Hurricanes fans snapped up viral beer skate cups. Will they be restocked?
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- The Hurricanes sold 4,687 beer skate cups in Game 1 against Philadelphia Flyers.
- Canes said cups will not be restocked for the next series due to shipping constraints.
- Remaining cups are reserved for team use and fundraising and are not for public sale.
While the Carolina Hurricanes were busy shutting out the Philadelphia Flyers in the NHL playoffs’ second round opener, Canes fans were busy gobbling up “beer skates.”
The mugs, sporting a Canes logo and shaped like a hockey skate, were only available at bars, select stands and carts at Lenovo Center. The design featured a handle on the back side of the boot and clear plastic for the blade, showing off the drink of choice.
The skates went viral.
They sold out before the third period of that game on May 2. And the Hurricanes’ X video about them had 4.8 million views as of 1 p.m. on May 12.
But will they be restocked?
Fans hoping for another opportunity to snag a skate in the postseason will have to wait.
“Skate cups will not be restocked for (the) next series based on shipping constraints,” Canes Chief Marketing Officer Matt Sutor told The News & Observer in an email.
According to the franchise, 4,687 fans purchased one of the beverage holders, or 1 in every 4 fans in attendance. Adam Hoffman, the Hurricanes vice president of food and beverage, told The Athletic that fans purchased 2,000 cups within 48 minutes of the doors opening.
The cups were ordered in October and shipped from overseas. Issues regarding federal tariffs delayed their arrival. The Hurricanes and Lenovo Center have a few hundred remaining for various purposes, including fundraising, but those left are not available to the public.
How much did the Hurricanes’ beer skates cost?
Skates were $19 for the empty cup, which holds roughly 28 ounces of liquid. Fans could get also get them for $12, plus the cost of their beverage. There was also an option to purchase a cup filled with candy for $22. One person used it for iced coffee.
Fans have already listed them on reselling sites, such as eBay, for those desperate enough to pay extra. Some are priced as high as $350. A pair of them will run you $750.
Merchandising like this is not a new idea. Sports franchises, including the Canes, have also rolled out things like beer hockey sticks, a Sabre, and a rugby boot.
Even without more beer skates in stock, the Hurricanes swept the Flyers and advanced to the Eastern Conference Finals. The team now awaits the result of the Canadiens and Sabres series to see who they play next. The next round series will also give fans lucky enough to already have a beer skate, the chance to show it off again.
Those who want to participate but can’t? Maybe buy an ice skate from Facebook marketplace and put a cup inside. It would be less expensive.
This story was originally published May 12, 2026 at 1:16 PM.
