NBA Finals Tickets

[radsoxfan]

Apologies if this is the wrong place or there is another thread about this...

I'm coordinating a potential cross country trip for a Finals game, probably Game 2 or 5.

Anyone have any idea about the expectations for ticket prices on stubhub etc. changing over the next couple of weeks? Typically there isn't so much time after the ECF.

My default assumption is that tickets tend to be inflated early but trend down closer to the games. Fair guess or wishful thinking?

 

[Light-Tower-Power]

I had been tracking for a while and finally bought tickets last Friday as there hadn't been much movement, and now that they're officially playing in the Finals it doesn't seem like much has changed. I did some research and it indicated that there won't be significant shifts in prices for extremely high demand events like a Finals game so maybe worth it to just lock in tickets you like vs. trying to time the market. IIRC prices in 2022 didn't move much either.

 

[radsoxfan]

I had been tracking for a while and finally bought tickets last Friday as there hadn't been much movement, and now that they're officially playing in the Finals it doesn't seem like much has changed. I did some research and it indicated that there won't be significant shifts in prices for extremely high demand events like a Finals game so maybe worth it to just lock in tickets you like vs. trying to time the market. IIRC prices in 2022 didn't move much either.

Cool, thanks. Was curious how things looked in 2022. This almost seems like a Superbowl situation as far as the timing, given the huge gap between clinching the ECF and June 6.

I kind of assumed sellers would be trying to inflate prices for a while to see who bites early in an effort to lock in a plan. But maybe these prices are just how things are going to be.

 

[Fisks Of Fury]

I was just looking at tickets on Ticketmaster for Game 5, and there are a lovely set of seats right behind the Celtics bench for only $47250 each. VIP indeed.

 

[tonyandpals]

Just a reminder before anyone buys anything on TM or StubHub to PM me. I can likely save you hundreds in fees on these games.

 

[InstaFace]

My default assumption is that tickets tend to be inflated early but trend down closer to the games. Fair guess or wishful thinking?

I'm not as knowledgeable about the ticket market as I once was, but my impression is that to the extent "prices go down closer to the games", it's only true in the last few hours before tipoff, as people holding unsold inventory start to worry about not closing out their position. Whereas, prices don't generally change much, say, between T-minus 7 days and T-minus 24 hours.

 

[Ed Hillel]

Just a reminder before anyone buys anything on TM or StubHub to PM me. I can likely save you hundreds in fees on these games.

TM resellers seem to have gotten around this by jacking prices on TM to rates that equal StubHub with fees (Tickets I saw were listed at 1800 on TM for the same seats listed on Stubhub for $1200ish), at least for these games. Are you also able to circumvent Stubhub‘s fees? It’s too late for me, but maybe it’ll be useful for someone else! Stubhub's fees are .

 

[Ed Hillel]

Cool, thanks. Was curious how things looked in 2022. This almost seems like a Superbowl situation as far as the timing, given the huge gap between clinching the ECF and June 6.

I kind of assumed sellers would be trying to inflate prices for a while to see who bites early in an effort to lock in a plan. But maybe these prices are just how things are going to be.

For Game 5, it's probably going to depend on how the series plays out. If Celtics are up 3-1, prices will probably shoot up. If they're down 3-1, they'll probably go down. 2-2, somewhere in the middle. Game 7 is going to be an assload no matter what, so might as well buy now since they're refundable anyway, and they for sure won't go down. Game B is the cheapest game to buy for right now. I remember Game 6 in 2008 was like 3500 for 2 tickets to the last row of the absolute worst section. And inflation since then is not insignificant...

Personally, I bit now, putting that DraftKings parlay to good (bad?) use. Games B, 5, and 7. All of them bleachers but center court. They were expensive, but everything else below was like 8-10k for 2 tickets with fees .

 

[Ale Xander]

For Game 5, it's probably going to depend on how the series plays out. If Celtics are up 3-1, prices will probably shoot up. If they're down 3-1, they'll probably go down. 2-2, somewhere in the middle. Game 7 is going to be an assload no matter what, so might as well buy now since they're refundable anyway, and they for sure won't go down. Game B is the cheapest game to buy for right now. I remember Game 6 in 2008 was like 3500 for 2 tickets to the last row of the absolute worst section. And inflation since then is not insignificant...

