Attending an NBA game can be an exciting experience for basketball fans. However, NBA tickets can be quite expensive, especially for marquee matchups and playoff games. Fortunately, there are ways to get cheaper NBA tickets without compromising on seats. Here are some tips on how to pay less for NBA tickets.
Buy tickets for regular season games
The first tip is to purchase tickets for regular season NBA games rather than playoff games. Playoff tickets tend to be significantly more expensive due to the increased demand. Attending a regular season game can provide a similar exciting atmosphere at a fraction of the price. Focus on weeknight games rather than weekend games as these tend to be cheaper as well.
Average Ticket Prices for NBA Regular Season vs Playoffs
Game Type | Average Price |
---|---|
Regular Season | $89 |
Playoffs – First Round | $170 |
Playoffs – Conference Semi-Finals | $240 |
Playoffs – Conference Finals | $320 |
NBA Finals | $600 |
As you can see from the table above, playoff ticket prices are substantially higher than regular season games. Aim to attend regular season games to pay the lowest prices.
Purchase upper level or corner/end zone seats
The location of your seats plays a huge role in the ticket price. Seats closer to the court or in lower levels tend to be the most expensive. Instead, look for seats in the upper levels or at the corners and end zones of the arena. These seats are much cheaper but still let you enjoy the game live.
Seat Location | Average Price |
---|---|
Lower Level Sideline | $175 |
Lower Level Corner | $135 |
Upper Level Sideline | $95 |
Upper Level Corner/End zone | $65 |
Sitting in the upper deck or at the end zones can save you $100 or more per ticket compared to lower level seating. The trade off is distance from the court but the savings are significant.
Look for ticket deals and promotions
Keep an eye out for ticket deals and promotions either from the team or resellers:
- Season ticket holder resales – Season ticket holders will often sell some of their tickets at discounted prices
- Group discounts – Buying as part of a group usually saves up to 20% off
- Promotional deals – Teams will run special discounts on certain games to boost attendance
- Student and military discounts – Take advantage if you qualify for these
- Rewards programs – Sign up for team or ticket company rewards programs for access to discounts
- Purchase with a deal site – Sites like Fanxchange and Rukkus often sell tickets below face value
Actively checking for these types of deals can lead to substantial savings on NBA tickets. Signing up for team and ticket company newsletters is a good way to stay on top of upcoming promotions.
Buy at the last minute
If you have the flexibility, look to buy tickets at the very last minute – even on the day of the game. This is a risky strategy but can pay off big if you get lucky. As game time approaches, season ticket holders are trying hard to unload extra tickets and prices plummet below face value. Use sites like StubHub and SeatGeek to find last minute deals.
The chart below shows how NBA ticket prices on the secondary market tend to drop sharply in the last 12 hours as game time approaches:
Hours Before Game | Average Ticket Price |
---|---|
48 Hours | $112 |
24 Hours | $102 |
12 Hours | $89 |
6 Hours | $76 |
2 Hours | $62 |
Buying at the last minute is risky as availability will be limited. However, it can lead to big savings if you get lucky.
Avoid the most in-demand games
When looking at the schedule, avoid the most popular and in-demand games of the season as ticket prices will be inflated. Games against rivals, popular opponents, holiday games, and weekends will be the most expensive. Instead, look for less desirable games like Tuesday night vs a low profile opponent.
Game Type | Ticket Price |
---|---|
Weekend vs Rival | $175 |
Weeknight vs Lottery Team | $55 |
Christmas Day | $350 |
Tuesday in February | $65 |
Avoiding the handful of ultra-premium games on the schedule is an easy way to pay far below average prices for tickets.
Comparison shop between primary and secondary markets
Be sure to check both the primary ticket source (team website) and secondary ticket markets (StubHub, SeatGeek) when shopping for tickets. Oftentimes one will be cheaper than the other.
- Primary market – Buy directly from the team. More secure but less flexibility.
- Secondary market – Buy from a reseller marketplace. Prices fluctuate but often cheaper.
Sites like SeatGeek allow you to search both primary and secondary markets in one place to find the best deal. Be patient and check regularly as prices move up and down.
Don’t limit yourself to one seat location
When searching for cheap tickets, don’t limit yourself to one area of the arena. Be flexible about seat location instead of fixating on a single section. Use Kiev views to browse around the entire arena.
