Oktoberfest comes to the Aud at Rangers’ Friday matchup
Posted Sep 30, 2026 04:39:31 PM.
The Kitchener Memorial Auditorium will be the centre of the Oktoberfest celebration on Friday night as the Kitchener Rangers welcome the visiting Saginaw Spirit for the team’s annual Oktoberfest game.
The Rangers have announced the details for the Bavarian-themed night of hockey on October 2, that will once again coincide with the Onkel Hans Food Drive and its “Stuff a Bus” project.
Oktoberfest at The Aud
Special guests Onkel Hans, Tante Frieda and members of the Kitchener-Waterloo Oktoberfest organization will be in attendance, and will participate in a ceremonial puck drop before the game.
Organizers say to expect Oktoberfest-themed entertainment, activations, games and prizes taking place alongside the Rangers and Spirit facing off on the ice. The Rangers’ release encourages fans to “break out their Oktoberfest gear, lederhosen, and dirndls” as part of the festive cheer of the event.
Though the design is not yet public, organizers say local print shop Civilian Screen Printing has created a special-edition Oktoberfest/Rangers T-shirt for the event. The team’s social media announcement says fans can win the shirt during the game, but that it can also be purchased at The Aud’s Rangers Authentics team store.
The Rangers’ urge those looking to take home a piece of Oktoberfest merchandise to arrive at the game early, as quantities are limited.
Onkel Hans Food Drive
In one of Oktoberfest’s many efforts to help support the community, Friday’s game will also see the first of two Onkel Hans Food Drive Stuff-a-bus events, where attendees bring non-perishable food items to donate to those in need.
Organizers say a GRT bus will be parked outside Entrance 13 near the Box Office entrance, at which fans can drop off their food donations. Donation collection boxes will also be located at each of The Aud’s other entrances.
“Every donation helps support individuals and families in our community,” says the team’s release. “Rangers Nation is encouraged to help us fill the bus on Friday night!”
Rangers at Oktoberfest
While the K-W Oktoberfest’s crossover with the Kitchener Rangers will only be coming to The Aud on Friday, the two organizations will be involved in festivities together throughout the entire Oktoberfest festival.
According to the Rangers’ release, team mascot ‘Tex’ will be appearing at the KIDtoberfest celebration at the Wilkommen Platz from October 9 to 11.
Then, Rangers players and staff members will take part in the K-W Oktoberfest Thanksgiving Day Parade on Monday, October 12. Alongside members of the Kitchener Rangers, the Memorial Cup trophy will be in attendance, flaunted by its most recent winners.
The K-W Oktoberfest Thanksgiving Day Parade will take to Weber Street in Kitchener at 9:30 a.m. on October 12.
The Kitchener Rangers enter Friday with a 3-2 record following a win at home vs. the Kingston Frontenacs on Sunday. The Rangers’ fourth home game of the 2026-27 will then be followed by the team travelling to Guelph to take on the 2027 Memorial Cup host Guelph Storm.
Tickets to all Kitchener Rangers home games can be found here.
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