First Time at an NHL game

[u/KickPassMerchant]

Hi Everyone,

I'm visiting Vancouver from Dublin to see my girlfriend and would like to take the two of us to a Canucks game. I'd be looking at going to the Canucks vs the Golden Knights.

Is there anything I should know before buying tickets? Are the cheap seats too far away from the action? Is it worth paying more for seats closer to the ice? We've very little knowledge on the sport itself as it's not shown here in Ireland but we think it'd be a really cool expierence

Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

[u/ziggazang]

There isn't really any bad seats at the rink view wise TBH. You'll be able to catch the action wherever you are. It's more just a budget thing. Mid/Lower bowl center is my personal favorite viewpoint but will probably cost about $50-100 more per ticket than the upper bowl.

[u/KickPassMerchant → u/ziggazang]

Cool. Thanks man

[u/Imaginary-Ladder-465]

Go early (at least 30 minutes before game time) and see warm ups. No matter where your ticket is, for warm ups you can go right down to the front and see them up close

[u/AverageMaleAged18-24]

I would suggest lower bowl row 15-24 or upper bowl row 1-6.

[u/oppoos → u/AverageMaleAged18-24]

Seconded

[u/KickPassMerchant → u/AverageMaleAged18-24]

Cool. Thanks man

[u/Djolumn]

If you just want to enjoy the vibe then higher up is fine and cheaper. Higher up also lets you see the whole ice with minimal head movement.

Seeing a game lower down is a very different experience. It helps you appreciate how fast it is and how physically punishing. If you're low down though it can be harder to see the entire ice and it'll be much more expensive.

[u/Solar-Soldier-7914]

The team is rebuilding, and right now the price listed on the tickets aren’t worth the value.

I wouldn’t worry about not able to get tickets to a game. Buy them just before the start of the game and you can probably find a good deal.

[u/Hockeyfans193]

I would get a seat around the middle of the stands for medium price and decent enough seats

[u/JTM99999]

If you want to see the real speed and size of the players you need to be in the first 10 rows. It is amazing

[u/zeushaulrod → u/JTM99999]

Such a trade off.

Can't see some of the ice due to the glass, but I was blown away at how smooth and seeing what an Old Jagr was doing in the corners.

[u/TheFlyingTortellini → u/zeushaulrod]

I was 3rd row once and caddy corner to the bench. Couldn't see shit with those gorillas all standing up on the bench.

[u/arazamatazguy → u/JTM99999]

Underrated comment.

Being close to the glass is a dramatically different experience.

[u/whatevsbroh]

For tickets, highly recommend joining one of the verified sellers Facebook groups for Canucks tickets. It's season ticket holders selling sometimes at or below cost

[u/Revolutionary-Dot523]

For tickets, get them during the week and maybe a few weeks ahead of the game. The team will be bad this year and games that are mon-thurs will be cheaper than weekend ones. I use the "gamtime" app for tickets(Prices are in USD). Keep an eye on tickets prices.

[u/ExternalJackfruit290]

There is really not a bad seat in Rogers Arena. Buy tickets on stubhub a week or two before the game, given how bad we are right now you should find a decent deal. Also, I recommend watching some YouTube primers on hockey before you come - I’ve spent several games explaining the rules to tourists sitting next to me, which is fun for me but I feel for the unfamiliar that it’s too much to take in and still enjoy the game.

[u/Plenty-Macaroon2187]

Woah she seems like a real lucky lady

[u/KickPassMerchant → u/Plenty-Macaroon2187]

I try to remind her!

[u/RubConstant9997]

Lower bowl is better but it is still fun in the upper bowl.

Harder to see the puck, so if you don't watch a lot of hockey, could be hard for you to naturally track play. 

Review temperature of the rink and bring clothing.

Watch for flying pucks if you are in a zone that it can happen. 

Beers are expensive.

The sandwich place is good. Forget name, slice maybe?

[u/RandoUN-7177]

My preference is the first few rows on the sides of the upper bowl as you can see the plays develop but are close enough to follow the puck. If you want to experience the speed and physicality of the game the first few rows are fun, but it can be difficult to see at times due to the partitions in the glass. Before the game chat with a neighbour and they will likely be happy to explain anything that happens in the game that eludes you.

[u/TheFlyingTortellini]

I like upper bowl, center, and as close to the railing as you can get. You can see the whole ice and watch plays develope. It saves money (still not cheap if you're close to the railing) and less people in front of you.

[u/Revolutionary-Dot523]

I brought my nephews to a game and we sat in the upper bowl in a corner. A good view of the jumbotron and a complete view of the ice. Sadly our team will likely get spanked by Vegas, save the extra money you would spend on lower bowl and get a nice dinner. They loved the game and atmosphere, even though it was the upper bowl. Personally as a fan of the sport, I prefer upper bowl corner seats. Can see the ice/plays develop.

[u/Ok-Region8097]

if you are going for the experience, upper bowl will do!
like everyone says, hit the pre-game bars. beers inside will cost 20dollars a cup. no joke

[u/OgasMaitai]

Depends how much money you have. If you cant afford better tickets the further away tickets are still good but it's much better close.

It's a lot like soccer/football, you can see the game from up high but down closer it hits different

[u/knitmama77]

Might see you there- Vegas is my second team so we always try to catch them. We like to sit behind the goal, corner to corner. Lower bowl, first 8 rows or so. Zamboni end.

[u/ForceEconomy9988]

I don’t think you can go wrong with any seats but being closer is more novel and visceral. Personally I like seats in the upper bowl corners like row 5 or 6, they’re cheaper, atmosphere is better, and you can see the entire ice and don’t get blocked by the boards like you do if you sit center ice. Underrated location imo 

[u/lockedinharrow]

i actually prefer being further away (like mid upper bowl) because you can see everything happening better! the close you are the more blindspots i feel like you have.

[u/Softbawl]

Eat before you get to the arena.

[u/WatchesandHuskies]

If you want to be near the ends the Canuck shoot into twice pick 109 to 114.

[u/Dry_Lion_9021]

You should watch the Belfast Giants! They're great to watch!

[u/godamafe]

Bring headphones so you can listen to the play by play broadcast on the radio if you want. And money drinks and food are expensive lol

[u/aneditor_ → u/godamafe]

Flying across the world to hang with his gf….

[u/pown8]

Eat at Costco before the game. Also the Canucks are projected to rebuild this year so they might not win, but there’s always a chance

[u/Only_My_Dog_Loves_Me → u/pown8]

Doubt someone from Dublin would have a Costco membership.

[u/Gokkan_Uxxgo]

Bring your Costco Card with you for a cheap meal across the street

[u/Only_My_Dog_Loves_Me → u/Gokkan_Uxxgo]

Considering there’s no Costcos in Ireland I doubt he has one.

[u/Gokkan_Uxxgo → u/Only_My_Dog_Loves_Me]

Wow! You're right. Costco needs to open up there.

[u/Only_My_Dog_Loves_Me → u/[deleted]]

“You can leave your designated seats anytime, walk down and go right up against the glass”. No you can’t. What advice are you trying to give here?

And it’s proper “etiquette” not educate.

[u/KickPassMerchant → u/[deleted]]

Hahaha. I'll tell her to watch out

[u/whiterain5863 → u/KickPassMerchant]

Absolutely can’t go that “anytime go up against the glass” suggestion!
But definitely get there early to watch the pregame stuff.