Attending the NBA Finals is a dream for many basketball fans. Getting to see the best teams in the league battle it out for the championship is an incredible experience. However, NBA Finals tickets don’t come cheap. Prices can vary greatly depending on the teams playing, the city, and the specific game in the series.
What factors affect NBA Finals ticket prices?
There are several key factors that impact how much NBA Finals tickets cost:
- The participating teams – More popular teams like the Lakers, Warriors, and Celtics will drive up demand and prices.
- The host city – Games in bigger markets like Los Angeles and New York tend to be more expensive.
- Stadium capacity – Smaller arenas lead to less ticket availability and higher prices.
- Game number – Ticket prices increase as the series progresses, with Game 7 tickets costing the most.
- Seat location – Lower bowl and floor seats carry huge premiums over upper deck seats.
How team popularity affects ticket prices
The two teams competing in the Finals have a major impact on the demand and prices for tickets. Some teams have national fan bases that allow them to charge more. Below is a table showing average ticket prices for NBA Finals games over the last decade based on the participating teams.
Teams | Average Price |
---|---|
Warriors vs Cavaliers | $1,700 |
Heat vs Spurs | $1,500 |
Lakers vs Celtics | $1,300 |
Spurs vs Knicks | $1,100 |
As you can see, matchups between big market teams like the Warriors, Heat, Lakers, and Celtics have resulted in much higher average ticket prices over this period.
How seat location affects prices
In addition to the teams and host city, your exact seat location makes a huge difference in NBA Finals ticket prices. There can be over a 1000% premium for prime lower bowl seats compared to the cheap seats in the upper level. Below are sample 2022 NBA Finals ticket listings for a hypothetical Lakers vs Celtics Finals matchup at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles.
Seat Location | Sample Price |
---|---|
Lower Bowl Sideline | $15,000 |
Lower Bowl Corner | $12,000 |
Upper Deck Sideline | $1,500 |
Upper Deck Corner | $900 |
As you can see, the lower bowl tickets carry massive premiums over the upper deck options. Sitting courtside or near courtside for the NBA Finals costs as much as a new car!
What are the cheapest tickets for the NBA Finals?
While lower bowl tickets may be out of reach, there are still ways to get into the NBA Finals without spending thousands per ticket:
- Buy upper deck tickets – The highest rows in the upper decks often have tickets under $1000.
- Look for pre-sale tickets – Getting in early for pre-sales can lead to savings before prices rise.
- Buy single tickets – Purchasing a single ticket leads to more inventory and lower prices.
- Wait until last minute – Prices tend to drop in the hours leading up to tip-off.
- Buy from non-resellers – Try to buy unused corporate ticket blocks at face value prices.
While nothing beats the experience of sitting courtside, upper deck tickets still allow you to get in the door at more affordable prices.
Last minute deals on upper deck tickets
One of the best ways to get cheap tickets is to buy at the last minute. Many brokers and resellers will slash prices on remaining upper deck inventory rather than take a total loss if they can’t sell out. Here are some sample prices for upper deck NBA Finals tickets bought right before tip-off:
Game | Last Minute Price |
---|---|
Game 1 | $750 |
Game 2 | $850 |
Game 3 | $950 |
Game 4 | $1100 |
Game 5 | $1500 |
Game 6 | $2000 |
Game 7 | $3000 |
While still expensive, buying at the last minute can lead to big savings versus buying in advance. Game 7, if needed, does see a spike given the extra excitement and demand.
What additional costs are there?
Beyond the actual ticket price, there are some other costs to factor in for attending the NBA Finals:
- Service fees – Expect to pay 15-25% extra in fees buying from a reseller.
- Travel/hotels – Flights, hotels, rental cars, etc. can add major expenses.
- Parking – Some venues charge $50+ for event parking.
- Food/drinks – Concessions and restaurants carry stadium premiums.
- Souvenirs – From programs to jerseys, merchandise is overpriced.
All in, most fans spend $500 or more on top of the base ticket prices. Attending from out of town can drive the total costs up even higher when factoring in planes and hotels.
Estimated total trip costs
To help estimate the full costs, here is a sample breakout of expenses for 2 people attending a 3-game NBA Finals series from out of town:
Expense | Estimated Cost |
---|---|
Upper deck tickets | $2000 |
Service fees | $500 |
Flight + hotel | $2000 |
Parking + transportation | $150 |
Food and drinks | $300 |
Souvenirs | $200 |
Total per person | $3125 |
While every fan’s costs will be different, this gives a realistic estimate of what to budget for a trip for two to see the NBA Finals in person.
When and how to buy NBA Finals tickets
If you do want to buy tickets to the NBA Finals, here are some tips to get the best deals:
- Buy early – Prices go up as demand increases leading up to the Finals.
- Shop around – Check multiple resale sites like StubHub and VividSeats for the best deals.
- Be flexible – Take advantage of midweek and earlier round games to save money.
- Buy pairs – Most venues have solo seats that cost much less.
- Buy standing room – Often available at big discounts right before games.
With preparation and smart shopping, it’s possible to save money compared to buying at the last second. But expect to pay a premium regardless.
When prices are cheapest
Here is an overview of the typical NBA Finals ticket price cycle and when costs are lowest:
Time Period | Average Ticket Price |
---|---|
Right after Conference Finals | $1200 |
1-2 weeks before Finals | $1700 |
Week of Game 1 | $2000 |
Day before game | $2500 |
Day of game | $3000+ |
As you can see, buying tickets as soon as the matchup is set leads to big savings versus buying right before tip-off. Prices can rise 25-50% in the two weeks leading up to the series.
Where to buy tickets safely
There are a few reputable sites that provide reliable NBA Finals tickets:
- StubHub – The largest secondary ticket marketplace with millions of listings.
- VividSeats – Allows searching and sorting all available ticket inventory.
- SeatGeek – Aggregates listings from across the web in one spot.
- NBATickets.com – Official NBA partner with guaranteed verified tickets.
- Team sites – Check team sites for limited ticket blocks directly.
These resellers provide protection against fraud and falsified tickets. Buying directly from other fans via Craigslist, Reddit etc. has higher risks.
How much are 2023 NBA Finals Tickets?
The 2023 NBA Finals will take place in June 2023. While we don’t know yet which teams will make it, here are some expected price ranges:
- Cheapest Upper Deck Tickets – $800-$1200 per game
- Lower Bowl Face Value – $1500-$3000 per game
- Courtside Face Value – $10,000+ per game
- Finals Game 7 Average Price – $3000-$5000 per ticket
Prices will move up or down from these ranges depending on which teams are playing. A Lakers vs Celtics Finals could drive prices 50% higher due to huge demand.
Projected prices based on matchup
Here are estimated price ranges for the 2023 Finals based on potential team matchups:
Potential Matchup | Avg Price Per Game |
---|---|
Lakers vs Celtics | $5000 |
Warriors vs Bucks | $3000 |
Suns vs 76ers | $2000 |
Hornets vs Grizzlies | $1000 |
As you can see, just the teams involved can double or triple the average ticket prices. Lakers-Celtics would drive unprecedented demand on the secondary market.
Conclusion
Attending the NBA Finals requires paying a premium, with the cheapest tickets starting around $1000 and courtside seats costing over $10,000 per game. Prices vary based on the teams, host city, and timing of purchase. While not cheap, it’s still possible to buy upper deck or last-minute tickets for closer to $1000 with some flexibility. Any basketball fan should expect to spend at least a few thousand dollars per ticket for the experience of seeing the NBA Finals in person.