Carolina Tickets Still a Great Deal Compared to Rest of NHL
by Bob Wage on Oct 8, 2009 6:00 AM EDT
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Team Marketing Report has just released their annual comparison of NHL ticket prices along with their trademarked Fan Cost Index for attending hockey games. According to the most recent report, attending a Carolina Hurricanes game remains one of the best deals in the league.
Season ticket prices did not increase for the 2009-10 season and ticket holders had the option to lock up their current prices for three years if they renewed on time over the offseason. According to the Director of Ticket Sales, Kyle Prairie, who was recently interviewed on NBC 17, the Canes have a higher season ticket holder base this season than they had last year. That is pretty surprising considering the bad economy, but it seems fans are recognizing the good value and they are taking advantage of it if they are able to.
According to the TMR report, the average ticket price for a Hurricanes game was sixth lowest in the league. But if you include the pricing for parking, hotdogs, beer, and other typical expenses included in the Cost Index, the Canes are fifth lowest. The club did increase their ancillary prices by 5.1%
| Avg | Pct. | Avg Prem. | FC | Pct. | ||
| Ticket | Change | Ticket | Index | Change | ||
| NHL Average | $ 51.41 | 1.0% | $ 118.63 | $ 301.00 | 1.7% | |
| Florida | $ 48.76 | -7.3% | $ 89.47 | $ 295.04 | -4.7% | |
| Washington | $ 44.75 | 7.4% | $ 132.02 | $ 284.00 | 16.1% | |
| Atlanta | $ 48.51 | 0.0% | $ 107.75 | $ 282.04 | 7.5% | |
| Carolina | $ 38.38 | 0.0% | $ 75.98 | $ 239.04 | 5.1% | |
| St. Louis | $ 37.90 | 4.2% | $ 121.68 | $ 234.61 | 7.1% | |
| Buffalo | $ 36.43 | 0.0% | $ 76.05 | $ 223.72 | 5.0% | |
| Phoenix | $ 37.45 | 0.0% | $ 129.23 | $ 221.80 | 0.0% | |
| Tampa Bay | $ 35.76 | -16.5% | $ 69.34 | $ 221.04 | -12.4% | |
In the chart above, I included all the southeastern teams as well as the others which are ranker lower than the Canes.
It's interesting to see how some markets have increased prices while some have lowered them. Tampa Bay reduced their pricing structure substantially. This was once a proud franchise which used to sell out every game. Now they have the cheapest tickets in the league.
Washington is taking advantage of their new-found popularity with an across the board increase. Of course their team salary expense is higher than it used to be as well.
Buffalo remains as one of the cheapest tickets in the league which is somewhat surprising for a northern market with tradition and generations of fans.
It's certainly expensive to watch NHL hockey live, but things could be worse Caniacs.
(glove-tap to Puck Daddy for the heads-up on this report)
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Sucks about Tampa.....
a lesson that any team, especially in the SE, should learn. Winning is not enough, you need it to be relatively consistent. Of course that doesn’t apply to the Leaf Fans.
A conservative is someone who wants to get rid of all illegal immigrants,
Just as soon as those guys finish mowing his yard and building the shed
decent ownership and a captain
that is approachable wouldn’t hurt either
by CarolinaCanes on Oct 8, 2009 6:57 PM EDT up reply actions
How is Washington's average price below the NHL Average
Now, I’m not really that familiar with the Washington sports market other than it’s Redskin(g)s first, politics second, then the rest. But with the population, playoffs, and talent the Caps have how are they below the NHL league average? It seems like Washington is underpricing their tickets, which is why they haven’t been making money with such great players.
5 seconds left.
Do you believe in miracles?
YES!!
I always take into account the the fact that teams (like Montreal and Toronto) always do everything in their power to drive UP the league average…. the prices in Washington are mostly likely to be typical-ticket-prices….
by Mateos_Canes_Lamp on Oct 8, 2009 1:41 PM EDT up reply actions
Skewed average due to two large outliers at the top. I can buy that.
