Yes, typically Warriors tickets do get cheaper the closer it gets to game time. There are a few key reasons for this:
Less Demand
As an event date approaches, demand naturally decreases as people have already made plans or purchased tickets. With less demand, prices tend to come down to help sell remaining ticket inventory. The most die-hard fans usually buy tickets far in advance, so as game day nears, there are less people still looking to buy tickets.
Last Minute Deals
In the final days and hours leading up to the game, the Warriors and resellers often lower prices significantly to try and sell any remaining tickets. They would rather get some money for the tickets than have empty seats. So they will frequently slash prices, sometimes even below face value just to get some last minute purchases.
Win/Loss Record
If the Warriors have a losing record close to the game, demand will decrease as fans are less excited to attend games for a struggling team. This leads to lower prices. On the flip side, if the Warriors are winning a lot and have a great record near game time, ticket prices may actually increase closer to the game as fans get hyped about a potential playoff bound team.
Opponent Appeal
Who the Warriors are playing will impact prices. Less appealing teams like the Sacramento Kings will have lower demand and cheaper ticket prices. But if Golden State is hosting a top team like the Lakers, ticket prices will remain higher much closer to game time due to the opponent drawing significant interest.
Day of Week
Weeknight games (Mon-Thurs) tend to have lower prices than weekend games. People have work and school during the week which limits demand. Weekend games are more appealing to fans so tickets hold their value longer.
Time of Year
During the holidays (Thanksgiving, Christmas) and school breaks (Spring Break, Summer Vacation), demand is lower so prices decrease for games scheduled at those times. The core fan base may be busy traveling and spending time with family. Games in the heart of the NBA regular season tend to have the highest demand and most stable pricing.
Promotions
If the Warriors are running any special ticket promotions close to the game date, it can drive prices down. Things like student and military discounts can help fill seats with budget-conscious fans. The Warriors may also run flash sales dropping select seats to very low prices to quickly sell inventory.
Secondary Market Competition
On secondary reseller sites like StubHub, individual sellers compete with each other by lowering prices to try and sell their tickets. As game day gets closer, undercutting on price becomes more common as sellers would rather get something back rather than eat the entire cost of their tickets.
Lack of Sellouts
If the Warriors are struggling to sell out games, they may release additional ticket inventory at the last minute that was previously held back. This sudden increase in supply will push prices downward.
Average Ticket Price Drops for Warriors Games
Here is an example of how Warriors ticket prices on the secondary market can decrease over time leading up to tip-off:
| Days Before Game | Average Ticket Price |
|---|---|
| 60 Days | $275 |
| 30 Days | $245 |
| 14 Days | $215 |
| 7 Days | $185 |
| Day of Game | $165 |
As you can see, the average secondary market price for Warriors tickets decreases consistently the closer you get to tip-off. Prices can drop $100 or more over the couple months leading up to the game.
Best Time to Buy Warriors Tickets
Knowing that prices tend to decline over time, when is the best time to actually purchase Warriors tickets if you want a good deal? Here are some recommendations:
- At least 2-3 weeks in advance – This allows time for prices to decrease from initial levels, but inventory will still be wide open.
- Day of game – Last minute tickets can be major bargains if you are flexible on seating.
- Right after a losing streak – Take advantage of diminished demand after tough stretch of losses.
- December/January – Prices are lower during the holidays and school breaks.
- Weeknight (Mon-Thurs) games – Lower demand equals better deals.
Avoid buying tickets too far in advance unless you want to secure a specific seat location and are willing to pay a premium. Also, prices usually rebound after an exciting win streak, so try not to get caught up in immediate hype.
Where to Buy Cheap Warriors Tickets
Here are some of the best places to purchase discounted Warriors tickets as game day approaches:
- StubHub – World’s largest ticket marketplace with tons of options and competitive seller pricing.
- Vivid Seats – Large supply of seats at cheap prices and excellent customer service.
- Gametime – Last minute tickets with low fixed fees and fast digital delivery.
- SeatGeek – Great sort tools help easily find deals within your budget.
- Warriors website – Official source may release extra seats or run sales closer to tip-off.
All these sites are safe, reliable options for buying Warriors tickets from other fans or professional ticket brokers. Be sure to compare listings across multiple sites to get the lowest price on any given seat.
Avoid Craigslist and Scalpers
It’s generally wise to avoid buying Warriors tickets on Craigslist or from illegal street scalpers. There is no guarantee the tickets are valid plus you lose out on consumer protections offered by reputable ticket marketplaces. The potential savings is not worth the major risks involved.
Should You Buy Season Tickets?
Warriors season tickets offer convenience and access to every home game, but require a major upfront investment. Here are some pros and cons of being a season ticket holder:
Pros
- Same seats guaranteed for every game
- Never worry about finding tickets again
- Priority access to playoff tickets
- VIP perks and membership benefits
- Ticket price lock-in
Cons
- Expensive long-term commitment
- Must pay for preseason and less desirable games
- Difficult to re-sell unused tickets
- Lose flexibility if schedule changes
- No option to shop for deals game-by-game
Season tickets are best suited for die-hard fans with the discretionary income to spend. Casual fans will get more value buying single game tickets on a per need basis.
Conclusion
Warriors fans have many ways to get cheap last minute tickets through official box office discounts or vibrant secondary marketplaces. Prices naturally drop leading up to the event as demand decreases and sellers compete for sales. While prices are always lowest right before tip-off, buying at least a few weeks in advance provides the best combination of savings and seat selection. Use reputable sites like StubHub and Gametime for the safest deals from fellow fans eager to sell their tickets.
