When's the Best Time to Buy Super Bowl Tickets?
- Sports
by Gametime
This article was originally published on and was updated on .
When to Buy 2026 Super Bowl Tickets: What Gametime’s Historical Data Reveals
Super Bowl LX tickets are already listed at $6,000+. Your team just won the Conference Championship. Everyone's telling you to buy now before prices skyrocket.
But what if conventional wisdom is wrong?
We analyzed Gametime's historical pricing data from the past four Super Bowls and found a consistent pattern: prices don't go up as kickoff approaches—they collapse. In 2025, median ticket prices fell 54.52% in the final 14 days. In 2023, they dropped 49.47%. Even in 2024's tight market, they still declined 23.24%.
Here's what the data reveals about the best time to buy.
Median Ticket Prices Leading Up to the Super Bowl
A Note on Data: Average vs. Median Prices
We categorize pricing into two main metrics:
Average Price: Often skewed by $50,000+ luxury suites.
Median Price: The "middle" price point, which more accurately reflects what the average fan is actually paying.
The "Final 14 Days" Rule: Do Prices Actually Drop?
The most common question fans ask is: Will Super Bowl ticket prices drop if I wait? According to Gametime data from the 2022–2025 seasons, the answer is a consistent yes. When comparing prices 14 days before the game to prices on game day, a clear pattern emerges:
Price Movement in the Last Two Weeks Leading Up to a Game
Super Bowl Year | Median Price Change | Average Price Change |
|---|---|---|
2022 | -34.28% | -40.36% |
2023 | -49.47% | -53.26% |
2024 | -23.24% | -25.08% |
2025 | -54.52% | -55.95% |
In every Super Bowl analyzed since 2022, both average and median prices declined in the final two weeks. This suggests that the "late drop" isn't just for bad seats—it’s a total market correction.
Strategy: Should You Buy Now or Wait?
Price isn’t the only consideration when buying a ticket. Despite the 14 day price drop window, sometimes you’re better off buying early. Here’s how we suggest you balance price, seat quality, and peace of mind.
Buy Now if: You Want a Guaranteed Seat View
If you want to sit on the 50-yard line or in a specific lower-level section, buy early! While prices may drop later, the inventory of premium seats shrinks. If you wait until the last minute, you might save money but end up in the nosebleeds. You can use Gametime to see the actual seat view from your phone before you buy, ensuring you get the experience you’re paying for.And if you’re planning to travel, airfare, parking, and hotels are almost always cheaper the earlier you book.
Wait and Track if: You Want the Guaranteed Best Price
If you just want to be in the building and are flexible on where you sit, the data suggests waiting until the 7-to-14-day window before the game. This is where the largest price drops typically occur. Download the Gametime app (iOS and Android) and favorite the Super Bowl in order to receive price alerts. Instead of manually checking, you’ll get a notification the moment prices drop.
FAQ: A Deep Dive on 2026 Super Bowl Ticket Prices
Is it cheaper to buy Super Bowl tickets last minute?
Historically, yes. Gametime data shows significant price softening in the final 48–72 hours before kickoff. As the event date nears, the "time decay" of the ticket increases, forcing sellers to lower prices to avoid a total loss.
Why is Conference Championship week considered a "Price Trap"?
Many fans rush to buy tickets the moment their team wins the AFC or NFC title, but data shows this is often the most expensive time to purchase.
The Hype Peak: Prices hit their ceiling 15–21 days before the game due to an immediate surge in emotional buying.
The Market Reset: Since 2022, prices have dropped an average of 30% to 55% between the night of the Conference Championships and Super Bowl Sunday. Waiting just a few days for the "fan frenzy" to cool can save thousands.
What are the main factors driving Super Bowl ticket price volatility?
Based on historical resale trends, three specific variables dictate how much you'll pay:
Inventory Pressure: As kickoff approaches, unsold tickets become liabilities. Sellers lose leverage, leading to the "late-stage drops" seen in Gametime’s data.
The "Get-In" vs. Premium Mix: Early in the cycle, the market is saturated with high-end corporate suites. Closer to the game, more standard "upper-level" seats enter the secondary market, which naturally pulls the median price down.
The Matchup Dynamics: The geographic proximity of the two fanbases to the host city can create localized demand spikes that defy national trends.
Why are Super Bowl tickets so expensive compared to other games?
It is a "perfect storm" of limited supply (roughly 60,000–70,000 seats), immense global demand, and the fact that a vast majority of tickets are held by corporate partners and the NFL rather than being released directly to the general public.
Why buy tickets on Gametime?
Every ticket on Gametime is from a verified seller and backed by the Gametime Guarantee, plus we guarantee the best prices on any event—find a lower price anywhere, and we’ll even give you 110% of the difference.
Ready to buy your Super Bowl tickets?
Methodology: This analysis is based on daily resale listing data provided by Gametime for Super Bowls LVI, LVII, LVIII, and LIX. Prices reflect secondary market listings and are subject to change based on real-time demand.
