The Los Angeles derby between LA Galaxy and LAFC has quickly become one of the hottest tickets in Major League Soccer since LAFC’s inaugural season in 2018. The two clubs have a burgeoning rivalry as they compete for supremacy in the LA market. Demand for tickets when these two clubs meet at either Dignity Health Sports Park or Banc of California Stadium is extremely high, which leads to increased ticket prices on the secondary market.
Average Ticket Prices
According to data from TicketIQ, the average secondary market price for LA Galaxy vs LAFC tickets over the past two seasons is $123. This takes into account prices for matches at both Dignity Health Sports Park and Banc of California Stadium. Here is a breakdown of average ticket prices by venue over the past two seasons:
Venue | Average Price |
---|---|
Dignity Health Sports Park | $108 |
Banc of California Stadium | $146 |
As you can see, LAFC home games against the Galaxy command a higher average asking price than those played at Dignity Health Sports Park. This is likely due to Banc of California Stadium having a higher demand for its limited seating capacity.
Factors Affecting Ticket Prices
Several factors account for the price difference in Galaxy vs LAFC tickets depending on the venue:
Seating Capacity
LAFC’s home stadium only seats 22,000 fans, making tickets more scarce than at the Galaxy’s much larger Dignity Health Sports Park. Limited supply allows sellers to charge a premium on the secondary market.
New Stadium and Gameday Experience
Banc of California Stadium opened in 2018 and still has that new stadium feel which fans will pay up for. The gameday experience with supporters’ groups like the 3252 also drive up demand.
Recent Team Performance
During their first two seasons, LAFC has been the better team on the field. That leads to increased demand to see the new kids on the block taking on the long-time incumbents.
Day of Week
Weekend games are more expensive than midweek games because more fans can attend without having to take off work. A Friday night game will be cheaper than a Sunday afternoon kickoff.
Breakdown by Seating Section
Ticket prices also vary significantly depending on which section of the stadium you want to sit in. Let’s take a look at average ticket prices over the last two seasons for different seating sections:
Seating Section | Dignity Health Sports Park | Banc of California Stadium |
---|---|---|
Supporters Sections | $79 | $123 |
Corner/Endline | $92 | $136 |
Midfield Sideline | $122 | $168 |
Midfield Center | $156 | $215 |
Club/Suite Level | $290 | $350 |
As expected, midfield seats closer to the action are the most in-demand and drive up the average prices. Sitting in the passionate supporters sections behind the goals can be had for the lowest prices. Up in the exclusive club and suite levels, LAFC commands a higher premium given their new stadium amenities.
How To Get Cheapest Tickets
If you want to get the cheapest possible tickets to an LA Galaxy vs LAFC match, here are some tips:
Buy Tickets for Midweek Games
Tickets will be cheaper if the match is played on a Wednesday night rather than Saturday.
Sit in the Corner Sections
You’ll pay much less sitting behind the goals than on the sidelines.
Wait Until Last Minute
Prices tend to come down on the secondary market leading up to the match as sellers lower prices to offload extra inventory.
Buy Single Tickets
Buying two tickets together is more expensive than buying singles. Split up if going with a friend.
Join Galaxy/LAFC Membership
Season ticket holders get first access to extra single game seats at face value prices.
When Are Tickets Most Expensive?
You’ll pay the most for LA Galaxy vs LAFC tickets when:
- It’s a weekend game, especially Sunday matches
- It’s later in the season with a bigger impact on the standings
- Both teams are having strong seasons and competing for playoff spots
- Special events like LAFC’s first game at Dignity Health Sports Park
- Rivalry is heightened by player movement or controversial incidents between teams
Some of the most expensive games have been high stakes playoff showdowns like the 2019 Western Conference semifinal where Galaxy upset LAFC 5-3. With so much bragging rights on the line, ticket prices can skyrocket.
Cheapest and Most Expensive Games This Season
Based on the schedule this season, here are projections for the cheapest and most expensive LA Galaxy vs LAFC games:
Date | Matchup | Projected Average Price |
---|---|---|
4/9/2023 | LAFC at LA Galaxy (Sunday) | $175 |
7/4/2023 | LA Galaxy at LAFC (Tuesday) | $95 |
The first meeting being a high profile Sunday match early in the season will likely be the priciest. The midweek 4th of July date while both teams have a short turnaround will have the cheapest demand. Of course, prices will move depending on team form, but that’s a projection based on the schedule.
Conclusion
The LA Galaxy vs LAFC rivalry has added a new dimension to the soccer landscape in Los Angeles. With demand far outweighing the limited supply of seats, ticket prices have been driven up significantly on the secondary market, especially at LAFC’s new home stadium. Savvy fans should target midweek games later in the season to have the best chance at deals. But no matter where you sit, seeing these two exciting clubs square off is a worthwhile investment.