If you’re an avid NBA fan, you’re probably eager to get your hands on tickets to see your favorite team live in action. The NBA season typically runs from October through June, with preseason games beginning in September. Here’s a breakdown of when you can start buying tickets for the upcoming NBA season.
When do single game NBA tickets go on sale?
The on-sale dates for single game NBA tickets vary by team. Generally, most teams start selling single game tickets in late summer/early fall for the upcoming season. Many teams announce their on-sale dates for single game tickets in August or September. Here are some general guidelines for when teams make single game tickets available:
- Late August/early September – Some teams, like the Chicago Bulls, Los Angeles Lakers, and New York Knicks may start selling single game tickets as early as late August for the upcoming season.
- Mid/late September – Most NBA teams begin offering single game tickets in mid to late September.
- Early October – Teams will continue releasing single game seats throughout September and into early October as the season approaches.
Popular matchups and games like the season opener tend to sell out fastest. If you want tickets to highly anticipated games, you’ll want to look for tickets as soon as they become available to get the best selection of seats.
When can I buy NBA playoff tickets?
NBA playoff tickets typically go on sale in mid-late March, shortly before the playoffs begin in mid-April. The exact on-sale date will depend on the team. Playoff tickets are available on a series-by-series basis, so tickets for a hypothetical Eastern Conference Finals matchup wouldn’t go on sale until both teams clinch their semifinal series. Generally, tickets for early round playoff games are released first, then conference semifinals, then conference finals, and finally the NBA Finals. Fans can purchase playoff ticket strips or multi-game packages to lock in seats for the entire postseason.
When can I get NBA Finals tickets?
NBA Finals tickets go on sale generally in mid-late May, once the Finals matchup is set after the conference finals. There is huge demand for NBA Finals tickets given the limited supply for the league’s championship series. While single game seats are available, most Finals tickets are sold as multi-game strips. Prices for the Finals are also typically much higher than regular season games. Expect to pay a premium if you want tickets for the NBA Finals.
How far in advance should I buy NBA tickets?
In general, it’s best to buy NBA tickets as far in advance as possible, especially for popular teams and games. The earlier you can purchase tickets, the better selection of seat locations you’ll have to choose from before inventories start running out. Here are some tips for getting NBA tickets in advance:
- Season tickets – Season tickets offer access to every home game and are sold on a seasonal basis, typically in the summer before the season starts.
- Partial season plans – Many teams also offer multi-game ticket packages that cover 10+ games of your choice.
- Presales – Follow your team online and sign up for presales, which give earlier access to new ticket releases before the general public.
- Single game tickets – Buy single game seats as soon as they go on sale, months in advance of the season.
The farther ahead of time you purchase, the better off you’ll be in terms of getting the seats you want. But if you wait too long, you may get stuck with whatever scattered single seats are leftover closer to game day.
Can I get a refund on NBA tickets?
NBA ticket refund policies vary by team. In most cases, single game NBA tickets are non-refundable. However, some teams may give credit for a future game that can be used if you need to exchange your original tickets. Make sure to carefully review the ticket policy before purchasing tickets to understand your options if you can no longer attend a game.
What is the best way to buy NBA tickets?
Here are some recommended options for purchasing NBA tickets:
- Team websites – Purchase tickets directly through the official team website. This is the safest way to get legitimate seats directly from the source.
- Ticket resellers – Sites like StubHub and Vivid Seats offer NBA ticket resales. This can be a good option for sold out games.
- Ticket marketplaces – SeatGeek and TickPick also provide a ticket marketplace connecting buyers and sellers.
- Box office – You can sometimes get tickets directly at the arena box office on game day for last minute purchases.
Always make sure to buy from reputable sources to avoid counterfeit tickets. Also check for any guarantees or protections offered on ticket purchases in case you need to get your money back.
How much do NBA tickets cost?
NBA ticket prices vary significantly depending on the team, opponent, seat location, and other factors. For the 2022-23 NBA season, the average ticket price across the league is around $100. Some general ranges for NBA tickets:
- Upper deck/nosebleed seats – $20-$60+
- Lower bowl seats – $60-$150+
- Courtside seats – $400+ and up
- Playoff/Finals tickets – Can be 2-3x a regular season game
Games against top teams like the Lakers, Warriors, and Celtics tend to be the most in-demand and expensive. Rivalry games and major markets like New York and Los Angeles also drive prices up. You can often find more affordable seats for midweek and less popular matchups.
How can I get cheap NBA tickets?
If you’re looking to get NBA tickets for less, consider these money-saving tips:
- Buy upper deck or baseline seats – You’ll have the highest prices for lower bowl, courtside and midfield seats near the action.
