'Unprecedented' concessions pricing coming to Delta Center this season

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SALT LAKE CITY — I scream, you scream, we all scream for $3 ice cream at the Delta Center.

Smith Entertainment Group announced Monday they are implementing some reduced prices for a "fan-friendly concessions menu" at Utah Jazz and Utah Hockey Club games this season. The menu caps a box of popcorn, nachos, hot dogs and Farr's ice cream at $3, while a Dasani bottled water will set fans back just $2.

Most of the items will be available at the Craft Shops, Tenders, Summit Snacks and Farr's Ice Cream stations inside the arena. All vendors will sell bottled water for $2, half of last season's cost. In fact, the average reduction of the five items is about 45%, according to the company.

"Today marks an unprecedented step in our continuous commitment to elevating the fan experience at Delta Center," said Chris Barney, president of revenue and commercial strategy for Smith Entertainment Group, in a statement Monday. "By introducing fan-favorite concessions at incredible prices, we're showing fans that we are listening to their needs."

The Utah Jazz already had some of the lower concessions costs compared to their NBA counterparts — in some cases. While many outlets have studied the cost of beer or tickets in different arenas, Bookies.com analyzed some other concessions costs heading into last season.

The website listed the Jazz as having the third-cheapest average attendance cost, but its average $7 price for a hot dog was actually among the highest in the league. If no other changes were made over the offseason, the Jazz would tie Atlanta for the second-lowest average cost with the new pricing.

It didn't have an NHL equivalent, but the new hot dog prices would be the cheapest in the league according to an analysis compiled by the Action Network earlier this year.

However, some new costs could be coming to games next season.

Salt Lake City leaders are expected to vote as early as Tuesday to potentially finalize a partnership with Smith Entertainment Group on a plan to renovate the arena and build new changes around it.

The plan includes new ticket fees of $1 to $3 that would go toward a city-managed fund for affordable housing and other projects in the city, beginning in July 2025.

In return, Smith Entertainment Group would collect money collected from a 0.5% sales tax increase to repay debt from up to $900 million in bonds it can seek for downtown projects. Arena renovations are expected to wrap up in the fall of 2027, while other projects will continue through at least the next decade.

The deal still requires a lease with Salt Lake County by mid-2025 before the projects move forward.

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Utah Hockey ClubUtah JazzUtahBusinessSports

Carter Williams

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Carter Williams is an award-winning reporter for KSL.com. He covers Salt Lake City news, as well as statewide transportation issues, outdoors, environment and weather. Carter has worked in Utah news for over a decade and is a graduate of Southern Utah University.