Montreal chosen as host for 2020 figure skating world championships

[vesperholly]

Just as a comparison.......our neighbor had season's tix for the Calgary Flames. Cost? $7000 and that didn't include the playoff games.

I might pay that if I could watch 40 elite figure skating competitions held multiple times a week in my own city.

 

[gatorinfl]

I’ve only been to one Worlds, London 2013, two Canadians, and one Skate Canada - that’s it. U.S. events cost an extra 30% with the exchange rate, so those are out, and I’m not confident enough to travel to European events on my own, and so I am keeping to Canada.
I’m super frugal in 95% of my life and I’ve reached the age where I am determined that no matter the cost, this will be one of my splurges. The money is in the bank, even tho I am saving my change which is a fun visual to watch add up. I can take the train, which I think will be less than $300, and am fine staying in a budget hotel, (lobby-chicking is not my thing ) - as long as I can find one that will be easy to get to the arena from - I don’t need upscale or fancy. I will eat sandwiches and soup, and I drink cheap wine anyways. Don’t need front row seats, but will be looking into the mid-range area.
Really want to meet as many of you fabulous FSU folk as possible and hoping more of you reconsider.

Like you, I’m super frugal most of the time and still plan on attending even though the prices are a shock. For the past few years I’ve been unable to travel due to caring for my mom so I’m going to enjoy not only the event but also visiting Montreal.

 

[pat c]

Hab's season's tickets for last season ranged from $2200 to $6200. (the $6200 seats include free concession food)

Yes, the $7K price tag was for free food and probably parking.

I might pay that if I could watch 40 elite figure skating competitions held multiple times a week in my own city.

Yes that would be nice wouldn't it? But those sports fans don't get to hear titanic 2x with words and lyrics in their events.

 

[skatesindreams]

The idea of connecting with/meeting my FSU friends, may convince me to make the trip; despite the expense!

 

[quartz]

Math people, have any of you ever added up how many hours of practice/competition that one gets to actually watch during worlds? (I’m not sure how to calculate this) And then break it down by the price of an all-event ticket to see how much per hour one might pay to see live skating?

For example, if there is 40 hours of skating, (guesstimating) and I pay $1600 for a ticket it would be $40 an hour. I’ve paid a lot more than that for concerts, stage plays, other sporting events. We looked into going to an MLS game in Toronto this summer, and tickets cost $170 for a two hour game. Worlds 2020 now looks like a pretty good deal!

 

[Debbie S]

I calculate by event. There are 9 (counting ex) events, plus practices, at Worlds. So my $700 ticket in Boston cost about $78 per event. A little more than what I pay for SOI but less than what I pay for theater shows. But of course, I don't see 9 shows a year. I think season ticket packages at my local theater for fairly decent seats in the orchestra section are around $500. I don't get them b/c there are usually only 1 or 2 shows each year that I want to see (how many versions of Les Mis or POTO does one need to see?).

I haven't bought another sporting event ticket in a while but Orioles/MLB tix can be had for much less than that, even lower field boxes (of course, the team sucks right now so I don't have much interest in going, lol). NFL tix are more expensive b/c you need to go through resellers, all seats for home games are always sold out.

At Nats, tix are cheaper (Detroit this year was $575, Greensboro is $550) and there are more events when you count the Juniors, so overall I've felt that it's a decent deal. The factors that determine whether I attend are location and logistics. And hotel and airfare cost.

The section and row in Montreal that would be comparable to my Boston seat (13th row) would cost $1240 USD. That's $138 per event, a big jump. It looks like the next price level down, which I think would put me in the 19th row, near the end, is $1011 or $112 per event. Considering the view I'd have and the other expenses involved - hotel and airfare, which I've already priced - I decided it's just too expensive. I would like to visit Montreal, but I figure I can do that sometime in summer (better weather) and really see the city and tourist attractions. I would still spend money on hotel and airfare, obviously, but I can't imagine standard tourist activities would cost over $1000.

