Is there a best time to buy NFL tickets?
Before I answer that, let me ask you this: how do you know you’re getting old?
A: You start using phrases like, “Back in the day…”.
Well, back in the day, one of the best ways to score cheap NFL tickets was to wait until game day and haggle with scalpers outside the stadium.
If you had the patience (and the nerve), you could often get into the game for a fraction of the secondary market price.
But things have changed. Paper tickets are gone, replaced with digital tickets and dynamic pricing algorithms. So, does the old strategy still work in 2025? Let’s break it down.
How to save on NFL tickets in 2025
There’s good news and bad news.
The good news: there is some data to support the idea that waiting can save you money.
The bad news: the sample size is small, and even a larger dataset would still be influenced by dozens of unpredictable variables.
Read: How Much Can You Save on NFL Tickets?
Here’s the bottom line:
- Even with limited data, patterns emerge that are worth paying attention to.
- Most fans don’t care about pricing models—they just want to know when to buy. But if you’re serious about saving money on NFL tickets, a little knowledge goes a long way.
NFL ticket price ups & downs (Oh the pain!)
NFL ticket prices on the secondary market behave a lot like stocks—they rise, fall, and sometimes jump without warning.
While it may feel random, resale platforms use dynamic pricing algorithms influenced by predictable (and sometimes unpredictable) factors:
- Weather: Cold, rainy, or snowy forecasts at open-air stadiums usually push prices down.
- Opponent: Rivalry games (like Eagles vs. Cowboys) almost always command higher prices.
- Popular Teams:
- Dallas Cowboys aka “America’s Team”: Their road games are consistently the most expensive on resale sites.
- Pittsburgh Steelers: Known for traveling fans, Steelers games often drive up home and away ticket costs.
- Team Success: A 7–2 record fuels demand more than a 2–7 record.
- Injuries: If a marquee player is out, ticket demand will take a noticeable dip. No Patrick Mahomes? Sure, fans will watch Gardner Minshew run the offense. From their living room couch.
Best time to buy NFL tickets – What the data shows
So, when should you buy? Let’s look at the evidence.
- Reddit study: A fan tracked prices for a Seahawks-Lions game over 18 weeks across four resale platforms. There’s actually 3 sets of data, but I only charted the one for “Section 118 – Cheapest Available”.
- Raiderology.com: Offers detailed Raiders ticket price tracking by week, day, and even hour before kickoff. The following chart is modified to show weekly prices:
- My own tracking: Currently following 49ers vs. Buccaneers (Oct. 12, 2025) on TickPick to compare weekly trends.
I will of course update this as Week 0 approaches.
Across these sources, the trend is clear: prices tend to drop as game day approaches—but with some exceptions.
Ticket Price Trends: The Best Time to Buy By Week
There’s a difference between the best time to buy NFL tickets for a specific game and the best time to buy if you just want to attend any game.
Here’s a 5-year average (2021–2025) for the cheapest available tickets:
| Week Number | Avg. Price | Savings vs. Week 1 |
|---|---|---|
| Week 1 | $202 | — |
| Weeks 2-5 | $168 | -16.8% |
| Weeks 6-9 | $156 | -22.8% |
| Weeks 10-13 | $150 | -25.7% |
| Weeks 14-18 | $134 | -33.7% |
Key takeaways:
- 🎟️ Game Day = Cheapest (Most Risky): Waiting until the day of the game can pay off—if you’re flexible.
- 📆 1–2 Weeks Before Kickoff = Sweet Spot: Lower prices without the last-minute gamble.
- 🔥 High-Demand Games = Buy Early: Rivalries, prime time, and playoffs rarely drop.
- 📉 Late Season = Best Value: The last 5 weeks are consistently the cheapest.
Summary: When to Buy NFL Tickets
NFL ticket prices in 2025 are constantly shifting due to demand, opponent, weather, and injuries. While there’s no one-size-fits-all answer, here’s the playbook:
- For maximum savings, wait until game day or target the final 5 weeks of the season.
- For moderate savings with less risk, buy 1–2 weeks before kickoff.
- For high-demand games (rivalries, playoffs, prime time), buy early—or be prepared to pay a premium.
Bottom line: if you’re patient and strategic, you can save big.
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