Is any seat at game better than watching on tv

[Dust]

Hockey is the best sport to watch live, any seat is better than watching at home. There's obviously financial factors with going to games, but that wasn't the question.

 

[GrkFlyersFan]

It will be a sad day when I don't get excited to look out onto the ice the first time. I've been to over 150 Flyers games and have been lucky enough to never lose that. I go about 5-10 times a season and it beats TV every time.

 

[connellc]

Note- I'm In Detroit

If you're factoring in costs to an NHL game along with parking, expensive tickets and lame atmosphere it's not worth it for me to go on a regular basis more than three times a year MAX. I try to go with my hockey friend at least once, but with the economy the way it is, I even skip that. This last year I didn't even go. The year before I went twice. This year haven't been to a game.

My limit for a playoff NHL game would be about 120 dollars a ticket, and that price is no longer possible, so I'm limited to going to late season games where weather is not a factor, and the games are meaningless, and tix are heavily discounted. It's more of a social thing now than anything.

With regards to other hockey leagues like Major Junior (OHL,WHL,QMJHL) where ticket prices are about 25 dollars Canadian and free parking included? Worth it, especially if you bring another hockey fan, and one or team has a future NHL player. Truth be told, these games were 5 times more fun during the 1990's and early 2000's because of the passion and more fighting, and more talent. Even with that type of value, I'd still probably only go to select weekend games and a handful of playoffs.

 

[1989]

OP didn't ask about cost or time or effort around going to games, they're talking about the viewing experience - the literal viewing angles from their arena seats + the live event experience and whether it beat the at-home viewing experience.

The answer is, it depends - some people enjoy hockey more with talking heads analyzing the game whille cameras primarily show the action but not the build-up of play and tactics away from the puck.

It's not for everyone and that's why edited content has its own appeal as does the raw, real life deal.

I'm not afraid to say I like both. I worked in and around NHL arenas for the better part of a decade and watched many, many games in that span, and not always from your typical attendee angles. I also like watching from home because it's comfortable and I have enough experience as a fan to infer things that are happening away from the puck/somewhere off-camera.

 

[Chips]

Behind the bench is the worst seats, and anywhere along the glass.


Front row of the middle bowl, or anywhere in the top bowl has surprisingly great view. Middle-ish, leaning more towards the goal you want to see scores on is perfect

 

[Seras]

My fave seats have been center ice 1st row of the upper level

 

[WTG]

Bar seats, lower bowl, Climate Pledge Arena are GOAT tier. Watching the game in person just gets you to appreciate the best players.

 

[jetsmooseice]

Interesting question about watching from home vs watching on TV. I mean, the viewing angles are generally going to be better on TV unless you have prime seats in the arena (which I rarely do, I'm an upper deck kind of guy, haha). The replays, commentary, ability to pause, etc. all add something too.

But there is something about the atmosphere of being in the arena that adds to the experience. I can tell you that if I'm in the building, I will be locked into the game until the final horn. But if I'm watching on TV, if the game gets dull I'm likely to pull out my phone and start scrolling, or just walk away entirely. Being in the arena is just very engaging.

 

[Lazlo Hollyfeld]

Every seat is. Hockey is absolutely a sport better watched live.

I'd say most seats are. But there can be some really bad seats.

I saw a Wings game in LA back when it was the Staples Center. I had seats behind the visitors bench, not realizing the seats were the same level as the players bench. So all game you're staring at the backs of coaches and players.

Given the constant line changes with players standing up I could barely see the game.

Unsurprisingly that section was filled with visiting fans like me who didn't know any better.

 

[Perfect_Drug]

Nobody on TV saw this shit happening last year:


Everyone just saw a breakaway materialize out of nothing several times a game.

 

[knuck]

For sure.

I would add a less dramatic but just as important thing to watch which is much easier in person, is line changes.

Drives me crazy that TV broadcasts don't emphasize that hockey is a game of shifts, and while not the same as at-bats in a baseball game, there are 75 or so various match-ups every game.

Even when lines are matched pretty closely there is still the element of good shift or bad shift. Good shift or bad shift. Good shift or bas shift...........who's up next for us and who are they going to send out?

Just a lot of work to properly track on TV.

I'm 39 and have been watching since the mid 90s. I'm ashamed to admit that to this day, I still don't know how line changes work, practically speaking. Does the coach yell a line number or the player numbers? Do the players sit in a particular order on the bench? What if a player shortens their shift for on reason or another, who jumps on?

