The Cost of Going to a Kings Game

[Coach]

The complaints about the new uniforms got me thinking about my biggest complaint with the Kings. It's not the bombardment of the endless music and clap machines during the game (although that is a close one). It's the outrageous cost of tickets.

We have had season tickets in Section 102, Row T since the Kings moved into the "new" Arco. Originally, we had four seats. When the Kings raised the ticket prices to $75 per seat, we thought that was getting a little too pricey, so we decided to sell two seats and and keep two. Last year the seats cost around $100 per seat, which made us uncomfortable. This year, the Kings raised the prices to $115 per seat.

So, for me to take someone with me to one Kings game would cost $230, plus parking, plus whatever food/drink we buy. Finally, we decided that enough is enough -- the prices were too ridiculous. After being a season ticket holder for 20 years, we gave up our tickets and will now only watch the Kings on TV.

Yes, we could have moved into the second deck. But unless you want to sit in the nose bleeds, even the upper deck seats are $40.50 per seat. Plus, we were so angry about the escalating ticket prices that we did not want to contribute any more money.

In case you are interested, here are the current ticket prices:

http://www.nba.com/kings/tickets/Seating_Chart__Pricing.html

I realize that the tickets at Arco are comparably priced to tickets at other NBA venues. I also realize that NFL tickets are pricey, although at least with an NFL game you can make an entire day out of it -- tailgating, etc. And I realize that the Maloofs are a business, and they are only doing this because the demand for tickets is so high, so why not maximize their profits.

But the drawback, I think, is that soon the entire lower deck will be corporate seating, as companies will be the only ones who can afford those seats. And the passionate fans who work 10 hour days and save and scrimp for Kings tickets will be cheering in the upper deck, far away from the players. That's too bad.

The high cost of entertainment, I guess.

 

[Ryle]

Ticket prices keep going up(my tickets have went from 32.50 up to 40.50 since I got them) but they still sell out. If you don't buy the tickets someone else will. My whole point is that at least the Maloofs keep trying to put a contending product on the floor and that's what has kept me around.

 

[Warhawk]

It is one of the reasons I am glad for all the games being on TV. I never went to many games, but now it is maybe one or two a year (for a variety of reasons, one of the big ones being cost). If I could get good seats relatively cheaply, I'd go. Frankly, the show you get on TV is much better than anything in the nosebleeds, and you get all the instant replays they never show on the jumbotron.

Especially with the Dish PVR unit, I can rewind and watch plays over and over or pause the game for dinner if I want....

 

[GoSACtown]

this is ridiculous....

i went to 3 games last year i believe, and had 10 dollar seats for all of them, the seats werent horrible, but i rather watch on tv

im thinking about not going to any games this year, maybe 1 or 2...but i dont know man, the prices are ridiculous..

i might just goto a warriors/kings game

 

[ONEZERO]

I know high cost is a problem, for some and not all, but do you guys understand how lucky you are that you have the chance to watch your favorite team in person? Heck, I've been dying for about the last 6 years to go to a game in arco, but its too much of a hassle. Yeah I can try and get tickets for a staples center game, lakers vs kings or clippers vs kings, but its not the same I would imagine, not to mention its probably harder to get tickets for a laker game than a kings game(I've tried, but damn those brokers).

 

[chelle]

I know high cost is a problem, for some and not all, but do you guys understand how lucky you are that you have the chance to watch your favorite team in person? Heck, I've been dying for about the last 6 years to go to a game in arco, but its too much of a hassle. Yeah I can try and get tickets for a staples center game, lakers vs kings or clippers vs kings, but its not the same I would imagine, not to mention its probably harder to get tickets for a laker game than a kings game(I've tried, but damn those brokers).

I second that!! I was going to plan a vacation to get to see a game at ARCO this season, but it did not work out. Then I was just happy to get to see them twice when they came to New Orleans. Now, I am grateful that I will get to see them once at the PMAC.

I know it is hard when prices go up, but I can't complain. I just love that I get to see them play in person at least once a season and 11 times on national TV!

 

[hoopsfan]

I know high cost is a problem, for some and not all, but do you guys understand how lucky you are that you have the chance to watch your favorite team in person? Heck, I've been dying for about the last 6 years to go to a game in arco, but its too much of a hassle. Yeah I can try and get tickets for a staples center game, lakers vs kings or clippers vs kings, but its not the same I would imagine, not to mention its probably harder to get tickets for a laker game than a kings game(I've tried, but damn those brokers).

