All you need to know about 'big' conference tournament ticket prices

Eric Prisbellby:Eric Prisbell•03/08/22•

EricPrisbell

As the “big” conference tournaments tip off across the nation this week, which ticket do you think is most expensive? The cheapest? And which tournament offers the best value in terms of pricing?

On3 checked in with TickPick, the New York-based, no-fee secondary ticket marketplace, for insights into buying habits for fans hoping to watch seven of the best conference tournaments in person. The most expensive average purchase price for an all-sessions pass is $949 for the ACC in Brooklyn, where Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski will be coaching his final conference tournament. But if you’re just looking to get a taste of the ACC tournament, the get-in price to watch a second-round game, Florida State-Syracuse (which features a Hall of Fame coach who has been at his school even longer than Coach K), is all of $3, cheaper than a concession-stand hot dog.

If you love March Madness, and we take it you do, each of these tournaments is compelling for a smorgasbord of reasons. Here’s a look at the ticket pricing data for seven of the top tournaments, along with some of the intriguing on-court storylines.

TickPick does not charge added fees. Because of that, they end up being, on average, 10 percent cheaper. It is also the only site that offers prospective buyers 360-degree seat views that provide a true sense of what fans’ viewing experiences will be like. (By the way, “Selection Sunday” is March 13. And sites for the 2022 NCAA Tournament are listed here.)

Average purchase price for an all-sessions pass:

+ ACC: $949

+ Big East: $889

+ Big 12: $772

+ SEC: $677

+ Big Ten: $663

American Athletic Conference

Site: Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, Texas
Dates: Thursday through Sunday
NCAA tournament bids: 1-3
Appeal: Memphis took a giant step toward securing an at-large berth by beating Houston. Bravo to coach Penny Hardaway for turning the injury-riddled season around after it looked to be going sideways early on. SMU has a veteran team that is closing in on one of the final at-large berths. And Houston is one of just a handful of teams that rank among the top 20 nationally in offensive and defensive efficiency, per KenPom.com ratings. Ranking in the top 20 in both categories has been a consistent trait among national title-winning teams this century. 

  • First round (Cincinnati vs. East Carolina & Wichita State vs. Tulsa)
    • Get-in price: $5
    • Average purchase price: $17
  • First round (UCF vs. USF)
    • Get-in price: $5
    • Average purchase price: not enough sales yet to provide
  • Quarterfinals (Houston vs. TBD & Temple vs. Tulane)
    • Get-in price: $6
    • Average purchase price: $37
  • Quarterfinals (SMU vs. TBD & Memphis vs. TBD)
    • Get-in price: $6
    • Average purchase price: $31
  • Semifinals
    • Get-in price: $22
    • Average purchase price: $53
  • Championship
    • Get-in price: $26
    • Average purchase price: $113

Atlantic Coast Conference

Site: Barclays Center in Brooklyn, N.Y.
Dates: Tuesday through Saturday
NCAA tournament bids: likely 5
Appeal: This isn’t your father’s ACC. This season, it’s “Duke and the others.” But, as you may have heard, this will be Krzyzewski’s final conference tournament before retirement. The Blue Devils are a legit national title contender but are not invincible. Just ask Hubert Davis. UNC may now be in line for a high single-digit seed. Wake Forest, Miami and Notre Dame are looking to cement at-large bids and likely double-digit seeds. A loss could send any in that group to the First Four in Dayton.

  • First round (Pitt vs. Boston College & Clemson vs. NC State)
    • Get-in price: $3
    • Average purchase price: $12
  • Second round (Florida State vs. Syracuse & Wake Forest vs. TBD)
    • Get-in price: $3
    • Average purchase price: $45
  • Second round (Virginia Tech vs. TBD & Virginia vs. TBD)
    • Get-in price: $4
    • Average purchase price: $55
  • Quarterfinals (Duke vs. TBD & Miami vs. TBD)
    • Get-in price: $23
    • Average purchase price: $84
  • Quarterfinals (Notre Dame vs. TBD & UNC vs. TBD)
    • Get-in price: $37
    • Average purchase price: $83.50
  • Semifinals
    • Get-in price: $110
    • Average purchase price: $177
  • Championship
    • Get-in price: $96
    • Average purchase price: $204

Big East

Site: Madison Square Garden in New York
Dates: Wednesday through Saturday
NCAA Tournament bids: Possibly 7
Appeal: Villanova has beaten Providence twice this season. Can it beat the top-seeded Friars for a third time? Can the Wildcats earn a No. 2 seed in the NCAAs? If Xavier loses its first game against Butler, it will be sweating out Selection Sunday. Sleeper Seton Hall can gain some momentum for the NCAAs.

