r/mildlyinfuriating • u/scubawho1 • Aug 25 '26
Do u dont wanna The prices of these NFL games…nope.
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u/RandoMcrandersome Aug 25 '26
For the price of one nfl game ticket you could fund nfl redzone and all the necessary streaming options to watch every game and have money leftover for beer all season lol
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u/Ryanthecat Aug 25 '26
Frankly the NFL is best watched at home anyway. Unless you’re near the 50 your view of most of the game sucks anyway. Atmosphere can be worth it alone occasionally at a lower price point but certainly not at these.
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u/Im2inchesofhard Aug 25 '26
Agreed. If last minute ticket prices for lower bowl for baseball, hockey, or football aren't affordable then it's just better watched at a dedicated sports bar with the sound on or at home. I'll never understand friends that want to sit in the nosebleeds.
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u/Ryanthecat Aug 25 '26
Yeah nosebleeds people have to just be there for the vibes, atmosphere and/or booze, I cant sit up there either. I do love the upper level (especially for football) but has to be like first 5 rows and close to midfield/court.
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u/AtomicBlastCandy Aug 25 '26
Yeah I concur. I'll go to a game every few years to remind myself why watching on my 80" is just a better experience.
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u/RandoMcrandersome Aug 25 '26
It’s worth it for your first time as an experience but It’s hard to justify after that lol
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u/Ryanthecat Aug 25 '26
Agreed it’s worth it to experience the atmosphere at least once. It is just a shame how priced out the average fan is now. These are playoff prices not long ago.
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u/10000Didgeridoos Aug 25 '26
Yeah our family sold our season tickets years ago. Games in person can occasionally be great - big division game, playoff game - but often they just aren't that great in person because you spend so much time sitting watching dudes stand around on the field waiting for the TV broadcast to come back from commercial.
Add in the cost and hassle of parking, travel, hotel, concessions, etc and it's just much easier to watch at home with your own food and beer and bathroom.
And nothing sucks quite like driving several hours and spending all that money when your team loses.
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u/XanZibR Aug 25 '26
The absolute worst is when you've spent all that money and not only does your team lose, but they fall behind immediately so that your entire game experience is watching them lose
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u/wedgie9 Aug 25 '26
Nfl games are so much better watched on a TV.
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u/jf737 Aug 25 '26
I agree but there’s something to be said for experiencing the energy in the stadium. That said, the juice isn’t worth the squeeze at todays prices
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u/egnards Aug 25 '26
To some extent yet - Like if I lived local to my favorite team I wouldn't want to go to every game - But there is just something about the experience of being at a game and surrounded by other fans [or in my case people who hate you for wearing a different colored Jersey].
The Broncos v Jets game was like $400 for shit seats the day they released so it was a hard pass for us - Cheaper to take a bus into the city to any number of Broncos bars and have a similar experience.
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u/Sea_Tailor_8437 Aug 25 '26
Yep. I make it to the local college game 1-2 times a year. Yeah the view is worse than my home but the "experience" of losing my shit with 50k-60k people when something goes right can't be replicated in my living room
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u/kmr1391 Aug 25 '26
going to watch at a local bar with other fans is peak NFL-spectating for me, better view and all the camaraderie and no $300 ticket. and in my city it’s like any/every bar with a TV, so very easily accomplished
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u/koolaidman486 Aug 25 '26
Unfortunately my other household members wouldn't agree to it, but I'd love to watch sports with a low/no commentary option. Especially the NFL.
I think there were some broadcasts of a Stanley Cup Final game in Carolina that had audio issues and didn't have commentators and it was fucking awesome.
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u/ComfortableTap8343 Aug 26 '26
Nah, I don’t go to every game, but I go to a few a year(actually doing a 30 stadium tour, at 12 so far after starting in 2021) but the atmosphere is something you just can’t replace
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u/leemorplee Aug 26 '26
I think its an introvert vs extrovert thing. When I was younger I used to like them but I barely went but now the crowds, cost, and airport vibes of it all just isn't my thing anymore. A joint, my cat, and my team losing is so much more enjoyable to me at this point but all my friends still love everything live
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u/Hour-Onion3606 Aug 27 '26
If you saw Rams at Ravens with that punt return to win it in person... You would never say this lmfao.
