NBA season tickets guarantee basketball fans a seat at every regular-season home game. The price varies widely, driven by factors including the team's market size, how competitive they are for a championship, seat location, and the arena's amenities.
The packages vary from roughly $1,240 for upper-level seats at smaller markets to over $90,000 for premium-level courtside experiences at marquee franchises.
Understanding the pricing structure, payment options, and exclusive benefits helps fans determine whether season tickets fit within their budget and meet their desired attendance.
This guide covers everything you need to know about buying and getting the most value from NBA season tickets.
Average Cost of Basketball Season Tickets
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Knowing the price landscape helps you budget wisely and find the best value for your investment. Pricing for NBA season tickets varies widely, depending on market size, team performance, and seat location.
Differences between more affordable and premium options can be as significant as tens of thousands of dollars, making it worth doing your homework before committing.
- League-wide, the average price of an NBA season ticket varies significantly between the league's 30 teams. Single-game tickets cost approximately $94 on average. However, that number masks significant variation between budget-friendly options and premium experiences.
A full-season package typically includes 41 regular-season home games. However, many teams now offer flexible options such as half-season (20 games), quarter-season (10 games), and subscription passes.
Premium market teams have the highest prices. The Golden State Warriors lead the league at around $360 per game, which calculates to about $14,760 for a full season of upper-level seats. The Los Angeles Lakers are second with about $345 per game or $14,145 annually—the New York Knicks average around $310 per game, or $12,710 for the season. The Chicago Bulls sit at close to $190 per game, while the Miami Heat averages around $250 per game.
Mid-tier pricing exists across many markets. For example, the Orlando Magic illustrates a tiered pricing strategy with regular price intervals: promenade-level seats begin at $2,250, or $54.88 per game; terrace seats start at $2,970, or $72.44 per game; while the premium sections extend to as high as $25,500 for courtside access. Even the Oklahoma City Thunder keeps its base-level loft seats affordable, at roughly $86 per game.
The most affordable teams are the Indiana Pacers, at $75 a game or $3,075 a year; the Detroit Pistons, at $80 a game or $3,280 a year; and the Orlando Magic upper sections, at $85 a game. These tend to be smaller-market teams or rebuilding franchises, whose games are relatively accessible to dedicated fans.
Courtside and premium seating are the luxury categories. In this regard, the Orlando Magic charges approximately $18,300 for mid-level courtside seats and $25,500 for front-row seats that include valet parking and exclusive club access. For franchises considered championship contenders, these top-of-the-line seats can cost over $90,000 per season.
How To Get The Best Deals On Season Tickets?
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Innovative purchasing strategies can save you thousands on season tickets. The secret is knowing when teams release their tickets, which package options deliver the best value, and how to use timing to your advantage. Even small choices about seat location and payment timing can meaningfully affect your total investment.
Strategic timing and smart decisions seriously affect what you spend.
When's the best time to buy NBA tickets? The optimal window opens as the NBA releases its schedule in August. During this time, teams start taking season ticket commitments, and early buyers more often than not receive better seat locations and pricing.
When do NBA tickets go on sale?
The NBA usually starts selling season tickets during the off-season, typically from late June to August. Most teams offer renewals to current season ticket holders first, then release their remaining inventory to new purchasers. Reaching out to your team's sales office ensures you get immediate information on availability and pricing tiers.
Consider partial season ticket packages to save money.
Half-season memberships include tickets to 20 select games and many of the same benefits as full-season ticket holders, including VIP events and presales. Quarter-season packages include 10-game tickets at loyalty pricing, with the option to upgrade on game day. Subscription passes are a new option: for one low monthly fee, you'll get randomly assigned seats to several games.
Timing on the secondary market also matters for resale value.
List tickets immediately after the promotion schedule is released, since special event games often sell at premium prices. Early-season sales benefit from limited inventory before single-game tickets saturate the market. Even with games you resell, season ticket holders typically save about 15% to 23% compared with buying individual tickets all season long.
Flexibility in location also creates savings.
Upper-level sections at major markets often cost less than lower-level seats at smaller markets, while offering similar views. For example, the baseline loft for the Oklahoma City Thunder provides excellent sightlines for $3,526 per full season.
Benefits of Buying Season Tickets
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With a season ticket, one gets much more than just a pass to the game. It builds from casual fan to valued member with exclusive privileges, meaningful cost savings, and priority treatment that buyers of single-game tickets never receive. Understand these benefits to know whether the upfront investment will pay off in long-term value during and after the season.
Season ticket memberships go well beyond just attending one game, thanks to a wealth of perks and priority access. You are locking in identical seats for all 41 home games, removing the uncertainty and price swings of buying individual tickets.
Do season tickets include playoffs? Yes. Full-season ticket holders receive automatic priority to purchase their exact seats for every playoff game. Half-season and partial packages generally provide access to alternating playoff games, subject to availability. For the Indiana Pacers, playoff pricing remains relatively affordable: play-in tournament games are cheaper than regular-season prices, first-round games have the exact pricing as regular-season games, second-round games are about $140, conference finals are about $180, and NBA Finals tickets are about $250.
Financial benefits include guaranteed the lowest per-game pricing. Season ticket holders pay far less than fans who buy through secondary markets, with savings ranging from 15% to 23% compared with StubHub and similar platforms. The Orlando Magic even offers complimentary parking for courtside season ticket holders and valet parking for front-row seats.
