchise timeline from NHL expansion to the Arena District and Fifth Line pride.
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Historic displayIconic
Greatest Blue Jackets Moments
The greatest moments in Blue Jackets history — from the Tampa sweep to Cannon celebrations.
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Historic displayIconic
Johnny Gaudreau Legacy
Johnny Gaudreau — Johnny Hockey and his lasting impact on Columbus hockey.
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Historic displayIconic
Nationwide Arena History
Nationwide Arena history — downtown Columbus landmark and home of Fifth Line hockey.
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Historic displayIconic
NHL Expansion History
NHL expansion history — Columbus joins the league in 2000 and builds Fifth Line culture.
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Historic displayIconic
Nick Foligno Legacy
Nick Foligno — longtime captain and heart of the Blue Jackets locker room.
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Historic displayIconic
Playoff History
Blue Jackets playoff history — Bobrovsky, the Tampa sweep, and Fifth Line April nights.
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Historic displayIconic
Rick Nash Legacy
Rick Nash — franchise icon and the face of early Blue Jackets hockey in Columbus.
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Historic displayIconic
Sergei Bobrovsky Legacy
Sergei Bobrovsky — Vezina Trophy winner and the backbone of the historic 2019 playoff run.
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Goal CelebrationIconic
Cannon Celebrations
Cannon celebrations — smoke, sound, and Fifth Line eruption after every CBJ goal.
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Historic displayIconic
2019 Tampa Sweep Exhibit
Visit the 2019 Tampa sweep exhibit — the historic first-round upset of the Presidents' Trophy winners.
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Entertainment DistrictIconic
Arena District
Explore the Arena District before the game — Nationwide Blvd and gameday energy in downtown Columbus.
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Victory CelebrationIconic
Blue Jackets Victory Celebration
Stay through a Blue Jackets victory celebration — C-B-J! at full voice after the final horn.
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Rivalry GameIconic
Blue Jackets vs Penguins
Metro rivalry intensity when Pittsburgh visits Nationwide Arena.
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Rivalry GameIconic
Blue Jackets vs Rangers
Original Six atmosphere when New York visits Nationwide Arena.
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Rivalry GameIconic
Blue Jackets vs Red Wings
Midwest rivalry when Detroit visits Nationwide Arena.
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Goal CelebrationIconic
Cannon Fire
Hear The Cannon fire — one of hockey's loudest and most unique goal celebrations live.
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ConcertIconic
Concert at Nationwide Arena
Attend a concert at Nationwide Arena — the Arena District's premier entertainment venue.
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Entertainment DistrictIconic
Downtown Columbus
Explore downtown Columbus — Arena District energy and Ohio's hockey capital on gameday.
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Special EventIconic
Johnny Gaudreau Tribute Event
Attend a Johnny Gaudreau tribute event — honoring Johnny Hockey in Columbus.
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Special EventIconic
Military Appreciation Night
Experience military appreciation night — honoring service members at Nationwide Arena.
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Special EventIconic
Nationwide Arena
Your first time walking into Nationwide Arena — The Cannon, Union Blue, and Fifth Line pride.
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TourIconic
Nationwide Arena Tour
Behind-the-scenes Nationwide Arena tour — Hall of Fame, suites, and ice.
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Special EventIconic
Ohio Hockey Culture
Experience Ohio hockey culture — Fifth Line pride and statewide passion on gameday.
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Goal CelebrationIconic
One of Hockey's Loudest Goal Celebrations
Experience one of hockey's loudest goal celebrations — The Cannon firing live in Columbus.
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Special EventIconic
Outdoor Game
Attend an outdoor game — Blue Jackets hockey under the open sky in Ohio.
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Special EventIconic
Rick Nash Tribute Night
Attend a Rick Nash tribute night — honoring the franchise icon at Nationwide Arena.
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Special EventIconic
Union Blue Pride
Experience Union Blue pride — Civil War colors and Columbus identity on gameday.
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Historic displayIconic
Boone Jenner Legacy
Boone Jenner — captain and physical leader of the modern Blue Jackets era.
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Historic displayIconic
Growth of Hockey in Ohio
Growth of hockey in Ohio — youth programs and statewide passion sparked by the Blue Jackets.
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Historic displayIconic
Ohio Hockey Legacy
Ohio hockey legacy — statewide growth driven by the Blue Jackets in Columbus.
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Live PerformanceIconic
Blue Jackets Ice Crew
Blue Jackets Ice Crew performances energizing the crowd between periods.
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Special EventIconic
Arena District Events
Arena District events — pregame energy across Nationwide Blvd before CBJ hockey.
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Special EventIconic
Pregame Fan Festivals
Pregame fan festivals on the plaza before Blue Jackets hockey.
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Special EventIconic
Community Nights
Community nights celebrating Columbus and Ohio hockey culture.
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Architecture
Cannon Plaza
The entrance areas create fan gathering spaces.
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Architecture
First NHL Arena with Ice Plant
A facility built specifically for professional hockey.
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Architecture
Union Station Connection
The arena incorporates historic Columbus architecture.
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History
2019 Playoff Upset
Celebrates the series victory over Tampa Bay.
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History
Blue Jackets Legends
Honors franchise icons.
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History
Cannon
Showcases the team's unique branding.
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History
Columbus Blue Jackets Retired Numbers
Honors franchise legends.
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History
Rick Nash
Celebrates the franchise scoring leader.
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History
Sergei Bobrovsky
Honors the Vezina Trophy winner.
⭐
Experience
5th Line
The passionate Columbus fan identity.
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Experience
Blue Jackets Store
Official merchandise destination.
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Experience
Cannon Firing
The famous cannon celebration after goals.
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Experience
Columbus Blue Jackets Stadium Tours
Behind-the-scenes arena access.
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Experience
Columbus Hockey
Combines NHL hockey with Midwest city culture.
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Experience
Stinger
The mascot experience.
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Architecture
Civil War Cannon
The Civil War-style cannon fired after Blue Jackets goals — Columbus’s signature arena landmark.
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Displays
Blue Jackets Hall of Fame
Honors Blue Jackets players, coaches, and contributors since the 2000 expansion.
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Signature
Front Street Plaza
The Front Street plaza outside Nationwide Arena in the Arena District.
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Signature
Heritage Plaza
Plaza celebrating Blue Jackets and Columbus hockey heritage.
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Displays
Team Legacy Wall
Wall displays tracing Blue Jackets history from expansion to the playoff years.
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Architecture
Cannon Photo Spot
Designated photo spot with the goal cannon — the image every first-time visitor takes.
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Displays
Hockey Heritage Displays
Displays on hockey in Columbus and the Blue Jackets’ Ohio roots.
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Displays
Union Soldier Theme
Civil War and Union soldier theme elements that give the Jackets their name and look.
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Special Event
Theme Nights
Special theme nights throughout the Blue Jackets season at Nationwide Arena.
Through the years
History
Names
- 2000-presentNationwide Arena
Home teams
- 2000-presentColumbus Blue JacketsNHL
Getting there
Plan your visit
Game Day in the app
Live crowd-updated map with parking prices, gates, bars and restrooms, plus bag policy and tailgate planning.
Get the appIn their words
Fan reviews
7.72026-07 · sports
Rating only
Been to Nationwide Arena?
Check in, add it to your passport, and keep the memory with photos, your ticket stub and your rating.