Hurricanes' Success Translating To More Ticket Sales

WRALSportsFan

Hurricanes' Success Translating To More Ticket Sales

Jul 15, 2002

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RALEIGH, N.C. — There is no drought at the Entertainment and Sports Arena's box office when it comes to the Carolina Hurricanes. Last season's success is translating into more ticket sales.

Hundreds of Carolina Hurricanes fans waited outside the Entertainment and Sports Arena last month to buy tickets to the Stanley Cup finals. The majority of them walked away empty-handed while season ticket holders had no problem getting tickets because they had priority.

"We're still hearing from some folks who were upset that they couldn't buy tickets, and while we're empathetic and compassionate, we do remind them that if they had bought a season ticket last year, they would've had a right to buy tickets for every playoff game," Hurricanes President Jim Cain said.

Team officials said some fans have learned their lesson.

"Even before the schedule was announced, we had already sold 3,000 new season tickets for next season, and that's before we really even cranked up our sales campaign, so that's a very good sign for things to come," Cain said.

Cain said the effort to get last year's season ticket holders to renew has just gotten under way. Last season, the team sold about 11,000 season ticket plans, including full and partial plans. Officials are hoping to do even better this time around.

"I think people now realize that with the great fan support we had at the end of the season with the playoffs, if they want to get a ticket to see the Red Wings come or the Avalanche come or the Penguins come or the Rangers, they can't wait and buy the day before the game," Cain said.

Later this month, the Carolina Hurricanes will host what the team calls its "Select-A-Seat" event. Fans who put down a deposit can go inside the ESA and check out their seat. The Hurricanes are selling full and partial plans. Ticket prices start at $12.