Special events like Stadium Series games are great ways of helping leagues establish a succinct and clear identity. The showcases are incredible experiences for those that spend the money to get there, and for the most part players seem to enjoy the spectacles as well.

The only problem, you’re really setting yourself up for logistical nightmares. Putting on an event the size of a Winter Classic or Stadium Series game in a location that has never held an NHL event is enough to firmly pit an event organizers stomach, and this is why…

According to ESPN, thousands of fans were unable to get to their seats due to disastrous traffic on the way to the Air Force Academy’s Falcon Stadium. What would normally be approximately a 45-minute drive from Denver turned into up to a four-hour journey.

As a result, some fans missed most of the game just trying to get there, and they aren’t happy.

 

Getting home certainly seems like it was a nightmare as well. Overall, this should firmly awaken event organizers of the importance of traffic control. Here’s to hoping nothing like this happens again.

(H/T ESPN)