Why is hockey so expensive?
Another reason why hockey tickets are expensive is because the NHL, and many other hockey leagues, are gate-driven leagues. This means that they rely on ticket sales and selling things inside the arena (jerseys, food, and drink) to make a lot of their revenue.
Ice hockey.
Hockey parents won't be surprised that their sport ranks number one, averaging $595* for basic equipment costs. The added expenses are due to the amount of protection players need to prevent injuries such as a helmet ($110), shoulder pads ($80), and elbow pads ($80).
Global News had a look at the price of playing A or AA level hockey in the Greater Toronto Hockey League (GTHL). In order to play in the GTHL, the biggest minor league in the world, it will cost the average player approximately $5,500 per season. Here is the breakdown: $3,500 season hockey fee.
It's simple. They bleed the pockets of the loyal hockey fans in real hockey markets so teams like Phoenix and Tampa can exploit revenue sharing and offer $9 lower bowl tickets, turn no profits, yet still make money.
According to a Utah State survey, a family can expect to spend an average of around $7,000 a year on youth ice hockey—with an upper limit that hits close to $20,000. And if a kid wants to travel for the sport, parents can expect costs to soar.
Despite hockey's celebrated blue-collar roots, with stars like Gordie Howe and Maurice Richard deriving from humble beginnings, it has become evident that hockey is a rich-man's sport.
The earliest age kids can begin playing organized hockey is five years old. For families that want players to learn the skills without being on a team, some programs are a starting point available.
| Equipment | Price Range |
|---|---|
| Hockey Skates | $30 - $180 |
| Hockey Stick | $30 - $100 |
| Hockey Helmet | $30 - $120 |
| Hockey Gloves | $30 - $60 |
A conservative estimate puts the cost of playing U18 AAA hockey—the elite level below junior hockey—upwards of $10,000 when you include registration, equipment, and travel costs. This is the kind of cost that many families can't afford or afford only after making great sacrifices.
Estimated cost: The Aspen Institute's study showed that parents with a child in ice hockey spent on average $2,583 per year in 2019. Among the 21 sports reviewed, it was the most expensive.
How much do parents spend on hockey?
Annual spend on children's ice hockey in the U.S. 2019
On average, a family in the United States spent 693 U.S. dollars annually per child in one sport. For those children playing ice hockey, families had to hand over an estimated 2,583 U.S. dollars annually, including approximately 389 U.S. dollars for equipment.
Registration fees this year cost nearly $2,000 each. Their equipment is worth at least $1,000 a set. Then there are travel costs — and in relatively rural regions those costs can really mount up.
Super Bowl
American Superbowl for $1210. American football is known for it's crazy ticket prices. It does not get crazier than the American Superbowl final.
That's thanks to the Panthers having the league's lowest average non-premium ticket price ($41.79). They've had the cheapest average ticket cost for nine seasons.
TicketSmarter says tickets can run anywhere from $735 to $10,301, with the average price of a seat for an NHL Stanley Cup Final at around $2,691. These prices are quite a bit higher than tickets available in past Stanley Cup Finals.
Sometimes entire sports have blue collar fans: hockey, auto racing, roller derby.
1. Wayne Gretzky. Wayne Gretzky is a retired Canadian NHL hockey player who currently boasts a net worth of around $280 million.
Boxing. The Sweet Science. That's the sport that demands the most from the athletes who compete in it. It's harder than football, harder than baseball, harder than basketball, harder than hockey or soccer or cycling or skiing or fishing or billiards or any other of the 60 sports we rated.
Tennis is undeniably one of the most expensive sports on the planet. In fact, a 2010 study by the U.S. Tennis Association showed that the average season as a professional would cost a player $143,000 in expenses.
Kids can start playing hockey at a little bit older age and still have a great experience. Some start later and catch up to other kids who've played longer, or some are slower to pick up on skating skills, which is okay, too. The ultimate goal of hockey or sports in general isn't necessarily to play at an elite level.
How long does it take to learn hockey?
USA Hockey intended that players take two years to master the skills so they are fully prepared to join a hockey league.
ST. PAUL, Minn. - The Minnesota Wild have signed teenager and first-round draft pick Mathew Dumba. The Wild announced Thursday the signing of 17-year-old Dumba, who was the seventh overall draft pick.
