Having season tickets for your favorite sports team is a dream for many fans. However, due to high demand and limited supply, getting on the season ticket waitlist can mean waiting many years before seats become available. So which teams have the longest wait times for fans hoping to become season ticket holders?
Why do teams have season ticket waiting lists?
There are a few key reasons why many pro, college, and even some minor league teams have long waiting lists for season tickets:
- Demand exceeds supply – There are more people who want season tickets than there are seats available. Popular winning teams in big markets tend to have the longest waitlists.
- Season tickets have many perks – Season ticket holders get the best seat locations, ticket discounts, exclusive experiences, and first priority for playoff/championship tickets.
- Holders renew at high rates – On average, over 90% of existing season ticket holders renew their tickets each year instead of giving them up.
- Multi-year commitments – Many teams require ticket holders to commit to maintaining their tickets for several seasons before they can purchase them.
With limited turnover and high renewal rates, new customers usually have to wait for years until current season ticket holders give up their seats before they move up the waiting list.
Which teams have the longest season ticket waiting lists?
After thorough research of pro sports teams’ wait times, here are the organizations with the longest reported season ticket waiting lists:
Team | League | Wait Time | Tickets on Waitlist |
---|---|---|---|
Green Bay Packers | NFL | 30 years | Over 130,000 |
Chicago Bears | NFL | 14 years | Over 5,000 |
Pittsburgh Steelers | NFL | 10-15 years | Over 50,000 |
Denver Broncos | NFL | 10-15 years | Over 70,000 |
Dallas Cowboys | NFL | 10-12 years | Over 200,000 |
Seattle Seahawks | NFL | 10 years | Over 30,000 |
Kansas City Chiefs | NFL | 8-10 years | Over 40,000 |
Carolina Panthers | NFL | 7-10 years | Over 45,000 |
New Orleans Saints | NFL | 3-10 years | 20,000+ |
Los Angeles Lakers | NBA | 6 years | Unknown |
Green Bay Packers – 30+ years
The Green Bay Packers have by far the longest season ticket wait list in American pro sports. With over 130,000 names on the waiting list and an estimated wait time of over 30 years, most fans will never get off the list during their lifetime.
The enormous wait is driven by the Packers having some of the most loyal and dedicated fans in sports, an undersized stadium relative to demand (Lambeau Field seats just over 81,000), and the fact that Green Bay is the smallest market in North American sports with little potential to expand the stadium.
The Packers wait list is essentially closed to new names except for newborns and occasional lottery opportunities. However, there is a secondary market where current season ticket holders can sell the rights to their seats for a one-time fee, which usually costs in the range of $2,000-$10,000 per seat depending on the location.
Chicago Bears – 14 years
After experiencing very long wait times in prior decades, the Bears cut their season ticket wait list down significantly in the 1990s and 2000s. However, due to continued high demand and few seats becoming available, the estimated wait time has crept back up over the past decade.
Today the Bears ticket office quotes a wait time of as much as 14 years for non-club level seats at Soldier Field. The upgraded club level seats have a separate but similar wait period. There are an estimated 5,000+ people currently on the various Bears season ticket waiting lists.
Pittsburgh Steelers – 10-15 years
Despite having a spacious stadium that seats over 68,000 fans, the Pittsburgh Steelers still have one of the longest waits for season tickets in the NFL. The team claims to have over 50,000 names on their waiting list with an estimated wait time of 10-15 years.
The Steelers are consistently one of the top teams in the NFL with a passionate and dedicated fanbase. Strong renewal rates combined with few seats becoming available annually leads to the extended wait time for season tickets at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh.
Denver Broncos – 10-15 years
The Denver Broncos play in one of the smaller NFL stadiums but have sellouts for every home game and over 70,000 names on their season ticket waiting list. Recent estimates put the wait at 10-15 years for new customers.
The Broncos have seen high demand especially after winning three Super Bowls from 1997-2015. Their stadium only seats just over 76,000 fans, limiting new season ticket opportunities despite the enormous waiting list.
Dallas Cowboys – 10-12 years
Named “America’s Team”, the Dallas Cowboys brand and fanbase extends far beyond just the Dallas area. The Cowboys claim to have the longest waiting list in the NFL with over 200,000 names and an estimated wait of 10-12 years if you live in the Dallas area.
AT&T Stadium holds over 80,000 fans for NFL games, but the massive demand from Cowboys fans still results in the long ticket wait. New customers who live outside the local area may have better chances getting season tickets sooner.
Seattle Seahawks – 10 years
The Seattle Seahawks have developed a dedicated fanbase and gained national recognition after winning Super Bowl XLVIII. That success has led to high demand for season tickets with over 30,000 names on the waitlist and estimated wait times of around 10 years today.
CenturyLink Field holds around 69,000 fans, meaning supply is limited especially after existing holders renew their seats each season. The long wait leaves many diehard fans eagerly awaiting the chance to become season ticket holders.
Kansas City Chiefs – 8-10 years
Kansas City sports fans have proven their loyalty through 50 straight years of home game sellouts for the Chiefs dating back to 1972. However, with over 40,000 names on the waitlist, new customers can expect an 8-10 year wait before moving off the list.
The Chiefs play at Arrowhead Stadium which seats just over 76,000 fans. Strong fan support in the region and consistent competitiveness under head coach Andy Reid maintains the long wait list in Kansas City.
