Charleston Regional Business Journal
Published Aug. 19, 2009
An online company that specializes in college football ticket sales lists the University of South Carolina’s November home games against Clemson University and the University of Florida among the top 25 games this season. TicketCity lists the average ticket price against the Tigers and Gators at $324.45 and $302.47, respectively.
The Gamecocks’ matchup against Clemson is ranked No. 19; the game against Florida is ranked No. 22.
“College football is unlike any other sport out there,” said Randy Cohen, CEO of TicketCity. “It’s impassioned, it’s rough and it’s real. It has three ingredients that keep the sport strong: ambitious teams, dedicated coaches and loyal fans. The secondary ticketing market is driven by demand, and with devoted fans of the sport returning each year to support their team, ticket prices remain high.”
Ticket prices for some of 2009’s hottest events were lowered as a result of restricted buyer budgets, but the average cost of some of the most in-demand college football games dropped 9%, to $385 per ticket. This time last year, tickets to the hottest games were averaging $425 across the secondary ticketing industry.
“The beginning of the season presents some great matchups, but most of the buzz is going to be about the USC (University Southern California) at Ohio State game,” said Zach Anderson, COO for TicketCity. “With the average price on the secondary market at $842, the game has one of the highest price tags in college football ticket history.”
The drop in price is more stark for other games — some have declined by $200, and other ticket prices are $10 to $20 per ticket.
“For every Ohio State versus USC, there are dozens of other great games with more affordable ticket prices,” Anderson said.
The 2009 college football season kicks off Sept. 3.