- Go to low-demand games – Weeknights and less marquee matchups will be cheaper.
- Wait until last minute – Prices tend to drop as sellers scramble to unload seats.
- Buy partial season plans – Per game costs are usually discounted versus buying single game tickets.
- Look for ticket deals – Check team websites for specials like college student or family discounts.
- Purchase resale tickets – Sites like StubHub often have below face value deals.
Flexibility on dates and opponents along with smart shopping for deals can help you find relatively cheap NBA tickets on any budget.
Should I buy NBA tickets from a ticket broker?
Buying from a ticket broker or reseller is a common way to purchase NBA tickets, especially for sold out games. There are many reputable ticket brokers like StubHub and Vivid Seats that offer competitive pricing and buyer guarantees on their NBA ticket inventory. However, there are a few risks to consider when using a broker:
- Higher prices – Brokers typically add a markup to tickets, so you’ll pay more versus buying directly from the team.
- Counterfeit tickets – Scam brokers may sell fake or invalid tickets.
- No refunds – Make sure to review refund and guarantee policies.
As long as you use a well-known, established broker like StubHub or TickPick and understand their policies, buying from a ticket broker can be a safe way to get tickets, often with the convenience of home delivery via mobile transfer. But purchasing directly from the team box office when possible is always the most guaranteed option.
When should I buy NBA tickets to get the best deal?
Timing your NBA ticket purchase properly can often save you money:
- Preseason – Buying tickets during the preseason in September/October tends to yield some of the lowest prices before demand rises once the regular season starts.
- Early bird – Purchasing single game tickets early when they first go on sale months in advance also means you’ll have the cheapest face value prices and best inventory.
- Last minute – Waiting until the last 1-2 weeks before a game means sellers may be desperateto unload tickets, resulting in cheaper deals.
- Non-peak days – Weeknight games Tuesday-Thursday tend to be lower demand and cheaper than weekend matches.
Avoiding the peak demand periods right before and during the heart of season will generally let you score the most savings on NBA tickets.
How can I get cheap last minute NBA tickets?
If you want to get NBA tickets at the last minute, closer to game day, you can find deals by:
- Checking ticket listing sites for sellers lowering prices as game approaches.
- Using ticket aggregators like TickPick that compile last minute deals.
- Buying partial view obstructed seats that have lower demand.
- Purchasing standing room only tickets that let you in the door.
- Looking for promos like student and senior discounts.
- Visiting team box office to ask about any unsold seats.
- Waiting until after tip-off to find unused seats in less crowded sections.
Flexibility is key to getting the cheapest last minute NBA tickets. Be willing to take whatever seats are still available at the lowest prices and you can still score deals on game day.
Should I wait to buy NBA playoff tickets?
NBA playoff tickets are almost always going to be more expensive than regular season tickets just due to higher demand for the postseason. Playoff ticket prices typically rise as the rounds progress deeper into the playoffs. For example, conference finals tickets will cost more than first round games.
In most cases, it’s advisable to purchase playoff tickets early when they go on sale rather than wait:
- Buying early locks in lower prices before they potentially increase.
- Playoff tickets could sell out quickly once on sale.
- Early buyers get the best choice of seat locations.
- Popular teams will have the most ticket availability right after the on-sale.
Unless you’re willing to take the risk of scrambling for last minute seats, early shopping for NBA playoff tickets right when they are released for sale generally makes the most sense for buyers.
Where can I find the cheapest NBA Finals tickets?
NBA Finals tickets always command the highest prices of the season on the secondary market due to extremely limited quantities available. There are a few ways to try finding the “cheapest” Finals tickets possible:
- Buy upper deck or standing room only tickets.
- Consider partially obstructed view seats for lower prices.
- Shop multiple ticket sites for best deal.
- Wait until last 72 hours before game for desperation discounts.
- Purchase partial multi-game ticket strips vs. single game seats.
- Join fan ticket exchanges or collectives like Courtside Club.
Keep in mind the “cheapest” NBA Finals ticket could still easily be $500+ or more. But using strategies like buying upper deck seats or waiting until the last minute can help you spend a little less for the championship series.
Conclusion
Getting your hands on NBA tickets quickly comes down to carefully timing your purchase. Buying early when single game seats first go on sale, jumping on presales, and shopping for deals in the preseason are the fastest ways to secure tickets for the upcoming NBA season and playoffs. But even buying at the last minute can yield affordable seats if you’re flexible. Use this guide to know the best times and sources for purchasing NBA tickets so you can see your favorite team in action live.