The Hurricanes are averaging just 12,404 fans over their first eight home games, ranking next to last in the NHL and representing a "loss of more than 3,000 fans a game from last season," according to Chip Alexander of the Raleigh NEWS & OBSERVER. Only the Oct. 10 season opener against the Islanders "has filled the 18,680-seat" PNC Arena. However, Gale Force Sports & Entertainment President Don Waddell said that total ticket revenue "could top last season’s total." He added that a "reduction in complimentary and discounted tickets accounts for a good chunk of the lost attendance." He said actual paid attendance is only down "fractionally" from last season. Waddell noted that approximately 75% of the Hurricanes' ticket revenue is generated by season-ticket sales, and the season-ticket base was "approximately 8,000 -- roughly 7,000 full season-tickets and more than 1,000 season-ticket equivalents." Alexander noted in addition to season tickets for the 41 home games, the Hurricanes "offer a 26-game package and three 12-game packages." They also "have gone to a tiered pricing plan for eight home games, and are using a 'dynamic ticket' pricing system to determine pre-game discounts and individual-game prices." The team "plans to add staff to sell tickets," as the current number of 11 employees is "the smallest sales staff" in the league. Waddell said that he "will soon have 24, and a new vice president of ticket operations." In terms of suite rentals, Waddell said that 41 of the 66 suites "are fully leased -- a loss of three from last season." He added that suites are "available for nightly rentals, at $110 per seat." Waddell also said that Hurricanes tickets "may be packaged with suite rentals for such much-in-demand events as the Taylor Swift concert in June" (Raleigh NEWS & OBSERVER, 11/25).
