The Tampa Bay Lightning are one of the most exciting teams to watch in the NHL. As the back-to-back Stanley Cup champions, Lightning tickets are always in high demand. If you want to see the Bolts play live at Amalie Arena, you’ll need to plan ahead and know the best ways to get tickets.
Buy Early
The best way to ensure you can get Lightning tickets is to buy early. As soon as individual game tickets go on sale, you’ll want to purchase your seats. This is usually in August or September for a regular season game. Playoff and Stanley Cup Final tickets often don’t go on sale until closer to the actual game dates.
Buying early allows you to have the best selection of seat locations. You can choose tickets directly from the team, which will have seats available all over the arena. Prices can range from as low as $20 for upper level seats to over $350 for lower bowl or club seats.
Use Official Sellers
To ensure you’re getting valid Lightning tickets, only buy from official sellers like Ticketmaster or the team’s ticket site. This guarantees your tickets are legitimate and will get you through the doors at Amalie Arena. Fake tickets from resellers and scalpers often leave fans disappointed at the door.
The Lightning offer season ticket packages as well as partial plans like the Half Season Ticket Holder Flex Plan. Buying ticket packs directly from the team is a great way to get seats to multiple games and save money.
Shop Early on Resale Sites
If you don’t want season tickets, popular resale sites like StubHub, Vivid Seats and SeatGeek are safe options for individual Lightning tickets. Prices are set by sellers, so they may be above or below face value.
Shopping for tickets early in the season on resale sites can help you find deals. As the season goes on and the Lightning continue winning, ticket prices will rise. Playoff tickets in particular can get very expensive in resale markets.
Join the Waitlist
If you don’t need tickets to a specific game and want the best deal, consider joining the Lightning’s ticket waitlist. This allows the team to contact you when discounted seats become available. Usually these are unsold tickets released close to game day.
By being flexible with the date, you can often get lower level Lightning tickets for less than $100 this way. The only catch is you won’t know if or where tickets will be available until the last minute.
Head to the Box Office
Going straight to Amalie Arena’s box office is always an option too. You can purchase tickets in person for any unsold inventory. The box office releases unclaimed player complimentary tickets 90 minutes before puck drop as well.
Being at the box office right as these game-day tickets go on sale can help you score cheap last minute deals. You won’t be able to choose your exact seats, but you’ll get in the door.
Time Your Purchase Strategically
The timing of when you buy Lightning tickets can impact the price. Planning your purchase strategically around the team’s schedule and demand can potentially save you money.
Weeknight games and games against less popular opponents often have cheaper ticket prices. If the Lightning are on a long homestand, prices tend to drop for games in the middle. And early season games in October and November are usually more affordable than later on.
Shop Around for Deals
Don’t settle on the first Lightning ticket price you see. Shopping across multiple sites and sellers will allow you to find the best deal.
Resale sites like StubHub and Vivid Seats let you browse tickets sorted by price including all fees. This makes it easy to compare costs across sections and find cheaper upper level seats if needed.
Join a Fan Club
Joining the official Lightning fan club, Bolt Nation, gives you access to special ticket presales. During these presales, you can purchase tickets for select games earlier than the general public.
Purchasing tickets in presales allows you to lock in lower prices before high demand drives costs up. You’ll also get access to playoff ticket presales with a Bolt Nation membership.
Consider Student and Military Discounts
The Lightning offer discounted tickets for certain groups including students and military members. College students can purchase Upper Level Faceoff tickets for just $25. An ID is required to receive the student ticket discount.
Active military members and veterans can receive discounted tickets to select games through the team’s military appreciation program. Discounted prices in lower and upper levels are available with proper ID at the box office.
Watch for Promotions
Keep an eye out for special Lightning ticket promotions during the season as well. Promotions like Fan Appreciation Week can include ticket discounts and giveaways.
Sometimes discounted Lightning tickets will be offered as part of a themed package. For example, a College Night Out package could bundle discounted upper level tickets with a Bolts hat and restaurant gift card.
Buy Season Tickets with Friends
Sharing Lightning season tickets with a group of friends or colleagues is a great way to get access to all games at a lower per game cost. Many season ticket members already split packages between multiple people.
Opting for half season tickets can make season tickets more affordable. Half season plans include all preseason and 20 or 21 regular season games.
Comparison Shop Resale Sites
| Resale Site | Price for 2 Lower Level Tickets | Other Fees |
|---|---|---|
| StubHub | $620 | $188 in fees |
| Vivid Seats | $590 | $150 in fees |
| SeatGeek | $635 | $180 in fees |
This table compares the all-in price for buying two lower level Lightning tickets on popular resale sites. While ticket prices may look cheaper upfront on some sites, fees are added at checkout. Always compare the total cost across sites.
Use a Ticket Reseller with a Guarantee
To protect your ticket purchase, use a resale site that offers a guarantee with their tickets. StubHub and Vivid Seats both guarantee you’ll get a replacement ticket if an issue arises with the original.
A money-back guarantee ensures you’ll get a full refund if you don’t receive valid tickets in time for the game. This takes the risk out of buying from a reseller.
Research the Arena Layout
Before choosing seats, research Amalie Arena’s layout and seating chart. This will help you understand the different levels and find the best location for viewing the game.
Lower level sideline seats from rows A-T offer close views with comfort. For an immersive experience, center ice seats in sections 114-118 put you right in the action. The 300 level has elevated sightlines and affordable prices.
Buy From a Trusted Seller
When buying Lightning tickets from an individual seller, vet them for trustworthiness. Only purchase from sellers with a long history of positive reviews. Avoid brand new sellers or listings that seem suspicious.
Pay securely by credit card so you have recourse if the tickets don’t arrive. Be wary of sellers asking you to pay by wire transfer, gift cards or other unusual methods.
Understand Ticket Lingo
When shopping for Lightning tickets, you’ll see different terms used to indicate ticket locations. Here are some of the most common terms:
Lower Level
The lower bowl or lower level at Amalie Arena refers to sections 101-126. These seats are low to the ice and extend from center ice to the nets on either end.
Club Level
Club level seats at Amalie Arena are sections 201-234. These seats come with access to exclusive club spaces for food, drinks and lounges.
Upper Level
The upper level or upper bowl sections at Amalie Arena are 301-329. Upper level seats are the highest in the arena and also the most affordable option.
Attack Zone
Sections 324-329 are considered the Attack Zone at Amalie Arena. These upper level seats behind the nets provide an angled overhead view of one goal and offensive zone.
Shoot Twice Zone
The Shoot Twice Zone refers to sections 102, 116, 118 and 126 which are located at the ends of the rink. Fans in these lower level seats get to see two periods of offense from their team.
Sign Up for the Verified Fan Onsale
To purchase highly coveted tickets like playoff games and the Stanley Cup Finals, you’ll want to access special Verified Fan presales. Registering for a Verified Fan account with Ticketmaster in advance will give you the chance to buy tickets during these limited presales.
Verified Fan presales allow only individual fans to purchase tickets, not brokers or resellers. Supplies are lower too. Being verified improves your shot at getting seats to the biggest games.
Conclusion
While Tampa Bay Lightning tickets are in high demand, you still have a great chance of securing seats if you plan ahead. Buying early, using official sources, joining fan clubs and watching for special deals are the smartest ways to get your hands on Lightning tickets.
Flexibility on dates can help you find cheaper Lightning tickets too. Comparing all costs across multiple resale sites allows you to score the best deals. With strategic planning, you can find affordable ways to experience the excitement of Lightning hockey live at Amalie Arena in Tampa Bay!