[Weitz]

Originally Posted by Jimmy Stang

I'm not a season ticket holder, but I'm sure my game pack (which I already split with someone) will increase again. I'll probably hang onto it because it means 4 or 5 kid-free nights out with my wife each year, and she enjoys going. I don't have the time or the budget to attend many more than that, but if our $110 night out becomes $115, then so be it.

It is pretty clear that the Flames are going to increase ticket prices at a similar rate until the new rink is done, just to avoid that sticker shock all at once. But I also think that it will be a tough sell for a lot of people. The economy is still sputtering, the political climate in Alberta is unstable, unemployment and job insecurity is rising, companies (and individuals) are cutting spending, etc.

Sure, they can set prices wherever they'd like, but I think that a lot of individuals and companies will be exercising their right to spare that expense and I'm not sure who will be coming in to fill those seats. Of course, a little playoff run could change things a bit, but let's be honest here... the second round of the playoffs is a bit of a unicorn around these parts.

There will certainly be a large increase when the new rink opens. But, like Edmonton, I imagine there will be 30+ levels of tickets.