The University of Maine hockey team’s two consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances — its first back-to-back berths since the 2005-06 and 2006-07 seasons — has understandably created a huge demand for tickets.

UMaine has led Hockey East in sell-outs the last two years and UMaine director of athletics Jude Killy said there are nearly 1,700 names on the waiting list for season tickets.

UMaine sold out 10 of its 20 games at Alfond Arena this past season. Capacity is 5,043.

Each name on the waiting list has to make a yearly payment of $50 regardless of how many tickets they seek. So if someone is seeking four tickets, it will cost them just $50 instead of $200.

The waiting list is in chronological order based on when people add their names.

Being on a waiting list of 1,700 may seem pointless, but it isn’t because there are perks that go with it, including an opportunity to buy single-game tickets before those who aren’t on the waiting list.

Logan Desmond, the associate athletic director for revenue generation who oversees ticket sales, noted that current season ticket holders and those on the waiting list can begin purchasing single game tickets for this coming season beginning on Aug. 12 while all others can do so beginning on Aug. 26.

The reason for the $50 fee is two-fold, according to Killy.

“It gauges how serious people are about buying season tickets, and it’s also an efficiency thing for us,” Killy explained. “We don’t want to wind up calling 20 people only to find out they don’t want to buy tickets at this time.”

Killy said that would create “an inefficient use of our operational personnel” and also noted that if potential season ticket-holders have a financial investment in being on the list, “it’s very likely they are going to say ‘yes’ if contacted about purchasing season tickets.”

The money goes to support UMaine athletics and the student-athletes.

The other benefits to being on the season ticket list is earlier access to visiting team ticket returns than the public, and invitations to exclusive events when available.

Each opposing school is allotted a number of tickets for its fans and family members when they play at UMaine, and if they don’t fill the allotment, the leftover tickets go on sale.

For the 2025-26 season, people will maintain their spot on the waitlist and have access to benefits if they make their annual commitment between May 1 and June 30.

For the 2026-27 season, they need to make their annual commitment between Aug. 1 and June 30, 2026.

For current season ticket-holders, their deadline to renew their tickets is June 27.

Killy said there will be 40-60 extra seats available to the public each game next season because the UMaine band will be returning to the student section in the balcony. The band was in a section on the side this past season.

“That will help a little bit,” said Killy, who still expects to have “an inventory problem” with the high demand for tickets.

There will be extra tickets available to the public when the students are on break. Like the visiting team returns, those tickets go on sale once the ticket office knows how many will be available.