It's not uncommon for NHL players to use a new stick every game and their teams pay for them — an average of about $200 per stick, which is about $100 less than they cost in a sports store. The regular season is 82 games — not including practices — so the stick bill for NHL teams can get very expensive.
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.
How much do hockey skates cost? Hockey skates range in price from about $50 for an entry-level Youth model to around $1000 for a top-of-the-line Senior model.
1) Ice Hockey:
Ice hockey is considered to be the most popular sport in Canada, as the sport having been named as the official national sport in Canada. The Canadian Ice hockey league, “National Hockey League (NHL)” is established both in Canada and the United States.
Junior hockey in Canada charges $750 minimum for league and Hockey Canada registration. Those are the facts. Continuing with the facts, the NAHL charges “League Fee's” in the vicinity of $30,000 per team.
Of the $2.6 billion in direct hockey-related impact, more than $1 billion flows into communities of less than 100,000 people.
- Skateboarding. While the popularity of skateboarding has waxed and waned since it was invented in the 1950s, it was recently named an Olympic sport. ...
- Frisbee/disc golf. ...
- Badminton. ...
- Soccer. ...
- Dance. ...
- Basketball. ...
- Hiking. ...
- Swimming.
While the NBA as a whole is cheaper than the NFL and NHL, the Warriors were an exception, as The Guardian reports, charging astronomical prices to see games.
Why does youth hockey cost so much?
The cost of protective equipment, sticks and ice time is one factor that keeps hockey lagging behind sports such as basketball and soccer in the U.S. among minority children. Snider Hockey program director Dan Rudd estimates the expenses of travel hockey alone can cost a family $2,000-$3,000 a year.
A conservative estimate puts the cost of playing U18 AAA hockey—the elite level below junior hockey—upwards of $10,000 when you include registration, equipment, and travel costs. This is the kind of cost that many families can't afford or afford only after making great sacrifices.
Boxing. The Sweet Science. That's the sport that demands the most from the athletes who compete in it. It's harder than football, harder than baseball, harder than basketball, harder than hockey or soccer or cycling or skiing or fishing or billiards or any other of the 60 sports we rated.
Estimated cost: The Aspen Institute's study showed that parents with a child in ice hockey spent on average $2,583 per year in 2019. Among the 21 sports reviewed, it was the most expensive.
| Sport | League | Total Attendance |
|---|---|---|
| American football | National Football League | 17,510,312 |
| Cricket | Indian Premier League | 3,422,347 |
| Association football | Premier League | 14,503,954 |
| Australian football | Australian Football League | 7,594,257 |
Super Bowl
American Superbowl for $1210. American football is known for it's crazy ticket prices. It does not get crazier than the American Superbowl final.
That's thanks to the Panthers having the league's lowest average non-premium ticket price ($41.79). They've had the cheapest average ticket cost for nine seasons.
Outside of last season, the league's average attendance declined every season since its record-high. Even with a slight uptick from 2017-18, the 2019-20 total was still minus-1.28% to 2012-13.
Hockey is linked to Canadian identity and many will go on the defensive when someone even vaguely criticizes it. But the fact is, as Canada's population increases, hockey participation numbers are on the decline.
Annual spend on children's ice hockey in the U.S. 2019
On average, a family in the United States spent 693 U.S. dollars annually per child in one sport. For those children playing ice hockey, families had to hand over an estimated 2,583 U.S. dollars annually, including approximately 389 U.S. dollars for equipment.
Should my kid play AAA hockey?
AAA hockey is absolutely worth it, provided you can afford it, and you join the right program. AAA will instill you with a great work ethic that will stay with you for life while turning you into a better player. AAA is a great stepping stone to help reach your hockey dreams, whatever they may be.
| Equipment | Price Range |
|---|---|
| Hockey Skates | $30 - $180 |
| Hockey Stick | $30 - $100 |
| Hockey Helmet | $30 - $120 |
| Hockey Gloves | $30 - $60 |
Many associations require players to be five years old. Kids that start hockey before they are physically and mentally ready are more likely to have a negative experience. It is never too late to start playing hockey. Players have joined hockey programs at 12-13 years old and still made varsity hockey teams.
