NHL’s new plan would allow for thousands of fans in attendance at games

Numerous reports have surfaced over the past week or so about the NHL’s return to play plans. All indications are that the league will resume play with a 24 team Stanley Cup Playoffs format in four “neutral site” locations without fans in attendance. 

However, earlier today NHL insider John Shannon reported that the NHL is also developing a new plan that would allow for as many as 2,500 fans to be in attendance at select NHL arenas. 

Check it out: 

The NHL and teams have done social distancing models for people in seats…most arenas, based on people being 6 feet apart in every direction…would only be able to host 2000 to 2500 fans at a game.  A bit of a non-starter.

Shannon calls it a “non-starter” presumably because it wouldn’t be viable for the NHL to sell that few tickets. I’m no economist, but I’d have to imagine that the “economy of scale” rule applies here? If the NHL were to accommodate fans they’ll need to pay for security, concessions, cleaners, etc. making it unfeasible. 

Still, you’d have to imagine that the NHL could charge a premium for these tickets. But, is exploiting a fanbase during a pandemic is probably not the look the NHL is looking for… all for a few more bucks. 

It remains to be seen what ultimately ends up happening, but at this point it’s probably safe to assume that we’ll have NHL hockey back on the ice at some point this summer.