For hard-to-explain reasons, it’s cheaper to book Hockey Hall of Fame tickets through a third party.
- To skip the explanation, and get Hockey Hall of Fame tickets without the processing fee, head this way.
An investigation into ticket prices
I really hadn’t intended to write anything about the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto. For a start, I’ve never been there, and I don’t particularly care about ice hockey.
But I’ve ended up diving into the rabbit warren after looking at the prices for Casa Loma elsewhere in Toronto.
Weirdly, it was cheaper to book tickets for Casa Loma indirect than go via the official website.
I found this baffling, and wondered if it was a specifically Canadian thing. Or even a specifically Toronto thing. So, I tried another Toronto attraction, largely at random.
The question I wanted answering was: “Can I get tickets to the Hockey Hall of Fame cheaper from a third party?”
How much do Hockey Hall of Fame tickets cost?
The answer is, surprisingly… yes.
Go via the official website, and a general admission ticket costs $25. However, you get through towards the end of the checkout procedure, and another $0.99 is added as a processing fee.
This is a relatively tiny fee, but I’m sure we’d all agree we’d prefer not to pay it.
Hockey Hall of Fame tickets without the processing fee
Fortunately, you don’t have to. I checked.
The Hockey Hall of Fame also sells tickets through Viator. The price there is initially the same – $25. But this time, there’s no additional booking or processing fee.
Commission fees on attraction tickets
This is obviously quite, quite mad on the Hockey Hall of Fame’s part. On any ticket booked through Viator, it will have to pay a significant commission.
I don’t know exactly how much, but I know if you book through my affiliate link, I will earn 8% of the ticket price as a commission. Viator wouldn’t be in business if it wasn’t creaming more off the top than that.
Why add the processing fee?
I find it difficult to understand why the Hockey Hall of Fame would prefer to make tickets cheaper on a third party site than their own, instead of sucking up a small processing fee.
I also worry that I’m now going to become slightly obsessed with Canadian attractions that charge counterproductive booking fees. Help me.
Things to do near the Hockey Hall of Fame
- Visit the CN Tower. Around 0.7 miles away, Toronto’s most recognisable landmark offers observation decks and glass floor viewing areas over the city and Lake Ontario.
- Explore Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada. Located beside the CN Tower, this large indoor aquarium features underwater tunnels, sharks and interactive exhibits.
- See a game or tour Scotiabank Arena. Approximately 0.4 miles from the Hockey Hall of Fame, Scotiabank Arena hosts Toronto Maple Leafs games and concerts, with paid tours available on selected days.
- Visit the Art Gallery of Ontario. About 1.5 miles away, this major gallery houses Canadian and international art collections in a striking building redesigned by Frank Gehry.
- Explore the St Lawrence Market. Roughly 0.5 miles east, this historic indoor market is known for food stalls, local produce and bakeries, and is easy to combine with a downtown visit.
Hockey Hall of Fame FAQs
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| What is the Hockey Hall of Fame? | The Hockey Hall of Fame is a sports museum in downtown Toronto celebrating the history of ice hockey, featuring trophies, interactive exhibits and the Stanley Cup. |
| Do I need to book Hockey Hall of Fame tickets in advance? | Advance booking is recommended during busy periods, although tickets are usually available on arrival. |
| How long does a visit to the Hockey Hall of Fame take? | Most visitors spend between 1.5 and 2 hours exploring the galleries and interactive displays. |
| Can you see the Stanley Cup at the Hockey Hall of Fame? | Yes. The Stanley Cup is displayed in the Great Hall and is one of the main highlights of a visit. |
| Where is the Hockey Hall of Fame located? | The Hockey Hall of Fame is located in downtown Toronto on Yonge Street, close to Union Station and the Financial District. |
More Ontario travel
Other Ontario travel articles on Planet Whitley include:
- Toronto neighbourhood guides: West Queen West.
- Why Kensington Market is Toronto’s best neighbourhood for food.
- The way to get cheaper tickets for Casa Loma in Toronto.
- What you see on a helicopter tour over Toronto.
- A first-time visitor’s guide to Niagara Falls, Canada.
