2022 NHL Fan Cost Index.

[Fenway]

The owner of TMR has posted here on occasion.

The fan costs for the U.S. major sports leagues are calculated annually by Team Marketing Report, a Chicago-based sports business intelligence firm that since 1991 has crunched and published the numbers after conducting team surveys. The cost metrics are based on the average cost of four non-premium tickets, two beers, two sodas, four hot dogs, two souvenir hats (as a proxy for merch buying) and parking.

The rankings are known as the Fan Cost Index (FCI) for each sport.


2022 NHL Fan Cost Index

Toronto Maple Leafs	$697.75	4.10%
Seattle Kraken	$672.89
Vegas Golden Knights	$649.72	8.20%
New York Rangers	$645.42	3.20%
Chicago Blackhawks	$573.76	-0.50%
Boston Bruins	$569.96	1%
Montreal Canadiens	$552.57	4.80%
Washington Capitals	$538.53	6.80%
Nashville Predators	$526.49	0%
Detroit Red Wings	$479.40	1.70%
Pittsburgh Penguins	$474.24	0.20%
Philadelphia Flyers	$468.60	2.90%
Los Angeles Kings	$456.77	0.10%
Edmonton Oilers	$456.69	1%
Minnesota Wild	$454.07	-0.60%
New York Islanders	$445.84	15.70%
Tampa Bay Lightning	$434.74	5.50%
Vancouver Canucks	$432.13	1.50%
San Jose Sharks	$428.50	3.10%
St. Louis Blues	$421.54	1.40%
Winnipeg Jets	$418.39	3.80%
New Jersey Devils	$407.60	3.80%
Colorado Avalanche	$390.74	4.60%
Anaheim Ducks	$386.54	0.80%
Dallas Stars	$380.70	1.70%
Calgary Flames	$377.73	1.50%
Carolina Hurricanes	$377.70	3.10%
Ottawa Senators	$354.17	-1%
Columbus Blue Jackets	$348.06	0.30%
Buffalo Sabres	$346.76	1.60%
Florida Panthers	$319.74	5%
Arizona Coyotes	$314.70	-5%

Florida Panthers remain the NHL’s best deal for fans, but the others may surprise you

With their success on the ice and relatively low prices, the Panthers look like a pretty good value according to the 2022 NHL Fan Cost Index

theathletic.com

 

[mrzeigler]

What does the percentage column represent? Percentage change since the last such report?

 

[Fenway]

What does the percentage column represent? Percentage change since the last such report?

since last report

 

[fryfunk]

The cost metrics are based on the average cost of four non-premium tickets, two beers, two sodas, four hot dogs, two souvenir hats (as a proxy for merch buying) and parking.



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This whole premise of throwing in food prices is nonsense.

My guess is that those prices are more affected by which city you live in versus the cost of the ticket.

 

[No Fun Shogun]

It's still a cost most fans put up with. Not many fans go to a game without getting at least a soda or a beer and maybe a dog or some popcorn. Some places are more expensive than others and are worth taking into account as well.

 

[Bostonzamboni]

Hmmmm...Colorado seems relatively affordable for a great product.

But...I assume this kind of survey can't and doesn't take nto account group discounts, promo nights with discount tix, etc.

And do these ticket prices surveyed reflect the likely discount for season ticket holders or maybe it's based on thr likeky higher box office prices.

i wonder if any teams do not give some type of discount to their season ticket holders, in all major sports.

 

[Breakers]

I hear Seattle parking is complete nightmare sometimes and you end up shelling out insane figures.

 

[adsfan]

The Preds are ninth on the list and I am going tomorrow night!

Bostonzamboni the Predators did have a STH discount on sodas, food and merch. A $4.50 soda was $4 six years ago. We will see if they still have that.

 

[NorthCoast]

Hmmmm...Colorado seems relatively affordable for a great product.

But...I assume this kind of survey can't and doesn't take nto account group discounts, promo nights with discount tix, etc.

And do these ticket prices surveyed reflect the likely discount for season ticket holders or maybe it's based on thr likeky higher box office prices.

i wonder if any teams do not give some type of discount to their season ticket holders, in all major sports.

Ditto.

I am sure it's relatively accurate in that the bigger markets make more per fan attending than small markets, obviously revenue shows that to be true.

But this is a very inaccurate way to compare any specific markets 1-1 because each market applies different pricing/promo strategies as you stated.

ex: Most tickets in Winnipeg are season tickets, because they allow multiple people to buy into a season ticket package, and then share the tickets. So most people attending probably pay way under this listed price. In Florida, a lot of tickets (maybe less so this season now that they are finally competitive) are free with another event package (ie, concert ticket with panthers thrown in).

