How to buy tickets for a hockey game in New York?
Get fascinated by America's fourth national sport: Ice Hockey. Here's how to get your ticket to see the Rangers, the NHL's top team in New York.
There are thousands of things to do in New York, and an NHL game is a great option. Hockey games are known for their atmosphere. You'll see spectators cheering as the puck glides swiftly across the rink. It's an unforgettable experience that you can do almost all year round.
1. What NHL hockey games can you see in New York?
Ice hockey is an intense and entertaining sport: each game lasts 60 minutes and is divided into three halves. To ensure a fast pace, all five players are allowed to rotate. This strategy is called a "line change". In New York, the main team is the New York Rangers, but they also play the New York Islanders.
New York Rangers
In the Big Apple, the New York Rangers are the team of the moment. It is the only team that represents the metropolis in this competition. The club was founded in 1926 and is one of the six original teams that started the NHL. They play their games in the legendary Madison Square Garden. The arena is located in midtown Manhattan between Seventh and Eighth Avenues.
The New York Rangers are part of the Eastern Conference, Metropolitan Division. Teams in the same league include the Carolina Hurricanes, New Jersey Devils, New York Islanders, Philadelphia Flyers, Pittsburgh Penguins and Washington Capitals. Some of these games are very heartfelt. Competition usually begins in October, and the playoffs are held in April.
2. Where to buy tickets to the NHL in New York?
NHL tickets can be easily purchased online. Tickets are digital and do not need to be printed out. Simply scan the code on the ticket to gain access to the stadium. You can also buy them at the ticket office, but I don't recommend it, as this way you will avoid wasting valuable time during your stay in the metropolis.
In general, it is better to buy tickets a few days in advance. Take a look at the NHL schedule: When the New York Rangers meet their big rival, the tickets are gone. The biggest sporting feuds are with the New Jersey Devils and the New York Islanders (two derbies), the Philadelphia Flyers, the Washington Capitals and the Boston Bruins.
3. How much does it cost to see an NHL game in New York?
It all depends on the seat and the game. Usually the cheapest ticket costs between $20 and $30 (about €18 to €27), while the most expensive – with the best view, of course – can cost over $300 . If you have a bigger budget, you can opt for the Event Level, Lexus Level, Signature Level, Lounge and Garden Lounge suites. For more information, I recommend you take a look at the official website of the New York Rangers.
Please note that American teams use dynamic pricing. Let me explain: The amount of each ticket depends on several factors such as market demand and seasonality. In addition, prices go up when the Rangers meet their big rivals:
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, practically a derby. Each game is titled "The Battle of the Hudson River". . Despite their name, they don't play in New York City, but in Edmont, a suburb of Hempstead, a town in Nassau County. , a sports feud that has been going on since the 1990s. . In the United States, Boston and the Big Apple have long been rivals.
4. How to save on NHL tickets in New York?
The best way to save money when attending a hockey game is to buy a ticket in advance. Seeing the New York Rangers live at the fantastic Madison Square Garden comes at a price. However, there are other factors that can help you save when buying your tickets.
Choose a more modest opponent
When looking for tickets to a New York Rangers game, look not only at the date of the game, but also the team they are playing against. If you choose one of the big rivals, prices can be higher, and the cheapest seats sell out quickly due to the interest of thousands of American fans the sport attracts.
However, if you try to get your tickets early – and if your stay in New York allows – try to pick a less attractive opponent, ticket prices will be cheaper and you'll have a better chance of finding cheap tickets.
Tickets for preseason games will also be more affordable. You can catch some great games before the league starts, including derbies! There are also college games that are less interesting, but where you can still enjoy the atmosphere of a hockey game without spending a fortune.
The best seats at Madison Square Garden
As in the big stadiums of popular sports, there are seats with better or worse visibility. If you want to experience the New York Rangers show at Madison Square Garden without having to constantly follow the puck on the ice, I recommend getting a seat in the 200 zone, d. h. in blocks 208, 210, 222 or 225, which offer the best value for money.
There are also other sectors such as 413 to 420, where visibility is worse but prices are much more affordable, although it will be more difficult to watch the game.
Avoid ticket scalping
Although not as prevalent as other national sports like the NBA and American football, there are ticket sales for field hockey as well. You can find unreliable websites where you can buy them, or even in the stadiums where the games are held. To make sure you get an original and valid ticket, it's best to go to official ticket websites like Hellotickets.
5. How much do tickets for the New York Rangers cost??
First of all, keep in mind that New York Rangers games are almost always sold out. In order to secure a place, it is advisable to book the tickets in time. Back to us: in general, tickets to the New York Rangers have an average price of $145, which is roughly equivalent to €133. Prices rise sharply during the playoffs. If the New York Rangers qualify, the cheapest ticket will easily cost $350 (about 321 euros).
6. Can I visit Madison Square Garden even if I don't go to a game??
Madison Square Garden is the largest and most famous multi-purpose arena in the Big Apple. It hosts the New York Rangers, who share it with the New York Knicks – one of the top teams in the NBA – and hundreds of artists who perform on stage each week. It is a mythical place to visit even when there are no games or performances scheduled. For more information about prices and opening hours, I recommend you to visit the official website of Madison Square Garden.
7. When can I see an NHL game in New York?
The regular season lasts from early October to early April. However, there is a preseason that you can enjoy in September. In total, NHL teams play 82 games in the regular season. The top three teams in each division (Central, Pacific, Atlantic and Metropolitan) plus two wild card teams per conference advance to the playoffs. The winner lifts the Stanley Cup, the oldest trophy in North American professional sports.
In the 2019/2020 season, the playoffs began on 1. August 2020, while the final will be played on 28. September 2020 took place. If you visit New York in the summer, you can take the opportunity to escape the heat and discover a side of American culture at the same time.
8. How long does an NHL game last?
If you are fascinated by this sport but don't know everything about it, this report will be very useful for you. Hockey games are played with 6 players, although teams often include 20 or more athletes. It's a fast-paced sport where each player only plays for about one minute. Therefore, changes are very frequent. 'Fighting' is allowed (a red card lasts 5 minutes), and this element brings more adrenaline to the games.
A game lasts 60 minutes and is divided into 3 halves of 20 minutes each. Each half lasts 15 minutes. Keep in mind that time is stopped at every intermission and substitutions are made during that time. For this reason, the game usually lasts about two and a half hours. If the game is tied at the end of 60 minutes, a 5-minute overtime period is scheduled for. The golden goal decides the game.
9. Do children pay admission to NHL games?
Depends on age. NHL teams usually allow children under the age of 2 free admission to the game. Please note that your child will need to sit on your lap as they will not have a permanent seat. If you think it would make your child uncomfortable, I recommend buying a ticket anyway. Another point to consider is the temperature. Since it is an ice sport, the stadiums are usually quite cold, so dress warmly before you leave the hotel! Here's more information on what to do in New York with kids.