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What’s more exciting than watching your favorite team score a game-winning touchdown against a rival at home? The roar of the crowd, the band playing the fight song, the mascot doing pushups and fans jumping around, high-fiving each other. College football fans are passionate, as shown by the 2023 FBS season's average of 41,867 fans—the highest since 2017. However, the price tag of attending a game in person continues to rise, with estimates showing it will cost $180.40 for two people to attend a game this season. Let's dive into a report from Oddspedia on the cost of attending a game this fall and if this is sustainable for the long term.
Top 10 Game Day Experiences by Cost
Oddspedia defines a game day experience as two tickets, parking, two beers, two sodas and two hot dogs. Where fans choose to attend a game can significantly impact their wallets. The 10 cheapest game day experiences average $102, while the ten most expensive average $257. For just $84, two fans can cheer on the Northern Illinois Huskies in the Midwest, while on the West Coast, two UCLA Bruins fans will pay $298 at the Rose Bowl.
If fans can limit their food and beverage purchases, UCLA becomes slightly more affordable, with the fifth-highest ticket price at $89 per seat. Georgia leads the nation not only in driving violations but also in average ticket price at $100. The most surprising team on the top 10 list for ticket cost is Appalachian State, with an average of $83. Supply and demand play a role, as the Mountaineers recently announced they sold out of season tickets for the third consecutive year.
Game Day Beers: Cheers or Tears?
As a Wisconsin Badger fan, the idea of fans openly drinking beer at Camp Randall is a foreign concept, as it wasn't previously allowed. To put it another way, it’s hard to imagine fans drinking beer at the stadium that wasn’t previously concealed in their jackets on the way in. However, 2024 will be a first for Badger fans, as Wisconsin announced it will sell alcohol at games this season.
The estimated average cost for a single beer at a college football game this season is $9.65, but Badger fans will pay less, with an average of $7 in Wisconsin's first year selling alcohol. Planning to catch a game in California? Consider drinking beforehand, as the three highest beer prices are found at Stanford ($20), USC ($18) and UCLA ($16).
The cheapest beer can be found at a Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns game at Cajun Field, costing just $2. While the low price is enticing, it might lose some appeal when the concession worker hands you a Natty Light.
College Football Experience: Living Room vs. Stadium
What is the breaking point for fans when stadium prices become too high? The home viewing experience has dramatically improved with high-definition TVs, and there's rarely a line for the bathroom at home. Many fans have even built their own home entertainment spaces. University administrators must be cautious not to price-gouge their fan bases or they risk losing them to the comfort of their living rooms and basements.
College football attendance has declined every year from 2014 through the 2021 season, with the 2021 average of 39,848 being the lowest since 1981. Are the increases in 2022 and 2023 the start of an upward trend or just a slight bump from fans eager to escape COVID-19 cabin fever?
Time will tell, but the future remains uncertain as fans weigh how much they’re willing to pay to see their favorite teams, depending on their location. For now, hand over another Natty Light and Fight On Cajuns.
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