I know how you feel. I try to get to Staples at least a couple times a year. Even during the 3-peat years I think it was easier (and cheaper..transportation included) getting tickets to a Laker game at Staples than trying to get tickets for a game at Arco. Of course I would want to go to a Laker/ Kings game at Arco which probably made it that much harder and more expensive.
I'm already looking for tickets for my birthday game at Staples in April. I've never had a problem if I get them early enough.

 

[GreenKing]

For less than $230.00 you can buy nba league pass. And watch as many games as you can with a good seat for every game. There is something to going to a Kings game. Even at the nosebleed level. But there is a breaking point for everyone. Eventually the Kings will hit critical mass with the current arco. And it's going to be a new arena or eff you guys we are leaving town. And with the Kings pushing for an all star game in vegas it's obvious that it's a cloaked threat aimed at the people of sactown. Las Vegas Kings. The name is a good fit for Sin City.

 

[starks]

Every season I'm driving 800 km just to see one kings game.....$180 for ticket + gas and food it comes up around $350 and it worth every penny

 

[loopymitch]

I'd love the chance to go to Arco, if I was within 8 hours driving time I would do it despite the cost, hopefully make it there next season, but like chelle I gotta deal with 1 game here and 11 tv games. If I had more money I'd make trip to Charlotte and Memphis but that's just not in the budget.

 

[Ryle]

It could be worse....we could have George Shinn as our owner:

"The 10 sections that haven't been priced are those closest to the floor and are designated by the Hornets as the "Hollywood" and "Courtside" seats. While Hornet officials wouldn't be exact on the cost of those seats, owner George Shinn made it clear the seats would be expensive.



"Those folks on the floor," he told The Oklahoman. "We're going to nail them.""

What a dumbass.....way to take care of your customers.

 

[Jerryaki]

I'd love the chance to go to Arco, if I was within 8 hours driving time I would do it despite the cost, hopefully make it there next season, but like chelle I gotta deal with 1 game here and 11 tv games. If I had more money I'd make trip to Charlotte and Memphis but that's just not in the budget.

same here. it's only a 6 hr flight from nyc... x_x

 

[Jkbiker]

I really have it made big time!!

Have been buying 1/2 of a season from the same guy for about 7 years now.
Although they are in the second deck in the end zone, they are in sec 219 in the corner (in same corner as Kings Bench) but I am in Row B which is right behind the upper company box. They are the same price as the high up seats (except the last few rows) and I think Im closer to the end court than the mid field seats. My tickets are now 25.50 ea and have only gone up about $1 per year (were about $18 was cheapest I remember)

For what I feel are the best valued seats in the arena. I have only gotten hit with $1 increases each year, so I really can't complain about ticket increases.

Granted I dont have some of the close up tv coverage, but I have 60 games to get that. Plus always have a great time at Arco, and yes it is way better than TV in terms of excitement and viewing.

This year the tab for 22 games was $1122 and while still a chunk of change I feel I get 80% of the enjoyment for about 1/4th the price.


My recommendation for those of you out there is to search EBAY,paper, Craigslist, friends for season ticket holders that have seats in the End Zone in the first 10 rows and get in good with them, sharing a 1/4, 1/3, 1/2 season usually results in 2-4 of the 10 premium games. Sometimes you may get playoff rights (unfortunately dont get them with my guy, but usually get at least 1 playoff game per year). I recommend 1/4 to 1/2, 1/4th is nice, 11 games over 7 months is a nice evening twice a month. At 1/2 season 22 games are almost too many to squeeze in the schedule and end up with several times games are 2 in a week.

As to Cost? Not too bad, Tickets for 2 $51, Parking $8, Food $25 (unless beer drinker-ouch) So about $85

With the price of a Dinner ($35), Movie ($19), Popcorn/Coke ($12) at around $65 total. Still not too bad!

Would rather see Kings in person, and watch more HBO and DVDs

 

[GoSACtown]

I really have it made big time!!

