The Brooklyn Nets have been one of the most popular and successful NBA teams over the past few years. Led by superstars like Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving, the Nets have become championship contenders and a marquee team in the league. However, despite their popularity and on-court success, Nets tickets have remained surprisingly affordable compared to other top teams. There are a few key reasons why Nets tickets are so relatively cheap.
They play in a large arena
The Nets play their home games at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn. This arena has a very large capacity – around 17,700 for NBA games. Compare this to older arenas like Madison Square Garden (capacity around 19,800) or the Staples Center (capacity around 18,000) and it’s clear the Nets play in one of the biggest arenas in the league. The large capacity means there are simply more Nets tickets available for each game, keeping supply high and prices lower. Add in the fact that Barclays was built just in 2012 and has all the modern arena revenue generators, and the Nets organization does not rely as heavily on ticket sale revenue as other teams in older arenas.
Brooklyn is an affordable location
It’s no secret that Brooklyn is generally a more affordable place to live than Manhattan. While wealthy neighborhoods exist in Brooklyn, the average income, home prices, and cost of living are all lower in Brooklyn compared to the more expensive Manhattan. This translates into more affordable sports tickets. The Knicks, who play at Madison Square Garden in Midtown Manhattan, have much pricier tickets on average than the Brooklyn Nets just across the river. The Nets appeal to a broader socioeconomic base of fans in the outer boroughs who want quality NBA action at a more affordable price point.
They haven’t established a long tradition of success
Unlike long-standing franchises like the Lakers, Celtics, or Knicks, the Nets are one of the newer NBA teams. The franchise only moved to Brooklyn in 2012 after decades playing as the New Jersey Nets. While they had some successful Jason Kidd-led teams in New Jersey, they have yet to build a multi-generational fanbase or tradition of championship success. Despite recent excellence, many casual NYC sports fans still think of the Nets as the “little brother” team behind the more iconic, legacy Knicks brand. This weaker brand power means tickets don’t command the premium prices. However, as the Nets establish themselves over time in Brooklyn, especially if they can bring home a title, expect demand and ticket prices to rise.
They haven’t made the NBA Finals recently
The Nets have undeniably been one of the best regular season teams over the past few years. But they have also developed a reputation for playoff struggles and disappointment after some high-profile losses. Despite having Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving, they still haven’t made it to the NBA Finals since moving to Brooklyn. Conference Finals and second round exits don’t drive up ticket demand like making the Finals and becoming true championship favorites. Nets tickets should see natural inflation if and when they finally break through to make a Finals run.
Health and availability of star players
Having superstars like Durant and Irving undoubtedly raises the profile, interest, and ticket demand for the Nets. But those superstars also need to be healthy and playing for fans to be willing to pay premium prices. Unfortunately, the Nets stars have missed significant time over the past few seasons dealing with injuries and also due to Kyrie Irving’s vaccination status. Not having those marquee names playing on a nightly basis can lower interest and prices. Nets tickets would almost certainly cost more if the stars were reliably healthy and suiting up every game.
| Year | Average Ticket Price |
|---|---|
| 2018-2019 | $89 |
| 2019-2020 | $99 |
| 2020-2021 | $83 |
| 2021-2022 | $84 |
Nets Ticket Prices Over the Years
As the table shows, Nets ticket prices have remained quite steady over recent seasons, hovering in the $80 to low $100 range. While they have an exciting team, the prices reflect some of those factors keeping demand in check discussed earlier. An NBA Finals run could quickly send these averages much higher.
How do Nets ticket prices compare to other NBA teams?
