If you don't live in FL... You're not invited to the party

[KATIEBARTHEDOOR24 426]

Home Feel

Lightning restrict playoff tickets to Florida residents

The Canadian Press - 4/3/2015 8:25:34 AM

TAMPA, Fla. - If you don't live in Florida, you can't purchase single-game playoff tickets for the Tampa Bay Lightning. The hockey team says it wants to "create a home atmosphere" for the upcoming series.

The Tampa Tribune reports that any tickets purchased with a credit card not attached to a Florida address will be cancelled and issued a refund without notice. Tickets go on sale Friday morning.

Spokesman Bill Wickett says the team doesn't "feel the need to apologize" for limiting the number of visiting team fans in the Amalie Arena.

In addition, only Lightning team attire will be allowed in the Chase Club section during playoff games.

The Tribune reports that loud contingents of fans of teams in Chicago, Montreal, Winnipeg and Detroit have attended Lightning games this season.

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The Tampa (Fla.) Tribune, http://www.tampatrib.com

My sister lives in FL so if any one needs a way to get tixs. I got your back. Yes this is "when" the Wings make the playoffs.

[GMRwings1983 8,794]

I wonder what Yzerman thinks about this crap.

[Hockeymom1960 5,107]

Well there won't be many fans in the stands will there.

[MrazekFanBoy 223]

What a joke lol

[KATIEBARTHEDOOR24 426]

Ya... Most fans already live there. Lol

[FireCaptain 563]

All it's going to do is rape the crap out of someone that wants to go by increasing the secondary market prices (stubhub, ticketmaster re-sale, etc).

[KATIEBARTHEDOOR24 426]

The secondary market prices are always jacked to begin with. At least the times I've used stubhub for tix. Of course those are usually playoff tix.

[Euro_Twins 4,475]

The secondary market prices are always jacked to begin with. At least the times I've used stubhub for tix. Of course those are usually playoff tix.

Try bordercitytickets.com I've always had good success finding lower than face value tickets there

[frankgrimes 1,836]

So Tampa wants a half full arena? I don't think Stevie likes this

[jimmyemeryhunter 2,747]

This seems like its in direct preparation to face Detroit.

[shoe 165]

Pretty crappy way to treat fans of the game. I would guess all winter long the seats in Tampa get a boost in ticket sales from out of state visitors and now they want to repay the favour by making it difficult for those fans to go see a game.

Any business that says your money Is not good enough because you are not this gender race from this state wear these clothes cheer for this team or any other pretty much form of discrimination really shouldn't be in business period. If you don't want my business in April because I live in Toronto or Detroit or the last town in the state of Georgia on i75 before you hit the state line. Then next winter when I want to see a game in February when you have empty seats on a Tuesday night. I WILL NOT buy your tickets. I will not stay in your hotels or dine in your restaurants Tampa I'll wait till Wednesday and go to Miami / Lauderdale and pump my money into their town instead.

Isn't the salary cap a direct reflection of the revenue the league as a whole brings in? If Tampa has empty seats in their building because of restricted seat sales every team in the league should be banging on Gary's door asking how is this good for the game our fans our growth.

[Euro_Twins 4,475]

Isn't it still murica? They can't tell me what I can wear to the game, it's downright unconstitutional! Time for a revolution!

[KATIEBARTHEDOOR24 426]

As I recall the Yotes, and some southern teams limited tickets and where opposing fans could sit last year.

[Hockeymom1960 5,107]

Hey we can't help that they put these teams in non-hockey markets.

[KATIEBARTHEDOOR24 426]

Hey we can't help that they put these teams in non-hockey markets.

Gerry and Vegas... Listen up

[amato 3,210]

This seems like its in direct preparation to face Detroit.

Yup. Not the first time either.. I remember this happening a few times to whoever Detroit was playing. I think Pittsburgh was one of the teams back in 08 and/or 09.

[BottleOfSmoke 5,965]

Ah, the sweet smell of insecurity...

*eye roll*

Enjoy your empty arena, Tampa.

