Toronto Maple Leafs fans are thrilled that their team is back in the playoffs for the first time since the 2003-04 season, but they are far from thrilled with the news regarding playoff ticket prices.
A limited number of tickets for Maple Leafs home playoff games go on sale to the public Thursday and prices are expected to increase 75 per cent, according to the Toronto Sun, compared to what a regular season ticket costs.
According to a Team Marketing Report, the average price for a Leafs’ regular season ticket is US$124.69, the highest in the National Hockey League. A 75 per cent increase on US$124.69 would result in the average cost of a Leafs first-round playoff ticket being $218.20.
Compare that to the New York Islanders – making their first post-season appearance since the 2006-07 season – whose highest-priced first-round ticket is US$234 and it becomes clear why some Leafs fans are upset with MLSE.
Leafs rivals, the Montreal Canadiens, increased their prices for some of their playoff tickets as much as 59 per cent, which is in line with what the team has done in previous seasons.
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The Maple Leafs are the NHL’s most valuable franchise, according to Forbes, and last year became the first hockey team worth $1 billion.
As of Wednesday evening, the popular ticket website Stub Hub – which does inflate its prices – already has individual tickets listed for as high as US$8,500.
The Leafs clinched their first playoff berth since 2004 last weekend with a 4-1 win over the Ottawa Senators.