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u/Top_Weather1320 Aug 25 '26
Sure, the game itself is very much better watching on tv. Good luck recreating the experience of walking up to the stadium, tailgating, cheering in the stands, etc. going to a game is more than just watching the game.
Having said that, I’ll keep my $900 per seat and also watch at home, or worst case, spend some $$$’s at a local sports bar to get some fandom experience.
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u/happilymarriedyay Aug 25 '26
Yeah the atmosphere is hard to replicate but agree that you can do to a local bar and at least come close for 95% less
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u/Huge_Leave_603 Aug 25 '26
Some people don’t like that experience though. I’d much much rather sit on my comfy chair, hang out with my kids, and be able to listen to the commentators, rather than be next to loud obnoxious fans, overpriced beer and traffic.
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u/Background-Mode-4036 Aug 25 '26
And a lot of people do, obviously, or else it wouldn’t be priced like this or as crowded as they are
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u/Huge_Leave_603 Aug 25 '26
Yeah absolutely but the prior commenter made it seem like everyone prefers the stadium.
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u/JOlRacin PINK Aug 25 '26
Most people tailgate at their houses here, it's a fairly big part of the culture since not everyone can make it to the stadium. There was a group of 3 pickups in the parking lot of my apartment doing a tailgate for just the preseason games this weekend
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u/Dickies138 Aug 25 '26
Or you just invite friends over to your backyard and fire up the grill. I find it to be better than the tailgating experience in almost every way if you can get a good group of fans together.
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u/Head_Chocolate_4458 Aug 25 '26
walking up to the stadium, tailgating, cheering in the stands,
These are social activities, thus worthless to most redditors.
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u/ophaus Aug 25 '26
In a stadium built with tax money, most likely.
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u/SpartyParty9119 Aug 25 '26
This is Ford Field in Detroit, and this is the new reality we have with a winning team. We’re a football city even though the Lions have historically been a basement dweller. There’s a lot of money in the Metro Detroit area, so people are willing to pay these prices for a game day experience.
As for the building funds, $155 million of the $430 million construction cost came from public sources, while the remaining portion was covered by the Ford Family (they own the team) and other private financiers.
Of those public funds, $45 million was through the Downtown Development Authority. Their goal is continued development of the downtown area, which providing funds for a stadium right downtown is what they do (the team used to play in Pontiac, 30 miles north of the city). Their revenue comes from the increase in property taxes as the downtown area continues to develop, and they have to use their funds to continue to develop the downtown area.
$40 million was through the Wayne County Tourism/excise tax on hotel bookings and car rentals across Wayne county.
$50 million from the City of Detroit that went towards upgrading the local infrastructure and site preparation.
The remaining $20 million came from the State of Michigan through state-level infrastructure grants and agency contributions.
We can say a lot of things about publicly funded stadiums, but the reality was that Downtown Detroit was not a place you’d want to go to in the 70’s, 80’s, and 90’s. The new stadium district (Comerica Park and Ford Field) being built in the early 2000’s was the beginning of the turnaround downtown, which got turbo charged once Gilbert decided to move Quicken Loans from the suburbs to downtown a decade later.
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u/Ok_Fall_9569 Aug 25 '26
That’s the most infuriating part. To me, anyway.
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u/GillyBilmour Aug 25 '26
Don't worry, you only need to bring an extra hundred bucks for the hotdogs and beer
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u/FormalTotal9684 Aug 25 '26
These are tickets sold in secondary markets. It has zero to do with price of ticket. It’s supply and demand
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u/rikatix Aug 25 '26 edited Aug 25 '26
These people list these prices this far out in the hopes some idiot pays the price. Wait til day of and they will plummet. And honestly the best move is to wait til like a minute after kick off/tip off if basketball, and then buy for even more savings.
