It was a great time. I think it was a bit of all of that and the rain may have kept some of the “casual” fans at home and for a lot of people there it was a chance to have some fun after 5 good but frustrating years. Chance to celebrate the team and just have some fun in a game that meant nothing
I've always found that the bad weather games always have the best vibe. Only the people who really want to be there go and once you realize you're not going to get any warmer you just enjoy yourself and let go.
Last night's game was awesome in that regard, even if I was soaked and cold the whole time.
__________________
The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to shermanator For This Useful Post:
Got my 2024 season ticket renewal email. Match day parking is now free. Season ticket prices in some sections are going up but most season tickets are similarly priced to last year's early bird pricing, just with one less game. Prices are for 15 games.
I'm paying $60 more for a season ticket but I also save $100+ on match day parking now as I don't typically take the supporters bus.
Sections 101, 102, 108, 109, 200, 201, 202 and 203 all pay the same price now. $455 a season.
I imagine that, as always, this will get mixed reviews.
NSFW!
Last year's prices, for comparison
NSFW!
__________________
Last edited by shermanator; 10-03-2023 at 11:12 AM.
The Following User Says Thank You to shermanator For This Useful Post:
Since I never go up there, what is the Big Rock Fanzone? I'm in the same boat as you regarding the parking and such, so it's basically them buying me two beers and we're even.
Since I never go up there, what is the Big Rock Fanzone? I'm in the same boat as you regarding the parking and such, so it's basically them buying me two beers and we're even.
The BR Fanzone is gameday tickets only, where you get the seat and a draft beer as part of the price.
__________________
"The Oilers are like a buffet with one tray of off-brand mac-and-cheese and the rest of it is weird Jell-O."
Greg Wyshynski, ESPN
The Following User Says Thank You to Julio For This Useful Post:
The Big Rock Fanzone is in the top 5 rows of sections 104, 105 and 106. You get a ticket and free beer with your seat. Think it was $35 this year.
I tried it last year with my family and they were pretty good seats and were mostly filled with families looking for cheap tickets. Didn't even use my beer ticket, just ran into a few buddies and gave them the ticket.
Also, 2024 renewal notices came out today... season tickets in 200 went up by about $50. Honestly, totally fine with me. The quality of play is going up, the experience is tons of fun, and it's still a smashing bargain in that section for an entire year IMO ($455). Also some other decent value in there (copied from my STH email and added the first bullet):
Matchday parking now included with the ticket (#### YEAH)
Hmm, when I go to my invoice it's for $1030 which is for 2 seats in 108. $455 x 2 = $910, so there's still being $120 charged which is about the cost of a parking pass if I recall. Maybe they haven't updated it in their system yet?
__________________ "We are no longer living. We are empty of substance, and our head devours us. Our ancestors were more alive. Nothing separated them from themselves."
I have been critical of their pricing in the past (and rightfully so!), but this seems like another small step in the right direction.
Allowing season ticket holders to buy additional tickets at a reduced cost is very welcomed. STH often add an extra ticket on now and then, invite friends, etc. and are obviously great spokespeople for the club. The ticket bank will come in handy too.
Parking is an interesting one. On one hand, there aren't many other viable ways to get there, so having it as an add-on always seemed a bit greasy. Especially when they cancelled the shuttles. Including it for STH is a nice perk and works out slightly to my advantage because I drive most of the time. I hope that they've done the math and have figured that even with a full house, they'll be able to park everyone. I fully expect a gong show at the first match of 2024, but they do eventually figure it out.
So I guess technically, for those that drive and park, it ends up being CHEAPER this year? Even with one less game. Maybe non-drivers might feel a bit miffed. Maybe we'll see the return of the shuttles now that habits and attendance have normalized a bit more post-pandemic. Though the Ship and Kildare's are filling that gap nicely still.
It is also smart of them to make it 15 games. I think that 16 was optimistic and based on a cup run longer than one match, and obviously a playoff match. But give me my 14 league games, an early cup (or next season, a Concacaf game!), and I'll gladly pay per match for any additional cup/playoff matches.
^ And I know that both "bonus" matches this season will end up getting used because of the playoff format, even without a home cup game, but keeping the upfront price low and adding on cup/playoff matches is fine with me. I'm not going to miss a cup/playoff match if I have to pay extra, but I'll whine more if prices go up on the front end.
