Florida Gators football is a hot ticket in Gainesville and tickets can get pricey, especially when big opponents come to town. As a member of the competitive SEC conference, the Gators play a tough schedule every year against the likes of Georgia, LSU, and Alabama. Fans are always eager to watch the Gators compete against their biggest rivals. This leads to high demand and rising ticket prices on the secondary market.
Factors That Impact Florida Gators Ticket Prices
Several factors impact how much Florida Gators tickets cost:
Opponent
The opposing team has a big effect on ticket prices. When Florida plays top SEC foes like Georgia, LSU, and Tennessee, ticket prices are always higher due to the increased demand. These matchups only come around once a year and fans are willing to pay more.
Prices also go up when non-conference opponents like Florida State, Miami, and Michigan come to town. These games draw a lot of interest as the Gators take on historic rivals.
On the other hand, prices for less marquee opponents like Kentucky, Vanderbilt, Missouri, and South Carolina are usually lower. There just isn’t as much demand for these games.
Team Performance
Ticket prices fluctuate based on how well the Gators are playing. In years when Florida is highly ranked and competing for an SEC title, prices are higher across the board.
In down years when the team is struggling, prices are lower as there is less demand. Fans are less willing to pay top dollar when the team is not as competitive.
Day and Time
Night and weekend games are typically more expensive than day games. Fans have to take less time off work and make less adjustments to their schedule to attend a Saturday night game. Games during the day on Saturday still draw well, but Weeknight games usually see lower demand.
Marquee SEC games are almost always scheduled for Saturday night to take advantage of the electric atmosphere. Less intriguing games end up on Saturday afternoons.
Ticket Type
There are a wide variety of ticket types available for Gators games, ranging from single game seats to long term season ticket packages. Lower level seats between the end zones are the most expensive on average while upper deck corner seats tend to be cheaper.
Club seats and luxury boxes with premium amenities have the highest prices. These tickets can cost thousands per game. On the other end, the cheapest are standing room only tickets that don’t come with an actual seat.
Secondary Market
The secondary ticket market like StubHub greatly impacts prices. When demand exceeds supply for a specific game, third party resellers will charge more than face value to capitalize. Buyers have to determine if paying the markup is worthwhile to get into a high profile game.
Season ticket holders with extras will also look to profit on big games by selling above face value. This further drives up secondary market prices when inventory is scarce.
Average Florida Gators Ticket Prices by Section
To give a sense of the price range at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, here is a breakdown of average ticket prices by section on the secondary market:
Section | Average Price |
---|---|
Lower Level Sideline | $275 |
Lower Level Corner | $215 |
Lower Level End Zone | $185 |
Upper Level Sideline | $175 |
Upper Level Corner | $150 |
Upper Level End Zone | $100 |
Standing Room Only | $75 |
As you can see, the lower bowl seats between the end zones offer the best views and command the highest prices. These sections are right in the middle of the action.
The upper sections are cheaper but still offer decent vantage points of the field. End zone seats are available for lower costs in both decks.
Standing room tickets are the cheapest options but don’t include an actual seat. You have to watch the game from a standing area without a designated spot.
Prices for Florida’s Most Popular Home Games
Let’s take a closer look at prices for some of Florida’s biggest home matchups this season:
Florida vs. Georgia (October 29)
The annual clash versus the hated Bulldogs is the most expensive home game for the Gators this season. As bitter SEC East rivals, demand for tickets is sky high with lower level sideline seats averaging $425 each and upper deck tickets going for around $250. This is one of the toughest tickets of the year in the entire conference.
Florida vs. LSU (October 15)
When the Tigers come to the Swamp, it’s usually an electric atmosphere. LSU is a perennial SEC powerhouse and brings a strong fan contingent when they travel. Average prices are $375 for lower bowl seats and around $225 for the upper sections.
Florida vs. Utah (September 3)
The Utes are coming off a Pac-12 championship and provide a fun opening game for Florida. It’s the first SEC test for Utah as well. This top 25 matchup has garnered a lot of interest with lower level tickets averaging $325 and upper sections around $200.
Florida vs. South Carolina (November 12)
The Gamecocks don’t generate quite as much excitement as some SEC opponents. Lower demand leads to more affordable pricing. Lower level seats are around $275 on average while upper deck spots are $125 and up. This is one of the more reasonably priced conference games on the schedule.
Florida vs. Eastern Washington (October 1)
When an FCS school like Eastern Washington comes to town, it usually results in the cheapest ticket prices of the season. Lower demand against a smaller school leads to great deals. Lower level seats can be found for only $150 while upper sections are $75 and under. Fans can get in the door for a very reasonable amount.
Ways To Get Cheap Florida Gators Tickets
While marquee games demand a premium, there are still ways to get Florida tickets for less:
– Purchase upper deck seats. The view is still decent and prices are significantly cheaper. You’ll get in for under $150 on average.
– Buy tickets for less intriguing opponents. Games against Vanderbilt, Kentucky, and Eastern Washington have great deals.
– Look for weekday games. Weeknight matchups with South Florida and Missouri have lower prices.
– Shop end of season sales. Tickets often drop in price towards the end of the schedule when Florida faces cupcake opponents.
– Join the booster club. Buying booster club memberships can provide ticket discounts and other benefits.
– Find student ticket deals. Current students can often get great discounted pricing on single game tickets.
– Buy parking passes in advance. Securing cheaper parking ahead of time can offset higher ticket prices.
Conclusion
Florida Gators tickets can get expensive, especially when conference heavyweights come to town. But by shopping smarter, fans can still find great deals even in a premium SEC market like Gainesville. Comparing prices for different sections and games ahead of time leads to the best values. With a little planning, everyone can experience one of the country’s top game day atmospheres at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium for an affordable price.