Discounts on merchandise and team-store purchases create considerable added value. The Indiana Pacers offer full-season holders 30% off all team-store purchases, compared with 15-20% for general fans and 25% for half-season holders. This discount is good year-round on most items, though some premium products-such as gear from a recent Lululemon collaboration-receive only 15% off. Most teams offer store credit of $250 to $500 based on ticket tier, which stacks with percentage discounts.
Exclusive experiences elevate the membership. Season ticket holders are invited to meet-and-greets with players, pregame court viewing access, halftime tours of restricted areas like press rooms, and opportunities to greet players during warmups. The Orlando Magic also offers first-right purchasing privileges for other KIA Center events, including concerts and shows.
Flexibility comes through ticket-exchange programs that let members trade unused tickets for other games. The Oklahoma City Thunder offers six trade-in opportunities for full-season members and 3 for partial-season holders, helping avoid losses due to schedule conflicts.
Are NBA season tickets a good value? The financial math works out for fans who can attend most games or who otherwise resell unused tickets for a profit. Beyond the dollars-and-cents bottom line, though, the guaranteed seating, playoff access, and exclusive experiences create value unavailable to single-game buyers.
How To Renew Or Purchase Season Tickets?
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Purchasing NBA season tickets online is very easy, mainly through the official site of a particular team or its accredited partners. Most franchises use Ticketmaster as their primary ticket provider, even though some may have their own ticketing systems.
Here's how the initial purchase typically works –
- Go to the official website of your favorite NBA team.
- Locate the Season Tickets or Memberships section.
- View available seating through interactive arena maps
- Compare full-season, half-season, and quarter-season pricing options
- Contact the Sales Representative for personal advice specific to the team’s goals
- Plan a virtual or in-person meeting to discuss seat choices
- Choose a Payment Plan
- Sign the purchase agreement and pay the earnest money deposit
The payment approaches vary from team to team, but most offer flexible options. For example, the Toronto Raptors have three structured plans:
- Plans are billed annually, with full payment due before the beginning of the season
- Semiannual plans are split into two payments: 50% upfront, 50% mid-season.
- Monthly payment plans are spread over several months.
The San Antonio Spurs have interest-free payment plans with no additional fees that stretch payments over 10 to 12 months.
Other standard payment methods include credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, American Express), debit cards, and electronic bank transfers. Most monthly plans require a credit card for automatic recurring payments. Initial deposits range from $100 to $500 per seat, depending on the team and seat location.
Renewals are offered to current holders through automatic payment programs. Teams set up systems so that season tickets renew automatically every year until the members cancel. For example, the Raptors send out notices annually that show the first payment date, the totals, and any increases, to ensure existing holders retain their seats without competing with new buyers.
Priority access to seats is structured into tiers: first, current full-season holders; then, partial-season members; and finally, new applicants. If you're looking for an upgrade, the earlier you request it in the renewal window, the better your chances.
Each season-ticket holder is assigned an account representative who assists with payment changes, seat moves, ticket exchanges, and resale questions throughout the year. Building this relationship can help resolve issues quickly and unlock last-minute upgrade opportunities.
Ticketwhiz: Your Gateway To Every Game.
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The prices for NBA season tickets vary widely: from about $1,240 for upper-level seats at smaller markets to well over $90,000 for spots on the court with championship contenders. Mid-level seats for moderate-market teams usually go for $3,000 to $8,000. At the same time, the Warriors, Lakers, and Knicks charge $12,000 to $15,000 for comparable locations.
Season tickets offer 15% to 23% off individual game purchases and secure a fan's seat for 41 home games. In addition, season tickets come with automatic playoff access, special events, merchandise discounts of up to 30%, and flexible payment plans. Teams offer multiple options—full-season, half-season, quarter-season, and subscription packages—that help fit most budgets.
Consider buying when schedules drop in August; look at partial packages and explore payment plans that let you spread costs over 10-12 months, interest-free. Ready to find your perfect seat? TicketWhiz scans verified marketplaces in seconds, delivering transparent pricing with no hidden fees.
Book your next basketball experience in just a few clicks at TicketWhiz today!
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can we pay for a season ticket monthly?
Yes, most NBA teams have monthly payment plans for season tickets. You can make payments over several months rather than all at once. Contact your team's sales department to discuss the schedules available.
What are season tickets in basketball?
Season tickets are packages that guarantee the same seat for every regular-season home game. Most NBA packages offer 41 home games, though several teams offer partial packages with fewer games.
Is it worth getting a season ticket?
Season tickets are a good value if you can attend most games. They offer savings of 15% to 23% compared to buying individual tickets. In addition, they give priority for playoff tickets and some exclusive team benefits. Compare your expected attendance to the per-game cost to decide.
What does a season ticket include?
A season ticket entitles the holder to a reserved seat for all regular-season home games, priority access to playoff games, special events, a flexible exchange policy, and resale rights. Premium packages add parking, lounge access, and concessions credits.
Can we resell NBA season tickets?
Yes, you may resell your season tickets for games you can't attend. Most teams will allow season-ticket holders to list tickets on secondary markets or team-sponsored resale platforms. Check your team's specific resale policy, as rules vary by franchise.