You might have been watching NHL and other hockey leagues on TV for years, but nothing matches the thrill of attending your first live game. If you’ve got a local NHL team nearby, this could be one of the most fun evenings out in a while, but other leagues can also offer a great deal of entertainment at affordable prices. In this article, we’re going to look at a few great tips so that you can start having the most fun possible at your local hockey games.
1. Place a bet beforehand
Not every hockey arena is located somewhere where betting is allowed. While some sports venues have started having bookmakers on-site, most hockey arenas will not. If you want to get even more enjoyment from your first live hockey game, you might want to check out some new customer offers at online bookmakers. That way you can place a bet before you leave and cheer on your team at the game.
2. Arrive early
A busy sports arena can get hard to deal with when it’s really close to the start of the game. You don’t want to be left in a rush trying to find parking. Make sure you give yourself plenty of time to get parked and find your seats, especially if it’s your first time at a hockey game. There’ll be attendants on-hand to help find your seats if you don’t know where you’re going.
Make sure you start queuing for food and refreshments as early as possible. You don’t want to miss the start of the game. This can sometimes be hard at the end of a period or during other breaks in play as you might not have enough time to get back to your seats. Some people choose to leave towards the end of a period to get to the hot-dog stand so that they have enough time to get back before the start of the last period.
3. Wrap up warm
While most hockey arenas are indoor, not all of them are. And this is a winter sport, after all. Even the indoor arenas will remain cold as they are basically ice-rinks! That means you need to keep warm.
4. Understand the rules
Now if you’ve been following hockey on television for a number of years you won’t need any help here, but if you’re new to the sport in general you might have some issues. Check out some simple guides so that you know what to look out for, and what to cheer for.
5. Enjoy yourself!
Visiting a local hockey game is normally great fun for all the family. Some people have been visiting them for decades, but you have to start somewhere. Hockey remains one of the most popular sports in the country, and for good reason. Hopefully, you and your family are about to visit the first of many live hockey games. Check out season ticket prices for next season to see how much you could save.