CFZ Have you been priced out of going to Cowboys games?

[Bobhaze]

I’ve been lucky enough to go to Cowboys home games at all three stadiums in their storied history - the Cotton Bowl, Texas Stadium and AT&T Stadium. My Dad took me to my first Cowboys game in 1964 when I was only 6 years old. Eventually my Dad took my younger brother and me to games also over the years, and as a middle class family it was affordable. Those memories of going to Cowboys games were truly bonding experiences.

The 1964 game tickets my Dad had for the game at the Cotton Bowl were $6.00 each. So it was $12 for a father and son to sit on about the 25 yard line. That was then. The average single ticket price of going to a Cowboys game now is between $286 and $689 and that of course does not include parking and other items.

Trust me, I’m not here to say “everything was better in the good ol’ days.” Believe me they weren’t. I’m not against owners making big profits. But I am mystified by how much NFL ticket prices have gone up relative to everything else in society over the years. The experience I had with my Dad so many years ago seems harder and harder for the average person to experience.

The Cowboys have raised ticket prices approximately 20% since 2022. The cost of living/inflation has gone up but not at those percentages. I’m all for the free enterprise system but at what point does this become just a ridiculous level of pure greed?

So…I’m curious. How many of you have been priced out? I last attended a Cowboys game in 2018 and now that I am retired, I may have been priced out of ever going again. How many of you have attended games with your children and continue to do so?

 

[maryquality]

I’ve been lucky enough to go to Cowboys home games at all three stadiums in their storied history - the Cotton Bowl, Texas Stadium and AT&T Stadium. My Dad took me to my first Cowboys game in 1964 when I was only 6 years old. Eventually my Dad took my younger brother and me to games also over the years, and as a middle class family it was affordable. Those memories of going to Cowboys games were truly bonding experiences.

The 1964 game tickets my Dad had for the game at the Cotton Bowl were $6.00 each. So it was $12 for a father and son to sit on about the 25 yard line. That was then. The average single ticket price of going to a Cowboys game now is between $286 and $689 and that of course does not include parking and other items.

Trust me, I’m not here to say “everything was better in the good ol’ days.” Believe me they weren’t. I’m not against owners making big profits. But I am mystified by how much NFL ticket prices have gone up relative to everything else in society over the years. The experience I had with my Dad so many years ago seems harder and harder for the average person to experience.

The Cowboys have raised ticket prices approximately 20% since 2022. The cost of living/inflation has gone up but not at those percentages. I’m all for the free enterprise system but at what point does this become just a ridiculous level of pure greed?

So…I’m curious. How many of you have been priced out? I last attended a Cowboys game in 2018 and now that I am retired, I may have been priced out of ever going again. How many of you have attended games with your children and continue to do so?

Last game I went to with my adult kids was back in January of 2016. Last game of the season against Washington. I haven't been since. Ticket prices are ridiculous! I guess they have to pay for the players' salaries. I'd like to attend a game again some day. I guess we'll see.

 

[ChronicCowboy]

I went to a game in 2015 but didn’t pay for it. Last game I paid for was 2007. I really have no interest in going and my son doesn’t even like the team that much.

 

[jwitten82]

I never even been to the stadium. Ive been to one game and was 2006 at Texas Stadium against the eagles. I like the atmosphere, but i prefer watching at home where you can hear the announcers and better camera angles

 

[Flamma]

I’ve been lucky enough to go to Cowboys home games at all three stadiums in their storied history - the Cotton Bowl, Texas Stadium and AT&T Stadium. My Dad took me to my first Cowboys game in 1964 when I was only 6 years old. Eventually my Dad took my younger brother and me to games also over the years, and as a middle class family it was affordable. Those memories of going to Cowboys games were truly bonding experiences.

The 1964 game tickets my Dad had for the game at the Cotton Bowl were $6.00 each. So it was $12 for a father and son to sit on about the 25 yard line. That was then. The average single ticket price of going to a Cowboys game now is between $286 and $689 and that of course does not include parking and other items.

Trust me, I’m not here to say “everything was better in the good ol’ days.” Believe me they weren’t. I’m not against owners making big profits. But I am mystified by how much NFL ticket prices have gone up relative to everything else in society over the years. The experience I had with my Dad so many years ago seems harder and harder for the average person to experience.

The Cowboys have raised ticket prices approximately 20% since 2022. The cost of living/inflation has gone up but not at those percentages. I’m all for the free enterprise system but at what point does this become just a ridiculous level of pure greed?

So…I’m curious. How many of you have been priced out? I last attended a Cowboys game in 2018 and now that I am retired, I may have been priced out of ever going again. How many of you have attended games with your children and continue to do so?

