HOCKEY IS BACK IN THE DESERT
I was lucky enough to attend the first home game of the 2021 season for the Vegas Golden Knights. As with most things post 2020, There is a great amount of uncertainty when figuring out what to expect at a public event. Here’s my guide on the game against Minnesota Wild on March 1, 2021. This isn’t camping, but this is hockey, which is one of the most important things in the world.
Ticket Buying
As a season ticket holder I did get priority access to purchase tickets for the game. After logging in, I was able to select which games I would like to try and get tickets for. The screen then showed me entering a virtual waiting room with a loading bar for when it would be my turn to purchase tickets. I opened up the first two games as well as the last one that was available. All of the march home games were listed.
The game on the third loaded first. I waited about 7 minutes to get in.
After 11 minutes, I was entered in to be able to purchase tickets for the March 1sthome game. By 9:15 am, I had purchased two tickets for section 15, where I regularly sit. I would say the ticket prices were roughly what we have paid in the previous years for playoffs. Sitting one section over, outside of the bud light lounge, would have been $50 cheaper per ticket. I did use the knights vow, so I again saved about 15% on the price.
Tickets were delivered to my phone with the Axs app.
Pre-game communication
I received two emails within the coming days about game day attendance protocol. The first one instructed that I should download the CLEAR app before game day. The process to get my account added was relatively fast, so fast in fact I wasn’t ready for my photo! Obviously, health and safety is a priority for everyone, so, this app is great for having the fans answer a short questionnaire about their health. You need to fill the survey out within 12 hours of game time. I did mine before leaving my house for the game. That way I didn’t have to worry about it later.
On game day, my email suggested that I arrive for entry around 6:15 pm. It also directed me to the arena website for more information, which I will list below. If you have more questions, click here to get there.
1. No bags of any kind will be allowed.
2. All guests have to wear an actual mask. (the site even identifies what is allowed and what is not.)
3. The health questionnaire from the CLEAR app is mandatory
4. There is contactless entry.
5. Guests in sections 1-20, 101-120, and 201-227 will enter in Toshiba Plaza. Suite guests will enter from the east suite bridge.
6. Six foot physical distancing is required, when not possible signage and Plexiglas will be used.
7. Hand sanitizer will be widely available
8. Cashless food and retail transactions
9. All concessions will be consumed in your seat.
10. Guests will be released from their sections at the end of the event in a staggered manner.
Parking was going to be free and available in the garages at New York New York, Park MGM, MGM Grand, and Excalibur.
The game day email also said that restrooms and concessions will be limited by section.
Overall, I would have liked to know what time I could enter the arena at least the day before. Trying to plan for a game can be stressful when there isn’t a pandemic, but knowing morning of, around 9 am was sufficient for me. My season ticket manager was always available for me to reach out to, I’m unaware of who non season ticket holders can contact for this information. It appeared through the axs app, that the soonest you could enter the building was 5:45 pm, an hour and fifteen minutes before the game. I did have quite a few questions on the logistics of operations within the arena, but wasn’t exactly concerned about it ahead of time.
Parking
Previously, our season tickets always came with a parking pass for the new York new York garage. Since the email we received said we could park in any of New York New York, Park MGM, MGM Grand, and Excalibur garages, we decided to try New York New York. The first attendant we encountered wasn’t sure if we were allowed to park there, he thought it was for suite only. The second attendant let us in. I wish they had told us those designated parking areas in the emails we received.
Toshiba Plaza
The plaza itself was rather empty. There was a large police presence as well. Each door was labeled for a specific zone in the arena. When you walked up to your zone you were asked to show your CLEAR app health pass. Security was wiping down the plastic bins that you place your phone and wallet into between each guest. They did not print us a seat receipt upon scanning our ticket, so be sure each guest in your party has access to the AXS app in case you are separated and need to show your tickets.
Within the Arena
After being scanned in, you remain sectioned off from the other entry groups. We went right up the escalator and were almost immediately at our section. From here, we had access to a small gift shop that had most of what you might want to purchase. There was Plexiglas at the counter to protect guests and employees.
Entering timeline:
6:06 pm parked the car
6:14 pm entered the building
6:16 pm in line to order food
Concessions
I was told by one employee that all of the concession stands had the same food. For the Bud Light lounge, we had slightly better food than what the rest of the arena had access to. Again, the counters had Plexiglas coverings. All beverages were bottled or canned, with the exception of cocktails. All condiments for eating were in prepacked pouches. We had nachos and chicken fingers. The nachos were really good! Thick chips and lots of yummy toppings. The chicken fingers are the battered kind, which I prefer anyways. Bottled beverages still had their caps sealed when you were handed the bottle. I didn’t order any canned beers, so I’m not sure, but I can assume the bartender opened them before serving. Vodka sodas were served without a straw, and my sister didn’t return with a lime in hers.
The emails and website had mentioned that all purchase would be touchless. But, T-Mobile Arena does not have chip reader or tap to pay abilities. Because of this, we still had to sign the receipt when purchasing food and drinks.
This seems to be the standard food menu for the entire arena. Bud light lounge has several different, upgraded options. I would assume Jack Daniels also has them. Bud Light and Jack Daniels offerings included: a burger, pulled pork sandwich, elote dog, the nachos i got, chicken tenders, parmesan fries, popcorn, pretzel.
Bathrooms
There were foot prints to mark out spots, but I actually avoided using them. I meant to walk in there, just to see. But I was trying to avoid any unnecessary activities within the arena. The door was propped open though. Luckily, you can’t see into stalls with the main bathroom door open.
Seating
Very spread out! There was a full empty section of seats directly behind us, so no one was in front of you or behind you. We also only had two other people in our entire row. All aisle seats were kept empty. Seats that weren’t being used had red or gold paper wraps on them.
Red and gold are where no one can sit, the black are seats with purchased tickets.
Exiting
After the game, they announced your section group and you left. I don’t know that it kept people separated still, but we did leave through the same escalator and door that we entered with.
Timeline of Exiting
9:34 pm game buzzer, games stars announced.
9:37 pm group two (my group) was told to exit
9:39 pm entered Toshiba Plaza
9:43 pm got to our car
9:47 pm left the garage
Masks
People did pretty okay with them. Its unfortunate to see how many people just cannot or will not keep their mask on when around others. Many people were removing their mask to talk or yell, which was a bit uncomfortable. Luckily seats are far enough apart. There was a staff member walking up and down aisles telling guests to put their masks on. Some people appeared to be argumentative with her. Just wear your mask so we can have hockey!
Environment
In the arena, there were 2600 fans. When they did the “yell if this applies to you” game, there weren’t any audible tourists, it was amazing! The arena still had its usual chill to it, but with less fans I expected that. The volume wasn’t ear shattering, no ear plugs needed this game. The noise of a crowd is broadcast through the speakers, I understand why they do it, but I wasn’t a fan of this. Chance, The Knight, and the Las Vegas Vivas (dancer/cheerleaders) were all stationed up in the castle at the end of the arena. Mark and Katie were there as well. The beginning game video was a montage followed by a short battle in which The Knight won.
Overall
The game was great, we won, and I felt like the arena had a good system down. I’m sure there were issues that I wasn’t encountering, but for the first game back in the fortress, I was very happy!
That was a lot! But we got through it. If you have questions, please write them below, or feel free to contact me through Instagram: danajustsaid