What Is NFL Preseason Ticket Pricing?
NFL preseason ticket pricing is set by each team for primary sales and shaped by sellers and demand on resale sites. There is no leaguewide price list or guaranteed preseason discount. To compare tickets fairly, match the seat type and section, then compare the full checkout total, delivery method, and refund terms before buying.
Could a ticket that looks cheaper online cost more by the time you pay, or arrive through a transfer method you cannot use? Those are the practical questions behind preseason ticket pricing. The short answer is that prices vary by team, game, seat, seller, and timing. I use the steps below to separate the advertised price from the actual cost and to check what the purchase includes.
How NFL preseason ticket prices are set
NFL preseason ticket prices are not set by one public leaguewide price list. Teams determine primary-market prices, while resale prices reflect what individual sellers ask and what buyers are willing to pay. Seat location, game, supply, and timing all matter, so a low price in one city is not a reliable guide to another.
A primary-market ticket is first sold through the team or its authorized ticket seller. A resale ticket is offered by someone who already has a ticket. The displayed price on either type of listing may not be the final amount you pay.
Preseason games are generally played in August. Teams may offer different prices for different sections or seat types, and resale listings can change as sellers adjust their asking prices. There is no verified, universal rule that preseason tickets cost a fixed percentage less than regular-season tickets.
Compare like with like. A lower-bowl seat is not a fair comparison with an upper-level seat, and a pair of seats may not be comparable to a single ticket. Also check whether the listed price is per ticket and whether the seats are together.
What affects the price you pay?
The total cost depends on more than the seat’s listed price. Mandatory service or facility fees, taxes, and delivery charges may be added before payment. Their amounts and how they appear vary by seller and event, so compare the final checkout total rather than relying on the first price shown.
A face value is the price printed or assigned when a ticket is first sold. A listing price is what a seller currently asks. Neither term necessarily includes every fee due at checkout.
| Price detail | What to check | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Listed price | Is it per ticket? Is it face value or a seller’s asking price? | Prevents confusion between the advertised figure and your cost |
| Seat details | Section, row, seat count, and whether seats are together | Makes comparisons more accurate |
| Checkout total | Mandatory fees, taxes, and delivery charges | Shows the amount you will actually pay |
| Delivery | Official account, accepted transfer, or another method | Helps confirm you can receive and use the ticket |
| Terms | Refund, cancellation, resale, or transfer rules | Clarifies what happens if plans change |
For example, imagine two listings for comparable seats. One has a lower advertised price but adds larger fees at checkout. The other starts higher but has a lower final total. The second may be the better value, but only if the seats and delivery terms also match your needs.
When to buy: timing and comparable-seat price tracking
NFL schedules are typically announced in May, and preseason games are generally played in August. Once the schedule is published, you can watch listings for the specific game you want. Checking again closer to game day may reveal different options, but neither timing window guarantees the lowest price.
A price floor is the lowest observed price for a defined item over a stated period. For preseason tickets, a useful floor must be specific to the game, seat type, and price basis. A leaguewide dollar amount or percentage discount would not be a dependable benchmark.
I would track comparable seats, not just the cheapest listing. Note the section, row or seat type, number of tickets, seller, and all-in checkout total when that information is available. If a marketplace offers price history or alerts, use them as reference tools, not promises about future prices.
| Tracking step | What to record |
|---|---|
| Choose the game | Team, date, and venue |
| Define the seat | Section or level, number of seats, and whether they must be together |
| Check primary and resale offers | Seller name and listed price |
| Compare checkout totals | Fees, taxes, and delivery charges |
| Recheck later | Note the date and whether the same type of seat is available |
A simple worked example: suppose you want two seats together in a particular section. Record the all-in total for comparable pairs from more than one seller. If only single seats appear at a lower price, mark them as a different option rather than treating them as a direct price match. This keeps your target realistic and prevents a misleading comparison.
Official sellers, resale platforms, fees, and price protections
Start with the team’s official ticket page and its authorized primary seller. Then compare resale platforms that support the event and explain their delivery and buyer-protection terms. Seller policies differ, so do not assume that every ticket can be returned, transferred, or resold in the same way.
A buyer-protection policy describes what a platform may do if a ticket is not delivered as promised or has a problem covered by its terms. Read the policy for the exact event and purchase. The phrase “protected purchase” is not a substitute for checking exclusions and deadlines.
| Purchase route | What to verify |
|---|---|
| Team or authorized primary seller | Seat details, full total, delivery, and event-specific terms |
| Resale marketplace | Seller and platform terms, transfer method, delivery timing, and buyer protection |
| Promotion or cashback portal | Event and seller eligibility, exclusions, tracking rules, and claim deadline |
Retail store coupons, manufacturer coupons, and ordinary retail price-match policies generally do not apply to event tickets. A ticket promotion, cashback offer, or price adjustment may exist, but it depends on the seller, event, payment method, and offer terms. Do not count on a retail-style 14- to 30-day price guarantee unless the seller’s written terms specifically provide one.
