First Tulsa Oilers Game? A Complete Guide to Game Night at the BOK Center

Going to your first Tulsa Oilers game is easy — and a lot more fun when you know a few things before you leave the house. This guide covers tickets, parking, the bag policy, what to expect inside the BOK Center and how to get the most out of a night of minor-league hockey in downtown Tulsa.

Buying tickets

Oilers tickets are sold through the team and the BOK Center box office. The box office sits at the corner of 3rd Street and Frisco Avenue. On regular weekdays it is open Tuesday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.; on weekend event days it opens two hours before doors. It accepts cash and major credit cards, but not checks.

A few tips:

• Pick your end. The Oilers shoot twice at one end of the rink. Seats behind that net put you close to most of Tulsa’s scoring chances in the first and third periods.
• Lower bowl vs. upper bowl. Lower-level seats near the glass are great for feeling the speed and the hits. Higher seats near center ice are better for seeing plays develop — many longtime fans prefer them.
• Look at the promotions. Giveaway nights, Family Fundays and discount-drink nights change the crowd and the value. Check the promotional schedule before choosing a date.
• Small children: at most BOK Center events, children under two do not need a ticket unless they will have their own seat. Confirm for your specific game with the venue.

Getting there and parking

The BOK Center does not own or run any parking lots, and there is no on-site parking. That sounds worse than it is: more than 9,000 spaces sit within about a five-minute walk, mostly in private garages and surface lots that set their own prices. After 5 p.m., on-street metered parking downtown is free, which is a nice bonus for evening games if you arrive early enough to find a spot.

Using a rideshare? The official drop-off and pick-up point is at 1st Street and Denver Avenue. Expect a short wait after the final horn while the crowd clears.

The bag policy (read this before you pack)

The BOK Center uses a clear-bag policy. You may bring:

• one clear bag no larger than 12″ x 6″ x 12″, or a one-gallon clear plastic bag; and
• one small purse, clutch or wallet no larger than 5″ x 8″ (it does not need to be clear).

Diaper bags are allowed when accompanied by a child, and exceptions are made for medical needs. Backpacks are not allowed.

Other items you should leave at home include outside food and drinks (even an empty reusable water bottle), noisemakers such as air horns, tablets and iPads, professional cameras, selfie sticks, flags or signs on poles, laser pointers, umbrellas that are not collapsible, and weapons of any kind. Every guest goes through a walk-through metal detector and every bag is searched, so arrive early on big nights.

One more rule that surprises people: there is no re-entry. Once you leave the building, you need a new ticket to get back in.

Inside the arena

Accessibility

Guests with disabilities can be dropped off on West 3rd Street between Denver and Frisco Avenues and enter through the main entrance. Elevators are located outside sections 103 and 112, and wheelchairs for getting to your seat are available at Guest Services in the Grand Lobby and near the Box Office entrance. The arena also lends free sensory kits — with items like noise-reducing headphones — through the KultureCity program; ask at any Guest Services desk with a photo ID.

Food and drinks

Outside food is not permitted, so plan to eat downtown before the game or at the concession stands inside. Lines are longest right before puck drop and during the first intermission; the second intermission and the middle of periods are quieter.

Understanding the game in five minutes

• Three periods. Each lasts 20 minutes of game time, but stoppages make each period feel closer to 35 or 40 minutes.
• Intermissions. There are two, of roughly 15 to 18 minutes. Expect on-ice games, giveaways and the Zamboni resurfacing the ice.
• Penalties. A player who breaks a rule sits in the penalty box, usually for two minutes, and his team plays a man short. The team with the extra player is on the “power play.”
• Ties. If the game is tied after 60 minutes, there is a five-minute, three-on-three overtime. If it is still tied, a shootout decides the winner.

New to hockey entirely? Our hockey rules guide for new fans covers offsides, icing and everything else in plain English.

Family-friendly extras

The Oilers’ Sunday Family Funday games are the easiest way to introduce kids to hockey. Afternoon start times mean no late bedtimes, and on selected dates fans can skate on the arena ice after the game and collect players’ autographs — bring your own skates or rent a pair. The first Family Funday of 2026-27 is Sunday, November 8, against Allen.

Weekday morning Kid’s Day games are another favorite for schools and youth groups.

Final checklist

• Tickets on your phone or printed
• Clear bag or small purse only — no backpacks
• Parking plan (garage, lot or free street meter after 5 p.m.)
• A jacket or hoodie — it is an ice rink
• Arrive 30 to 45 minutes early for security and warm-ups

Venue policies change from time to time. Check the official BOK Center website for the latest rules before your visit. Tulsa Hockey is an independent site and is not affiliated with the Tulsa Oilers or the BOK Center.