I'd be curious exactly what "non-premium" seats means as well. Can't be the lowest prices. Tickets in Ottawa are $40 CND = $30 USD X 4 = $120 USD...no way the average fan spends $230 USD on beer and souvenirs.

 

[MBH]

It's still a cost most fans put up with. Not many fans go to a game without getting at least a soda or a beer and maybe a dog or some popcorn. Some places are more expensive than others and are worth taking into account as well.

Because of the prices - that's exactly what I do. Don't even drink water.

 

[fryfunk]

Because of the prices - that's exactly what I do. Don't even drink water.

Seriously I can't understand the mentality.

I go out to eat when I'm bored. I have no idea what kind of diet someone has to have to require cheap junk food at 8 pm at night.

It's one of those go along with the crowd behaviors that is just so bizarre. It's like people who buy popcorn at the movies.

For me it's not about the money, it's the line ups, having someone breathing down my neck while I'm holding my penis in front of a urinal. If I don't have to mess with bathrooms/lines all the better.

Line ups are by far the worst aspect of being in an arena.

 

[fryfunk]

It's still a cost most fans put up with. Not many fans go to a game without getting at least a soda or a beer and maybe a dog or some popcorn. Some places are more expensive than others and are worth taking into account as well.

You're gonna have to give a citation on that one.

 

[MBH]

Seriously I can't understand the mentality.

I go out to eat when I'm bored. I have no idea what kind of diet someone has to have to require cheap junk food at 8 pm at night.

It's one of those go along with the crowd behaviors that is just so bizarre. It's like people who buy popcorn at the movies.

For me it's not about the money, it's the line ups, having someone breathing down my neck while I'm holding my penis in front of a urinal. If I don't have to mess with bathrooms/lines all the better.

Line ups are by far the worst aspect of being in an arena.

Right.
No wasted money.
No wasted time.
No inconvenient restroom trips.

It's f***ing insulting to pay $15 for a Pepsi and popcorn.

 

[fryfunk]

Right.
No wasted money.
No wasted time.
No inconvenient restroom trips.

It's f***ing insulting to pay $15 for a Pepsi and popcorn.

Yeah honestly even at home, I won't consume any of the above, while watching a game.

I get the consumption of alcohol bit, but you know you're drinking is out of control when you start thinking everyone is drinking at 7pm on a Tuesday, especially when you have to drive to and from the arena.

 

[MBH]

Yeah honestly even at home, I won't consume any of the above, while watching a game.

I get the consumption of alcohol bit, but you know you're drinking is out of control when you start thinking everyone is drinking at 7pm on a Tuesday, especially when you have to drive to and from the arena.

Right.
But there is something to the experience, right?
If I was going to a ball game with a nephew or whatever, I'd get him a hot dog and popcorn or whatever. Just for the fun of it.
But for myself? What a waste of money.

 

[fryfunk]

Right.
But there is something to the experience, right?
If I was going to a ball game with a nephew or whatever, I'd get him a hot dog and popcorn or whatever. Just for the fun of it.
But for myself? What a waste of money.

Again I don't get the appeal of the experience, I'd much rather spend the money going to a steak house etc before the game. Or if I'm up late going someone else after the game.

It's why the premise is just so strange to me.

I'm big on the idea of doing something before the game, which is why the money thing isn't really the biggest factor.

If you are throwing around the money why wouldn't you eat at a restaurant before the game?

My entire understanding of what makes a good arena set up is in fact being in an area where ticket buyers can do exactly that.

 

[BigBadBruins7708]

Ditto.

I am sure it's relatively accurate in that the bigger markets make more per fan attending than small markets, obviously revenue shows that to be true.

But this is a very inaccurate way to compare any specific markets 1-1 because each market applies different pricing/promo strategies as you stated.

ex: Most tickets in Winnipeg are season tickets, because they allow multiple people to buy into a season ticket package, and then share the tickets. So most people attending probably pay way under this listed price. In Florida, a lot of tickets (maybe less so this season now that they are finally competitive) are free with another event package (ie, concert ticket with panthers thrown in).

I'd be curious exactly what "non-premium" seats means as well. Can't be the lowest prices. Tickets in Ottawa are $40 CND = $30 USD X 4 = $120 USD...no way the average fan spends $230 USD on beer and souvenirs.

Guessing "non premium" just means not club seats or in a suite

 

[tarheelhockey]

Just a very minor thing, but the Hurricanes' beer costs may be overcalculated.