To get a better sense of the Nets ticket price picture, it helps to look at what other NBA teams charge for comparison:
| Team | 2022-2023 Average Ticket Price |
|---|---|
| Golden State Warriors | $123 |
| Los Angeles Lakers | $117 |
| New York Knicks | $105 |
| Brooklyn Nets | $84 |
| Los Angeles Clippers | $83 |
| Boston Celtics | $81 |
NBA Average Ticket Prices 2022-2023 Season
Compared to other top contenders and big market teams like the Warriors, Lakers, and Knicks, the Nets tickets are a relative bargain. The Nets even have cheaper average prices than some middling smaller market teams like the Memphis Grizzlies ($86) and Minnesota Timberwolves ($89). Being the 2nd most affordable ticket at just $84 in one of the biggest markets is almost inexplicably cheap.
When are Nets tickets most expensive?
Nets ticket prices fluctuate during the season based on the day of the week, opponent, and whether it’s a playoff game or not. Weekend games against marquee opponents like the Knicks or Lakers will be most in demand and expensive. Weeknight games against non-playoff teams see the cheapest tickets.
Here is a breakdown of approximate price ranges for Nets tickets:
| Game Type | Average Price Range |
|---|---|
| Weeknight non-conference game vs. bad team | $60 – $80 |
| Weekend game vs. average conference opponent | $75 – $110 |
| Marquee home game vs. contender | $110 – $150 |
| NBA Playoffs First Round | $125 – $250 |
| NBA Playoffs Second Round | $150 – $400 |
| NBA Conference Finals | $250 – $500+ |
Nets Ticket Price Ranges by Game Type
Fans looking for the best deals should target low profile weeknight games earlier in the season. The most in-demand seats against the best opponents can cost hundreds, or even thousands for NBA Finals games.
Where are the cheapest Nets seats located?
The cheapest Nets tickets can usually be found in the upper levels of the arena in the end zone corners. These sections include 227, 228, 231 and 232 in one end, and 215, 216, 219, and 220 on the opposite end. Tickets here can run as low as $20-$50 depending on the game. You won’t have the best sightlines but can still catch the action on a budget. The next level up in the upper bowls typically sees prices jump to the $60-$100 range. Lower bowl tickets remain $100+ for most games. Floor seats and anything close to the court runs $200+ unless you find a great last minute deal.
When should I buy Nets tickets?
Savvy Nets fans know that timing your ticket purchase correctly can lead to big savings. Here are some tips on the best times to buy:
– Buy early – Right when individual game tickets go on sale, usually in August or September, you can sometimes find deals before prices rise for big games. They also sometimes offer early bird discounts.
– Last minute – If the Nets are struggling or it’s a low profile opponent, fans can find some of the lowest prices by waiting until the very last minute. Hours before tipoff you’ll find sellers scrambling to unload tickets.
– January/February – After the holiday season demand dies down, prices tend to dip before the playoff push.
– End of season – If the Nets are out of playoff contention, ticket prices plummet at the end of the regular season.
Join a ticket package or season ticket waitlist
While not the cheapest per-game cost, joining one of the Nets ticket packages like a 10-game flex plan or going on their season ticket waitlist can provide access to discounted seats and perks. When you commit to a number of games, they’ll guarantee you seats at a small discount compared to buying individual games. It also gives you consistent seats, ticket reps, and benefits that individual game buyers don’t receive.
Shop around for deals
Don’t settle for the first price you see – take time to shop around across different sites for Nets tickets including:
– The team’s official ticket site – nets.com
– Major ticket marketplaces like StubHub and VividSeats
– eBay, Craigslist, Facebook ticket groups
– Compare multiple sites for the latest promos and deals
Sites like SeatGeek display price comparison charts across many sites to find you the best bang for your buck. Signing up for ticket site rewards programs can provide access to special offers.
Conclusion
Nets tickets remain very affordable compared to most other NBA teams. Their large home arena, Brooklyn location, lack of championship tradition, and inconsistent star power all help keep prices in check – sometimes surprisingly cheap for such an exciting squad. While prices rise and fall based on many factors, savvy fans can still find great deals on Nets tickets using some helpful tips and strategies. The future looks bright for Brooklyn, so catch them live while you still can without breaking the bank!