The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) is the largest mixed martial arts promotion company in the world. Founded in 1993, the UFC has grown rapidly over the past two decades to become a major player in combat sports and entertainment. The UFC stages events worldwide, but one of its most prestigious venues is Madison Square Garden (MSG) in New York City.
UFC Ticket Prices at MSG
As one of the most famous arenas in the world, MSG comes with a reputation for hosting major events at premium prices. UFC tickets at MSG are no exception and can be quite expensive compared to other venues on the UFC schedule.
The cost of UFC tickets at MSG will vary based on the specific event, but here are some average price ranges:
- Lower Level Seats: $300 – $1,000+
- Floor Seats: $1,000 – $5,000+
- Cageside Seats: $2,000 – $10,000+
The most expensive tickets will usually be cageside or floor seats nearest the Octagon. The UFC will also set aside premium VIP ticket packages with amenities like backstage access, luxury suites, and meet-and-greets with fighters. These exclusive ticket packages can cost into the tens of thousands of dollars.
Factors Impacting UFC Ticket Prices at MSG
Several factors can impact UFC ticket prices at MSG, including:
- Main Event Participants – The UFC will charge higher prices for major PPV stars like Conor McGregor, Israel Adesanya, Jon Jones, etc.
- Card Strength – Stacked cards with multiple title fights or major names will be more expensive.
- Location in Arena – Seats closer to the Octagon come at a premium.
- VIP Packages – Special amenities and experiences raise prices.
- Opponent Styles – Exciting strikers usually demand higher prices.
- Timing – Prices increase for special events like UFC’s annual New York card.
As you can see, the cost of UFC tickets at MSG can vary significantly. Top-tier seats for the biggest UFC events will easily run into the thousands.
Estimated UFC Ticket Revenue at MSG
In addition to attracting higher ticket prices, staging events at MSG allows the UFC to sell more tickets and generate more revenue. MSG can hold around 20,000 fans for UFC events.
If we estimate an average ticket price of $500 at MSG, a sell-out UFC event would generate around $10 million in ticket revenue alone. However, the total revenue is likely even higher when you factor in things like food and drink sales at the venue.
For example, UFC 205 in 2016 at MSG was headlined by Conor McGregor vs. Eddie Alvarez and became the highest-grossing UFC event ever with over $17 million in ticket revenue. The event set records for both per-ticket prices and overall revenue at MSG.
How UFC Ticket Prices at MSG Compare to Other Venues
To fully understand UFC ticket prices at MSG, it helps to compare them to prices at other popular UFC venues:
Venue | Average Ticket Price |
---|---|
Madison Square Garden | $500 |
T-Mobile Arena (Las Vegas) | $250 |
Toyota Center (Houston) | $175 |
Gila River Arena (Phoenix) | $150 |
Vivint Arena (Salt Lake City) | $125 |
As you can see, the average price of UFC tickets at MSG is significantly higher than other major host cities. Vegas is considered the UFC’s hometown, yet MSG still doubles the average ticket price there.
MSG represents a special event venue for the UFC. The company uses the prestige of the arena to anchor their biggest events of the year at premium prices.
How to Get Cheaper UFC Tickets at MSG
There are still some strategies fans can use to get cheaper UFC tickets at MSG:
- Buy upper level seats instead of floor or cageside locations.
- Attend less stacked events without big name fighters.
- Buy tickets well in advance instead of waiting until last minute.
- Consider group ticket packages which sometimes offer discounts.
- Use reseller sites like StubHub to find last minute deals.
- Buy partial view obstructed seats for a reduced price.
While UFC tickets at MSG will always carry a premium, fans do have some options to pay less than face value. The key is being flexible on seating location and timing.
How Much Are UFC PPV Events at MSG?
When the UFC hosts pay-per-view events at MSG, there are additional costs beyond just tickets to attend live. Fans also have to purchase the PPV event on TV or streaming:
- UFC PPV Cost (ESPN+): $79.99
- UFC PPV Cost (Other Cable/Satellite): $79.99
So if you want to attend a UFC PPV event live at MSG and also watch the full event at home, expect to pay around $80 extra for the PPV itself.
Additionally, bars, restaurants and other venues that publicly screen UFC events at MSG will charge cover fees. These usually range from $20-50 depending on the location.
Total Costs to Attend UFC at MSG
Factoring together the costs of live event tickets, PPV fees and covers charges, here is an overview of the total costs to attend UFC events at MSG:
- Low End: ~$300 ticket + $80 PPV + $20 cover = ~$400 total
- Average: ~$500 ticket + $80 PPV + $30 cover = ~$610 total
- High End: $1,000+ ticket + $80 PPV + $50 cover = ~$1,130+ total
As you can see, attending a UFC PPV at MSG can quickly become an expensive endeavor. Top tickets paired with PPV and cover charges can result in a $1,000+ evening in costs.
Conclusion
UFC events at the iconic Madison Square Garden in New York City represent some of the most expensive tickets on the promotion’s calendar. A combination of the prestige of MSG, the stacked nature of the fight cards, and the limited seating capacity results in very high average prices.
Fans can expect to pay anywhere from $300 to well over $1,000+ per ticket at MSG, depending on the specific seats. When adding in pay-per-view and cover charges to watch elsewhere, the total costs for UFC events at MSG can easily exceed $1,000 on the high end.
While there are some ways to find cheaper deals, MSG remains one of the most expensive venues for UFC fans. The arena provides a major stage that enables the UFC to generate substantial revenue from their exclusive New York events.