The Ever-Rising Cost of Attending Professional Sporting Events

$925 for a slice of pizza and a cold beer? Well, tack on parking and a game ticket and that is the average cost to cheer for one of football’s most successful teams - the New England Patriots. A die hard football fan might say it’s a no-brainer, but your financial advisor may have some qualms.

Tickets to professional sporting events nationwide vary greatly depending on city and sport, but for some of these teams, the cost to attend a game is a pretty hefty financial commitment. According to PromoCodesForYou, the NFL boasts the most “committed” fan base, spending well over $100 for the least expensive experience (in Buffalo, NY to see The Bills) and surpassing $900 for the most (you got it, Brady in Boston). These numbers are actually not as surprising as you may think when you take a look at the sleek arenas and stadiums, and even sleeker paychecks for some of sport’s most talented athletes. In fact, the average annual salary of an NFL player is $2.1 million, but the top 5 highest paid are raking in over $20 million per year.

There is no wonder that professional sports have seen a steady decline in live attendance in recent years. After all, for a family of four to attend an NFL game, the nation is looking at an average cost of $419. Foregoing a few games a year for that same family could buy them a pretty epic TV and snacks that require no standing in line.

So, why are Atlanta residents buzzing about the prices at their new dome housing the NFL Falcons? The impressive Mercedes-Benz Stadium focuses on what they call a “fan-first menu” boasting several items for only $2 such as bottled water, hot dogs and popcorn. A $2 hot dog is actually less than half the price of a hot dog in other sporting arenas, according to an annual survey by Team Marketing Report. The average lowest price for a hot dog at an NFL stadium last season was $5.29. But alas, food and beverage is only one factor in the NFL experience and it still costs over $400 to attend a Falcons game. But saving that extra $3 on a hot dog? Falcons fans are definitely not complaining. President Rich McCay calls the prices “an investment in the fan experience” after multiple surveys proved a common denominator to this decline in fan attendance: price.

So, what effect does this steady dip in fan attendance have on our country’s most beloved pastimes? These institutions are spending more time, energy and money on improving the fan experience. Installing WiFi at even a college stadium can cost a few million dollars, according to CBS Sports who spoke with The Florida Gators Athletic Director Mike Hill, but the next generation of fans value cellular service, and creating these committed fans begins at a young age. Improving restrooms, parking and logistics and most of all, entertainment are aladqsal costs that most stadiums have endured in past years and continue to invest. It is even rumored that some college organizations have hired The Disney Institute to consult their staff in how to better engage audience (is that you Mickey?), ultimately increasing fan turnout . We all love a good tee shirt shooter or a Kiss Cam, but all of this begs the question, why not just lower ticket prices?