The NHL Stadium Series is a set of outdoor hockey games played as part of the National Hockey League (NHL) regular season schedule. These games are held at NFL or MLB stadiums in order to showcase hockey in large outdoor venues. Tickets for these highly anticipated events tend to be in high demand and more expensive than regular season NHL games.
Average Ticket Prices
According to data from TicketIQ, the average price for NHL Stadium Series tickets on the secondary market over the past 5 years has been $275. This is significantly higher than the league average ticket price of around $85. Here is a breakdown of the average ticket prices for recent NHL Stadium Series games:
| Year | Matchup | Venue | Average Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Washington Capitals vs. Carolina Hurricanes | Carter-Finley Stadium | $412 |
| 2022 | Nashville Predators vs. Tampa Bay Lightning | Nissan Stadium | $236 |
| 2021 | Boston Bruins vs. Philadelphia Flyers | Lake Tahoe | $166 |
| 2020 | Los Angeles Kings vs. Colorado Avalanche | Falcon Stadium | $195 |
| 2019 | Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Philadelphia Flyers | Lincoln Financial Field | $270 |
As you can see, average ticket prices have ranged from $166 to $412 over the past 5 Stadium Series events. The cheapest tickets were for the 2021 Lake Tahoe game, likely due to reduced capacity limits because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The most expensive were for the upcoming 2023 game in Raleigh, North Carolina.
Factors Affecting Ticket Prices
There are several factors that impact NHL Stadium Series ticket prices:
- Matchup – Games featuring high-profile, rivalry matchups like Penguins vs. Flyers or Capitals vs. Hurricanes will demand a premium.
- Venue Size – Bigger NFL stadiums with 70,000+ capacity will have more expensive face value prices.
- Location – Games in big hockey markets like New York, Boston or Philly tend to be pricier.
- Day of Week – Weekend games are typically 10-20% more expensive than weekday matchups.
- Weather – Cold, wintry weather will increase demand for the unique outdoor experience.
- Stanley Cup Implications – Late season games with playoff seeding on the line will draw more interest.
Let’s take a deeper look at how some of these factors impact NHL Stadium Series ticket prices on the secondary market.
Matchup
Rivalry games featuring two popular opponents generate the most ticket demand. Since the first NHL Stadium Series in 2014, matchups between long-time rivals like Penguins vs. Flyers and Rangers vs. Islanders have commanded the highest average resale prices:
| Matchup | Year | Average Price |
|---|---|---|
| Penguins vs. Flyers | 2019 | $270 |
| Rangers vs. Islanders | 2014 | $262 |
| Kings vs. Ducks | 2014 | $199 |
| Capitals vs. Maple Leafs | 2018 | $190 |
Conversely, less prominent matchups like Avalanche vs. Red Wings or Wild vs. Blackhawks have sold for cheaper average resale prices under $175 historically.
Venue Size
The Stadium Series is designed to highlight hockey in huge outdoor NFL venues. Games played in larger stadiums with 70,000+ capacity have much higher average ticket prices than ones in smaller MLB ballparks.
For instance, the 2016 Stadium Series game between the Wild and Blackhawks at TCF Bank Stadium (capacity: 52,000) had an average resale price of $140. Meanwhile, the 2019 matchup between the Penguins and Flyers at Lincoln Financial Field (capacity: 69,000) commanded an average resale price of $270 – nearly twice as expensive!
The enormous capacity of these NFL stadiums allows the NHL to sell many more face value tickets, which then drives up resale demand and prices on the secondary market.
Location
Unsurprisingly, NHL Stadium Series games held in traditional hockey markets with large fan bases command the highest ticket prices. Here are the 3 most expensive host cities since 2014 based on average resale price:
| Host City | Average Price |
|---|---|
| New York/New Jersey | $262 |
| Philadelphia | $270 |
| Boston | $166 |
On the flip side, Stadium Series games in warmer climates or smaller hockey markets have tended to sell tickets for cheaper resale prices. For example, the 2016 Colorado game averaged just $104 per ticket on the secondary market.
Ticket Prices by Section
In general, NHL Stadium Series ticket prices follow typical NHL pricing conventions by section. Lower bowl seats closest to the ice are most expensive, while upper deck corners and end zone seats are cheapest. However, with massive NFL stadium capacities, even upper deck seats are in high demand relative to regular arena seating.
Here are the average resale prices for different sections at recent NHL Stadium Series events:
| Section | 2018 Capitals vs. Leafs | 2019 Penguins vs. Flyers | 2022 Predators vs. Lightning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lower Bowl Corners | $425 | $537 | $346 |
| Lower Bowl Sidelines | $292 | $396 | $278 |
| Upper Bowl Corners | $192 | $205 | $176 |
| Upper Bowl Sidelines | $230 | $246 | $198 |
| End Zone/Behind Stage | $175 | $184 | $149 |
Lower bowl corner seats closest to center ice are generally 2-3x more expensive than upper deck end zone seats. However, keep in mind even the cheapest upper deck tickets still cost 50-100% more than regular season NHL games.
When to Buy
For the biggest savings on NHL Stadium Series tickets, it’s best to buy early before the surge in demand leading up to the event. On average, Stadium Series tickets are cheapest on the resale market in the 1-2 months after the game is announced, then gradually increase in price until they peak 1-2 weeks before game day.
Here is an example of how NHL Stadium Series resale prices have historically trended over time leading up to the game:
| Days Before Game | Average Listing Price |
|---|---|
| 90+ Days | $175 |
| 60 Days | $225 |
| 30 Days | $275 |
| 15 Days | $325 |
| Less than 5 Days | $375 |
Buying Stadium Series tickets within the first couple months of being on sale can save fans $100 or more per ticket versus waiting until right before the event. Of course, prices also depend on the specific matchup and venue – a hot ticket like Capitals vs. Hurricanes may see less discounting over time.
Where to Buy
There are a few options for where to buy NHL Stadium Series tickets:
- Primary market – Tickets sold directly by the NHL via Ticketmaster when originally released. Limited quantity sells out fast.
- Secondary market – Resale sites like StubHub, VividSeats and SeatGeek. Largest supply but prices much higher than face value.
- Team/venue box offices – Any remaining tickets released closer to the event, often last minute singles.
The primary way most fans buy Stadium Series seats is on the secondary market. Sites like StubHub offer thousands of tickets being resold by season ticket holders and brokers. This offers more selection but prices will be marked up well above face value depending on demand.
Buying from the original NHL Ticketmaster sale gives you tickets at face value, but the limited quantities sell out immediately to season ticket holders and premium members. Your best bet is to research prices weeks in advance and buy early on the secondary market for the biggest discounts.
Conclusion
NHL Stadium Series tickets carry a major premium over regular season games, with average resale prices around $275 in recent years. Prices vary based on the specific teams, venue, and demand for the unique outdoor experience.
Fans can save money by buying tickets early in the resale market, before demand ramps up leading up to the event. Look for upper deck corner and end zone seats if you want the cheapest available tickets. Lower bowl center ice seats run as high as 3-4x more expensive.
The NHL Stadium Series provides hockey fans a special opportunity to see the game in enormous outdoor stadiums. While more expensive than regular NHL tickets, the memorable experience and exclusive atmosphere make Stadium Series seats well worth the price for many.