Edit: you have to read this from the pov of the ticket holder as “I plan on going to the game, this is the cost someone would have to pay me to stay home/go to a bar to watch it instead”
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u/SquadPoopy Aug 25 '26
It’s also dependent on how good the team is. Detroit is currently in a contending position. If you go look up Dolphins tickets they’re like $80
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u/Zigglyjiggly Aug 25 '26
If you live half way across the country and want to see your favorite team play, it isn't exactly possible to wait until the day of to buy your ticket.
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u/NotToday__ Aug 25 '26
We go to one away game a year and always wait until the day off to buy tickets. Usually about an hour before kick off has gotten us the best deals.
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u/rikatix Aug 25 '26
Sure it is. Even with the biggest games, Super Bowl included, you can always get a ticket on the day of the game.
Edit: a regular season 1pm game Bucs vs lions you will 100% get a cheap ticket.
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u/Direct-Speech Aug 25 '26
I went to Lions packers a couple years ago for like $150 a ticket. These past 3 years are insane especially since the lions are good now.
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u/MadeThisUpToComment Aug 25 '26
I'm currently keeping an eye on tickets for the Lions Munich game. Since we live in the Netherlands pretty much my only chance to take the kids to a live game.
Currently looke like it will be about 1k for me and two teenagers to get in the stadium, but expecting that to go lower in Oct/Nov.
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u/Direct-Speech Aug 25 '26
I live near Dallas it’s cheaper for me to go and buy hotels, tickets, and a flight to New Orleans to watch saints vs packers than it is to drive down to fuck ass Jerry World and watch the Packers stomp the cowgirls out on the big TV.
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u/LieRepresentative230 Aug 25 '26
Billionaires are purposely using AI to make every part of our lives crap so that things like sports that cannot be affected by AI are the only things left so they are driving the prices of that up so they are burning us on both ends no matter what we do.
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u/ginger_qc Aug 25 '26
I pay $900 each for my season tickets🤷
That's for all the games, not each
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u/93Seven Aug 25 '26
Too many drunk asshats at NFL games anyway. I say this as a big football fan, watching at home is leagues better
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u/goPACK17 Aug 25 '26
It is genuinely beyond me how people afford to go to them. Like, in person and all? Do they realize the cost of 2 people going to a game is literally greater than a full week vacation?
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u/Bungulator5000 Aug 26 '26
By being paid decently? It’s not that crazy.
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u/goPACK17 Aug 26 '26
It is crazy, but go off. A day at a NFL game in the nosebleeds for two will run about $1000? That is an insane amount of money to spend for 3 hours, no?
Dinner at Nobu for two? $600
A luxury spa day? $400-$600ish
International transatlantic or transpacific flights? $800
Regular season NFL game for two? $1000+ (assuming you already live by the stadium ofc, double that price for anyone traveling for a game).
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u/Bungulator5000 Aug 26 '26
For higher rated seats sure. You can go to games for a couple hundred for two people unless it’s a sold out game which shocker is gonna have higher value on resale tickets.
Or just get into baseball where you can get tickets for like 50 bucks.
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u/goPACK17 Aug 26 '26
Unless you're going to watch the Browns play the Cardinals or something, they're going to be sold out. Any game involving the Packers, Cowboys, Steelers, Ravens, Patriots, ect. can all assume nosebleed seats will start around $200/pp before taxes and fees. Parking at stadiums is around $100, but you can do a bit less if you will to find a private lot further out. Concession prices are what they are.
At the end of the day I always leave wondering "Wow, I could have done this or I could have bought a 5-night cruise for two, or taken a weekend trip for the same money. Or had dinner at Nobu/Spago/Providence last night and watched this game at the bar with all the wings and beer I could want and still combine for half the price"
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u/Humble-Cook-6126 Aug 25 '26
Buy the expensive one. Its "HOT"
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u/Greedy-Penalty3440 Aug 25 '26
1400 for center front row sideline is actually insanely lower than what I see at Lambeau.
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u/ACG3185 Aug 25 '26
The game experience on the couch and not dealing with 60k other people trying to get in/out of that place seems so much better.
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u/Crafty_Substance_954 Aug 26 '26
Yeah fwiw I consider football to be the absolute worst in-person watching experience.
