Posted: Thursday, September 17, 2009, 2:33 PM | 32 comments |
 

Are Eagles games affordable?
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A friend passed along a marketing report, which lists how much it costs to attend NFL games at the various venues around the country.

With the Eagles set to open their home schedule this Sunday, and the Cowboys slated to break in their new Stadium Sunday night, I thought now would be a good time to reference it.

According to Chicago-based firm Team Marketing Research, the average ticket cost for an NFL game is $74.99. The Eagles fall below the average at $69.00. Seventeen teams have a higher average ticket price than the Eagles.

Other costs to attend a game at the Linc, per the report:

16 oz. beer: $6.75
32 oz. soft drink: $5.00
Hot dog: $4.50
Parking: $20.00
Program: $5.00

The report also included a special category, which calculated how much it would cost to take a family of four to a game. The number included four average-priced general tickets, two small beers, four small soft drinks, four hot dogs, parking, two programs, and two least-expensive caps. For the Eagles, the total came out to $387.50, which ranked in the middle of the pack, 15th in the league. The league average is $412.64.

If you're like the Kapadias, you stop for hoagies on the way, eat them in the car while listening to pre-game shows on the radio and you share a soda and Chickie's and Pete's crab fries while in the stadium. For the really cold games, add in a hot chocolate. But then again, that's just us.

So who's at the top of this list? It should come as no surprise. The Dallas Cowboys. Average ticket price? $159.65.

Average family of four? $758.58. Wow. That's unbelievable.

The study points out though that Dallas offers standing room only tickets for $29 and season ticket packages for as low as $59 per game.

The Patriots ($117.84 for the average ticket), Bears ($88.33) and Giants ($88.63) are also among the most expensive teams.

The Browns ($54.65), Panthers ($63.32), Jaguars ($57.34) and Bills ($51.24) are the most affordable.
Posted by Sheil Kapadia @ 2:33 PM  Permalink | 32 comments
32
Comments   
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 2:51 PM, 09/17/2009
    Counting that you buy them at that price, sometimes U buy them at Stub for $500 a ticket.
    — tonygreeneagle5
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 3:00 PM, 09/17/2009
    You post a question and then never answer it. Instead you offer up stats that show how an eagles game cost is in the median. So let me answer the question, NO. A $4.50 hot dog is $4.00 to much money for something made out of lips and a**holes. Instead use the $412 and go buy yourself a nice 32inch flat screen TV. If you double it, you can get a 50inch TV. Then sit back at home and drink a beer for $0.75 or less (maybe more for you beer snobs) and eat a hotdog(s) 6 for $2.50 dollars. That is affordable in todays times. The NFL better change some things around, they won't be on top forever.
    — Atlas
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 3:18 PM, 09/17/2009
    I think Sheil did a good job of answering his own question, which was whether or not the Eagles game is affordable. Of course, affordable is very relative. You can either compare it to other teams around the nation, or you can compare it each to the per-capita salary of each metro of which the teams play in or around (which I think is a better measure). In terms of comparing it to the rest of the league, then yes.. Eagles games come at a near bargain! But can the average Philadelphian afford those games? It is a bit of a reach, as it may be half or a third of his rent/mortgage.
    — trungy
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 3:19 PM, 09/17/2009
    Stub Hub blows... I bought my $61 nose-bleed Eagles/Panthers ticket for $130 back in June. Was worth every penny though!!
    — terb
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 3:25 PM, 09/17/2009
    Way to miss the point Atlat... The post is about the relative affordability of an Eagles game vs. other NFL venues. He answers it pretty well. The take away is that for a pretty signficant market in a major US city, the Eagles prices aren't really all that out of line and even might be a bit behind where they could be.
    — chaz190
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 3:31 PM, 09/17/2009
    For the difference of only $1.75, I'll take the beer over the soda all day long.
    — mikeyhigs
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 3:34 PM, 09/17/2009
    He didn't add in the cost of dry cleaning your clothes when some drunk fool spills his beer.
    — jsaiia
  • Comment removed.
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 3:42 PM, 09/17/2009
    I don't pay to see any pro sports.
    — pieman
  • Comment removed.
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 4:00 PM, 09/17/2009
    Football is the only sport better on TV than in person. I enjoy going to the games...but why not just stay home. Eat and drink the day away. I hate the drive and the parking fees kill me. I pay them for the privilege to go and spend money at their event. Maybe I am like Michael Moore now...maybe I am starting to hate capitalism in my old age. Why do all this? For what?...so I can tailgate a little. Wait in lines. Get screamed at, over and through by idiots. The Eagles have my heart, but I am frugal about sharing my wallet with them. My Direct TV bill is more than enough money spent by me. Come to think of it...they owe me a little, for years of dedicated loyalty and free word of mouth advertising. I am forwading my cable bill to Jeff Lurie. I am sure he can handle it.
    — derkaiser
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 4:11 PM, 09/17/2009
    I go to Phils games and pay between $19 and $29 usually, $6.75/beer and one hot dog (usually eat at home before game). If the price increase to $40, I'd go less often. Each game I drink about three beers so let's say my expenditure is around $50 (for one). If they raise ticket prices $10, they lose $50 from me. Of course, that doesn't matter if someone else will pay the extra $10 AND buy $20 worth of concessions. I suspect this is the case with the Eagles and for football, I think a large flat screen is just as good as the real thing, fan frenzy not withsstanding. baseball is much better in person than on tv.
    — dreinterests
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 4:18 PM, 09/17/2009
    With the advent of the DVR you can watch a 3.5 hour commercial filled NFL game in 1.5 hours (I just start watching an hour late). As long as you don't mind missing the same Coors Light commercial being played 17 times. 6 beers @ home $8. 6 beers @ The Linc $42. All the math I need to justify staying home.
    — sla6yer
  • Comment removed.
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 5:01 PM, 09/17/2009
    That family of 4 could go on a vacation for that price
    — Lemur


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About Sheil Kapadia
Sheil Kapadia is in his fourth season writing about the Eagles and the NFL for philly.com. His earliest memories as a sports fan include several trips to Veterans Stadium with his Dad. He's not a beat writer or an Insider, but is here to discuss the NFL 365 days a year. E-mail him at skapadia@philly.com or by clicking here

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