Sports Ticket Prices Soar, Leaving Some Fans Behind

Premium seating and smaller stadiums drive up costs, but teams say they're not abandoning budget-minded fans.

Published on Feb. 7, 2026

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Ticket prices for major U.S. sporting events have surged well beyond inflation over the past decade, with the steepest increases in the NFL and for high-end seats. The trend coincides with a shift toward smaller stadiums packed with more premium spaces like clubs and suites. While teams say they're not leaving budget-minded fans behind, the costliest tickets still sell the quickest.

Why it matters

The rising cost of sports tickets puts attending games out of reach for many fans, especially families, raising concerns about accessibility and the future of live sports attendance. This trend also highlights the growing divide between the high-end and budget-conscious segments of the sports fan base.

The details

According to ticketing platform Gametime, average ticket prices have risen significantly across major U.S. sports leagues over the past decade, even after adjusting for inflation. NFL tickets sold on Gametime nearly tripled between 2015 and 2025, up 173%. College football tickets rose 119%, Major League Baseball 111%, the NBA 70%, the NHL 65%, and Major League Soccer 22%. At the high end, the numbers are even more striking, with the priciest ticket being a $35,165 Super Bowl club seat in 2024. Premium NBA tickets have topped $20,000 in each of the past two years, and MLB's high end hit $17,170.

  • Between 2015 and 2025, NFL ticket prices sold on Gametime nearly tripled, up 173%.
  • In 2024, the priciest ticket was a $35,165 Super Bowl club seat at midfield.
  • Premium NBA tickets have topped $20,000 in each of the past two years.
  • MLB's high-end ticket prices hit $17,170.

The players

Gametime

A ticketing platform that provided data on the surge in sports ticket prices.

Kansas City Chiefs

An NFL team that is proposing a new stadium expected to hold about 15% fewer fans than their current Arrowhead Stadium, while emphasizing premium spaces.

Kansas City Royals

An MLB team that says their overall ticket increases have stayed below inflation since 2022, though their costliest Crown Club seats still sell quickest.

Brian Berry

The executive director of the Ticket Policy Forum, who advises fans to consider waiting for resale prices to drop about a month after tickets first go on sale.

Sports Fans Coalition

An organization that analyzed more than 57 million tickets and found resale buyers saved an average of 37% across leagues compared with face value.

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What they’re saying

“You greedy ...”

— Liverpool fans (The Athletic)

“I think people in this country, and in [U.S.] sports, are accepting that if you want the hottest ticket in town, it'll come at a price.”

— Nashville SC executive (Axios)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This trend highlights the growing divide between the high-end and budget-conscious segments of the sports fan base, as teams focus more on premium seating and smaller stadiums that price out many casual fans. While teams say they're not abandoning budget-minded fans, the data suggests otherwise, raising concerns about the future accessibility of live sports events.