When it comes to expensive tickets in the NFL, there are a few teams that consistently have the highest average ticket prices each year. Factors like fan demand, team performance, stadium capacity, and local market conditions all impact how much NFL teams are able to charge for game tickets. Teams in major markets like New York and Dallas are usually at the top of the list when it comes to ticket prices.
What factors make NFL tickets more expensive?
There are a few key factors that contribute to higher NFL ticket prices:
– Market size – Teams located in bigger markets like New York, Los Angeles and Chicago can charge more for tickets because there are more potential customers with higher incomes.
– Stadium capacity – Teams with smaller stadiums can only sell so many tickets, making the limited supply more valuable. Teams like the Dallas Cowboys play in massive stadiums and have more tickets available.
– Team performance – Winning teams and star players drive demand. Perennial playoff contenders and franchises with superstar QBs or coaches can command higher ticket prices.
– Fan loyalty – Rabid fans are willing to pay higher prices. Franchises with long sellout streaks and season ticket waiting lists can charge more. The Steelers, for example, have sold out every home game since 1972.
– Personal seat licenses – Many teams require personal seat licenses (PSLs) which are an upfront fee just for the right to buy season tickets. PSLs allow teams to monetize their most loyal fans.
– New stadiums – Teams sometimes raise prices after opening brand new stadiums as fans are eager to experience the amenities of a modern facility.
So in summary, the NFL’s most valuable and popular teams in the biggest markets with the most loyal fans usually have the league’s highest ticket prices. Supply, demand and team success drives pricing.
Which NFL teams currently have the most expensive average ticket prices?
According to data from Statista, below are the top 5 NFL teams with the most expensive average ticket prices as of the 2022 season:
Team | Average Ticket Price |
---|---|
New England Patriots | $572 |
San Francisco 49ers | $542 |
New York Giants | $461 |
New York Jets | $443 |
Las Vegas Raiders | $419 |
The New England Patriots have the highest average ticket prices at a whopping $572 on average. This is over $100 more per ticket than the league average.
The San Francisco 49ers and both New York teams also crack the top 5. The Raiders’ ticket prices have spiked in recent years after their move to Las Vegas.
New England Patriots
As one of the NFL’s most dominant and popular franchises over the past 20 years, it’s no surprise the Patriots have the league’s highest ticket prices. They play in a smaller 65,000 seat stadium and have extremely passionate fans that have supported a winner year after year. PSLs are also required for season tickets.
Between Tom Brady’s sustained excellence and Bill Belichick’s coaching genius, demand for Pats tickets has been through the roof. Their home games have been essentially sold out since 1994. With Brady now in Tampa, it will be interesting to see if prices dip at all.
San Francisco 49ers
With their shrewd move to Levi’s Stadium in 2014, the 49ers dramatically increased their revenue potential with a state-of-the-art facility dressed in club seats and amenities. Add in consistent contender status under coach Kyle Shanahan, and Niners ticket prices have shot upward.
Located in Silicon Valley with its concentrations of wealth has also helped the 49ers tap into massive corporate dollars. Their home stadium holds around 70,000 fans. The 49ers are the only NFL team inside the top 5 based on a West Coast market.
New York Giants and Jets
The two tenants of MetLife Stadium both rank inside the top 5. Being in the Big Apple naturally leads to higher prices with so many potential customers in the NYC metro area. Both franchises play in the largest NFL stadium at over 82,000 capacity. Consequently, they have two of the biggest season ticket bases in the league.
The Giants have a long tradition of success to help justify their prices, while the Jets are banking on fan loyalty as they try to pair winning football with their PSL and ticket markup.
Las Vegas Raiders
In their first two seasons in Las Vegas, the Raiders have shot up the rankings as fans clamor for tickets in the new $2 billion Allegiant Stadium. The massive visitor volume in Vegas also presents easy opportunities to sell tickets to opposing fans looking for a weekend getaway.
Time will tell if the Raiders can sustain these high prices in the long run, but they are clearly trying to capitalize on the excitement around their relocation to Nevada. With approximately 61,000 seats to fill, the Raiders have significantly more ticket inventory than a franchise like New England.
Which teams currently have the least expensive average ticket prices?
While marquee teams command higher prices, some NFL franchises have very affordable ticket options for fans on a budget:
Team | Average Ticket Price |
---|---|
Cincinnati Bengals | $85 |
Detroit Lions | $85 |
Houston Texans | $86 |
Jacksonville Jaguars | $92 |
Atlanta Falcons | $101 |
At just $85 on average, you can see the Bengals and Lions for the lowest prices in the league. Lackluster performance and smaller fan bases contribute to their affordability.
