The Kansas City Chiefs could make history this weekend by becoming the first team to win three Super Bowls in a row. But ticket prices for Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans don’t seem to reflect this potential milestone. On the secondary market, the cheapest ticket has dropped below $4,000, according to reseller TickPick. This is a 30% drop in just one week and more than 50% cheaper than last year’s record-breaking Super Bowl prices.
The Chiefs are playing the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday. While the team is chasing a historic third straight win, fans don’t seem eager to spend big money to watch it happen. There are a few reasons why ticket prices are lower this year, including the host city and what some are calling “Chief fatigue.”
Why are tickets cheaper this year?
Last year’s Super Bowl between the Chiefs and the San Francisco 49ers was the most expensive ever. Part of the reason was the location: Las Vegas, a city known for its parties and entertainment. This year, the game is in New Orleans, which TickPick CEO Brett Goldberg says “doesn’t have the same appeal” as Las Vegas.
Another factor is the size of the stadium. The Caesars Superdome in New Orleans can hold about 74,000 people, while last year’s venue, Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, only held around 65,000. More seats mean more tickets, which helps lower prices.
New Orleans is also still recovering from a tragic event last month. A man drove a pickup truck into a crowd and opened fire, killing 14 people and injuring at least 35. This may have made some fans hesitant to travel to the city.
Are fans tired of the Chiefs?
The matchup itself might also be affecting ticket sales. This is the Chiefs’ third straight Super Bowl appearance, and some fans seem bored by the idea of seeing them again. Goldberg told CNN that if teams like the Detroit Lions, Washington Commanders, or Buffalo Bills had made it to the Super Bowl, ticket prices would likely be much higher.
“We’re seeing less interest from fans looking to attend,” Goldberg said. This lack of excitement is contributing to the drop in prices.
Super Bowl ads still breaking records
While ticket prices are down, the cost of Super Bowl commercials is hitting new highs. Fox has sold at least 10 ad spots for more than $8 million each, according to a source familiar with the matter. The network originally aimed to charge about $7 million for 30 seconds of ad time during the game.
Some expected sponsors decided to give up their ad slots, which led to higher prices for the remaining spots. These $8 million deals were made recently, showing that advertisers still see the Super Bowl as a valuable opportunity to reach millions of viewers.
How to watch the game
Super Bowl LIX kicks off at 6:30 pm ET on Sunday. The game will air on Fox and, for the first time, will be available to stream for free on Tubi. This gives fans more options to watch the game without needing to buy expensive tickets.
While the Chiefs’ potential historic win is a big deal, it seems fans are more interested in watching from home this year. Whether it’s due to the location, the matchup, or just the high cost of attending, ticket prices are reflecting a quieter buzz around this year’s Super Bowl.