It's not always about being priced out. Is it worth the money? When people decide to purchase something, it's not always about whether or not they can afford it. It can also be whether or not they think it's worth it. I can afford a 20 dollar bottle of water, but do I want to pay that much for it?

 

[Praxit]

...yep, back in the day in San Diego. I saw Chargers couple of times.

And that was a financial trip then. Parking, food, programs, ticket, ..etc. I did manage to see Dallas couple of times.

I haven't been to football game in Eons. So I can imagine how expensive it is now.

 

[Silverz1972]

you go to the game for the experience but watching the game is always better on the big screen at home.

 

[ICP]

Lol, I won't even pay to watch them on TV

 

[GMO415]

I’ve been lucky enough to go to Cowboys home games at all three stadiums in their storied history - the Cotton Bowl, Texas Stadium and AT&T Stadium. My Dad took me to my first Cowboys game in 1964 when I was only 6 years old. Eventually my Dad took my younger brother and me to games also over the years, and as a middle class family it was affordable. Those memories of going to Cowboys games were truly bonding experiences.

The 1964 game tickets my Dad had for the game at the Cotton Bowl were $6.00 each. So it was $12 for a father and son to sit on about the 25 yard line. That was then. The average single ticket price of going to a Cowboys game now is between $286 and $689 and that of course does not include parking and other items.

Trust me, I’m not here to say “everything was better in the good ol’ days.” Believe me they weren’t. I’m not against owners making big profits. But I am mystified by how much NFL ticket prices have gone up relative to everything else in society over the years. The experience I had with my Dad so many years ago seems harder and harder for the average person to experience.

The Cowboys have raised ticket prices approximately 20% since 2022. The cost of living/inflation has gone up but not at those percentages. I’m all for the free enterprise system but at what point does this become just a ridiculous level of pure greed?

So…I’m curious. How many of you have been priced out? I last attended a Cowboys game in 2018 and now that I am retired, I may have been priced out of ever going again. How many of you have attended games with your children and continue to do so?

BULLET! The wife took me to the Rams game earlier this year and it was awesome. I don't know how much we spent coming in from Cali, because I would have probably said to her "nah, I'm good."

I couldn't believe the enormity of AT&T Stadium when I first walked in. I couldn't help but do the math as I saw the lines in the concession stands. Jerry must be pulling in over $2-3 million a game in concessions.

We Sat up in the upper section at the 50 yard line. The jumbotron is so huge it's hard not to just let your eyes focus on it and not the tiny players below. So basically, I was watching TV with a like minded crowd.

 

[MoistMayonnaise]

I pick and choose my spots, but realistically, I just don't go to games anymore. The view from my couch is better, the drinks are cheaper and the line to the bathroom is shorter.

I got scolded in another thread, not unjustified, but the sports teams just don't care about fans unless you bring the money. If you are unable to afford to go to a game or buy the gear, well you aren't the target market anyway. Pricing is the highest the market will bear and honestly, if a team can make the same money filling half the stadium then they will.

 

[Coogiguy03]

I’ve been lucky enough to go to Cowboys home games at all three stadiums in their storied history - the Cotton Bowl, Texas Stadium and AT&T Stadium. My Dad took me to my first Cowboys game in 1964 when I was only 6 years old. Eventually my Dad took my younger brother and me to games also over the years, and as a middle class family it was affordable. Those memories of going to Cowboys games were truly bonding experiences.

The 1964 game tickets my Dad had for the game at the Cotton Bowl were $6.00 each. So it was $12 for a father and son to sit on about the 25 yard line. That was then. The average single ticket price of going to a Cowboys game now is between $286 and $689 and that of course does not include parking and other items.

Trust me, I’m not here to say “everything was better in the good ol’ days.” Believe me they weren’t. I’m not against owners making big profits. But I am mystified by how much NFL ticket prices have gone up relative to everything else in society over the years. The experience I had with my Dad so many years ago seems harder and harder for the average person to experience.

The Cowboys have raised ticket prices approximately 20% since 2022. The cost of living/inflation has gone up but not at those percentages. I’m all for the free enterprise system but at what point does this become just a ridiculous level of pure greed?

So…I’m curious. How many of you have been priced out? I last attended a Cowboys game in 2018 and now that I am retired, I may have been priced out of ever going again. How many of you have attended games with your children and continue to do so?

Been going to games for the last 4 or so years. I live in PA, I want to at least take my two oldest boys (11 and 10) to the Cowboys and steelers game, want to bring the wife and the youngest 2 children but who knows. Prices are so high

 

[Jipper]

As has already been stated, its not "priced out" bc I can still afford whatever I want to go to, its more so not worth it...

