Could the Stanley Cup Final in Toronto become the next Super Bowl in terms of hype and ticket prices?

For decades, the Super Bowl has been synonymous with outrageous ticket prices and unmatched fanfare. But that era of dominance may be under threat—from the ice rink. As ticket prices for the Stanley Cup Finals soar, hockey is beginning to rival, and in some cases surpass, the NFL and NBA when it comes to fan spending.And if the Toronto Maple Leafs ever make it to a Game 7, we might witness the most expensive ticket in sports history.Last year’s Stanley Cup Finals showcased just how far hockey has come in terms of market demand. The 2024 series between the Florida Panthers and Edmonton Oilers saw prices for upper-level seats start at over $300 and climb to over $1,200 for later games. Game 6 in Edmonton topped the list at $1,279. When Game 7 was confirmed, prices surged, with the cheapest tickets hitting $1,500—and those were in the nosebleeds. Better views demanded over $3,000.Scarcity, fan passion, and the thrill of a do-or-die game pushed demand into overdrive.Toronto isn’t just a hockey city—it lives and breathes the sport. The Maple Leafs haven’t reached the Stanley Cup Finals in nearly 60 years, yet their fan base remains one of the most loyal (and, yes, most “annoying”) in the league. “That’s something we see across all sports, is the team that hasn’t been there for a while really drives that demand,” said StubHub spokesperson Adam Budelli.With average attendance up by over 2,000 since 2022 and the team’s immense popularity, the pent-up demand is explosive. The average Leafs fan isn’t just passionate—they’re willing to pay. If a Game 7 were to happen at Scotiabank Arena, insiders believe prices could exceed $8,000 per ticket.Also Read: Team Canada sexual assault case: Defence ridicules ‘useless’ witness as trial spirals into courtroom chaosDarren Rovell may have put it best: “I still maintain that the most expensive sporting event of all time would be a Stanley Cup Game 7 in Toronto.” At this point, it’s not a matter of if—but when.