ETA: I just remembered that all-event tix for Boston Worlds did not include the exhibition, we had to buy that separately closer to the event. So the per event cost was $87.50. But what also influenced my decision to go was that airfare would be relatively cheap via SW (and the LOC also got pretty good rates at the hotels).

 

[kittysk8ts]

I don’t mind paying a steep price to see a World Championship in my home country, but I do think they could have done a bit better with the pricing. But, comparatively speaking, half my family lives in Scotland and you can’t even get a sandwich there for less than $15. They laugh at how “cheap” prices are here. Maybe one of them will buy my ticket hahaha.

 

[kwanfan1818]

850 Euros is currently 1276 CAD (intermediate rate). 1000 Euros is about 1500.

If they don't raise prices for Stockholm, that's still comparable to tickets to Montreal. To stay and eat in Stockholm is no less expensive than equivalents in Montreal.

 

[JoannaLouise]

I'm still 100% planning to go to Montreal. Not sure if I'll drive or take the train, but I think the train is reasonably cheap if I leave out the Kitchener-to-Toronto leg and just do Greyhound for that part instead.

how many versions of Les Mis or POTO does one need to see?.

ALL OF THEM!!

 

[Doggygirl]

I will be there too!! Might be eating PB&J sandwiches in my room, but I'll be there!

 

[quartz]

I'm still 100% planning to go to Montreal. Not sure if I'll drive or take the train, but I think the train is reasonably cheap if I leave out the Kitchener-to-Toronto leg and just do Greyhound for that part instead.



ALL OF THEM!!

Oooohh....haven’t done Greyhound in decades, that might be an adventure!

 

[pat c]

Roughly say about 32 hrs of skating, not including practises for a $1000 tix is about $30 an hour and that's about 12 skaters/hr. So $2 a skater if my math isn't out. Not a bad deal. (1 skater = a cup of coffee)

 

[marbri]

Math people, have any of you ever added up how many hours of practice/competition that one gets to actually watch during worlds? (I’m not sure how to calculate this) And then break it down by the price of an all-event ticket to see how much per hour one might pay to see live skating?

For example, if there is 40 hours of skating, (guesstimating) and I pay $1600 for a ticket it would be $40 an hour. I’ve paid a lot more than that for concerts, stage plays, other sporting events. We looked into going to an MLS game in Toronto this summer, and tickets cost $170 for a two hour game. Worlds 2020 now looks like a pretty good deal!

Yeah, I just paid $810 CAD for 3 tickets to Lion King on Broadway for next month. The seats were good but there were at least two other options that cost more. I don't even want to see it It's a 2.5 hour show that's been around forever. There were some shows that were interesting but the cheap seats cost even more than the goods seats I settled on for LK. So yeah, sh*t is just so much more expensive these days. So I have been looking at the $$$$ and reasoning to myself that per event it's not so scary.

I would add though that I don't care if I go to practices or the gala, or even some of the events, so I might hang out and see if individual events go on sale OR someone who buys the package wants to sell off certain events.

 

[skipaway]

I’ll be there too. Cleared it with my co-workers (requesting time off for 2020 is in Oct. of 2019), so I am butting ahead with my request. Have hotel, have my “Real ID” and am applying for Global Entry program via US Customs. Now awaiting ticket sales.

 

[Parsley Sage]

Roughly say about 32 hrs of skating, not including practises for a $1000 tix is about $30 an hour and that's about 12 skaters/hr. So $2 a skater if my math isn't out. Not a bad deal. (1 skater = a cup of coffee)

I paid around $600 for my Vancouver tickets in 2001 and there were 10 days of competition/practice so $60 per day. London was around $1400 for 7 days of practice/competition so $200 per day.

 

[MacMadame]

I paid around $600 for my Vancouver tickets in 2001

That was 19 years ago so that amount of money is worth about $1,052 in today's dollars assuming 3% inflation each year. (though another calculator said less)

 

[npavel]

I want a seat on opposite of judges side, is sector 113 right?

 

[kiss-n-cry]

I emailed in a few questions regarding tickets and most of them were clearly answered. One thing to be aware of is that practices at other venues will not be open to the public, including all event ticket holders.

