As Americans have steadily adjusted to inflated prices across the economy, many have felt that there are certain sectors where prices are outpacing what they are willing to pay. One major example? The NFL, where the cost of attendance is soaring even farther out of reach for families.
As entertainment sectors experience what some analysts call “funflation,” it’s never been more expensive to have fun. But are the rising costs of NFL attendance simply a reflection of the economy as a whole, or are they truly increasing faster than inflation overall?
Our research team decided to find out by analyzing price data for costs associated with NFL game attendance over the last decade. We collected data on non-premium and premium ticket costs, as well as popular concessions like beer, soft drinks, and hot dogs, in order to capture the true price tag attached to a quality NFL experience. How do these prices compare to true inflation?
Key Findings
- NFL attendance costs have risen at 142% of the rate of inflation since 2015
- The average cost of attending an NFL game increased by 44% from 2015 to 2024, which significantly outpaces general inflation of 31% during the same period
- NFL teams who have most increased the overall price of attendance include Las Vegas Raiders (+129%), Cleveland Browns (+112%), and Tampa Bay Buccaneers (+88%)
- Both non-premium and premium NFL ticket prices have seen substantial increases: non-premium seats have gone up by 49%, while premium seats have increased by 47%
- Over the decade, the price gap between general and premium tickets has continued to widen, indicating a growing disparity in the cost of different fan experiences
NFL Price Increases Have Outpaced Inflation
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the Consumer Price Index (a measure of the cost of consumer goods and services) has increased by 31% since 2015. This means what cost $100 in 2015 costs $131 today. While an inflation rate of about 2% per year is normal, consumers have felt the majority of this shift in recent years, as prices have inflated 23% since 2019.
If we narrow in on NFL costs, prices have increased 44% over the same time frame. This means that NFL attendance costs have risen at 142% of the rate of inflation, and NFL cost increases have outpaced inflation significantly.
We arrived at this conclusion by combining the cost of two non-premium tickets, two hot dogs, 1 small soft drink, and 1 beer to capture the price of a typical game attendance.
Organized by team, price increases are even more stark. Take, for example, the 76% increase in cost of attendance for Jaguars fans. Are the promises of the Stadium of the Future enough for fans to justify their sticker shock?
The total cost of attending these teams games have increased the most from 2015 to 2024, outpacing inflation by at least double the rate:
- Las Vegas Raiders: +129% increase in cost of attendance
- Cleveland Browns: +112% increase in cost of attendance
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers: +88% increase in cost of attendance
- Kansas City Chiefs: +81% increase in cost of attendance
- Jacksonville Jaguars: +76% increase in cost of attendance
There are some teams that have bucked the trend and kept attendance relatively affordable for fans. These teams’ prices are still going up, but they are increasing at the lowest rate in the league:
- New York Jets: +5% increase in cost of attendance
- Dallas Cowboys: +8% increase in cost of attendance
- New York Giants: +14% increase in cost of attendance
- Baltimore Ravens: +15% increase in cost of attendance
- New England Patriots: +18% increase in cost of attendance
In the table below, you’ll find the full breakdown of NFL game attendance cost increases from 2015 to 2024, broken down by team.
Non-Premium Seats Have Never Been More Expensive
The total cost of NFL attendance has soared, but even if fans just want to buy tickets (and no food or merchandise), the data suggests that they’ll still have to break the bank.
Non-premium NFL ticket prices have skyrocketed over the last decade, increasing 49% since 2015, at a rate of 158% higher than inflation.
League-wide, non-premium seats have generally become unaffordable, but prices are particularly out of reach for the fans of particular teams.
The cost of non-premium seats for these teams’ games have increased the most from 2015 to 2024, outpacing inflation by at least triple the rate:
- Las Vegas Raiders: +161% increase in non-premium ticket prices
- Cleveland Browns: +125% increase in non-premium ticket prices
- Kansas City Chiefs: +96% increase in non-premium ticket prices
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers: +96%increase in non-premium ticket prices
The teams highlighted have experienced recent relocation (such as the Raiders’ move from Oakland), employ particularly well-paid players (such as Deshaun Watson’s $230 million contract with the Browns), or have such Super Bowl fervor behind them (like the Chiefs or the Buccaneers) that demand is through the roof.
The result? It’s likely that they are passing the costs down directly to their fans.
What’s more: price gaps between non-premium and premium seats continue to widen across the league.
In 2015, the difference between the average general ticket cost ($84.11) and the average premium ticket cost ($259.11) was $175.00. Compare that to 2024, where the difference between the average general ticket cost ($120.94) and the average premium ticket cost ($357.92) was $236.98.
Reference the table below to compare general and premium ticket cost increases, in 2015 and 2024, for each team in the NFL.
Over the past decade, the price of attending an NFL game has grown at a rate that significantly outpaces inflation, putting a strain on families and casual fans who might have otherwise enjoyed a Sunday at the stadium.
Why all the price hikes? We can only guess, but as player salaries soar, stadiums undergo multi-hundred million dollar upgrades, and broadcasting rights become increasingly expensive, these costs are inevitably passed down to fans.
While die-hard fans might continue to fill the stands, many may turn to more affordable alternatives like streaming. The increasing gap between non-premium and premium ticket prices further highlights a growing divide in the NFL fan experience.
Ultimately, the NFL faces a crossroads: maintain current pricing strategies and potentially lose touch with a significant portion of its fans, or seek new ways to make attending a game more accessible for all.
Methodology
To conduct this research, we organized NFL cost data from Team Marketing Report’s Fan Cost Index from the last decade. We combined the cost of two non-premium tickets, two hot dogs, 1 small soft drink, and 1 beer to capture the price of a typical game attendance. We also collected premium ticket costs.
Inflation rates are based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ CPI Inflation Calculator. Buying power rates were compared between December 2015 and December 2024. Rates were collected in September 2024.
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