Personally, I bit now, putting that DraftKings parlay to good (bad?) use. Games B, 5, and 7. All of them bleachers but center court. They were expensive, but everything else below was like 8-10k for 2 tickets with fees .

I agree. I like the center court balconies for this.

 

[radsoxfan]

I'm not as knowledgeable about the ticket market as I once was, but my impression is that to the extent "prices go down closer to the games", it's only true in the last few hours before tipoff, as people holding unsold inventory start to worry about not closing out their position. Whereas, prices don't generally change much, say, between T-minus 7 days and T-minus 24 hours.

Yeah, that makes sense. I probably should assume this is going to be the range, +/- 10%.

If I lived local I'd much more willing to wait it out til close to game time, but if I jump through the hoops to make the trip happen, I'll have to bite on tickets far sooner than that.

 

[tonyandpals]

TM resellers seem to have gotten around this by jacking prices on TM to rates that equal StubHub with fees (Tickets I saw were listed at 1800 on TM for the same seats listed on Stubhub for $1200ish), at least for these games. Are you also able to circumvent Stubhub‘s fees? It’s too late for me, but maybe it’ll be useful for someone else! Stubhub's fees are .

Yeah, brokers typically use an aggregator type software to manage inventory, and it pushes the same tickets to all the secondary marketplaces. They can then control their markup on each marketplace. Stubhub also does weird (stupid) things to make their initial price seem low, but then just makes up for it in fees.

But typically they are putting price say 1000 in the software, then the markups come in, your out the door price is 1300+, broker only gets 900 as the marketplace has fees on both sides. I can buy it direct from the broker closer to the pre fee price. They're happy because they net more since they're cutting the marketplace out. End buyer is happy to reduce the amount of fees they pay.

 

[tonyandpals]

Real world example of the cheapest I can get right now

306/11
TM pre fee 820ea
post fee 1008ea
SH prefee 845ea
SH post fee 1048ea

My price would be 910ea out the door, so save $100 a ticket or so. Start working in loges that are 1.5-2k ea, save 150-200ea.

edit to add: I've been doing this for many soshers for a while now. Any event that is TM resale. Not just Cs/Bs.

 

[fairlee76]

Just a reminder before anyone buys anything on TM or StubHub to PM me. I can likely save you hundreds in fees on these games.

Does this offer apply to Game 4 in Dallas as well? A few of us Celtics fans are convening there for the weekend given easier travel logistics.

 

[Ale Xander]

Real world example of the cheapest I can get right now

306/11
TM pre fee 820ea
post fee 1008ea
SH prefee 845ea
SH post fee 1048ea

My price would be 910ea out the door, so save $100 a ticket or so. Start working in loges that are 1.5-2k ea, save 150-200ea.

edit to add: I've been doing this for many soshers for a while now. Any event that is TM resale. Not just Cs/Bs.

What is your cut on this $910 example?

(Just morbid curiosity, no negative value judgment. Thank you for offering this service)

 

[Lose Remerswaal]

What is your cut on this $910 example?

Seriously?

 

[TrapperAB]

Just jumping in here to say @tonyandpals hooked up my son and me last year and we remain deeply grateful. SoSH and SoSHers, man. The best.

 

[Jim Ed Rice in HOF]

What is your cut on this $910 example?

(Just morbid curiosity, no negative value judgment. Thank you for offering this service)

 

[tonyandpals]

Does this offer apply to Game 4 in Dallas as well? A few of us Celtics fans are convening there for the weekend given easier travel logistics.

Good question. I don't know what their primary ticket platform is. It looks like it could be ticketmaster, but they don't have anything up for potential game 6 on there, which is odd, unless they have just held back selling any until it's a sure thing. I'll keep an eye and let you know.

