Saving for a down payment? You could sit courtside at the NBA Finals instead (2024)

A day before the first NBA Finals game in Denver, the price for the cheapest tickets to the NBA Finals at Ball Arena, sitting upstairs in the 300 level, start at about $550, down a bit from last week.

A review Wednesday of prices on Ticketmaster starts at $568 for a seat and climbs to just below $40,000 for the opening game, at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, against the Miami Heat, the Eastern Conference champion.

Want to sit courtside? A seat in the corner has an asking price of $39,000. A couple of first-row seats closer to center court were priced at about $29,000. But there were some courtside seats that cost as low as $10,000.

Upstairs seats in the 300 level of the arena for Game 1 start above $500 and climb to above $1,000. Seats in the 200 and 100 levels start, for the most part, above $1,000 and work up. Wednesday on the Ticketmaster site a pair of 100-level tickets — verified resale — stood out at $995 each. One other 100-level ticket was offered at $999.

There are plenty of seats available, including standard admission tickets, if fans are willing to pay the price. A standard admission ticket for Game 1 in section 104, row 13, along the baseline, was offered at $1,795. Mid-court first-level tickets, typically, start above $2,000 and climb. A standard ticket in section 124, row 10, was priced at $2,750.

Game 2 tickets are more expensive, with a baseline courtside seat priced at a whopping $45,000. The cheapest seats for Game 2, on Sunday, start at about $650, about $100 more than Game 1.

While Ticketmaster is the NBA’s official ticketing partner, Box Office Ticket Sales also offered Finals tickets on Wednesday with 300-level tickets starting in the mid-$600s. The site, a “resale marketplace,” had 38 tickets for sale in section 122 starting at $1,805. All sales are final.

Entry-level prices are down a bit from last week. On May 23 the lowest-priced ticket to get into the arena was $750. Interested fans are advised to shop around on trusted resale sites to find their best option. The clock is ticking, however, and time to snag a championship ticket is quickly approaching for Game 1. Game 2 of the best-of-seven series is at 6 p.m. Sunday in Denver.

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Saving for a down payment? You could sit courtside at the NBA Finals instead (2024)

FAQs

Who can afford courtside tickets? ›

Exclusivity. Sitting courtside evokes feelings of prestige and luxury due to their exclusive nature. Most courtside tickets are reserved for season ticket holders, billionaire CEOs and A-list celebrities, leaving few available for public purchase.

How much do NBA Finals tickets cost? ›

The average price across the series goes for $4,150, putting it only behind the 2022 NBA Finals between the Celtics and Golden State Warriors, which averaged $3,241 on the secondary market over the series, and the $3,899 average price in the 2019 series between the Warriors and the Toronto Raptors.

Do celebrities pay for courtside seats? ›

Do celebrities pay for NBA courtside tickets? Yes and no. There are a variety of ways A-listers can snag courtside seats and some methods don't include opening their wallets. Goodman explained that celebrities can leverage their connections to get tickets through team owners.

Are courtside seats worth it? ›

The best seats at a basketball game are courtside. But, as we said in our guide to choosing the top seats at an NHL game, oftentimes bagging the best view might not be equal to having the optimal experience. It all depends on what's important to you. Are you going alone to cheer on your favorite team?

Do courtside seats get free drinks? ›

"Most times courtside seating does come with food and alcohol," Goodman said. "Typically there's a VIP entrance to get into the building, so you don't have to wait in line and can come in with a complete VIP experience, whether it's a Crypto.com or Ball Arena.

How much do Finals courtside tickets cost? ›

A review yesterday of prices on Ticketmaster shows the price “starts at $568 for a seat and climbs to just below $40,000 for the opening game.” Some courtside seats “cost as low as $10,000.” Upstairs seats in the 300 level of the arena for Game 1 “start above $500 and climb to above $1,000.” Seats in the 200 and 100 ...

Do NBA players get free tickets for family? ›

Each player has a particular allocation of tickets for every game, which they can distribute to their loved ones, friends, or charities. These complimentary tickets are considered part of the player's overall compensation package and are a valuable benefit for the players and their families.

What is the cheapest NBA team? ›

New Orleans Pelicans have the smallest market size, valued at $158 million in 2021. OKC, Indiana Pacers, and Charlotte Hornets complete the list of teams with the smallest market size value in the NBA.

How much do Lakers courtside tickets cost? ›

Los Angeles Lakers courtside tickets have been known to command significant prices. In the past, these coveted seats have seen season passes costing well over $200,000, and individual courtside tickets easily costing $3,000 or more.

What are the rules for sitting courtside? ›

The Do's, don'ts and unspoken rules of sitting courtside:
  • Don't verbally abuse players, coaches or refs. You could be ejected from the game.
  • Do get fired up. ...
  • Don't go on the court. ...
  • Do pay attention. ...
  • Don't fight or throw objects. ...
  • Do be mindful of your drink. ...
  • Don't touch the ball.
Jun 6, 2019

How much do floor seats cost at the NBA Playoffs? ›

Mid-court first-level tickets, typically, start above $2,000 and climb. A standard ticket in section 124, row 10, was priced at $2,750. Game 2 tickets are more expensive, with a baseline courtside seat priced at a whopping $45,000.

What are the most expensive courtside seats? ›

The Price of Vision: The NBA's highest paid coaches

For perspective, Courtside seats for Game Four of last season's finals between the Miami Heat and Denver Nuggets at the Heat's Kaseya Center were priced between $27,795 and $46,326 per ticket, making them the most expensive in NBA history.

Do NBA players get free courtside tickets? ›

Players are prohibited from selling the tickets, and if caught, they won't receive any more. The players are taxed on the ticket they receive as a fringe benefit. They also cannot give them to players on other teams, nor can teams provide free tickets to players on other teams.

How do people get courtside seats? ›

If you are wondering how to get courtside NBA tickets, there are two approaches: primary and secondary. Single-game tickets may be available through the team's ticket office, which would be the primary option. The ticket office should be able to discuss availability and run through the full calendar with you.

How do celebrities get front row seats? ›

There are several ways in which A-listers can secure these seats without necessarily having to pay for them. For instance, some celebrities use their connections to get tickets from team owners, coaches, or players. Others may receive complimentary tickets from NBA teams or companies sponsoring the NBA.

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