Often you’ll find a relatively undesirable section like an upper corner has inexpensive seats while lower bowl sections are expensive. Purchasing cheap seats then moving down later in the game is also an option.
Consider standing room only tickets
If you really want to pay bargain prices, consider standing room only (SRO) tickets. These tickets do not have an actual seat but allow you to stand in certain areas of the arena, usually behind the seated sections. Prices are around $25-50 per SRO ticket.
The advantages of SRO tickets:
- Cheapest way into the arena
- Ability to move around for better views
- More social and lively atmosphere
Just be prepared to stand for the entire game. Overall SRO tickets can be a great budget option for NBA games.
Join fan ticket programs
Sign up for NBA team fan clubs and ticket programs for access to presale windows and other exclusive deals. Monthly or annual fees are sometimes required for these memberships but can pay off with ticket discounts.
Benefits of season ticket holder programs:
- Early access to purchase tickets
- Discounts off face value prices
- Ticket package deals
- Gifts, rewards, and experiences
Check with your local team to see if season ticket membership could make sense for your budget and number of games you plan to attend.
Avoid convenience fees by buying directly
Convenience fees can add 15-20% onto the base ticket price when purchasing through a reseller site. These fees can be avoided or reduced by purchasing directly through the team’s box office. Buying at the box office also lets you avoid shipping costs.
Of course, the box office has more limited inventory than resellers. But if possible, buy directly and pocket the extra fees as savings.
Average Fees on $100 NBA Ticket
Purchase Method | Fees |
---|---|
Team website | $10 service fee |
Reseller marketplace | $25 service + convenience fees |
Team box office | $0 fees |
Purchasing directly through the team box office allows you to avoid all the convenience fees and markups.
Go to preseason games
Attend preseason games to enjoy live NBA action at a big discount. Preseason is a tune-up period for teams as they prepare for the regular season. Tickets usually start under $20.
Downsides of preseason games:
- Players sit out more frequently
- Game intensity is lower
- Shorter playing time for stars
- More lopsided scores
However, preseason still satisfies the live game experience at a fraction of the price. A fun option for diehard fans on a budget.
Go on a weeknight
As mentioned earlier, aim to attend NBA games on Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday nights. Weekend and Friday games are far more popular and expensive. You’ll have cheaper ticket prices and less crowded aisles on weeknights.
Also avoid holidays and days close to holidays where demand is higher, like Christmas, Thanksgiving Eve, New Year’s Eve, etc.
Average Ticket Price by Day of Week
Day | Average Ticket Price |
---|---|
Monday | $110 |
Tuesday | $85 |
Wednesday | $83 |
Thursday | $90 |
Friday | $120 |
Saturday | $130 |
Sunday | $125 |
Attending games midweek saves at least 25% compared to weekend prices for tickets.
Go to a game in an undesirable city
If your schedule allows, consider traveling to see your team play on the road in a less popular city. Games in places like Minnesota, Charlotte, Memphis, and Orlando tend to have weaker ticket demand and lower prices.
City | Average Ticket Price |
---|---|
Los Angeles | $240 |
New York | $215 |
Miami | $195 |
Charlotte | $110 |
Memphis | $85 |
Combining lower ticket prices in a city like Memphis along with cheaper travel costs can make seeing a road game very affordable.
Buy parking passes in advance
Arena parking passes can add $20 or more to your total costs. Save by purchasing parking ahead of time when available. Many teams sell prepaid parking passes online at a discount to drive-up rates.
Alternately, use mass transit or ride shares like Uber as cheaper options for getting to the game.
Bring your own food/drinks
Arena food, drinks and merchandise are expensive. Bring your own snacks and non-alcoholic beverages into the arena to save. Some people even tailgate in the parking lot before games.
If you do want a special treat like a beer or jersey, buy it at a stand away from the main concourse where prices are usually lower.
Buy authentic gear online
Merchandise sold at the arena carries big markups. Find much lower prices on jerseys, hats and apparel at online retailers like Fanatics and NBA Store.
Conclusion
NBA games are more affordable than you may think with the right strategies. Focus on regular season weeknight games, upper level seats, pre-sales and discounts. Avoid major rivalry games and holidays that spike demand and prices. With flexibility and diligent deal hunting, you can land cheap NBA tickets while still enjoying exciting live pro basketball action.