The National Football League (NFL) is the most popular professional sports league in the United States. With millions of passionate fans across the country, commemorative tickets for big NFL games like the Super Bowl are highly sought after collectibles. However, with the proliferation of counterfeit merchandise, many football enthusiasts are left wondering – are NFL commemorative tickets legit?
In this article, we will examine what commemorative NFL tickets are, their history, and whether they are officially licensed products or potential scams. With Super Bowl LVII coming up, this information can help fans avoid wasting money on fake keepsakes. By the end, you’ll have the knowledge to spot authentic commemoratives and add genuine NFL collectibles to your memorabilia collection.
What are Commemorative NFL Tickets?
Commemorative tickets are replicas of real event tickets, produced as souvenirs or collectibles for fans who were unable to attend a game. They are different from unused authentic game tickets, which grant entry to the venue. Commemorative tickets lack barcodes and seat assignments – they are decorative mementos rather than usable passes.
These replica tickets recapture the graphics, logos, and details of genuine tickets. They are printed on cardstock and often highlight noteworthy games like playoff matchups and the Super Bowl. The commemorative will list specifics like the date, location, competing teams, and final score. This allows fans to celebrate and reminisce about legendary moments in NFL history.
Beyond serving as memorabilia, commemoratives also make great gifts. For example, a Pittsburgh Steelers fan who couldn’t get tickets to Super Bowl XLIII could receive a keepsake replica to commemorate the team’s big win. Commemorative NFL tickets are popular collectible and decorative items for dedicated football fans across the country.
The History of Commemorative NFL Tickets
The NFL has a long history of producing commemorative tickets for monumental games and championships. According to Dan Fulks, the league’s historian, the first Super Bowl commemorative tickets were created in 1967 for Super Bowl I featuring the Green Bay Packers and Kansas City Chiefs. They were printed at the last minute to meet demand from fans who wanted souvenirs from the inaugural AFL-NFL World Championship Game, as it was known then.
Other memorable early commemoratives were made for Super Bowl III, which saw the AFL’s New York Jets shock the NFL champion Baltimore Colts. That game helped put the AFL on the map and paved the way for the league’s merger with the NFL. Commemoratives were also produced for Super Bowl XVI in 1982, when the San Francisco 49ers won their first title behind Joe Montana.
Over the next decades, commemorative tickets continued to be printed for Super Bowls and other major NFL contests like the conference championship games. They provide a way for fans to celebrate and preserve memories of the league’s most exciting moments. The commemorative tradition remains alive and well today – unique ticket designs are created annually for the Super Bowl, making them must-have collectibles for hardcore football fans.
Are NFL Commemorative Tickets Officially Licensed by the NFL?
Genuine NFL commemorative tickets are officially licensed by the league and sold through authorized dealers. This guarantees that the logos, graphics, and verbiage are accurate and approved by the NFL. Official commemorative tickets will have the NFL shield logo displayed prominently on the front.
There will also be a hologram sticker featuring the NFL logo and a serial number for authentication. The back of legitimate commemoratives will state that it is an “Officially Licensed Product of the NFL.” These elements indicate that the commemorative is authentic and sanctioned by the National Football League.
Some vendors to look out for that sell legitimate licensed commemorative tickets include Fanatics, NFLShop.com, and SportsMemorabilia.com. There are also reputable auction houses like Lelands.com and independent dealers that offer authentic commemoratives verified by grading companies like PSA or JSA Authentication.
Purchasing from trusted sources with NFL licenses ensures collectors receive genuine commemoratives that preserve the history of memorable games and moments.
Spotting Fake or Counterfeit Commemorative NFL Tickets
Unfortunately, the popularity of NFL commemoratives has also led to an influx of fake tickets aimed to dupe fans. These counterfeits try to mimic the look of real commemoratives but will have some clear indicators they are fraudulent. Features to inspect when identifying fake commemorative tickets include:
- Lack of NFL licensing logos – No official NFL logo or hologram sticker on the front
- Poor print quality – Low resolution images, graphics and text
- Misspellings – Errors in player names, team names, location, date, etc.
- Incorrect fonts – Unofficial typefaces used for team/league names
- Wrong details – Details like scores, winners, MVPs that don’t match historical facts
- Unofficial sellers – Being sold on auction sites or vendors lacking NFL license
Some fake tickets try to mimic commemoratives from games that never happened. Others copy real designs but add unlicensed graphics on the back. Fans should be wary of commemoratives sold far below market value, as low prices are red flags for counterfeits.
