For many soccer fans, attending a professional match is a thrilling experience—unless, of course, you've recently tried to buy tickets to an NWSL game. With demand surging and prices climbing, some supporters are discovering that seeing the world's best women play can come at a premium.

In some cities, the numbers can be surprising. The Kansas City Current average ticket price sits around $161.80, while Chicago Stars tickets average $121.24 and Angel City FC averages $111.75.

Fortunately, there is another option for budget-conscious fans: men's soccer, a surprisingly affordable alternative featuring adult male athletes who also play the sport.

What Is Men's Soccer?

Men's soccer is structurally similar to the NWSL: two teams of eleven players compete to move a ball into a goal without using their hands.

The primary difference is that the athletes are men.

While this format lacks some of the technical precision and cultural momentum currently driving women's soccer's popularity, it remains a viable alternative for fans whose primary concern is affordability.

Why Men's Soccer Is So Much Cheaper

There are many factors that contribute to the lower price of men's soccer tickets, including supply, demand, and the fact that the NWSL is currently experiencing a historic surge in popularity. In certain markets—particularly Kansas City, Chicago, and Los Angeles—the enthusiasm surrounding NWSL clubs has pushed ticket prices into territory that rivals or exceeds many MLS teams.

This is excellent news for the growth of women's sports.

It is somewhat less exciting news for your wallet.

Your City-by-City Savings Guide

A Gametime analysis of secondary market ticket data found that in 6 out of 10 cities with both an NWSL and an MLS team, men's soccer is the more affordable option. The following figures represent average resale ticket prices for the 2024–25 season.

Kansas City You are attempting to attend Kansas City Current matches. The Current average $161.80 per ticket, with a median of $122. Sporting Kansas City, a men's professional soccer team also located in Kansas City, averages $96.73, with a median of $76. This is, objectively, less money. Sporting KC have won MLS Cup twice and would like you to feel welcome.

Chicago Chicago Stars FC tickets average $121.24, with a median resale of $118—higher than almost every soccer club in the country, men's or women's. The Chicago Fire FC, a men's team also playing in Chicago, averages $85.83 with a median of $63. The Fire were founded in 1997. They have won one MLS Cup. They are available.

Washington D.C. The Washington Spirit average $95.10 per ticket. A current listing on Gametime is priced at $1,101. DC United, the men's club, averages $63.79. This is a savings of $31.31 per ticket, or approximately $1,037.21 per ticket, depending on which listing you were looking at.

Los Angeles Angel City FC's median resale ticket is $80. The LA Galaxy, a men's team with five MLS Cup championships and a documented history of large, famous players, has a median of $66. This makes the Galaxy the budget option in Los Angeles professional soccer. We have read that sentence several times. It continues to be true.

Houston The Houston Dash median is $54. The Houston Dynamo median is $43. The Dynamo won back-to-back MLS Cups in 2006 and 2007. They are $11 cheaper per ticket. These facts are unrelated but both accurate.

Orlando The Orlando Pride are the reigning NWSL Champions. Their tickets reflect this. The median resale is $42, compared to $35 for Orlando City SC. We recognize this gap is smaller than the others in this guide. We are including it anyway.

Note: In Portland, Seattle, New York, and San Diego, MLS tickets are currently more expensive than NWSL. Fans in those cities are on their own.

What to Expect at a Men's Soccer Match

If you've never attended a men's soccer game before, the experience may feel unfamiliar.

A typical MLS match includes:

Two teams
Eleven players per team
One ball
Ninety minutes of play
Various attempts to score

In other words, the same basic elements you would find at an NWSL match.

The primary difference is that the players are men.

Tips for First-Time Men's Soccer Attendees

If you decide to explore this budget-friendly option, the following strategies may help.

Tip #1: Don't Be Alarmed by the Lower Prices If you're used to browsing NWSL resale listings, the ticket prices for men's soccer may initially seem suspiciously low. This is normal.

Tip #2: Manage Your Expectations While MLS players are highly trained professionals, it may help to think of the experience less as watching the best soccer in the country and more as a pleasant, budget-friendly evening out.

Tip #3: Use the Savings Strategically Many fans report using the money they save on MLS tickets to:

Buy additional NWSL merchandise
Save up for future NWSL tickets
Purchase snacks

Tip #4: Know Your Floor Even the cheapest available ticket—what the industry calls the "get-in" price—runs higher for NWSL ($27.31 on average) than for MLS ($22.66). This means that if you are looking for the absolute lowest possible price of entry to professional soccer, men's soccer is, technically, that. We want you to have this information. We understand it is a lot to sit with.

Tip #5: Be Patient With Yourself Your first men's soccer match may feel unfamiliar.

That's okay. Many fans report needing several minutes to adjust.

Is Men's Soccer Right for Your Budget?

While men's leagues like Major League Soccer serve an important role—providing a cost-effective viewing experience for fans who have been priced out of the NWSL—this option may not be for everyone.

If you're willing to make a few small compromises, such as watching men instead of women, you may find that professional soccer is still within your financial reach.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is men's soccer the same sport as women's soccer? Yes, although the players are men.

Will I enjoy it? Many fans report having a perfectly pleasant time.

Can I still support women's soccer? Absolutely. In fact, attending men's soccer may help you save up for your next NWSL ticket.

How long will men's soccer remain the more affordable option? This is an excellent question. NWSL ticket prices have risen 68% since 2022, compared to 35% for MLS over the same period. We expect to update this guide. We cannot say when.

The Bottom Line

Ultimately, while men's soccer may not deliver the same cultural moment or ticket demand as the NWSL, it offers something increasingly rare in modern sports: affordability.

For now.

Data: Gametime secondary market. League figures represent per-team averages. MLS data excludes LAFC (statistical outlier) and the MLS All-Star Game. YoY trend data covers 2022–2025.