Exorbitant ticket costs for Ohio State vs. Notre Dame’s College Football National Championship game

The College Football National Championship is the pinnacle of the college football season, a game where the best of the best compete for the title of national champion. The spectacle of this game involves not only elite athletes and top-tier coaching, but it also attracts a massive audience of passionate fans who travel from across the country to witness the event. One of the most significant barriers to entry for many fans is the cost of tickets. For the 2025 National Championship game between Ohio State and Notre Dame, ticket prices have reached exorbitant levels, making it more difficult for average fans to attend.

The rise in ticket prices has sparked discussion across the college football landscape about the impact of ticket pricing on fan engagement and the fairness of this system. The sheer cost of attending the National Championship, especially for fans of both Ohio State and Notre Dame, who are loyal but often don’t have the resources to pay sky-high prices, has led to frustration and disillusionment.

This article will delve into the reasons behind the astronomical ticket costs for the Ohio State vs. Notre Dame National Championship game, how ticket pricing is structured, the factors that contribute to these high prices, the implications for fans, and potential solutions to make the game more accessible to all.

The Rise in Ticket Prices for Major Sporting Events

Ticket prices for major sporting events, especially those of national importance like the College Football National Championship, have seen a significant increase in recent years. The reasons for this surge are multi-faceted and include economic factors, market demand, and the growing commercial nature of college athletics.

1. Increased Demand and Limited Supply

The College Football National Championship is one of the most-watched events in American sports. The championship game between Ohio State and Notre Dame is expected to draw millions of viewers, both in-person and on television. This large, dedicated fan base drives up demand for tickets, especially when the two teams involved are powerhouse programs with rich histories of success. Ohio State and Notre Dame are two of the most popular college football teams in the nation, and their matchup promises to be a high-stakes, thrilling game that fans do not want to miss.

However, the supply of tickets for the event is relatively limited. Most championship games are played in large stadiums that hold between 60,000 and 80,000 fans, but with millions of people vying for the chance to attend, the demand far exceeds the number of available seats. As a result, ticket prices naturally rise due to market forces. With so many fans hoping to secure a spot in the stadium, ticket sellers can command higher prices, knowing that there will be willing buyers at almost any price.

2. The Influence of Secondary Markets and Resale

In today’s digital age, secondary ticket markets have become a significant factor driving up the price of tickets for high-demand events. Websites like StubHub, SeatGeek, and Vivid Seats allow fans who purchased tickets to resell them at a markup. This resale market creates a situation where tickets originally sold at face value can be sold for several times their original price, depending on demand.

For the Ohio State vs. Notre Dame game, the secondary ticket market has seen prices skyrocket in anticipation of the event. Tickets that originally cost a few hundred dollars may now be going for thousands, and in some cases, premium seats are listed for $10,000 or more. This high markup exacerbates the issue, making the game accessible only to a select few with the financial means to afford these inflated prices.

3. Corporate Sponsorship and VIP Packages

Corporate sponsorship has also contributed to the rising cost of tickets for the National Championship. Major corporations often purchase blocks of tickets to host their clients or reward employees. These tickets are typically not available to the general public and are often bundled with VIP experiences or hospitality packages. These premium offerings, which may include access to exclusive lounges, pre-game parties, and premium seating, further inflate the price of attending the game.

In some instances, these corporate tickets end up being resold at a steep markup, driving up the cost for regular fans. While these premium packages offer an enhanced experience, they create a two-tiered system where the average fan is pushed out of the equation.

4. The Rise of the “Eventification” of Sports

In recent years, college football, along with other major sports, has embraced the concept of “eventification.” This refers to the shift in focus from the sporting competition itself to the overall experience of attending the game. The National Championship is no longer just about the two teams competing on the field; it’s about the festival atmosphere, the tailgating experience, the celebration of college football, and the exclusive parties surrounding the event. As a result, organizers have sought to monetize every aspect of the event, and ticket prices reflect this shift.

Eventification has led to an increase in the number of high-priced events and luxury experiences available at the National Championship. From special access to hospitality suites to opportunities to meet famous former players, these “extras” are enticing for wealthy fans but often come at a steep price. This is another reason why the cost of attending such a significant game has skyrocketed.

