LAST UPDATED ON NOV. 17, 2024 AT 9:31 AM | 4 MINUTE READ
When is the best time to buy NFL tickets?
What we’ll try to determine here is if there really is a good time and a bad time to buy NFL tickets.
Additionally, we’ll talk about other factors that influence ticket prices, and what to do if you don’t feel like waiting it out.
The best time to buy NFL tickets for…
Is (for) after Week 1, generally speaking.
That is, opening week games are typically the most expensive. In fact, since the 2021 season,
the average Week 1 ticket is 25% more than for weeks 2 through 18.
Inasmuch as the first game of the regular season is a culmination of months of hype and
buildup, this is to be expected. Therefore, if you can resist the urge, you can save a bundle by
forgoing opening week games.
The later, the better cheaper
As a general rule of thumb, the overall prices of games from weeks 2 through 5 are cheaper
than for Week 1. Then weeks 6 – 9 are even less expensive, and so on.
By and large, the later in the season it gets, the more you can save on NFL tickets.
Indeed, the further you get into the season, the more dramatic the price difference. From 2021 –
2024, the cumulative price of tickets for weeks 2 through 5 is $31 (14%) less than for Week 1.
By the time you get to the last 5 games of the season, prices are $67 (33%) cheaper on
average.
| 4-year average (2021-2024) | Price | Difference (%) |
|---|---|---|
| Week 1 | $204 | —— |
| Weeks 2-5 | $173 | -14.3% |
| Weeks 6-9 | $156 | -22.9% |
| Weeks 10-13 | $150 | -26.1% |
| Weeks 14-18 | $137 | -32.5% |
Semantics, shmemantics
For the purpose of clarity, I’m going to differentiate between the phrases “The best time to buy NFL tickets for” & “The best time to buy NFL tickets”.
The former refers to the part of the schedule to target. That is, as detailed earlier, tickets for weeks 2-5 are cheaper than Week 1, weeks 6-9 are even less expensive, etc. The latter, of course, refers to the actual date of purchase.
In other words, you can buy tickets for Week 1 or for Week 17, and you can buy for either week in August or for Week 17 in November. Notably, buying for Week 17 in November is cheaper than if you bought for that week’s game in August. In any scenario, it’s usually the later, the better.
Of course, there are, and always will be, exceptions. Case in point: The 2024 Washington Commanders. Here you have a team that’s averaged 5.8 wins over the last 5 seasons, and suddenly they’re in 2nd place with a 7-4 record. And ticket prices have risen accordingly. Back in August, the median cheapest available ticket for the Week 12 game vs. Dallas was $154.50. As of this writing – one week before the game – prices have gone up nearly 26%.
In any event – the above example notwithstanding…
The best time to buy NFL tickets
Frankly, this all depends upon your willingness to wait.
Namely, NFL tickets purchased a month or more in advance are generally 30% more, when compared to the day of the game.
Furthermore, buying within a week of game day will save you 18-20% compared to one month prior. The typical exception to this is Week 1 games.
[Editor’s note: the third item in the infographic really doesn’t apply anymore since most tickets are now digital]
“The best time to buy NFL tickets is within 1 week of the game“
Here is an interesting study by a Raiders fan on when’s the best time to buy tickets. In this article, the progression of Raiders ticket prices for selected games are chronicled, ranging from hours to months before the game. Part of the data seems to confirm the 1-week theory. It also suggests that “Thursdays are where the real sweet spot begins.”
The Best Place to Buy NFL Tickets for Each Team
Conclusion
- The best time to buy NFL tickets is generally within a week of the game.
- If you can, avoid buying NFL tickets prior to the start of the regular season.
- Ticket prices usually get cheaper as the season progresses.
- The average ticket price for the final 5 games of the regular season is 33% less expensive than for Week 1.