Canucks banking on capacity limits being lifted, selling all regular season seats
With British Columbia still in Stage 3 of COVID-19 restrictions, Vancouver Canucks pre-season games in Abbotsford and at Rogers Arena will have 50 per cent capacity and most seats will be filled by season ticket holders.
But the team is banking on that capacity restriction being lifted in time for the regular season home opener.
“Our plan is at the beginning of October, we would go on sale for full capacity as of our opening game on Oct. 26, and we are hoping it would be 100 per cent when that time comes,” said Michael Doyle, the Canucks president of business operations.
If the 50 per cent venue capacity limit remains in place when the puck drops on opening night and the game sells out, half of the fans who bought tickets would need to be refunded in order to meet the restriction.
Sports business commentary Tom Mayenknecht thinks it’s the correct strategy to sell all the tickets anyway.
“It is easier to provide a refund, provide a credit to future games than it is to all of a sudden rush sales at the last moment,” he said.
“I have never seen situation in the business of sports where an NHL franchise like the Canucks or others have to do as much contingency planning as they’re doing,” Mayenknecht said, adding “It’s not an easy time.”
He believes the Canucks would prioritize season ticket holders if they’re forced to have smaller crowds this season, which could shut casual, single-game fans out of Rogers Arena.
“The bread and butter of the National Hockey League continues to be season ticket holders,” said Mayenknecht.
The Canucks are in contact with provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry. But with the clock ticking down to opening night, Doyle doesn’t know when she’ll make a decision on venue capacity.
“We are working closely with them, and we don’t have a date. I don’t think she has given anyone a date yet,” he said.
If the crowd size restriction remains in place, it will be devastating for the Canucks bottom line.
“The single biggest revenue driver for the NHL is the gate, is ticket sales. And if you’re cutting your budget in half, it’s a massive hit,” said Mayenknecht. “But it’s at least better than having no fans in the stands whatsoever.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Prince William says wife Kate is 'doing well'
Prince William said on Friday his wife Kate was 'doing well' in a rare public comment about the Princess of Wales as she undergoes preventative chemotherapy for cancer.
BREAKING Canadian Blood Services apologizes to LGBTQ2S+ community for discriminatory blood donation policy
Canadian Blood Services issued an apology on Friday to the LGBTQ2S+ community for what it now admits was a harmful and discriminatory blood donation policy that prevented sexually active men who have sex with men and some trans people from donating blood and plasma.
BREAKING Toronto mayor hints that WNBA team is coming to the city, marking the first franchise in Canada
Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow says that she is hopeful an announcement could be made soon amid multiple reports that a WNBA team is coming to Toronto in 2026.
Magnitude 4.2 earthquake reported off Vancouver Island's west coast
A 4.2-magnitude earthquake was recorded west of Vancouver Island early Friday morning.
Ontario coroner to investigate death of man who suffered cardiac arrest while waiting in ER
A provincial coroner will be investigating the death of 68-year-old David Lippert, who suffered a cardiac arrest while waiting in a crowded emergency room in Kitchener, Ont.
'Irate male' assaulted Newfoundland officers with block of cheese, police say
Police in Newfoundland say patrol officers were assaulted Thursday by a "very irate male" wielding a block of cheese.
Average hourly wage in Canada now $34.95: StatCan
Average hourly wages among Canadian employees rose to $34.95 on a year-over-year basis in April, a 4.7 per cent increase, according to a Statistics Canada report released Friday morning.
This iconic Canadian song is turning 50
Andy Kim's 'Rock Me Gently' is marking a major milestone, as it celebrates its 50th anniversary.
From outer space? Sask. farmers baffled after discovering strange wreckage in field
A family of fifth generation farmers from Ituna, Sask. are trying to find answers after discovering several strange objects lying on their land.