Women’s soccer has grown tremendously in popularity and importance in the United States over the last few decades. The US Women’s National Team (USWNT) has become a global powerhouse, winning 4 World Cup titles and 4 Olympic gold medals. As the success and profile of the USWNT has risen, so too has interest in attending their matches. For many fans, watching the USWNT play live is a bucket list item. But how much do tickets to see the USWNT usually cost? Let’s take a deep dive into the factors that influence USWNT ticket prices.
USWNT Popularity
There is no doubt that the USWNT is one of the most popular and successful teams in women’s sports history. They have become cultural icons and inspired generations of young girls to take up soccer. The USWNT has always had strong fan support, but their popularity has skyrocketed over the last decade. Some key moments that increased their fame:
– Winning the 2015 Women’s World Cup in dominating fashion
– The team’s ongoing fight for equal pay and women’s rights
– Charismatic stars like Alex Morgan, Megan Rapinoe, and Carli Lloyd becoming household names
– Increased TV coverage and exposure from deals with ESPN, Fox Sports, and Univision
As demand to see the iconic USWNT has increased among the American public, so too have ticket prices. The bigger the draw a match is, the more expensive tickets tend to be.
Types of Matches
One of the biggest factors in USWNT ticket prices is the type and importance of the match. Friendlies, World Cup qualifiers, and Victory Tour games will have different demand and therefore different price points.
Friendlies
These are exhibition matches primarily used for training purposes outside of major tournaments. They take place in the US and around the world. Friendlies have the lowest ticket prices, usually ranging from $30-$100 on average depending on the venue and opponent. These matches allow fans to see the USWNT for an affordable price.
World Cup Qualifiers
World Cup qualifying takes place every 4 years in the lead up to the Women’s World Cup. Home qualifiers are typically higher profile than friendlies, with tickets ranging from $50-$300 on average. Qualifiers played at larger NFL and MLS stadiums tend to be on the pricier end.
Victory Tours
After major tournament wins, the USWNT often embarks on a Victory Tour around the US playing friendlies. These are celebratory matches that draw huge crowds wanting to see the champions. Victory Tour matches are usually the highest demand and most expensive ticket prices for any friendly games. Prices can range from $100-$500 on average.
World Cup & Olympics
Seeing the USWNT play in the World Cup or Olympics is the pinnacle for many fans. Ticket demand for these major tournaments is astronomical, especially with the finals. While prices vary by venue and stage of tournament, attendees can expect to pay anywhere from $200-$3,000+ for tickets. The most prized matches like the World Cup Final can exceed $5,000+ for the best seats.
Opponent & Venue
Who and where the USWNT is playing also impacts ticket prices. Matches against rivals like Canada, Japan, and European powers will be tougher to find cheap tickets for. And games played at large NFL stadiums can drive up prices compared to smaller soccer specific stadiums.
Popular venues like the Rose Bowl in California and Red Bull Arena in New Jersey will command premium ticket prices, especially for big tournament matches. But often games in middle America at Midwest or Southern MLS stadiums have cheaper tickets.
Secondary Market Prices
When looking at how much USWNT tickets cost, it’s important to note primary market face value prices versus secondary market resale prices. As demand increases for hot matches, ticket prices on secondary sites like StubHub can skyrocket well above face value.
For example, $100 face value tickets could resell for $400 or more for a desirable World Cup or Victory Tour game. Buyers need to be aware of the huge premiums that exist on the secondary market for in demand USWNT matches.
How To Get Cheaper Tickets
Here are some tips for getting cheaper USWNT tickets:
Buy Early
Tickets typically go on sale to the public 6-12 months in advance for bigger events. Buying early guarantees access before they sell out and prices rise on secondary markets. Sign up for presales to get early tickets.
Look for Group and Primary Market Deals
Buying directly from the primary ticket seller can yield big savings versus marked up secondary prices. Also look for special group and family packs that come with discounts. Promotions like kids free with paying adult or BOGO (buy one get one) deals can help cut costs.
