Carolina Blues - Ticket Prices To Go Up

by Bob Wage on May 14, 2008 1:23 PM EDT

The cost of watching hockey at the RBC Center next year will be like everything else in the local economy, rising.....

The season ticket packages are being sent today and at first glance, I can tell you that the pricing is higher than last year. Without sitting down and doing the math, it appears like there will be a general increase of between 5% to 10%.

The good news is that the Hurricanes are trying to soften the blow. They have gotten a bit creative and will include vouchers for free games as well as points for "gifts", depending upon which package you select. Bottom line, the more money you spend, the more goodies you will get back.

The Carolina Hurricanes homepage has more details here.

This really isn't shocking news because other franchises like the Los Angeles Kings and the Chicago Black Hawks have already announced price increases as well. But it's never easy to sell your fanbase, let alone the general public on any kind of increase, especially with the cost of gas and groceries going up every day.

It's not like these guys won the Cup this past season, either.

I will crunch the numbers tonight and post a more detailed report afterwards.

Blues Traveler

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Comments

What’s with the two prices? … one with vouchers and one without. Have you found any concrete details on the vouchers? I’ve got season tickets with a group so all the “incentives” this year just make it more difficult to figure out how to split the giveaways equally.

by rollcage on May 14, 2008 4:17 PM EDT reply actions

well I’m mulling this over. tickets for 2 on a 12-game package would run me $1500 for lower level.
Or I could get the Center Ice Package and a decent sized HDTV for around the same price.

Hmmmmm.

by neaux on May 14, 2008 4:33 PM EDT reply actions

rollcage-

I’m going to post some more detail later, but the price without the vouchers is your actual out of pocket cost, and with the vouchers is your “net” cost. (if you sell the voucher tickets and pocket the money).

Pretty smart of them to present it that way.

Also, there seems to be a consistent 10% increase in actual out of pocket cost, but if you include the voucher credits, the cost is about the same as last year.

neux-

I doubt that you will be alone with your thought process.

by Bubba on May 14, 2008 5:35 PM EDT reply actions

Not a surprise to see the tix go up…Canes have to exercise some foresight to set a foundation for all the free agency deals they have to settle…..this year and next. While it may be early to assume so much the extra $$ for the canes may be a sign of things to come. I split a full season package over the last 2 years but did not renew them for next year. I wanted to expand our usual 2 seat package to 4 but my partner couldn’t support the change so I’ll be on my own even with the increase.
Besides.. .I’ll be shocked if anything ever gets any cheaper. Hey Bubba,is that anti-oxidant water cheaper than gator-aid or the like? Gallon for gallon I’ll bet it’s cheaper than gas!!

by Eman on May 14, 2008 6:15 PM EDT reply actions

Eman-

It’s certainly cheaper than gas, but it’s about the same as Gatorade.

As for the tickets, I agree, it would be shocking to see anything go down at this point, but I think many fans were hoping prices would stay the same. The good news is at least the Canes are giving fans more for their money.

by Bubba on May 15, 2008 12:34 AM EDT reply actions

About the Center Ice and HDTV package…….I’ve got both and I dont really remember anything ever being broadcast in HD from Center Ice. Even if its supposed to be. The only HD you’ll get at this point is VersusHD. Soon Fox SportsSouth will hopefully go all HD…(soon EVERYTHING should be HD)

by Tyler on May 15, 2008 10:07 AM EDT reply actions