The Stanley Cup is the championship trophy awarded annually to the winner of the National Hockey League (NHL) playoffs. It is one of the most coveted prizes in all of sports. For hockey fans, getting tickets to see their team compete for the Stanley Cup in person is a dream come true. But when can you actually buy tickets to Stanley Cup games? Here is a quick overview of the Stanley Cup playoff and final ticket buying process.
Stanley Cup Playoffs
The Stanley Cup playoffs start in mid-April after the conclusion of the NHL’s regular season. 16 teams qualify for the playoffs – 8 from each conference. The playoffs are conducted in a tournament format with four rounds:
- First Round (best-of-seven series)
- Second Round (best-of-seven series)
- Conference Finals (best-of-seven series)
- Stanley Cup Final (best-of-seven series)
The first round features 8 matchups between the top 8 teams in each conference. Tickets for the first round go on sale to the general public shortly before the start of the playoffs in mid-April. Exact on-sale dates vary by team. Typically tickets are available through each team’s box office and ticket reseller sites. First round ticket prices range from around $75-$300 on average depending on the team and stadium.
The 4 winning teams from the first round in each conference advance to the second round held in late April and early May. Second round tickets go on sale after the first round matchup is set, generally just a few days before the start of the second round. Prices are similar to the first round.
The 2 winning teams from the second round in each conference move on to the Conference Finals in mid-to-late May. These are the final 4 teams remaining. Conference Finals tickets go on sale shortly after the second round ends. Prices start increasing into the $150-$500 range on average.
The 2 Conference Champions advance to the Stanley Cup Final in late May and early June. Stanley Cup Final tickets go on sale after the conference champions are determined. As the last series to decide the NHL champion, Stanley Cup Final tickets carry premium pricing from $300-$1000 on average.
When to Buy Stanley Cup Playoff Tickets
The best time to buy Stanley Cup playoff tickets is right when they go on sale to the general public. Prices are lowest at the initial on-sale. As games sell out, prices increase on the secondary market. Playoff games also gain more hype as each round passes. This pushes demand and prices up.
Here are some tips for getting the cheapest Stanley Cup tickets:
- Buy early – Right when tickets go on sale, act fast to get the best seats at face value prices.
- Shop offline – Team box offices and ticket presales sometimes have deals not offered online.
- Avoid resellers – Third party sites charge extra fees. Buy from the team/venue when possible.
- Get group rates – Many teams offer group discounts for buying 10+ tickets together.
- Buy upper level seats – The highest rows in upper decks are more affordable than lower levels.
- Watch for promos – Sign up for team emails and check social media for special offers.
Buying later in rounds risks sell outs and higher secondary market prices. Each passing round also makes tickets more scarce and in-demand.
When Fans Can Buy Stanley Cup Final Tickets
The Stanley Cup Final is the last chance to buy tickets before the NHL season ends. As the culmination of the NHL playoffs, Stanley Cup Final tickets are always the hottest commodity. They are also the most expensive.
Here is the schedule for when 2023 Stanley Cup Final tickets will likely go on sale:
Round | Estimated Dates |
---|---|
Conference Finals | Mid-late May 2023 |
Stanley Cup Final | Late May – early June 2023 |
The 2023 Stanley Cup Final will start in late May or early June once the two Conference Champions are determined. The Conference Finals must conclude first.
Fans can expect Stanley Cup Final tickets to go on sale immediately after the conference finals end. The NHL wants to capitalize on excitement while the momentum is high. Ticket on-sale info is announced after the conference champions are crowned.
The best way to prepare is to monitor NHL communications and sign up for team email/text alerts. This ensures you don’t miss the final on-sale announcement.
Stanley Cup Finals span 2-4 weeks depending on the series length. There are a maximum of seven games. Act fast once on sale dates are revealed to score tickets before the limited supply sells out.
Where to Buy Stanley Cup Final Tickets
When Stanley Cup Final tickets go on sale, there are several places fans can buy from:
- Team/NHL websites – Purchase directly from the official source.
- Team box offices – Buy in person at the team arena box office.
- Ticket resellers – StubHub, Vivid Seats, SeatGeek are popular secondary sites.
- Ticket exchanges – NHL Ticket Exchange is the league’s official reseller marketplace.
Buying directly from the NHL team websites or box offices is best to avoid inflated resale markups. However, these primary sources sell out fastest.
If a team sells out, turn to the secondary market. Reputable resellers like StubHub and Vivid Seats are convenient options. But their supplies are also limited, so don’t wait too long.
Joining team ticket waiting lists, acquiring ticket packages earlier in the season, and pouncing at presales are other ways to get Stanley Cup tickets.
How Much Do Stanley Cup Final Tickets Cost?
Stanley Cup Final ticket prices vary:
- Face value prices range from around $150-$800+ depending on seat location.
- Lower bowl seats closest to the ice run from $400-$800+.
- Upper deck ends and corners are the most affordable at $150-$300.
- Secondary market prices are 30-100% higher on average.
- Stanley Cup clinching Game 5/6/7 demands a premium.
Teams keep Stanley Cup ticket pricing unannounced until on-sale dates approach. This builds suspense and hype. Fans can expect to pay a premium well above normal NHL regular season costs.
Stanley Cup Final tickets also gain value on the secondary market. It is common for resale prices to exceed face value by 30-100% depending on team/matchup interest and supply. Games 5, 6, and 7 tend to spike the highest if the series extends.
Buyers can expect to spend $300+ per ticket just to get in the door for the Stanley Cup Final. Lower bowl seating easily exceeds $500+. Landing the most coveted seats along the glass or at center ice costs into the thousands.
When to Buy Stanley Cup Tickets to Get the Best Deal
The best time to buy the cheapest Stanley Cup tickets is right when they initially go on sale to the general public. Acting fast beats the rush and secures seats before the top options sell out.
As the game and series date nears, demand increases and drives up prices – especially for must-win elimination games. Few tickets remain on the primary and secondary market closer to game day.
Here is a summary of when to buy for the optimal Stanley Cup ticket savings:
Round | When to Buy |
---|---|
First Round | Right at general on-sale |
Second Round | At general on-sale following First Round |
Conference Finals | At on-sale once Second Round ends |
Stanley Cup Finals | Immediately when on sale after Conference Finals finish |
Buying playoff tickets as early as possible provides the best chance to score deals before prices inflate. It also reduces the risk of sell outs later on.
Setting Google alerts, joining team ticket lists, and monitoring presales are other ways to get the jump. Acting quickly is key to landing affordable Stanley Cup seats.
Conclusion
Stanley Cup playoff and final tickets go on sale to the general public at face value prices right when each new round starts. Buying immediately at the initial on-sale opportunity provides the cheapest pricing before supplies dwindle. Waiting runs the risk of paying higher secondary market prices late in rounds and series. Signing up for team ticket alerts and sales is imperative to act quickly when Stanley Cup seats become available. Use this guide to strategize the optimal times to purchase tickets and fulfill your dream of seeing your team chase the Stanley Cup live and in-person.