Single game tickets for Penn State football games go on sale Tuesday. And this year, some new rules will be in play. Want to see the Nittany Lions take on Nebraska? That means you have to buy the same number of tickets for Penn State’s game against Kent State. Want to welcome Michigan back to Happy Valley for the first time in several year? You’ll have to buy tickets to see Eastern Michigan too.
Having announced the above ticket packages for public ticket sales last week, Penn State took a calculated risk hoping that fans would pony up a little extra in order to see the marquee games of the season. As expected, after conducting an informal survey of almost 125 fans 48-percent stated that the ticketing change would lead to them reconsidering their plans. The remaining 52-percent were largely season ticket holders unaffected by the change. Only 10-percent answered that they would pay for either of the ticket packages and attend both games.
But how does this new sale of public tickets compare to some of the other top programs in the nation? Only two home Big Ten games are coupled with non conference meetings and the remaining home games are sold from between $70 to $140 relative to the face value price of a season ticket holder in that same section.
Penn State’s 2012 season had some of the lowest attendance numbers in the post Beaver Stadium expansion era. Even so the Nittany Lions were able to bring in enough fans every game for the fifth best attendance record in Division I football. So how do the other four schools above Penn State sell tickets? Take a look.
No. 1 Michigan: 112,252 average
Seat License: Yes
To see the Wolverines play every weekend in a non-suite, a seat donation is required ranging from $75 all the way up to $2,000 per seat. The majority of the stadium seating is priced at $600 per seat and below. After a seat license tickets are sold at a $65 face value.
Single Game Tickets: Michigan sells single game tickets in a system called “Dynamic ticketing pricing” this allows the university to adjust ticket prices upwards as demand increases and supply decreases. The earlier a fan buys the ticket the lower the price. This price can never dip below $65 and a single game can see tickets selling for five different dynamic prices based on the value of season tickets sold in that same area.
Ticket Packages: Yes
Michigan also sells tickets in packages. These packages allow for a fan to select from two non-conference games, two Big Ten games, and two games marked as “premier” games by the university. The first two selections are priced at $75 with the premier game priced at $95. These packages are sold at a set value and do not change like single game tickets. The games available to purchase through these ticket packages are selected by the university.
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No. 2 Ohio State: 105,330 average
Seat License: Yes/No
While seats do not require a donation, Ohio State sells season tickets via a lottery system each year. Making a donation of $75 or more during the lottery process essentially renews your “Sustaining Membership” to the alumni association and will make you eligible for that following year’s lottery. Ohio State also has a special program for ticket renewals for season ticket holders who have held tickets since the 1980s and beyond.
For seat selection and priority Ohio State has implemented a point system directly related to donation levels. So while each seat is not directly associated with a static figure, a fan’s chances of purchasing tickets for better seats is directly related to that fan’s donation levels and point total. A more defined explanation can be found here.
Single Game Tickets: For the 2013 football season, individual game tickets are sold for $79 each with exception of a premier game against Wisconsin where tickets will be sold for $110 a seat. This price does not include processing charges.
Ticket Packages: No
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No. 3 Alabama: 101,722 average
Seat License: Yes
Alabama sells season ticket packages that include a seat license ranging from $50 per seat to $2,200. The vast majority of the stadium can be sold for $660. Season tickets are sold at $405 for the entire package not including the price for a seat license.
Single Game Tickets: Individual game tickets are sold to the general public for varying prices between $55 and $90 depending on the game. Most major SEC games are sold for $75 whereas the annual meeting against Auburn is sold for $90 a ticket.
Ticket Packages: No
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No. 4 Texas: 100,884 average
Seat License: No
Season tickets are sold on a tier based system that matches the relative value of the ticket to the location in the stadium. The tier system in three levels ranging from $345 up to $405 not including more expensive suite packages.
Single Game Tickets: To attend single games, a tier system is also in place that values location within the stadium and opponent for that weekend. An example of ticketing prices can be viewed below.
• Individual game tickets: Tier1, Tier 2, Tier 3
Aug. 31: vs. New Mexico State (Austin): $60, $55, $45
Sept. 14: vs. Ole Miss (Austin): $85, $80, $65
Sept. 21: vs. Kansas State (Austin): $85, $80, $65
Oct. 12: vs. Oklahoma (Dallas): $110
Nov. 2: vs. Kansas (Austin): $65, $60,$55
Nov. 16: vs. Oklahoma State (Austin): $85, $80, $65
Nov. 28: vs. Texas Tech (Austin): $75, $70, $60
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Ticket Packages: No
No. 5 Penn State: 96,730 average
Seat License: Yes
Tickets are sold with a seat license set at a price value between $100 and $600 per seat not including two sections of chair-backed seats or suits. Penn State lowered some of the seat licensing prices around the stadium last year.
Single Game Tickets: Single game tickets are valued at $55 per game but are sold at a price between $70 and $140 relative to the price of a season ticket holder in that same section who had made a seat donation.
Ticket Packages: Nebraska tickets are paired with an equal number of Kent State tickets and Michigan game tickets are paired with an equal number of Eastern Michigan game tickets.
Single game tickets go on sale Tuesday, July 30 at 10:00 a.m. with tickets available at www.GoPSUsports.com/tickets. Fans can also purchase single game tickets by calling 1-800-NITTANY.
