The average cost of tickets to sporting events is on the up. It’s not just slight price increases that are garnering attention, though. While fans are often willing to pay to see their heroes, what we’re now seeing is the fact that the cost of tickets is becoming a barrier to the average fan. According to ExpressVPN, some of the increases have been nothing short of alarming, with the highest price for a single ticket reaching over 2000% of its initial value.
As you read on, we’re going to explore the events that have seen some of the biggest price increases and try to understand the reasons why.
The biggest price increases
The study has revealed some mind-blowing price increases. It has also shown that it’s not just sporting events that are affected. Here’s a summary of the findings:
- The men’s Wimbledon final is this year highest priced sporting ticket.
- The Women’s FA Cup Final saw tickets reselling for 428% more than their face value.
- Eurovision 2024 had resale values 813% higher than the original prices.
- Resale tickets for Trevor Noah are fetching more than 200% of their face value.
Factors Contributing to Rising Ticket Prices
Several factors are contributing to the rising prices of sports event tickets. These include:
- Increasing popularity of sports: Sports are now a global phenomenon, and people from all over the world are passionate about their favorite teams. This increased demand for tickets is driving up prices.
- The increasing cost of doing business for sports teams: The cost of building and maintaining stadiums, as well as the cost of player salaries, is on the rise. This is forcing teams to raise ticket prices in order to cover their costs.
- The rise of the practice of ticket scalping: This involves buying tickets with the intention of selling them at a profit.
As demand surges, teams and organizations are raising prices. A concession menu for the PGA Championship this week showed $18 beers. Spending rates per fan grew for the NFL and the NBA in their most recent seasons, according to the Fan Cost Index produced by Team Marketing Report, a sports marketing firm in Chicago. The index calculates what it would cost for nonpremium seats, two beers, four sodas, two hot dogs, merchandise and parking costs, according to the firm’s CEO, Chris Hartweg.
This spring, fans are packing arenas for the NHL and NBA playoffs. Hugo Figueroa, 29, said he paid $1,200 for three tickets to a playoff game between the Boston Celtics and the Brooklyn Nets.
“Work hard, play hard,” Figueroa told CNBC last month as he stood inside the Nets’ fan shop at Barclays Center in Brooklyn. He said he purchased a beer at the game but “ate before I got here because I didn’t want to pay for food.” Concessions are typically marked up higher at sports and ent
Negative Consequences of Rising Ticket Prices
The rising prices of sports event tickets are having a number of negative consequences. These include:
- Making it more difficult for people to afford to attend sporting events: This is especially true for families with young children, who may not be able to afford the high cost of tickets.
- Leading to a decrease in fan engagement: When fans are unable to afford to attend games, they are less likely to be engaged with their favourite teams. This can lead to a decline in the overall popularity of sports.
Tips for Saving Money on Sports Event Tickets and Staying Safe Online
Tickets to major sporting events can be expensive and hard to get your hands on. To find decent seats at reasonable prices, it helps if you know how and when to look for tickets, and learn how to navigate the secondary market. In addition to big-ticket events, there are plenty of alternatives that will leave you entertained and enthralled by the sporting action without leaving a gaping hole in your wallet.
There are several tips that fans can follow to save money on sports event tickets. These include:
- Buy tickets in advance: The earlier you buy your tickets, the more likely you are to get a good deal.
- Look for deals and discounts: Many teams offer discounts for students, seniors, and military personnel.
- Consider buying tickets from a third-party seller: There are many websites and apps that sell tickets at a discounted price.
- Attend games during the off-season: Ticket prices are typically lower during the off-season.
- Watch the game from home: If you can’t afford to attend the game in person, you can always watch it on TV or online.
- Use a VPN: This ensures that your connection is encrypted and that any data you enter online is kept safe and secure.
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Final thoughts
The rising prices of sports event tickets are a complex issue with no easy solutions. However, it is important to be aware of the negative consequences of this trend and to work to find ways to make sporting events more affordable for everyone. Putting an end to ticket scalping would be a step in the right direction.