 

[Jarrett]

I want a seat on opposite of judges side, is sector 113 right?

I always prefer behind the judges since the skaters usually present the program to them; however that isn't really an option at this event because those seats are so far up. The venue map says judges are from 111-113. So the opposite side would be 124, 101, 102. I have sat in the corner for a few events SOI, COI, Boston Worlds and didn't like it at all. I would prefer to be higher and towards the middle than close with a bad angle. I'm hoping for somewhere in 101 in the P2 level.

 

[skategal]

5 Don’t Miss Places to get some nibbles in Montreal.

Warning: Bring your appetite and leave your diet at home!

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=0nfJsklqQhg

 

[missing]

I emailed the Skate Canada/Worlds people with some questions this morning and once again got a prompt response:

Typically the ticket limit is set at 8 -10 per order. When tickets go on sale you will have the opportunity to select your seat.

We do have your email address for receiving Skate Canada emails regarding Worlds and we will be sending out an email for pre-sale a couple of days prior to the May 31 on sale date.

There will absolutely be accessible seating; however, we have not finalized the details yet. Further information regarding accessible seating will be available as we get closer to the ticket on sale.

 

[Polaris]

Why aren't you all booking Airbnbs instead of hotels? Airbnbs are nicer and more bang for your buck.

 

[Carolla5501]

Why aren't you all booking Airbnbs instead of hotels? Airbnbs are nicer and more bang for your buck.

Personally I am over AirBnB. I find the reviews unreliable and for me the cancellation policies don’t work.

 

[clairecloutier]

It seems like a lot of AirBnBs in Montreal only allow cancellation for 48 hours after making the reservation. Some people are looking for more flexibility than that.

 

[skategal]

My husband is trying to get (and very close to getting) lifetime status at one of the hotel chains.

So yeah, we pay more now but it will pay off in the future.

 

[quartz]

Added another $58.55 to my change jar. That’s food for a couple of days at least.

 

[TanithandBenFan]

I think AirBnB works well if you're going with a group. Splitting the cost is making it less than a hotel room would be for me for five nights. I've stayed in two AirBnBs in Canada and one in the U.S. and all have been exceptional value. I always make sure the reviews are five star and consistent across all the host's properties.

 

[Lutzcy]

There is also VRBO for apartments and houses. Their cancellation policies are more lenient than airbnb. I have reserved an apartment in Montreal for worlds through that site. Full refund if cancel by 60 days before arrival, down payment of about 20% when booked. Balance due 30 days before arrival. 2br 1bath, full kitchen, sleeps 6. Washer dryer. $1380 for 9 nights. 5 min walk to metro-3 stops from Bell Centre. Feel like it is a great deal. 4 of us are sharing.

 

[AnnM]

Why aren't you all booking Airbnbs instead of hotels? Airbnbs are nicer and more bang for your buck.

I don't want to clean or do dishes while on vacation.

Also, the one time I did use VRBO, the bed was extremely uncomfortable and the location was quite noisy, neither of which was mentioned in its excellent reviews. At a hotel I might've had some recourse for those types of issues, but not so with a home rental.

 

[WanderlustTO]

I'm really struggling with this one. I'd initially assumed I would go "for sure" - but the ticket price is since giving me pause. I get four weeks of vacation a year and am a big traveller (not a 'stay vacay' girl)...I'm already going to Japan in the fall and am considering a trip to either Israel or Germany in spring '20.

On the one hand, I'm wanting to go for this because it's in Canada (wasn't able to go when it was in London)...on the other hand, it's money I could also spend on my love at travelling 'far and wide' (I was currently looking at a trip to Morocco that, all in, would probably cost less than 'all in' for MTL worlds).

We'll see. I'm thinking about it...thinking about it...

Why aren't you all booking Airbnbs instead of hotels? Airbnbs are nicer and more bang for your buck.

I personally like the convenience of staying in hotels. I've used AirBNB in the past...but it's been to stay in Inn-like accommodations or actual BNBs...not to just stay at "some's place".

Having said that, if you don't have the same hotel love that I do, then i'd use AirBNB 10/10 times.