No matter whether you’re a fan of the NFL, NBA, NHL or MLB, something all the major league teams have in common is that being a dedicated sports fan comes with a price tag. But exactly which major league teams are making fans pay out the most?
Well, after comparing the cost of being a fan of each team according to the official Fan Cost Index in 2012 and 2022, we’re able to reveal the "major league bank breakers."
What is the Fan Cost Index? To put it simply, the fan cost index is the total cost of taking a family of four to a sporting event. Specifically, FCI comprises the prices of four average-price tickets, two small draft beers, four small soft drinks, four regular-size hot dogs, parking for one hour, two game programs and the two least-expensive, adult-size adjustable caps.
Curious how much your favorite team has increased their prices? Just read on to find out as we take a brief break from PA gambling sites.
Which Teams Have Increased Their Prices The Most?
Topping the list due to charging fans 183.8% more than a decade ago, we have the Golden State Warriors.
Essentials for a family day out to a game now total a staggering $740.08, compared to the much more reasonable price of $260.90 back in 2012. This sharp increase can in large part be due to both the opening of the beyond fancy Chase Center in 2019, plus the exploits of Steph Curry, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green establishing the Warriors as the latest NBA dynasty. The Dubs have long been a heavy favorite at PA sportsbooks since 2015.
In second are the Las Vegas Raiders, who expect fans to splash out 93.3% more than they did a decade ago. A family gameday experience at Allegiant Stadium (opened in 2020) now costs $738.36, compared to only $381.90 ten years ago at Oakland Coliseum.
The Houston Rockets round out the top three teams, after an increase of 89% for gameday necessities. What fans could originally grab for $299.28 at the Toyota Center now totals $565.52, which is a rather large increase considering the team’s biggest success in the last ten years has been winning a few division titles. Everything's bigger in Texas?
Eagles and 76ers Have Increased Prices Significantly
Meanwhile, there are two major league teams from Pennsylvania which make the top 10 for the rise in prices. In sixth are the Philadelphia Eagles, with supporters in attendance paying up to 71% more than a decade ago. Perhaps this is the sort of prestige that comes with having two Super Bowl appearances, including one win, within the last decade.
In eighth, we have the Philadelphia 76ers, with the average gameday experience originally coming to around $260.48 - although this has now shot up by 69.3% to $440.95. This is a pretty significant price increase for a team that hasn’t made an appearance in the NBA Finals since 2001. Let's see how new coach Nick Nurse helps their odds on PA sportsbook apps next season.
Other Pennsylvania-Based Teams
Apart from the Eagles and 76ers, there are other major league teams based in Pennsylvania. But have they also seen a significant price increase for a family gameday experience?
Fans of the Pittsburgh Steelers are paying 48% more now ($642) than ten years ago ($433.17). Further down our list, the Pittsburgh Pirates’ prices have gone up by 30%, with 2012’s price of $152.41 rising to $199.23. Following closely behind, Philadelphia Flyers’ supporters now pay an additional 29.6% for the same gameday experience.
Meanwhile, supporters of the NHL’s Pittsburgh Penguins are paying out $105.17 more now than ten years ago, an increase of 28.5%. Last but not least, the MLB’s Philadelphia Phillies have only seen an increase of 4.7%, which is a lot more reasonable in comparison to some of the other teams, and to be expected over a 10-year period. If only the Phillies had captured last fall's World Series against the Astros...
Methodology
To create the rankings, we acquired Fan Cost Index data for 2012 and 2022 (the most recent available data). With this data, we identified which teams have experienced the biggest rise in prices over the last decade.
*The Fan Cost Index comprises the prices of four average-price tickets, two small draft beers, four small soft drinks, four regular-size hot dogs, parking for one hour, two game programs and the two least-expensive, adult-size adjustable caps.
Stick with PennStakes.com for research items like this, as well as all news pertaining to PA online slots.
