Watching a Minnesota Wild hockey game live at the Xcel Energy Center is an exciting experience for any hockey fan. As one of the most popular professional sports teams in Minnesota, Wild games often sell out quickly. Ticket prices can vary greatly depending on factors like the opponent, day of the week, seat location, and time of purchase. Here is an in-depth look at how much Minnesota Wild tickets typically cost.
Average Ticket Prices
Across all games and seating sections, the average price for a Minnesota Wild ticket during the 2022-2023 regular season is $123 according to data from Ticketmaster. This average price fluctuates during the season based on factors like a weekend vs. weekday game and a high-demand opponent like the Chicago Blackhawks. For example, the average Wild ticket price is $142 for weekend games and $111 for weekday games. Prices are also higher earlier in the season, averaging $130 in October before declining to $115 in April.
For individual games, prices can range from as low as $40 for upper level seats against less popular opponents on weeknights to over $350 for lower level seats against rivals on weekends. The most expensive average ticket price based on 2022 data is $276 for lower level seats against the Blackhawks. The cheapest average is $63 for upper level seats against the Arizona Coyotes.
Ticket Prices by Section
Ticket prices vary significantly depending on which seating section you choose at the Xcel Energy Center. The arena holds over 18,000 fans and has three main seating levels – lower level, club level, and upper level. Here are the average 2022-2023 regular season ticket prices for different sections:
- Lower level seats – $170 average ticket price. Lower level seats are the most expensive and closest to the ice.
- Club level seats – $105 average ticket price. Club level seats are mid-range seats with access to exclusive club spaces.
- Upper level seats – $80 average ticket price. Upper level seats are the cheapest tickets and furthest from the ice.
Within each seating level, ticket prices decrease the further you move from center ice. The most expensive lower level seats average around $325 each behind the team benches and penalty boxes. The cheapest upper level seats that are in the corners or ends of the arena average around $60 each.
Notable Sections
Some specific seating sections have unique advantages or price points:
- The Overlook section features higher-end seats behind one of the goals with access to an exclusive bar and lounge. Tickets here average around $165.
- The Boardwalk section contains seats with a close view behind the team benches. Tickets in this central location average around $245.
- Student Rush tickets let students purchase unsold upper level seats at a discount on game day. These discounted tickets average just $25 each.
Factors That Impact Ticket Prices
Several factors can cause Minnesota Wild ticket prices to fluctuate up or down for any given game:
- Day of the week – Weekend games are more expensive than weeknights.
- Opposing team – Popular rivals like Chicago and Colorado drive up demand.
- Time of season – Prices decline as the season goes on if the Wild are out of playoff contention.
- Promotions – Giveaways and special events make some games more popular.
- Current team performance – Big winning or losing streaks impact ticket sales.
Knowing when prices are most likely to drop can help score better deals. Weeknight games in April against non-rival opponents when the Wild are struggling are typically the most affordable.
Where to Buy Tickets
There are several options for where to buy Minnesota Wild tickets both online and in person:
- Online – The Wild’s official website and resellers like StubHub offer digital tickets for home delivery or electronic transfer.
- Box office – Purchase directly at the Xcel Energy Center box office on game days or non-game days.
- Ticket brokers – Third party ticket agencies may offer physical ticket delivery in addition to email and mobile tickets.
- Secondary markets – Sites like Craigslist have user-posted ads for buying and selling tickets between fans.
- Season ticket holders – Existing season ticket holders sometimes sell individual game tickets through online marketplaces.
Purchasing directly through the team website or box office ensures authentic tickets. However, reseller sites like StubHub frequently offer significant discounts on tickets closer to game days as sellers reduce prices to attract buyers.
Tips for Getting Cheap Tickets
While Minnesota Wild tickets can be expensive, especially for marquee games, fans have many options to find deals and save money:
- Buy upper level seats – The highest rows in the arena have the most affordable tickets.
- Purchase groups of seats – Buying in bulk often unlocks discounts not available for single seats.
- Attend weekday games – Avoiding Fridays and Saturdays see significantly lower demand and prices.
- Check for promotions – Many games have special promo deals like college or military discounts.
- Buy on resale sites – StubHub and other resellers offer discounted last-minute seats.
- Wait until the last minute – Prices tend to drop dramatically in the hours leading up to the game.
Taking advantage of these tips, being flexible on the specific game, and shopping around can help fans find great deals on Wild tickets even when buying closer to game day.
Ticket Prices vs. Other NHL Teams
Compared to other NHL teams, Minnesota Wild tickets have an average price slightly below the middle of the league. According to 2022 data from ESPN, the average Wild ticket is the 17th most expensive out of 32 teams at $123. The most expensive average ticket is for the Toronto Maple Leafs at over $200 above the Wild. The cheapest is the Arizona Coyotes at $84.
