It's been a while since I've attended a draft, but when I did, there was never any admission cost. This year in Vegas, they're charging approximately $75-$150 to attend day 1. Is that normal, or is it just because of the venue it's in this year?
DRAFT in Vegas Tickets Not Free
- Thread starter mondo3
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- Apr 29, 2015
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Chiarelli
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Roomtemperature
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Why would it ever be free?
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It's at the Sphere. They are hemorrhaging money. It will NOT be free.
Sasha Orlov
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- Jun 22, 2018
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Going to the draft seems like the biggest waste of time ever, what are you to see there ? SJ pick Celebrini?
To me it seems way more boring than ASG
To me it seems way more boring than ASG
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Super Hans
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You can get in free as long as you're actively gambling.
ZachaFlockaFlame
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Look Up
Klk
- Oct 3, 2013
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Was free back in Sunrise in 2015 when I last went. McDavid and Eichel drafted, plus the entertainment of watching Sweeney and the Bruins draft 3 in a row, lol.
ck26
Alcoholab User
In a town that is full of cool, dumb, spectacular, total wastes of money, the Sphere is the coolest, dumbest, most spectacular total waste of money in all of Las Vegas.
mundyc3
Registered User
I paid $150 each but got free tickets to a Knights game with it. Sold my tickets to the game I received free tickets to and got most of the money back
dirtydanglez
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- Oct 30, 2022
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no kidding. if there was ever a draft that was free it wouldn't be the very last destination draft that's at the sphere.
Super Cake
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MikeyMike01
U.S.S. Wang
It used to be free up until 2016; I attended in 2010/2011/2015. I didn't recall it being too expensive for Chicago in 2017. I had to buy a day 1 ticket off StubHub for Vancouver in 2019. I got a bit of sticker shock for the Day 1 tickets this year. Day 2 at least isn't too bad although the extra service charges almost doubled the final cost.
I didn't mind them charging a small amount. I was annoyed when 2012 was "sold out" because people reserved the maximum amount of free tickets to try to put back on the resale market. And then a good number of tickets went unused since people weren't pot committed to making sure they didn't go to waste. I remember there was a delay in announcing the 2018 Draft location because teams weren't lining up to host since it tended to be a money losing venture.
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Gaylord Q Tinkledink
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- Apr 29, 2018
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Ducksforcup
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I am going since it's supposedly the last live NHL draft that will ever be conducted. The fact that it's at The Sphere (which is massively cool) is an added side benefit.
- Nov 15, 2020
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An excuse to get hammered and meet hockey people
If that is true, another massive L for the NHL.
I understand why it might feel as exciting as attending your cousin's high school graduation, but it's fun to be in the same room. If you're sitting in the lower bowl, you can see which GMs are talking and let your imagination run wild if they're talking trade or summer vacation plans.
2011 was probably my favorite year of attending since we snuck into the players section. It's one thing to witness a guy drop on TV and it's a different feeling looking on the other side of the aisle and seeing Brandon Saad sweating out the last few picks of the first round. Before that draft began, my other buddy was criticizing Mika Zibanejad while not realizing Zibanejad was sitting right in front of him.
It's also a good spot for photos/autographs. I finally worked up the nerve to ask Martin Brodeur to sign my jersey as the 2019 Draft was wrapping up; Depending on his mood, he has a nice signature or some chicken scratch, I got something in between. I've had quick conversations with Bob McKenzie, Elliotte Friedman, Steve Thomas, and other draftees. The Devils owner tapped me on the shoulder before the 2017 Draft and asked me for a photo.
Stanley Cup is usually on display as well and that's a photo opp that doesn't get old. Definitely a shorter line on Day 2.
It's definitely not for the average fan. It shouldn't surprise me, but I've sat by other people who had zero clue who any of the prospects were. They were simply there to "WOOOO YEAH" when their team made a selection. But for folks posting trade offers on a hockey message board, attending the draft might be closest they ever get to be being in the room.
For most folks, the draft will look mostly the same next year or at least will resemble the NFL's. There won't be the 32 tables of GMs, scouts, etc but the prospects will still be there. I think it's expected that teams would send a notable alumnus and/or current player to greet the prospect while the rest of the hockey ops makes the pick remotely.
I haven't been since the last 1-day draft in 2003 in Toronto... but they have been charging admission for a while now.
Did Gary Bettman scrap the in person live draft just so he can be the one to announce every pick?
