NHL games have become increasingly expensive over the past decade. Ticket prices have risen steadily, with the average cost to attend a game now over $100. Concession prices and merchandise costs have also gone up. This has led many fans to wonder – why exactly are NHL games so expensive these days?
There are a few key factors that have driven up costs:
Increasing player salaries
As NHL revenues have increased over the years, players have received a corresponding bump in pay. The salary cap has gone up over 40% in the last 10 years. Top players now make $10 million or more per season. These massive contracts have to be paid for somehow, and ticket buyers ultimately foot some of that bill. The more teams pay players, the more tickets must cost to turn a profit.
New and renovated arenas
Many NHL teams have moved into new arenas in the last two decades, while others have extensively renovated their existing facilities. These updated venues offer a better fan experience with more amenities, but also carry higher operating costs that drive up ticket prices. The average NHL arena is only around 20 years old now.
Team | New/Renovated Arena | Year Opened |
---|---|---|
Detroit Red Wings | Little Caesars Arena | 2017 |
Edmonton Oilers | Rogers Place | 2016 |
Pittsburgh Penguins | PPG Paints Arena | 2010 |
Increased business focus
NHL teams have gotten smarter about maximizing revenue in recent years. Dynamic pricing models that adjust ticket costs based on demand are now widely used. Club and luxury seating sections that command premium prices have expanded. Teams have gotten better at finding ways to generate more income, and fans pay the price.
Ticket prices
Over the last decade, the average ticket price for an NHL game has gone up by over 50%:
Season | Average Ticket Price |
---|---|
2011-12 | $61 |
2021-22 | $94 |
The most expensive teams now charge well over $100 for an average seat. See the average 2021-22 regular season costs below:
Team | Average Ticket Price |
---|---|
Toronto Maple Leafs | $123 |
New York Rangers | $116 |
Boston Bruins | $101 |
Chicago Blackhawks | $100 |
Of course, those are just averages. Prices soar even higher when premium opponents come to town or during the playoffs. Getting a seat for a Stanley Cup Finals game can easily cost over $1,000 now.
Secondary market impact
Ticket resale sites like StubHub have inflated costs as well. Season ticket holders often sell some of their seats at a profit, driving up secondary market prices. With so much supply and demand happening outside traditional box offices now, teams have adapted by pricing initial tickets higher.
Dynamic pricing
Teams are getting smarter about extracting maximum revenue from high-demand games using dynamic pricing strategies. Ticket costs for “premium” matchups now adjust upward based on market factors. Fans pay more for the privilege of seeing a rivalry game, popular opponent, or playoff contest.
Concessions and merchandise
The rise in ticket prices tells just part of the story. Fans also get hit hard at the concession stands and merchandise shops:
- The average cost of a beer at an NHL game is now over $10.
- A hot dog will set you back around $6.
- Even a soft drink costs $5 or more.
- Hats, jerseys, and other souvenirs don’t come cheap either.
Concessions have high margins and represent an easy way for teams to generate more revenue from each fan through price increases. Merchandise gets marked up significantly as well.
Luxury seating
Premium club sections and luxury suites provide another big income stream. Wealthy fans and corporate clients will pay thousands of dollars per game for exclusive VIP seating areas that come with lavish amenities.
Though these sections take up less than 25% of most arenas, they can account for over 50% of total revenue. The premium pricing distorts the overall cost scale.
Is cost pricing out fans?
There’s no denying NHL games have become expensive propositions in recent years. But how is this affecting fan access and live attendance? Let’s look at some key numbers:
Season | Average NHL Attendance |
---|---|
2011-12 | 17,455 |
2021-22 | 17,151 |
As the table shows, average league attendance has actually dropped slightly over the last decade, even with the success of expansion into lucrative new markets like Las Vegas.
Rising costs do seem to be pricing some fans out of attendance. Many are getting replaced by corporate clients that can afford premium seating. Others still attend but cut back on concessions spending.
But thanks to rising broadcast revenue, the NHL remains highly profitable even with a small attendance dip. The costs just get passed on.
Fan experience impact
There’s also the question of if pricing is damaging the fan experience. Some argue today’s sterile, corporate arena atmosphere leaves something to be desired compared to the past.
But others contend the new venues and amenities provide a better overall experience that justifies the higher prices. Fans simply need to budget accordingly for what’s now an expensive night out.
Alternatives for fans
What options do price-conscious fans have?
- Attending weekday games or low-demand matchups often means lower prices.
- Splitting seasons tickets with friends makes the per-game cost more affordable.
- Sitting in the upper bowl or corners saves money over lower-level seats.
- Finding resale deals on sites like StubHub can sometimes yield bargains.
Following your favorite team from home via TV is another legal option. But for true diehards who want to be there in person, cost may remain a necessary evil.
Future outlook
Don’t expect NHL tickets or concessions to decrease in price anytime soon. These trends have momentum that won’t be reversing course overnight.
The league will likely continue expanding into new U.S. markets in pursuit of new revenue streams. This also means more shiny new stadiums looking to pay for themselves.
Player salaries should keep rising as well. And analytics will help teams optimize ticket pricing at every turn.
Barring an economic crisis, the NHL clearly sees pricing power remaining strong for the foreseeable future. Fans wanting in on the live experience need to be prepared to pay for it.
Variable pricing is here to stay
Teams now know their customer demand well enough to leverage dynamic and surge pricing models at will. Don’t expect this to change in a more data-driven world.
Media deals will cushion losses
If high prices do start significantly dampening attendance, media and streaming contracts should keep revenue high. This reduces pressure to cut prices.
Some hope on the horizon
There are limited signs leagues may fear backlash from pricing out a generation of young fans. Some teams like the Atlanta Falcons have introduced lower-cost food options. But major changes seem unlikely soon.
Conclusion
NHL games are expensive compared to the past. But fan appetite enables teams to charge high prices. As long as people pay, the market bears the costs.
Salary inflation, new arenas, and business analytics are driving prices higher. Fans have limited options to mitigate the effects beyond choosing games carefully or watching at home.
Pricing shows no signs of dropping league-wide anytime soon. But hopefully teams realize moderation is needed to maintain accessibility and grow the next generation of fans. The cost of attending a live NHL game seems destined to remain high for now, but keeping prices reasonable should be a goal, not just maximum profits.