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u/boilface Aug 25 '26
That's so crazy! Expensive tickets on a resale site months in advance of the event? I never would have guessed!
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u/Coveted_AF Aug 25 '26
Let’s put the flame next to the most expensive price because that means they’ll think it’s a scorching hot deal!!!
Yes. Yes, my pretties. Come and take advantage of this flaming hot price! 😈
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u/bcardin221 Aug 25 '26
I think we're beginning to see a slowing of the NFL's popularity. Granted, it's still on top and will likely remain there for quite sometime. The game day experience is getting worse. The TV experience is getting overly saturated. The NFL had it right over other sports, they left us wanting more and waiting for Sunday at 1:00 pm. NHL and NBA have too many games that don't matter and playoffs that last too long. NFL i moving in that direction. Too many networks involved, too make streaming services, games in Europe at off hours and crappy Thursday games. It's diluting what made them special. I never used to miss a game, now I find my self not caring as much.
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u/MetapodCreates Aug 25 '26
As a lifelong Lions fan, our ticket prices are utterly insane. I get that we're finally competitive now after years of absolute suckage, but the prices basically shot from one extreme to another.
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u/CorruptDictator Aug 25 '26
Holy shit and I thought $80-ish a seat when my wife wants to go to a baseball game was too much.
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u/Constant_Mud3325 Aug 25 '26
That is too much 😂
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u/CorruptDictator Aug 25 '26
I know I am getting dragged to at least two games a year and honestly prefer the field view from the $50-ish seats. But our finances are separate and it's her decision.
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u/jeremyjamm1995 Aug 25 '26
It’s gotten out of hand. I went to opening day Steelers at Jets and got 50 yard line seats for 250 apiece. They were in the nosebleeds but I thought that was too much.
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u/Sam3323 Aug 25 '26
Dude these are so low compared to Philly games.
This isn't NFL greed by the way, this is aftermarket and the fans determine the price.
Even if the NFL made list price $50 a seat, these prices wouldn't change.
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u/Mfingninja Aug 25 '26
My wife and I went to Montreal this summer. We sat literally front row at a CFL game for $70 a ticket.
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u/Drizzho Aug 25 '26
I saw Soulja Boy was coming to a venue somewhat near me and they want 140$ a ticket to see Soulja boy in 2026. I paid that for 2nd row at a seated lil Wayne concert in 2012. This is GA for Soulja boy 20 years passed his prime lol.
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u/Lostndamaged Aug 25 '26
Just checking it out, Detroit Lions home tickets are very expensive this season
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u/National-Spite Aug 25 '26
The trick is to live in a city with a shitty team. Late in the season, when they're out of contention, you can get tickets really cheap, especially if you buy a few hours before the game.
I live in NJ, so I got TWO shitty teams that never make the playoffs near me. Tickets were going for like 30 bucks, maybe even less. In other cities, you can get them even cheaper
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u/Most_Role_1612 Aug 25 '26
bought gb packer tickets off the visitor's 50yd line for $45 (including TM extortion fees) last week. the week prior, the same tickets were $150 each. Timing is everything
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u/Im2inchesofhard Aug 25 '26
On average, tickets for the four major professional sports in North America all drop in price leading up to the event.
Pick a price threshold you'd be comfortable with. Sit at the pre-game bar closest to the stadium 1-2 hours before start time. As the event nears keep refreshing resale sites. If you find good tickets under your threshold snag them immediately. If not, be prepared to watch the game from the bar. This is my go-to and I think I haven't got tickets once out of fifteen times.
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u/Zigglyjiggly Aug 25 '26
I told myself a long time ago that after not going to an NFL game in the 90s that I was ok with not going to one ever unless I got free tickets. These prices are so ridiculous. I'll never take my family because it would cost over $1400 for nosebleed seats alone. That doesn't include what I assume is $100 parking and $200 for food for everyone.
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u/sderosa90 Aug 25 '26
I’m a Jets fan and have refused to go to a game for years due to the product they put out on the field. Add in these prices and it boggles my mind when I see full stadiums to watch the Jets in week 15.
