Where are the best seats at a hockey game? (2024)

When you are going to a hockey game, you want to have the best experience. After all, you are paying hard-earned money and expending the time and effort to take in the game. So, which seats are best for you?

Where are the best seats at a hockey game? (1)

The Ends of The Rink

This view allows spectators to see how players use the different lanes of the ice and handle defensive leverage. Team systems are easy to track, but speed differentials are harder to see.

It’s also great to see from the goalie’s perspective on handling incoming rushes and defensive zone time.

A major downside is that when the play goes to the far end, it can be hard to see.

Center Ice

This view allows spectators to see all of the game up close as the play is never “in the far end.”

Speed differentials are much easier to see and can understand the spacing between players much better. On the other hand, it’s not as easy gameplay in either zone, at least compared with sitting in an end.

Corners

The corners allow for a bit of the best of both worlds, where you don’t get a pure view of anything, but get a good view of everything.

When I posed the question to Dave Starman (Coach, analyst, and TV commentator), he came back with a great answer as to why this was his favorite spot.

Top of the first level in a corner so you can see how the game develops. Better depth perception, see lanes open up, see spacing created.

Close To The Glass

Front row seats are always a coveted ticket, and for good reason. The advantage is to be able to see the true speed of the game up close. For newer fans, seeing the speed of a high-level hockey game up close and personal can be a truly memorable experience.

There are downsides to sitting close to the glass, however. Your view of the corners is often obstructed, and it can be more challenging to see plays developing. If you’re going to scout a game, this may not be your best bet. But if you’re going for sheer entertainment, there’s some upside.

Nosebleeds

Sure, being further away from the action may cause you to squint to read the player nameplates, but it’s a lot easier to see the plays develop and take in the obvious “why didn’t they pass to that player” moments that can be missed up close.

From a coaching perspective, this is probably the optimum view, as the viewer can see everything at a ‘slower’ pace, which allows for more teachable moments.

I really like to sit in the first few rows in the second deck or the last few rows in the lower bowl.

Above the Glass

Most veteran hockey viewers understand that just above the glass seats provide the best of both worlds where they can take in details and the speed of the game without getting obstructed views that can happen with the glass.

A Note On Bias

When doing any kind of in-person scouting or taking in a game, you will have a bias toward who and what you see the most.

For example, if you’re sitting in a corner, you’ll likely see more of the defensem*n of one team than the other, and as such, you’re more likely to rate them more favorably (or negatively) as you get more viewings to see the details of their game.

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Where are the best seats at a hockey game? (2024)

FAQs

Are hockey seats behind the net good? ›

Behind The Net

While some swear against these seats, sitting behind the net can be a great choice. Sitting here helps you see the ice as the players see it, and can really help you follow the game better. Seeing and tracking the puck from the side can be hard, but it is generally easier straight-on.

Are glass seats good at hockey games? ›

There are downsides to sitting close to the glass, however. Your view of the corners is often obstructed, and it can be more challenging to see plays developing. If you're going to scout a game, this may not be your best bet.

What side does the home team sit on in hockey? ›

It seems like more teams sit on the right side when facing the benches, but not always.At some rinks the home and away teams sit on the opposite sides of the rink. If you are behind the benches in the stands, the home team will usually sit on the benches to the left.

How much are glass seats at a hockey game? ›

2018-19 SINGLE-GAME TICKET PRICING
Lower LevelPremiumValue
Glass$572$475
Gold Center Ice$165$155
Gold Prime$158$145
Gold$121$115
15 more rows

What is the most difficult position in hockey? ›

It is said that goalie is the most difficult position to play within Ice Hockey, and one of the hardest to play in any sport. The main objective for a goalie is to keep the puck out of the net, and with a great one, they can control the game and greatly influence their team's confidence.

Is it better to sit behind home plate or the dugout? ›

The biggest one is behind home plate: sitting here gives fans a great up-close view of all the action. Fans more invested in individual players might elect to sit behind the home team's dugout. Continue reading to learn about all the best seats at a baseball game.

What are the best seats when watching a play? ›

Typically, stalls seats can be regarded as some of the best seats in the auditorium, due to their close proximity to the stage. If you're sitting in the first few rows of the stalls seats, you may even be able to touch the stage and see performers blink.

