The Ordinary Effect
Welcome to The Ordinary Effect—the podcast that shines a light on life’s most overlooked moments. Each episode explores something you’ve likely seen, felt, or wondered about—but never really unpacked. Whether it’s a tiny social habit, a quiet cultural shift, or just that odd thing people do on elevators, host Guido Piraino digs beneath the surface to reveal the deeper meaning behind the mundane. It’s smart. It’s human. It’s what happens when you start paying attention.
The stuff we all notice—but rarely talk about.
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The Ordinary Effect
Why Event Concessions Are So Expensive & You Keep Paying For Them
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Why does a beer cost $14 at a hockey game?
Why is a slice of pizza $9.50, popcorn $12, and a bottle of water $7 at concerts and sporting events?
In this episode of The Ordinary Effect, we explore the surprising economics and psychology behind stadium and arena concession prices.
Using a real concession menu from an AHL hockey game at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, we break down why food and drinks cost so much at live events — and why fans keep paying these prices anyway.
From $30 popcorn combos to $14 beers at Casino Rama, we look at the hidden business model of entertainment venues, how concessions generate huge revenue, and why people often spend more time in concession lines than actually watching the show or game.
We also explore the psychology of “event spending,” why fans accept prices they would normally reject, and how stadiums and concert venues have created a closed market where the normal rules of pricing don’t apply.
If you’ve ever wondered why stadium beer, popcorn, and food prices are so high, this episode takes you inside the economics of one of the most profitable parts of the entertainment industry.
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