Travelling to Anaheim for playoff game $150 cheaper than staying in Winnipeg
Calculation includes game ticket, airfare, hotel - could even visit Disneyland with money left over
If you were shut out from playoff tickets at the box office yesterday, turns out it maybe cheaper to fly to California, take in a playoff game in Anaheim and stay in a hotel for 2 nights than to buy a resale ticket in Winnipeg.
You could even toss in a one-day ticket to Disneyland and still have money left over for snacks.
As of 5 p.m. Tuesday, the cheapest resale price for Monday's game at the MTS Centre on StubHub is approximately $1,117.28 Cdn after the currency conversion.
The cost to get a playoff ticket for Thursday's game at the Honda Center in Anaheim, plus airfare, shuttle costs and two nights in a modest hotel is $964.57 Cdn.
That leaves the fan who travels to Anaheim $152.71 ahead.
Here's how it breaks down:
"I'm pretty happy about it," said Bobby St. Laurent, a professional wrestler who was able to combine a vacation in the area with Thursday night playoff tickets for about $60 Cdn a ticket with a group of friends.
"It's supply and demand. If people charge a certain amount and people want to pay it, then that's the market!" said St. Laurent, who added he will also be attending a playoff game in Winnipeg.
"It's frustrating but also proves hockey is Canada's game and we have the best fans," said Darlea Little, who scored one Winnipeg playoff ticket for her stepdad yesterday for $254.
Aside from the cost of game tickets, the calculations include a WestJet and Delta airline ticket from Winnipeg to Los Angeles found on Google Flights, where the listed price was as low as $645 Cdn. It includes a round-trip shuttle from the Los Angeles airport to the Anaheim area and a hotel booked over Hotwire.ca, which is described as being in the range of a Super 8, Days Inn or Travelodge.
The Winnipeg Jets says fans may still be able to buy tickets on the Jets' Seat Exchange website or on game days. It does not recommend buying tickets from unauthorized sellers.
Despite the price difference between seeing a game in Winnipeg compared to Anaheim, Little says she is thrilled to simply score a ticket, no matter the cost.
"It's an experience that you will remember for the rest of your life."