We looked for the cheapest available tickets and break down how much you’ll have to shell out if you want to go.
SAN ANTONIO — Fans from across the country will be flocking to San Antonio this week for the Final Four, turning it into the epicenter of the college hoops world and turning tickets into a valuable commodity.
Unsurprisingly, tickets to the three games at the Alamodome – starting with Saturday’s semifinals between Duke, Houston, Auburn and Florida – are in high demand. But you don’t have to empty your wallet to get that up-close view of the action.
They say the best and most inexpensive seats are on the comfort of your couch, but what if you really want to see the games in person?
“I’m kind of lucky. I’ve always been invited, so I haven’t paid,” said Sandi Wise, who loves basketball.
How much would she pay to watch a Final Four game at the Alamodome? Her answer might surprise you for one of the premiere events in North American sports…
“I wouldn’t pay over $100,” she says. “Plus the parking. Plus, you’ve got to have a beverage.”
We got to work to see what kind of deal we could get online.
First, we headed to StubHub, where the most inexpensive tickets (as of Monday afternoon) were $470 each for all three games. Add in the $167 service fee, and that brings the grand total to $1,274.
But what does that service fee cover, exactly?
“Fees are what fund StubHub’s services and ability to operate,” the online ticket marketplace says. “Fees are distributed between both the buyer and seller. They fund world-class security measures, investments in our FanProtect Guarantee to guarantee each order and allow for global access.”
Next, we tried Vivid Seats. The cheapest ticket for all three games of the Final Four on there will set you back $388.
Factoring in the service fee of $142.41 and the electronic transfer, and you’d need to shell out $1,065 for two tickets to all three games.
StubHub says follow these tips to be a savvy ticket buyer:
- Never pay cash or buy off of social media.
- Don’t wait for the buzzer; buy early to secure your seats.
- Pick the best seat in the house by using arena maps.
- And, crucially, maintain your ticket’s security by not sharing barcodes on social media.
If you’re a purist looking to just nab two tickets to Monday’s championship game, the cheapest seats you can get as of Monday will set you back $290 before fees. But you may need to factor in an additional expense: Binoculars.