What are the best seats at a game? ›

Anywhere aligned with the center of the field is a very good seat. However, the best place to sit on the 50-yard line is around 10-20 rows up. This section allows someone to have full vision of the field and turn their head in equal directions both ways to watch the game.

What is the quiet room in hockey? ›

The most significant purpose of the quiet room is simply to remove players who may have sustained a head injury to a location that is free of distractions, where the team physician can conduct a variety of tests. The area itself is often the trainer's room or perhaps even the coach's room.

What is the most important position in hockey? ›

Without question, the goaltender is the most important position on a hockey team. Goalies can single-handily win any hockey game by recording what is known as a “Shutout”. A shutout occurs when a goalie does not give up a single goal in a hockey game.

Which team is the home team top or bottom? ›

In any context where a game score or the pair of teams meeting in a game are mentioned, the team mentioned first (left or top) is the home team, except in the United States, Canada, and Japan, where home teams are mentioned second.

Does home field matter in hockey? ›

Having home-ice advantage obviously won't always result in a win, and some teams will feel its effect more than others, but hockey is a game that is often decided by the smallest of margins — so bettors shouldn't dismiss it.

How much is a hot dog at a hockey game? ›

The graph ranks the teams of the National Hockey League according to the price of a hot dog purchased at a concession stand in the stadium.
...
Price of a hot dog at National Hockey League games by team in 2014/15 (in U.S. dollars)
CharacteristicPrice of a hot dog in U.S. dollars
Boston Bruins5.75
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30 Oct 2014

How much is a beer at an NHL game? ›

In the 2014/15 season, the average price for a beer at an NHL game was at 7.45 U.S. dollars.
...
Price for a beer* at National Hockey League games by team in 2014/15 (in U.S. dollars)
CharacteristicBeer price in U.S. dollars
New York Islanders (16)9.75
12 more rows
30 Oct 2014

Is there netting above the glass in hockey? ›

Generally, the panes of glass in the corners and end zones are approximately eight feet in height. The average height of the netting above the glass is likely to be approximately 18 feet.

What is the easiest position to play in hockey? ›

The easiest hockey position is a winger. It requires the fewest additional skills, unlike other positions. You should play left wing if you're left-handed and right wing if you're right-handed.

What is the safest position in hockey? ›

The Goalie

The goalie's job is to stop the puck from going in the net. The goalie is the last line of defense. Goalies stay in their crease for the whole game (unless they get pulled).

What is the biggest injury in hockey? ›

The most common hockey injuries include:
  • AC joint (shoulder)
  • ACL strains or tears.
  • Broken collarbone.
  • Concussions.
  • MCL strains or tears.
  • Muscle strains.
  • Shoulder dislocation.

Is behind home plate the best seats? ›

THE RESULTS: The best place to sit at a Baseball game is…

According to Sports Where I Am users, the best place to sit in baseball venues across the USA is along the third base line. This is followed by sitting behind the home plate area or along the first base line.

Are cell phones allowed in the dugout? ›

The use of electronic communication equipment during the game is restricted. No team shall use electronic communication equipment, including walkie-talkies, cellular telephones, etc., for any communication with on-field personnel including those in the dugout, bullpen, or field.

Is it better to sit in the middle or side of a theater? ›

Ideally the best place to sit in a theater is in the middle of the theater, in the middle of the aisle, giving you a nice, central view of the screen.

Is front row at a play good? ›

The front rows of the dress circle are among the best seats in a theatre – especially for dance productions and musicals with a strong dance element.

Why are front row seats cheaper? ›

Most people want to sit in the middle, fewer people want to sit on the sides, way up front, or way to the back. So, seats in the middle are more expensive and seats to the sides, front, and back are less expensive.

Does it matter where you sit in a stadium? ›

Ideally you want to be central in the side stands, as close to the halfway line as possible. The further towards one end or another you are, the more difficult it will be to see the pitch and to understand exactly what's happening.

Is it better to sit higher or lower in a stadium? ›

But your best bets are going to be in the higher rows of corner and endzone sections. Between these two options, corner seats offer a superior view of the field. When I'm walking through stadiums, my favorite place to rest is always in these seats.

