NBA Ticket Prices

Antoine Murtha

Updated: 26 May 2026 ·

NBA Ticket Prices

Save the date! The schedule for the 2025-2026 NBA season has officially been released! We will hear the whistles and sneakers squeaking at Madison Square Garden starting from October 21, 2025, until April 12, 2026. So yes, knowing the season schedule is great, but you also need to know the prices of NBA tickets to attend the games. Let's take a look at the topic!

How Much Does an NBA Ticket Cost?

NBA game in NYC
photo by unsacsurledos.com

In practical terms, the price of a ticket to see an NBA game varies according to several factors:

The teams playing: The ticket is more expensive when big names, such as the NY Knicks or the Lakers, hit the court. If you want to watch these popular teams, you will need to pay around $150 for your seat in the stadium. For less legendary teams, like the Clippers, it's possible to find tickets for as low as $30.

The time of the season: As the season progresses, the competition heats up with the clash of the best teams. That's why NBA ticket prices are higher during the playoffs and finals games. Seats will then cost around $500, or even much more! To check the NBA schedule 2025 - 2026, you can refer to my dedicated article

The location: Seats higher up (therefore farther from the court) are cheaper than seats close to the court. For upper-level seats, it's possible to get tickets for less than $30. However, VIP seats can cost over $400. A good compromise is to find a seat in the middle of the stands for slightly more than $100.

The venue: While Madison Square Garden in New York remains the most famous arena for NBA games, several teams also compete at the Barclays Center. There's also the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. Tickets to see a game in a less popular venue are naturally cheaper, around $40.

In summary, if you plan to watch two big teams face off in the playoffs or finals, and you choose to sit close to the court, be prepared to spend a pretty penny... Tickets for the most awaited games can reach an astounding sum of $3,000!

  • The teams playing: The ticket is more expensive when big names, such as the NY Knicks or the Lakers, hit the court. If you want to watch these popular teams, you will need to pay around $150 for your seat in the stadium. For less legendary teams, like the Clippers, it's possible to find tickets for as low as $30.
  • The time of the season: As the season progresses, the competition heats up with the clash of the best teams. That's why NBA ticket prices are higher during the playoffs and finals games. Seats will then cost around $500, or even much more! To check the NBA schedule 2025 - 2026, you can refer to my dedicated article
  • The location: Seats higher up (therefore farther from the court) are cheaper than seats close to the court. For upper-level seats, it's possible to get tickets for less than $30. However, VIP seats can cost over $400. A good compromise is to find a seat in the middle of the stands for slightly more than $100.
  • The venue: While Madison Square Garden in New York remains the most famous arena for NBA games, several teams also compete at the Barclays Center. There's also the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. Tickets to see a game in a less popular venue are naturally cheaper, around $40.

VIP Tickets for the NBA

Barclays Center
Barclays Center photo by unsacsurledos.com

To experience NBA games with more excitement and some added bonuses, nothing beats the experience offered by premium tickets. By paying more for your seats, you will be right up front to cheer for the players and immerse yourself in the electric atmosphere typical of American basketball games!

Additionally, a VIP ticket for the NBA often provides access to private lounges and exclusive sessions to meet players and get autographs. As mentioned above, the most expensive tickets cost several thousand dollars. So, unless you are a die-hard basketball fan or you are really prepared to spend such an amount, I recommend looking for the cheaper seats...

The least expensive tickets are also suitable for tourists passing through the Big Apple during the NBA season. After all, you don't want to break the bank at Madison Square Garden when you still have the Empire State Building or the Statue of Liberty to visit! By the way, if you don't know what to do in New York, I suggest checking out my guide

In any case, remember that going to an NBA game is among the must-do activities in New York, even if you're not particularly passionate about sports. Just for the various shows and the atmosphere, you won't regret buying your ticket!

NBA Ticket Prices: Where to Buy Your Ticket?

First option: you can buy your NBA ticket at the box office on-site. However, this option remains a risky gamble as you could face a ticket shortage, especially for important games with high demand. And even if you find tickets, you might still be disadvantaged in price and seat selection. For all these reasons, I suggest the second option instead: buy your ticket online as early as possible.

Buying your NBA ticket online is more reassuring and faster. For example, you can find tickets for the entire season on the NewYorkTickets website. Online, you can also get an overview of the available seats and quickly choose the ones that suit you. By buying your ticket on the internet, you'll receive an electronic ticket to save on your phone and present at the box office

Overview of the Game Schedule

The dates for the various games for the 2025 - 2026 NBA season were revealed just a few days ago, but tickets sell out quickly, and NBA ticket prices can rise rapidly. So, check the schedule now to identify the dates on which you can attend a basketball game

Practical Tips for Buying NBA Tickets at the Best Price

Whether you're coming to the game to soak up the atmosphere or you're a dedicated basketball fan, here are a few tips that will help you save some dollars on NBA ticket prices:

Final point for this article on NBA ticket prices! Remember, don't forget to arrive at least an hour early on game day to find your seats and have some time to explore the arena. Enjoy the game! And if you want to discover other major attractions in NYC, feel free to check out my article on New York passes, essential for making some savings!

  • Consider purchasing your tickets during the off-season when demand is still low. If you already know the dates of your stay and want to see a basketball game, you can buy your NBA tickets according to your trip right away. Last-minute tickets are often expensive...
  • Choose less popular games if your goal is simply to experience the NBA ⛹️‍♂️
  • Wait for the most notable matchups of the season if you are an NBA fan. You will have time to gather the necessary amount for purchasing the ticket that will be significantly expensive at that time.
  • Resale platforms sometimes offer more attractive prices. Be sure to check them out.