After a roller coaster weekend that saw three of the four No. 1-seeded teams crash out of the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament, Final Four tickets are at a premium with the field now set. Michigan State, Texas Tech, Auburn and Virginia have punched their ticket to battle it out this weekend in Minneapolis for a chance at a national title. But with the bracket turning out more diverse than expected, how have Final Four ticket prices been impacted? We’ve analyzed the latest trends to answer key questions on the minds of basketball fans everywhere.
How Much Are Final Four Tickets?
Final Four ticket prices increased exponentially from Friday before regional games got underway. The elimination of No. 1 seeds North Carolina, Duke and Gonzaga opened up the bracket. With any team now able to break through, Final Four ticket prices are at a premium. The minimum price to get into Saturday’s games now stands at $396 – a nearly 70 percent spike from the $234 price tag a few days ago. An All Sessions combo ticket for all Final Four games jumped from a $398 get-in price to $578 today.
While the Final Four teams are now decided, it may still be too early to pinpoint who will play for the title. Tickets for next Monday’s championship game actually dropped in price over the weekend. The coveted admission stood at $175 on Friday. But now, fans can grab tickets for the final starting at $143 apiece.
What Do Final Four Tickets Normally Cost?
Since 2013, average Final Four ticket prices have varied year-over-year. Fans attending the final weekend games saw savings in 2014 when UConn took home the title. Admission into those semifinals in Dallas cost $336 on average, while a ticket into the championship game ran just under $160 – an enormous drop from the prior year’s average price of $331.
Last year’s prices were down slightly from 2017, but preliminary sales indicate that a downward trend won’t occur this year. Currently, the average price fans paid for tickets to the championship game April 8 stands at $289. Semifinal passes are running for $395 on average, while tickets into both sessions are at $728 heading into the final weekend.
Which Final Four Team Will Bring In The Most Fans?
While the now-bounced Duke were thought to be the favorite – and had the in-demand ticket prices to prove it – they may not have had the most support in the stands at the Final Four. Our geographic consumer data found that by the Elite Eight, no Final Four ticket buyers hailed from North Carolina. While that may be surprising given that both Duke and UNC were popular picks to win the tournament, the door is open for other fans to show their support, and it appears that Texas Tech is now leading the way.
The No. 3-seeded Red Raiders are drumming up the most local sales of all Final Four teams. Of the four different states represented in the bracket, 60 percent of Final Four ticket buyers are Texas-based. Michigan State loyalists are also present, making up nearly a quarter of sales. That number is expected to grow throughout the week based on two factors. Not only are the Spartans considered favorites by many to take home the title, but Michigan State is the closest in proximity to Minneapolis. East Lansing is less than 10 hours driving distance to this year’s Final Four host city.
Although they are the last remaining No. 1 team in the bracket, Virginia is not generating as much support as their underdog counterparts. Virginia natives make up only six percent of area buyers securing a ticket to the Final Four. That number can jump in the coming days, but for right now, Texas Tech and Michigan State fans are guaranteed to make their Saturday clash a heated one.
How To Save on Final Four Ticket Prices?
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