I will say I have been to the new stadium two times (both work events, on the field and increidble seats) but I did not pay for them. Would I pay 1-2K to take my 3 kids to a game there + travel (probably not), but I am likely going to take them to a game in Charlotte this year (live just south of Charlotte) and hoping I can get decent lower level seats for 300 a pop...now, if it ends up being more like 400 a seat, I will pass.

Its just not worth spending so much money for a regular season game they might lose anyway

 

[John813]

The cost of almost everything compared to wages has gone up substantially.

Car loans are now hitting 72-84 notes. 72 was unheard of 10-15 years ago for most.

Seems like for some, the only way to enjoy games or vacations is now through credit. Want to go to the game? Sure, here's payment plans to make it sting less! Only 20% interest through Affirm!

I don't see the value in going to football games any more.
Hockey I do.

 

[Rockport]

I’ve been lucky enough to go to Cowboys home games at all three stadiums in their storied history - the Cotton Bowl, Texas Stadium and AT&T Stadium. My Dad took me to my first Cowboys game in 1964 when I was only 6 years old. Eventually my Dad took my younger brother and me to games also over the years, and as a middle class family it was affordable. Those memories of going to Cowboys games were truly bonding experiences.

The 1964 game tickets my Dad had for the game at the Cotton Bowl were $6.00 each. So it was $12 for a father and son to sit on about the 25 yard line. That was then. The average single ticket price of going to a Cowboys game now is between $286 and $689 and that of course does not include parking and other items.

Trust me, I’m not here to say “everything was better in the good ol’ days.” Believe me they weren’t. I’m not against owners making big profits. But I am mystified by how much NFL ticket prices have gone up relative to everything else in society over the years. The experience I had with my Dad so many years ago seems harder and harder for the average person to experience.

The Cowboys have raised ticket prices approximately 20% since 2022. The cost of living/inflation has gone up but not at those percentages. I’m all for the free enterprise system but at what point does this become just a ridiculous level of pure greed?

So…I’m curious. How many of you have been priced out? I last attended a Cowboys game in 2018 and now that I am retired, I may have been priced out of ever going again. How many of you have attended games with your children and continue to do so?

The plane ride is prohibitive.

 

[rnr_honeybadger]

Lol, I won't even pay to watch them on TV

Exactly. I skipped watching the game their Thursday night football game they played against the commanders last season.

 

[Cowfan75Lives]

I've been to one game at Texas Stadium, and it was amazing. I've been to many at the Death Star, and some of those were very exciting. I had season tickets in the Party Pass section for a couple seasons.

Problem is today...it's just not as much fun as watching from home. Aside from the cost, I'm 48 now, and as much as I love to walk, and don't mind standing, I'm not proud to admit it's not as easy as it was 5 years ago. The driving, the heat, the annoying and maddening drum machine music they blare outside (and in).

Plus I'm tired of all the drunk riff raff trying to strong-arm their way into your spot that you stood to protect for 3 hours.

 

[MWH1967]

I live in North Carolina and attend over the years when Dallas plays the Panthers. It has to be a special occasion for me. It was my Christmas gift this time. 368.00 dollars a seat x2 = 736.00 dollars. 55.00 to park.

75.00 on concessions. 130.00 in the gift shop and a hour and a half ride home. So, yeah, I'm pretty well priced out.

I'm good for about 5 years now! Thank goodness they won! 33-10.

 

[Bobhaze]

I pick and choose my spots, but realistically, I just don't go to games anymore. The view from my couch is better, the drinks are cheaper and the line to the bathroom is shorter.

I got scolded in another thread, not unjustified, but the sports teams just don't care about fans unless you bring the money. If you are unable to afford to go to a game or buy the gear, well you aren't the target market anyway. Pricing is the highest the market will bear and honestly, if a team can make the same money filling half the stadium then they will.

This is a very astute point. The market for the NFL seems to boil down to TV revenue, advertisers, and fans with pockets deep enough to purchase tickets, gear, etc.

The jersey purchase phenomenon has only existed maybe the last 25-30 years or so. All the Cowboys games I attended over the years or even seeing people in public - I’ve only noticed jerseys popping up in the mid-90s. Jerseys weren’t even being sold to fans until maybe the 80s? Anyway, I could be wrong on that but owning a jersey has never been something I ever cared about.

 

[starfan1]

No I’ve been Jerry Jones out from going to games

 

[Tabascocat]

Not priced out but don’t really get any joy of actually going to a game anymore. It’s a hassle and as I get older, crowds annoy me more

We just pick one or two away games each season to see a stadium/city that I haven’t been to. The list is getting shorter and I don’t really want to go to Cleveland or Minnesota.

I go to baseball games mostly these days.