Have been buying 1/2 of a season from the same guy for about 7 years now.
Although they are in the second deck in the end zone, they are in sec 219 in the corner (in same corner as Kings Bench) but I am in Row B which is right behind the upper company box. They are the same price as the high up seats (except the last few rows) and I think Im closer to the end court than the mid field seats. My tickets are now 25.50 ea and have only gone up about $1 per year (were about $18 was cheapest I remember)

For what I feel are the best valued seats in the arena. I have only gotten hit with $1 increases each year, so I really can't complain about ticket increases.

Granted I dont have some of the close up tv coverage, but I have 60 games to get that. Plus always have a great time at Arco, and yes it is way better than TV in terms of excitement and viewing.

This year the tab for 22 games was $1122 and while still a chunk of change I feel I get 80% of the enjoyment for about 1/4th the price.


My recommendation for those of you out there is to search EBAY,paper, Craigslist, friends for season ticket holders that have seats in the End Zone in the first 10 rows and get in good with them, sharing a 1/4, 1/3, 1/2 season usually results in 2-4 of the 10 premium games. Sometimes you may get playoff rights (unfortunately dont get them with my guy, but usually get at least 1 playoff game per year). I recommend 1/4 to 1/2, 1/4th is nice, 11 games over 7 months is a nice evening twice a month. At 1/2 season 22 games are almost too many to squeeze in the schedule and end up with several times games are 2 in a week.

As to Cost? Not too bad, Tickets for 2 $51, Parking $8, Food $25 (unless beer drinker-ouch) So about $85

With the price of a Dinner ($35), Movie ($19), Popcorn/Coke ($12) at around $65 total. Still not too bad!

Would rather see Kings in person, and watch more HBO and DVDs

would you like selling me a pair of those seats to a game maybe ?

lol PM me if your interested

 

[6th]

Speaking of the cost of parking...I heard that the parking cost is going up to $10.

 

[KingsFan54]

Every season I'm driving 800 km just to see one kings game.....$180 for ticket + gas and food it comes up around $350 and it worth every penny

if you had season tickets you would be doing that 41 times a year plus playoffs.

 

[VF21]

IMHO, the upper deck has been the home of the more rabid Kings fans - for the most part - for a couple of years at least.

Yes, the tickets are expensive and I don't blame anyone for finally having to draw the line at purchasing season tickets (especially lower deck) but you cannot ever replace the experience of watching a game live in Arco with what you get sitting at home watching on TV.

There is simply no way to compare the excitement, the camraderie, the electricity and the thrill.

We do have a separate forum for our members to use to buy/sell tickets AT FACE VALUE. I hope that any Kingsfans.com members who are season ticket holders and might not be using their tickets for a particular game will be able to find someone here to buy the tickets and share the experience.

 

[sauce-26]

I live in Sparks, just over donner summit in nevada. It takes me 2 1/2 hours to get to arco. With gas and food and if it is a night game maybe a hotel room. (driving through these mountains at night when you are tired is not a good idea). Just the fact that i get to see the Kings is well worth it for me. I sit in the upper deck but the view is not too bad as compared to some other venues. I don't mind sitting up there. However, it is getting expensive at a very rapid rate and sometimes you cant watch them at arco as much as you would like.

 

[RoyalDiva]

Ah, the good old days when it didn't cost more than about $50 for lower level seats and they were readily available....did I ever go to games then. But not now. If the game (doesn't matter who the opponent is) isn't sold out, then it's too expensive or too far up in the rafters to really enjoy the experience. As much as I love the Kings, I am just not going to shell out and arm and a leg to see them. That $400 I might spend for one lower-lower level seat could be almost the full air fare to go on vacation. I just think it's a waste of money, no matter how much I love the Kings. I haven't been to a Kings game in years now, and can't fathom when I will next unless I win free tickets. TV is the way to go!! Another is gathering at a great sports restaurant and enjoying it with other fans.

It's a shame that the lower-level seats, especially close up, is filled with mostly corporate fat cats who don't really care much about the Kings. I agree with VF21 that the real fans are in the upper level. The same situation goes for any rock concert.

 

[Iggy]

Speaking of the cost of parking...I heard that the parking cost is going up to $10.

Thanks for the ticket last year :>

That trip still cost me around $35 even with the free ticket!

 

[Evenstar]

i'm trying to get to a game at arco, but with no job, well my savings account is only so large.

and you add in 20 bucks for gas, then parking.....

once i have a real job, you can count me in