Friday, May 15, 2026

CFP Title Game Tickets Already Hitting Unprecedented Prices (Even Without Texas)

  • The CFP final is trending toward being the most expensive ever on the secondary ticket market.
  • Michigan is making its first appearance in the College Football Playoff title game.
Detroit Free Press

Michigan’s first appearance in a college football national championship game (yes, you read that correctly) is generating record demand on the secondary ticket market. Neither the Wolverines nor their opponents from Washington have played in a national title matchup during the College Football Playoff or BCS eras. Excitement for the contest has it trending toward being the most expensive CFP final on record, according to TickPick data shared with Front Office Sports

With the majority of purchases coming from Michigan’s side, the “get-in” price was as high as $1,200 last week before dipping, which is expected to continue until kickoff Monday night but still end up at a record high. No other national championship game has had a “get-in” price above $800. Many “get-in” prices for recent CFP championships have fallen below $200.

What Could Have Been

During halftime of Washington’s playoff semifinal win over Texas, the game was tied 21-21, and Longhorn fans—who travel well to begin with—were apparently getting ahead of themselves, with the potential for playing for a national championship in their home state on the table. 

TickPick says the “get-in” price for Monday night’s title game in Houston got as high as $2,885 midway through that semifinal, and a Texas victory would have made the CFP title game far and away the most expensive matchup ever. Alas … .

Heading into the weekend, the average purchase price on TickPick was $2,201, which would also be a record for the CFP title game.

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Sign up for
The Memo Newsletter

Get the biggest stories and best analysis on the business of sports delivered to your inbox twice every weekday and twice on weekends.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Mar 23, 2026; Storrs, CT, USA; UConn Huskies Forward Serah Williams (22) shoots a layup against Syracuse Orange Forward Aurora Almon (0) during the first half of the second round game of the women’s 2026 NCAA Tournament at Harry A. Gampel Pavilion.

4 Schools Cash In As Men’s and Women’s Teams Reach Sweet 16

Duke, Connecticut, Michigan, and Texas are thriving in both tournaments.
Dec 13, 2025; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; President Donald J Trump cross the field at half time of the game between the Navy Midshipmen and the Army West Point Black Knights at M&T Bank Stadium.

Trump Signs Executive Order to ‘Preserve’ Army–Navy Game

The order seeks to guarantee an exclusive television window for the game.

Sacramento State’s Only Shot at MAC Revenue: Make the CFP

Sacramento State forfeits MAC revenue but could earn money with a CFP berth.
Indiana Head Coach Curt Cignetti watches during the College Football Playoff National Championship college football game at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026.

Curt Cignetti’s New Indiana Deal Is Richest in College Football

The new contract will pay him $13.2 million annually.

Featured Today

‘The Sonics Never Died’: The Long Afterlife of Seattle NBA Merch

Inside “the largest team shop for a team that doesn’t exist.” 
Mar 27, 2026; Washington, DC, USA;UConn Huskies forward Tarris Reed Jr. (5) dunks the ball against the Michigan State Spartans in the second half during a Sweet Sixteen game of the East Regional of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Capital One Arena
March 28, 2026

March Madness Coaches Debate ‘Blueblood’ in NIL Era

The term’s meaning was up for debate at men’s March Madness.
Maxime Vachier Lagrave
March 25, 2026

The Planet’s Best Chess Players Are Having Their LIV Golf Moment

Chess’s most prestigious tournament is battling a splashy Saudi event.
Beau Brune/LSU
March 22, 2026

College Athletic Departments Are Becoming Media Companies

“There’s only so many tickets you can sell, but content is infinite.”
Jul 29, 2025; Montreal, QC, Canada; Maya Joint (AUS) reacts after scoring a point against Leylah Fernandez (CAN) in first round play at IGA Stadium.

NCAA Proposes Prize Money Rule Change After Landmark Settlement

The change would allow players to accept prize money without affecting eligibility.
April 2, 2026

Brett Yormark and Cody Campbell Fight Over Who Runs Big 12

“He is not the dictator of the conference. That’s not his role.”
Mar 29, 2026; Washington, DC, USA; UConn Huskies guard Braylon Mullins (24) celebrates after making the game-winning three-point basket against the Duke Blue Devils in the second half during an Elite Eight game of the East Regional of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Capital One Arena
April 3, 2026

Braylon Mullins Waiting to Cash In On Game-Winning Shot

Mullins is holding off on NIL opportunities until the Huskies’ season ends.
Sponsored

Baseball Is Back: MLB Opening Day Prices Soar

MLB Opening Day ticket prices are at record highs. TickPick data breaks down demand, pricing trends, and where fans are paying the most.
April 2, 2026

NCAA Is Trying to Close NBA Draft Eligibility Loophole

If passed, the rules will be implemented by the next academic year.
April 2, 2026

Iowa State Star Audi Crooks Enters Transfer Portal

Crooks, an Iowa native, has one year of eligibility remaining.
April 1, 2026

Why a Furniture Store Is Risking $50M on UConn Basketball

Jordan’s Furniture will refund purchases if both Huskies teams make the final.
April 1, 2026

The European Agent Behind the Illinois Final Four Run

Miško Ražnatović represents four of the Illinois “Balkan Five.”