Watching an NBA game live is an incredible experience for any basketball fan. From the squeak of sneakers on the hardwood to the roar of the crowd after a slam dunk, seeing the action up close is a thrill. However, NBA tickets can be expensive, especially for marquee matchups between superstar players and championship contenders. For budget-conscious fans who still want to catch the excitement of a live game, finding affordable tickets is key.
When are NBA tickets generally the cheapest?
NBA ticket prices fluctuate over the course of the season and between different games. In general, the cheapest NBA tickets can be found early in the regular season, on weeknights, for games between teams with losing records, and for upper-level seats.
The most in-demand tickets are typically for playoff games and rivalry matchups between contenders late in the season. These tickets have the highest average resale prices on sites like Ticketmaster or StubHub. For example, a courtside seat at a Lakers vs. Celtics game in March might cost over $1,000, while an upper deck ticket to a mid-week game between two lottery-bound teams in November could potentially be found for under $20.
What are some tips for finding cheap NBA tickets?
Here are some top tips for getting affordable seats to live NBA games:
Buy early
Tickets typically get more expensive closer to game day, especially for big matchups. Buying tickets weeks or months in advance when they first go on sale can mean significant savings compared to buying right before tip-off. Season ticket holders also often sell their tickets well in advance if they know they can’t attend a certain game.
Look for seat deals and discounts
Many teams offer special ticket packs with seats in the upper deck or corners for a reduced per-game price. Student and military discounts are also common. Sign up for team and ticket vendor email lists to learn about special deals and promos.
Buy upper deck or baseline seats
The most affordable seats are usually in the “nosebleeds” of the upper deck and in the end zone or baseline sections closest to the hoops. While not as close to the action, these seats provide the cheapest prices while still letting you be in the arena.
Avoid premium/marquee games
The most in-demand games against rivals or playoff contenders will have the highest ticket costs. Opt for less prominent opponents on a weekday instead.
Buy at the last minute
If you can handle the uncertainty, waiting until the last 24-48 hours before tip-off can sometimes result in great deals as sellers scramble to unload tickets before the game. This is risky, however, as you lose the ability to shop around and compare prices with such little time left.
Buy partial season ticket packs
Many teams sell smaller packs of 5, 10 or 20 games as a cheaper way to secure tickets while getting some flexibility to choose dates compared to a full season ticket package. Per-game costs are typically lower than buying individual tickets.
What are the cheapest NBA teams to see in person?
Ticket prices vary significantly between NBA teams and cities. Larger markets with more expensive costs of living tend to have pricier tickets on average. Smaller market teams in cities with lower costs of living generally provide a more affordable live experience.
Based on average secondary market ticket prices compiled by ESPN, some of the cheapest NBA teams to see live during the 2022-23 season are:
Team | Average Ticket Price |
---|---|
Oklahoma City Thunder | $89 |
San Antonio Spurs | $102 |
Houston Rockets | $102 |
Detroit Pistons | $102 |
Indiana Pacers | $108 |
Other teams with average ticket prices of $120 or under include the Magic, Grizzlies, Pelicans, Kings, and Hornets. Of course, prices will be higher or lower for certain marquee matchups, but these teams generally provide an affordable in-arena experience in most cases.
What are some ways to get cheap or free NBA tickets?
Beyond buying early and targeting low-demand games, here are some other creative ways to score discounted or even free NBA tickets:
Get free ticket vouchers
Many teams will offer free ticket vouchers as a prize for contests, trivia competitions, auctions, or other promotional events. Follow team social media and be on the lookout for chances to win vouchers.
Use a ticket reseller app
Apps like Gametime, TickPick, and Vivid Seats can offer last-minute deals on tickets being resold by other fans below face value. The selection is limited but you can sometimes find steals.
Buy a Daily Deal ticket
Online daily deal sites like LivingSocial and Groupon will sometimes offer heavily discounted tickets as one of their daily deals. The seats may be in less desirable locations but the prices can be absurdly cheap, often 50% or more below face value.
Take advantage of team giveaways
Many teams will provide free or heavily discounted tickets for things like charity drives, blood donations, food bank donations, honor roll students, and other community-focused initiatives.
Buy a sponsored deal
Some sponsorship packages that teams sell, like a mini-plan bundled with tickets to another event, can effectively reduce the per-game cost of season tickets. The Chicago Bulls once offered a deal with tickets to Disney on Ice to bring the per-game cost below $10.
Go to an open practice
Nearly all teams host open practices before the season that fans can attend for free and see players on the court up close. It’s not a real game, but it lets fans get in the arena without buying a ticket.
What are the best resources for finding NBA ticket deals?
Here are some of the top online resources for finding cheap NBA tickets:
Team websites
The official team website will have information on ticket packs, season tickets, promos, and more. Sign up for ticket alerts and check often for specials.
Ticket resellers
Sites like StubHub, Vivid Seats, and TickPick have cheap seats being resold by fans below face value. Comparison shop for the lowest prices.
Deal aggregation sites
SlickDeals, DealNews and other deal aggregators spotlight ticket discounts and promos available across the web. Enabling deal alerts can help you find savings.
Groupon, LivingSocial
Keep an eye on daily deal sites for occasional flash deals on tickets, often at 50% or more off normal prices.
NBA team subreddits
Team subreddits like r/GoNets and r/warriors will sometimes have fans posting ticket deals or giving away extras for cheap/free.
Promotional email lists
Signing up for every NBA team’s email list, as well as major ticket sellers, ensures you never miss a special offer or discounted ticket promotion.
Conclusion
While rising costs have made attending an NBA game more expensive, cheaper tickets can still be found through early planning, strategic buying, and effective comparison shopping. Targeting low-demand games, nosebleed seats, and late-arriving deals can all help score significant savings versus prime matchups and courtside seats. Die-hard and budget-conscious fans alike can experience the thrill of NBA action live by following ticket trends and expert tips. With the right preparation and patience, you can find amazingly cheap tickets still available if you know where and how to look. What’s better than enjoying an exciting NBA game surrounded by thousands of screaming fans while not breaking the bank? Whether your team is fighting for a playoff spot or already eliminated, saving money while catching a game in person is always a slam dunk.