There can be a lot to consider when buying tickets to an NBA game, particularly if you’re a newer or more casual fan. Which seating areas provide the best views of the court, what amenities or benefits are included with each ticket type, and most importantly, how much will the tickets cost? Koobit is here to set the record straight.
- Overview of NBA Ticket Prices 2023-24
- Top 5 Teams with Expensive Tickets
- Least Expensive NBA Tickets
- How to Find Affordable NBA Ticket Prices
- FAQs
Overview of NBA Ticket Prices 2023-24
How Much is an NBA Game Ticket
NBA game ticket prices can vary significantly based on several factors, as detailed below. You could find yourself paying as few as $6 or $7 for a ticket, or as much as $5,000 or more.
Factors Affecting NBA Ticket Prices
There are a number of factors that affect ticket pricing for NBA events and ticket costs for basketball games in general.
First and foremost, seat location will play an enormous role in the affordability of your tickets. Sideline seats will usually be more expensive than baseline or corner seats due to the more sought-after views, and those closer to the court will typically cost more than those further away. However, in some venues where there is middle-level seating available this can be more expensive than lower-level seating, because it can provide the perfect balance of proximity to the action and a more comprehensive elevated view above it. Likewise, any benefits or amenities that are included with a ticket – such as club or lounge access, or all-inclusive food and beverage – will also increase the NBA ticket cost.
The other most significant aspect that will determine the cost of your tickets is the 2 teams contesting the game. Matchups featuring the NBA’s biggest and best teams, such as the Los Angeles Lakers and the Boston Celtics, will invariably be more expensive to attend than those involving lesser-known outfits like the Portland Trail Blazers or New Orleans Pelicans.
NBA Tickets Price in the Regular Season
National Basketball Association ticket rates are generally more reasonable during the regular season compared with the Playoffs. For many basketball fans, the chance to witness their team battling it out in the NBA Playoffs in person does not come around all that often, so the demand for these tickets – and therefore, the price – is typically much higher.
Top 5 Teams with Expensive Tickets
According to the Team Marketing Report, the NBA teams with the most expensive are:
- New York Knicks (Madison Square Garden)
- Golden State Warriors (Chase Center)
- Los Angeles Lakers (Crypto.com Arena)
- Boston Celtics (TD Garden)
- Chicago Bulls (United Center)
Least Expensive NBA Tickets
Among the teams with the cheapest NBA tickets are:
- Charlotte Hornets
- Detroit Pistons
- Indiana Pacers
- Houston Rockets
- Oklahoma City Thunder
How to Find Affordable NBA Ticket Prices
Early Bird Advantage
If you’re looking to secure tickets to a high-profile NBA game that’s likely to sell out quickly, you might be able to score cheaper tickets by buying them as soon as possible after they go on sale, because once they’ve sold out the resale prices are likely to increase significantly.
In some cases, when a game might not be as well attended, it could be better to see if you can land a last-minute deal when sellers are more desperate to fill their empty seats, although beware that the later you leave it, the less choice you’re likely to have.
Season Tickets
If you’re hoping to attend your favourite team’s home games on a regular basis, it may be worth pursuing a season ticket. Many teams offer half-season or full-season packages, and you can not only secure the same seat for every game but also save money on average per game you attend.
Weeknight Games
NBA ticket price variations can also depend on the day of the week a fixture is scheduled for. There will be no shortage of fans hoping to attend a Friday or Saturday night game, but for weeknight games – especially those against less illustrious opponents – teams will be wanting to maximise the number of spectators they can entice through the doors, and so they’ll often drop their prices to do just that.
Upper-Level Seats
Upper-level seats are virtually always the cheapest tickets at basketball games due to their distance from the action, so they should be your first port of call if you’re looking for the lowest price. Being the furthest from the action does not necessarily mean you have a bad view either – you’ll typically have an elevated vantage point giving a comprehensive view of the court – and it can also be a great place to sit back and soak up the atmosphere. Indeed, the upper level at the Cleveland Cavaliers’ Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse is known as “Loudville” because of the noise levels it generates.
FAQs
Can I get discounts for NBA tickets?
It’s rare for NBA teams to offer concessionary tickets for children or seniors, although some do give out military discounts. When buying NBA tickets, it’s important to compare prices from multiple primary and secondary sellers to help you land the best price you can. Koobit includes the prices of basketball tickets for different viewing areas from a range of sellers from across the marketplace, along with filters, to help you easily find the ticket to suit your budget.
Are there any strategies to secure premium seating at an NBA game without breaking the bank?
One of the best things you can do to secure premium seating at the best possible price is to stay flexible; flexibility regarding where your seats are located, which teams you see in action, and what day of the week you attend will all help you can have a huge impact on the price you’ll pay.
Considering the ticket costs, what are the advantages of attending an NBA game in person?
Depending on the aforementioned factors, the cost of attending NBA matches in person can be quite high, especially when compared with watching the game at home on TV. However, nothing compares to being there live. The squeak of the players’ sneakers on the hardwood, the roar of the crowd, the half-time hot dog, the chance to be (depending on where you sit) mere feet from your sporting heroes – it all makes that classic game experience so much more special and memorable!
Beyond the ticket price, are there additional costs to consider when budgeting for an NBA game?
On top of the regular prices, NBA basketball tickets also typically feature a range of service, processing, or delivery fees which factor into the total cost. To help streamline the NBA ticket booking process, Koobit compares official and resale prices inclusive of fees from a range of NBA ticket vendors across the marketplace so you can buy tickets at the lowest price with fees included.
Koobit provides a handy price breakdown displaying both the base cost of a ticket and the fees on top to ensure you make an informed purchasing decision and keep your NBA ticket expenditure as low as possible.
As with any sporting event, parking – if you plan on driving to the game – and concession costs can also come into play. Koobit details which ticket products include benefits such as complimentary food and beverages and helps you book parking or find public transport information.
How much do NBA Finals floor seats cost?
Courtside ticket prices are typically always the most expensive seats in the house at an NBA game, and in the NBA Finals they can be incredibly pricey. During the 2023 NBA Finals series between the Denver Nuggets and the Miami Heat, floor seats ranged from around $5,800 to around $16,000.