Watching an NBA game live is an incredible experience for any basketball fan. From the energy of the crowd to seeing your favorite players up close, it creates lifelong memories. However, NBA tickets can be quite expensive, especially for marquee matchups and playoff games. So how much does it cost on average to attend an NBA game?
Average NBA Ticket Prices
NBA ticket prices can vary widely depending on the team, seat location, and day of the week. However, the average price for an NBA ticket during the 2021-22 regular season was $89 according to data from Statista. This price gets you a seat in the lower level of the arena. Here is a breakdown of average NBA ticket prices by seat location:
Seat Location | Average Price |
---|---|
Lower Level Sideline | $123 |
Lower Level Corner | $105 |
Upper Level Sideline | $68 |
Upper Level Corner/End | $40 |
As you can see, sitting closer to the action on the lower level sideline costs quite a premium. However, even upper deck tickets generally run $40 and up. The average ticket price typically depends on the team as well. Large market teams like the Lakers and Knicks have much higher average ticket costs.
Most and Least Expensive NBA Teams
Below is a breakdown of the teams with the highest and lowest average NBA ticket prices during the 2021-22 season:
Most Expensive NBA Teams
Team | Average Ticket Price |
---|---|
Golden State Warriors | $123 |
Los Angeles Lakers | $122 |
New York Knicks | $117 |
Miami Heat | $108 |
Boston Celtics | $104 |
The Warriors, Lakers, and Knicks topped the list for most expensive NBA tickets last season. This is largely due to having a massive fanbase and arena demand. For marquee games like Lakers vs. Warriors or Knicks vs. Nets, average ticket prices can easily exceed $300.
Least Expensive NBA Teams
Team | Average Ticket Price |
---|---|
Houston Rockets | $44 |
Oklahoma City Thunder | $45 |
Detroit Pistons | $49 |
Indiana Pacers | $60 |
San Antonio Spurs | $61 |
Teams like the Rockets, Thunder, and Pistons have lower fan demand, which leads to much cheaper NBA tickets. Even lower level seats for these teams can be purchased for around $60-$75 on average.
Playoff and Finals Ticket Prices
Ticket prices increase exponentially once the NBA playoffs begin. The average NBA playoff ticket cost $240 during the 2021 NBA playoffs according to TicketIQ. That’s nearly 3x higher than the regular season average.
NBA Finals ticket prices were astronomical in 2021. According to TickPick, the average ticket price for Game 1 between the Suns and Bucks was $1,827! And prices exceeded well over $2,000 for middle lower level seats. Here were the average ticket prices for the 2021 NBA Finals per TickPick:
2021 NBA Finals Game | Average Ticket Price |
---|---|
Game 1: $1,827 | |
Game 2: $1,983 | |
Game 3: $2,032 | |
Game 4: $2,093 | |
Game 5: $2,386 | |
Game 6: $2,032 |
As you can see, ticket prices more than double for the Finals, especially if it goes to 6 or 7 games. While regular season ticket averages are normally in the $50-$150 range, Finals tickets can easily exceed $1,000 or more just to get in the door.
Tips for Saving on NBA Tickets
If you want to get an NBA ticket without breaking the bank, follow these money-saving tips:
Buy Upper Level Seats
Sitting in the upper deck (200 or 300 level) saves a ton versus lower level seating. Upper level tickets are regularly 50% or more cheaper.
Attend Weeknight Games
Avoid weekend and prime-time games on Thurs/Fri/Sat nights. Weeknight games on Mondays-Wednesdays are significantly cheaper.
Look for Promotions
Many teams offer special ticket pack promotions like “family night” or “military appreciation” that come with steep ticket discounts.
Buy on Resale Sites
Sites like Stubhub often have cheaper ticket prices, especially closer to the game when sellers drop prices. Just beware of extra fees.
Buy Partial Season Packs
Most teams offer partial season ticket packages (10, 20, or half season games) that average 20-30% less per ticket than buying individually.
Join a Team Insider Program
Signing up for a team insider email list will give you access to special ticket presales and promotions before the general public.
Conclusion
While the average NBA ticket price is around $90, the range is wide depending on the team, seat location, and time of year. Teams like the Warriors and Lakers command the highest NBA ticket prices, while rebuilding teams like the Rockets have tickets for under $50 on average. Playoff and Finals ticket prices routinely exceed $1,000 as demand skyrockets. But using smart shopping strategies like buying upper deck or weeknight games can still let fans attend NBA games on a budget.