With the first week of games fast approaching, fans may be wondering how to buy NFL season tickets and what benefits are included. This guide takes you through the advantages and costs of purchasing a season ticket for an NFL team.
How NFL Season Tickets Work
Access to All Regular Season Home Games
NFL season tickets give fans access to all regular season home games at their team’s stadium. They also typically include any preseason home games. If a team is scheduled to play a “home” game abroad as part of the NFL International Games, their season tickets may be cheaper, as the home stadium will host 1 fewer game. Season tickets do not include access to away games.
Reserved Seats for Season Ticket Holders
Each NFL season ticket corresponds to a particular seat in the stadium. This means that season ticket holders can choose their favourite place to sit and reserve it for every home game, instead of moving around based on what’s available each week. Some NFL teams use Personal Seat Licenses (PSL), meaning fans must purchase a one-off license for a specific seat and can then buy season tickets for that seat each year.
Cost Savings and Discounts
Season tickets for an NFL team can make a good investment, as prices per game are often lower for season ticketholders than for fans looking to purchase single game tickets. As NFL teams use dynamic pricing, ticket prices can rise and fall based on demand and the team’s performances. Season ticketholders are insulated from these changes.
Benefits and Perks for Ticket Holders
Although the exact benefits of a season ticket vary from team to team, there are some typical perks. Season ticketholders usually get early access to ticket sales for other, non-NFL events held at their team’s stadium. Many teams also offer discounts or special offers on concessions for season ticketholders.
NFL Season Tickets – Pricing and Availability
How Much are Season Tickets for NFL
NFL teams offer a range of season ticket prices. The cheapest season tickets usually cost between USD $500 and $1200, while pricier standard seats may cost upwards of $1500. Season tickets for premium or club seats are more expensive, with an average total cost of $3000-5000.
Factors Affecting Ticket Prices
Season ticket prices are affected by several key factors, including the team in question and the location of the seat within the stadium. The Dallas Cowboys, Las Vegas Raiders, San Francisco 49ers, and New England Patriots are known to offer some of the priciest season tickets. Seats closer to the field or in premium club areas are always the most expensive, while elevated seats that are further from the action are typically the cheapest to buy.
Season Ticket Renewal Process
Each team offers their own season ticket renewal process. It is common for season tickets to renew automatically unless the ticketholder cancels their ticket, or unless the team revokes it for any reason. Season ticketholders can sometimes change their seat location between seasons, but this is subject to availability.
NFL Season Ticket Waiting Lists
Many NFL teams run waiting lists for season tickets when demand exceeds supply. Some fans stay on waiting lists for several decades! The Green Bay Packers are famous for their long list, with fans waiting an average of 30 years to get a chance to purchase season tickets. Packers fans have been known to add their newborn babies to the list, in the hopes of securing their children a seat as early as possible.
3 Tips for Purchasing NFL Season Tickets
Researching Team Policies and Offerings
Any NFL fan considering a season ticket purchase should consult their team’s specific policies and perks, as there is variation between teams. Every franchise has its own official website where they should explain the season ticket process and the benefits that are included. The teams with active waiting lists for season tickets will also provide information about average wait times and how to join their list.
Budgeting and Planning for Season Ticket Expenses
NFL season tickets are a significant expense, and fans may need to plan ahead to afford the commitment. Many teams offer payment schemes, so it may be possible to spread the cost of the ticket over a longer period and pay in smaller increments. Some teams use Personal Seat Licenses, which are one-off payments that must be made before a fan is eligible to buy a season ticket
Joining Waiting Lists and Early Access Programs
Each NFL team with an active season ticket waiting list will operate their list slightly differently. This means it is very important for fans to check the official team website for up-to-date information on waiting times, ticket prices, and the process for joining a list or for purchasing a ticket when their spot on the list is reached.
FAQs
How many games are included in NFL season tickets?
NFL season tickets typically include all regular season home games, plus preseason home games. This equates to 10 games. If a team is scheduled to play one of its “home” games abroad as part of the NFL International Games, fans may be able to purchase cheaper season tickets that only cover the 9 games played at the home stadium.
Do season ticket holders get playoff tickets?
Season ticketholders are often given the opportunity to add playoff tickets to their ticket package. Fans may be required to pay a holding fee to secure playoff tickets, with the fee returned if the team does not end up hosting a home playoff game. Season ticketholders usually get early access to ticket releases, increasing their chances of securing playoff tickets.
What happens if a game is canceled or rescheduled?
Season tickets cover all home games held at the team’s usual stadium. If a game is rescheduled, it should still be covered by the season ticket. Policies may be different if a game is moved to a different venue, so fans are encouraged to check their team’s guarantees for unforeseen schedule changes. If a game is cancelled, the season ticket price may be reduced by the average cost of a single game, in the same process used for teams hosting “home” games outside the US.
What is the duration of the 2023 NFL season?
The NFL regular season runs for 18 weeks. In the 2023/24 season, games begin on 7 September 2023. The final games of the regular season are scheduled for 6 and 7 January 2024. Playoffs begin on 13 January 2024 and conclude with Super Bowl LVIII on 11 February 2024.