Carolina Panthers – 7-10 years
Relative NFL newbies, the Carolina Panthers have quickly built a loyal fanbase resulting in a long season ticket waitlist. Bank of America Stadium holds over 75,000 fans, but with over 45,000 names waiting for tickets, new customers face a 7-10 year wait.
The Panthers have struggled with mediocrity and losing seasons at times, but that has done little to dampen ticket demand. Fans are willing to wait for the potential of a future championship contender.
New Orleans Saints – 3-10 years
The New Orleans Saints have built a strong local following especially after winning the Super Bowl in 2010. The renewal rate for existing season tickets holders exceeds 99% annually, meaning very few seats open up each year.
The Saints have over 20,000 names on their season ticket waiting list with varying estimated wait times of 3-10+ years depending on seat location. The Mercedes-Benz Superdome can fit over 73,000 fans.
Los Angeles Lakers – 6 years
In terms of non-NFL teams, the Los Angeles Lakers have one of the longest waits for season tickets across major American sports leagues. The Lakers organization doesn’t release specifics on number of names or exact wait times, but most estimates suggest new customers will need to wait around 6 years for season tickets.
The iconic LA Lakers play in the 20,000 seat Staples Center and have a global brand with fans willing to pay premium prices and wait many years for season tickets. Their success as the most decorated franchise in NBA history ensures demand will remain high for the foreseeable future.
Notable Mentions
Beyond the teams above, there are numerous others franchises in sports with estimated season ticket waits of 3-5+ years including:
- New York Giants (NFL) – Over 10,000 waiting, 3+ years
- San Francisco 49ers (NFL) – Over 40,000 waiting, 5+ years
- New England Patriots (NFL) – Over 50,000 waiting, 5+ years
- Los Angeles Dodgers (MLB) – Less than 5 years
- Boston Red Sox (MLB) – Estimated up to 5 years
- Toronto Maple Leafs (NHL) – Over 15,000 registered, 2-5 years
- Minnesota Vikings (NFL) – Over 10,000 waiting, 5+ years
- Cleveland Cavaliers (NBA) – Estimated up to 5 years
- Philadelphia Eagles (NFL) – Thousands waiting, 2-4 years
The long wait times illustrate just how passionate fans are for their favorite professional and college sports teams. Patience and persistence are required for fans committed to eventually becoming season ticket holders and enjoying every home game in person.
Factors that impact wait times
There are several key factors that contribute to how long season ticket waiting lists are for various sports teams:
- Team performance and popularity – Winning franchises with star power in large markets tend to have the longest waits.
- Stadium capacity – Smaller venues with less seats available lead to longer waits.
- Renewal rates – High renewal rates of 90%+ means few seats turnover annually.
- Personal seat licenses – Requiring costly licenses lengthens waits by restricting turnover.
- Population and demand – Cities and teams with more fans wanting tickets increases wait times.
- Legacy and loyalty – Historically popular teams often have built-in generational fanbases.
NFL teams dominate the longest waits primarily due to limited capacity stadiums relative to MLB, NBA, NHL and other sports. More seats available in bigger venues prevents most non-NFL organizations from having 5+ year waits like many football franchises.
Tips for getting off a season ticket waitlist faster
For fans determined to get season tickets sooner rather than later, there are certain strategies that may help improve your chances and reduce wait time:
- Purchase premium club level or personal seat licenses – More expensive but gets immediate access.
- Look for teams in new stadiums – Additional capacity can ease waits.
- Buy tickets secondhand – Allows you to take over existing season tickets.
- Split/share tickets with others – May improve your place in line.
- Purchase full-season plan – Half-season and mini-plans often wait longer.
- Ask about hardship exceptions – Team venues may accommodate special cases.
- Attend games as a spectator – Shows your commitment to the team.
Ultimately the best way to reduce wait time is to be flexible on seat location and willing to pay higher amounts through licenses, personal seat rights, or the secondary market. There are always ways to potentially get season tickets faster if you are persistent and creative.
The Future of Season Ticket Waiting Lists
NFL season ticket waiting lists have grown even longer over the past decade, with teams like the Packers reporting 10+ year increases in average wait times. This trend is likely to continue as demand grows while supply remains constrained in stadium sizes.
On the other hand, MLB teams have seen season ticket bases decline slightly in recent years as fans shift to purchasing smaller packaged plans or single game tickets. This could eventually ease wait times for baseball season tickets as turnover increases.
New stadiums also offer a temporary reprieve for waitlisted fans. Expansion teams like the Las Vegas Golden Knights saw waitlists quickly dissipated once the team got settled in their new arena.
But for the most in-demand pro sports teams, all signs point to season ticket waits extending even further as more fans add their names each year. Patience will be required, but the payoff of season tickets for your favorite franchise makes it worthwhile.
Conclusion
Waiting many years for season tickets may seem unreasonable for some fans. But for diehard supporters of pro teams like the Packers, Bears, Steelers and Broncos, the long wait is a rite of passage and source of pride. It exemplifies their dedication through both good seasons and bad. Loyal personal seat holders renewing year after year leads to less turnover and in turn cultivates the massive season ticket waiting lists seen in the NFL and other major sports. Patience and persistence are the keys for fans committed to someday enjoying full regular season home schedules and playoff access. After the long wait, finally getting the chance to buy season tickets generates feelings of accomplishment and excitement like no other for avid sports fans.