 

[HomeRunBaker]

Real world example of the cheapest I can get right now

306/11
TM pre fee 820ea
post fee 1008ea
SH prefee 845ea
SH post fee 1048ea

My price would be 910ea out the door, so save $100 a ticket or so. Start working in loges that are 1.5-2k ea, save 150-200ea.

edit to add: I've been doing this for many soshers for a while now. Any event that is TM resale. Not just Cs/Bs.

For those who don’t know him, @tonyandpals is an awesome guy who is to event tickets what DoTB is to real estate/mortgages for SoSHers. I’ve worked with him before and you aren’t going to get a better deal or better service anywhere. Wanted to add this bit.

 

[Time to Mo Vaughn]

I am psyched for this. I bought into partial season tickets this season and traded my first and second round tickets for Game 5 in the ECF. Oops.

But I've also got Game 5 finals and just rolled my ECF ticket into Game 7 should it happen. Celtics sweep might have just a touch of bittersweetness to it, but this is the first time in my life I have the possibility to see a Boston team in any Championship finals and for a clinching game.

 

[fairlee76]

Good question. I don't know what their primary ticket platform is. It looks like it could be ticketmaster, but they don't have anything up for potential game 6 on there, which is odd, unless they have just held back selling any until it's a sure thing. I'll keep an eye and let you know.

That is odd - ticketmaster has games 5 and 7 in Minneapolis available but a message to the effect of "on sale date and time are TBD" for game 6 in Dallas.

Thanks for offering this and I will definitely check back in once the Finals are set.

 

[Ale Xander]

Good question. I don't know what their primary ticket platform is. It looks like it could be ticketmaster, but they don't have anything up for potential game 6 on there, which is odd, unless they have just held back selling any until it's a sure thing. I'll keep an eye and let you know.

The latter

 

[wilked]

Just a note that @tonyandpals has helped me with tickets on multiple occasions and is amazing - thanks!

 

[Sille Skrub]

I am not sure who wouldn't know this by now, but piling on...

@tonyandpals is the best!

 

[Matty005]

I'm piling on too because @tonyandpals is the absolute best (other than his backhand).

 

[Mloaf71]

@tonyandpals i just sent you a PM re Game 1. Thanks!

 

[tonyandpals]

I'm piling on too because @tonyandpals is the absolute best (other than his backhand).

I'm working on that still! 1-0 on the ladder this year so far though

 

[Ed Hillel]

Fyi, I just learned of TickPicks, and it appears they have the best prices out there for 3rd party. I probably could have saved like $1,000 using them (or Tony). Crap.

 

[Ale Xander]

Prices have surely dropped a bit. I still would have used tm so you get the tickets right away and there are no issues.
Tickpick is good for last minute buys to save on fees but not sure I would have used them for this.

 

[wade boggs chicken dinner]

I'm working on that still! 1-0 on the ladder this year so far though

Tennis squash or pickleball?

 

[Ed Hillel]

Prices have surely dropped a bit. I still would have used tm so you get the tickets right away and there are no issues.
Tickpick is good for last minute buys to save on fees but not sure I would have used them for this.

Yeah, tickets are down about 10% or so for some games. Clincher games are up, though.

 

[tonyandpals]

Tennis squash or pickleball?

Tennis. 2-0 now and holding the top spot, which isn't saying much since the initial ranking is in reverse order so the best players have to work their way up. But the two guys I beat were ranked higher than me initially, so there's that!

 

[tonyandpals]

Fyi, I just learned of TickPicks, and it appears they have the best prices out there for 3rd party. I probably could have saved like $1,000 using them (or Tony). Crap.

Tickpick is usually the lowest price, gametime a close second. I can usually beat them both, but they seem to operate on a similar model as me, on a MUCH LARGER scale to put it lightly haha.

 

[wade boggs chicken dinner]

Tennis. 2-0 now and holding the top spot, which isn't saying much since the initial ranking is in reverse order so the best players have to work their way up. But the two guys I beat were ranked higher than me initially, so there's that!

That's great. If it were squash I might have some tips but have nothing to offer but good luck and keep it going!

 

[McBride11]

I was under the impression that the Garden would be empty just like prior series. Can probably just walk in day of!

