2018 Frozen Four Ticket purchase thread

[dxmnkd316]

Re: 2018 Frozen Four Ticket purchase thread

They hate the conference, not the team. 2011 was in the middle of a bad stretch of seasons where the gophers barely even sniffed a chance at making the post season and I think it was around the time seating in maroosh was changed. We’ve since rattled off six conference championships in a row.

If the gophers don’t make it, it probably won’t sell out entirely without the help of UND or Wisconsin fans. If the gophers play in St. Paul, that will be an expensive ticket regardless of the Big Ten situation.

 

[Russell Jaslow]

Re: 2018 Frozen Four Ticket purchase thread

Reading this thread it has become obvious that college hockey is just not as popular as it used to be. There was a small piece in the Boston Globe this past Sunday about NESN deciding to no longer televise Hockey East games, something that they have done since the league’s inception in 1985. Production costs were the reason. I can’t speak for other leagues but attendance in most HE arenas has been down last year and so far this year. Is this a trend?

I would like to see that trend compared to other sports which typically get solid attendance (like not field hockey...). I'd like to know if it's a general college sports trend or just hockey.

I guess I could get one data point by asking my nephew who works in the BC ticket office. He's responsible for football, basketball, and hockey. The latter he says he hardly has to work at because it sells itself. But then BC isn't very good at the first two sports right now...

Remember vividly the 2002 FF in St. Paul. The Xcel Center was jammed packed both nights,,obviously fueled by the Gophers being in it. With the drop off in attendance at Mariucci, I am starting to wonder if the games will be sold out, even if the Goofs are in it.

Never underestimate the effect of the bandwagon fans coming out of the woodwork for a championship.

 

[pgb-ohio]

Re: 2018 Frozen Four Ticket purchase thread

They hate the conference, not the team. 2011 was in the middle of a bad stretch of seasons where the gophers barely even sniffed a chance at making the post season and I think it was around the time seating in maroosh was changed. We’ve since rattled off six conference championships in a row.

I acknowledge and agree with all of that. Still, based on my Minnesota contacts, I do hear a fair amount of hate directed toward University administrators, primarily with respect to ticket prices & forced donations. But hatred toward the players or coaches? No. Not hearing anything like that; never intended to say that.

If the gophers don’t make it, it probably won’t sell out entirely without the help of UND or Wisconsin fans. If the gophers play in St. Paul, that will be an expensive ticket regardless of the Big Ten situation.

Define expensive.

Granted, $290 for lower bowl seating is already very expensive by college hockey standards. But selling a ticket at face value, or a small percentage above, isn't particularly dramatic.

To pick an arbitrary number, I'd say that lower bowl packages would need to reach at least $400 before they'd be expensive in the relative sense. And the thing is, the typical college hockey fan is a person of average means. One motivation for supporting the college game is that many find NHL prices to be a hardship. Push the price of the tournament to $400 or $500, and I just don't see that much of a market for those tickets. Even in the Twin Cities.

 

[pgb-ohio]

Re: 2018 Frozen Four Ticket purchase thread

Priority 6 is on the clock.
Priority 5 on deck, with their window opening on Wednesday.

For those interested in sitting in the Lower Bowl on the Sides, here's a Scouting Report. In all cases I'm referring to the $290 dollar seating in Row 3 and Above:

Section 102: 9 Rows with at least 4 seats together.
Section 105: 10 Rows with at least 4 seats together
Section 115: 11 Rows with at least 4 seats together
Section 118: 5 Rows with at least 4 seats together

The aisle seats are essentially gone. But otherwise, there is a very nice selection of seats in the middle rows and upper rows.

Sections 101, 106, 114 & 119 have no seats available; presumably these are the participating school allotments.

Comments:
1. In historical context, it's astounding that so many lower bowl/sides seats are available this deep into the lottery. It now appears possible that someone holding even a single priority point will be able to get this seating.

2. Or, maybe demand will spike at the lower priority levels. Maybe. Fans who only attend when the tournament is in St. Paul would currently hold 2 priority points. Fans who attend in the Central Time Zone -- but otherwise not -- could have as many as 6 priority points. So we're just entering the levels where "Upper Midwest Locals" might enter the lottery in substantial numbers. We'll see.

3. Equally astounding is the fact that priority holders are still allowed to buy up to 8 tickets, even as we enter the lower levels. More evidence that sales have been very light.

4. Clearly one factor on the demand side is the ever-increasing price of the tickets. The high price is moving some fans upstairs. Others are electing not to travel at all. The NCAA is dangerously close to killing the goose that lays the golden eggs. If they're smart, they'll hold the line on future price increases for the medium term. If they're really smart, they'll give serious consideration to at least a modest price rollback.

5. On the supply side, I can't help but wonder where all these desirable seats are coming from. Have that many "corporate friends" really dropped out? Or is this a good will gesture by the NCAA? If the latter, I'm quite concerned that it comes a year too late. Disappointment over the lack of lower bowl/ side seating has been festering for years. It appears to me that the Chicago lottery results were the "last straw" for more than a few long-time fans. For an example, see alfablue's post early in this thread.

