The Priciest Basketball Tickets: Where And When?

what are the most expensive basketball tickets

The cost of NBA tickets varies depending on the game, the teams, and the location. Some tickets are relatively affordable, with the Charlotte Hornets having the lowest average ticket price of $158.72. However, tickets for some games can be extremely expensive, with the New York Knicks and Los Angeles Lakers often being the most expensive. A courtside seat for a potential seventh game between the Knicks and the Pacers in the Eastern Conference finals could cost as much as $253,000, which would make it the most expensive game in NBA history.

Characteristics Values
Teams with the most expensive tickets New York Knicks, Los Angeles Lakers, Golden State Warriors, Boston Celtics, LA Clippers
Highest single-ticket price Warriors vs Lakers ($400)
Teams with average get-in prices over $100 New York Knicks, Los Angeles Lakers, Golden State Warriors
Average ticket price for Knicks vs Pacers $1,500
Cheapest ticket price for Knicks vs Pacers $1,100
Highest ticket price for Knicks vs Pacers $253,000 (courtside seat)
Average ticket price for Knicks vs Celtics $983
Average ticket price for Warriors vs Timberwolves $341.5
Cheapest NBA tickets Portland Trail Blazers ($16)

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New York Knicks tickets are the most expensive

The New York Knicks are one of the big-market franchises in the NBA, and their tickets are among the most expensive. For the 2024-25 season, the Knicks have the highest average get-in price at $186, which is 29% more than the next highest team. Every Knicks game is priced at over $100, with the cheapest ticket for their game against the Spurs on December 25, 2024, sitting at $386.

The Knicks' high ticket prices can be attributed to several factors. Firstly, the team plays in the wealthiest area of the country, and their fans are known for their loyalty, consistently selling out Madison Square Garden. The Knicks' games are in high demand, especially when they face their historic rivals, the Boston Celtics. For example, the average ticket price for a Knicks vs. Celtics game in May 2025 was nearly $2,000, with the lowest-priced ticket on TickPick at $795.

The Knicks' ticket prices are also influenced by the high cost of living in New York City and the team's performance. As the Knicks have not advanced past the conference semifinals in a long time, their fans are eager to be there in person to support their team. Additionally, the proximity of Boston to New York further increases ticket demand from Celtics fans, who can easily travel to New York to attend the games.

When compared to other teams in the NBA, the Knicks' ticket prices stand out. For instance, the Portland Trail Blazers have the cheapest average get-in price in the league at $16, with seven of their home games featuring single-ticket prices of $7 or lower. On the other hand, the Golden State Warriors, Boston Celtics, Los Angeles Lakers, and Brooklyn Nets join the Knicks in the top five costliest games to attend this season.

Overall, the New York Knicks' tickets are consistently among the most expensive in the NBA, driven by high demand, loyal fans, and the team's performance.

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Lakers-Celtics tickets are the most expensive for a Boston home game

The Los Angeles Lakers and Boston Celtics are two of the biggest NBA franchises with a long-standing rivalry. The Lakers-Celtics matchup is, therefore, one of the most highly anticipated games in the NBA calendar.

On Saturday, 7 March 2025, the Celtics hosted the Lakers at TD Garden, Boston. Tickets for this game were the most expensive ever for a Boston home game. According to TickPick, courtside seats were priced at a staggering $23,112, while the cheapest tickets were $485. The average price for the game was $731.

The high prices can be attributed to the rivalry between the teams, as well as the fact that both teams were holding the No. 2 seeds in their respective conferences. The Lakers had won the previous matchup against the Celtics that season, and the game on 7 March was expected to be a close contest.

The Lakers-Celtics rivalry is one of the biggest in the NBA, and the high ticket prices for this game reflect the popularity and demand for this matchup. The game was expected to be a sell-out, and fans were eager to see the rivalry play out, regardless of the final score.

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The Golden State Warriors, LA Clippers, and Boston Celtics are in the top 5

The cost of attending an NBA game varies depending on the team, the location, and the demand for tickets. While some teams offer tickets for as little as $5 or $8, others can cost hundreds of dollars.

