Frozen Four Tickets - Priority Purchase Process

[dxmnkd316]

Completely agree on the strong support from the Gopher fanbase. But this year's demand breaks a pattern that has held true for over a decade.

All true and all relevant. But keep reading.

Demand for Tampa 2016 was very soft. Quite honestly we want back to Florida too soon after 2012. But those of us who support the Frozen Four year in and year out got very lucky with an impressive North Dakota turnout both days. If not for the UND fans, 2016 attendance would have been a major embarrassment.

Spot on, and perhaps your single most important observation. Even in one the two top Hockey Hotbeds, demand in the Lottery was soft. Eventually the arena filled in nicely. But lottery participants all got tickets.

Correct. And even more to the point, there was no Ticket Lottery at all.

Strongly agree on both counts. For some reason, people are sour on traveling to Buffalo. The rest of us just to have accept that, I guess. But great wings; great donuts; Niagara Falls; Toronto an easy commute. Plus the tournament itself. How does anyone manage to have a bad 4 day weekend?

Here's the thing. Along with Boston, The Twin Cities is the other College Hockey Hotbed. But St. Paul 2011 & St. Paul 2018 were just like Boston 2015 and Boston 2022. No problem getting tickets in the Lottery, but eventually the arena filled in nicely. And that's been the overall pattern from 2011 through 2023.

2024 is almost sold out already? If the reports are accurate. meaning that there are only a small handful of tickets left, this is the first time that lottery ducats have sold so well since at least Washington DC 2009.

Demand was simply more intense in the preceding era. Many times the public allotment sold out, with lots of Priority Holders never offered seats. Those who were able to purchase assumed that they could always get there money back from other buyers, if their plans changed. But the secondary market softened considerably along the way; which in turn made priority holders more reluctant to purchase tickets in the first place.

Boston 1998; St. Paul 2002; Boston 2004 & Milwaukee 2006 were all very tough tickets. Other tournaments from that era weren't quite as coveted. Still, Public Tickets from those tournaments usually sold out during the lottery process. If we're really returning to the old level of demand -- at least in St. Paul & Boston -- that's a big deal. At least to me.

I think this year's demand is so high because to goofs came a period from winning the title. You can see it in Mariucci too. Far more full.

I wouldn't bet on this being a trend. OTOH, perhaps I'm underselling Wisconsin's demand. Twin Cities are a massive hotbed of filthy badger fans.

anyways. Guess we'll find out in April.

 

[pgb-ohio]

I think this year's demand is so high because to goofs came a period from winning the title. You can see it in Mariucci too. Far more full.

It was even closer than that. They came within one 50-50 penalty call of winning the title. The play happened right in front of me, and could easily have been a non-call. No Q Power Play? I say the Gophers close it out.

Back to the subject at hand. "Gopher Optimism" as a full explanation occurred to me. I also wonder if the Minnesota fanbase has finally moved forward from the BTHC controversy.

Ohio State wasn't particularly excited about the BTHC. We do miss the CCHA Rivalries. Fortunately we still have an annual series with Bowling Green. At the same time, the transition to the BTHC was accomplished with reasonable calm.

In contrast, the comments I was getting from Minnesota friends were just off the charts. One guy even believed the University of Minnesota should drop out of the Big Ten altogether, and lead an effort to re-assemble the original WCHA. Obviously that one is bat sh!t crazy. The guy did back off. But this shows how deep the Anti-BTHC sentiments ran. If that nightmare is finally over, good for you guys. A full Mariucci is good for college hockey. As is a full X.

I wouldn't bet on this being a trend. OTOH, perhaps I'm underselling Wisconsin's demand. Twin Cities are a massive hotbed of filthy badger fans.

anyways. Guess we'll find out in April.

I'll leave the Badger thing alone. But I agree that a "trend" is no sure thing. Still, the strong demand this Fall raises the question. Renewed interest in the Frozen Four would be a very good thing. We can hope.

 

[dxmnkd316]

It was even closer than that. They came within one 50-50 penalty call of winning the title. The play happened right in front of me, and could easily have been a non-call. No Q Power Play? I say the Gophers close it out.

Back to the subject at hand. "Gopher Optimism" as a full explanation occurred to me. I also wonder if the Minnesota fanbase has finally moved forward from the BTHC controversy.

Ohio State wasn't particularly excited about the BTHC. We do miss the CCHA Rivalries. Fortunately we still have an annual series with Bowling Green. At the same time, the transition to the BTHC was accomplished with reasonable calm.

In contrast, the comments I was getting from Minnesota friends were just off the charts. One guy even believed the University of Minnesota should drop out of the Big Ten altogether, and lead an effort to re-assemble the original WCHA. Obviously that one is bat **** crazy. The guy did back off. But this shows how deep the Anti-BTHC sentiments ran. If that nightmare is finally over, good for you guys. A full Mariucci is good for college hockey. As is a full X.

I'll leave the Badger thing alone. But I agree that a "trend" is no sure thing. Still, the strong demand this Fall raises the question. Renewed interest in the Frozen Four would be a very good thing. We can hope.