Before checkout, confirm that any promotion explicitly covers the event and ticket seller. Check whether it excludes resale tickets, certain payment methods, or particular sales channels. Cashback is not a discount unless the offer qualifies and the credit is actually tracked and paid under its terms.
How to compare offers and complete checkout
Compare the same seat type across platforms and follow each listing to the final payment screen. This is where a headline-price trap becomes clear: a resale listing may look cheaper at first but cost more after fees. A low price also has little value if delivery is unclear or the transfer method is not accepted.
Use this sequence:
- Identify the team’s official ticket channel and authorized seller.
- Pick the section, number of seats, and seating requirements you will accept.
- Set a target based on the all-in total, not the listing price alone.
- Check comparable listings and any available price alerts.
- Review delivery, transfer, refund, cancellation, and resale terms.
- Apply only an offer that clearly covers that event and seller.
- Compare the final totals before you submit payment.
If a cashback offer is involved, verify eligibility before clicking through. Save the offer terms and note any claim deadline. Do not buy extra tickets or unrelated items merely to qualify for a promotion unless you already want them and the full cost makes sense.
Worked comparison: two possible purchases
The figures below are hypothetical and are not NFL price estimates. They show how to compare offers without assuming one seller’s fees or rules apply to another.
| Option | Listed total for two seats | Added charges at checkout | Final total | Delivery terms |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Listing A | $180 | $36 | $216 | Mobile transfer stated |
| Listing B | $195 | $18 | $213 | Delivery terms require review |
In this example, Listing B has the higher advertised price but the lower final total. That still does not settle the choice: check that both pairs are comparable seats and that you understand each delivery and buyer-protection policy. The example illustrates a method, not a prediction of actual prices.
After purchase: delivery, cashback, and receipt checks
A completed payment is not the only check that matters. Save the receipt and applicable offer terms, then confirm that the tickets appear in the official account or the accepted transfer channel. Delivery timing and transfer steps can vary by seller and event.
After buying, check:
- The order confirmation and final amount charged.
- The event, date, seat details, and number of tickets.
- Whether the tickets appear in the expected account or transfer channel.
- Any stated delivery deadline and instructions.
- Cashback tracking, if applicable, and the offer’s claim window.
If tickets are missing or a transfer has not arrived by the seller’s stated deadline, contact the seller through its official support channel and keep a record of the order. If cashback does not track, follow the portal’s claim process within its stated time limit. Do not assume the seller or portal will use the same deadline as another company.
The safest comparison is one you can document: matching seats, final totals, clear delivery, and terms saved before purchase. That gives you a useful record if a charge, transfer, or promotion does not work as expected.
FAQ: NFL preseason ticket pricing
Are NFL preseason tickets always cheaper than regular-season tickets?
No universal discount applies. Prices vary by team, game, seat, seller, and demand. Compare actual tickets for the event you plan to attend.
Who sets NFL preseason ticket prices?
Teams set prices for primary-market tickets. Resale prices are set by individual sellers and can change over time.
When are NFL preseason tickets usually played?
Preseason games are generally played in August. Schedules are typically announced in May, but exact dates depend on the season.
When is the best time to buy preseason tickets?
There is no guaranteed best buying window. Compare offers after the schedule is published and again closer to game day, using equivalent seats and all-in totals.
Why is the checkout price higher than the listed price?
Fees, taxes, and delivery charges may be added. Their amounts and display vary by seller and event, so check the final payment screen.
Do NFL tickets qualify for retail coupons or price matching?
Retail coupons and ordinary retail price-match policies generally do not apply. Use a ticket promotion only if its terms explicitly include that event and seller.
Can I return preseason tickets if my plans change?
Do not assume you can. Refund, cancellation, and resale rules depend on the seller, event, and applicable terms. Read them before paying.
How can I check whether a resale ticket is safe to buy?
Use a platform that supports the event, review its buyer-protection terms, and confirm the delivery method and timing. Avoid listings with unclear transfer details.
Should I compare listed prices or final totals?
Compare final checkout totals for comparable seats. A lower listing price may cost more after charges are added.
What should I save after buying?
Keep the receipt, offer terms, order details, and any delivery or transfer confirmation. If a promotion is involved, note its tracking and claim deadlines.
(This article was written by one of our staff writers, Arthur E. Vance. Visit our Meet the Team page.)