Ticket Pricing Breakdown for the Ohio State vs. Notre Dame National Championship Game

Ticket prices for the 2025 College Football National Championship game between Ohio State and Notre Dame have reached record levels. According to reports, prices for some seats have exceeded $5,000, with certain premium sections approaching $10,000 per ticket.

Here’s a breakdown of what ticket prices typically look like for this event:

1. General Admission and Upper-Level Seats: These tickets are typically the most affordable, though still expensive for the average fan. Expect to pay anywhere from $500 to $1,500 for upper-level or general admission seats. These seats offer a decent view of the action but are located far from the field.
2. Lower-Level and Midfield Seats: These seats, which are closer to the field and provide better views, can range from $1,500 to $5,000. Midfield seats, in particular, are in high demand and command a premium price. For many fans, these seats offer the best value, as they balance cost with proximity to the action.
3. VIP and Luxury Seating: For fans looking for the ultimate game-day experience, VIP and luxury seating packages are available. These packages often include access to hospitality suites, pre-game events, and exclusive networking opportunities. Prices for these tickets can range from $5,000 to $10,000 or more, depending on the package and the location of the seats. These tickets are typically aimed at corporate clients or high-net-worth individuals who are willing to pay for a more luxurious experience.
4. Secondary Market and Resale Tickets: Once tickets are sold out through the official channels, the secondary market takes over. As mentioned earlier, tickets purchased from the original seller can be resold at a significant markup. It’s not uncommon to see resale tickets for the National Championship game listed for prices ranging from $2,000 to $20,000 or more, depending on the demand.

This price range has led to widespread concern among fans, particularly those of Ohio State and Notre Dame, who are passionate about their teams but may be priced out of the experience.

Implications for Fans

The soaring ticket prices for the Ohio State vs. Notre Dame National Championship game have several implications for the fan experience.

1. Accessibility Issues

The rising cost of tickets makes it increasingly difficult for average fans to attend the National Championship game. College football fans who have supported their teams for years and made significant sacrifices to follow their favorite programs are now finding that they are being priced out of the opportunity to attend the biggest game of the season. The growing gap between the wealthy elite and the average fan is becoming more pronounced, as many loyal supporters cannot afford the inflated ticket prices.

2. The Shift from Fan Engagement to Consumerism

The “eventification” of sports has shifted the focus of the National Championship game from being an opportunity for passionate fans to enjoy the game to an exclusive experience for those who can afford it. The emphasis on luxury packages, VIP treatment, and corporate sponsorships creates a sense of exclusion for fans who don’t have the means to partake in these experiences. This shift towards consumerism has led to concerns about the future of fan engagement in college football, as the sport becomes increasingly commercialized.

3. The Potential for a Decline in Fan Support

As ticket prices continue to rise, there is a growing risk that college football will alienate a large portion of its fan base. College sports, at their core, are about community and fan support, and if ticket prices become too high for average fans to afford, it could have a detrimental effect on the overall spirit of the game. The traditional college football fan — someone who has supported their team through thick and thin, often on a tight budget — may no longer have access to the biggest and most important games, resulting in diminished enthusiasm and loyalty.

Possible Solutions to the Ticket Pricing Problem

There are several potential solutions to the issue of exorbitant ticket prices for major college football events, including:

1. Implementing a More Affordable Pricing Structure: Organizers of the National Championship could introduce more affordable ticket options, especially for lower-income fans and students. This could involve offering a limited number of tickets at a lower price for those who meet certain criteria, such as season ticket holders or alumni.
2. Reducing the Influence of the Secondary Market: One potential solution is to limit the ability of fans to resell their tickets on the secondary market. This could help prevent prices from spiraling out of control, ensuring that tickets remain more affordable for regular fans.
3. Increasing Access to Lottery Systems: Some sporting events, such as the Super Bowl, use a lottery system to allocate tickets to fans. A similar system could be implemented for the National Championship to give fans a fairer chance at purchasing tickets at face value, rather than being shut out by the secondary market.