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Talk of the bay

NHL ticket prices decline, but not for champs

By KRIS HUNDLEY
Published October 10, 2005

There are some benefits to having that big, shiny Stanley Cup.

The Tampa Bay Lightning is one of only four hockey teams that raised its ticket prices for the 2005-2006 season, while the average National Hockey League admission price declined for the first time in any major sports league's history. Hockey's ticket price deflation follows the cancellation of the 2004-2005 season.

Bucking the trend, the Lightning will be charging an average of $44.27 for a ticket, up 2.3 percent from the last time the team played - and won the Cup.

That contrasts to significant reductions in ticket prices for more than two-thirds of the NHL's 30 teams. Figures were compiled by Chicago-based Team Marketing Report, which has been tracking the money spent watching professional sports for 12 years.

Average league ticket price this season will be $41.19. The most expensive seat is in Philadelphia, where it will cost $54.81 to see the Flyers. But Philly's fans probably won't complain: This year's price reflects a 4 percent cut over season ticket prices two years ago.

Team Marketing also figured the cost for a family of four to take in a hockey game, consuming 2 draft beers, four soft drinks and four hot dogs, with parking, two programs and two inexpensive ball caps thrown in. Again, the league average has declined, to $247.84.

But at Tampa's St. Pete Times Forum, where the beer is $6 but the programs are free, the price has inched up 9.5 percent this year. Count on dropping $265.09 if you want to take the family to see the Lightning.

But who would expect champions to come cheap?

[Last modified October 7, 2005, 19:10:03]