Any SooooShers that make should be obligated to sharing pics

 

[Jody Reed's 1988 Mustache]

just want to give another shoutout to @tonyandpals for helping me get my two tickets cheaper than stubhub. Thanks man! Will share pics @McBride11

 

[Time to Mo Vaughn]

I was under the impression that the Garden would be empty just like prior series. Can probably just walk in day of!

Any SooooShers that make should be obligated to sharing pics

I'll be there if the series makes it to 5 (and 7).

 

[NJ_Sox_Fan]

Thursday and Sunday night could not be more inconvenient from an out of staters perspective

 

[McBride11]

I'll be there if the series makes it to 5 (and 7).

Sorry. Terrible reference to an ‘empty stadium’ from g1 indy gamethread

 

[Ale Xander]

Thursday and Sunday night could not be more inconvenient from an out of staters perspective

How so?

 

[NJ_Sox_Fan]

How so?

Because I’d have to take off Friday or Monday, which is hard for me to do on short notice. Just for my own selfishness.

 

[Ale Xander]

Because I’d have to take off Friday or Monday, which is hard for me to do on short notice. Just for my own selfishness.

Ah ok. The NBA hates in person fans. They just care about eyeballs on tv and they apparently think no one watches on Fri/Sat. For Finals they would. Don;t know why game 1 isn;'t on Friday night myself. NHL has a different viewpoint. 2 Saturdays and a Friday I believe.

 

[NJ_Sox_Fan]

Ah ok. The NBA hates in person fans. They just care about eyeballs on tv and they apparently think no one watches on Fri/Sat. For Finals they would. Don;t know why game 1 isn;'t on Friday night myself. NHL has a different viewpoint. 2 Saturdays and a Friday I believe.

Yeah I figured for sure there’d be a Friday night or Saturday game.

 

[Senator Donut]

Yeah I figured for sure there’d be a Friday night or Saturday game.

There has been exactly one NBA Finals game on a Saturday night in the last 40 years (the Jrue Holiday stole the ball game, July 17, 2021).

 

[radsoxfan]

Game 1 and game 2 have come down quite a bit.

For game 1, can get into balcony under $750, center balcony under $1,000, baseline/corner lower seats under $1,500. This is all including any fees.

It's game 5 or nothing for me, maybe those will come down similarly. If it's a potential Celtics clinching game, maybe not.

 

[RSN Diaspora]

Thursday and Sunday night could not be more inconvenient from an out of staters perspective

Saturday would obviously be the best for us, but there isn’t an early flight out of Logan you could take on Monday morning and be in the office on time?

 

[NJ_Sox_Fan]

Saturday would obviously be the best for us, but there isn’t an early flight out of Logan you could take on Monday morning and be in the office on time?

Technically, hypothetically, I could just drive home after the game and be really tired for work on Monday, yes. However, spending $3k to do that seems not as fun.

 

[Ed Hillel]

Game 1 and game 2 have come down quite a bit.

For game 1, can get into balcony under $750, center balcony under $1,000, baseline/corner lower seats under $1,500. This is all including any fees.

It's game 5 or nothing for me, maybe those will come down similarly. If it's a potential Celtics clinching game, maybe not.

Game 1 you can get 2 tickets in section 1, which is Center Court Loge, for $3400 all in with fees (TickPick). That's not bad at all.

 

[radsoxfan]

Game 1 you can get 2 tickets in section 1, which is Center Court Loge, for $3400 all in with fees (TickPick). That's not bad at all.

$2,700 for section 11, just 1 section from center court.

Unfortunately, I'd still need a flight and someone to cover my work shift.

Looking like Game 5 or bust for me.

Edit: Also $2,150 for South Lounge, VIP access, whatever that is.

 

[Lose Remerswaal]

$2,700 for section 11, just 1 section from center court.

Unfortunately, I'd still need a flight and someone to cover my work shift.

Looking like Game 5 or bust for me.

Edit: Also $2,150 for South Lounge, VIP access, whatever that is.

You’re in LA, right? I can cover your shift as long as I can watch the game.