How much of an effect will high gas prices have on NHL attendance next season?

Question

If gas prices keep going up, do you think it will hurt attendance next season?

Will gas prices have any effect on your sports budget?

Answer 1

Not at all.  Prudential Center is about a 25 minute drive from where I live, mostly on the highway.  And my brother takes the train from NYU to come here, so that's not a problem either.

Answer 2

I think it depends on where the arena is located. In Toronto, the ACC is a minute walk away from two major public transportation hubs so getting to there isn't an issue. But if it's somewhere like Scotiabank Place in Ottawa, where there isn't any (according to Beer Slayer, there is, but I personally never saw any) and driving is a must. Plus, you got parking...which really isn't much in Ottawa as it is in Toronto.

Answer 3

I usually take the metro to the Habs games anyhow, it's the tickets for 4 that I won't be able to afford.  It's a family event, it's all or nothing in this household.

Answer 4

Nope, I take the drunk train to games lol, and I'll sell my first born for good seats. It may affect how many pretzels I buy lol

Answer 5

I just learned to drive too! :'(.

I don't think the true fans will care about gas prices.

It won't affect me , because I usually take the c-train to games anyways. A very claustrophobic , dirty c-train, with  raging drunks. Thats before the game too. Oh well.

Answer 6

You guys should just move to NY and become Rangers fans... MSG is right near 14 subway lines. :)  Plus, the LIRR and NJ Transit go into Penn Station, which is directly below the arena.

In some of the less accessible cities, it will have an impact... unfortunately, these are the times we live in.

Answer 7

I don't think it'll hurt as much because most are hardcore "NHLers", while some go once in a while.

Answer 8

Doesn't affect me. If I want to go to a game I'll take a bus to Montreal, Ottawa or Toronto (ugh). Wherever the Habs are playing that night.

Answer 9

I live a simple life and the town I live in has most amenities within an hour or two. But if I wanna go to a Stars game that's over 500 miles oneway so r/t about $200 just in gas. Now ya'll can hopefully better understand why I bike (yes bicycle) whenever possible :)

I don't know who you directed the PS to NIPS but in any case you have my sympathy as well for having an insane gas bill. What line of work are you in? I hope you write it off as a business expence. A friend of mine is in the laundry business and each time he has to fill up one of the diesel trucks it costs about $120

Answer 10

My gas bill just came.... $1269 for May! Can anyone top that?

I told all my customers that I would be back next week with a ruler and a pair of scissors to mow their lawn!

Anyway.. no.. I will still make a trip to either CLM or Nash for a game to see the Wings next year.

Answer 11

It might. People that live around the arenas....well they can walk to the game, but people like me who don't live in walking distance will have an issue.

I guess we'll have to wait and see. I mean; it won't be effecting my attendance, it won't be effecting my dad's, my uncle's, or their friend's either.

Answer 12

It will affect me and my going to hockey games.  I used to be able to take the train to Kings games, but now I live too far away to do that.  Gas prices and Southern California traffic = me not being able to afford going.

Answer 13

None really--- I'll still pissand moan about it, but I will still go to 25 or so next year...  

DAMMMN Nips-- I bittched about $850 ---  Sell that dammned Hummer, boy...             BTW--- when your ready to head South next season, gimme a holla...

Answer 14

Jay K

It's all good!  If anything, you asked a very good question!!

Not unless more people decide to take public transportation or cut down on their driving.

I'm still going to the game next year regardless. I get reimbursed for millage at 50 and a half cents a mile while I drive.

NIPS: I don't think anyone can and I do feel sorry for you on this.

What gets me is that I hear people over complain about the gas prises yet have no problem paying out such high prises for luxury's such as $6.00 for a cup of joe at Starbucks.

Answer 15

It sucks... I'm up here in Vermont, the closest arena to me is the Bell Centre, and its two hours away... I really want to drive down to Pittsburgh to at least be able to say I saw a game in Mellon arena before it was torn down... Preeeetty sure being a full time student with a crappy part time job won't cover the cost, but I'm sure as h**l going to try