Championship game tickets cheaper for NFC fans than AFC

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Panthers fans looking to score a ticket to the NFC Championship will need more than Panthers Pride: a lot of cash.

On average, Carolina Panthers fans will have to pay less for tickets to the NFC Championship game than fans in the AFC.

One day after tickets sold out in less than three minutes, the average price on resale sites like NFL TicketExchange and StubHub start at just over $300 and go up to more than $5,000.

That's a price that is too high for many Panthers fans.

"That's a lot of money to go to a football game," said fan Cody Mummau, who also considered his family of five. "I love the Panthers and if I had it, I guess I might pay it."

New York-based content analyst Chris Leyden of resale site SeatGeek said prices to the NFC Championship game in Charlotte, while high, still come at a price lower than its AFC counterpart.

Leyden listed fan base, market size and key players as drivers in the resale marketplace.

"Cam Newton is almost getting to that point where people will pay to see him even if they are not a Panthers fan," he said.

Below is a look at ticket prices for NFL Conference Championships dating back to 2011, according to SeatGeek:

NFC Championship Games:
Cardinals at Panthers (2016): $612
Packers at Seahawks (2015): $581
49ers at Seahawks (2014): $650
49ers at Falcons (2013): $316
Giants at 49ers (2012): $691
Packers at Bears (2011): $688

AFC Championship Games:
Patriots at Broncos (2016): $689
Colts at Patriots (2015): $453
Patriots at Broncos (2014): $531
Ravens at Patriots (2013): $397
Ravens at Patriots (2012): $338
Jets at Steelers (2011): $418

Leyden said while rates show an overall upward trend, passionate fan bases in markets Seattle and Denver played a key role in the final cost of tickets.

"The Panthers are a team that we've seen really shoot up this year," he added.

Inventory on SeatGeek remained high Monday, with nearly 5,000 tickets available for the Panthers-Cardinals matchup on Sunday.

"The good news for Panthers fans, if they buy tickets now or wait a couple days, they can save a lot of money," Leyden said.

He added that ticket prices already dropped 20 percent since the initial surge Sunday, with sellers more willing to take less money than none at all.

"The good news for Panthers fans, if they buy tickets now or wait a couple days, they can save a lot of money," he said.

A limited number of single game tickets for the Carolina Panthers NFC Championship playoff game went on sale Sunday, Jan. 17 at 7 p.m. through Ticketmaster.

Ticket prices range from $123 to $260 plus applicable taxes and service charges, and fans may purchase up to six (6) tickets. A limited number of Silver Club Seats will also be available and prices range from $330 - $510 per ticket plus applicable taxes and service charges.

The three purchasing options, each of which allows equal access to available tickets through the Ticketmaster computerized ticketing network, are as follows:

1. Ticketmaster Charge-By-Phone: (800) 745-3000

2. Ticketmaster Ticket Centers: located throughout the Carolinas. Visit www.ticketmaster.com for locations and additional details.

3. Purchasing online at www.ticketmaster.com. Tickets will be sold simultaneously through the Ticketmaster computerized network, which provides fair and equal distribution.

Please note that the Carolina Panthers Ticket Office will not be open for the onsale. Tickets will only be sold through the Ticketmaster network.

For additional information, visit panthers.com or ticketmaster.com.

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