Red Mile

Did You Know?

• The predecessor to the Red Mile was a bar strip on 11th Avenue S.W. known as Electric Avenue, where fans celebrated during the 1986 and 1989 playoff runs.
• Concerns about violence from the concentration of bars on Electric Avenue led to its shutdown in the early 1990s.
• The website flamesgirls.com featured hundreds of photos of women flashing the crowd during the 2004 playoffs.

2004 Stanley Cup playoffs

The Red Mile began spontaneously during the 2004 playoffs, the Flames' first postseason appearance since 1996. Initially, fans drove along the strip honking and waving flags, while others walked cheering and clapping. Several thousand gathered at bars along 17th Avenue S.W. to watch road games against the Vancouver Canucks or to attend home games at the nearby Pengrowth Saddledome. No advertising or publicizing had promoted 17th Avenue as a gathering spot before the run. As the Flames advanced past the Detroit Red Wings, San Jose Sharks, and Tampa Bay Lightning, the Red Mile's popularity and party atmosphere grew. For a potential Game 7 Cup-clinching win at home, the city expected over 100,000 people to flood the area, but the Lightning won 2–1. The Red Mile became known for relaxed social norms: women bared their breasts to chants such as 'Flames in six, show us your tits' and 'shirts off for Kiprusoff'. The website flamesgirls.com posted hundreds of photos of women flashing the crowd. Critics condemned the nudity as exploitation of women, a view supported when the Girls Gone Wild pornography series came to Calgary in summer 2005 seeking material. University of Calgary professor Mary Valentich argued the nudity arose from a complex mix of factors—celebrating victories, rule-breaking, feelings of stardom, and a sense of history—and that many women did not see their actions as sexual but as part of the party.

2006 controversy

Complaints about noise and traffic from some businesses and residents led Calgary Police to propose severely limiting or shutting down the Red Mile for the 2006 playoffs. Police announced a zero-tolerance policy on jaywalking, public drunkenness, and public nudity. During a regular season game against the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim, dozens of officers patrolled between the Saddledome and 17th Avenue S.W., handing out nearly 500 tickets. Police justified the crackdown by noting that while violence was absent in 2004, the potential remained high. The cost of policing—up to 300 officers, including a helicopter—exceeded $1 million. The game was a preview of the opening round of the 2006 playoffs. Despite the crackdown, over 10,000 fans packed the Red Mile after the Flames' 2–1 overtime win in Game 1, with no major incidents.

2015 Stanley Cup playoffs

After the Flames eliminated the Vancouver Canucks in Game 6 of the first round, fans returned to the Red Mile. Between 10,000 and 12,000 gathered on 17th Avenue. Police reported limited open alcohol and minor property damage, but overall the celebration was peaceful. Staff Sgt. Steve Ellefson of the Calgary Police Service said the fans behaved well, noting the crowd size demonstrated the class of Flames fans enjoying a win.

2022 Stanley Cup playoffs

After a standout regular season, Calgary Flames fans returned to 17 Avenue SW’s Red Mile. Ahead of the 2022 playoffs, local business owners and residents met with Calgary Police to plan crowd management. With COVID restrictions finally easing, many participants felt optimistic about welcoming the city back. A court order banning unsanctioned gatherings had just been lifted, allowing community celebrations. For Round 1, the city enacted a parking ban on the Red Mile during home games, limited alcohol to licensed venues, prohibited public cannabis use, and boosted police and peace officer patrols.