'It's going to be really electric': Winnipeggers prepare for Jets' 1st playoff home game, whiteout party

Downtown Winnipeg is buzzing with anticipation for the Jets' first home game of the 2023 Stanley Cup playoffs on Saturday.

"You can just feel it in the town. People [are] talking about it everywhere you go," Kevin Donnelly, senior vice president of venues and entertainment with True North Sports and Entertainment, told CBC News on Friday.

After splitting the first two games of their series against the Vegas Golden Knights, the Jets are returning from Nevada for their first home game, which also means the first whiteout party. It's set to take place on Donald Street between Portage and Graham avenues.

The party has a capacity for 5,000 people and is already sold out.

Collapsible lawn chairs and blankets are allowed at the street party but backpacks are not, said Donnelly. The policy is the same as Canada Life Centre's, which means only small bags can be carried in, with an exception for medical and child-care needs.

Fans can enter the parties on Smith Street or on Graham and Donald. An accessible entrance will be made available at Portage and Donald, said Donnelly.

Partygoers will need to go through contactless security screening and metal detectors at all entrances, according to Economic Development Winnipeg's website.

Fans with tickets to the game will have access to the street party.

"If you have an arena ticket and you want to come to the street party, you have to enter into the street party first and then you migrate into the street from the bowl afterward," Donnelly said.

Anyone who leaves the street party will not be allowed back in, and fans with tickets to the game will be not be able to re-enter the party once inside the Canada Life Centre, according to Economic Development Winnipeg.

While it's not mandatory,