The answer to the bolded question is actually pretty straightforward. I was talking with a buddy about it over the last week. The Big Ten has become as good, maybe better (top to bottom), than the old WCHA. It's extremely debatable either way, so I'm not really going to get into it. But given that last year's final KRACH had six of the Big Ten teams in the top 13 (including #1-7 strength of schedule) and the other team now looks to be world killers... That's objectively a very high performing conference.

I also think it's just a general die-off of the olds who a bunch of krampuses about the whole thing. They've been replaced and backfilled by newer fans who never knew the WCHA. The Gophers play Michigan, Wisconsin, and a handful of MN teams every year. I'd even say there's a healthy rivalry between the goofs and at least PSU and Notre Dame. For a while there was a pretty decent back and forth with OSU. Maybe these are not universally recognized, but it's not like playing teams from the CCHA back in the day where it was once in a blue moon.

I don't think any team was excited about the BTHC that was in the WCHA or CCHA. At least as far as the fanbases are concerned. I also don't think it was all because the BTHC for Minnesota fans. There was a massive realignment at Mariucci (in 2012, after the BTHC was announced in 2011 but before the first season) that I think actually sent more fans over their limit than anything. I had been on the waiting list for season tickets for around a decade with almost zero movement. Once the seating realignment happened, that waitlist went from 20+ years to them calling me several times in the off-season to buy season tickets. it was a collective series of turds all in a row. Olds crying about the WCHA and then getting kicked out of their seats that have been in their families for literally decades.

I think the vast majority of Minnesota fans didn't get overly butthurt about the conference realignment. There are some people who are still mouth-frothy about it. But whatever, which fanbase are you really a part of? The Gophers or the WCHA? Anyways....


I agree though, renewed interest is good. Very good.

 

[pgb-ohio]

Thanks for the additional history and information.

 

[mookie1995]

wow, surprised to read this. mookie went and bought on 18 oct and there were a lot available. he was able to do his usual along the rail in the top level on the corner. always feel that those are the best seats for hockey.

 

[dxmnkd316]

You were also mid priority right? I think I was around October 22 and we got club ends

 

[paulfb]

wow, surprised to read this. mookie went and bought on 18 oct and there were a lot available. he was able to do his usual along the rail in the top level on the corner. always feel that those are the best seats for hockey.

For the second straight year, we have top level, first row, aisle seats. No knuckleheads standing up all the time in front of us.

 

[mookie1995]

You were also mid priority right? I think I was around October 22 and we got club ends

Oct 18

 

[Yorzinlax]

I was becoming a little nervous about not being able to move my tickets out of ticketmaster to a wallet, but two days ago it all got resolved. I hope anyone else on hold can get it done now

 

[steven22]

HI,

Anyone in group A care to post the prices for St Louis. I'm in group B and can buy on Monday. Thanks

 

[BobF]

HI,

Anyone in group A care to post the prices for St Louis. I'm in group B and can buy on Monday. Thanks

Evidently NC$$ is hurting for cash! Tickets range from $390 in lower bowl to $225 for balcony on the ends! Of course you can pay $700 for the glass! Surprised at prices given the market with everyone having to travel. It's much more than last year in St. Paul!

 

[BobF]

Wow could not believe how many tickets had either been sold or were being held when I went on exactly at 10:00 this morning. If this is your day I advise you get in early.

 

[NJCollegeHockeyFan]

Today was my assigned day. The site is clunky, takes some patience. Ticket availability surprisingly poor. Considering the location (no need to visit St. Louis again) and bad ticket offerings to “priority” customers, I’m fine using the time and money (tickets, flights, hotels, restaurants) for more desirable travel.

 

[steven22]

Wow could not believe how many tickets had either been sold or were being held when I went on exactly at 10:00 this morning. If this is your day I advise you get in early.

I agree, I'm group B also. Decided to go cheap and buy first row corner in the balcony for $220. Was willing to buy first row balcony at center ice but all gone or held back. I was on exactly at 10am also. Last year I could have purchased any section and seat I wanted.

 

[Yorzinlax]

I will amplify on the dearth of available tickets. I've been buying in the club level for about 6 years. Used to be a little les crowded through that concourse and shorter lines for restrooms. I noticed in St Paul there was no restricted access like in the past so those benefits were nullified. Today I didn't see any Club seats available. Gonna suck if they take peoples money today with below average quantities and locations, then miraculously have new and perhaps better seats to buy in January and February.

 

[bruinsfan11]

Think my priority number is 19 (group C) and I’ve basically said F-it to this process since Covid (apart from last year cuz thought it would be a tough ticket).

NCAA wants to keep showing us loyal fans inconsistent availability so I’ll just wait and buy club/suite tickets on the secondary market the week of.

100% skipping St Louis is BC doesn’t make it.

 

[pgb-ohio]

Today was my assigned day. The site is clunky, takes some patience.

