SEATTLE — After the Seattle Kraken's home opener on Tuesday, a group of young fans sat outside Climate Pledge Arena, recalling their favorite experiences and even their not-so-favorite moments, notably the amount of money they spent.
"Right now it hurts, but I'm willing to do it," said Joe Donahue. "It's the sacrifice you make for opening day."
Donahue attended the game with friend Carson Wright, who paid for the tickets.
Donahue paid for the drinks.
"At the end of the day, I'm not happy about the amount I'm paying, but I understand if I want a beer and to see the game in person, that's the price I'm going to pay," he said, adding that he spent $47 for three beers.
According to data analytics company Statista, the Kraken are the seventh most expensive team to see in the NHL, at $528 per game, for a family of four.
The data is based on four average-priced tickets, four hot dogs, two small beers, four small soft drinks, parking, a game program and two souvenir caps.
"If we could make these games more accessible, people would be more willing to go (and) bring the family," Wright said.
In 2022, the Kraken introduced a value menu, which features more than a dozen food stands with meals under $15 and several beer options with drinks under $10.
Tickets remain the primary expense for fans; according to Kraken and NHL partner Ticketmaster, single tickets for the team's next home game against the Calgary Flames Oct. 17 range between $65 and roughly $350 dollars.
A review of ticket prices of other teams in the western United States shows similar pricing.
While ticket prices vary based on date, opponent and the resale market, Wright said he's found cheaper alternatives.
Using a third-party app, he found two tickets to Tuesday's opener for just $23 each.
"It's nice to feel like you're not breaking the bank to get in here," he said, before being interrupted by Donahue. "Til you buy beers!"