by Ethan Faverino | Nov 30, 2025 | News
By Ethan Faverino |
As the 2025-26 NBA season heats up, a new study from iGaming hub eSportstars.io has revealed the true cost of catching an NBA game live, with the Phoenix Suns landing at No. 8 on the list of the league’s most expensive teams to see in person.
According to data analyzed from Seat Geek, the average ticket price to watch the Suns play at Footprint Center this season is $172.00 – well above the league-wide average of $148.42.
The Suns sit comfortably in the top 10, trailing only a handful of major franchises while ranking ahead of the reigning champion Oklahoma City Thunder ($137.00).
The top five most expensive teams to watch live start with the star-studded Los Angeles Lakers at an average of $365.75 per ticket, followed by the Golden State Warriors with $279.47, the Boston Celtics with $247.96, the New York Knicks with $238.49, and the Dallas Mavericks with $215.00.
The Lakers remain in a class of their own, with average tickets costing 146% more than the league average and 31% higher than the second-place Warriors. Even though Warriors tickets are $90 cheaper than Lakers tickets, they are still 88% above the NBA average ticket price.
On the other end of the spectrum, the Charlotte Hornets rank last with the cheapest average ticket price of $82.00 – 45% below the league average. Closely following the Hornets is the Atlanta Hawks with $82.16. Rounding out the bottom five are the Detroit Pistons with $85.15, the New Orleans Pelicans with $85.24, and the Portland Trailblazers with $89.50.
“The huge variation in average ticket prices across teams shows how much fans are willing to pay for a live game, and how strong the fanbases are for the league’s biggest teams,” said eSportstars.io content manager, Hana Suzuki. “Teams with such huge fanbases and iconic players will naturally have higher ticket prices as they are in higher demand, whereas the teams with more affordable tickets give fans the opportunity to have the live NBA experience without the cost.”
Ethan Faverino is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
by Jonathan Eberle | Jul 8, 2025 | Economy, News
By Jonathan Eberle |
Attending a Phoenix Suns game will cost fans more than nearly any other NBA team, according to a new study analyzing average ticket prices across the league. The Suns rank eighth on the list, with an average ticket price of $172.
The analysis, conducted by betting tips provider Spelcash using data from SeatGeek, evaluated the average cost of attending a game for each team. While Phoenix fans may be feeling the pinch, they’re not alone — several teams are charging significantly more, with the Los Angeles Lakers topping the chart at an average of $365.75 per ticket.
That figure is 31% higher than the second-place Golden State Warriors ($279.47), and a staggering 146% higher than the league-wide average of $148.42.
The top five most expensive teams include:
1. Los Angeles Lakers – $365.75
2. Golden State Warriors – $279.47
3. Boston Celtics – $247.96
4. New York Knicks – $238.49
5. Dallas Mavericks – $215.00
Despite not cracking the top five, the Phoenix Suns’ $172 average ticket price still represents a 16% increase over the league average. They trail just behind the Los Angeles Clippers and the Minnesota Timberwolves.
The study points to star power, market size, and recent team performance as contributing factors to ticket demand. “It is no surprise to see the Los Angeles Lakers at the top of the ranking,” said Johan Sunnanangs, CEO of Spelcash. “Their huge popularity, coupled with a roster featuring names like LeBron James and Luka Doncic, keeps demand sky-high.”
The Suns have drawn strong crowds in recent seasons, bolstered by playoff runs and marquee players like Kevin Durant and Devin Booker. But for fans hoping to see them live, the cost is rising.
By contrast, the most affordable team to watch live is the Charlotte Hornets, with an average ticket price of just $82 — 45% below the league average. The Atlanta Hawks ($82.16) and Detroit Pistons ($85.15) also rank among the most wallet friendly.
The study also notes that three of California’s four NBA teams — the Lakers, Warriors, and Clippers — all rank in the top 10, underscoring both the market strength and popularity of basketball in the Golden State.
As the offseason ramps up with the NBA Draft and summer league action, demand for tickets is expected to continue climbing.
Jonathan Eberle is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
