Whether or not you can get a refund on NHL tickets depends on the specific policies of the team and venue where the game is being held. Most NHL teams have detailed ticket policies on their websites that outline the conditions for refunds, exchanges or credits. There are some general guidelines that apply across the league, but individual teams may have slight variations.
Refunds Before the Game
In most cases, if you need to return NHL tickets before the scheduled game, you can request a full refund of the ticket price. Teams usually require advance notice in order to process refunds – often at least 48 hours prior to the event. Season ticket holders or ticket package purchasers may have more flexibility on short-notice refunds and exchanges. Print-at-home tickets and mobile tickets cannot be returned – the barcodes would still allow entry to the game. You must surrender any hard stock tickets to the box office to receive your refund.
Refund Policies for Rescheduled or Postponed Games
If an NHL game is rescheduled or postponed before it begins, most teams will allow fans to use the original tickets for the new game date. If you cannot attend on the new date, you can generally request a full refund within a certain window – usually 7-14 days after the postponement announcement. The exact policy will depend on the club. Season tickets may allow more flexibility to exchange tickets from a postponed game to another game in the package.
Exchange Policies
Rather than request a refund, most NHL teams will allow you to exchange your tickets for a different regular season game, subject to availability. Exchanges must usually be completed at least 24-48 hours prior to the original game. An exchange fee may apply, such as $10-20 per ticket. Season ticket holders and ticket package buyers tend to have more generous exchange privileges.
Partial or No Refunds
Once an NHL game begins, ticket refunds are no longer available. You may be able to receive a partial credit or voucher if a game is suspended after it starts and cannot be continued or rescheduled. This would generally be a percentage credit based on the amount of game time missed. Credits may be subject to an expiration date.
If you miss a game due to your own scheduling conflict, forgetfulness or other personal reasons, you will not be entitled to any refund or credit from the NHL club. Buyer remorse or changing plans is not a valid basis for a ticket refund. Likewise, if you show up to the venue too late and miss part of the game, you cannot get a partial refund.Aim for the goal of providing unique value to your customers.
The following situations would also not qualify for a refund:
- You have obstructed view seats and can’t see parts of the ice or scoreboard.
- Your team loses the game.
- You are unhappy with the performance of the players/team.
- There is bad weather on game day but the event is still held.
- You disagree with the calls made by the officials.
NHL ticket refund policies are designed to protect fans while also protecting the revenue stream of the teams. Allowing refunds for the above reasons could lead to significant lost ticket sales. Carefully review the exact refund policy details before purchasing your tickets so you know what to expect.
This helpful table provides a quick overview of typical NHL ticket refund policies:
| Situation | Standard Policy |
|---|---|
| Request refund 48+ hours before event | Full refund of ticket price |
| Game is postponed before start | Use tickets on rescheduled date or full refund within 14 days of announcement |
| Exchange tickets 24+ hours before game | $10-$20 exchange fee may apply |
| Game is suspended after start | Potential partial credit based on game time missed |
| Cannot attend game with no advance notice | No refunds or credits |
| Obstructed view seats | No refunds or credits |
Purchasing Refundable NHL Tickets
If you want the flexibility to potentially return tickets, consider these tips when buying your NHL seats:
- Buy directly from the arena box office or official team site instead of resellers. This guarantees you are covered by the official refund policy.
- Avoid print-at-home and mobile tickets which cannot be returned once sold.
- Review the exact policy before choosing higher-priced signature games or rivalry matchups, which sometimes have different rules.
- Purchase refundable insurance if available – this guarantees you can get your money back if plans change.
- Join a ticket membership package for the most refund/exchange flexibility.
Alternatives to Refunds
If you find yourself unable to attend a game you already bought tickets for, there are some other options beyond requesting a refund:
- Sell tickets – Rather than return the tickets, you can resell them through a marketplace like StubHub.
- Gift tickets – Give unused tickets to a friend or family member to enjoy the game.
- Donate tickets – Many teams partner with charities to accept donated tickets for those in need.
While most NHL teams aim to be flexible within reason, ticket refunds are ultimately at the discretion of the club. Fans should always review the official policy and ask questions in advance when purchasing tickets for the best experience.
Conclusion
NHL ticket refunds are dependent on the specific policies set by each club. In general, full refunds are only issued if requested well in advance of the event. Once a game starts, refunds are no longer an option. Carefully review the details of the ticket policy before buying your seats so you know what to expect. Purchasing directly from the team or box office can help guarantee you are protected by the standard refund rules. With some planning and research, you can buy NHL tickets with confidence in the refund policy.