OXFORD City Stars will freeze ticket prices across the board next season.
Fans of the NIHL Division 1 South club will pay the same amount to watch games at Oxpens as they did in 2021/22.
Last summer, Stars raised the price of match tickets from £9 to £10 for adults, while junior and concessions seats went up by 50p to £6 after the coronavirus pandemic forced an 18-month break to competitive ice hockey.
READ MORE: Oxford City Stars target 'new generation' amid 'culture change'
But in the face of the rising cost of living, director Greig Box Turnbull confirmed supporters will see the same prices as last term when ticket details for 2022/23 are released.
“We think it’s important to do that next season,” he explained.
“That means we’re incredible value for money for a night out in Oxford.
“It’s a balancing act – we don’t want to price people out, we’re a community club and we want to do the right thing for our supporters.
“We want to grow the fanbase, so it’s about making us as attractive as possible.”
Last term, an adult season ticket at Stars cost £145 and secured entry to all 16 Division 1 South home games.
Juniors and concessions paid £87 for the campaign, with small discounts available to members.
Supporters could also buy a family season ticket for two adults and two children, costing £389.
Stars have frozen prices despite increasing the playing budget, as they look to improve on last season’s eighth-place finish.
Experienced forward Shannon Taylor this week became the second new signing of the summer, returning to Oxpens for his third spell.
READ MORE: Experienced forward back in ice hockey with Oxford City Stars
The 31-year-old followed Brad Watchorn through the door, while the club have already retained Tom Ravenscroft, Ross Miller and Chris Cooke.
More signings are expected in the coming weeks as head coach Simon Anderson builds a squad for the first season of his fourth spell in charge.
The campaign after Covid presented many challenges, including the threat of postponements and cancellations – although the controversial pre-Christmas clash with Invicta Dynamos was the only Stars game called off.
The pandemic meant the club had to be careful last term, but they are now in a stronger position.
“Last season we were very cautious,” Box Turnbull said.
“Rinks had been locked down for 18 months and we didn’t know how many games would be cancelled or postponed, so we had to be really prudent.
“We only lost one fixture but it could have been a lot worse.
“We’ve built a bit of resilience, but in a sensible way we need to speculate to accumulate.
“We’ve increased the budget, but I’m sure other clubs have as well.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here