Patriots vs Steelers AFC Championship Tickets Are Most Expensive Since At Least 2010

January 16, 2017

tom brady
The New England Patriots will meet the Pittsburgh Steelers in the AFC Championship Game on Sunday, January 23rd at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Massachusetts. This will be New England’s sixth straight AFC Championship game appearance while Pittsburgh will be playing in its first AFC Championship game since the 2010 season. Given New England’s stretch of consecutive appearances in the AFC Championship Games, some may argue that fans would tire of going to these games.

Tickets trends would beg to differ. According to TicketIQ.com, which tracks 90% of the secondary ticket market, Sunday’s match-up is the most expensive AFC Championship Game in the last decade, both in terms of average ticket price ($757) and get-in ticket price ($366). Compared to the NFC Championship Game, which will feature the Green Bay Packers and Atlanta Falcons, the ticket price for the AFC Championship Game is slightly less than the average ticket price for the NFC Championship game ($777), but AFC fans have fewer ticket options.

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Compared to New England’s last home game in the AFC Championship Game, which occurred in January 2015 against Indianapolis, ticket prices for the 2017 AFC Championship Game are 28 percent more expensive. Granted, New England will be facing Pittsburgh, one of the most popular franchises in sports, rather than the Indianapolis Colts, who were completely overmatched by New England. Pittsburgh also boasts one of the most loyal fanbases in sports, a fan base that braved frigid temperatures on Sunday night in Kansas City. Travel and weather conditions will be much better for Pittsburgh fans this weekend. Fans can travel by either taking a 9-hour drive to Foxboro or by securing a 1.5 hour, non-stop flight on Priceline.com, which can be purchased for $150. Given multiple enticing travel options, expect to see numerous Terrible Towels at Gillette Stadium this weekend.

Fans that want to secure game tickets should act quickly. According to TicketIQ.com, there are approximately 2,100 tickets available, which is roughly three percent of Gillette Stadium’s capacity. Of those available tickets, the majority are located in the 300-level while there is limited seating available on field-level. Compared to the NFC Championship Game, which has over 10,000 tickets available, tickets options for the AFC Championship Game are limited. Expect an emotional game between two of the NFL’s proudest franchises with a trip to the Super Bowl on the line. The winning fanbase will have plenty of Super Bowl ticket buying options, but prices will not be as friendly as this upcoming game.