  • First round
    • Get-in price: $4
    • Average purchase price: $16
  • Quarterfinals (Providence vs. TBD & Creighton vs. Marquette)
    • Get-in price: $45
    • Average purchase price: $91
  • Quarterfinals (Villanova vs. TBD & UConn vs. TBD)
    • Get-in price: $135
    • Average purchase price: $89
  • Semifinals
    • Get-in price: $179
    • Average purchase price: $174
  • Championship
    • Get-in price: $108
    • Average purchase price: $126

Big Ten

Site: Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.
Dates: Wednesday through Sunday
NCAA Tournament bids: 7-9
Appeal: This conference tournament may not have a potential No. 1 NCAA tournament seed. But it is extremely competitive at the top with Wisconsin, Illinois and Purdue. Can Indiana make a run to sneak into the field? Rutgers is looking for back-to-back NCAA tournament berths. Does Michigan State have anything left?

  • First round (Northwestern vs. Nebraska & Penn State vs. Minnesota)
    • Get-in price: $3
    • Average purchase price: $6
  • Second round (Michigan vs. Indiana & Iowa vs. TBD)
    • Get-in price: $7
    • Average purchase price: $56.50
  • Second round (Michigan State vs. Maryland & Ohio State vs. TBD)
    • Get-in price: $7
    • Average purchase price: $57
  • Quarterfinals (Illinois vs. TBD & Rutgers vs. TBD)
    • Get-in price: $45
    • Average purchase price: $165
  • Quarterfinals (Wisconsin vs. TBD & Purdue vs. TBD)
    • Get-in price: $85
    • Average purchase price: $135
  • Semifinals
    • Get-in price: $101
    • Average purchase price: $271
  • Championship
    • Get-in price: $57
    • Average purchase price: $91

Big 12

Site: T-Mobile Center in Kansas City
Dates: Wednesday through Saturday
NCAA Tournament bids: likely 6
Appeal: Can the league get two No. 1 seeds in Baylor and Kansas? How does Baylor look in its quest to become the first repeat national champion since Florida in 2006 and 2007? Don’t discount the teams toward the bottom of the standings; West Virginia certainly is capable of an upset.

  • First round
    • Get-in price: $5
    • Average purchase price: $19
  • Quarterfinals (Texas vs. TCU & Kansas vs. TBD)
    • Get-in price: $52
    • Average purchase price: $116
  • Quarterfinals (Baylor vs. Oklahoma & Texas Tech vs. Iowa State)
    • Get-in price: $55
    • Average purchase price: $102
  • Semifinals
    • Get-in price: $88
    • Average purchase price: $175
  • Championship
    • Get-in price: $76
    • Average purchase price: $109

Pac-12

Site: T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas
Dates: Wednesday through Saturday
NCAA Tournament bids: 3-4
Appeal: This tournament is extremely top-heavy. But it features at least two teams, UCLA and Arizona, capable of winning the national title. The Bruins returned a ton of experience from their Final Four team and could be poised for a deep run. Coach Tommy Lloyd’s Arizona team is one of the most efficient offensive and defensive teams in the country, per kenpom.com ratings. And don’t sleep on USC. 

  • First round (Stanford vs. Arizona State & Oregon State vs. Oregon)
    • Get-in price: $14
    • Average purchase price: $35
  • First round (California vs. Washington State & Utah vs. Washington)
    • Get-in price: $21
    • Average purchase price: $53
  • Quarterfinals (Arizona vs. TBD & Colorado vs. TBD)
    • Get-in price: $91
    • Average purchase price: $172
  • Quarterfinals (UCLA vs. TBD & USC vs. TBD)
    • Get-in price: $81
    • Average purchase price: $102
  • Semifinals
    • Get-in price: $136
    • Average purchase price: $197
  • Championship
    • Get-in price: $121
    • Average purchase price: $213

SEC

Site: Amalie Arena in Tampa
Dates: Wednesday through Sunday
NCAA Tournament bids: 6-7
Appeal: Tampa is an, uh, unique choice to host the conference tournament. But this may prove to have the highest level of play from the semifinals on of any tournament. There’s at least four legitimate Final Four contenders in the field with Auburn, Kentucky, Tennessee and Arkansas. Plus, there’s no spring training right now, so no better way to spend a few days in Florida in March. 

  • First round (Missouri vs. Ole Miss & Vanderbilt vs. Georgia)
    • Get-in price: $4
    • Average purchase price: $7
  • Second round (Texas A&M vs. Florida & LSU vs. TBD)
    • Get-in price: $6
    • Average purchase price: $43
  • Second round (South Carolina vs. Mississippi State & Alabama vs. TBD)
    • Get-in price: $6
    • Average purchase price: $77
  • Quarterfinals (Auburn vs. TBD & Arkansas vs. TBD)
    • Get-in price: $50
    • Average purchase price: $135
  • Quarterfinals (Tennessee vs. TBD & Kentucky vs. TBD)
    • Get-in price: $68
    • Average purchase price: $145
  • Semifinals
    • Get-in price: $99
    • Average purchase price: $204
  • Championship
    • Get-in price: $82
    • Average purchase price: $205