The Priciest NBA Tickets
This past off-season, thanks to Lebron James’ move to the Miami Heat, the league sold an estimated $170 million in new season ticket sales.
But for die-hard fans without season tickets, the secondary market - composed of individual buyers and sellers - is the only place to score a seat for some of the most highly-coveted and most expensive games.
To get an idea of which seats are the most expensive in the NBA, ticket search engine FanSnap.comgenerated the top 10 average listing prices by game. Ticket values are as of 10/21/10 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 are fans paying the most for their seats this season? Click ahead to find out!
By Darren Rovell
Posted 22 Oct 2010
10. Oklahoma City Thunder @ Los Angeles Lakers
Average ticket price: $287
Game date: 1/17/11
With Kevin Durant on the Oklahoma roster, this team may be the second most exciting to watch in the league. Will Durant's scoring prowess in the World Basketball Championship carry over into the NBA regular season? Find out in LA.
9. Miami Heat @ New York Knicks
Average ticket price: $288
Game date: 1/27/11
This past summer, word that Lebron James' "Decision" could be New York caused Cablevision stock to rise. Knick fans were disappointed when they didn't get him, but are willing to pay top dollar to see Lebron and the gang. But then again, $288 is only about $80 higher than the season long average Knicks ticket price (on the secondary market) of $202.
8. Denver Nuggets @ Los Angeles Lakers
Average ticket price: $296
Game date:4/3/11
Carmelo Anthony is still on the Denver Nuggets, for now. Depending on if Anthony gets traded, this game could easily drop out of the top 10. If Melo stays, his match-up vs. Kobe is a showcase of two of the best pure scorers.
7. Orlando Magic @ Los Angeles Lakers
Average ticket price: $306
Game date: 3/14/11
A big time East vs. West match-up, Kobe Bryant and the gang will be fired up to take on the Magic deep into the regular season. This game could have some impact on the make up of the playoffs, as well. Superman, a.k.a. Dwight Howard, will face the tough, physical front court of the Lakers.
6. Miami Heat @ Houston Rockets
Average ticket price: $309
Game date: 12/29/10
Houston is ready and waiting for the arrival of the LeBron & Co, only a few days after Miami’s Christmas Day match-up with the Lakers. The Heat will most likely be playing out one of two story lines: Back to back wins legitimize the team, or back to back losses that bring the harshest of criticism.
5. Los Angeles Lakers @ Los Angeles Clippers
Average ticket price: $313
Game date: 1/16/11
Tickets to see NBA hoops in the Staples Center are hot enough as it is. When the L.A. teams play each other, the whole city wants tickets. The Lakers season long average ticket price (on the secondary market) is the highest in the NBA at $325; the Clippers are 4th highest with an average price of $221. That puts Clippers tickets above Celtics and Magic tickets.
4. Los Angeles Lakers @ Boston Celtics
Average ticket price: $316
Game date: 2/10/11
Boston fans will want revenge on the Lakers after suffering a defeat in Game 7 of the finals last year. Shaq and KG versus Gasol and Bynum is going to be a battle in the trenches, as well. It's easily the biggest rivalry in the NBA, and Bostonians will be out in force.
3. Miami Heat @ Boston Celtics
Average ticket price: $396
Game date: 10/26/10
The opening game of the 2011 NBA season is bound to drive up ticket prices, especially when it’s between two prime contenders in the East. Think of the star-power on the court: Shaq, Pierce, Rondo, Allen vs. James, Bosh and Wade. It's the first appearance of the new trio down in South Beach, and they'll be looking to prove themselves against a Celtics team that already has a championship ring.
2. Boston Celtics @ Los Angeles Lakers
Average ticket price: $615
Game date: 1/30/11
Two of the most storied franchises in NBA history meet for the first time since last season's NBA Finals. The Staples Center will be packed to see the Lakers take on the Celtics and the return of the newly-dubbed Big Shamrock , a.k.a. Shaquille O'Neal, and if you don’t already have a ticket, it’ll cost an average of $615 to get in the door.
1. Miami Heat @ Los Angeles Lakers
Average ticket price: $893
Game date: 12/25/10
Clearly, all fans want some Lakers tickets for Christmas. The two greatest players of this era (Lebron and Kobe) play against each other. Seeing the new triumvirate in Miami travel to LA for a potential preview of the NBA Finals makes the Heat and Lakers Christmas day game the highest priced of the season.