SAN JOSE—Outdoor hockey is coming to Northern California.
The National Hockey League announced today that the San Jose Sharks will host the 2015 Coors Light Stadium Series against the Los Angeles Kings at 7 p.m. Feb. 21, 2015 at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara. The game will be the first professional outdoor hockey game in Northern California, the 15th outdoor regular season game in NHL history.
“We are very ecstatic and honored, humbled that the NHL considered San Jose to be a location for one of its 2015 Coors Light Stadium Series games,” Sharks Chief Operating Officer John Tortora said. “It’s a fabulous event and it’s a tremendous way to celebrate the game of hockey in San Jose. Our fans were a big factor as to why we were able to receive this event from the NHL.”
The Sharks were pursuing an outdoor series since last summer and Tortora credited the success of the Anaheim Ducks vs. L.A. Kings game at Dodger Stadium in January for paving the way to make this possible. The league’s decision to host the series in Santa Clara, Tortora said, further cements the Bay Area’s growing passion for hockey.
“We think this will be one of the bigger sporting events the Bay Area has ever seen. … This shows how much the sport of hockey has grown in California over the last 20 years and is now very much a part of our fabric,” he said.
While AT&T Park was also considered as a host site, the NHL ultimately chose Levi’s Stadium. The bowl-like configuration will allow more conducive sight lines for spectators and since the capacity is greater than that of AT&T Park—Levi’s Stadium can host 68,500 people—the price range for tickets is greater, allowing more fans to attend. Tickets will range from $65-350, with the average price around $150.
“This game is about our fan base. Our fan base has been supporting us through the years—through good times and bad times—and they’ve been very consistent and loyal and emotional about their support,” Tortora said. “We want to have as many people as possible to have the ability to attend this game and going to a 68,500 seat stadium afforded us that opportunity.”
Tickets for the 2015 Coors Light Stadium Series will go on sale to the public in the fall, but Sharks and Kings season ticket holders as well as Levi’s Stadium SBL Members will have access to presale tickets beginning at 10 a.m. Thursday. SharkPak Holders will get an opportunity to purchase tickets at 10 a.m. Friday.
At this point there’s only two outdoor games slated for 2014-15 season: the Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic—Chicago Blackhawks at Washington Capitals on Jan. 1, 2015—and this one.
“We want to do something unique for our fan base, a unique event here in San Jose because our fan base and the hockey foundation that we’ve developed here over the last 20 years deserves it,” Tortora said.
There will be other events planned around the game, Tortura said, but details are not finalized and special sweaters will be worn by both teams during the game.
For more information, visit sjsharks.com.
