Ticket costs for Charlotte’s major sports teams are on the rise

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) – Charlotte Football Club season ticket holders will have to pay more to keep their seats for the 2025 season.

The club sent out renewal notices Wednesday, and fans noticed they would have to pay approximately 6.1% more than their current package.

A spokesperson for the organization said the increase is in line with the Major League Soccer average.

Industry experts with resale site Tickets for Less said its common to see professional teams bump ticket prices up by 3 to 7% each year.

“Just like any business, they’re looking to drive sales and increase price without impacting, what I would call number of visits,” said Angela Presnell, Senior Vice President of Marketing and Retail for TFL. “It’s really trying to moderate the price increase so you can take advantage of having fans without pushing them away.”

Presnell said the demand is still increasing for live events. TFL conducted a study with The Harris Polls in 2023 which found people spend an average of $800 per year on tickets for live events.

“Live event attendance increased pretty dramatically post-pandemic. We’re also starting to see that level out a bit so we’re not seeing those dramatic increases we did a few years ago,” she said.

The Carolina Panthers are also charging more for select seats in the upcoming season.

The Panthers announced in February they would raise prices an average of 4%. Upper bowl ticket costs will remain mostly flat, but lower-level seats may jump up as much as 7%.

A team spokesperson told Queen City News that officials “look at a variety of factors to determine package price in any given year.”

Disappointed fans point to the team’s 2-15 record as a reason prices should not increase.

“There’s no point to go because they’re losing. I know the day ones will still be there, but the people that are starting to get into the team? I doubt it,” said Miguel Barry.

“It’s kind of dumb. You’re not performing. Why would you raise prices for people when you don’t perform well?” asked David Tuju.

Presnell said team performance will still impact ticket prices because the dynamic pricing models sellers use for digital sales depend on interest from buyers.

“Based on the technology in which tickets are now delivered, whether that’s the primary market, directly from the team or venue or a secondary market, like Tickets for Less or Vivid Seats or StubHub, we do see those lines are blurring,” she said. “Those price changes are more based on demand than they are on inflation or a set price increase that a team may be taking, for instance.”

The most affordable season ticket package for the Panthers is $150, the same as last year.

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