The Most Expensive Tickets 2010
With the college football season upon us, it's time to look at the most coveted games. Rivalries and powerhouse matchups dominate the most sought-after tickets, but which games will cost you the most to attend?
To answer this question, FanSnap.com, an online ticket search engine, organized the ticket prices for games based on highest average asking price on the secondary market, culled from more than 60 ticketing web sites.
Ticket values are as of 9/2/10 and are based on current asking prices from sellers in a secondary marketplace, which may not equate to ticket face values and will fluctuate depending on demand.
So, where will fans be paying the most for their seats this year? Click ahead to find out!
By Darren Rovell& Paul Toscano
Posted 3 Sept 2010
10. Miami (FL) @ Ohio State
Average ticket price: $374
Starting price: $155
Game date: 9/11/10
The game between the Miami Hurricanes and Ohio State Buckeyes will see two top-ranked teams meeting early in the season. This early season matchup gives Miami - a top 15 team - a chance to prove they are for real. Ohio State will also be looking for an early season win on their home turf that could take the team to the top of the rankings.
9. Penn State @ Ohio State
Average ticket price: $375
Starting price: $132
Game date: 11/13/10
The new rivalry between the Nittany Lions and the Buckeyes is heating up as some speculate this game could be a preview of the Big Ten Championship. Although as little as $132 can get you in the door, on average, tickets to this game are selling for $375 on the secondary market.
8. Alabama @ LSU
Average ticket price: $401
Starting price: $320
Game date: 11/6/10
In 2007, Alabama hired former LSU head coach Nick Saban after his short stint with the Miami Dolphins, stoking a rivalry that has been heating up in recent years. The rivalry has become so well known that when the teams meet, the game has been called “The Saban Bowl”.
Christian Anderson from FanSnap.com describes LSU’s fans as “one of the most rabid fan bases in the country,” highlighting LSU’s potential to knock Alabama from it’s top spot in the rankings. Playing on LSU’s home turf, on average tickets for these rabid fans are going for $401.
7. Florida @ Alabama
Average ticket price: $440
Starting price: $231
Game date: 10/2/10
When the Gators and Crimson Tide meet up in early October, two SEC powerhouses square off in a game that could shake up the top rankings. In the past four years, the SEC champion has gone on to with the BCS, and to see these two teams meet in the SEC championship would require no great stretch of the imagination. For fans looking to see this big game, it’ll cost, on average, $440.
6. Florida @ Georgia
Average ticket price: $460
Starting price: $165
Game date: 10/30/10
Held every year since 1915, the annual Florida vs Georgia Football Classic will be one of the most expensive college football games to attend this year, with an average ticket going for $460 in the secondary market.
Aside from attending the game, tailgating and other events have been dubbed the “World’s Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party,” and is one of the last remaining neutral-site rivalries remaining, the teams will compete for the Okefenokee Oarin Jacksonville, Florida on October 30th.
5. Auburn @ Alabama
Average ticket price: $471
Starting price: $192
Game date: 11/26/10
To see the Tigers and Crimson Tide square off in the “Iron Bowl” on the Friday after Thanksgiving, you can expect to pay an average of $471 for tickets. Alabama has prevailed over its biggest rival in their past two meetings, and their top rankings will have Auburn looking to take revenge. Even the lowest-priced tickets for this match are rather pricey, at $192, according to FanSnap.com.
4. Oklahoma @ Texas
Average ticket price: $482
Starting price: $289
Game date: 10/2/10
With over 100 games played between these two teams and a rivalry dating back to 1900, fans trying to see the Sooners face off against the Longhorns will have to fork over a good chunk of change
The Red River Rivalry heats up as both teams kick off the 2010 season ranked in the BCS top 10... just another reason why the average ticket price for this game is $482 while the cheapest tickets hover around $289.
3. Michigan @ Ohio State
Average ticket price: $519
Starting price: $180
Game date: 11/27/10
The Michigan-Ohio State rivalry, also called “The Game”, has attracted great interest in the past few decades, as the contest has determined the Big Ten Conference title and Rose Bowl matchups.
According to FanSnap.com, a ticket’s average going price for the November 27 game is $519, although tickets start as low as $180.
2. Penn State @ Alabama
Average ticket price: $524
Starting price: $220
Game date: 9/11/10
Alabama is the top team in the country, while Penn State is considered one of the best teams when playing on the road. Although the game i s in Tuscaloosa, expect Penn State fans to show up in droves, cheering on Joe Paterno as he approaches the 400 win mark. To buy tickets on the secondary market, fans can expect to shell out $524 on average.
1. Army @ Notre Dame
Average ticket price: $583
Starting price: $219
Game date: 11/20/10
The most expensive game in college football for 2010 is the Army vs Notre Dame match on November 20th. The historic rivalry between the two teams dates back to 1913 and spans over 50 games, although the teams have played infrequently in recent years. The famous “win one for the Gipper” game was in 1928 when Notre Dame upset Army.
The historic rivalry also featured games in Yankee Stadium in its early years, and as an homage to the games of the early 20th century and this year’s game is also historic, as it will be the first football game ever played in the new Yankee Stadium. The venue, history and long-time rivalry between the teams is a big reason why secondary market ticket prices are up at an average of $583 each.