Avoid Fees Buying Resale Tickets
StubHub and other resale sites tack on high fees at checkout driving up overall price. Instead use sites like VividSeats that offer fee free USWNT ticket listings. You pay the same price as you see listed which saves 10-15% typically.
Consider Less Popular Cities/Games
Tickets will be cheaper for USWNT games in smaller markets like Kansas City compared to New York or LA. Weeknight games also are lower demand than weekends. And playing a minnow opponent versus Canada or Japan can reduce prices.
Average Ticket Prices by Game
Here is a table summarizing the average ticket prices fans can expect to pay for various types of USWNT matches:
| Match Type | Average Ticket Price |
|---|---|
| Friendly | $50 |
| World Cup Qualifier | $150 |
| Victory Tour | $250 |
| World Cup Group Play | $175 |
| World Cup Knockout Rounds | $350 |
| World Cup Semis & Final | $1,000+ |
| Olympics Group Play | $125 |
| Olympics Knockout Rounds | $275 |
| Olympics Semis & Final | $750+ |
As shown, World Cup and Olympic ticket prices trend higher, especially once reaching the knockout rounds. The gold medal match and World Cup Final can average over $1,000 per ticket.
Most Expensive USWNT Games
To illustrate the premium prices paid for the USWNT’s biggest games, here are some of the most expensive tickets sold historically:
1999 Women’s World Cup Final
The USWNT’s famous 1999 World Cup victory at the Rose Bowl propelled the team to new heights of popularity. Over 90,000 fans packed the Rose Bowl with tickets ranging from $125 on the low end up to $500 for near midfield seats.
2015 Women’s World Cup Final
The 2015 championship game win in Vancouver, Canada likely represents the peak of USWNT fever and demand. Ticket prices averaged well over $1,000 with the best midfield club seats exceeding $3,000 on the secondary market.
2019 Women’s World Cup Parade
After their latest World Cup win, fans lined the streets of Manhattan for a ticker tape parade. While the parade was free, some grandstand seats required tickets. Prime seats sold for as much as $10,000 on secondary sites.
2012 Olympic Gold Medal Match
Seeing the USWNT win Olympic gold at the historic Wembley Stadium came with a hefty price tag. Ticket prices averaged around $750. But premium category A midfield seats reached astronomical levels above $5,000.
Factors That Could Increase Future Prices
Here are some factors that could drive up future USWNT ticket prices:
– Continued success winning trophies – more World Cups and Olympics will expand their fanbase
– Increased media/broadcast exposure – bigger TV deals leads to more fan awareness
– Growth of professional league (NWSL) – a thriving women’s domestic league grows the sport
– Iconic stars retiring – big names like Rapinoe leaving could increase demand to see them play one last time
– Expanded stadium choices – playing more often in huge NFL/college stadiums allows higher ticket volume
– Younger generation of fans – Gen Z fans embracing women’s sports and influential stars
Factors That Could Decrease Future Prices
However, there are also some potential developments that could cause USWNT ticket prices to drop:
– Decline in team performance – failing to qualify/win tournaments could dampen enthusiasm
– Loss of household name stars – lack of charismatic replacements could lose casual fan interest
– Growing supply of games – oversaturation with too many events could soften demand
– Perception of overcharging – consistent outrage over high prices from media and fans
– Economic downturn – recessions reducing disposable income for sporting events
– Increased premium viewing alternatives – more prime TV games siphoning off in-person attendance
It will be interesting to monitor which direction ticket prices trend in the coming years. The USWNT remains a premium ticket no matter the cost. But greater affordability would allow their messages around women’s rights and equality to reach broader audiences.
Conclusion
In summary, USWNT ticket prices can vary greatly based on the importance of the match, venue, and stage of the event. Friendlies offer the most affordable way to see the team live, while World Cups and Olympics demand a premium. Regardless of the price, seeing the legendary USWNT in person is a memory that lasts a lifetime for any soccer fan. The atmosphere and energy when the USWNT takes the pitch is electrifying.
