NBA games are some of the most exciting live sporting events to attend. Sitting courtside provides an unparalleled experience where you can see the action up close and feel the energy of the crowd. But front row seats come at a hefty price – so just how much do courtside NBA tickets cost?
What are NBA Front Row Seats?
NBA front row seats, also known as courtside seats, are the seats located right next to the basketball court. They are the closest seats to the action that fans can purchase. There are typically only around 50 front row seats in an NBA arena due to limited space courtside.
Front row seats place you directly beside the players on the sidelines and baseline. You’ll be close enough to high five the players as they head to the bench, overhear conversations during timeouts, and may even have your feet on the court.
Benefits of Front Row NBA Tickets
There are many unique benefits and experiences that come with front row NBA tickets:
- Get a courtside view of all the action just feet away from the players
- Hear sounds of the game like the bounce of the ball, players calling plays, and sneaker squeaks
- See quick movements and athletic plays up close
- Players and coaches can hear feedback, complaints, praise from fans sitting courtside
- Opportunity for interactions like handshakes, fist bumps, high fives with players and coaches
- Feel the energy and atmosphere of the crowd up close
- Courtside food and drink service available in some arenas
- Access to exclusive lounge areas at some arenas only for courtside ticket holders
- Photo and autograph opportunities
- TV camera exposure when shown on broadcast
The courtside experience provides the most immersive, intense way to watch an NBA game. Fans are part of the action alongside the players on the court.
NBA Front Row Ticket Prices
Due to the high demand and limited availability, NBA front row ticket prices are expensive compared to other seats in the arena. Courtside tickets can cost over 10 times more than lower bowl or upper deck seats in the same arena.
Front row ticket prices vary by team and depend on factors like the team’s popularity, star power, and season expectations. Large market teams like the New York Knicks and Los Angeles Lakers typically have the highest courtside ticket prices.
Here are some average costs for front row NBA tickets by team for the 2022-23 season:
| Team | Average Price Per Game |
|---|---|
| New York Knicks | $2,500 – $3,000 |
| Los Angeles Lakers | $2,000 – $2,500 |
| Golden State Warriors | $1,500 – $2,000 |
| Miami Heat | $1,200 – $1,500 |
| Brooklyn Nets | $1,100 – $1,400 |
| Toronto Raptors | $800 – $1,100 |
| Los Angeles Clippers | $750 – $1,000 |
| Boston Celtics | $700 – $900 |
| Chicago Bulls | $600 – $800 |
| Houston Rockets | $500 – $700 |
While season ticket holders get front row seats for every home game, individual game front row tickets are also sold.
Playoff games or rivalry matchups against teams like the Lakers will command even higher prices for single game front row tickets. Ticket prices can reach $5,000 to $10,000 per seat for important playoff games when demand skyrockets.
How Front Row NBA Tickets Are Sold
There are a few ways that fans can get courtside tickets for NBA games:
- Season Tickets – The primary way is as season ticket holders who pay for front row seats. NBA teams generally sell all their courtside seats as season tickets to maximize revenue.
- Team Resale – Teams resell season ticket holder seats for individual games on team ticket resale sites.
- Secondary Market -Tickets are resold by season ticket holders and brokers on secondary ticket sites like StubHub.
- Luxury Experience Packages – Some teams offer luxury deals that bundle front row tickets with exclusive amenities like catered food, drinks, parking, access to lounges.
- Auctions & Charity Events – Front row seats may be auctioned off or sold by teams for charity functions.
With limited front row inventory, these tickets sell out fast when individual games go on sale to the public on primary and secondary market sites.
Who Sits Courtside at NBA Games?
NBA front row seats are filled by:
- Season ticket holders – Longtime season ticket holders get access to front row season tickets.
- Wealthy fans – The ultra high price limits courtside seats to high net worth individuals, celebrities, business executives.
- Prominent local figures – Teams may provide seats to important politicians, business leaders, media members.
- NBA guests – Teams host celebrity guests, family and friends of players.
- Corporate sponsors – Companies with premium partnership deals get allotments of courtside seats as a sponsorship benefit.
Courtside seats are the ultimate status symbol for diehard NBA fans who have the deep pockets to afford them. The star power of the celebrities and business moguls sitting front row also adds to the electricity and buzz in the arena.
Getting Front Row Tickets on a Budget
While front row NBA tickets carry huge price tags, there are some ways budget-minded fans can aim to sit courtside for less:
- Attend games of less popular teams on weeknights when demand is lower.
- Buy last minute tickets just before tipoff when prices tend to drop.
- Look for seat upgrades in-arena from ticket agents if unsold front row seats remain.
- Buy standing room only tickets then try to move to open courtside seats before seats fill up.
- Go to away games or neutral site games where home team demand won’t be as high.
The best way to get affordable courtside seats is being flexible on the games you choose to attend. With high costs, front row remains a special splurge purchase even for diehard NBA fans.
Are Front Row NBA Tickets Worth the Cost?
Front row NBA tickets provide a once in a lifetime experience for basketball fans who get to see the live action up close. But the ultra premium prices tag puts them out of reach for the average fan.
Here are some pros and cons of sitting courtside:
Pros:
- Unrivaled view of NBA action just feet from the court
- Ability to interact with players
- Immersive experience with sights and sounds of the game up close
- Luxury amenities and access included in some arena front rows
- Ultimate fan experience and memories
Cons:
- Extremely expensive compared to average game tickets
- Limited chance for average fans to sit courtside
- View partially obstructed along the baselines
- Players and referees can obstruct views of live action at times
For true NBA diehards that can afford front row prices, the pros outweigh the cons. Sitting courtside for big playoff games may be worth the high costs. But for budget-minded fans, lower bowl seats closer to midcourt provide excellent views at greater value.
Conclusion
NBA front row tickets offer the most immersive basketball experience imaginable by placing you right next to the court and the players. But the courtside life comes at a huge price with average front row ticket prices starting around $500 and running well over $1,000 per game for popular teams.
While the costs limit courtside games to mainly celebrities and wealthy fans, some deals can be found by shopping smart. For most NBA lovers though, lower bowl seats closer to midcourt offer an excellent sweet spot combining great views with far more affordable prices.
