Yes, you can buy NBA tickets well in advance of the game you want to attend. There are several benefits to buying NBA tickets early, especially if it’s a high-profile matchup or a playoff game. Some key advantages include:
Access to more ticket options
Buying early gives you access to more seats before they sell out. You’ll have a wider selection of locations and prices to choose from. As an event approaches, fewer seats will be available.
Lower prices
NBA ticket prices typically go up as the event nears and inventory decreases. Buying early can often save you money compared to waiting. Early-bird discounts are also sometimes offered.
Peace of mind
By securing tickets far in advance, you remove worries about sellouts or limited options later. You can confirm your plans to attend instead of scrambling at the last minute.
When can you buy NBA tickets?
You can typically purchase NBA regular season and playoff game tickets several months in advance. Here is an overview of when tickets go on sale:
Regular season
Tickets for regular season NBA games normally go on sale to the public in late summer/early fall, anywhere from 2-4 months ahead of the season start in mid-October. There are often pre-sales for season ticket holders earlier than this. Dates can vary by team.
Playoffs
Playoff tickets go on sale as teams clinch berths, which could be days or weeks ahead of the start of the postseason in mid-April. Tickets for later playoff rounds may not go on sale until just before each series begins.
Offseason and special games
Tickets for preseason games in October are available 1-2 months early. Tickets for any special neutral site regular season games, like those played abroad, also go on sale months in advance.
Where can you buy NBA tickets in advance?
There are several options for where you can purchase NBA tickets ahead of time:
Team/arena websites
The official team website or arena site will always have tickets available directly from the source. This is the safest way to buy legitimate tickets.
Ticket resellers
Major secondary marketplaces like StubHub, Vivid Seats, SeatGeek, and Ticketmaster provide resale tickets. Inventory and prices may vary.
Ticket brokers
Broker sites like TickPick and RazorGator offer tickets, sometimes below face value. Reliable brokers can secure seats, but beware of scams.
Season ticket holders
Know someone who owns season tickets? Ask if they have extra seats to specific games for sale.
Ticket Source | Benefits | Considerations |
---|---|---|
Team Website | – Direct from source – Safest option – All seats available |
– Higher prices – Fewer deals |
Ticket Resellers | – Large selection – Below face value deals |
– Higher fees – Risk of fakes |
Ticket Brokers | – Lower prices – Bulk deals |
– Limited inventory – Beware scams |
Season Ticket Holders | – Personal connection – Below market deals |
– Very limited seats – Must know STH |
How far in advance should you buy NBA playoff tickets?
It’s recommended to buy NBA playoff tickets at least 1-2 weeks ahead if possible. Here’s a more detailed timeline:
First round
Once the matchups are set, buy at least 1 week before Game 1. Prices tend to rise once a series starts.
Conference semifinals
Buy 1-2 weeks out. Fewer ticket options will be available at this stage.
Conference finals
Purchase 2-3 weeks ahead given limited inventory. Prices also drastically increase.
NBA Finals
Buy tickets as soon as they go on sale, even a month or more in advance. Demand is extremely high.
While buying at the last minute can sometimes yield deals, it’s a risky strategy for the playoffs. Act fast once matchups are known for the best selection and prices.
What are the benefits of buying NBA tickets in advance?
Here are some of the top benefits to purchasing NBA tickets early:
Better ticket availability
Buying closer to game day means fewer seats left and sold out games. Getting tickets early allows access to all seat locations before limited options remain.
Potential lower prices
Earlier purchases can take advantage of discounts, pre-sales, dynamic pricing, and other deals not offered later.
Secure seats for high demand games
Must-see matchups like Warriors vs. Lakers can sell out quickly. Booking ahead guarantees you tickets before they disappear.
More convenient payment plans
Some NBA ticket sellers offer payment plans that allow easier budgeting when buying farther in advance.
Gift option
Purchasing tickets early gives the ability to surprise someone special with tickets for a future event gift.
Resell potential
Buying sought after seats early can allow reselling at a profit if plans change closer to the event.
What are the risks of waiting to buy NBA tickets?
Here are some potential downsides of delaying your NBA ticket purchase:
Sell outs
Your desired game could completely sell out if you wait too long, leaving you out of luck.
Limited seat options
The only seats left when purchasing late may be less desirable locations or obstructed views.
Drastically higher prices
NBA ticket prices typically rise up to game day, sometimes exponentially if demand is high.
Counterfeit risk
Buying from unverified sellers as game day nears increases odds of getting scammed by fake tickets.
No price guarantees
Unlike some advance buys, late purchases won’t lock in set prices. You must pay the going rate.
Less friends/family seating
Large groups run the risk of getting split up into multiple small sets or rows if buying late.
Tips for buying NBA tickets in advance
Follow these tips when purchasing NBA tickets ahead of time:
Shop around
Check multiple sources for best deals on the seats/games you want. Prices can vary.
Beware fake ticket sites
Only buy from official team/arena sites or verified resale marketplaces to avoid scams.
Comparison shop fees
Factor in all processing fees. Some sellers have higher hidden costs.
Join fan clubs
Team fan clubs provide access to pre-sales and promotional discounts.
Sign up for alerts
Get notified when tickets go on sale for upcoming games. Act quickly once available.
Consider season tickets
If attending multiple games, season tickets can offer huge savings over single game rates.
Purchase insurance
Optional “ticket protection” can refund the cost if you can’t attend an event you bought tickets for.
Know venue policies
Review arena rules on transfers, mobile tickets, seat upgrades, and more that may apply.
