The National Football League (NFL) is the most popular professional American football league in the United States. With 32 teams across the country, the NFL has a massive fan following and games regularly attract tens of thousands of spectators. Many fans are interested in purchasing season tickets for their favorite team to attend all home games for the season.
What are NFL season tickets?
NFL season tickets allow fans to purchase tickets for every regular season home game for one NFL team in advance. Season tickets generally provide the same seat (or seats) for every home game for the duration of the NFL season. Teams usually sell season tickets in bundles starting in the spring or summer before the upcoming NFL season begins in the fall.
Benefits of purchasing NFL season tickets include:
- Guaranteed seat(s) for every home game
- Same seat location for every game
- Priority access to purchase playoff and Super Bowl tickets if the team makes it
- Discounts compared to buying single game tickets
- Other perks like merchandise discounts, special events, etc.
Season tickets are available for all 32 NFL teams. However, there is typically a long waitlist due to high demand. Fans may have to wait years for the chance to buy season tickets for popular teams.
How much do NFL season tickets cost?
NFL season ticket prices vary significantly by team, seat location, demand, and other factors. Some average season ticket costs for 2022 include:
Team | Average Ticket Price |
---|---|
Dallas Cowboys | $210 |
New England Patriots | $185 |
Green Bay Packers | $204 |
Pittsburgh Steelers | $167 |
San Francisco 49ers | $144 |
On the lower end, average season ticket prices for some teams are under $100. Prices vary for each section within a stadium too. Lower level mid-field seats are generally the most expensive while upper deck corner seats are cheaper.
How to buy NFL season tickets
There are a few steps to buying NFL season tickets:
- Join the season ticket waiting list – Most teams have a waiting list you can join, often online. This puts you in line for the chance to buy season tickets when they become available.
- Wait for notification – Once at the top of the waiting list, the team will contact you when season tickets become available for purchase.
- Choose your seats – Select your exact seat section, row, and spot when notified. More expensive club areas or lower sections often require additional fees.
- Make your purchase – There is usually a deadline to complete the season ticket purchase. Pay the full amount or set up a payment plan.
The waiting list for popular teams like the Dallas Cowboys can be decades long. For teams with smaller fanbases the wait may only be a few years. Current season ticket holders also get the first chance to renew their seats for the next season.
Are there other ways to get NFL season tickets?
Beyond joining the official team waiting list, here are some other ways to try and get NFL season tickets:
- Look for resales from current season ticket holders through online secondary markets
- Participate in a season ticket holder lottery if the team offers one
- Join fan message boards and exchanges to network with season ticket holders
- Consider personal seat licenses (PSLs) which give you the option to buy season tickets at venues that require them
- Sign up for team promotions and contests that give away season ticket packages
These secondary approaches are still competitive but can sometimes help fans jump ahead on a long season ticket waiting list. Scams are common though when trying to buy tickets through unofficial third-parties.
Can you sell NFL season tickets?
Yes, NFL season ticket holders can resell unused game tickets. However, policies vary by team when it comes to reselling season tickets:
- Some teams only allow reselling on official team resale sites
- There may be limits on how many games you can resell
- The team may revoke season tickets if too many games are resold
- Season ticket holders keep certain privileges like playoff priority even when reselling
Season ticket holders can make back some of their investment by reselling big games they can’t attend. Buyers may pay above face value for hard-to-get matchups too. Sellers on secondary markets are advised to carefully review team policies before reselling tickets though.
The pros and cons of being an NFL season ticket holder
There are both advantages and disadvantages to purchasing NFL season tickets:
Pros
- Guaranteed admission to every home game
- Same comfortable seating location every game
- Chance to resell unused tickets
- Savings over buying individual game tickets
- Special season ticket holder experiences and promotions
- Priority for playoff and Super Bowl tickets
Cons
- Expensive long-term commitment and fees
- Difficulty reselling unattractive games
- Potentially long waitlist to get offered tickets
- Missing resold games unless tickets go unused
- No refunds if season is disrupted
NFL season tickets provide unique benefits for die-hard fans but require a major financial and time commitment. Interested buyers should carefully weigh the pros and cons.
Conclusion
NFL season tickets give fans access to every home game but availability is limited. Prices vary by team and location within the stadium. Fans must join a season ticket waiting list, which can take years for popular teams. There are some secondary ways to try getting tickets faster but no guarantees. Season ticket holders can resell unused tickets under team policies. While season tickets offer a range of benefits for hardcore NFL fans, they require a serious long-term investment.