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u/BigBlueMountainStar Still trying to work out what’s going on… Aug 25 '26
I really don’t believe that the nosebleeds have ever been described as amazing.
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u/km9v Aug 25 '26
This is why I don't go to games anymore. Stupid high prices for tickets, parking, food & beverage.
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u/PawnWithoutPurpose Aug 25 '26
I think we need to start boycotting every cooperation that is price gouging us
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u/35andDying Aug 25 '26
You need to expand your social ring to include people with Season tickets. We do this with Green Bay and can score some amazing seats at a great price well below these listed.
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u/Roger_Stringpiece Aug 25 '26
Do they have anything like a season ticket in NFL? For example I have a season ticket at Liverpool FC that costs me £735 and that guarantees me all 19 home league matches. I'm also opted in to the cup schemes so they automatically charge me for tickets in domestic and European cup competitions, these can cost anywhere between £25 and £39.
Are these the prices for standard general admission tickets or hospitality tickets?
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u/XSmooth84 Aug 26 '26
Seat geek is a resale site, the sellers are people who bought tickets at face value and are trying to cash in, probably hoping away fans are willing to shell out whatever it takes while on a trip.
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u/Ok_Animator_1345 Aug 25 '26
I'm taking my dad to the opening game Patriots @ Seahawks to watch the banner drop. Paid about $675 per ticket all in for 100 level. Probably the last time I will pay to go to an NFL game with the prices how they are. I enjoy watching the games on TV
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u/Acewi Aug 25 '26
Buying early is a massive mistake in the NFL. Buy 3-4 days ahead if you don’t want to risk it, day of or day before if you’re okay taking some risk on certain games.
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u/princeh420 Aug 25 '26
For all the people in here saying the games are better here or there, or say better with friends at a bar or in the backyard. No one is denying that. You’re probably the same people that don’t attend state fairs, festivals, concerts, or any annual social gathering for fear of paying too much for a corn dog or any other concession. But going to a live sporting event (NFL) is an experience people enjoy. They create memories for their children or any other family member for that matter. If you can’t afford the ticket, then that’s your reality. Season ticket holders don’t pay those prices. We do pay for the season which breaks down to a cheaper per game price. Every now and then we cannot attend a game and sell our tix through the NFL which has a partnership through Ticketmaster. TM adds a lot of fees to the transaction. Do we sell them for more than face value? Yes, it helps with our costs for next season. Many of us wait many years for our right to purchase season tix. I know many of us give away tickets more than we sell them. I personally take many family members and friends to games and don’t expect payment. So when we do sell a game or two, that’s when we try to recoup some compensation. I agree that professional scalpers should not be allowed ticket access. With the economy the way it is with this current political climate, going to an NFL game is a luxury. No one will criticize you if you can’t afford it. This is everyone’s reality. Go Hawks!!!
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u/Skr000 Aug 25 '26
It really sucks. My 10 year old recently got crazy into football and wants to go to a game more than anything. I checked the prices before every home game last year and could barely find anything under $400 a seat. And our team sucks! We don’t even make the playoffs.
I want more than anything for him to experience a game in person, but I’ll never afford $1000+ for a single game.
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u/SwitchingFreedom Aug 25 '26
There is no NFL game I would ever go to where a ticket costs more than $200 unless I was a multimillionaire. It’s never worth it. There’s no world where it’s worth it.
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u/CCWaterBug Aug 25 '26
I was invited to a Bucs game last season, I was very interested then heard the price and I noped out immediately, my couch is just fine
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u/ElChupacabra65 Aug 25 '26
The Steelers game in Paris seems more affordable than a game in Pittsburgh. Totally understand that you gotta get there and all that but if I wanted to go to Paris someday anyways it seems like a no brainer.
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u/gorillagil Aug 25 '26
No one should pay above 50$$ for a sports ticket. That's already to much. They make more than enough money from their advertisers,merch and food sales
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u/extraqueso Aug 25 '26
It's a shame the broadcasts are so brutal. Have to be numbed to suffer through the slog of commercials.
