Photo Credit: USA Today
For the second straight year, the NFL Draft will be held at Chicago’s Auditorium Theater. The future stars of the NFL will be drafted and some will be expected to make an immediate impact. At the top of the draft, the Los Angeles Rams and Philadelphia Eagles are expected to draft quarterbacks, Jared Goff and Carson Wentz. Other expected Top 10 picks include Florida State’s Jalen Ramsey, Ohio State’s Joey Bosa and Ezekiel Elliott, Notre Dame’s Ronnie Stanley, and UCLA’s Myles Jack. Fans traveling to the Auditorium Theater can find great travel deals on Hipmunk. On Hipmunk, flights to Chicago, from New York, start at $261.
While the draft process itself is exciting, attending regular season games is the favorite activity for most fans. Due to the limited number of regular season home games, ticket prices on the secondary market tend to fluctuate based on opponent. Five of the most expensive regular season games, sorted from highest secondary market ticket price to lowest ticket price, are presented below.
9/18/2016 Seattle Seahawks at Los Angeles Rams | Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum | Get-in: $560
The Los Angeles Rams will play their first official home game on Sunday, September 18th against the Seattle Seahawks. Over the last few seasons, NFC West games have turned into physical, low scoring battles between dominant defenses. Expect another hard-hitting battle between these two teams as the Rams seek their third straight home victory over the Seahawks. Given the Rams relocation to Los Angeles, fans are eagerly anticipating and paying premiums for tickets. Since this is the home opener in Los Angeles, tickets are priced at season-high premiums. Seahawks vs. Rams tickets start at $560, which is the highest get-in ticket price this season.
11/13/2016 Dallas Cowboys at Pittsburgh Steelers | Heinz Field | Get-in: $413
While the Rams are the league’s new team in Los Angeles, games that feature original teams spark interest on the secondary ticket market. The Dallas Cowboys and Pittsburgh Steelers have a rivalry that dates back to the 1950s. These two teams have played 28 times during the regular season and have met in three Super Bowls. Based on history alone, ticket prices for this match-up exceed all other regular season games for both teams. Cowboys vs. Steelers tickets start at $413, which is Pittsburgh’s highest get-in ticket price at home this season.
12/18/2016 New England Patriots at Denver Broncos | Sports Authority Field | Get-in: $358
A rematch of last year’s AFC Championship game will not feature one of its featured stars, Peyton Manning, but expect a hard-hitting game between these two teams. In last year’s AFC Championship, Denver’s defense hit Tom Brady 20 times to earn a Super Bowl berth.. Historically, Brady has not played well in Denver, but these two teams normally produce classic games. Patriots vs. Broncos tickets start at $358, which is Denver’s highest get-in ticket price this season. Hotels in Denver on Hipmunk start at $143 for this game, which may have playoff implications.
11/13/2016 Seattle Seahawks at New England Patriots | Gillette Stadium | Get-in: $345
The Seattle Seahawks will travel to Gillette Stadium to face the New England Patriots in a Super Bowl 49 rematch. Super Bowl 49 was one of the best Super Bowls in recent memory, so expect an emotional battle between these two teams. Seahawks vs. Patriots tickets start at $345, which is New England’s most expensive get-in ticket price at home this season.
9/8/2016 Carolina Panthers at Denver Broncos | Sports Authority Field | Get-in: $316
A rematch of last year’s Super Bowl will take place when the Carolina Panthers travel to Denver in Week 1 to face the reigning Super Bowl champion Broncos. Denver embarrassed Cam Newton and Co. in Super Bowl 50 by unleashing a fierce pass rush. Super Bowl MVP Von Miller was all over Newton and registered 2.5 sacks and two forced fumbles. Panthers vs. Broncos tickets start at $316, which is Denver’s second most expensive get-in ticket price this season.