Are courtside tickets worth it? ›

The biggest advantage of sitting in courtside seats is getting a better view and feel of the game than just about anyone else. You can hear the trash talk between players. You can eavesdrop on what the coaches say in the huddle or chuckle at what they yell at the referees.

What is the first unwritten rule in hockey? ›

No Sucker Punches

One unwritten rule is when you drop the gloves, you do it head on. You don't jump someone from behind or sucker punch them, you look them in the eye and ask, "Do you wanna go?" or some similar invitation to drop the gloves.

What is a flamingo in hockey? ›

Flamingo: when a player lifts one leg, standing like a flamingo, to get out of the way of a shot.

What does chirping mean hockey? ›

In any sport, there's an element of trash-talking designed to unnerve the opponent and get him thinking about something other than the game at hand. Hockey insults are known as "chirps," and players use the best hockey chirps on ice rinks all across North America.

What is the golden rule in hockey? ›

1. Always back your partner — on the offensive blue line, in the neutral zone and especially in the defensive zone. 2. Always one defenseman in front of the net when the opposition has the puck in your zone or there is danger that they may gain possession.

What are 3 rules in hockey? ›

Ice Hockey Rules
  • Game time is forfeit time.
  • If you do not have a legal team (5 skaters and a goalie) at game time, your team must forfeit. ...
  • No more than 11 can dress per game; only one manager/coach allowed on the bench per team - they must wear a helmet at all times!
  • Skates only allowed on the ice - no dress shoes.

Why are away jerseys white? ›

Until 1964, Dallas had worn blue at home, but it was not an official rule that teams should wear their official colours at home. The use of white jerseys was introduced by general manager (GM) Tex Schramm, who wanted fans to see a variety of opponents' jersey colours at home games.

Which dugout is the home team usually in? ›

In ballparks where one of the dugouts faces direct sunlight for much of the game, which can be problematic on hot summer days, the home club might choose the dugout that is better shaded. In both the National League and American League, more home team dugouts are on the first-base side (9 to 6 each).

How do you tell if team is home or away? ›

In the United States, the home team is usually written second (i.e., Away vs. Home). So if the Chicago Bulls are playing the Los Angeles Lakers in Los Angeles, you'd see the game described as Bulls vs. Lakers because the Lakers are the home team.

Do positions matter in hockey? ›

All positions in hockey are worth exploring and trying out.

If you choose to play defenseman, you'll be making lots of passes and blocking shots on goal, as well as assisting your forwards in the offensive zone. Finally, as a goalie, you'll have all the pressure to stop shots by opposing players.

Why can't lefties play field hockey? ›

Left handed sticks cause a high risk to injury in the game of field hockey. If a right handed player came in for a block tackle against a left handed stick they would most likely get hit on the follow through swing. This would be the same if a left handed player came in for a block tackle against a right handed stick.

Why do teams win more at home? ›

Most of these are psychological in nature: the home teams are familiar with the playing venue; they can lodge in their homes, rather than in a hotel, and so have less far to travel before the game; and they have the psychological support of the home fans.

What NHL stadium has the best food? ›

The NHL Venues With The Best Food
  • Bridgestone Arena (Nashville Predators)
  • Air Canada Centre (Toronto Maple Leafs)
  • Rogers Arena (Vancouver Canucks)
  • Nationwide Arena (Columbus Blue Jackets)
  • KeyBank Center (Buffalo Sabres)
19 Dec 2017

What NHL arena has the best food? ›

New York Rangers (Madison Square Garden): One of the most famous arenas in the world is also home to some of the most outstanding food options in the NHL.

Who has the highest NHL ticket prices? ›

The most expensive team for a family is the Toronto Maple Leafs at $697.75 (U.S.), a number driven primarily by their league-leading average ticket price of $145.60.
...
Florida Panthers remain the NHL's best deal for fans, but the others may surprise you.
TeamFCIYearly change
Ottawa Senators$354.17-1%
31 more rows
23 Mar 2022

Do NHL players drink alcohol? ›

Hockey and alcohol have always been a great mix; while baseball sluggers come under scrutiny for steroids, hockey players usually have a reputation as drunks. While other sports spray their trophy with alcohol, hockey players drink champagne or another drink of choice out of the Stanley Cup.

What is the smallest NHL hockey arena? ›

Montreal's Bell Centre is the largest arena in the NHL with a seating capacity of 21,302. Uniondale's Nassau Coliseum is the smallest arena with a seating capacity of 13,900.