Conclusion
In summary, there are strong advantages to buying NBA tickets well in advance of the event date. Earlier purchases provide the best availability, potential cost savings, and reduced stress. As game day approaches, options dwindle, prices climb higher, and sell outs become more common. While scoring last minute deals is possible, it’s risky compared to securing seats early. Use reputable sources, shop around for deals, and act fast once tickets go on sale to get the seats you want before it’s too late. Booking NBA tickets ahead of time is usually the smartest play.
Are NBA playoff tickets sold in multi-game packages?
NBA playoff tickets are typically sold on a per game basis, rather than as part of multi-game packages:
Single game sales
The norm is for playoff tickets to go on sale for one game at a time. This gives fans flexibility to attend any games they choose in a series.
Round-by-round model
Since the number of games per playoff series is variable, the NBA sells tickets round-by-round. You must purchase new tickets as each round begins.
No fixed series packages
With matchups uncertain until the prior round ends, the league cannot offer fixed 2nd round or Finals packages ahead of time.
Mini plans unlikely
Because of quick turnaround between series, partial ticket plans are rarely available. Selling whole series upfront would be logistically complex.
Team-specific policies
A few teams may offer some form of multi-game discount for early rounds. But single game sales remain the primary playoff ticketing method.
Finals an exception
For the Finals, some pre-sales options exist for buying the entire series (up to 7 games) in one package. But single game seats are still the norm.
So while NBA finals and playoff ticket packages are occasionally available in limited situations, fans can generally expect to purchase tickets on a per game basis even during the postseason.
What are some tips for saving money on NBA playoff tickets?
Here are some ways to get the lowest prices on NBA playoff tickets:
Buy early
Playoff tickets almost always get more expensive closer to tip-off. Buying as soon as they go on sale saves the most. Sign up for team ticket pre-sales.
Avoid marquee matchups
Games featuring star players or big rivals have the highest demand. Look for lower-profile series to save money.
Consider weekday dates
Tuesday or Wednesday playoff games are typically cheaper than weekend matchups.
Buy upper level seats
The highest rows in upper levels offer big discounts versus lower and floor seats.
Look for deals
Check team and reseller sites routinely for flash deals and last minute price drops to grab bargains.
Buy partial season plans
Some teams offer cheaper playoff tickets to existing season ticket members.
Join fan clubs
Many NBA teams run pre-sales and discounts for official fan clubs and email lists.
Buy group tickets
Groups of 10+ people often qualify for bulk ticket discounts.
Avoid convenience fees
Pick seats that allow digital transfer to your phone to bypass shipping and will call costs.
How do NBA playoff ticket prices compare to regular season?
NBA playoff ticket prices are significantly higher on average than regular season games. Here is a comparison of average NBA ticket costs during the 2022-23 season:
Regular season average ticket price
Across the league, the average NBA regular season ticket price during 2022-23 is $89.
First round playoff average ticket price
During the 2023 NBA first round, the average playoff ticket price was $175 per game. This is nearly double the regular season cost.
Conference semifinals average ticket price
For the second round, average NBA playoff ticket prices rose to $205 per game.
Conference finals average ticket price
In the 2023 conference finals, average ticket prices increased again, reaching $315 per game.
NBA finals average ticket price
The pinnacle sees the highest prices, with an average 2023 NBA finals ticket cost of $725 per game according to secondary market data.
As demand rises, NBA playoff ticket prices can be 2-8 times higher than regular season averages depending on the round. Prices also rise each successive round.
NBA Ticket Type | Average Ticket Price 2022-23 |
---|---|
Regular Season Game | $89 |
First Round Playoff Game | $175 |
Second Round Playoff Game | $205 |
Conference Finals Game | $315 |
NBA Finals Game | $725 |
How quickly do NBA playoff tickets sell out?
NBA playoff tickets typically sell out very quickly once they go on sale, especially for later rounds:
First round
Most first round games will sell out within hours or days. Upper deck seats may last longer.
Conference semifinals
At this stage, sell outs happen within hours in most cases. Only scattered singles remain after a few days.
Conference finals
These games can sell out completely in pre-sales or within an hour of the public on-sale. Immediate action is needed.
NBA Finals
Being the most in-demand games, NBA Finals tickets sell out instantly. Virtually all are gone in presales before the general public can buy.
Bottom line – don’t hesitate once NBA playoff tickets become available for the games you want to attend. Acting decisively is crucial to secure seats before quick sellouts, especially in later rounds.
What’s the best way to buy NBA playoff tickets?
Here are some tips for the optimal way to buy NBA playoff tickets:
Presales
Take advantage of special pre-sales through team email lists, fan clubs, and season ticket waitlists when available.
Team over reseller
When possible, buy directly from the team/arena for first access and to avoid markup.
Mobile tickets
Choose mobile ticket delivery for easy contactless transfer to your phone, bypassing mailing fees.
Buy early
Purchase as soon as playoff tickets go on sale to get best selection and prices before quantities dwindle.
Compare all fees
Factor in all service fees, taxes, and shipping costs to get the best bottom-line deal.
Price track
Use price tracking tools to monitor ticket market fluctuation and snag deals.
Multiple sources
Check both primary and secondary markets to find the ideal seats and prices for each game you want.
Protect your investment
Optional ticket insurance can provide refunds in case you can’t attend after purchasing.
Following these tips will help you secure the best seats at the fairest prices to see your team battle for an NBA championship in person!
Conclusion
While NBA playoff tickets sell quickly and cost more than regular season games, fans have options to buy seats at reasonable prices. Acting fast as soon as sales open, targeting less in-demand matchups, and utilizing discounts are key money-saving tactics. With high excitement around the NBA postseason, great deals won’t last long. Savvy buyers that time their purchases right can grab amazing seats before sellouts. Start planning now to experience the NBA playoffs live!