Last weekend, March Madness went completely mad. For the first time in NCAA tournament history, a No. 16 seed defeated a No. 1. That was on top of two wins by 13-seeds and another two by 11-seeds. While Virginia fans around the country are down in the dumps, ticket prices, for what is shaping up to a wild 2018, are historically high.
The current [average] asking price for a ticket to one of the four NCAA Regional rounds is $433, making it the second most expensive set of Regional round tickets in the past decade. This is second to the $465 average in 2017, according to data from TicketIQ, a secondary marketplace with data from hundreds of secondary sites including the official NCAA ticket exchange. Tickets for all four regionals–Atlanta (South), Boston (East), Los Angeles (West) and Omaha (Midwest)–are available from PrimeSport, the Official Ticket & Hospitality Provider of the NCAA, and manager of the NCAA’s Official Ticket Exchange, where fans can buy and sell tickets for any round. The below is an overview of each region as well the cheapest and most expensive ways to get to San Antonio.
East Regional, Boston: Average Price $338; Cheapest Ticket $177
The get-in price on the secondary market for the East Regional is up $22 from the weekend and trails only the Midwest Regional ($210) just to get in the building. Boston’s TD Garden hasn’t hosted a regional since 2012 and Villanova, the No. 1 seed is just an easy drive up I-95. Those factors combined are likely driving up the get-in price.
Midwest Regional, Omaha: Average Price $631; Cheapest Ticket $210
One of only two brackets with both the No. 1 (Kansas) and No. 2 (Duke) seeds still playing, Midwest Regional teams have won a total of four national championships since 2003 – Duke has won two, Kansas one and Syracuse, upset winners in the first and second rounds, last won in 2003. Inventory for this region is the lowest of the four, with less than 800 tickets remaining as of Sunday, which means prices could rise.
South Regional, Atlanta: Average Price: $326; Cheapest Ticket: $119
In the South Region, the highest seed still remaining is No. 5 Kentucky, after Virginia became the first No. 1 seed in tournament history to be knocked off by a No. 16 seed. UMBC beat the Cavaliers on Friday. Kentucky, an eight-time national champion, is within driving distance to Atlanta, which could drive up prices. In any event, all the upsets make the bracket hard to predict.
West Regional, Los Angeles: Average Price $434; Cheapest Ticket $130
The only bracket to have even three of the top four seeds remaining, the LA Regional is hosting one of only two remaining West Coast teams – the No. 4 Gonzaga Bulldogs. Coming off an appearance in the national final last year, much of the West Coast adopts the Zags during tournament time and diehard fans need only catch a short flight to get to Staples Center. But don’t discount Michigan fans, when it comes to travel.
Final Four, San Antonio: Average Price $804; Cheapest Ticket $194
Championship Game, San Antonio: Average Price $627; Cheapest Ticket $182
For fans looking to make their trip to San Antonio even more memorable, PrimeSport is also offering a range of VIP Experiences, that allow fans the opportunity to see all three games, along with great food and drinks at the Official NCAA Experience.
Pregame NCAA VIP Experience at the San Antonio Convention Center, a 10-minute walk to the Alamodome. The event will have live music, celebrity appearances by Seth Davis and former Spur Sean Elliott. For the game itself, these VIP packages also come with Open Bar, Food Station and section in either 201-204 & 242-244, or sections 111-113. These VIP Experience tickets start from $528 on PrimeSport.com, and the VIP Experience will be open on Saturday, March 31 from 12:30 p.m.-3:30 p.m. and Monday, April 2 from 3:30 p.m.-6:30 p.m.
If that’s not VIP enough, the Courtside Club package puts fans in the 23rd row of section 113 or 111 at center court, from $2,100. In addition, to open bar and endless food, it also comes with with a “Chalk Talk” with yet-to-be-named NCAA coaches, and even time for some selfies with the Final Four trophy. Perhaps most impressive, PrimeSport packages are actually less expensive than the same ticket on StubHub, without any of the food or access.
For companies that are looking to go to the next level, PrimeSport also has private suites available that can include a behind-the-scenes tour, an on-court photo, front-row seating at practice and even a locker room tour. Regardless of who has their One Shining moment on the court, that would be a Final Four for the ages.
