For current season ticket holders, and those who are interested in becoming season ticket holders, new owner Jeff Vinik has a deal for you as on average renewals are down nearly 10 percent and all renewels will have either a price freeze or reduction.

Here is the release from the team:

The Tampa Bay Lightning has launched an aggressive season ticket sales campaign for the 2010-11 regular season, the club announced today.  Current and new season ticket holders will be able to realize outstanding value if they lock-in their commitments by April 3, 2010.

All fans purchasing 2010-11 season tickets prior to April 3 will receive an average savings of 4.9% from the 2009-10 season. Current season ticket holders who renew by April 3 will receive an even greater average savings for their continuing loyalty.

“These are difficult economic times for our fans,” said Lightning business advisor Sean Henry. “Our goal is to ‘Bring It Back’, and first and foremost we need to bring back our fans.  In addition to providing these outstanding values, we hope to bring back our fans by bringing back the passion, the excitement, the grit, the winning attitude, and the great fan experience in the St. Pete Times Forum.

“Our fans need to purchase their season tickets now to capture these terrific values,” said Henry. “Season ticket prices will never be lower, and the benefits being offered for those who lock in their seats by April 3rd will never be better.”

Season ticket holders renewing or purchasing new season tickets by April 3rd will receive substantial playoff benefits—-they will guarantee their seating location for potential home NHL playoff games in 2010, save up to 15% off the face value on those seats and have the opportunity to sign up for “Cheer Now, Pay Later,” which allows fans to pay for playoff tickets after the games have been played.

Additionally, those who purchase by the April 3rd deadline will qualify for other outstanding benefits——a VIP party held that afternoon at the St. Pete Times Forum, featuring Lightning personalities and alumni, interest free payment plans, free merchandise and more. Early renewals will also be entered in a contest to win great prizes from the team, including a road trip with the team in the 2010-11 season, rounds of golf with Lightning personalities, post game meet and greets and autographed items.

Specific highlights of the 2010-11 Season Ticket Program feature a reduction of 9% percent for plaza level sideline tickets (from an average of $81 per game to $74 per game) and 11% and 17% reductions in Channelside Club tickets, depending on seating location within the club. Also, “Times Toppers” seats (sponsored by the St. Petersburg Times in select sections of the Terrace Level) will remain flat at $6 per game ($239 for the season), which will continue to make affordable season tickets available to Lightning fans.

2010-11 Early Season Ticket Renewals (by April 3)

Frozen or reduced

                                                                    Early           Per Game

Seating Location                               2009-10         Renewal Price       Price

XO VIP Club (Row A)                            $12,999             $9,999           $238    

XO VIP Club (Row B)                              $6,999             $5,999           $143

Channelside Club (4th Floor)                        $6,500             $5,799           $138

Channelside Club (5th Floor)                        $6,500             $5,399           $129

Plaza Sideline                                     $3,399             $3,099             $74

Plaza Middle – Attack                             $2,199             $2,199             $52

Plaza Middle - Defensive                           $1,799             $1,799             $43

Plaza Corner – Attack                             $2,199             $2,199             $52

Plaza End Zone – Attack                         $2,199             $1,799             $43

Plaza End Zone - Defensive (Row C-J)            $1,799             $1,799             $43

Plaza End Zone – Defensive (Row K & Up)        $1,499             $1,499             $36

Club Sideline                                     $3,299             $2,999             $71

Club End Zone                                   $1,799             $1,799             $43

Terrace Sideline                                     $959               $959             $23

Terrace Corner & End Zone                         $559               $559             $13

Times Topper                                       $239               $239               $6

Prices do not include applicable taxes and fees.  Prices are subject to change and availability.

2010-11 Early New Season Tickets (by April 3)

Great value

                                                  Early New             Per Game

Seating Location                           Season Ticket Price         Price

XO VIP Club (Row A)                              $9,999                   $238                

XO VIP Club (Row B)                              $5,999                   $143

Channelside Club (4th Floor)                        $5,799                   $138

Channelside Club (5th Floor)                        $5,399                   $129

Plaza Sideline                                     $3,099                     $74

Plaza Corner                                     $2,199                     $52

Plaza End Zone                                   $1,799                     $43

Club Sideline                                     $2,999                     $71

Club End Zone                                   $1,799                     $43

Terrace Sideline                                   $1,199                     $29

Terrace End Zone                                   $599                     $14

Times Toppers                                     $239                       $6

Prices do not include applicable taxes and fees.  Prices are subject to change and availability.