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u/BBQ_IS_LIFE Aug 25 '26
Section 105 front row 40 yard line is cheaper than the nose bleeds in that same section of stadium 🤣 that is wild
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u/cellbanger Aug 25 '26
As a browns fan, I always wait til around the 3-4th game. By then tickets are roughly$6 due to our performance. This year will be no different
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u/Common_Senze Aug 26 '26
I looked for preseason tickets for the Texans vs Cardinals 2 years ago. 1st preseason game. Nose bleed section was 94 each. Fuck it all
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u/ComfortableTap8343 Aug 26 '26
I’m going to the Lions@Bills game in a few weeks, you think these prices are bad…
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u/Ok_Card9080 Aug 26 '26
NFL is best watched at home. You pay astronomical amounts to sit way up high with a bunch of drunk idiots who can't control themselves, claustrophobic seats, insanely overpriced concessions with long waits, and freezing cold weather, snow, and/or rain. It's fun to go to a game every once in awhile, but it's way better on your couch with snacks at the ready.
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u/flapua Aug 26 '26
Just sharing for comparison, this is the Bucs home opener vs Browns right now. $400 for nosebleeds during the regular season is criminal
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u/Cutmerock Aug 26 '26
Fans of every sport cheer for new stadiums and amenities until they get the bill.
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u/BirdlessLongdeal Aug 26 '26
jebus. i've been to one game in my life. it was like 30 years ago. it was $60 for nosebleed. even that was too much. i cant imagine paying hundreds for something that is a better product for TV than live.
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u/Ok_Cup4607 Aug 26 '26
NFL is the most disappointing live sport there is. Baseball, you know it's coming. Pro football games are fucking garbage compared to hockey or even college ball.
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u/Ok_Cup4607 Aug 26 '26
Had I been to a game WELL before 2015, the opinion most certainly would differ. But the dog an pony act it's become makes a live game boring af
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u/coldupnorth11 Aug 27 '26
Wait until day of. Bought lower bowl afc championship games tickets in Denver last year for around $400 each
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u/Successful-Bus-3819 Aug 28 '26
Couldn't pay me that much to sit elbow to elbow with some drunk dude and then on top of that have to wait 20 minutes to get into the bathroom
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u/HTIRDUDTEHN Aug 25 '26
The whole entertainment world is out of touch with the financial reality of most Americans. We can't afford this shit dude. The economy is dying. Concerts are being cancelled, movies are struggling for the most part, wrestling crowds have dwindled down, and sports events are going to have to be handing out tickets.
It's becoming even more so one giant theme park for the rich and we are just the carnies keeping the show running. It's time the carnies start flipping shit.
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u/bomber991 Aug 25 '26
You left out theme park pricing. Any ways they’ll keep raising and raising the prices until it all crashes.
Heck I went to an MLS game last weekend. Ended up paying $40 for my ticket after fees. That stadium was only maybe half full. How’s someone supposed to bring their family? $160 for 4 people? They need to drop those prices.
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u/BigSprinkler Aug 25 '26
These prices are fueled by Demand that isn’t leveling off.
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u/PokerBear28 Aug 25 '26
I love going in person, but frankly watching at home is a better experience. For a regular Sunday afternoon game I’d much rather watch at home where I can also watch other games, hear the commentators, and get close up views of the plays. I’m only really interested in going to a primetime game where there is nothing else on, or it’s a special occasion for me.
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u/Mental-Scientist-393 Aug 25 '26
Would love to read something by someone smarter than me about whether the ridiculous world cup prices are going to permanently increase prices of sporting/entertainment events. Or, if the world cup was just a sign of what was happening anyway.
getting priced out of sports sucks.
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u/NovelAspect3399 Aug 25 '26
You can literally buy a big screen TV and tons of food and drinks and just watch it at your house. It would probably be cheaper lol
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u/THCESPRESSOTIME Aug 25 '26
I used to buy section 131 for $75. The worst part about the Detroit Lions minus the head coach. The fake fans.
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u/Gonna_do_this_again Aug 25 '26
I paid 230 for first level to watch my Broncos at Arizona in October. You just gotta go to teams that suck.
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u/ItsMeYourNeighbors Aug 25 '26
Gotta buy them right before the game starts.