Carolina Hurricanes

Do Canes players buy tickets for family & friends to watch the Stanley Cup?

Key Takeaways
Key Takeaways

AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.

Read our AI Policy.


  • Article 20 of the NHL CBA requires teams to provide two free home-game tickets per player.
  • Each player may purchase two additional home-game tickets that must be lower-bowl seats.
  • Players receive no free away-game tickets; home teams must offer two tickets for purchase.

Local ‘Caniacs’ know that tickets to this year’s Stanley Cup, featuring the Carolina Hurricanes and Vegas Golden Knights, are hard to come by. Season ticket holders and regional fans are fighting with bots for tickets priced at $1,000+. But what about the players?

How many tickets do Hurricanes players get?

Article 20 of the Collective Bargaining Agreement between the NHL and the Player’s Association specifies that every team is required to make two free tickets available for every player at every home game.

Additionally, each player is allowed two tickets for purchase for home games. The agreement also states that these tickets have to be at least lower bowl seats.

Do the Knights players get tickets too?

The rules change when it comes to away games. Players are not entitled to free tickets on the road, but home teams are required to provide two tickets for purchase for each player. The Vegas Knights could be duking it out with the rest of us for tickets to the game.

If players want more tickets than allotted, they are stuck with the resale market like everyone else. There has been growing outrage with prices for the finals, The News & Observer has reported. Fans have taken to social media to discuss the cost of the usually affordable Lenovo Center tickets.

What were ticket sales like in the past?

In 2022, The News & Observer reported that for second round playoff tickets, the Hurricanes instituted a policy restricting ticket purchase directly from the team to only residents of North and South Carolina and Southern Virginia. This allowed regional fans a leg up in the ticket race.

A Redditor posted a picture of a paper ticket from 2006. The price? $300 for Game 7 in the finals. This year, a center-ice seat retails around $2,500.

How to watch the Stanley Cup

Games will be shown live on ABC and online at ABC.com, though you will need to share your TV provider and login. You can also stream on ESPN+.

Games 1-4 are Tuesday, June 2; Thursday, June 4; Saturday, June 6 and Tuesday, June 9. Games 5-7, if necessary, are Thursday, June 11; Sunday, June 14 and Wednesday, June 17.

All games are scheduled to begin at 8 p.m. EST.

Read Next
Read Next
Related Stories from Raleigh News & Observer
AC
Autumn Coleman
The News & Observer
Get unlimited digital access
#ReadLocal

Try 1 month for $1

CLAIM OFFER