I was asked to re-run this comparison of league wide ticket prices by vantage point with 2012 data.
We pay way too much for our tickets.
To give you an idea as to how far out of whack TFC tickets are relative to the league, I took a look at season ticket pricing per game across the league relative to the vantage point of the seat. I then took an average price and compared that with what TFC charges "the most loyal fans in the game." Given that vantage points and pricing models vary across the league, these numbers are to be taken as generalization. I didn't bother to include Field Side Tables or other VIP seating as those prices are ridiculous across the board. Lastly, note that while the numbers have not been vetted by an auditor down to the penny, I am presenting them so that we can draw some discussion points from what they suggest.
- A TFC fan who has purchased a pair of seats in BMO Field's "Club" section, which are Centre Line seats with "Club" access behind the players benches, pays $920 more per year than the MLS average
- What does $746 get you? That's the extra price you pay for a pair of season tickets in center line seats (non-club section) over the average MLS price.
- Those sitting off of Centre Line at BMO field (Dark Greys) pay $739 more for a pair of seats than the MLS average.
- Those seeking a bargin by moving to the corners will find that if they were in another MLS city, they might pay $494 less for a pair in that vantage point.
- The "new" North Stand, once trumpeted as a section for the fans that couldn't get access has apparently been priced so as to restrict access. It costs $438 more than the MLS average for seats in this section.
- And lastly, the Supporters. This is the group that has been used in countless marketing campaigns in order to sell "atmosphere." What is their special honour? They get to pay $236 more per year for a pair of seats than the average MLS supporter.
Feels good doesn't it?
2012 Data
Team Club Centre Line Off Center Corners North Stand Supporters Houston $1,825 $900 $700 $400 $550 $250 Toronto $1,600 $1,083 $988 $684 $589 $399 RSL $1,500 $900 $750 $565 $360 $250 Vancouver $1,482 $832 $505 $505 $420 $277 Seattle $1,432 $768 $768 $432 $342 $342 SKC $1,400 $660 $700 $600 $380 $260 FC Dallas $1,314 $954 $684 $306 $306 $241 Philly $1,278 $756 $612 $432 $360 $324 NY $1,100 $920 $720 $400 $360 $320 Chicago $999 $600 $600 $400 $220 $199 NE Revolution $972 $540 $432 $324 $432 $252 SJ $840 $640 $420 $320 $280 $280 DC United $803 $617 $446 $344 $344 $344 Colorado $629 $476 $544 $357 $357 $238 Columbus $560 $364 $336 $252 $266 $238 Chivas $504 $504 $306 $252 $162 $162 LA $1,160 $1,000 $850 $560 $400 Average $1,140 $746 $618 $437 $370 $281 TFC $1,600 $1,083 $988 $684 $589 $399 Difference $460 $337 $370 $247 $219 $118 Pair Difference $920.2 $674.94 $739.41 $494.7 $438.24 $236.12
* not an exact science as renewal pricing and multi-year renewals also impact pricing. Some generalizations made