Canes games bring massive economic boost to local shops in Raleigh

RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) — Thousands of people will hit the town tonight to watch the Hurricanes try to punch their ticket to the Stanley Cup Final for the first time in 20 years. The Canes are not the only ones feeling the fan love during this magical playoff run. 

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State economists said the Canes bring hundreds of millions of dollars in revenue to our local hotels, restaurants, and retail stores.

Restaurants at Smoky Hollow in Downtown Raleigh are gearing up for Friday night’s watch party. Most owners are expecting at least a 20% increase in revenue, and a turnout of almost 500 people.

“We also own the Shiny Diner near the Lenovo Center, and we definitely see a pop during game days before the puck drop or even after the game,” said James Park. 

James Park owns Tucker Street Dining at Smoky Hollow along North Harrington Street. He said his staff has spent almost a week preparing for this watch party. 

“It’s not every year that the Hurricanes make it to the finals this deep, but they’re pretty consistent in the playoffs. We really appreciating their success and because of them, we always win,” said Park 

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Visit Raleigh just released its first-quarter tourism report for 2026. It shows hotel stays are up from last year, totaling more than $10 million. The report also notes that in just three months, sporting events like Canes games brought in more than 136,000 visitors. 

Local restaurant owners said the city is on the cusp of a big year. 

“We opened in October, so we’re brand new here, and we had just missed the first summer, so we had a bit of a tough time getting started. This is helping people find and realize we’re here,” said Far Arbabi, owner of La Cucina Italiana. 

Both restaurant owners said they are extending their open hours for post-game celebrations or blues. 

“We love the Hurricanes as it is, but it actually has such a positive impact because it brings the community together, and we’ve been big advocates of bringing the community together,” said Arbabi. 

Owners also said they are already preparing for World Cup soccer that kicks off in the next couple weeks.

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