"Ticket prices are obscene": Blueshirts fans irate as NY Rangers announce "fans first" at MSG

The owner of New york Rangers, MSG,announced the continuation of their "Fans First" program for the 2024-2025 season at Madison Square Garden.

This program first launched in March 2023 for the NY Rangers and Knicks. It aims to provide fans with exclusive access to purchase tickets at face value, avoiding high prices on resale sites and ensuring tickets are genuine.

However, some diehard NY Rangers fans are upset about the announcement, with one fan calling:

"Ticket prices are obscene"

On social media X, fans vented their frustration over the high costs.

"But all you’re doing with “fan first” is charging broker prices for the tickets. MSG has essentially become the broker. It’s equated to more money for MSG, not less money for your consumer." said one fan on X.

Another wrote:

"$200 tickets to look at the chase bridge is sure putting your hardcore fans as a priority great work" on X.

Here are some fan reactions:

"except no fans can afford these “fan first” tickets when the face value for each game is 200+" one fan commented.

"I make a good living for myself with very few complaints, but the fact that I can't afford to see my hockey team more than maybe once a year is a joke. It's cheaper to see them on the road in better arenas.." another fan wrote.

"It’s cheaper for us regular fans to stream an entire season of Rangers hockey online then going to one single home game at MSG. Truth." a user wrote.

As the team moves into a new NHL season, tensions are high between the NY Rangers and their fanbase over ticket costs.

MSG Sports chief operating officer on 'Fan First' program for NY Rangers

MSG Sports chief operating officer Jamaal Lesane discussed the company's new 'Fan First' program for NY Rangers tickets.

Lesane said in the statement:

"Knicks and Rangers fans deserve better than paying inflated ticket prices set by brokers on the secondary market. We launched the 'Fan First' program to put our fans first and brokers last, ensuring our dedicated fans can access the tickets they want at face value, and we encourage all fans to sign up ahead of the upcoming seasons."

Lesane encouraged all fans to sign up for the Fan First program ahead of the upcoming NHL season so they can avoid paying exorbitant markups on Rangers tickets on secondary sites.