Watching an NHL game firsthand is the dream of anyone who possesses even a slight interest in hockey. The world’s most renowned hockey league is represented by 32 teams across the USA and Canada, with each significant city boasting at least one team. So, where can you buy NHL tickets and how can you save money?
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Table of Contents
What It’s Like to Attend an NHL Game in the USA
Attending an NHL game isn’t solely about the hockey. Every detail is meticulously planned, and the inclusion of marketing partners is impeccable. This is particularly true for the Los Angeles Kings, whose home games I’ve attended several times. Game intermissions are sponsored by Bud Light, the game’s child patron is nominated by Wells Fargo Bank, and Fox TV provides the commentary.
You can immerse yourself in the unique atmosphere even before the game begins. At the announcer’s call, spectators remove their hats and caps, followed by the performance of the American anthem. Typically, a young, attractive singer, a uniformed soldier or a policeman sings the anthem, with the audience members raising their right hands. This practice may seem overly sentimental, but it’s a fundamental part of America and carries its own allure.
Throughout the game, organizers keep the fans engaged. A friendly mascot mingles with spectators, nimble ice shifters dash across the ice (while a commercial runs on TV), and a kiss cam operates on the big screen, where two chosen fans are prompted to kiss. In short, even if you’re indifferent to hockey or sports in general, an NHL game promises an entertaining time.
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Purchasing NHL Tickets in the USA
NHL tickets can be procured through both official and unofficial channels. I recommend exploring both routes, as tickets may be more affordable through either one.
🎟️ Official Ticketmaster Partner
Ticketmaster sells new tickets and those that are returned and released back on sale. Prices fluctuate based on the team, the appeal of the opponent, the day of the week, and the season.
Generally, tickets that are returned and back on sale are cheaper. For instance, you can catch the Dallas Stars for as low as $20.00, and the Florida Panthers for $23.00.
Los Angeles Kings tickets start at $43, the Las Vegas Knights at $80, and the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden from $180. The cheapest NHL tickets in New York are provided by the Islanders, with the most affordable tickets priced at $45.
Ticketmaster adds local tax and a brokerage fee of about $7.50 per ticket.
🎟️ TickPick Ticket Exchange
NHL tickets are also available on the TickPick Ticket Exchange, sold by season ticket holders unable to attend a game. Registration on the site allows the benefit of zero brokerage fees, unlike Ticketmaster.
Tickets on TickPick are typically cheaper compared to Ticketmaster, with the least favorable seats available for as low as $6.00. For the Los Angeles Kings, prices start at $38, and for the New York Rangers, from $150.
I have personally used TickPick to purchase NHL tickets on several occasions, and it has always been a seamless process. The ticket is either sent electronically via email or uploaded to a credit card.
🎟️ Other Ticket Resellers
Trustworthy NHL ticket resellers include VividSeats.com or Stubhub.com. While I don’t have personal experience with either, I suggest trying all available options when searching for tickets.
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Avoiding Scams When Purchasing NHL Tickets
🏒 The Displayed Price May Not Be Final
The ticket price displayed initially seldom reflects the final amount. Some sellers tack on various issuance and processing fees plus taxes. Consequently, between the initial selection and final purchase, the cost could increase by up to $8.00.
🏒 Number of Tickets
On exchanges, you might encounter a condition stating that an offer is only valid if you purchase two tickets. Some platforms have two tickets preset. Ensure you verify the quantity before purchasing to avoid unintentionally buying an extra ticket.
🏒 When to Purchase NHL Tickets
This can be a complex question. NHL tickets tend to be cheapest on the game day when the seller is more likely to reduce the price to prevent making a loss. Conversely, this could risk tickets being sold out. I recommend monitoring the tickets for your chosen game and purchasing them as soon as they reach a reasonable price. Following that, avoid tracking the price trend.
🏒 Selecting Seats for an NHL Game
The least expensive tickets usually correspond to the less desirable seats in the upper levels and in the arches. The pricier tickets are for the front rows close to the ice. Ticket sellers, hockey clubs, or arena operators typically provide a map, and sometimes photos of the view, to assist you in making an informed decision.
🏒 Beware of Scammers
When buying NHL tickets, I strongly advise against engaging with street vendors, Facebook Marketplace, and similar unofficial marketplaces where scammers are prevalent. Even if someone outside the stadium assures you the tickets are genuine, refrain from purchasing. There’s a real risk that you might pay for the tickets and then be denied entry into the stadium. I suggest using the official Ticketmaster, individual club websites, or TickPick.com, with which I have had positive experiences.
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NHL Ticket Prices 2024
The prices in the table should be considered a guide only. They represent the lowest ticket prices available for NHL regular season home games on TickPick.com. The amounts are accurate as of April 2, 2023. Generally, tickets for early season games are the cheapest, with prices increasing for each subsequent playoff game.
Team Home Arena City Starting Ticket Prices Anaheim Ducks Honda Center Anaheim, California $23.00 Arizona Coyotes Mullett Arena Tempe, Arizona $113 Boston Bruins TD Garden Boston, Massachusetts $183 Buffalo Sabres KeyBank Center Buffalo, New York $43 Calgary Flames Scotiabank Saddledome Calgary, Canada $10.00 Carolina Hurricanes PNC Arena Raleigh, North Carolina $27 Colorado Avalanche Ball Arena Denver, Colorado $53 Columbus Blue Jackets Nationwide Arena Columbus, Ohio $6.00 Dallas Stars American Airlines Center Dallas, Texas $15.00 Detroit Red Wings Little Caesars Arena Detroit, Michigan $26 Edmonton Oilers Rogers Place Edmonton, Canada $111 Florida Panthers FLA Live Arena Sunrise, Florida $20.00 Chicago Blackhawks United Center Chicago, Illinois $32 Los Angeles Kings Crypto.com Arena Los Angeles, California $50 Minnesota Wild Xcel Energy Center Saint Paul, Minnesota $95 Montreal Canadiens Centre Bell Montreal, Canada $57 Nashville Predators Bridgestone Arena Nashville, Tennessee $26 New Jersey Devils Prudential Center Newark, New Jersey $35 New York Islanders UBS Arena Elmont, New York $51 New York Rangers Madison Square Garden New York City, New York $149 Ottawa Senators Canadian Tire Centre Ottawa, Canada $23.00 Philadelphia Flyers Wells Fargo Center Philadelphia, Pennsylvania $28 Pittsburgh Penguins PPG Paints Arena Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania $45 San Jose Sharks SAP Center San Jose, California $14.00 Seattle Kraken Climate Pledge Arena Seattle, Washington $72 St. Louis Blues Enterprise Center St. Louis, Missouri $14.00 Tampa Bay Lightning Amalie Arena Tampa, Florida $66 Toronto Maple Leafs Scotiabank Arena Toronto, Canada $110 Vancouver Canucks Rogers Arena Vancouver, Canada $32 Vegas Golden Knights T-Mobile Arena Las Vegas, Nevada $83 Washington Capitals Capital One Arena Washington, D.C. $31 Winnipeg Jets Canada Life Centre Winnipeg, Canada $22.00
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