Rockford IceHogs seeing double: What's behind the recent spike in season ticket sales?

Jim Hagerty, Rockford Register Star
·2 min read

Rockford IceHogs officials say season ticket sales for the 2023-24 season have almost doubled compared to the 2019-2020 season.

BMO Center officials chalk that up to a better fan experience, a combination of the hockey team's 2021 sale to the Chicago Blackhawks and a $23 million dollar arena facelift that's included everything from a new concrete floor and ice system, locker room upgrades, LED ribbon boards, a new box office, bar redesigns, second-floor concourse upgrades, revamped entrances and more.

"All of those things are a huge factor in being able to improve what we are able to deliver to fans when they come to games," said Ryan Snider, Rockford IceHogs president of business operations. "It's definitely a factor in our ability to sell more season tickets."

IceHogs season tickets range from 36-game packages to partial packages that include 22 games and 10 games.

"There are different options available for different people to fit their budget, their schedule and their needs," Snider said.

Workers from Mid America of Kalamazoo, Michigan, apply paint and logos to the new ice rink on Monday, Oct. 25, 2021, at BMO Harris Bank Center in Rockford.
Workers from Mid America of Kalamazoo, Michigan, apply paint and logos to the new ice rink on Monday, Oct. 25, 2021, at BMO Harris Bank Center in Rockford.

Related: ASM, RAVE sign 10-year Rockford venues agreement, move ahead with $23M in BMO renovations

The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity committed $13 million toward the renovation project. The other $10 million came from Rockford Area Venues & Entertainment Authority.

"Our partnership with the Chicago Blackhawks has always been a key driver in our efforts to expand entertainment programming and to lay the groundwork for a resurgence of Rockford's downtown district," RAVE Board Chairman Craig Thomas said in a news release.

The Blackhawks paid $11.8 million for the Rockford IceHogs franchise in 2021. The Rockford Area Venues & Entertainment Authority committed $1 million directly from the sale to building improvements.

The renovation, when combined with the sale of the team to the Blackhawks and their long-term commitment to the BMO Center, is expected to generate $382 million in net spending in Rockford and retain 358 jobs over the next 15 years.

Jim Hagerty writes about business, growth and development and other general news topics for the Rockford Register Star. Email him at jhagerty@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Rockford Register Star: Rockford IceHogs double season ticket sales for 2023-24 season