The Texans and Jaguars also offer tickets below the league average of $156. Falcons tickets clock in right around $100. All five of these teams play in areas with lower costs of living than cities like NYC and San Francisco, a factor that also depresses prices.
Cincinnati Bengals
Playing in one of the NFL’s smallest markets, the Bengals have very reasonable ticket prices. They play in a stadium with around 65,000 seats. After many losing seasons, fan enthusiasm has waned despite recent playoff appearances. PSLs are not required.
Detroit Lions
With just one playoff win since 1957, the Lions have experienced generations of futility. Detroit was hit hard by economic decline as well, leading to declining interest. Their indoor stadium has 65,000 seats but they’ve struggled with low attendance. The Lions offer tickets under $50 for many upper deck sections.
Houston Texans
As a relatively new expansion team starting in 2002, the Texans haven’t developed a reputation as contenders yet. They play in one of the NFL’s newest stadiums with a capacity of 72,000. Houston is a large metro area but also has to compete with other pro and college sports teams in the city.
Jacksonville Jaguars
One of the NFL’s smaller markets, Jacksonville has trouble filling its massive stadium with 67,000 seats. Long stretches of losing seasons have also hurt interest and ticket sales. However, their small fan base is very loyal. Lower-level seats can be had for around $50 a game.
Atlanta Falcons
The Falcons have made attempts to boost ticket prices after their Super Bowl appearance in 2016 and the opening of Mercedes-Benz Stadium in 2017. But average prices have settled back around $100. With 72,000 seats, they have more supply to fill.
How have NFL ticket prices changed over time?
Looking at historical data, NFL ticket prices have risen consistently over the past two decades. However, the rate of price increases has slowed in recent years.
NFL Season | Average Ticket Price |
---|---|
2001 | $46 |
2006 | $74 |
2011 | $112 |
2016 | $153 |
2021 | $156 |
From 2001 to 2011, average NFL ticket prices rose by 144%. Prices went up another 37% from 2011 to 2016. But since 2016, the average ticket price has only increased by 2%.
In the early 2000s, new stadium construction and amenities dramatically drove prices higher. The market also expanded as many teams tapped new revenue from premium seating sections for luxury suites and club areas.
However, prices have leveled off in recent years as teams have focused on maximizing revenue from existing stadiums. Rising costs for concessions and parking have also made the total fan experience more expensive. The growth of the secondary ticket market and dynamic ticket pricing has also stabilized prices by making the supply of tickets more liquid and flexible.
While the average price only went up slightly since 2016, prices for premium tickets and PSLs are still on the rise. Top teams continue finding ways to increase revenue from top-paying fans. But average fans have seen more modest price changes recently.
Which factors could impact NFL ticket prices in the future?
There are a few key trends that may impact NFL ticket prices in coming seasons:
– New stadium deals – Several teams are likely to build new stadiums or renovate existing ones in the next decade which could drive prices up.
– Changes in season length – Expanding the regular season schedule could raise demand and allow teams to charge more.
– Market rate resets – Teams moving into new cities like Las Vegas can reset market rates much higher.
– Youth appeal – Generational shifts could expand or contract the fan base depending on teams’ appeal to millennials and Gen Z.
– Viewing technology – Advances with in-stadium wifi, video boards and mobile streaming will impact the live game experience.
– Gambling revenue – The spread of legal sports betting offers new revenue streams but also impacts how fans watch games.
– Virtual reality – Emerging VR and augmented reality technologies may complement or compete with the in-person experience.
While the past five years have seen limited growth, there are still opportunities for teams and the NFL overall to capture more ticket revenue in the long run. Especially for top-tier teams with national fan bases, ticket prices could rise substantially in the next decade with new stadiums, technologies and audiences. Average prices across the league may rise at a slower rate, but marquee teams in big markets will likely always command the highest premium.
Conclusion
NFL ticket prices vary widely based on the size and passion of each team’s fan base along with the dynamics of their local market. Loyal, long-time fans of top contenders end up paying the most to see their teams in person. Teams like the Cowboys and Patriots have built their brands into valued, premium products that fans invest in emotionally and financially.
But the price to see an NFL game ranges from over $500 on average for clubs like the Patriots down to just $85 for teams like the Bengals and Lions. Cost conscious fans on a budget do have affordable options to enjoy live pro football. While the NFL offers entertainment that many devote fans are willing to pay up for, economic realities and market competition force some teams to keep prices low to attract bodies to seats.
Ultimately an NFL team’s ticket pricing power depends on the balance between dedicated fans desperate for a finite supply of tickets versus organizations trying to sell a less scarce product. This equilibrium fluctuates year to year, but expect premium teams to keep pushing the ceiling higher while the floor remains affordable to most working class fans.