As the Toronto Blue Jays made their grand return to the World Series after 32 years, Calgary’s 17th Avenue felt the spirit with restaurants and pubs filling up with excited fans eager to watch their team win.
Although that wasn’t the case in the end, the exciting series was a boon for businesses.
Places such as Jamesons or Pour Decisions are no strangers to drawing crowds for sporting events. Many Canadian sports fans make an evening of it by stopping by their local restaurant or pub to celebrate and support their favourite teams, while sharing a few cold beers.
The world of sports, however, recently witnessed an event that hasn’t happened in over 30 years — the Blue Jays competing in the World Series.
Jamesons’ 17th Avenue location has been open since 2012. Owner Steve Marakis said this is the first time his pub has seen the Blue Jays going for the Commissioner’s Trophy in its lifetime.
Marakis said business always picks up once a sport gets closer to the finals at the end of a season, making this a unique time of year for the business.
Sales for the week of the World Series were up 60 per cent at the pub compared to the week prior.
“You don’t see massive crowds come out like you’re seeing right now,” said Marakis as the baseball series went on. “This is definitely a first for me for baseball.”
Along with the turnout, there has also been a spike in morale.
Fans have been looking forward to big wins. The Edmonton Oilers came close to winning the Stanley Cup twice in 2024 and 2025, having lost to the Florida Panthers both times. The Jays advancing to the World Series gave a new reason for fans to cheer for the lone Canadian team in Major League Baseball.
Matt Darroch, manager at Pour Decisions on 17th Avenue, has also noticed his clientele’s positive attitude as the Jays beat the Mariners in the American League Championship Series and went on to face the Dodgers.
Darroch described his sports bar as an afterparty for Blue Jays fans once the games were over.
“It definitely helps when people are watching a team for Canada,” said Darroch.
Pubs and restaurants welcomed this surge in business with deals and giveaways, including Jamesons’ Blue Jays Jersey giveaways, which saw a higher number of entries than anticipated.
Business was especially busy on 17th Avenue for the final two World Series games on Oct. 31 and Nov. 1, with the Dodgers ultimately taking home the trophy.
Although the Jays’ loss certainly dampened the mood, the influx of people interested in baseball brought a sense of Canadian spirit to downtown Calgary.