Scrutinizing tickets for proper licensing logos and verifying details against NFL records can help avoid purchasing illegitimate commemoratives. Sticking to reputable sellers also minimizes the risks of getting scammed by counterfeit commemorative NFL tickets.
Are there Any Authentic NFL Commemorative Tickets with No License Logos?
In some limited cases, there are legitimate commemorative NFL tickets that lack NFL licensing logos. This primarily applies to very early examples sold prior to the league implementing stricter licensing rules.
The commemoratives printed for Super Bowl I in 1967 did not bear any NFL licensing because the league did not yet have an official licensing program. It was not until the 1980s that the NFL shield hologram stickers were standard on licensed products.
Other vintage AFL commemorative tickets also lacked licensing because they were made prior to the AFL-NFL merger. While the majority of authentic commemoratives will feature league licensing, some rare vintage cases may not.
In these situations, the authenticity should be verified through other means:
- Provenance – Paperwork or evidence verifying the original source/purchase
- Third-party grading – Opinion from grading service like PSA or JSA
- Seller reputation – Good standing and sales track record
No license logo does not automatically make a commemorative fake, but experts should thoroughly examine the item to validate any unlicensed vintage examples. Non-licensed modern era commemoratives are almost certainly counterfeit.
Do NFL Players Sign Commemorative Tickets?
Some commemorative NFL tickets are autographed by players involved in the game. Getting a ticket signed by participants makes it a one-of-a-kind collectible.
Signatures are commonly found on Super Bowl commemoratives signed by players from the winning and losing teams. For example, tickets from the New England Patriots’ Super Bowl XXXVI upset win over the St. Louis Rams in 2002 are highly valued when signed by Tom Brady, Adam Vinatieri or other key contributors.
Signed commemoratives are most prized when authenticated by third party companies like JSA, PSA or Beckett. Authentication assessments verify that the autographs are genuine through forensic analysis and provenance documentation.
While autographs can increase commemoratives’ uniqueness and value for collectors, they do not affect the legitimacy of unsigned tickets. Both signed and unsigned commemoratives can be officially licensed by the NFL. The key is ensuring their authenticity through official logos and trusted sellers.
What NFL Commemorative Tickets are Most Valuable?
Certain NFL commemorative tickets are more prized than others among collectors, driving up their market values. Factors that make commemoratives valuable include:
- Key Games – Super Bowls, playoff games, rivalries
- Significance – Important records, milestones, upsets
- Player Popularity – Tickets featuring legends like Montana, Brady
- Date/Era – Very old and very new are valued
- Rarity – Low print runs, oddities
- Condition – Mint or near-mint tickets
- Autographs – Player signatures increase desirability
Here are some of the most valuable commemorative tickets that regularly fetch high prices at auction:
Game | Year | High Value Factor |
---|---|---|
Super Bowl III | 1969 | Massive AFL upset; first win over NFL |
Super Bowl XVI | 1982 | 49ers/Montana’s first Super Bowl win |
Super Bowl XXIII | 1989 | Montana’s game-winning drive |
Super Bowl XXXIV | 2000 | Rams/Titans “One Yard Short” thriller |
Super Bowl XLII | 2008 | Giants ruin Pats’ perfect season |
These tickets for unforgettable NFL games and moments can sell for hundreds or thousands of dollars each in authenticated, high-grade condition. More recent Super Bowl commemoratives also fetch premium values. With its long history and millions of fans, the NFL produces some of the most coveted event tickets for collectors.
Are there Online Scams Involving NFL Commemorative Tickets?
Unfortunately, the demand for NFL commemorative tickets also brings out scammers trying to take advantage of eager collectors. Fans should be wary of potential online scams when purchasing commemoratives, including:
- Fake authentication – Sellers provide fake COAs or doctored photos with authentication company logos
- Bait and switch – Photos show authentic item but counterfeit is shipped instead
- Non-delivery – Payment sent with no tickets ever received in return
- Hacked accounts – Scammer gains access to trusted seller account and lists fake items
Protect yourself by only purchasing commemoratives graded and authenticated by reputable third parties like PSA/DNA or JSA. Be cautious of newly created accounts with zero feedback ratings. Completely avoid sellers offering commemoratives at prices that seem too good to be true.
