Hockey’s finally back. Great? A CBC Poll found 34 per cent of fans hoped for a reduction in ticket prices. A look to the 2011 ticket prices provides a rough idea of what fans across Canada can expect for the coming season (or should we say, half season).
The most expensive: By far, the most expensive ticket mantle belongs to the Toronto Maple Leafs, with a single ticket price of $123.77. The Jets follow with $98.27, Montreal Canadiens ($88.67), Edmonton Oilers ($70.13) and Vancouver Canucks ($68.38).
With an industry average of $57.10, Canadian fans pay significantly more than their U.S. league counterparts. The only Canadian team with a below average single-ticket price in 2011 was the Ottawa Senators ($55.51). For a little perspective, fans of the Dallas Stars pay just $29.95 a ticket.
Overall, Canadians would do well to head south to see their favourite teams play. For example, Canucks fans can see the Sedin twins play the St. Louis Blues for as little as $30.00 a ticket.
As the puck drops this weekend, the NHL will quickly see whether the lockout has burned good will and willingness to pay full price. Of course, there’s a lot the NHL can do to engender this good will. Namely, offering two for one tickets in cities where sellouts are not guaranteed. Offering pre-season tix for next year’s season in sell-out markets is also a great idea.
While league commissioner Gary Bettman apologized for the lockout, he made no mention of ticket prices whatsoever. So fans will just have to wait to find out how much they’ll have to fork over to see their favourite teams play.
