100 Dumb US Laws (With Proof They Exist)
Catching an NHL game live is a dream come true for anyone with even a passing interest in hockey. The world’s most famous hockey league features a total of 32 teams across the USA and Canada, with practically every major city hosting at least one franchise. But where is the best place to buy NHL tickets, and how can you save money in the process?
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Table of Contents
The Live NHL Experience in the USA
Attending an NHL game is about much more than just the hockey. Every detail is meticulously planned, and the integration of marketing partners is executed to perfection. At least, that is certainly the case with the Los Angeles Kings, whose home games I have attended several times. Highlight reels are sponsored by Bud Light, the “Junior Starter” of the game is nominated by Wells Fargo, and commentary is provided by the local TV network.
You can soak up the unique atmosphere before the puck even drops. When the announcer asks the crowd to remove their hats and caps, the American national anthem begins. It is usually performed by a talented singer, a uniformed soldier, or a police officer, while the entire audience stands with their right hand over their heart. It might sound a bit patriotic to some, but it is an integral part of American culture and has an undeniable charm.
The organizers keep the fans energized throughout the game as well. A plush mascot roams the stands, the ice crew clears the surface (while commercials run on TV), and the “Kiss Cam” lights up the Jumbotron, encouraging selected couples to share a kiss. Simply put, even someone who couldn’t care less about hockey or sports in general will be entertained at an NHL game.
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How to Buy NHL Tickets in the USA
You can purchase NHL tickets through both official and unofficial channels. When shopping for tickets, I recommend checking both avenues, as prices can vary significantly.
🎟️ Official Partner: Ticketmaster
Ticketmaster sells both primary tickets (directly from the team) and verified resale tickets released by fans. Prices vary drastically depending on the team, the attractiveness of the opponent, the day of the week, and the time of the season.
Generally speaking, resale tickets tend to be cheaper. For instance, you can see the Dallas Stars for as low as , while tickets for the Florida Panthers, a top-tier team in recent years, can be found starting from .
Ticket prices for the Los Angeles Kings start at roughly , seeing the popular Vegas Golden Knights will cost you at least , and catching the New York Rangers at the famous Madison Square Garden starts around . A more affordable NHL option in New York is the Islanders, where the cheapest tickets go for about .
Be aware that Ticketmaster adds local taxes and service fees to the ticket price, which often amount to around 20% of the ticket cost.
🎟️ TickPick Ticket Marketplace
You can also purchase NHL tickets on the secondary marketplace TickPick, where season ticket holders often sell seats for games they cannot attend. You simply need to register on the website. The main advantage is that, unlike Ticketmaster, you do not pay any hidden service fees—the price you see is the final price.
Tickets on TickPick are often cheaper compared to Ticketmaster. For less marquee matchups (e.g., San Jose or Columbus), you can snag the cheapest seats for as little as . You can get into a Los Angeles Kings game starting from and see the New York Rangers from .
I have personal experience with TickPick, having bought NHL tickets through them several times. Everything has always gone smoothly. The ticket arrives either electronically via email or uploads directly to an app on your phone.
🎟️ Other Ticket Vendors
Other reputable NHL ticket sellers include websites like VividSeats.com or Stubhub.com. I do not have personal experience with either, but I recommend comparing all options when searching for tickets.
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How to Avoid Scams and Overpaying for NHL Tickets
🏒 The Listed Price Is Rarely Final
The ticket price shown in the initial search results is almost never the final amount (the exception being the aforementioned TickPick). Most sellers add various facility, processing, and tax fees at the very last step of checkout. A ticket can easily become or more expensive than expected.
🏒 Quantity Restrictions
On resale marketplaces, you may occasionally encounter a condition where an offer is valid only if you buy two or more tickets. Some forms even have two tickets pre-selected by default. When purchasing, carefully check to ensure you aren’t accidentally buying an extra seat.
🏒 When to Buy NHL Tickets
This is a tricky question. NHL tickets are often cheapest on the day of the game, when sellers are willing to drop the price just to avoid getting stuck with them. On the other hand, this carries the risk that tickets will be sold out or only the most expensive seats will remain. I recommend monitoring tickets for your chosen game, and as soon as they reach an acceptable price, buy them. After that, stop watching the price fluctuations so you don’t spoil your mood.
🏒 Choosing the Right Seats
The cheapest tickets are usually for the least desirable seats in the upper decks and corners. More expensive tickets get you into the lower bowl, closer to the ice. On the websites of ticket sellers, hockey clubs, or arena operators, you can usually find a seating chart and sometimes even photos of the view, which will help you make an informed decision.
🏒 Beware of Scalpers
When buying NHL tickets, I strongly advise avoiding street scalpers, Facebook Marketplace, and similar unofficial platforms where scammers operate. Even if someone outside the stadium promises you that the tickets are real, walk away. There is a very real risk that you will pay for tickets but be denied entry because the QR code has already been used. I recommend using official channels like Ticketmaster, the individual team websites, or the TickPick.com marketplace.
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How Much Do NHL Tickets Cost?
Please treat the prices in this table as a rough guide only. These represent the cheapest available tickets for home games in the NHL regular season on the TickPick.com marketplace. The amounts are current as of January 2026. Generally, tickets are cheapest at the beginning of the season. As the playoffs approach, prices tend to rise.
Team Home Arena City Price From Anaheim Ducks Honda Center Anaheim, California Boston Bruins TD Garden Boston, Massachusetts Buffalo Sabres KeyBank Center Buffalo, New York Calgary Flames Scotiabank Saddledome Calgary, Canada Carolina Hurricanes Lenovo Center Raleigh, North Carolina Colorado Avalanche Ball Arena Denver, Colorado Columbus Blue Jackets Nationwide Arena Columbus, Ohio Dallas Stars American Airlines Center Dallas, Texas Detroit Red Wings Little Caesars Arena Detroit, Michigan Edmonton Oilers Rogers Place Edmonton, Canada Florida Panthers Amerant Bank Arena Sunrise, Florida Chicago Blackhawks United Center Chicago, Illinois Los Angeles Kings Crypto.com Arena Los Angeles, California Minnesota Wild Xcel Energy Center Saint Paul, Minnesota Montreal Canadiens Centre Bell Montreal, Canada Nashville Predators Bridgestone Arena Nashville, Tennessee New Jersey Devils Prudential Center Newark, New Jersey New York Islanders UBS Arena Elmont, New York New York Rangers Madison Square Garden New York City, New York Ottawa Senators Canadian Tire Centre Ottawa, Canada Philadelphia Flyers Wells Fargo Center Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Pittsburgh Penguins PPG Paints Arena Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania San Jose Sharks SAP Center San Jose, California Seattle Kraken Climate Pledge Arena Seattle, Washington St. Louis Blues Enterprise Center St. Louis, Missouri Tampa Bay Lightning Amalie Arena Tampa, Florida Toronto Maple Leafs Scotiabank Arena Toronto, Canada Utah Hockey Club Delta Center Salt Lake City, Utah Vancouver Canucks Rogers Arena Vancouver, Canada Vegas Golden Knights T-Mobile Arena Las Vegas, Nevada Washington Capitals Capital One Arena Washington, D.C. Winnipeg Jets Canada Life Centre Winnipeg, Canada
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