Use trusted payment methods like credit cards when buying online, so charges can be disputed if needed. Review the return and refund policies in case the item arrives misrepresented. With basic precautions, fans can enjoy building their commemorative ticket collections from trustworthy sources.
Are Graded Commemorative NFL Tickets Worth the Cost?
Having commemorative NFL tickets professionally graded and authenticated by a service like PSA or JSA does add to the upfront cost. However, for serious collectors, grading provides long-term value by verifying authenticity and documenting condition.
Key benefits of graded commemoratives:
- Authenticity guarantee – Experts confirm legitimacy of tickets
- Tamper-proof slab preserves condition
- Serial number tracks ownership record
- Boosts value for premium graded tickets
- Easier to sell with authentication assurance
Grading fees, which vary by service and turnaround time, are a wise investment for commemoratives selling for hundreds of dollars or more. For very common or low-value commemoratives, grading may be less cost-effective.
In general, commemorative tickets with high market values, rare designs, or sought-after player autographs benefit the most from professional grading. This is the safest route for collectors making a serious investment in NFL commemorative tickets.
Are there Any NFL Commemorative Ticket Sets or Series?
Rather than just producing one-off commemoratives, the NFL has also created special full sets of tickets celebrating particular teams, moments or commemorative anniversaries.
Notable commemorative ticket sets include:
- 1983 Los Angeles Raiders – Set of 12 tickets commemorating their Super Bowl XVIII win
- 1994 San Francisco 49ers – Set of 12 tickets honoring their Super Bowl XXIX championship
- 1999 Green Bay Packers – Set of 10 tickets recapping their Super Bowl wins
- 2009 Pittsburgh Steelers – Set of 6 tickets for each of their Super Bowl wins
- 2015 Chicago Bears – Set of 10 tickets commemorating their history for 95th season
- 2019 NFL100 – Set of 8 tickets celebrating significant games in NFL history
These full sets allow fans to collect a series of commemoratives covering a team’s or league’s iconic moments. Complete sets in mint condition can be quite valuable. Individual tickets from the sets are also popular collectibles.
The NFL occasionally produces other special sets like the 2011 replica tickers for all 45 Super Bowls. Collecting a full commemorative set can be more ambitious and rewarding than grabbing individual keepsakes.
Do Commemorative Tickets Increase in Value?
Like other collectibles, commemorative NFL tickets can appreciate in value over time, especially for significant games and Championship teams. Their limited production runs combined with ongoing demand from collectors and fans drive prices higher.
For example, a 1982 Super Bowl XVI commemorative ticket upholding the 49ers dynasty had an original face value of just $3.99. Today, authenticated examples in top condition sell for over $400 at auction. More recent tickets also gain value once they are decades old.
Factors that increase commemoratives’ market values include:
- Age/Time elapsed since the game – Older tickets are more valued
- Notable player retirement/Hall of Fame induction – Renewed interest in legends
- Team championships – Added significance if franchise wins another title
- Graded MINT condition – Prime condition tickets fetch premium prices
- Destroyed/used tickets – Scarcity raises value of remaining commemoratives
With proper care and storage, commemorative NFL tickets can appreciate significantly in the secondary market. Fans who build collections now may be investing in memorabilia that gains equity over the years.
What is the Best Way to Display NFL Commemorative Tickets?
To highlight commemorative tickets as display pieces rather than hiding them away in storage, collectors have excellent presentation options:
- UV protected picture frame – Displays ticket in safe enclosure that prevents fading
- Acrylic holder/case – Holds encapsulated authenticated ticket while allowing both sides to be seen
- Shadowbox display – Ticket can be mounted with game program, photos, other memorabilia from event
- Display shelf – Allows ticket to stand vertically or lean against support
- Wall-mounted case – Multi-row framed cases nicely show off a ticket collection
Fans should avoid hanging commemoratives in direct sunlight or exposing them to heat or humidity that could accelerate deterioration. With proper archival-safe displays, authenticated NFL commemorative tickets can be proudly exhibited in home or office sports shrines.
Conclusion
For diehard NFL fans, commemorative tickets representing memorable games and championship seasons are highly desirable collectibles. While fake tickets abound, collectors who stick to officially licensed commemoratives from reputable sellers can build valuable memorabilia collections.
Once properly authenticated and graded, these vibrant pieces of NFL history will retain and increase their worth over time – especially significant tickets like Super Bowl commemoratives. Displayed with care, commemorative tickets allow fans to forever recall and celebrate the league’s greatest moments.