Author:
OPOlivia Phillips
They may not have a nickname yet, but Utah's new NHL team is already generating significant fan excitement.
Ahead of their inaugural season, Chris Barney, CEO of the team, announced that more than 34,000 people have placed deposits for season tickets.
By late April, approximately 29,000 fans had already paid the $100 deposit during the team's launch event.
Interestingly, 92 percent of these deposits came from non-Utah Jazz season-ticket holders, indicating a fresh and enthusiastic fan base for the NHL team, which will share the Delta Center with the NBA franchise.
Additionally, over 60 percent of these fans only attended a single event at the arena this past year.
As the team taps into this eager market, they also face the challenge of managing the overwhelming demand.
The 34,000 deposits far exceed the Delta Center's seating capacity.
"The math just doesn't work for everybody to get a seat," Barney noted, according to The Athletic's Ian Mendes.
Delta Center is absolutely jammed here for the introduction of the NHL players and staff. pic.twitter.com/ABnPWrN6Bx
— Ian Mendes (@ian_mendes) April 24, 2024
The Delta Center, originally built as a dedicated basketball facility, will feature 10,000 seats with a clear and unobstructed view of the ice surface next season.
An additional 6,000 seats with a "partial ice view" could be made available for marquee matchups.
Tickets for these seats will be discounted, starting as low as $19.
Fans who placed a deposit will be able to purchase tickets later this month on a first-come, first-served basis.
Those who miss out due to capacity limitations will be given priority to purchase smaller ticket packages and single-game seats.
"The stated goal is to give as many people the opportunity to be in the building as possible," Barney emphasized.
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