Canadiens-Capitals Game 3 in Montreal brings steep ticket prices
Posted April 24, 2025 11:28 am.
Last Updated April 24, 2025 4:22 pm.
As the Habs-Capitals playoff series shifts to Montreal for Game 3 on Friday, excitement is reaching a high — and so are the ticket prices.
While seeing the Canadiens live in playoff action is a dream come true for many, the cost of tickets is proving to be a barrier for fans hoping to witness the postseason magic in person at the Bell Centre.
A long-awaited return to the Bell Centre
Benjamin Elemond is one of those fans holding out hope.
“I’m definitely looking forward to it,” he said when asked about attending Game 3. “I think the atmosphere in the Bell Centre will be amazing. It’s been eight years now that we haven’t had a full house here… So, to get the full house, Friday is going to be pretty exciting. So I’m definitely looking forward to attending the game in person.”
The hype is real, but for Elemond — and many others — scoring a ticket at a reasonable price has been a challenge.
“It’s been pretty crazy,” he said. “At first, the costs of the tickets were pretty high on general sale already.”
Fans react to soaring ticket prices
Elemond added that even the upper sections aren’t cheap.
“If we start with Saturday at the general sale… in the Whites, AA320 was $595 at cost per ticket. So call it $1,200 for a pair, which I thought was pretty expensive,” he explained. “In the reds perhaps, for instance, $2,500, $3,000 for a pair… These tickets weren’t getting sold. And so in my opinion, this means that the price is still too high.”
He’s been monitoring multiple platforms — TickPick, Vivid Seats, Ticketmaster, StubHub, SeatGeek, Billets.ca, and Facebook groups — trying to find the sweet spot before prices possibly dip ahead of puck drop.
“Red, section 118, was selling for $1,200 this morning, and it’s not sold yet,” he said. “Meaning that people are not even willing to buy tickets at $1,200 for a pair right now… So again, I’m still going to wait.”
Elemond isn’t the only one dealing with high prices. Several other Montrealers shared their frustration.
“I’m not going because of the ticket prices. It’s crazy. If people want to go, they’re going to pay,” one young woman said to CityNews. When asked if she would go if the prices were lower, she added: “I think so, like maybe 200, $300 for a ticket, I would have gone, but 400 and up, no thanks.”
Another fan shared a similar sentiment: “The ticket prices are extremely high, and the average person can’t afford to take their family to a hockey game.”
“If it was a little more affordable, I would definitely attend the games,” added another.
The price of passion
When asked if high prices rob fans of the chance to experience playoff hockey live, Elemond didn’t hold back.
“I don’t disagree with that,” he said. “Ticket prices have always been high for playoffs… But unfortunately… It’s very tough to afford those prices. Even in regular season, right? It’s becoming more expensive… It remains a business. It’s very unfortunate and I do feel the people that unfortunately cannot attend these games.”
“For a pair of tickets, or if you want to bring your family, it’s now several thousand dollars,” he added. “So yes, unfortunately, a lot of people are being priced out… the real ones, as I like to say, they’re not able to afford those prices.”
Despite the cost, for Elemond, attending would be a personal moment years in the making.
“I’ve been a Montreal Canadiens fan for, I don’t know, probably 25 years,” he said. “It’s been eight years I’m waiting for this… just scream Go Habs Go and get this feeling where we’re 21,500 people out there just screaming super loud… So, yeah, definitely looking forward to it.”
As puck drop nears, fans like Elemond remain focused on finding a way in — even if it means playing the waiting game.
“I’m just waiting, you know, like perhaps Thursday evening or Friday, to get some good deals. I still believe that prices are a bit too high right now. I’m kind of looking at the resale market… but I’m pretty confident I’m going to get in.”
