President Donald Trump is expected to be among the nearly 65,000 spectators as the college football national championship game in Miami breaks attendance records on Monday as underdog locals from the University of Miami take on Indiana University.
As of Thursday, the average ticket price was $4,000, nearly double the comparable price for last year’s final, according to Victory Live, which analyzes sales on major secondary markets. On resale sites, tickets are listed for as much as $30,000, with premium parking spots alone costing as much as $9,000. Earlier this week, playoffpremium.com was marketing the midfield suite, with 18 tickets priced at $1.2 million.
The fervor is fueled by a large local alumni base and compelling storylines, such as Indiana’s Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Fernando Mendoza returning to play in his native South Florida, where his Cuban roots have attracted new audiences.
Prices for college sports finals are eye-popping, comparable to late-season games in the Super Bowl or World Cup. UM, the lowest-ranked team entering the playoffs, overcame many odds to reach the finals. Coincidentally, the game was held at the team’s home stadium, Hard Rock Stadium.
“Tickets are sold out,” said Jorge Gonzalez, CEO and vice chairman of Florida National Bank, the official bank of the University of Michigan. “We’ve done Super Bowls, Formula 1, all kinds of events, but this is probably the most sought-after ticket I’ve ever seen.”
The bank had several suites and multiple tickets, and Gonzalez was fielding nonstop calls from clients hoping to secure a spot. He estimates that for every 20 requests they receive, they receive one customer.
“I stopped responding to texts and phone calls,” Gonzalez said in an interview.
Unconnected local fans face skyrocketing fees. The cheapest tickets to the top of the upper deck are about $3,000.
The hype surrounding the event also highlights Miami’s growing role as a major global sports and entertainment hub, with locals and tourists alike willing to pay a small fortune for live events. Hard Rock Stadium alone is home to Formula 1 races, the Miami Tennis Open, Miami Dolphins home games and countless concerts. It will also host seven World Cup matches this summer.
Carlos Del Portel couldn’t believe it when he secured two tickets to Monday’s game through the University of Michigan’s allotment of tickets to season ticket holders four days before the Hurricanes advanced to the finals.
Once UM reaches the finals, resale prices start to skyrocket.
“I didn’t even think we were going to move up like we did, and five seconds after we got in, it tripled and kept going,” said Delportel, who lives in Jupiter, Florida.
With resale prices so high, Del Portel is willing to sell, but only if it’s for the right price. He did not disclose the price of the tickets, but he hopes to sell them for seven times the current market price. (An unnamed season-ticket holder obtained tickets to the first level of the stadium from UM for $850.)
Those lucky enough to get tickets still have to deal with parking issues, with the cheapest spots on resale sites going for nearly $400. The stadium is located about 15 miles north of downtown Miami, and public transportation to the stadium is very limited, meaning expensive taxis, transportation, and long walks are the only ways to avoid expensive parking.
Stephen Ross, owner of Hard Rock Stadium and the Miami Dolphins, downplayed parking and traffic challenges at the venues in a statement. interview Wednesday, in partnership with Bloomberg News, highlighted premium access for those willing to pay.
“As with everything in life, if you want something that no one else has, spend money,” he said.