No need for Fall, we’re shifting straight from Summer to Sidney Crosby as PPG Paints Arena welcomes in visitors for its 16th season as home of the Pittsburgh Penguins for 2026-27, the 60th anniversary of the 412’s storied NHL Franchise. Like every season, the team and arena have a few new things to throw our way to spice up another season of Penguins hockey.
What’s New Inside PPG Paints Arena This 2026-27 Penguins Hockey Season?
PPG Paints Arena recently underwent more adjustments near its Ford lounge in the 100 Levels. What once was the stretch of wall that was dedicated to the several youth and high school ice hockey programs in the greater Pittsburgh region has been shrunk down, and changed into the new Penguins Hall of Fame. With their 2026 Hall of Fame class being inducted on November 14, the hall includes a wall of plaques of Penguins on and off ice legends, a case dedicated to former long time play-by-play legend Mike Lange, and a display of replica Stanley Cups from each of their five championships. Further down the walk, the former Milkshake Factory stand has been replaced with a new brand. Which brings us too…
What New Food Is Hitting the Forums?
Fans of the Milkshake Factory will have a new ice cream type and brand to try now inside PPG Paints Arena. The Illinois based Oberweis is the newest Ice Cream provider inside the arena, owned and operated by the newest owners of the Penguins; the Hoffman Family of Companies. They’ll hold the three traditional flavors (vanilla, chocolate, and strawberry), as well as an arena exclusive; Puck Drop (peanut butter with caramel swirl and peanut butter cups).
Aramark Sports (the main food and beverage provider of PPG Paints Arena) focused their new menu items on more recent trends. Bread cones are the big addition this season, with the Smokehouse in Section 109 and 224 containing the Steak and Cheese as well as BBQ Pork Mac and Cheese filled cones, alongside loaded cornbread. There’s also the meatball filled bread cone in the 5th Ave Food Hall in section 116, alongside the two wild new sandwich additions; a strawberry uncrustable Monte Cristo, and The Ultimate Penguinator; filled with turkey, roast beef, ham, two types of cheese, pierogies, mozzarella sticks, waffle fries, lettuce, tomato, and garlic ranch. If you have the stomach for it (or brought a group of four or more with you), it’s worth the shot.
The Mic Drop in sections 101 and 111 call back to Mike Lange, with the “They’re Dancing in the Aisles” Italian beef hoagie and “It’s Time to Light the Lamp” tuscan roasted chicken sandwich being tasteful callbacks to the late voice of the Penguins. Other new items, like Beef Stroganoff Pierogis, avocado ranch smash burgers, and even a Strawberry Dubai Chocolate Pretzel Cup, should be able to cover almost any person’s palate.
What Else Can You Look Forward to?
The Pens also will continue to do their game day promotional giveaways, such as the Mike Lange alarm clock and Iceburg building block set, as well as monthly giveaway items that will be available throughout the month for certain home games. You’ll have to purchase special tickets, but if you really want items like the Pens themed gravy boat, you’ll have more than one opportunity this season. Think you’re ready for a Penguins hockey? Don’t worry, you still have over 30 home games to go check it out!
Get excited for the next hockey game with our guide to attending a game at PPG Paints Arena and a handful of recipes to your own hockey game day menu if you can’t make it to the arena.
Story by Mason Strawn
Photos Courtesy of Aramark Sports + Entertainment
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