Inflatable hot dog falls on ice during Canadiens, Red Wings game

The dog days of summer are over, and the dog days of the season are yet to come. Montreal, though, has always been different. In the NHL’s only French-speaking market, the dog days are already here—just five games into the 2026-27 season. 

Well, hot dog days, at least. 

On Saturday, soon after Montreal Canadiens fans chanted “We want Larkin” at Detroit Red Wings center Dylan Larkin, fans directed a large inflatable hot dog and bun onto the ice, hitting Canadiens players and the bench with the bun. 

Part of the in-game entertainment at the Bell Centre, the hot dog challenge presents fans with the task of bringing the hot dog and the bun, each nearly 10-foot-long inflatables, together in 30 seconds. One side of the arena begins with the hot dog sausage, while the other begins with the bun. If successful, all fans receive a coupon for a free hot dog. 

Known for their affordable price at Bell Centre, the hot dogs at Canadiens games underwent a major change this season. Under Groupe CH CEO Yves Lowe, the sausage has been enlarged, with the price remaining at $5.25 CAD. 

While fans have experienced one type of hot dog, the delicacy has become a famed feature at Canadiens games over the last century at the Montreal Forum and the Bell Centre, served to media in attendance, visiting teams and patrons in the stands. 

“Our historical stats do not keep track of our famous hot dogs!” Montreal Canadiens historian Carl Lavigne told The Athletic in 2019. “For as far as we can remember, the hot dogs have been part of our ‘hockey culture.’”

After Saturday’s matchup with the Red Wings, the Canadiens will now look ahead to their next outing against the Buffalo Sabres on Wednesday, where fans will once again attempt the now-famous hot dog challenge.