$391.00 to see 1 Hockey Game..

I was looking at going to a few hockey games this season and when I go to a hockey game, I like to sit around the 200 level, which is middle of the stadium and not in the "high rollers" section. Anyway, 200 level is so-so and when I went to buy 2 tickets to see the Montreal Canadians, the total cost of less then 3 hrs of entertainment was $391.00.

I nearly crap my pants! I sat there looking at the screen and was trying to talk myself into buying these tickets and then find a way to tell my wife I spent nearly $400 on 2 tickets for mediocre seats. I sat there and just couldn't pull the trigger and it's not that I can't afford going to a game, I just couldn't convince myself that $391.00 to see a hockey game was something I could do as a modest person who understands the value of a dollar.

Now, this doesn't include $20 bucks for parking, $7.00 hot dog and maybe a $5.00 drink and a $10.00 program to see the lineups. Supper before the game and were looking at a $500 evening for 1 fargun hockey game!

Hockey took one year off and this is suppose to make us come back to the games? I'm probably one of the biggest die hard hockey fans in Canada when it comes to hockey, I make a living watching and betting hockey, but I can't see how a morgage payment on 1 game is going to make me feel good.

Please, someone help me understand how the average person can afford or even explain to their friends and family that they bought tickets to a hockey game? Please, help me understand how a person can buy 2 tickets for $391.00 for less then 3 hrs of entertainment.

My wife said it best, actors make 10 times more then hockey players and they only charge you $15.00 for a movie, how can you justify $391.00 to a 3 hrs hockey game? A movie can be considered the same entertainement value of a hockey game, but they don't gouge the crap out of you like they do for a hockey game.

In a perfect world, I woulnd't mind paying $50 to go see a hockey game, but to pay $391.00 to see a game just makes me furious. How in the hell can a teenager or a family of 4 go watch a game? And don't give me this family fun zone crap and sit with the roofers either.

I think they should sit out another year until hockey is just a pick up game where guys go to work and then play some pick up at night like they did in the good old days! This is just ridiculous.

I bet you it's even worst if you live in Toronto, they must pay about $600 to go see a game.

This makes me sick to my stomach that they think the public can just over look this and say, oh well, they love hockey, so they'll pay.

Well, looks like I'll just watch my Sens this year from the old Lazy Boy for another year, because I just can't find one good reason to shell out $400 bucks to see 1 game from the mid levels.

Sorry for the rant, but this just makes me furious that they try to take a morgage payment for 1 game.

Next...


Ron

"My wife said it best, actors make 10 times more then hockey players and they only charge you $15.00 for a movie, how can you justify $391.00 to a 3 hrs hockey game?"

Smart wife

Sure it didn't default to 4 tickets? $200 a head gets you in the 1st 4 rows in Denver, and usually 1st or 2nd near the box.

$391 mortgage ( Canadian) ?

yeah, thats like my car payment.

Doug,

Figure of speech...but throw in a few hundreds bucks and yes, you got a home mortgage.

Do you work for the Sens ticket office or something? LOL

Ron

TTinco,

I just did a test game for the Flyers, I asked for 200 level and look what it gave me.
Philadelphia Flyers
Date: Sunday, October 30, 2005 Time: 7:00 pm
Corel Centre

Price Type Level Section Row Seat(s) Qty Price Fee(s) Amount
Adult Gate Price 100L 117 A 9-10 2 190.00 5.50 391.00

Not exactly $200 level, down low, but still, how can a rational person justify paying $391.00 for a hockey game. In fact, I check our junior hockey team season tickets, less then $400 for the season and just as exciting hockey.

Ron

Sadly hockey teams in Canada can charge those prices because the very rich will buy those ticket or large corporations will snapped them up and write them off as a business expense.

dmmd98

I think that was the mindset before the Hockey lockout and it might be the mindset in Toronto, but cities like Edmonton, Calgary and Ottawa might struggle to buy into that thinking today. Economy is very fragile right now and driving a car is become more like a luxury than a reality.

Ron

ATS, I agree 100%. It all comes down to the lack of TV revenue. I'll go to 1 or 2 Av's games a year until the playoffs, but that's about it.

I honestly prefer to watch pucks on the tube.....you can see a hell of a lot more.

Which means Calgary and Edmonton are sitting on piles of cash because that is where all the oil companies are so they are loving these gas prices. Ottawa still is the high tech captial of Canada and that sector as been pretty steady plus you have government officals with an expense account to use. Sadly there may be a backlash from the middle class who sit in the 200's or upper level but the best seats in the house for any Canadian will always be sold no matter what the cause or damage down the road.

$200 a ticket for mediocre tickets to a regular season game is ridiculous. I don't blame you for boycotting the games. How is a family supposed to pay these prices?

TTinCO,

That's the thinking over here as well. I would rather spend $25 bucks a month and get every game on the sports packages, but there comes a time where we have to stop living like a hermit for 3 hrs and get some fresh air and take in a game. Cabin Fever can get to a person and it's frustrating when you love the game, but you need to be able to say to yourself; "well, that was good value and I can live with that decision..."


Ron

ATSDatabase said:

dmmd98

I think that was the mindset before the Hockey lockout and it might be the mindset in Toronto, but cities like Edmonton, Calgary and Ottawa might struggle to buy into that thinking today. Economy is very fragile right now and driving a car is become more like a luxury than a reality.

Ron

Click to expand...

I don't think so Ron. It was a sellout in Edmonton vs. the Flames in an exhibition game the other night. People are paying up to see hockey again.

BAUS

Just buy the cheap tickets. The view from the top isn't that much worse than the 200 level and it won't kill you financially. I went to Molson Centre a few years ago and paid I think $29 Canadian for tickets. The fans up there are more passionate anyways, the people in the expensive seats sit on their hands because they aren't fans of the game, they just work for someone or buy something from someone who gets those seats on a season basis. Fork over maybe $150 for four tickets instead, the experience won't be any worse as long as you walk in, take a deep breath, and say "I love hockey" as I do when I get to any NHL game.

WildBill said:

Just buy the cheap tickets. The view from the top isn't that much worse than the 200 level and it won't kill you financially. I went to Molson Centre a few years ago and paid I think $29 Canadian for tickets.

Click to expand...

Yeah, there's gotta be way cheaper seats than $200, and the cheap seats usually ain't so bad. No need to pay corporate prices.

The Worst Part Is And I Know They Have A Shootout You Can Go To A Game It Cost $500 Or More And They Tie 2-2 Who The Hell Whats To See A Tie.

That's quite a bit of money. I'd rather sit at home and watch it on HDTV (assuming that they are airing it) than pay that much.

for $ 391.00 i better be sitting on top of the goalies shoulders...

Buffalo best bargain in the NHL. I get tickets all the time out front for $5-$10 bucks just after face-off. Same with the Bills but in the $10-$15 range. Last night they ran a promotion for the pre season game, tickets were $5.50 a seat. A nice gesture even if it was pre season, and I believe the game sold out.