Hockey is becoming more popular in the US by the day, but going to NHL games can range from being cheap to extremely expensive. A 2025 study by Action Network shows big differences in family game-day costs in different NHL arenas.

So here's a look at the five arenas that would cost you the least for a game, along with the five arenas where watching a game can burn a hole in your pocket.

Cheapest NHL Arenas for Families

The Buffalo Sabres' home arena, KeyBank Center, is the cheapest in this list. A family of four pays about $457.32 total. Tickets cost around $375, food is about $62.37, and parking is $19.11. Buffalo is very affordable and even lets kids under 3 enter free, making it very family-friendly.

The Ottawa Senators’ Canadian Tire Centre is next at $487.29. They have cheap food and drinks, so the overall cost stays low even with slightly higher ticket prices.

The Calgary Flames rank third at $493.45. Their Scotiabank Saddledome is known for the cheapest food in the NHL, including very cheap hot dogs. Parking is also very low at under $6, making it a great value in Canada.

The New York Islanders’ UBS Arena is fourth at $501.90. Even in a big market, ticket prices are about $390, but food and parking raise the total cost.

The Columbus Blue Jackets’ Nationwide Arena is fifth at $557.62. They offer balanced prices with moderate tickets and cheap parking, still below the league average.

Most Expensive NHL Arenas for Families

The New York Rangers’ Madison Square Garden is the most expensive in the NHL at $1,296.88 for a family experience. Ticket prices are very high, making it a luxury outing.

The Toronto Maple Leafs at Scotiabank Arena are second at about $1,100, mainly because of strong demand and high ticket prices in a big hockey market.

At third, the Montreal Canadiens’ Bell Centre is placed at around $1,030, where history and fan demand push prices higher.

The Washington Capitals' Capital One Arena ranks fourth at about $1,010. Their games are expensive because of high ticket prices and the city's location.

The Seattle Kraken’s Climate Pledge Arena is fifth at around $1,000. Even as a newer team, their modern arena and facilities keep prices at a premium level.

The study shows a big difference between NHL arenas. Some places offer a family game for under $500, while others go above $1,200. Location and demand affect prices a lot, so hockey can be either cheap or very expensive.

Read more at the NHL Fan Central

Written by

Kapil Manghnani

Edited by

Souvik Roy