5 seconds left.
Do you believe in miracles?
YES!!
And some wonder why “hockey is dying in Canada with the younger generations”
If they can’t afford it by pricing themselves out of reach for the younger generation, how are they going to continue?
A conservative is someone who wants to get rid of all illegal immigrants,
Just as soon as those guys finish mowing his yard and building the shed
They aren’t making money because their owner doesn’t own the building. He doesn’t get ancillary revenue like those who own or are the main tenant do.
Yes, ticket prices are still fairly low in terms of league average, but its not an Original Six market or one where they have multiple Cups, so you have a large hardcore fanbase where you can drive up prices.
$9.99 to see a professional sports team is simply amazing! It’s how they got me hooked. Kind of like a crack dealing giving you your first hit for free…
Still not a crook!
It’s by far my most expensive habit. At least before I got sent to rehab (moved out of the state)
by CarolinaCanes on Oct 8, 2009 6:59 PM EDT up reply actions
I think the Canes are doing a great job of trying to keep the NHL accessible to as many people as possible in the hopes of building the fan base. As we all know, once you get to see a game in person everything changes. Good on em for keeping ticket prices the same even when they increase their payroll. As a mini-season ticket holder, I have no problems with spending money to support the team, because I understand that my $11 Labatt’s will pay for 3 rolls of tape in the locker room. As much as my miserly soul cringes at spending $66 a game for beer for my wife and me, I am soothed by the fact that we are supporting our team with our frosty beverages. There is no way to monetize the experience, either — we got to the RBC center early Tuesday and set up our little grill and watched all the other tailgaters having a grand time and felt like we were part of something.
I think “Rink 300”(name?) the new side bar on the 300 level has it.
A conservative is someone who wants to get rid of all illegal immigrants,
Just as soon as those guys finish mowing his yard and building the shed
The new bar up in the 300 level is nice. It’s in the old Stormy Birthday Party area. It’s just like the bar down on the first level. Super-convenient. Also, it’s reduced the lines everywhere upstairs. I’m a big fan. It’s also nice that it’s right behind my seats.
5 seconds left.
Do you believe in miracles?
YES!!
Ah yes, I’m up there too. Section 330, row “A”.
Won’t be there tomorrow as the wife, who let me get 2 full season tickets, said we’re going to the Symphony.
Hey I’ll miss a total of 3 games, starting tomorrow, just so I can watch the other 38 and be right in line for playoff tickets and best yet, she’s happy.
SCORE!
A conservative is someone who wants to get rid of all illegal immigrants,
Just as soon as those guys finish mowing his yard and building the shed
I guess you made out ok on that deal,lol
by CarolinaCanes on Oct 8, 2009 7:01 PM EDT up reply actions
Yes, a little "give and take"
goes a long way
A conservative is someone who wants to get rid of all illegal immigrants,
Just as soon as those guys finish mowing his yard and building the shed
I still can’t bring myself to pay $8-bucks for one-beer…..
by Mateos_Canes_Lamp on Oct 8, 2009 1:41 PM EDT up reply actions
But
Bass is always a good, even if it’s pricey.
And how can one forget beer at hockey?
A conservative is someone who wants to get rid of all illegal immigrants,
Just as soon as those guys finish mowing his yard and building the shed
This is why i tailgate. It’s cheaper!
But the Bass is oh so good. Oh so very good.
Speaking of Bass, is there any place to get a Guinness in the arena?
5 seconds left.
Do you believe in miracles?
YES!!
I think I got one when I was on the Club Level.
A conservative is someone who wants to get rid of all illegal immigrants,
Just as soon as those guys finish mowing his yard and building the shed
It’s called “pre-drinking” its kinda like dollar-cost averaging. I pay a buck a beer for 9 and 8 bucks a beer for three. Thats 33 dollars for 12. Basically a night out at the bar (actually a little less). That is how I atleast justify it in my head.
by CarolinaCanes on Oct 8, 2009 7:04 PM EDT up reply actions
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