[mvanpop 98]

We should all go down their and block the arena for everyone! It get someone to hack their website for tickets.

[Guest Playmaker]

I get what they are trying to do, but I don't see how it can really be executed. Plenty of Wings fans (and fans of other teams) actually live in Florida, so limiting it to Florida residents doesn't guarantee they will be fans of the Lightning. Seems like limiting the attire would be somewhat cumbersome to enforce as well. They're in an unfortunate situation due to the fact they live in a state that is a desired destination, but they are a respectable franchise with a Cup, so I can see how it would be somewhat disheartening to see half the arena filled with fans of the visitors.

[Mckinley25 677]

At point are they going to enforce the attire? Walking in the door or in the stands? It seems like if it was in the stands it would disrupt the lighting fans experience as well.

[BottleOfSmoke 5,965]

StoryTime with BoS (STwBoS)/

I have a great memory from freshman year of college at U of M. It was the UM/MSU game, and our student tix were waaaaay up in the nosebleeds of the student section (like row 92 or something). It was all UM fans and there was a great atmosphere (because this was moons ago when UM football was awesome), and about halfway through the first quarter this guy stands up and rips off his UM shirt to reveal an MSU shirt underneath. Everyone starts hootin' and hollerin', good times were had, then it quiets down. A voice comes out of the stillness, and confidently asks: "Hey bud, do you want all of our scholarships to State? We're not using them." Much raucous laughter ensued, as everyone looked to the person next to them "did you get a scholarship to State? SO DID I!" And the infiltrator snuck out, never to be seen again.

So that's what I imagine it will be like at Bolts games, only with a mass of away fans absolutely DRAGGING the home crowd.

/end STwBoS

[chaps80 1,591]

At point are they going to enforce the attire? Walking in the door or in the stands? It seems like if it was in the stands it would disrupt the lighting fans experience as well.

Says it only in whatever the "Chase Club" section is. Sounds like some high priced ****** nightclub. Enforcing attire at a hockey arena is ridiculous, no matter where in the arena it is.

[Manny>Ozzie(by a long shot) 55]

Florida resident here. Let me know if anyone wants me to buy tickets.

[Guest Playmaker]

StoryTime with BoS (STwBoS)/

I have a great memory from freshman year of college at U of M. It was the UM/MSU game, and our student tix were waaaaay up in the nosebleeds of the student section (like row 92 or something). It was all UM fans and there was a great atmosphere (because this was moons ago when UM football was awesome), and about halfway through the first quarter this guy stands up and rips off his UM shirt to reveal an MSU shirt underneath. Everyone starts hootin' and hollerin', good times were had, then it quiets down. A voice comes out of the stillness, and confidently asks: "Hey bud, do you want all of our scholarships to State? We're not using them." Much raucous laughter ensued, as everyone looked to the person next to them "did you get a scholarship to State? SO DID I!" And the infiltrator snuck out, never to be seen again.

So that's what I imagine it will be like at Bolts games, only with a mass of away fans absolutely DRAGGING the home crowd.

/end STwBoS

Oh, the good old days, when students actually went to games, UM dominated MSU and we had good reason to be arrogant asses

[number9 3,297]

StoryTime with BoS (STwBoS)/

I have a great memory from freshman year of college at U of M. It was the UM/MSU game, and our student tix were waaaaay up in the nosebleeds of the student section (like row 92 or something). It was all UM fans and there was a great atmosphere (because this was moons ago when UM football was awesome), and about halfway through the first quarter this guy stands up and rips off his UM shirt to reveal an MSU shirt underneath. Everyone starts hootin' and hollerin', good times were had, then it quiets down. A voice comes out of the stillness, and confidently asks: "Hey bud, do you want all of our scholarships to State? We're not using them." Much raucous laughter ensued, as everyone looked to the person next to them "did you get a scholarship to State? SO DID I!" And the infiltrator snuck out, never to be seen again.

So that's what I imagine it will be like at Bolts games, only with a mass of away fans absolutely DRAGGING the home crowd.

/end STwBoS

I knew I didn't like you, but couldn't put my finger on it till now...