Do NHL players drink and party? ›

The recent incident involving Patrick Kane was a reminder of what NHL Players like to do in the offseason besides play golf; get drunk. While some players like to party relatively privately, others don't care if the media gets a hold of drunken photos/stories about them being intoxicated.

What is a puck bunny in hockey? ›

puck bunny (plural puck bunnies) (slang, ice hockey) A female ice hockey fan, often one whose interest in the sport is primarily motivated by attraction to the players rather than enjoyment of the game itself.

What do NHL players wear under their pads? ›

WHAT DOES A HOCKEY PLAYER WEAR UNDER ALL OF THEIR EQUIPMENT? Long shirt and pants that are breathable, typically a moisture wicking material is preferred. The base layer should fit tight and feel comfortable. This layer improves the fit of the pads and helps control body temperature.

What are the dirty areas in hockey? ›

Dirty Areas

Refers to anywhere on the ice where one boasts a particular high risk of getting destroyed via an elbow, shoulder or stick to the chops. These areas include along the boards, in front of the net, at each blueline, and in the corners.

What are the best seats for a Nets game? ›

The best options for Nets fans will be either Sections 102-106 which are closest to the Nets bench, or in the southeast corner where Sections 118-122 provide the clearest, head-on views of the team on the bench.

Are behind the goal seats good? ›

It's also worth noting that the most vociferous supporters tend to sit behind the goals, so it's worth sitting there if you're keen on experiencing the atmosphere. Because the seats behind the goals are not as good as the ones along the side of the pitch, they are usually cheaper to buy.

Are Behind basket seats good? ›

Sitting behind the basket is not the best place to actually watch a basketball game, but it is an ideal place to sit if you want to bring the kids. These seats might not have the greatest view and could be a little pricey, but you can see why they are the best seats to bring the kids to.

Why do hockey goalies go behind the net? ›

The goalie trapezoid in the NHL is used to curb goalies from playing the puck in the corners of their defensive zone.

Why are Nets tickets so cheap? ›

But in recent years, that novelty has started to wear off. Demand to see the Nets play has gone down, especially during the years that the team was one of the worst in the NBA. As a result, Brooklyn Nets ticket prices have plummeted considerably, even for season-ticket holders and those buying seats well in advance.

Is it better to sit in the end zone or sideline? ›

But your best bets are going to be in the higher rows of corner and endzone sections. Between these two options, corner seats offer a superior view of the field. When I'm walking through stadiums, my favorite place to rest is always in these seats.

Is forward zone seat better? ›

Located closer to the doors, Forward Zone Seats enable you to be among the first in Economy Class to disembark the plane.

Whats the best seat on a plan? ›

The best seats to have an empty seat next to you

The last seats to be chosen are the middle seats in the back of the plane. In a widebody aircraft with two aisles, sit in the center sections of seats as opposed to the seats in the side sections.

What's it like sitting courtside? ›

Courtside refers to sitting just behind the player benches on the sidelines. People sitting courtside have their feet on the court. Those fans also get some perks such as special parking, access to special clubs and suites, and not to mention the unmatching view of the game.

What does baseline seating mean? ›

If your tickets are located on the third baseline, it would be to your left. If they were on the first baseline, they would be on your right.

Are box seats worth it? ›

For first-time buyers who have never experienced the seat before, I would say it is worth it for the new experience. For those who have gone through the programmed motions of D-Box already, I would have a hard time recommending the seats for anything that isn't incredibly heavy on action and light on story.

Why do goalies tap their stick on the ice? ›

Occasionally during a game you may see a goalie hit the post of the goal behind him with a stick or glove--this is to remind himself of his position on the ice.

What is a goalie cheater? ›

For example; goalies have been allowed to wear an extension on the cuff of their catching glove called a “cheater” since the days of Tony Esposito in the 70s. Again, it's called a “cheater”! Nobody has a problem with that? This apparatus doesn't protect anything, it just eliminates net.

Why do they say a goalie is standing on his head? ›

Stood on his head: This is a term to describe an outstanding performance by an ice hockey goaltender in a short period of time. Often when a goalie lets out a rebound, the opposition returns the shot quickly, and the goalie has to make a quick save.

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