With the 2022-2023 NHL season now underway, hockey fans are eager to get tickets to see their favorite teams live. But with dozens of ticket resellers and marketplaces online, it can be a challenge to find the best deals on NHL tickets. Here’s a look at some of the top websites for buying NHL tickets this season.
Official NHL Ticket Exchange
The NHL Ticket Exchange is the official ticket marketplace of the NHL, available on the league’s website at NHL.com/tickets. This is the best option for buying verified resale NHL tickets directly from other fans, with no hidden fees. You can browse upcoming games for all 32 NHL teams and securely buy and sell tickets through the NHL Ticket Exchange’s online platform.
Some key benefits of using the NHL Ticket Exchange include:
- All tickets guaranteed to be authentic and valid
- Fair prices set by fans, not brokers
- No hidden fees
- Full refund if event is canceled and not rescheduled
StubHub
StubHub is one of the largest secondary ticket marketplaces, offering tickets for both regular season and playoff NHL games. On StubHub you can find last minute tickets being resold by fans who can no longer attend games.
Benefits of StubHub include:
- Huge selection of tickets for all teams and games
- Advanced interactive seat maps to preview views from different sections
- Guarantee on valid authentic tickets
- Last minute deals on tickets up until game time
Drawbacks are StubHub’s higher fees compared to other sites. There is a 10-15% buyer fee and a 15% seller fee on top of ticket prices.
Vivid Seats
Vivid Seats is another large resale ticket marketplace with a big selection of NHL tickets. They offer a 100% buyer guarantee on the validity of tickets sold on their platform.
Benefits of buying NHL tickets through Vivid Seats include:
- Competitive pricing with discounts on ticket bundles
- No service fees on first orders
- Rewards program to earn points towards future discounts
- Free shipping on some ticket orders
One downside is that service and delivery fees can add a lot to your final order cost if you don’t qualify for fee waivers.
Ticketmaster
As the dominant primary ticket seller for major live events, Ticketmaster also operates one of the largest resale ticket markets. You can find both primary market and resale NHL tickets for all teams on Ticketmaster.
Some advantages of using Ticketmaster include:
- Primary market tickets available for presales and early Bird specials
- Large inventory of verified resale tickets
- Official preferred ticketing partner of 19 NHL teams
- Seamless transfer of mobile tickets to your smartphone
Watch out for Ticketmaster’s dynamic pricing that frequently adjusts prices based on demand leading up to events.
Gametime
The Gametime app offers a unique last minute ticketing option, with heavily discounted NHL tickets made available hours before the game begins. This is a good option for flexibility if you can attend on short notice.
Benefits of Gametime for NHL tickets include:
- Last minute deals up to 90% off face value
- Tickets delivered instantly to your smartphone
- Low fixed service fees
- In-app messaging with the seller for easy communication
Just keep in mind you can’t rely on availability for hot matchups too far in advance.
SeatGeek
SeatGeek is a ticket aggregator that searches multiple providers to find the best available deal on NHL tickets. The platform uses interactive color-coded seat maps to showcase ticket prices.
Here are some of the perks of SeatGeek:
- Price ratings show each ticket’s value compared to others
- Sortable deal rankings make it easy to spot the bargains
- Buyer guaranteed protection on ticket purchases
- Some of the lowest service fees in the ticket resale industry
The major downside is having a smaller inventory than the top marketplaces for some games and teams.
Conclusion
When looking for the best place to buy NHL tickets, start your search on the official NHL Ticket Exchange for direct fan resales. StubHub, Vivid Seats, and Ticketmaster are all top options for huge inventories of verified tickets. Use Gametime and SeatGeek if you want discounted last minute deals on NHL tickets.
To recap, here is an overview of the key websites for buying NHL tickets:
| Website | Key Benefits | Potential Drawbacks |
|---|---|---|
| NHL Ticket Exchange | Official marketplace, direct fan sales, no fees | Smaller inventory on hot games |
| StubHub | Huge selection, interactive seat maps | Higher service fees |
| Vivid Seats | Good deals on ticket bundles, rewards program | Fees can add up |
| Ticketmaster | Primary & resale tickets, preferred partner of NHL | Dynamic pricing |
| Gametime | Last minute deals, discounted prices | Limited advance availability |
| SeatGeek | Price ratings, lowest fees | Smaller inventory on some tickets |
For the best deals, flexibility, and reliability, compare all the top sites before choosing where to purchase your NHL tickets. With a range of options, you can find great seats at fair prices to see your favorite hockey team in action.