If you’re a die-hard Cincinnati Bengals fan looking to get season tickets, one of the first questions you probably have is whether or not you need to purchase a personal seat license. The short answer is yes – in order to buy Bengals season tickets, you do need to buy a seat license for each seat.
A personal seat license, often referred to as a PSL, is an upfront fee that fans pay for the right to purchase season tickets for a particular seat in the stadium. The PSL gives you ownership of that seat and the ability to renew your season tickets every year. It’s essentially a one-time membership fee that binds you to that seat.
PSLs are very common in the NFL – about two-thirds of teams require them for season tickets. They help finance the construction and renovation of stadiums. The Cincinnati Bengals implemented PSLs in 1998 when Paul Brown Stadium opened.
So if you want to become a season ticket holder for the Bengals, you have to buy the corresponding PSL first. The team sells PSLs through various events and promotions, but availability is generally limited since most PSL owners renew them year after year.
What do PSLs cost for Bengals season tickets?
Bengals PSL prices vary depending on the location of the seat in Paul Brown Stadium. Prices range from a few thousand dollars to over ten thousand for the best locations like the lower bowl near the 50 yard line.
Here is an overview of PSL prices by section as of 2022:
Section | PSL Price Range |
---|---|
Lower Bowl Sideline | $2,500 – $15,000 |
Lower Bowl End Zone | $1,500 – $3,500 |
Club Seats | $5,000 – $16,000 |
Upper Bowl Sideline | $1,500 – $2,500 |
Upper Bowl End Zone | $750 – $1,750 |
Keep in mind that these PSL prices do not include the actual cost of the season tickets. They are just for the seat licenses.
Once you buy a PSL, you also have to pay for your season tickets each year you renew them. Season ticket prices vary as well based on seat location.
As you can see, PSLs represent a significant upfront investment. But they give buyers the rights to their seats long-term, which is important for many die-hard fans.
Can you finance a PSL?
Given the high upfront cost, many fans wonder if they can finance Bengals PSL purchases. The answer is yes – the Bengals do offer financing options to spread out the cost over several years.
Some of the financing options for PSLs include:
– 3-year payment plan: Equal annual payments over 3 years
– 5-year payment plan: Equal annual payments over 5 years
– 10-year payment plan: Equal annual payments over 10 years
The longer the payment plan, the lower the annual costs. But financing comes with interest, so you end up paying more overall compared to paying the full amount upfront.
The Bengals organization works with PSL Marketplace to facilitate financing. PSL Marketplace is an independent company focused on the PSL resale market. Fans can apply for PSL financing through PSL Marketplace’s website.
When financing, you don’t get full ownership and rights to the PSL until it’s completely paid off. You have to make all the annual payments as scheduled to retain your license. If you miss payments, the remaining balance becomes due or you lose the license.
Can you resell or transfer a Bengals PSL?
Yes, Bengals PSL owners have the option to resell or transfer their seat licenses if they no longer want them. However, there are restrictions in place:
– The Bengals organization has right of first refusal. They can match any offer you get from a third party and buy back the PSL.
– You cannot sell a PSL for more than its current selling price from the team. So no profiting from PSL resales.
– Transfers are only allowed within the immediate family. For non-family transfers, you must resell back to the Bengals first.
– PSLs cannot be divided or split into partial shares. You must sell or transfer the entire PSL ownership.
Many PSL resales happen through the Bengals’ official marketplace, PSL Marketplace. The team partners with PSL Marketplace to facilitate approved transfers. Sellers can list their PSLs for sale there and interested buyers can purchase them directly.
The process provides a legitimate, convenient option for reselling Bengals PSLs while ensuring compliance with the transfer rules. Prices on the resale market are generally below face value.
Can you lose your Bengals PSL?
There are a few scenarios where Bengals PSL holders could potentially lose or have to forfeit their seat licenses:
– Non-payment – If you finance your PSL and miss payments, failure to pay the balance could result in forfeiture.
– Season ticket non-renewal – If you don’t renew season tickets on your seats for an extended time, usually 1-2 years, the Bengals can revoke the PSL.
– Relocation – If the Bengals move to a new stadium or undergo major renovations, seat locations likely change. The team can revoke PSLs but usually offers replacement PSLs.
– Termination policy – The Bengals PSL contract includes language allowing the team to terminate PSLs under certain conditions, like fan misconduct.
– Sell back to team – The Bengals have the right of first refusal if you try to sell. They can essentially force you to sell your PSL back to the organization.
So while PSLs are considered assets you own, there are scenarios where that ownership can be revoked. Read all policies carefully before buying.
Should you buy a Bengals PSL?
At the end of the day, deciding whether to buy a Bengals PSL comes down to your budget and level of fandom.
Here are some things to think about when making this decision:
– Cost – PSLs represent a large upfront investment, especially for good seats. Make sure you can afford the cost or financing payments.
– Long-term plans – PSLs only make sense if you plan on keeping season tickets long-term. Don’t buy one if you may move away in a few years.
– Home games only – PSLs only give you access to pre-purchase season tickets. You still have to pay for individual game tickets.
– Resale value – Demand fluctuates over time so there’s no guarantee you can resell a PSL for a profit, or at all.
– Reasons for renewing – If you only want season tickets for perks like playoff priority and you’re not a die-hard fan, a PSL may not be worth it long-term.
For many devoted Bengals fans who attend every home game and want to keep seats long-term, PSLs are worthwhile investments. But they require a significant financial commitment and should match your budget and fandom.
Evaluate all the costs, policies, and considerations first before purchasing a Cincinnati Bengals PSL.
Conclusion
In summary, fans looking to become Cincinnati Bengals season ticket holders are required to purchase per-seat personal seat licenses. PSLs give buyers the exclusive rights to purchase season tickets for specific seats at Paul Brown Stadium.
Bengals PSL prices currently range from $750 on the upper end to over $15,000 for lower bowl midfield locations. Financing is available to spread out payments over several years.
While PSLs can be resold, team policies restrict profits and transfers. Seat licenses can also be revoked under certain circumstances like non-payment or non-renewal.
Given the high long-term investment, fans need to consider their budget, loyalty, and future plans when deciding if Bengals PSLs are worthwhile. But for die-hard fans committed to attending games, they provide you ownership of your seats.