Courtside seats at NBA playoff games are some of the most coveted tickets in all of sports. Sitting just feet away from the action and the players is a dream for many basketball fans. But with great views comes a great price tag. Courtside seats typically cost thousands of dollars per ticket, with the prices going up each round of the playoffs. For the NBA Finals, courtside seats can cost over $10,000 each!
What factors affect the price of courtside playoff tickets?
There are several factors that impact how much courtside NBA playoff tickets cost:
The round of the playoffs
Ticket prices go up with each advancing round of the playoffs. The NBA playoffs have four rounds – the First Round, Conference Semifinals, Conference Finals, and NBA Finals. As teams get closer to the championship, demand for courtside seats increases and so do the prices. Courtside tickets for early playoff rounds can start around $1,000-2,000 per seat, while NBA Finals courtside seats can exceed $10,000.
The teams playing
More popular teams like the Lakers, Warriors, Bulls, and Knicks command higher ticket prices. When two big market or championship contending teams are playing, expect to pay more compared to small market teams. For example, Lakers vs Celtics courtside tickets would be more expensive than Grizzlies vs Pacers.
The specific arena
Larger arenas with lower capacity like Madison Square Garden in New York and Oracle Arena in Oakland tend to have higher courtside ticket prices. Smaller arenas allow you to get closer to the action.
Buying during presales vs on the secondary market
Courtside seats purchased during team presales directly from the arena tend to be cheaper than buying resale tickets on secondary sites like StubHub. Secondary market prices can fluctuate based on demand.
Courtside Ticket Prices for Recent NBA Playoffs
Here are some average price ranges for courtside tickets during recent NBA playoff seasons to give an idea of the costs:
2022 NBA Playoffs
– First Round: $1,800 – $3,500 per ticket
– Conference Semifinals: $2,500 – $4,500 per ticket
– Conference Finals: $4,000 – $7,000 per ticket
– NBA Finals: $8,000 – $12,000 per ticket
2021 NBA Playoffs
– First Round: $1,500 – $2,500 per ticket
– Conference Semifinals: $2,000 – $3,500 per ticket
– Conference Finals: $3,500 – $5,500 per ticket
– NBA Finals: $7,500 – $11,000 per ticket
2019 NBA Playoffs
– First Round: $1,400 – $2,200 per ticket
– Conference Semifinals: $1,800 – $3,000 per ticket
– Conference Finals: $3,000 – $4,500 per ticket
– NBA Finals: $6,000 – $9,000 per ticket
As you can see, every year prices tend to rise, especially once the playoffs reach the final two rounds. The most in-demand games like Lakers vs Celtics can drive prices up even higher.
What do courtside playoff tickets include?
Courtside NBA playoff tickets typically include:
– Seating in the first 1-2 rows on the floor, closest to the team benches
– Access to exclusive stadium clubs and lounges
– In-seat food and beverage service
– Commemorative gift bags or programs
– VIP entrance and parking in some cases
Sitting courtside puts you right next to the coaches and players. You’ll hear coaches yelling out plays and players talking trash. It’s the most immersed experience possible at an NBA game.
Where to buy courtside playoff tickets
There are a few options for buying courtside NBA playoff tickets:
Team/Arena Presales
Season ticket holders and VIPs sometimes get access to presales directly through the team or arena. Presales frequently offer better deals than public sales. Joining team membership or arena insider groups can help access special offers.
Ticket Resale Sites
StubHub, VividSeats, and SeatGeek are the most reputable secondary marketplaces for playoff tickets. Prices are higher than face value but you’ll get a much bigger selection of seats. These sites are useful for sold out games.
Ticket Brokers
Brokers specialize in high-end event tickets. They build relationships with season ticket holders to acquire courtside seat inventory. Broker pricing is similar to secondary sites but some prefer their personalized service.
NBATickets.com
The official NBA resale marketplace offers verified tickets directly from NBA teams. All tickets are guaranteed valid and prices set by sellers may be below market value.
No matter where you buy, make sure the seller is reputable and tickets guaranteed. The NBA playoffs only come once a year so courtside seats are in very high demand.
Tips for saving money on courtside playoff tickets
While courtside NBA playoff tickets are expensive no matter what, here are some tips that can potentially save you money:
– Buy tickets for weeknight games instead of weekends
– Avoid historically big playoff matchups like Lakers vs Celtics
– Buy tickets late in playoff rounds after initial demand dies down
– Buy tickets on the secondary market 1-3 hours before tipoff when sellers panic and drop prices
– Buy from sellers with unsold listings who are willing to negotiate
– Buy upper level seats and try sneaking down to open courtside seats
Every dollar counts when playoff tickets cost thousands. Flexibility on game choice and timing is key to better deals.
Are courtside NBA playoff tickets worth it?
Courtside seats are arguably the best seats in all of sports. The ability to witness NBA playoff action up close and personal is a once-in-a-lifetime experience for most fans. Here are some things to consider when deciding if courtside playoff tickets are worth the splurge:
Pros
– Unforgettable courtside experience and memories
– See player entrances, warmups, and bench reactions up close
– Hear coaches and players communicating live
– Get seen on TV sitting courtside
– Free food and drinks are included in some courtside ticket packages
– Opportunity to interact with players before and after games
– Witness the NBA playoffs in the most immersed way possible
Cons
– Very expensive – thousands per ticket
– Limited ticket availability
– Possibly obstructed view in corners
– Danger of getting hit by ball or players falling into seats
– Less overall game view vs upper deck center court
For many hardcore NBA fans the pros heavily outweigh the cons when it comes to playoff courtside seats. It’s the ultimate way to experience the intensity and action of the postseason. But more casual fans may want to save money and get seats with a better overall view.
Conclusion
NBA playoff courtside tickets offer a one-of-a-kind way for fans to see the postseason up close. Prices typically start around $1,000-2,000 per seat for early rounds but can exceed $10,000 per seat for the NBA Finals. Exact prices vary based on the matchup, arena, and stage of the playoffs. While very expensive, playoff courtside seats provide memories that can’t be matched by any other NBA game experience. For fans lucky enough to afford courtside playoff tickets, the hefty price tag is usually worth it.