Buffalo, NY (WBEN) As the Buffalo Sabres returned to the ice and NHL play Monday night, they're also preparing to welcome back fans with limited capacity.
Can it affect their bottom line? One expert says yes, but they couldn't afford to not try.
The Sabres will be allowed to have 10 percent capacity as early as next week. But not every team is allowed to do that, says Patrick Ryan of EventEllect. "There's obviously a difference of opinion state by state, and county by county," explains Ryan. "There are some teams that are in counties where health officials are not comfortable with how tight the concourses are or how little space there is when people are able to enter the building, which is why we're seeing a variance in capacity allowances." Ryan says some NFL teams jumped the gun on welcoming back fans because there are so many levels of approvals needed from league, to state to local.
Ryan says a majority of teams ready to open up arenas let season ticket holders know about plans for limited capacity. "Obviously, we're willing to give you a refund, however if we do have capacity the people who will be first in line will be those who kept their funds in account," explains Ryan. "Teams have good data from the initial round of surveying, and now they have a pecking order of sorts as to who will get first crack at tickets."
Ryan gives an example of a team allowed 2,000 capacity with 10,000 season ticket holders. "Every fifth game, you'll get a chance to buy tickets," say Ryan. "Some teams are doing this with a link where it's for the first five games, pick one, and so on. They're trying to do this as judiciously as possible." If there are remaining tickets, they'll likely go presale or go to corporate partners.
Is it a profitable move for teams to host games with limited capacity? Ryan says it's been accepted that less than 25 percent capacity is operating at a loss. "But, the do believe there's a lot of lifetime customer value by building those relationships and showing the team is doing what it can to get you access to a game as a season ticket holder," says Ryan.
Ryan says there's one other part of the gameday experience fans need to be aware of. "A lot of the more specialty type concession stands won't be open. They don't make as much sense as opening the hot dog and frency fry stands," explains Ryan. "It's much more than watching the game. It's having your favorite craft beer or your favorite sandwich. I don't think anyone won't go because their favorite stand won't be open, but it's good to not let them wait all week and find their favorite stand in all of sports is closed," adding communication is key.
The Sabres are scheduled to welcome back fans Feb. 25.
