Do Season Passes Include Playoffs? The Insider‘s Guide
No, season passes and season tickets do not include access to playoff games across any major professional sports league. But there are some special benefits season ticket holders receive when it comes to purchasing playoff tickets that regular fans don‘t get. Let me walk you through how it works…
As an expert in the business of sports, I‘ve uncovered all the details on how season ticket holders and pass members can access coveted playoff tickets across the NFL, NBA, NHL, and MLB. I‘ll also share some fascinating data on what vintage Super Bowl tickets are worth and dive into whether playoff tickets are really worth the money for diehard fans.
How Season Tickets Work for NFL Playoffs
For the NFL, season tickets only grant you access to the 8 regular home games, plus 2 preseason games. Any home playoff games during the Wild Card or Divisional rounds your team hosts are an additional cost.
However, as a season ticket member, you do get early access to purchase playoff tickets before the general public can buy them. Teams hold presale events just for their season ticket holders first. This gives you a big advantage to buy and keep your same great seats for playoff games!
Without season tickets, you‘d likely get stuck in the far upper decks or end zones.
Playoff pricing is also variable by team – expect to pay around 20-25% more on average though. The premium is worth it for diehard fans to secure seats to see their team in do-or-die games!
My take: The early playoff ticket access that comes with NFL season tickets is invaluable. Forking over the extra cash for home playoff games is totally worth it! Nothing beats the atmosphere.
What About NBA Season Tickets and Playoff Access?
Much like the NFL policies, NBA season ticket holders need to pony up additional cash for access to home playoff games. But they do get first dibs before the public can buy seats.
Most NBA teams hold presale lotteries exclusively for their season ticket members to purchase playoff tickets. This gives you a big leg up to keep your exact same seats for the playoffs.
Prices are also at a premium – expect to pay 10-20% more for early round games, and up to 50% extra for the Finals! Courtside seats really jump in pricing due to huge demand.
Based on the data, my advice is buy those playoff tix if your budget allows. The energy in the building is palpable during the NBA playoffs. You‘ll remember those games forever.
MLB Season Ticket Holders Get Early Playoff Access Too
The process works similarly for Major League Baseball – season ticket members can purchase seats to any home playoff games before the general public gets access.
There‘s typically an exclusive presale playoff ticket window just for current season ticket holders first. This gives you the best selection of seats before they sell out wider.
Pricing does go up for October baseball. Expect to pay 25-50% more on average for playoff games compared to regular season prices depending on how deep your team advances. MLB teams can host up to 13 home playoff dates in a season if they make the World Series.
My take: Paying the premium for MLB playoff tickets is so worth it. The crowds are fired up and every pitch matters. Snap those tickets up!
NHL Season Ticket Benefits Come Playoff Time Too
Under the current NHL playoff format, teams can host up to 16 home playoff matches if they go all the way to the Stanley Cup Finals.
Like clockwork, NHL season ticket holders get the first chance to buy playoff seats before the public on-sale. There‘s always an exclusive presale.
To keep your same regular season seats, season ticket members have to opt-in and pay for the first round in advance. After that, additional rounds go on sale as the team advances.
Stanley Cup playoff ticket prices are set individually by teams. Expect to pay 10-25% more on average per seat depending on the round. The Finals see a huge jump in demand and pricing.
My advice: Grab those NHL playoff seats early as a season ticket holder if you can swing it. The NHL playoffs are a two-month war of attrition – every game has intense passion.
Just How Much Are Vintage Super Bowl Tickets Worth?
Vintage Super Bowl tickets from the early years of the NFL‘s championship spectacle can sell for staggering amounts to football fans and sports memorabilia collectors alike:
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The most expensive Super Bowl ticket ever sold was $75,000 for Super Bowl I in 1967 between the Packers and Chiefs. Only 14,000 tickets were printed for the first Super Bowl.
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A vintage ticket to Super Bowl X between the Steelers and Cowboys sold for $61,900 in recent years. It was played in 1976 at the Orange Bowl in Miami.
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Want to own a ticket from Joe Namath‘s famous Super Bowl III upset? Be ready to shell out $54,000+ for a seat to that Jets vs. Colts game.
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Tickets for Super Bowl XVI in 1982 with Joe Montana‘s famous comeback drive sold for $35,000. It was played at the Silverdome in Detroit.
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Even upper deck tickets or unused ticket stubs from old Super Bowls can command $1,000+. Games featuring iconic teams like the Steelers, Cowboys, 49ers, and Patriots draw the highest prices.
Clearly vintage Super Bowl tickets from the first decade carry tremendous value, especially for NFL history buffs or diehard memorabilia collectors. They make fantastic conversation pieces!
Why Do Old Super Bowl Tickets Command Such Premium Prices?
There are a few key factors that make vintage Super Bowl tickets so coveted and valuable:
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Pure nostalgia – old AFL-NFL Championship Game and Super Bowl tickets represent the early days of pro football at its peak popularity. They ooze nostalgia for diehard fans.
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Limited supply – back then, they didn‘t print anywhere near today‘s volume. Estimates suggest over 70% of vintage tickets have been lost or destroyed over the years. Supply is finite and shrinking.
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Iconic matchups and dynasties – games featuring Lombardi‘s Packers, Landry‘s Cowboys, Noll‘s Steelers, and Walsh‘s 49ers drive value. As do famous moments like the Jets or Giants upsets.
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Benchmark stadiums – games played at iconic venues like the LA Coliseum and Orange Bowl have historical significance that collectors covet.
