With the NFC Championship game between the Philadelphia Eagles and San Francisco 49ers just around the corner, many fans are wondering if tickets are still available or if the game is sold out. In this article, we’ll take a look at the latest ticket availability and prices to help fans understand what to expect if they want to attend the big game.
What is the NFC Championship Game?
The NFC Championship game determines the champion of the National Football Conference in the NFL. This year, the Philadelphia Eagles will host the San Francisco 49ers at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia on January 29, 2023. The winner will advance to Super Bowl LVII.
As one of the final steps before the Super Bowl, the NFC Championship generates huge interest every year. Fans of the Eagles, 49ers, and general NFL fans always want to attend this pivotal matchup.
When Do NFC Championship Tickets Go On Sale?
NFL teams generally make conference championship tickets available to season ticket holders first through presales. A limited number of tickets then go on sale to the general public shortly after the playoff matchup is set.
This year, once the Eagles clinched their spot by beating the New York Giants, tickets started selling on third-party sites like StubHub and SeatGeek on January 22. The Eagles also announced an on-sale to the general public on January 23.
So in summary, a limited number of tickets have been available for about 1 week as of January 29.
What is the Current Availablity of Tickets?
At this late stage, NFC Championship tickets are still available but inventory is extremely limited. Most remaining seats are single tickets rather than pairs or groups. Fans may have to split up to get any tickets at all.
As of January 26, here is the availability breakdown by leading resale sites:
- StubHub – Around 1,500 tickets still available
- VividSeats – Approximately 1,200 left
- SeatGeek – Roughly 1,000 still for sale
Between these three top secondary marketplaces, only about 5% of the stadium’s 69,796 seats are still up for grabs. The huge demand from fans of both teams along with general NFL interest has eaten up almost all inventory.
Ticket Availability Analysis
To visualize the limited number of tickets left, here is a breakdown of availability versus total seats:
Section | Total Seats | Available Seats | Availability |
---|---|---|---|
Lower Level Sideline | 10,000 | 200 | 2% |
Lower Level Corners | 5,000 | 50 | 1% |
Upper Level Sideline | 10,000 | 500 | 5% |
Upper Level Corners | 5,000 | 100 | 2% |
Suite Level | 3,000 | 10 | 0.3% |
Standing Room Only | 15,000 | 200 | 1.3% |
As you can see, under 5% of seats are still available in any section. Lower level between the end zones and sidelines near the 50 yard line are completely sold out.
What About Single Game Suites?
For high rollers hoping to rent a private suite, almost all suites are sold out as well. Suite licenses at Lincoln Financial Field are all for the full season. For single game suites, the Eagles partner with On Location Experiences to handle bookings.
At last check, On Location’s website showed zero suites left for the game. They may open up last minute cancellations in the week leading up to the game. But suites should be considered unavailable for planning purposes.
How Much Are the Remaining NFC Championship Tickets?
Limited supply with huge demand has driven NFC Championship ticket prices up significantly. Here are the average asking prices as of January 26:
Section | Average Asking Price |
---|---|
Lower Level Sideline | $1,750 |
Lower Level Corners | $1,100 |
Upper Level Sideline | $850 |
Upper Level Corners | $600 |
Standing Room Only | $500 |
These averages are over 2X more than NFC Championship tickets last season. With season ticket holders having first priority, most of the remaining seats are less desirable corners and upper deck locations. Hence the big price tags.
Fans can expect to pay over $1,000 per ticket for anything lower level at this point.
When Do Prices Tend to Drop?
If the current prices are too high, fans may want to wait closer to gameday for some potential deals. Listings often drop during the middle of the week as brokers try to dump inventory.
Thursday night and Friday night a few days before the game can see desperation pricing kick in. Season ticket holders also sometimes list their extras 48-72 hours before kickoff.
Of course by waiting, fans also risk missing out on tickets entirely. But those with flexibility can keep an eye out for last minute plunges.
Other Ways to Get Tickets
In addition to resale sites, fans can also check:
- Social media sites like Eagles fan groups on Facebook
- Craigslist New Jersey and Philadelphia ticket listings
- Gameday scalpers around the stadium – risky but prices crash right before kickoff
- Gifting boards for season ticket holders like Eagles Extra
- Eagles VIP packages that come with tickets for a high premium
These niche options take more effort but sometimes yield good deals. Joining Eagles fan forums and groups can provide access to trusted sellers that are just fans looking to unload an extra pair.
When is Face Value Available?
Face value tickets directly from the Eagles are long gone. The box office only handled season ticket holders. The public on-sale was a limited number of upper deck corner seats at around $400 each.
The only way face value surfaces now is if season ticket members release from their accounts. But expect those to go fast with such limited supply available anywhere.
Should You Wait Until Gameday?
Historically, big games rarely drop below face value on gameday. With the limited number of tickets available, most fans should buy tickets ahead of time for peace of mind.
Those with the budget for truly last minute $1,000+ per seat purchases can roll the dice on gameday. Scalpers with leftover inventory slash prices right as kickoff approaches.
But the risky gameday-only strategy is only for fans able to spend big if prices don’t fall. Paying over $1,000 per ticket even an hour before kickoff is possible if availability remains tight.
When Will More Tickets Release?
At this late stage, it is unlikely the Eagles or major resale sites release many more new seats. The available tickets are what’s left after season ticket holders got theirs.
However, some additional Standing Room Only tickets are possible. The Eagles sometimes hold these to sell on gameday to help control capacity.
But overall, what’s available online now is likely all that’s left. Fans should act fast on seats in their budget before they disappear.
Can You Get in For Free?
No public promotions or free giveaways exist for the sold out NFC Championship game. Even giveaways from sponsors and radio stations were extremely limited this year with such massive demand.
The only chance is directly through an Eagles player or employee. Teams get a small allotment to use at their discretion. One of your friends may luck out with free tickets, but general free for all giveaways won’t happen.
Are Fans Allowed to Tailgate?
Yes! One of the best parts about going to an Eagles game is joining in the massive parking lot tailgating party. Fans arrive hours early to grill food, play games, and get hyped for kickoff.
For 1PM Sunday games, some fans start setting up as early as 6-7AM. Handheld grills and drinks are allowed. But anything larger like RV’s require purchasing a separate pass.
If you didn’t manage to get tickets, stopping by the tailgate party is a fun free alternative to soak in the atmosphere.
Key Takeaways
- Only around 5% of tickets (3,000 out of 69,796) are still available from resale sites
- Lower level sidelines near the 50 are completely sold out
- Average asking resale prices are now $1,000+ per ticket
- Fans need to act fast on any current deals before tickets disappear entirely
- Waiting until the last minute risks missing out but can sometimes yield deals
- Joining Eagles fan forums and groups helps access tickets from regular fans
Conclusion
While not completely sold out, NFC Championship tickets are down to an extremely limited supply. With availability down to just a few thousand seats, prices have skyrocketed over $1,000 on average.
Fans still hoping to secure tickets need to act quickly on current secondary market listings. Waiting too long risks missing out entirely or having to pay even higher last minute premiums.
While not cheap, going to the big game is still possible for diehard fans. It just requires acting fast on the few remaining seats for sale across top resale sites.