2009 IIHF World Junior Championship Organizing Committee Outlines Ticket Plan

PLEASE NOTE THAT, AS OF JANUARY 18TH, 2008, ALL TICKET PACKAGES FOR THE 2009 IIHF WORLD JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIP ARE SOLD OUT.

FOR INFORMATION ON TICKET RE-SALE PROGRAMS, CLICK HERE TO BECOME A 2009 WORLD JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIP INSIDER
OTTAWA – The organizing committee for the 2009 IIHF World Junior Championship, taking place from late December 2008 to early January 2009 in Ottawa, today outlined the event’s ticket plan and announced that Team Canada’s four round-robin games, as well as playoff matchups, will be played at the home of the Ottawa Senators.

In awarding the 2009 world juniors to Ottawa last March, Hockey Canada noted they expect attendance to exceed 450,000, which would beat the world junior record set in 2006 by Vancouver-Kelowna-Kamloops of 374,353. The home of the Ottawa Senators has a seating capacity of 19,153, but can be increased to a maximum of 20,500 with standing-room tickets and extra seats in suites. The Civic Centre, home of the Ottawa 67’s, has a seating capacity of 9,832.

The championship schedule will consist of 31 games -- 10 round-robin games for each of the two groups, six playoff games, a placement game and four relegation-round games – drafted by Hockey Canada and to be approved by the IIHF and the 10 competing nations.

“We effectively have 30 months to sell 463,249 tickets (325,601 at our building and 137,648 at the Civic Centre) to achieve sell-outs for all 31 games,” said Cyril Leeder, organizing committee member and Senators chief operating officer. “Based on past experience we believe the demand will be high for all World Junior games and we project that the majority of tickets will be sold in packages.

“The success of these championships has historically been dependent on selling the majority of tickets in packages and the Senators and 67’s ticket holders will have first opportunity to buy,” said Leeder. “We have many ticket holders who have supported us for the past 14 years, and they deserve the opportunity to be first in line for this once-in-a-lifetime event.”

“Today is the launch of our partnership with the 2009 event, and we look forward to working with the various hockey partners within Hockey Country in making this the most successful world juniors ever held,” said Scott Smith, vice-president, business operations, Hockey Canada.

The timeline for the 2009 IIHF World Junior Championship ticketing plan is as follows:
Today: The general public can register to receive information at the 2009 IIHF World Junior Championship website.

July 2006: Detailed package information will be sent out by mail and e-mail to Senators, 67’s and other major-junior team ticket holders only. Pricing and packages will be announced at this time. Fans not currently a Senators or 67’s season-ticket holder can still get the opportunity to order 2009 IIHF World Junior Championship tickets by becoming a Senators or 67’s ticket holder. Call 613-599-0200 for the Senators and 613-232-6767 for the 67’s.

Oct.: Ticket-package holders deadline to submit their orders with a $100-per-seat deposit. Deposits will be refunded if seat orders are not fulfilled.

January 2007: Orders will be confirmed.

September 2008: Package holders will receive their tickets well in advance of the championship.

Ordering priority for ticket packages has been established as follows:

- IIHF and Hockey Canada

- Ottawa Senators sponsors, suiteholders, full-season and half-season ticket holders, flex-40 purchasers, Ottawa 67’s sponsors, suiteholders, full-season ticket holders and Friday night package holders.

- Season-ticket holders from the Gatineau Olympiques, Kingston Frontenacs and St. Michael’s Majors, pending final arrangements with these franchises.

- Ottawa Senators flex-30, -20 and mini-ticket holders, and Ottawa 67’s flex- and mini-ticket holders

- General public

“We look forward to hosting the world for two weeks of fantastic hockey action and we are especially pleased that Senators and 67’s ticket holders will enjoy this exclusive opportunity by placing their orders for tickets by Oct.,” added Leeder.