SPRINGFIELD – In the next step in the rapidly evolving establishment of the organization, the Springfield Thunderbirds unveiled the franchise’s new season ticketing structure aimed at making tickets for multiple games easier to come by.

The focus, Thunderbirds Executive Vice President Nate Costa told Reminder Publications, was on creating a ticketing program that was not only affordable, but also provided flexibility and increased value.

“With our season ticket memberships we looked at our own experience, what other teams were doing around the league and feedback from the community and we’ve come up with something I think people can be really excited about,” he said.

The team has been accepting deposits for ticket packages for some time, but on July 14 released the complete details for its full-season memberships, good for all 38 home games at the MassMutual Center, 22-game memberships, 10-game memberships and 10-game flex voucher plans.

The now-defunct Springfield Falcons provided partial season ticket packages in addition to full season plans, but the new organization has taken additional steps to make packages more affordable. Most notably, the arena’s bowl has been divided into five pricing sections with the per-ticket price for each section differing.

“I realize that not only can not everyone afford a full-season package, but that people also can’t always make every game,” Costa said. “With this new way of ticketing, we feel we can accommodate fans in a much better way, both in terms of pricing and scheduling.”

 While details regarding single-game tickets will not be released until later this summer, the Thunderbirds noted in their recent announcement that season tickets are “significantly discounted” from the game day price. The full-season ticket memberships offer the greatest discount, as high as 33 percent, but discounts at all levels are no lower than 12 percent below game day face value.

Along with the tickets, memberships come with perks as well, depend-ing on the level.

Full season ticket members also have access to items Costa said he was especially excited about – an exclusive commemorative jersey and an inaugural member pin.

“These two things are something you aren’t going to be able to get anywhere else,” he said. “It’s about having people feel like they belong to something special.”

Full season members also get free admission to the team’s first Calder Cup Playoff game.

“This was a playoff team a year ago [in Portland, ME, as the Pirates],” he said. “So this gives fans an opportunity to get first dibs on playoff hockey tickets.”

Full season and 22-game members can also take advantage of the Never a Wasted Ticket program in which they can exchange unused tickets for tickets to yet-to-be-played games.

“In the past there were a few ticket exchange nights, but this program will allow people to use tickets even if they can’t make a game. It will make sure that those tickets don’t go to waste and people can take full advantage of the investment they’ve made in the Thunderbirds,” Costa said. “We recognize that people are busy and while they want to support the team, they can’t make every game. This program gives them the option to make sure their money is well spent.

Other perks, depending on membership, include “Bring a Friend” vouchers, discounts on additional tickets and the fan shop, admission to exclusive members-only events, priority access to playoff tickets and access to a members-only team Facebook site.

Interest-free payment options are available for full and 22-game memberships. More information on ticket prices and purchasing is available at www.springfieldthunderbirds.com.

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