I'm Priority B as well. I'll note that the functionality of the website improved later in the morning. But of course that was after the best offerings were sold, and there was less traffic on the site.

Ticket availability surprisingly poor.

I agree you, and the others who have made this comment. I was offered better seats in the 2024 St. Paul Lottery, and had many more choices. That's certainly counter intuitive.

Considering the location (no need to visit St. Louis again) and bad ticket offerings to “priority” customers, I’m fine using the time and money (tickets, flights, hotels, restaurants) for more desirable travel.

The last time the tournament was in St. Louis -- 2007 -- the number of regulars was down, but local support for the tournament was impressive. The building was full. Judging fans by their apparel isn't proof positive of who's local, of course. But to my eye the entire upper level was filled with locals, along with some of the better seats in the lower bowl.

So I suppose this could be a case of history repeating itself. Our group isn't dropping out this year. But last year we used the our full allotment of 8 tickets; this year we're using 4 of the 8 possible tickets. Hope local St. Louis people can once again pick up the slack.

Some Things I Noticed This Morning:

1. Nothing was offered in Sections 101/Section 105/Section 114/Section 118. I'm guessing those sections are being held for the participating schools.

2. However, Sections 101T/105T/114T/Section 118T had some nice availability. These are the highest rows in the Lower Bowl. The seats were a bit less expensive at $350 apiece. Still expensive, but more in line with last year's prices. The view from these sections would be pretty solid; they line up with the Attack Zone Face-Off Circles. Perhaps St. Louis considers these Club Level seats? Going from low to high, the next level up is the 300's. (Upper Level) So if the T Sections aren't Club, where are the Club seats located?

3. The Center Ice/Blue Line Sections? Just before I logged off, I saw a handful of seats available in Sections 102, 104 & 115. Most would probably agree these were the best available. They'll go very quickly, and maybe they're already gone. But at least check.

4. If your preference is to sit in the corners, you're not in an urgent rush. Lots of availability. Interestingly enough, I found an intermediate price point at $310. That number would get you a Lower Bowl Corner, in a Higher Row. Example: Section 124.


Here's to hoping that most USCHO posters find seats that are satisfactory to them, even if they don't quite live up to the offerings of the recent past.

 

[Yorzinlax]

I actually looked at a seating chart a week ago to figure out what I might want, and there is a club level, just no tix available. Is the NCAA holding those for use in their overpriced "experience package"? Seems like a lot of seats. I got starchy last year when lots of seats became available closer to the event. It just seems that if people are paying 6 months in advance the should get PRIORITY access to the better seats. It's like the guy who shows up for a flight 10 minutes before takeoff and his bag is first off the carousel.

 

[Russell Jaslow]

Today was my assigned day. The site is clunky, takes some patience. Ticket availability surprisingly poor. Considering the location (no need to visit St. Louis again) and bad ticket offerings to “priority” customers, I’m fine using the time and money (tickets, flights, hotels, restaurants) for more desirable travel.

Out of our large group, three of us are Priority B. So we coordinate with a Zoom call to buy tickets and get them together. We were able to get Club level (117T), getting on the site right at 10:00 ET.

As to your point, yeah, it has gotten me thinking... Especially with the cost of tickets alone (I'm a huge racing fan, and it's gotten to the point where what I used to consider expensive tickets for top racing events are now no longer so when compared to the Frozen Four).

The reason I personally didn't bail on St. Louis is twofold:
1) I missed St. Louis last time, and have never been to the Gateway City.
2) My wife (who never attends the FF with me) and I are planning a long road trip which includes St. Louis and the FF, so for me this time, it's part of a longer vacation.

But in the future, I don't know. The thing is, I will probably do Las Vegas (even though I've been there a few times and not all that wowed by it), and D.C. because there is a ton to do there (plus my sister lives in the area). Chicago, I don't know. I'll have to think about that one.

In conclusion, it is getting to the point where I have definitely wondered whether all the expenses is worth it for this type of vacation.

 

[BobF]

I actually looked at a seating chart a week ago to figure out what I might want, and there is a club level, just no tix available. Is the NCAA holding those for use in their overpriced "experience package"? Seems like a lot of seats. I got starchy last year when lots of seats became available closer to the event. It just seems that if people are paying 6 months in advance the should get PRIORITY access to the better seats. It's like the guy who shows up for a flight 10 minutes before takeoff and his bag is first off the carousel.

It was not easy to find, but there is a club level. I really found by accident when doing due diligence. Click on this link https://www.enterprisecenter.com/premium-seating/all-inclusive-seats and then scroll to the seats for Jameson Club, as well as First Community Terrace. In essence they are the last rows of the lower bowl. But if you look closely at the arena you will see this area is closed off from lower bowl and you enter from above. I was shooting for section 101, but at 10:00 all that was available for a group of 4 was 102. Of all the arenas seating charts I have encountered this one was probably the worst. We did go to St. Louis the last time and I liked the arena, I only hope the city has more to offer now aside from the Arch. Hopefully the Cardinals will be in town as they were the last time.