There's a lot to chew on here. But one takeaway is that if you're a priority holder about to get to the front of the line, you have an opportunity to buy seats in locations that are much better than anticipated.

 

[Russell Jaslow]

Re: 2018 Frozen Four Ticket purchase thread

4. Clearly one factor on the demand side is the ever-increasing price of the tickets. The high price is moving some fans upstairs. Others are electing not to travel at all. The NCAA is dangerously close to killing the goose that lays the golden eggs. If they're smart, they'll hold the line on future price increases for the medium term. If they're really smart, they'll give serious consideration to at least a modest price rollback.

This.

I can only speak for me. I'm at a point in my life where I can easily afford a Frozen Four trip even if it requires flying and staying in nice hotels. I make good money now, I've saved a lot for retirement, it's not an issue for me. Granted I'm still a frugal person (my friends would use the term cheap b*st*rd...), but I can treat myself and afford this trip even as prices continue to go up.

But, it doesn't mean I want to. I still personally believe very firmly I need to get value for my money. (Of course, next year when it's in Buffalo, it becomes an el cheapo trip, ticket prices not withstanding.)

We all rate value in our own way. I'm a huge racing fan, especially Formula 1. Occasionally, I try to get to a Formula 1 Grand Prix, which can be a very expensive proposition. When a Frozen Four trip starts to approach the cost of a F1 Grand Prix trip, well that's where I start seriously questioning the value of that cost for the Frozen Four trip.

5. On the supply side, I can't help but wonder where all these desirable seats are coming from. Have that many "corporate friends" really dropped out? Or is this a good will gesture by the NCAA? If the latter, I'm quite concerned that it comes a year too late. Disappointment over the lack of lower bowl/ side seating has been festering for years. It appears to me that the Chicago lottery results were the "last straw" for more than a few long-time fans. For an example, see alfablue's post early in this thread.

And a bit of this.

It has always amazed me how sporting organizations don't get the concept of DON'T P*** OFF YOUR LOYAL FANS. Because ultimately those are the fans you need to fall back on when times are tough.

NASCAR did this big time over a decade ago. Now, they are paying dearly for it...

 

[wolverineTrumpet]

Re: 2018 Frozen Four Ticket purchase thread

The amount of available tickets for priority 5 worries me.

My friend with higher priority can't go, but bought tickets for me. I originally planned to still purchase under my priority, to get another point, and then resell those seats. At this point, that doesn't seem wise. I figured St. Paul would be a good re-sale market.


Also, another reminder to those purchasing, that if you like a physical ticket, be sure to select delivery method, as "flash tickets" is the default.

 

[mookie1995]

Re: 2018 Frozen Four Ticket purchase thread

How does one scalp a flash?

 

[Russell Jaslow]

Re: 2018 Frozen Four Ticket purchase thread

How does one scalp a flash?

You can hand over a flash ticket digitally. There are directions for that. After all, if you buy four tickets, you may need to have three other people assigned to them if you don't all plan to arrive at the same time.

 

[Laker Dude]

Re: 2018 Frozen Four Ticket purchase thread

You can hand over a flash ticket digitally. There are directions for that. After all, if you buy four tickets, you may need to have three other people assigned to them if you don't all plan to arrive at the same time.

Should the flash tickets immediately show up in your account? I ordered my tickets today, but am not seeing them when I log into flash tickets.

 

[FireKnight]

Re: 2018 Frozen Four Ticket purchase thread

Has anyone else had trouble purchasing tickets? I am a priority 5 and I keep getting an error that "The offer is currently restricted."

 

[Russell Jaslow]

Re: 2018 Frozen Four Ticket purchase thread

Should the flash tickets immediately show up in your account? I ordered my tickets today, but am not seeing them when I log into flash tickets.

I wonder if flash tickets won't be "delivered" till March like the paper tickets.

 

[terrier1976]

Re: 2018 Frozen Four Ticket purchase thread

Flash Tickets don't show up on your account until the day before the event. Your account will include a credit card or driver's license number that you must provide when you enter. As far as ticket availability goes, I've been to several Frozen Fours lately and have found that there are always tickets available on the street for face value before the start of the event. This was true even when the FF was held in Boston with three local teams making the tournament. My friend wound up with better seats than I did that year for both the semi-finals and the final. If my memory serves me right, the NCAA will not replace paper tickets so there is little chance that someone can cancel the original ones and replace them with new ones like they can at other events.
For what it's worth, I preferred separate admission for the two semi-final (Thursday) games with a few hours in between to leave the venue for a bite to eat instead of being held captive to the arena's offerings, although they've improved slightly. The start times at 2 and 7:30 were preferable to 5 and 9 for me, but I guess TV ratings are more important.

 

[Russell Jaslow]

Re: 2018 Frozen Four Ticket purchase thread

If my memory serves me right, the NCAA will not replace paper tickets so there is little chance that someone can cancel the original ones and replace them with new ones like they can at other events.

If you buy tickets through StubHub or any other second hand legal market, they will void out the original ticket. So yeah, you could end up buying an invalid ticket off the street.