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Designer appeal – the artistic ticket designs from Super Bowls I-X incorporated bright, eye-catching logos, colors, and fonts that display beautifully in frames.
Given these dynamics, it‘s easy to understand why pristine vintage Super Bowl tickets would sell for as much as a house down payment these days! Their rarity makes them the pinnacle sports collecting item.
Just How Much Have Super Bowl Tickets Appreciated in Value Over the Years?
To illustrate just how astronomically Super Bowl ticket prices have grown over the years, have a look at this table:
| Year | Super Bowl | Face Value Price | 2022 Equivalent Price | 2022 Average Resale Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1967 | I | $12 | $102 | $75,000 |
| 1977 | XI | $20 | $92 | $30,000 |
| 1987 | XXI | $75 | $185 | $7,500 |
| 1997 | XXXI | $275 | $485 | $2,500 |
| 2007 | XLI | $700 | $985 | $4,000 |
| 2017 | LI | $950 | $1,050 | $5,000 |
Accounting for inflation, the $12 face value ticket for Super Bowl I in 1967 would be just over $100 today. But the market value is over $75,000!
Even Super Bowl tickets from 2007 and 2017 have seen their resale value quadruple or more versus inflation-adjusted face prices.
Demand continues to dramatically outstrip supply each year, driving resale prices up. And vintage ticket value has skyrocketed even higher due to scarcity and collectibility.
Which Super Bowls Have Had the Most Expensive Average Tickets?
Based on historical sales data, these Super Bowls have boasted the highest average resale ticket prices:
- 2022 – Super Bowl LVI, Los Angeles – $6,277 average price paid
- 2021 – Super Bowl LV, Tampa – $8,310 average
- 2015 – Super Bowl XLIX, Phoenix – $11,634 average
- 2014 – Super Bowl XLVIII, NY/NJ – $4,645 average
- 2011 – Super Bowl XLV, Dallas – $3,320 average
- 2010 – Super Bowl XLIV, Miami – $5,313 average
A few trends emerge that drive up prices:
- Brand new state-of-the-art stadiums like SoFi Stadium in 2022
- Warm weather, travel-friendly cities like Miami and Phoenix
- Games near the peak of historic NFL dynasties like the Patriots and Seahawks appearances
The outlying expensive factors have been weather and supply concerns. The 2014 NY/NJ Super Bowl saw lower demand with average temperatures below freezing. The high prices in Dallas were influenced by the limited capacity of the Cowboys home stadium.
Overall, expect to pay a bare minimum of $2,500 for even the cheapest, upper deck Super Bowl seats in recent years. And demand continues to rise over time, especially with popular teams!
Which Super Bowl Tickets Have Commanded the Highest Resale Prices On Record?
If money is no object, these ultra-expensive tickets represent the top of the Super Bowl resale market historically:
- A lower-level 50-yard line seat for the Steelers vs. Cowboys Super Bowl XIII matchup went for $24,000
- The most expensive Super Bowl ticket sale ever was $75,000 for a venue box seat at Super Bowl I at the LA Coliseum
- A fan paid $61,900 for a seat at Super Bowl X featuring the famous Lynn Swann catch
- End zone seats to Super Bowl XXV featuring Whitney Houston hit $30,000
As you can see, nostalgia for dynasties and iconic Super Bowl moments drive the upper echelon of ticket prices. These sales dwarfed even the cost of premium tickets for recent Super Bowls.
Historical significance combined with today‘s extreme wealth has created a market where the sky‘s the limit for landmark NFL games. Records are broken yearly for iconic Super Bowl ticket sales.
Are NFL Playoff Tickets Worth the Higher Prices for Fans?
There‘s no doubt NFL playoff tickets demand a premium price versus regular season games. But are they really worth it for fans to experience? Let‘s weigh the pros and cons:
Reasons NFL Playoffs Tickets Are Worth It
- It‘s your team‘s shot at a championship – the priority should be being there no matter what.
- Games feature the best teams and players performing at their peak when it matters most. Incredible skill on display.
- Home crowd energy and excitement during playoffs is absolutely electric.
- Great memories are made during unexpected upsets or thrilling finishes. You‘ll reminisce for decades.
- There are no guarantees your team will return to the playoffs again soon. Capitalize on the opportunity.
Reasons Playoffs Tickets May Not Be Worth It
- Short notice typically makes travel logistics harder for away games. Increased costs.
- Upper deck seats or difficult views could make it hard to follow the action.
- Bitter cold weather for some cities lessens the fun factor. Risk of heavy snow.
- Natural letdown if your team suffers a blowout loss. Not the same atmosphere.
- Entrance costs for parking, food, etc really add up. Expenses pile up.
At the end of the day, it comes down to your budget and risk tolerance as a fan. The NFL playoffs are the most intense, urgent brand of football you‘ll ever experience. I say EMPTY THE BANK if your team makes it!
The Bottom Line
Hopefully this guide gave you some valuable intel on whether season ticket holders get playoff tickets automatically (they don‘t!), how much vintage Super Bowl tickets can sell for, and whether playoff costs are worth it for diehard NFL fans.
While season passes don‘t grant playoff access, they offer early purchasing rights. My advice? Buy those home playoff seats if you can swing it! Also hold onto any vintage Super Bowl stubs – you could have thousands sitting in a drawer!
Let me know if you have any other sports business or ticket pricing questions. Happy to share my insider expertise!