As the Super Bowl approaches, ticket prices in the secondary market for the Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles matchup are noticeably lower than last year. Although still considered high by historical standards, this decline marks a significant change from the previous season. As of Tuesday, the average ticket price at TickPick stood at $6,552. If this trend continues, it would rank as their third highest for a Super Bowl. In contrast, last year's game had an average price of $9,136, largely due to increased fan excitement surrounding the Chiefs and San Francisco 49ers game.
Remarkably, the only time prices topped last year’s was four years ago when the Chiefs played the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. That particular event saw an average of $7,046, with limited attendance due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
As the game draws near, ticket prices have continued to decline. Currently, the lowest price is just under $4,000, representing a 30% decrease from the initial offering post-matchup announcement. Gametime corroborates this trend, showing that last year’s prices reached a low of $8,764 shortly before the game began.
“Without the novelty of last year's Vegas setting and a fervent 49ers fan base, we are witnessing a natural market correction,” stated a representative from Gametime, implying that the adjustments in pricing are reverting to more typical levels due to lack of overwhelming fan demand.
Other platforms such as Vivid Seats and StubHub have also reported tickets fetching less than $4,000. According to Brett Goldberg, the co-CEO of TickPick, several factors contribute to this price adjustment. The previous game located in Las Vegas drew fans due to its fresh appeal and proximity to major attractions and travel hubs, including easy access from one of the busiest airports in the country.
Switching the locus to New Orleans offers a stark contrast. With fewer accommodations — roughly 26,000 hotel rooms in the city center — and premium pricing on home rentals, attending the game poses logistical challenges. Finding a hotel at this point is incredibly difficult, Goldberg noted, highlighting the impact of limited accommodation options.
Additionally, the matchup itself influences ticket demand. This year's game marks the third consecutive Super Bowl appearance for the Chiefs and the second in three years for the Eagles. Goldberg mentioned that if alternative teams, such as the Buffalo Bills, had qualified, there might have been a different interest dynamic.
“Some Chiefs fans have attended multiple times already, while Eagles supporters are perhaps feeling a bit too familiar with the experience, having been in a Super Bowl not long ago,” said Goldberg. He added that the prospect of incurring expenses upwards of $10,000 for two attendees could deter some fans who have previously attended.
The recent tragic event on Bourbon Street in New Orleans, where a motorist killed 14 people, does not seem to have significantly affected ticket prices according to Goldberg. New Orleans, a city familiar with hosting high-stakes events, is set to welcome its 11th Super Bowl. However, as familiarity grows, so does routine, something even Las Vegas might encounter as its allure gradually normalizes.