I've obviously never played the game in any organized form lol

 

[TageGod]

The answer for me is definitely not.
I just cant enjoy hockey from any viewpoint other than on the side and i have to be somewhat elevated.
I was at game 3 of 92 Stanley Cup at Chicago Stadium and got to sit three rows behind the goal
The best thing really was just taking in the whole experience not my view of the game
Sat in the corner at another game about ten rows up and didn't enjoy that much either

For me, 200 level center ice. It is essentially a slightly zoomed in TV view where you can still HEAR the game, not just see it.

 

[GreeningOil]

I go for the atmosphere. I enjoy chanting and the excitement when goals are scored, booing/ cheering former players/ hated rivals, and what not.

At home I miss out on that. So for viewing? Tv is objectively better. But for an experience and entertainment, you can’t beat being anywhere in the building.

This video of fans singing the Canadian anthem is one of those experiences.

(Hopefully it works)

 

[Sniper99]

You don't feel like cattle at home.

and you can put your feet up and not have to pay $8 for a coke or $16 for a beer.

Though i do recommend paying $200+ at least once to sit ice level to see McDavid fly up and down the ice.

 

[FerrisRox]

The answer for me is definitely not.
I just cant enjoy hockey from any viewpoint other than on the side and i have to be somewhat elevated.
I was at game 3 of 92 Stanley Cup at Chicago Stadium and got to sit three rows behind the goal
The best thing really was just taking in the whole experience not my view of the game
Sat in the corner at another game about ten rows up and didn't enjoy that much either

I would take almost any seat live over watching a game on TV.

The ability to watch the entire game, and focus on particular players on different shifts is so much more informative than strictly seeing where the puck is at all times.

 

[PaulD]

Yes. But only right down at ice level.
The big screen TV does the actual live speed (for fans at ice level) no justice.
Checkout a live play off game for maximum effect. Or international best on best.
Players taking off from the bench over the wall like Missile Jets taking off a runway one after another.

 

[Golden_Jet]

Any game live is the best, but there is some bias in there, as have been to 600-700 live games.

Favourite seats
1) first row second bowl
2) first row 3rd bowl

 

[aylib]

I enjoy watching from home.

 

[Golden_Jet]

I'm 39 and have been watching since the mid 90s. I'm ashamed to admit that to this day, I still don't know how line changes work, practically speaking. Does the coach yell a line number or the player numbers? Do the players sit in a particular order on the bench? What if a player shortens their shift for on reason or another, who jumps on?

I've obviously never played the game in any organized form lol

Assuming lines aren’t being juggled in game.
Coach will yell the centres name, as the next line up.

 

[knuck]

Assuming lines aren’t being juggled in game.
Coach will yell the centres name, as the next line up.

no way lol. Nice

thx

 

[jetsforever]

I agree that in most cases it's better viewing on TV

I was at a game pretty recently though and somehow ended up towards the top of the lower bowl near centre ice and that viewing angle was awesome - similar perspective to the TV camera but a lower angle and you can get a better sense of certain things live than on TV

 

[Goose]

I do first row upper deck center when I go, which is infrequently.

Usually about the same cost as an average lower seat but great view of everything happening.

 

[Minnesota Knudsens]

A few years back my family sat around row ten at Amelie, right on the Lightning players tunnel, and it was amazing. I thought the view of the ice was great and my son got to fist bump his hero, Stamkos after he scored a goal near the end of the first. My son will never forget that. Plus just watching the players come out on the ice was really cool.

I had similar seats at the Panthers arena and the view was not as good because you couldn’t see the puck at all on the near boards. Go figure.

I would recommend sitting close, but high enough so you can see the play along the boards closest to you. And like many others have said here, you can’t beat the live atmosphere and you get to see things that the tv cameras won’t show you.

 

[PenguinSuitedUp]

Nose bleeds center ice first row for me

This is it. First several rows center ice, depending on where the railing/glass plate obstructs your view.

 

[Gunnersaurus Rex]

It can be exciting to be at a playoff game as the atmosphere is good.
But for the most part, I'd rather watch on TV. Being surrounded by glass bangers, drunk idiots, people deciding a hockey game is a good place to sit and eat their entire dinner and the uncomfortable seats, does not make for an enjoyable experience.