For what it's worth, I preferred separate admission for the two semi-final (Thursday) games with a few hours in between to leave the venue for a bite to eat instead of being held captive to the arena's offerings, although they've improved slightly. The start times at 2 and 7:30 were preferable to 5 and 9 for me, but I guess TV ratings are more important.

That's ancient history...

 

[pgb-ohio]

Re: 2018 Frozen Four Ticket purchase thread

If my memory serves me right, the NCAA will not replace paper tickets so there is little chance that someone can cancel the original ones and replace them with new ones like they can at other events.

In this case, memory doesn't serve.

At Boston in 2015, a member of my party accidently brought his Championship Game ticket to the Thursday Semi-Finals. Retrieving the proper ticket was not an option. We were able to go to a box office/customer service area and have his Thursday ticket replaced. My driver's license, along with the credit card I used to make the original purchase, were vitally important. As was my personal presence. Had my buddy arrived separately, it may have been a problem without a solution. But as it was, it was a routine procedure.

I don't recall if there was a processing fee. If there was, my buddy paid it.

I can't promise that every host arena would be so accommodating. But my thought is that even if this service isn't universal, it is routinely offered.

Don't mean to pile on. I definitely appreciate the info you provided on the Flash Seats. But I had to set the record straight on the replacement paper tickets. And when you combine my point with the one Russell J. made, you see there's a real issue here.

 

[pgb-ohio]

Re: 2018 Frozen Four Ticket purchase thread

The amount of available tickets for priority 5 worries me.

Me too. And we're right to be concerned. If not shocked.

My friend with higher priority can't go, but bought tickets for me. I originally planned to still purchase under my priority, to get another point, and then resell those seats. At this point, that doesn't seem wise. I figured St. Paul would be a good re-sale market.

If the Gophers qualify, it still will be. If UND makes it, maybe. Otherwise getting caught with extra tickets will be a difficult, undesirable situation.

Frozen Four tickets have been a poor investment vehicle for a number of years. But the fact that St. Paul is no longer an exception to the general rule is still a little stunning.

As for earning the priority point, I suppose you could purchase the cheapest possible single seat. If MN or UND qualify, you'd get your money back. If not, you'd have a priority point and an expensive bookmark. Only you can decide if that's a good value.

Also, another reminder to those purchasing, that if you like a physical ticket, be sure to select delivery method, as "flash tickets" is the default.

Good Reminder.

 

[terrier1976]

Re: 2018 Frozen Four Ticket purchase thread

Good catch, Russell. I confess I'm old school, never used StubHub so that didn't occur to me.
pgb, I guess Murphy's law will always be a factor. Losing or forgetting a smart phone or credit card could also happen with Flash Seats. Glad your story had a happy ending.

 

[pgb-ohio]

Re: 2018 Frozen Four Ticket purchase thread

...pgb, I guess Murphy's law will always be a factor. Losing or forgetting a smart phone or credit card could also happen with Flash Seats. Glad your story had a happy ending.

Correct. And even if you don't lose a credit card, what if you get a replacement card with a new expiration date? Will the card still work? I'm guessing there's simple but necessary update procedure. No problem if you take care of the update in advance, but a bit of a nuisance if you have to do it on your way into the arena.

Balancing all of the competing interests -- convenience, security, and so on -- really is pretty complicated.

 

[joecct]

Re: 2018 Frozen Four Ticket purchase thread

Nothing to do with buying, but the NCAA committee report

http://www.ncaa.org/sites/default/files/Jun2017DIMIH_AnnualMTGMinutes_20170825.pdf

Note the ESPN comments.

 

[pgb-ohio]

Re: 2018 Frozen Four Ticket purchase thread

Nothing to do with buying, but the NCAA committee report

http://www.ncaa.org/sites/default/files/Jun2017DIMIH_AnnualMTGMinutes_20170825.pdf

Note the ESPN comments.

Lots of interesting stuff, though the new things appear to be mostly in the brainstorming stage.

One of the brainstorms is changing the Frozen Four to a Saturday/Monday Format. It's not hard to see why ESPN would want to do that; ratings for the first semi-final would almost certainly improve. But if that occurred, my days of personally attending the event would likely be on indefinite hold.

I'm sure those promoting the change would argue that it's a 4 day weekend either way, so there's no difference. But for me, getting away for Thursday/Friday is usually doable, while it's a lot harder to be away for a Monday/Tuesday combination. I'm guessing I'm not alone.

 

[Laker Dude]

Re: 2018 Frozen Four Ticket purchase thread

Correct. And even if you don't lose a credit card, what if you get a replacement card with a new expiration date? Will the card still work? I'm guessing there's simple but necessary update procedure. No problem if you take care of the update in advance, but a bit of a nuisance if you have to do it on your way into the arena.

Balancing all of the competing interests -- convenience, security, and so on -- really is pretty complicated.

You do have to update your credit card info on the flash website if you get a replacement card or want to use a different credit card when entering the game. You can also add a drivers license to you account through the flash website it you want to use that instead when entering the game.