Ticket prices: Packers-Bears game among most expensive in rivalry, but Cardinals game could be a bargain
Richard Ryman
Justin Fields' numbers are less than gaudy — it took him three weeks to throw his first NFL touchdown pass — but Chicago won the last two games with him under center, so Bears fans are showing a growing enthusiasm for their hoped-for franchise quarterback.
What that means for Green Bay Packers fans is that Sunday's noon game at Soldier Field remains one of the priciest stops on the schedule. Packers-Bears tickets frequently are in high demand because of the rivalry, one of the oldest in the NFL, and the easy drive between stadiums.
"It's the rivalry, the tradition, and the Bears are playing decent football now," said Dennis Garrity of Event USA in Ashwaubenon, a game-ticket and travel-package provider. "If they could somehow beat the Packers this Sunday, they would be tied at the top of the division. Bears fans are excited about that and about their new quarterback."
The Packers are 4-1 and lead the NFC North. The Bears are 3-2 and in second place.
Although one poll found that the gameday experience at Solider Field was one of the worst in the NFL, the Packers' 11-3 record there during the Aaron Rodgers era considerably enhances the visit for Green Bay fans.
The average of the lowest-priced seats at 10 secondary online marketplaces was $283, about equal to last week's $284 and $17 less than two weeks ago. As a rule, prices tend to come down as gameday nears and sellers become more determined to unload their tickets.
Secondary marketplace TickPick reports that 15% of purchases at its site were from Wisconsin ZIP codes, although that's not a reliable indicator for determining fan allegiance since there are many Packers fans in Illinois and even some Bears fans in Wisconsin.
What is more certain is that fans of both stripes are buying tickets at whatever cost. TickPick said the game ranks as the most expensive Bears game this season (by a whopping 81%) and the second-most expensive Packers-Bears matchup since at least 2013. The average price of all ticket sales for the game at TickPick is $488. The most expensive in the series was $588 for the 2019 season opener in Chicago.
Tickets for the Oct. 24 game, against the Washington Football Team at Lambeau Field, increased by $16 to $193 during the last week. It is the only noon game at Lambeau Field this season, which would make it popular against almost any opponent, and it's the last home game until Nov. 14.
"The demand is good and the supply lately has been thin," said Garrity of Event USA. "That's because a lot of season ticket holders, especially those who want to try and see a game before the bad weather sets in, are keeping those Washington tickets."
The Thursday Night Football game in Arizona against the Cardinals is shaping up to be a bargain. The average get-in price on Monday was $215, a dollar less than last week, and about $40 more than in mid-August. The Cardinals are 5-0, the only undefeated team in the NFL, and a matchup between future Hall of Famer Aaron Rodgers and Arizona's Kyler Murray, whose stats this year are comparable, would seem a compelling draw.
But there's that Thursday night thing, which makes it hard for traveling Packers fans, unless they are ready to take several vacation days. Also, it wasn't clear at the beginning of the season that the Cardinals, who were 8-8 last year, would be the toast of a division that includes the Los Angeles Rams, San Francisco 49ers and Seattle Seahawks, much less of the NFL.
Related:The Davante Adams effect and other takeaways from the Packers' win Sunday at Cincinnati
"There was plenty of supply early on for that game and a lot of people who want to attend it have already acquired their tickets," Garrity said. "But it is surprising the value hasn't escalated. I suppose you could say that the ticket is a relative bargain right now, and that may not last."
The Cardinals play the Browns (3-2) in Cleveland and the Houston Texans (1-4) in Arizona before they host the Packers.
Finally, the Packers' third road game in the next four weeks, in Kansas City, is at $258 average get-in price. That's up about $14 since mid-August. The game includes the marquee matchup of Rodgers and the Chiefs' Patrick Mahomes, although at 2-3, the Chiefs are an unexpected last in their division. But Kansas City is a place Packers fans like to visit — more than most — so demand might stay high.
For fans headed to the game in Arizona, the Packers scheduled a pep rally for 6 p.m. Oct. 27 at Loco Patron Brewery, 14950 N. Northsight Blvd., Scottsdale.
For the Kansas City game, a pep rally is scheduled for 6 p.m. Nov. 6 at Chicken N Pickle, 1761 Burlington St., North Kansas City.
Last week's recap
Green Bay Packers 25, Cincinnati Bengals 22
Stadium: Paul Brown Stadium, Cincinnati, Ohio
Attendance: 64,295
Records: Packers 4-1, Bengals 3-2
Chicago Bears 20, Las Vegas Raiders 9
Stadium: Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas, Nevada
Attendance: 59,122
Records: Bears 3-2, Raiders 3-2
Ticket prices
The following are secondary market ticket prices as of Monday.
For our look at Packers' tickets prices, we averaged the lowest ticket prices at 10 secondary market websites: Event USA, Gametime, Green Bay Ticket Service, SeatGeek, StubHub, TicketIQ, Ticketmaster, TickPick, Ticket King and Vivid Seats.
Note that ticket marketplaces can add fees on top of listed prices, so actual costs might be higher.
Oct. 17, noon, Chicago Bears, Soldier Field, Fox
Face-price range: N/A
Average lowest-cost seat: $283
Range of lowest-cost seat: $225-$348
COVID-19 protocols: Masks required indoors for everyone and recommended for unvaccinated fans in outdoor settings.
Oct. 24, noon, Washington Football Team, Lambeau Field, Fox
Face-price range: $118-$149
Average lowest-cost seat: $193
Range of lowest-cost seat: $167-$223
COVID-19 protocols: Masks recommended indoors for everyone and for unvaccinated fans in crowded outdoor settings.
Oct. 28, 7:20 p.m., Arizona Cardinals, State Farm Stadium, Fox, Thursday Night Football
Face-price range: N/A
Average lowest-cost seat: $215
Range of lowest-cost seat: $180-$225
COVID-19 protocols: Masks recommended indoors for all fans, whether vaccinated or not.
Nov. 7, 3:25 p.m., Kansas City Chiefs, GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium, Fox
Face-price range: N/A
Average lowest-cost seat: $258
Range of lowest-cost seat: $198-$306
COVID-19 protocols: Masks recommended for unvaccinated and high-risk individuals; masks suggested indoors for vaccinated individuals.
Contact Richard Ryman at (920) 431-8342 or rryman@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter at @RichRymanPG, on Instagram at @rrymanPG or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/RichardRymanPG/.