Here are how Minnesota Wild tickets compare to some key rivals and neighboring teams (from most to least expensive average ticket):
Team | Average Ticket Price |
---|---|
Chicago Blackhawks | $175 |
Winnipeg Jets | $140 |
Minnesota Wild | $123 |
Colorado Avalanche | $122 |
St. Louis Blues | $105 |
The Wild are on the higher end for teams in the Midwest region but rank near the middle overall versus all NHL teams. Attending rival Blackhawks games at the Xcel Energy Center comes with one of the highest average ticket prices in the league.
Student and Military Discounts
The Minnesota Wild offer discounted ticket programs for certain groups who may otherwise have difficulty affording games. These include:
- Student Rush – Upper level tickets can be purchased for just $25 on game days with a valid student ID. There is a limit of 2 tickets per student.
- Military Appreciation – Active military members and veterans receive 10% off upper level tickets by showing proper ID at the Xcel Energy Center box office.
Taking advantage of these special discount programs allow students and military members to enjoy Minnesota Wild hockey at a highly affordable price point. Student Rush in particular makes games accessible, with $25 tickets in the upper sections – a big saving over the $80 average. Military members still pay less than full price even for more expensive lower level seats.
Season Ticket Plans
Beyond purchasing tickets for individual games, some fans choose season tickets for the most tickets at the best possible prices. Season tickets come in partial or full season plans with pricing based on seat location. Features include:
- Guaranteed seats for every home game.
- Special season ticket holder events like meet-the-team.
- Discounts on merchandise and concessions.
- Flexible payment plans.
Full season ticket plans normally include tickets to all 41 regular season home games. Partial “half” plans typically include either the first or second half of the season, so around 20 games. Season tickets must be purchased directly through the Wild box office and prices vary widely based on seat location. Some sample season ticket costs are:
Plan | Seat Location | Total Price |
---|---|---|
Full season | Lower level | $8,500 |
Half season | Club level | $2,650 |
Half season | Upper level | $1,200 |
When calculated on a per-game basis, season tickets represent big savings over buying tickets individually. For instance, lower level season tickets equate to around $207 per game compared to over $300 typically. But the large upfront cost is prohibitive for many fans.
2021-2022 Season Ticket Holder Benefits
In addition to guaranteed seats and discounted prices, 2021-2022 Minnesota Wild season ticket holders received these membership benefits:
- 10% discount on merchandise at Hockey Lodge team stores
- 10% discount on food/beverage at concession stands
- Invites to season ticket holder events like summer cocktail party
- Gifting program to share tickets with friends and family
- Exclusive access to purchase 2023 NHL Winter Classic tickets
- Digital Ticketing Assistants for managing mobile tickets
The merchandise and concession discounts in particular provide significant savings over time that further increase the value versus buying individual game tickets. Perks like exclusive Winter Classic access, gifting abilities, and VIP events adds to the season ticket holder experience.
Best Games to Get Tickets For
With prices varying so dramatically between games based on opponent and date, what are the best Minnesota Wild games for fans to target when buying tickets?
- Rival matchups – See the Wild take on fierce division rivals like the Chicago Blackhawks, Colorado Avalanche, and Winnipeg Jets.
- Major holidays – Games on or around Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s are popular gift ideas.
- Giveaway nights – Promotional bobbleheads, shirts, and other freebies attract bigger crowds.
- Weekend games – Friday and Saturday nights bring the most exciting atmospheres.
- End of season – With lower prices, late season games are affordable and key for playoff races.
Focus on weekend rivalry games around the holidays for the perfect storm of excitement and energy in the arena. But also consider cheaper weeknights later in the season as the Wild make a playoff push.
Conclusion
Watching Minnesota Wild hockey live is a beloved tradition for sports fans in the Land of 10,000 Lakes. While ticket prices can seem intimidating, everyone from diehard season ticket holders to budget-minded students can find ways to enjoy games in person. The largest cost factor is seat location, with lower level seats averaging over $150 and upper decks under $100. Comparing costs to other nearby NHL teams, the Wild are moderately priced – less than Chicago but more than St. Louis. Those willing to be flexible on finding cheaper weeknights and less in-demand opponents can save significant money. Special student and military discounts open doors for $25 seats. And season tickets offer big savings versus single-game pricing for fans able to make the large upfront investment. By understanding the factors that drive price fluctuations, Wild fans can find great deals and enjoy NHL excitement live at the Xcel Energy Center regardless of budget.