What Will NCAA March Madness Ticket Pricing Look Like in 2034?

Harry Sadoun Sports Betting Expert

15 minute read

The "Caitlin Clark effect" has undeniably made its mark, as she’s made it evident with the sell-out of the Big Ten women's basketball tournament. With all tickets sold out nearly two weeks in advance for both men's and women's NCAA March Madness championship games this year, according to TicketIQ. Our data analytics team decided to predict what ticket pricing for Men and Women NCAA March Madness games will look like in a decade.

Average March Madness Men and Women Ticket Prices will see a 28% increase by 2034

The cumulative increase over the next ten years for average Men’s  NCAA tournament tickets will be $99.24 from the initial price of 2023. The average ticket price for the standard Men's NCAA tournament just last year was $354.29, but will increase to $453.53 by 2034. These increments may be small at first glance, but an average $9 increase year to year will eventually have to make regular watchers change their budget for March 2034.

The average ticket prices for standard women NCAA tournament games, just like their male counterparts, will see an increase in the average priced tickets if using the same projected inflation rate (2%). Initial women's ticket prices in 2023 were set around $442.54, which is already around a 24.89% increase from men's average tickets in 2023, and will be expected to be $566.50 in 2034, making it a $123.96  increase over the next ten years.

There is no doubt that Men and Women’s March Madness has seen a generous uptick in viewership and attendance this year. Many North Carolina teams have made deep runs, and the legalization of sports betting in the Tar Heel State allows users to get in on the action. Check out our comprehensive list of North Carolina sportsbooks and get started today! If sports aren’t your thing, check out our list of the best online casinos.

What Will the Big Spenders Have To Pay In 2034

College sports fans with a little more disposable income who like to treat themselves nicely to entertainment and sports with the best tickets in the house will see a $184.87 increase in the most expensive tickets for men’s NCAA tournament game tickets. In 2023, the most expensive standard men’s NCAA tournament ticket was just $660.00; however, by 2034, ticket prices are expected to be around $844.87. 

Women NCAA the most expensive standard NCAA tournament tickets will see an increase of $251.81 in their most expensive tickets. That's almost 1.5 times more of an increase than the men's most expensive ticket over the next ten years. In 2023, women's most expensive NCAA standard tournament tickets were $899 (which is still more expensive than what men's most expensive standard NCAA tournament tickets will have to pay in 2034) and will increase to $1,150.81 by 2034.

What to Expect in 2034 For Final Four Tickets

Nothing beats witnessing the Final Four games, however, the price increase over the next ten years will probably make some fans stay home. 

In 2023, the cheapest Final Four ticket for men's March madness was about $541, but it will increase to $692.54. That's about a $151 jump, making the jump just $20 short of the cost of the cheapest standard Men NCAA ticket in 2023. The Women's Final Four ticket prices will see a staggering $229.68 increase in the cheapest Final four ticket prices

In 2023, the average ticket price for a Final Four Men's March Madness game was $1,428.55, but by 2034, that number will have increased by $400.14, making the price $1,828.69 by 2034. That increase is considerably high, considering you could have bought two cheap men’s  NCAA tournament tickets in 2023 with that increase. Women's NCAA average Final Four tournament tickets will see a $627.69 increase by 2034, almost double the increase men are expected to see in 2034. In addition, the increase in women’s average Final Four tickets alone would have brought you three cheap tickets to a standard women's NCAA tournament game in 2023. 

The most expensive tickets for the men’s Final Four game was set at $10,709.00 in 2023, but by 2034, that ticket number will be $13,708.61, about a $3,000 increase. That difference alone in just ten years could have bought you two average-priced Final Four tickets back in 2023. On the other hand, the women's Final Four's most expensive ticket gets even more expensive, as the most expensive ticket price was around $19,224.00 but will increase to $24,608.68 by 2034, which is about a $5,384.68 increase. That increase could have bought you two average ticket-priced women's NCAA tournament Final Four tickets and could have bought you almost four men's average ticket price NCAA tournament Final four tickets. 

Methodology

The objective of this study was to estimate the impact of future inflation rates on the prices of NCAA basketball tournament tickets for both men's and women's events, with the year 2023 serving as the base year for calculations. Future inflation rates from 2024 to 2034 were sourced from reputable sources such as Statista and Technopedia. These projections provided insights into the anticipated annual price increases across various sectors, including event ticketing. Base prices for NCAA men's and women's basketball tournament tickets were collected for 2023. This data formed the foundation for projecting future price trends. The projection of future ticket prices utilized a straightforward formula: Future Price = x × (1 + y), Where x represents the previous year's ticket price, and y denotes the prior year's inflation rate (expressed as a decimal). 

However, we acknowledged limitations, including the reliability of projected inflation rates and the assumption that ticket prices would solely be influenced by inflation. This analysis did not consider other factors, such as changes in demand, venue size, or sponsorship deals, potentially affecting ticket prices beyond inflationary impacts.

Harry Sadoun

Harry Sadoun is a seasoned sports betting expert with a wealth of experience in the iGaming and sports betting industry. Over the past 5 years, he has established himself as a go-to source for insightful analysis and predictions at Vegasinsider. With a passion for sports, Harry specializes in football, basketball, tennis, rugby, and soccer, showcasing a diverse understanding of athletic competitions. Harry's unique approach to sports betting is rooted in a combination of statistical analysis, in-depth research, and a keen understanding of the dynamics that influence game outcomes. His expert opinions and strategic insights have made him a trusted voice in the industry, guiding both novice and seasoned bettors alike. With an unwavering commitment to delivering accurate and up-to-date information, Harry Sadoun continues to be a prominent figure in the world of sports betting, providing enthusiasts with the tools they need to make informed decisions. More from Harry Sadoun