The moment Michigan State upset UConn, local fans starting snapping up tickets for the NCAA Championship Game. The lowest price available to get into the game has more than doubled, to just under $200 (ticket plus commission).  Given that most Spartan fans will be within driving distance of Ford Field, they get to avoid spending their money on hotels and airplanes, which is nice…

A search on FanSnap shows there are still over 2000 tickets available from eleven ticket companies, including Barry’s Tickets, eBay, Golden Tickets, Great Seats, Razorgator, StubHub, TicketNetwork, Ticket Solutions, Ticket Town, Totally Tickets, and TotalTickets.com.

Tickets are available everywhere from the first ten rows courtside to the “nosebleed section.”   I have seen Final Fours in the Alamodome and the Georgia Dome.  Watching the semifinals on TV, which set a record for attendance of over 70,000, it sure looked to me like Ford Field may be the most outstanding big college basketball venue in America.

Bring on Carolina!

Mike

Watching ticket activity around the two hot national events this month – the Final Four and the Masters – reminds me of something I sometimes take for granted. 

My kids have no idea what a tea kettle is.  Or an LP record.  They also have no clue what the words “sold out” mean.

Since the ticket resale market has gone mainstream in the past decade, there is no such thing as “sold out.”  It is possible to get into almost any game or show, no matter how hot.  With tickets, just like any other commodity, demand creates supply.

That’s really the primary difference between the original distribution of tickets (the “primary market”) and the resale market.  There is no such thing as sold out. The other major difference between the two ticket markets is that fans have many choices where to buy from in the resale market, where the original box office ticket distribution is always contracted with a single company.

You choose to go to events.  You can choose your location and how much to spend.  You can choose who to buy from.  Enjoy those choices - and your ability, and right, to choose.

If it’s on your “bucket list,” this year may be a great year to catch the Masters or the Final Four.  Don’t forget that a few years ago this would not have been possible.

Mike

Just two more games until “One Shining Moment.”  What an incredible weekend of play!

The Wildcats and the Spartans obviously didn’t care about selection committee seedings, as two #1’s bit the dust.  This is how championships are supposed to be settled.  Hopefully college football is paying attention.

The Final Four is set, with the semifinals next Saturday Apr 4:

Connecticut vs. Michigan State

North Carolina vs, Villanova

The winners play for the National Championship Monday night, Apr 6.  There are 2600 tickets available, starting at $130*

* Ticket search results as of 4:14PT, price equals ticket price + commission.