As often discussed on the Canes board, the team has a sponsorship agreement with a local brewer (R&D Brewing) to sell a Canes-branded beer called Storm Brew in the arena as well as local groceries. A 16 oz (pint) tall can of Storm Brew is $5, which is about half the price of any other beer option in the building, including a pint cup of Storm Brew on tap which sells for $15 (yes that is illogical, just buy the can and don't ask questions). Point being, you can buy two pints of Storm Brew for $10 or you can buy two pints of Labatt's for $30.

From observation I would say Storm Brew accounts for the majority of sales (people can and do get rip-roaring drunk for less than the price of a nosebleed ticket) but someone who doesn't know any better may have calculated this from the far more expensive domestic tap price point.

 

[tarheelhockey]

Again I don't get the appeal of the experience, I'd much rather spend the money going to a steak house etc before the game. Or if I'm up late going someone else after the game.

It's why the premise is just so strange to me.

I'm big on the idea of doing something before the game, which is why the money thing isn't really the biggest factor.

If you are throwing around the money why wouldn't you eat at a restaurant before the game?

My entire understanding of what makes a good arena set up is in fact being in an area where ticket buyers can do exactly that.

A lot of people are doing the calculus with a time factor in mind. Say it's a Thursday and you get off work at 5pm, need to walk 5 minutes to your car, it takes 20 minutes to get home, 15 minutes to get the family organized and out the door, 20 minutes to the arena, 10 minutes to navigate traffic/parking, 10 minutes to get from your car to your seat. If all of that goes to plan, you can get to your seat at 6:20 at the very earliest, game starts at 7:00. That gives you a 40-minute window to eat. Well, if going to the restaurant means driving another 5 minutes out of the way, that window becomes only 30 minutes. 5 minutes to walk in and get seated makes that 25 minutes. 5 minutes to pay the bill and get back to the car gives you 20 minutes to order and eat a meal.

So let's say the restaurant food is a pretty casual $15/person, plus a $3 tip making it $18. If an arena meal comes out to more like $20/person, you are basically paying $2 for the 40-minute difference between casually arriving ahead of time (meaning you avoid the worst of the lines, and get to see warmups from the glass or explore the team store) versus going through everything at a frantic last-second pace. The restaurant is not going to be enjoyable if you're stuffing your face, it's going to be stressful to hit the security lines 5 minutes before puck drop, you're going to have to step over an entire row of people to get to your seat, etc. Any delay and you're missing puck drop.

This all assumes the person is within 20 minutes of work, home, and arena. Say it's more like 20 minutes home and then 45 minutes to the arena, plus time for logistics like traffic and parking and walking. There is no possibility of eating a restaurant meal without missing part of the game, so those people aren't really even making a choice, it's just a necessary cost of the experience if they want to eat (unless they eat a sandwich while driving or something).

Don't get me wrong, I usually don't buy food at the arena for the reasons you describe. But people do tend to think carefully about where to eat and how much to spend on it, so the ones eating in the arena aren't just doing it arbitrarily.

 

[EdJovanovski]

This whole premise of throwing in food prices is nonsense.

My guess is that those prices are more affected by which city you live in versus the cost of the ticket.

I don’t know about that, Vancouver for instance is the most expensive city in North America and they’re in the middle of the pack here. Vegas is very cheap and it’s near the top

 

[joestevens29]

Right.
No wasted money.
No wasted time.
No inconvenient restroom trips.

It's f***ing insulting to pay $15 for a Pepsi and popcorn.

The alternative is probably more expensive tickets. At least this way if people don't want to actually eat or drink at a game they are saving money.

It's just us other suckers that pay to make up for it, lol.

 

[BigBadBruins7708]

I don’t know about that, Vancouver for instance is the most expensive city in North America and they’re in the middle of the pack here. Vegas is very cheap and it’s near the top

Las Vegas isnt cheap to live in

 

[tank44]

Seattle Kraken above is noted at $672 and looks about right.

Quick math for my costs:
Tickets: $130 each, cheapest full-season ticket option.
Beer: $13 each
Soda: $7 each
Hot Dog: $8 each
Hats: $30 each
Parking: $30
Total = $682

 

[tarheelhockey]

Las Vegas isnt cheap to live in

It's cheap compared to a lot of NHL cities, though. Nowhere remotely close to the cost of living in a place like NYC, LA, Chicago, Boston, Seattle, etc.

Vegas games aren't expensive because of the economy of Las Vegas, they're expensive because they're playing in the middle of one of the biggest tourist districts on the continent.

 

[fryfunk]

I don’t know about that, Vancouver for instance is the most expensive city in North America and they’re in the middle of the pack here. Vegas is very cheap and it’s near the top

The wages are actually quite low.