Key Takeaways:
- Tickets for the $14 million IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship in 2023, according to promoters, will be reasonable and “Maritime-priced.”
- According to Grant MacDonald, the local lead for the 2023 IIHF World Junior Championship in Halifax, the revelation wasn’t wholly unexpected.
- Meanwhile, officials in charge of the Scotiabank Centre’s planning are unconcerned about obtaining the necessary employees.
According to organizers, tickets for the $14 million IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship in 2023 will be inexpensive and “Maritime-priced,” according to organizers.
The event last took place on the East Coast in Nova Scotia in 2003.
With less than eight months until the next hosting chance, the Moncton-Halifax event is planned on a tight schedule.
“Normally, we’d be on a two-year timeframe,” said Dean McIntosh, vice-president of events and properties for Hockey Canada.
“However, the model has been simplified over time — even as the tournament has increased.”
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The short timeframe, according to McIntosh, leaves less time to discuss exciting tournament ideas, but it drives organizers to “take action and go for it.”
The East Coast was chosen to host the 2022 World Championship, which was initially granted to Russia but rescheduled following the invasion of Ukraine.
Grant MacDonald, the local lead for the 2023 IIHF World Junior Championship in Halifax, said the announcement wasn’t wholly unexpected.
“For the past two years, Halifax and Moncton have been discussing the possibility of co-hosting a global junior tournament,” MacDonald said. “We just assumed it would happen later this decade.”
Hockey Canada hopes for a successful competition, with even the smaller rinks selling out.
“We anticipate that our communities will embrace it and benefit our businesses.”
According to MacDonald, capacity could be an issue.
“We may want to expand the fan experience outside the Avenir Centre and Scotiabank Centre’s four walls.”
However, ticket sales are one of the first crucial foundations to start things rolling.
“We want to ensure it’s affordable and Maritime-priced,” MacDonald explained.
The event could cost up to $14 million, while Hockey Canada estimates that it will generate a $40-60 million economic benefit in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick.
At least 150 volunteers are expected in each market in both host cities.
Meanwhile, those in charge of planning for the Scotiabank Centre in Halifax are unconcerned about getting the necessary personnel.
A standard Mooseheads game requires “approximately 35 to 50 venue employees on any given night,” said Suzanne Fougere, Events East executive vice president.
“On any given night, it will be closer to roughly 100 people for an event like this,” Fougere said.
The event will take place from December 26 to January 5, 2023. Tickets are set to go on sale this summer, at the same time as a volunteer recruitment push.
Source: Global News
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