I really really want to go to a game, but I just can’t afford to buy a ticket for $100 + service charges. I’m saving my money in case they make it to the SCF and then I’ll be able to afford a ticket to one game.

I can’t afford $100 for a ticket, either...especially when I can see the Red Wings on TV for free (well, the price of my monthly cable bill, which I would pay anyway).  Any extra money I have needs to go to repairing a wall in my bathroom and replacing the sink, and preparing to replace my 30 year old furnace in the near future.  Eliminating the possibility of future water damage and keeping warm during the winter ranks a bit higher than hockey.

Are the Pistons struggling to fill their seats?  I’d be interested to see a comparison of ticket prices between the two teams.

Well the $100 is not bad for a playoff game, but I live 2 1/2 hours away and when you factor in eats, gas, parking and all the other stuff that goes with being at a game, my wifes says when hell freezes over in august, I could spend the money.

I think the Pistons tickets are cheaper.  The blog http://www.behindthejersey.com had a post up a little while back (I think it was a week or two?) comparing ticket prices etc.

If they don’t sell at this point of the playoffs, its not the price - its the atmosphere. The prices at this point of a playoff are going to be a serious expense regardless of the sport. People have Pistons season tickets and go to the games because they want to be there and be part of something. At Joe Louis, its a lot of company ticket holders who are there because, well, they’ve always had tickets. It needs to be reshaped into an energetic event. You need a critical mass of people who really WANT to be there. And you need to cultivate that over the season. Energy and atmosphere can’t just be switched on via Zombie Nation and Jumbotron messages.

I did compare the Pistons and Wings ticket sales here: http://www.behindthejersey.com/2007/04/27/analyzing-red-wings-ticket-sales/

The Pistons are selling out, but in the 2nd round they had 1000 tickets for $18. Not bad! They gave them away via a lottery, but they had more than enough fans wanting those tickets. The Wings’ ticket prices are better for lower bowl, but their upper bowl prices (where the empty seats have been) are definitely more expensive than the Pistons.

Plus, you can get great Tigers’ seats for $32 face value. It’s pretty easy to figure out which game an average Detroit sports fan might attend. Me? I’ve saved up my money and bought two tickets for a total of $250. As a college student, I can only afford to pay for one ticket in either round 3 or 4 and I’m going to save up so I can go to a game in the SCF.

Maybe the seats are available in the upper deck because the Joe might possibly be the worst arena to actually watch a game.  Its very flat by modern standards, and the upper deck is so far away from the ice it might as well be in Windsor.  Compare it to Shark Tank: nearly vertical construciton, even seats in the upper deck are practically right on top of the ice, if not in a cloud layer.

Joe seats are horrible.  Its not even worth going if your in the upper half of the upper bowl.  atleast Detroit is the fattest city in the US and some fat person will sit next to you to...the seats are also miniature

Is anyone interested in purchasing Standing Room Only Sunday, May 13, 2007 Red Wings Playoff Tickets.  I have two (2) of them for sale.