I'm traveling 2500 miles to see my 1st NHL game. Advice needed. - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

palmettophoto · 02-01-2016, 06:39 PM

I will be in Calgary on April 7 with the intent on attending my first NHL hockey game. It will be the Flames' last home game and I need advice on acquiring tickets for me and my wife. Will it be hard to get tickets outside from scalpers? Should I pay the outrageous Stubhub fees and get my tickets before arriving in town? I'm more excited about experiencing "real" hockey than the 5 days I'll be spending in Banff, prior to my visit on the 7th. Any advice for this sports nut from South Carolina would be appreciated.

Drummer · 02-01-2016, 06:55 PM

One cannot prepare for the Saddledome until they've experienced waiting in one of the bathroom lines.

Scornfire · 02-01-2016, 06:56 PM

You can just buy direct from ticketmaster off the flames.nhl.com site, the sooner the better. You'll want something in the lower rows of the second teir, middle of the ice for the best sight lines if at all possible.

If you have any issues there's plenty of guys here whom I'm sure will be able to give you a hand through their network of friends etc.

Scornfire · 02-01-2016, 06:57 PM

Also, are you driving or flying?

IGGYFORMVP · 02-01-2016, 07:04 PM

I hope you have a great time on your first visit to Alberta. I am reasonably sure getting a ticket won't be too much of an issue for you, although it being the last game of the season may make it more difficult. I suppose it all depends on how the team does in the next few months. I would also suggest watching catching a game or two in a pub if you can as that's always a good experience.

If I was you I would be VERY excited about Banff. Banff National Park and the surrounding area is one of the most scenic areas in the world. I spend the last week of March in Banff every year and it is a beautiful time of year there. If you are in to skiing this is primetime as spring snows often hit hard. If not the sun will be shining and you will get to enjoy spring in the mountains which is pretty breathtaking. Either way you will be pretty blown away IMO.

Have fun!

palmettophoto · 02-01-2016, 07:06 PM

Flying into Calgary on April 2 and going straight to Banff via shuttle for 5 nights. We are coming back on Thursday and staying overnight so we can fly out Friday midday. We will not have a car. Any advice on hotels within walking distance to the arena?

getbak · 02-01-2016, 07:11 PM

It's the last game of the season against Vancouver, so even if both teams are out of the playoff race, it will still probably be tough to get tickets. If both teams are out, it will probably be easier than if the game actually means something to one or both teams.

The way things are looking, I'd bet more on it being a meaningless game than a meaningful one. More than likely, resale prices will be lower closer to the game than they are now, but there's no guarantee.

Personally, I'd wait a few more weeks. If you really want to live dangerously, the team always releases a bunch of seats that are held for league and player requests until a few hours before the game, but then you'd have to make sure you're close to a computer all day, which you probably don't want to do.

Scornfire · 02-01-2016, 07:18 PM

Haven't ever had to stay the night downtown after the game, but here's a quick link for hotels nearby and their ratings

Hotels

getbak · 02-01-2016, 07:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by palmettophoto

Flying into Calgary on April 2 and going straight to Banff via shuttle for 5 nights. We are coming back on Thursday and staying overnight so we can fly out Friday midday. We will not have a car. Any advice on hotels within walking distance to the arena?

Anywhere downtown. Hotel Arts on 12th is probably the closest to the Dome. It's about a 10 minute walk.

The Hyatt, Marriott, Palliser, and Sandman are all close to the C-Train, which can take you right to the Saddledome (get off at the Victoria Park Stampede Station and follow the crowd). There's a few other downtown hotels that are a few blocks off the C-Train route that would be a relatively cheap cab ride away (by then, Uber might be legal in Calgary too).

Caged Great · 02-01-2016, 07:33 PM

Tiktiks is also another good service for tickets.

Flacker · 02-01-2016, 07:52 PM

These are on ticketmaster right now, side by side in section 104.

Section104 Row15 Seats15 - 16
Description Level 1
Red 1
FULL
PRICE LEVEL 4
TypeRegular Price Ticket
Ticket PriceCA $239.00 x 2
Service FeeCA $6.00 x 2
SUBTOTALCA $490.00

Not cheap by any means, but unless a STH is willing to sell you their seats at cost, you won't do much better. If this is your first experience, I wouldn't be sitting in the Press Level.

Personally I only have April 5th vs LA, or I would offer.

Enjoy the game! And enjoy Banff as well, there are a lot of amazing things to see, and do.

DownhillGoat · 02-01-2016, 08:04 PM

Check TikTiks, CP, or there's a facebook page as well that I got playoff tickets from. Think it's called "Flames Tickets for Flames Fans".

Regulator75 · 02-01-2016, 08:06 PM

Check here for tickets.

http://forum.calgarypuck.com/forumdisplay.php?f=28

Hack&Lube · 02-02-2016, 10:32 AM

Glad to have you! Just curious, I know South Carolina is not North Carolina but why not check out a Hurricanes game in Raleigh?

Northendzone · 02-02-2016, 10:42 AM

personally, if you really want to see the game i'd recommend buying a ticket in advance given you are coming from a distance - why horse around before a game dealing with independent ticket brokers (scalpers). Also if the game becomes an important one for one team the rpice could go up comapred to face value.

i'd also recommend spending the money to get good seats so you can really enjoy the game.

Scornfire · 02-02-2016, 10:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hack&Lube

Glad to have you! Just curious, I know South Carolina is not North Carolina but why not check out a Hurricanes game in Raleigh?

That's like suggesting that someone in Kamloops should just go see a Canucks game, for shame sir

Coach · 02-02-2016, 10:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by getbak

Anywhere downtown. Hotel Arts on 12th is probably the closest to the Dome. It's about a 10 minute walk.

The Hyatt, Marriott, Palliser, and Sandman are all close to the C-Train, which can take you right to the Saddledome (get off at the Victoria Park Stampede Station and follow the crowd). There's a few other downtown hotels that are a few blocks off the C-Train route that would be a relatively cheap cab ride away (by then, Uber might be legal in Calgary too).

You can also look at Hotel Alley (or whatever it's called now) on Banff Trail. It's out of downtown so likely cheaper, but right on the train line. Probably 15-20 min to the stadium from there.

Resolute 14 · 02-02-2016, 10:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MattyC

You can also look at Hotel Alley (or whatever it's called now) on Banff Trail. It's out of downtown so likely cheaper, but right on the train line. Probably 15-20 min to the stadium from there.

I'm not sure I would want Hotel Village to be someone's introduction to Calgary.

Coach · 02-02-2016, 10:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Resolute 14

I'm not sure I would want Hotel Village to be someone's introduction to Calgary.

If it's just a place to put your head down for a single night, I don't see a problem. Short train ride to Lions Park where there are some awesome views of downtown. And if the price difference is significant enough that it makes the extra 10 minutes on the train worth it, why not?

We can't all stay at Le Germain.

DownhillGoat · 02-02-2016, 12:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MattyC

If it's just a place to put your head down for a single night, I don't see a problem.

You can get hotels downtown for $100-150 a night on Hotwire for that weekend right now.

Last year I stayed at the Palliser for $100 thanks to Hotwire. I'll take that 10 times out of 10 vs Motel Village. Not that that area is horrible, but for someone's first venture out here I'd definitely look downtown.