Discussions

To the new owners of the Wheaties,  
We paid for last year's non season, didn't take the refund and thought that the almost $1250 we paid should cover most of the cost of the this seasons tickets with maybe a slight REASONABLE increase of $25-50 a ticket to pay. How wrong we were! the increase we are facing to pay for the same 3 tickets is over $500 more (40% increase)  
I understand a small increase but to take advantage of fans, especially during these covid times when some people have been paid off or had reduced hours, is disgusting. Given that season tickets numbers have been falling in recent years do you honestly think it's a good idea to increase prices so much?

For anyone that hasnt, please review this link for facts as far as pricing and refund policy (note that it says there would be a full refund for value of cancelled games if applicable). At the link there’s a chart that shows pricing for each level of ticket:  
https://wheatkings.com/tickets  
 
To compare to 2019-20, the chart with that years prices is at:  
https://wheatkings.com/article/wheat-king-announce-2019-2010-season-tickets-plans  
 
For example before fees/taxes adult $599 was prev $499. 

I went through the cart to add a sample adult ticket in an online order and with taxes/fees I'm getting $669.65. Not sure how that final bottom line with taxes/fees compares.

I haven’t asked anyone at the team, but as far as capacity keep in mind that the building holds 5102. The second link mentions that the prev year they sold “over 2500” season tickets which just happens to be about half of that 5102. Of course for any given game they sell walkup seats that push an average game into the 3000s. Just assuming, but makes sense that that walkup would be what’s potentially changed the most if there happens to be a need for the province to change health orders (fingers crossed that the Covid situation doesn’t deteriorate enough again to make that necessary). I’ll ask a few questions after the weekend and see if there’s anything more that I can add to speak to.

Also here’s what I’m seeing on websites of other teams in the East division for an adult season ticket. Apples to apples can get a little tricky depending on how taxes/fees apply. I start with the assumption these are excluding taxes and fees too, have included that info if I saw it shared on ticket pages:  

 
Brandon $599

Saskatoon $599 early bird, $629 regular. Also sell club seating at $719 EB/748 reg. 
 
Swift Current Has two levels. For platinum zone it’s early bird $625, reg $640. Silver is $400/410  
 
Prince Albert is $575 EB/600 reg for Prime Seating, 500/530 for what they call Family Seating. including GST, not sure about other fees 
 
Moose Jaw at EB $460, reg $525 excluding taxes/fees
 
Regina doesn’t seem to have prices posted yet.

I had requested a refund/credit for my season tickets from the Wheat Kings for the 4 games canceled in the 19/20 season due to COVID-19. The Wheat Kings posted their ticket refund policy which stated:  
 
“However, we also understand this is a difficult time and for that reason the Wheat Kings are pleased to offer our season ticket holders two additional options to consider.  
 
Option #1 – Your unused tickets from the March 13th, 14th, 18th and 21st games can be exchanged at the Wheat Kings’ office in September for a ticket voucher to any 2020-21 regular season home game.  
 
Or  
 
Option #2 – The value of your unused tickets (March 13th, 14th, 18th and 21st) will be applied as credit when you purchase your 2020-21 season tickets. This can be done when renewing this summer – or in the case of those that have already renewed – please notify us of our intentions.”  
 
I called and chose option #2 when the Wheat Kings advertised that and the person confirmed that I would get the credit. When I called to renew my season tickets this week I was told this wasn’t an option anymore, that I should’ve gotten the refund under the old ownership, and that they have no history of me requesting a refund at all, so I will be receiving 4 buddy tickets for this upcoming season. I understand that their statement was for the 20/21 season which was played in the bubble, but from what I was told by the Wheat Kings front office is the credit would carry over to the 21/22 season, and now they are refusing to honour it. Is anybody else having issues receiving their credit towards their season tickets this year?

Just myself speaking again, I'm not in a position to speak for the team with this reply. Apples to apples can get tricky without digging a little deeper. Just to be clear, the Winnipeg Ice appear to have gone with a two-tiered ticket setup like a couple other teams I mentioned in the list above. The early bird price is $499 for what look to be lesser seats at the ends of the rink and $659 in the middle sections that are typically in highest demand. Here's their pricing page:  
https://winnipegice.ca/ticket-options  
 
In looking at the ticket map on the BWK website (or from having gone to hundreds of games), those middle sections are the most in-demand for obvious reasons. In comparing to Winnipeg you could say that people at the end (generally harder to sell) seats are getting a bit better deal per game than end seats in Brandon but that fans here are getting a better price per game on the more in-demand seats. I wouldn't be surprised if after doing the math the BWK might be leaving money on the table by not charging more for premium sections.