The New York Knicks consistently rank among the most expensive NBA tickets. In 2024, the Knicks had the highest average get-in price at $186, with every game priced at over $100. In 2025, a potential seventh game between the Knicks and the Pacers in the Eastern Conference finals could be one of the most expensive NBA games in history, with courtside seats costing a staggering $253,000.

The Golden State Warriors, LA Clippers, and Boston Celtics are also known for their high ticket prices. During the 2024-25 season, the Warriors had the second-highest average get-in price at $100, and their Christmas Day game against the Lakers had the most expensive ticket of the season at $400. The Clippers, along with the Celtics, rounded out the top 5 teams with the highest average ticket prices that season.

In addition to high ticket prices, the cost of concessions and merchandise at NBA games can also add up. For example, a family of four could expect to spend over $300 on tickets, parking, food, and drinks at a Golden State Warriors game.

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The cheapest NBA tickets are $5 get-in prices for Portland Trail Blazers games

The NBA has a wide range of ticket prices, with the cheapest tickets costing significantly less than the most expensive. The cheapest NBA tickets are $5 get-in prices for Portland Trail Blazers games. These tickets are available for Charlotte Hornets and Washington Wizards games as well. The Blazers have had some success in recent years, making it to the Western Conference finals in the 2018-19 season, but ultimately losing to the Golden State Warriors.

The Trail Blazers also have some of the cheapest playoff tickets available on TickPick, a ticket resale site that guarantees the best prices for Blazers games. TickPick has no hidden fees, so the price you see is what you pay. If you find a better price elsewhere, they will credit your account with 110% of the difference.

The best time to get Portland Trail Blazers tickets at a low price is when there is enough inventory to meet demand. Waiting until the last minute can also be a good strategy, as resellers tend to drop prices before the game or just after it starts.

In contrast, the most expensive NBA tickets are for the matchup between the Warriors and the Lakers in San Francisco on Christmas Day, with a get-in price of $400. The New York Knicks also have high ticket prices, with every game priced at over $100. The league average get-in price for the 2024-25 season is $53, with the Knicks having the highest average get-in price at $186, and the Trail Blazers the lowest at $16.

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A courtside seat for a Knicks-Pacers game would cost $253,000

The New York Knicks are known for their expensive tickets, with the highest average get-in price in the NBA at $186, which is 29% more than the next-highest team. The average ticket price for a Knicks game is over $700, and every game is priced at over $100. The Knicks' home games are the most sought-after in the NBA, with high demand from fans.

The Knicks' games against the Pacers in the 2025 Eastern Conference finals were particularly pricey. For a seventh game in the series to take place, the Knicks would first have to win the sixth game in Indianapolis. The cheapest ticket for that hypothetical meeting was over $1,100, and the average ticket price was over $1,500. However, a courtside seat for that possible seventh game would cost a staggering $253,000!

This potential matchup between the Knicks and Pacers generated a lot of buzz in New York, as the Knicks had not made it to the Eastern Conference finals since 2000. The high ticket prices reflected the demand and excitement from fans, who were eager to witness a historic duel and support their team.

While the Knicks have a reputation for expensive tickets, their performance on the court has not always matched the high prices. The franchise has not had a deep playoff run in over two decades, leaving fans disappointed and frustrated. However, their loyal fanbase continues to sell out Madison Square Garden, known as "the legendary Madison Square Garden," demonstrating their dedication to the team.

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Frequently asked questions

The New York Knicks have the highest average get-in price at $186, making them the most expensive NBA tickets.

The cheapest Knicks tickets are priced at $795, with the average ticket costing $983.

The Portland Trail Blazers, Charlotte Hornets, and Washington Wizards have the cheapest NBA tickets, with average costs of about $16-$20.

A potential seventh game between the Knicks and the Pacers in the Eastern Conference finals could have been the most expensive game in NBA history. The cheapest ticket was over $1,100, and a courtside seat cost $253,000.

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