News Article: Thoughts On Proposed PNC Arena Upgrades?

[tarheelhockey]

This! My section is 120 and sometimes 118. After the first period like clockwork me and several other guys standing atop the sections int the lounge for the rest of the game. The back of the seat just digs into my knees and i can't take it so i just stand the rest of the game. Really would be nice if this was addressed.

It sounded like they came into the focus group expecting to hear negative feedback about the seat sizes. They've done a bunch of other NHL arenas, so I'm inferring that PNC compares poorly to the current industry standard*.

* except Boston

 

[DaMillers]

Yes, I find it interesting that my seats up top are actually more comfortable than the lower level seats. We got moved down for the last game, and being all bunched up in the seat my feet starting hurting, even with my short Italian legs....

 

[the halleJOKEL]

the best lower level seats are the ones in like row E or F where you get extra leg room and a nice railing to put your feet on

 

[CandyCanes]

My thoughts on PNC Arena renovations: who gives a ****, just win and be Cup contenders and the arena atmosphere will be great all of the time. If putting a few more luxury boxes and perks and adding new concession areas helps boost the payroll to the cap ceiling, do it.

SMH Canes should be playing at Dorton Arena

 

[DaveG]

Yes, I find it interesting that my seats up top are actually more comfortable than the lower level seats. We got moved down for the last game, and being all bunched up in the seat my feet starting hurting, even with my short Italian legs....

Yep, I've noticed the same when I've been in the lower level down near the benches for pre season games because of freebies, or in catching training camp. I find myself wanting to move up to my 300 level seats fairly quickly. A bit higher up in the 100s seems to be better at least on the center ice sections

 

[Svechhammer]

This! My section is 120 and sometimes 118. After the first period like clockwork me and several other guys standing atop the sections int the lounge for the rest of the game. The back of the seat just digs into my knees and i can't take it so i just stand the rest of the game. Really would be nice if this was addressed.

There are a few rows like this in 121.

Just unacceptable to have an arena where you have people paying thousands to attend games where the seats don't provide enough leg room to anyone over 6' tall.

 

[skipnjump]

There are a few rows like this in 121.

Just unacceptable to have an arena where you have people paying thousands to attend games where the seats don't provide enough leg room to anyone over 6' tall.

Yeah, being over 6 feet tall myself, I keep forgetting how lacking in leg room the lower level seats are. They are also awfully narrow. I feel like I get bruises from sitting there.

 

[Svechhammer]

Apparently this was presented today as a preliminary plan for the renovation. Looks fairly extensive

 

[chaz4hockey]

^^^^^^
Thanks for sharing.....wow, huge makeover with premium seating (cough, price increases) dominating the rehab.

Looks great although the plans seem to eliminate my mid-ice/current mezzanine seating and being replaced by a "club"....meh to that.

 

[Nikishin Go Boom]

sadly, i would be most excited about the traffic improvements.

 

[MinJaBen]

Clearly, the plan is to upgrade the arena and then steal the Suns from Phoenix.

 

[cptjeff]

sadly, i would be most excited about the traffic improvements.

I'm a cheap seats fan. No shits given about the high end amenities. Beer, barbecue, and a seat. Turn off all the stupid flashy lights, stupid sound effects, and play some simple music (hell, bring back the organ). Mites playing hockey at intermission. Is that so hard? Who are all those led strips and sound effects for, anyway?

I'm there for the hockey. Show me hockey. And getting me in and out efficiently is a good deal too.

 

[mikeyfan]

Although not in Raleigh anymore, I think an eating establishment in the parking lot between the PNC and Wolfpack stadium called the Tailgater with a small outdoor seating area, selling barbecue, Chicken, and hamburgers, Would be a major hit, embracing everything about the uniqueness of Hockey in Carolina.

 

[DaveG]

Not a fan of what's ultimately going to be a removal of a lot of the cheap seats in the upper level from the looks of this plan. Guarantee that prices for those areas are going to skyrocket as a result of this. Supply and Demand and all that.

 

[Derailed75]

Not a fan of what's ultimately going to be a removal of a lot of the cheap seats in the upper level from the looks of this plan. Guarantee that prices for those areas are going to skyrocket as a result of this. Supply and Demand and all that.

I think they have to keep as many cheap seats as they can and still upgrade. Lets face it every well run sports franchise has down years. Hopefully this group can keep those to a minimum, but if they hit any prolonged down spells and they dont have cheap seats that place will get really empty really quickly.

 

[tarheelhockey]

Looking at the nature of these upgrades, it’s pretty clear that the goal is to increase the number of “premium experiences” and raise prices accordingly.

I’m excited to see them investing in the arena, but quite frankly this is probably bad news for the average fan. It’s about to get harder to afford a Canes game, which has long term repercussions.

 

[Nikishin Go Boom]

Looking at the nature of these upgrades, it’s pretty clear that the goal is to increase the number of “premium experiences” and raise prices accordingly.

I’m excited to see them investing in the arena, but quite frankly this is probably bad news for the average fan. It’s about to get harder to afford a Canes game, which has long term repercussions.

the 80/20 rule in sports. 80% of the money is made from 20% of the fans

 

[tarheelhockey]

the 80/20 rule in sports. 80% of the money is made from 20% of the fans

Unfortunately this model also means they’re ok with 80% attendance if it’s coming from that 20% fan group.

 

[chaz4hockey]

Looking at the nature of these upgrades, it’s pretty clear that the goal is to increase the number of “premium experiences” and raise prices accordingly.

I’m excited to see them investing in the arena, but quite frankly this is probably bad news for the average fan. It’s about to get harder to afford a Canes game, which has long term repercussions.

Key question to be answered is whether the Cane's market can absorb the proposed Increases in premium seats in both season ticket sales + individual game packages.

Quite frankly, I don't see it as the Triangle is not a HQ Corporation market similar to NY, Boston, etc.

 

[Derailed75]

Key question to be answered is whether the Cane's market can absorb the proposed Increases in premium seats in both season ticket sales + individual game packages.

Quite frankly, I don't see it as the Triangle is not a HQ Corporation market similar to NY, Boston, etc.

I would imagine the fact they sold out the Stadium game at $300+ per seat is giving them the thought that they can raise prices and still sell tickets.

 

[MinJaBen]

I would imagine the fact they sold out the Stadium game at $300+ per seat is giving them the thought that they can raise prices and still sell tickets.

They better be careful interpolating a one off event into 41 games a year prices. I'll pay once for the rare experience, but won't do it 40 more times every year.

 

[The Jerk Store]

Unfortunately this model also means they’re ok with 80% attendance if it’s coming from that 20% fan group.

50/50 chance this happens

 

[Negan4Coach]

Go ahead and put the new one in North Hills. Might as well, won’t be any more out there than dropping a 47 story building right where Walgreens is.

 

[Derailed75]

They better be careful interpolating a one off event into 41 games a year prices. I'll pay once for the rare experience, but won't do it 40 more times every year.

I agree. TBH as much as I want to see them play the rest of the O6 teams (Ive seen the Wings, Habs, and Hawks) what they charge for the premium teams like the Rags, Leafs is more than Im willing to pay unless its just me and my wife going. I like paying sub 40 bucks for upper level cheap seats. I have paid right around $100 for lower bowl seats once but not something Im willing to do 2-6 times a year when I can get to the games.

 

[LostInaLostWorld]

Yep. Gotta watch out for the corporate buyers who 1) don't attend many games and 2) not truly fans thus weakening the Caniac type experience we know and love.