Islanders Home Opener is the Hottest Ticket in Town

The New York Islanders open their new home in just six days. I’ve said this before on the podcast and on Twitter but driving past the arena a few times per week over the past few years it’s been so cool to see the updates happen in real-time.

Now, with under a week to go, they’re only putting on the finishing touches. It’s practically good to go for November 20. Islanders fans have been waiting for this day for a long time and the ticket prices indicate that.

According to TicketIQ, the average price on the secondary market for a ticket to the UBS opener is $625.

For context, even if you just want to get in the building, the cheapest seat as of writing this is now $317. That’s more than the playoff games at the Nassau Coliseum, where the cheapest tickets were well under $100 less on the secondary market than this asking price.

Still, it’s a momentous occasion for fans and something that most people who can afford it won’t bat an eyelash at. People will pay anything to get into this event just to be able to say they were there which is being proved by the astronomical prices on the secondary market.

This past week, the Isles announced some new amenities that will be featured in the arena. First, Shaquille O’Neal will be teaming up with Blue Line Deli for a special chicken sandwich called  “The Islander”

It’s Shaq’s “Big Chicken” brand chicken on a blue and orange bagel. It looks truly amazing, and that’s not all. The team also announced a collaboration with Offside Tavern, the former Islanders bar in Manhattan.

This building is going to be special. The team did a tremendous job of including things that are important to Islanders culture, and it seems like the ownership group actually gives a crap about the fans which is sadly rare in the sports world.

So yes, opening night at UBS Arena is the hottest ticket in town. If you can get into the building, it’ll be well worth your while.