Tickets for big events are big collectors’ items—and the New York Islanders want in.
On April 6 at UBS Arena on Long Island, Alex Ovechkin became the NHL’s all-time goal leader with a one-timer power play snipe that downed a record held by Wayne Gretzky since 1994. Ovechkin notched his 895th goal in front of a full crowd, many of whom had already paid hundreds, even thousands, for secondary-market tickets.
Most of those tickets were issued digitally, but the Islanders have offered fans the chance to print them—for $45 each.
Attendees shared screenshots of a QR code on the video board at UBS Arena with the promotion to print tickets without pricing details, and the offer is currently live at Isles Lab, the Islanders’ official team store. Many fans were caught off-guard when a $45 charge appeared at checkout—leaving some indignant, especially after paying a premium for a seat. Other fans were willing to pay the fee: “The price is certainly steep, but I’m not missing this piece,” wrote one commenter on Reddit.
The printed tickets have already hit eBay, with some completed purchases on Monday exceeding $500. These sellers do not yet have the tickets in hand; listings are for the tickets currently being mailed to game attendees.
Warmup pucks were also available at the game for $375 (usually $50), although the team said all proceeds were going to the Islanders’ Children’s Foundation.
The scramble for Ovechkin merch is likely just beginning. A flurry of Ovechkin commemorative apparel and collectibles has already flooded the market, with offerings like trading cards from Upper Deck, including a set with pieces of the ceremonial carpet fabricated into them; merch from the NHL’s official apparel partner, Fanatics, which went on sale at 8 a.m. Monday at Capital One Arena and across the NHL Store; and other retailers including New Era and FOCO.
