Like many porting events, NBA tickets can vary significantly in price and some can easily set you back hundreds – or even thousands – of dollars. If you’re wondering how to get cheap NBA tickets, check out the buying strategies below.
- Best Times to Purchase NBA Tickets
- Buying Strategies for Cheapest NBA Tickets
- Game Selection for the Best Deals
- Alternative Platforms and Promotions
- FAQs
Best Times to Purchase NBA Tickets
Weekday Games vs. Weekend Games
Although there are other factors at play that can affect the price of an NBA ticket, one thing to consider is when the game will take place during the week. In order to entice more fans to attend, games on weekdays are typically cheaper to attend than those on the weekend, when its easier to get fans through the doors, so target midweek fixtures if you’re searching for more affordable basketball tickets.
Early Season vs. Late Season Games
Pre-season games are usually cheaper and Playoff tickets more expensive than regular season games, but when a game takes place within the regular season can also impact the price you’ll pay to attend. Although the NBA has introduced the In-Season Tournament to spice up proceedings in November and December, early-season games typically have much lower stakes and so they can often have cheaper tickets compared to the business end of the season in March and April when postseason qualification is on the line for many teams. However, for teams who can no longer qualify for the Playoffs, their ticket prices are very likely to be lowered in the final weeks of the season in order to encourage fans to continue attending.
Buying Strategies for Cheapest NBA Tickets
The Early Bird Approach for Cheap Tickets
NBA ticket prices can often change over time, and it can be difficult to know when to take the plunge and secure your seat. For high-demand games that are likely to sell out, buying early can often be the best way to find cheap NBA tickets, as you won’t be left to the whims of the secondary market once the official supplier has sold out, and you’ll also have a greater selection of seats.
The Last-Minute Deals for Best Price
For less popular matchups and weekday games, it can be beneficial to wait before making your purchase. If the game has not sold out, prices can often fall as tip-off approaches with sellers eager to move their allocation of tickets and season ticket holders who can’t attend desperate to offload their seat, so it’s possible to land some last-minute ticket bargains if you keep monitoring the prices on your chosen game. However, one drawback to this approach is that you may be left with less choice when it comes to picking your seats.
Game Selection for the Best Deals
Choosing the Right Matchups
If you’re eager to get the live NBA game experience but you’re prepared to be flexible in terms of which teams you see in action, game selection can be crucial to landing the best deals. Popular and successful teams such as the Los Angeles Lakers, Boston Celtics, and Golden State Warriors are usually much more expensive to watch live than franchises such as the Portland Trail Blazers, Detroit Pistons, or Minnesota Timberwolves, so picking a clash between 2 less illustrious outfits can mean low prices.
Playoffs and Special Games Tickets Pricing
Playoff games and other important fixtures – such as knockout games in the In-Season Tournament or the Play-In Tournament – always come with a premium when it comes to NBA ticket pricing, regardless of who you’re going to see, but any games featuring 2 smaller teams will still be more affordable.
Alternative Platforms and Promotions
Exploring Secondary Markets
Although secondary ticket sellers will sometimes charge higher prices, particularly if the official supplier has sold out its allocation, it can also be possible to find cheap tickets and top deals. As such, keeping an open mind when it comes to the secondary marketplace and alternative purchasing platforms can prove very useful when you’re looking for the cheapest place to buy NBA tickets.
Seasonal and Promotional Offers
If you’re a more hardcore NBA fan looking to attend many games throughout the season, it might save you money per game to purchase a season ticket. Although they can be very pricey depending on the seat location and which team you’re buying for, you’ll likely save money over the course of the season compared with buying single-game tickets each time. Some NBA teams will also run ticket promotions on single-game tickets or a run of fixtures to encourage attendance, so keep an eye out for them!
FAQs
Why should you buy NBA tickets on Koobit?
Koobit is the best place to buy NBA tickets because it allows you to compare a range of prices from across the primary and secondary seller marketplace. Rather than visiting each supplier individually, you’ll find it all in one place – along with Travel & Parking information, tips, and nearby accommodation offers – at Koobit, helping you land the best ticket prices and much more.
When should I buy NBA Playoff tickets?
Because of the quick turnaround between NBA Playoff games and rounds, it’s not possible to purchase Playoff tickets too far in advance. However, given that they’re often likely to be a sell-out, buying them at the earliest possible opportunity is typically better than buying them last-minute, since the price will usually continue to increase as the game nears. If your chosen team has qualified for the Playoffs comfortably before the end of the season, they may even begin to put tickets on sale before their opponent has been confirmed, so watch out for early opportunities to buy.
What NBA team has the cheapest courtside tickets?
The courtside experience is a bucket-list event for most basketball fans. Your feet are touching the hardwood, and you’re just a matter of feet away from your favourite stars – not to mention your ticket likely comes with a host of benefits such as all-inclusive lounge or club access. However, these seats are usually the most expensive at any NBA venue. Smaller teams such as the Indiana Pacers, Oklahoma City Thunder, New Orleans Pelicans, and Detroit Pistons are among the cheapest to attend, whether you’re sitting courtside or up in the rafters.
Are there specific seasonal promotions or discounts that fans should look out for when buying NBA tickets?
Some teams, such as the Houston Rockets, occasionally offer NBA game discounts for the likes of students, first responders, teachers, and veterans, so if you fall into such a demographic then it can be worth checking if your chosen team is offering cheaper tickets. Likewise, many teams will also encourage attendance with NBA ticket promotions that include a concessionary credit or merchandise item, or multi-game offers over a specific period.