Ticket Demand for Colts at Patriots NFL Playoff Game

One of the more storied rivalries of the last decade in the NFL is getting a reboot this weekend when the Indianapolis Colts visit the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, MA. This will be the two teams’ fourth meeting in the playoffs in the last 11 years but the first since 2007. After Tom Brady and Peyton Manning led their respective squads to a near stalemate in the 2000s – the Patriots won that series 8-6, including two of the three postseason games – the rivalry has lost a bit of its luster in this decade. Given Manning’s injury and eventual move to Denver, as well as the Patriots’ own roster turnover around Brady and recent postseason difficulties, New England’s current three game winning streak isn’t quite as sweet as what it once was.

Click here for Average Ticket Prices for Colts at Patriots, Indianapolis Colts at New England Patriots Tickets

This current incarnation of the Colts, with Luck at the helm, has only made one trip to Gillette Stadium and were throttled by the Patriots last season, 59-24. With another year of seasoning and documented late game heroics – including a playoff win last week after once trailing by 28 points in the third quarter – Luck is looking to avenge that loss in a way that will restore the reputation of Indianapolis to the heights it once occupied. Brady and coach Bill Belichick will not simply stand aside in this battle, so expect plenty of defensive wrinkles and offensive firepower to light up the winter sky in New England this Saturday.

Average Ticket Prices for Colts at Patriots

While the Patriots remain one of the most consistently successful franchises in the NFL, their pseudo-dynasty ended with their last Super Bowl victory in 2004. Although they have made the big game twice since, both have resulted in losses to the underdog Giants and lost luster of invincibility that once accompanied their silver helmets. The average ticket price on the secondary market for Saturday’s game is $223, 12% lower than for last year’s divisional round game against the Texans ($254), 18% lower than the 2012 game against Denver ($271), and down 26% from the 2011 game against the Jets ($302).

Patriots-Colts is by far the cheapest NFL playoff game this weekend. Seahawks-Saints tickets have resold for an average of $415 each, Broncos-Chargers tickets for $352, and Panthers-49ers tickets for $277. Tickets to Saturday’s game in Foxborough can be had for as little as $112 each on the secondary market, whereas the minimum cost of attending the other three games this weekend is $173 in Seattle, $157 in Denver, and $163 in Charlotte. This marks the third consecutive year the Patriots will host the less expensive of the two AFC divisional round playoff games. Last year’s Broncos-Ravens game in Denver drew an average ticket price of $267, and the average in 2012 for Ravens-Texans in Baltimore was $296.

Indianapolis Colts at New England Patriots Tickets

Average Ticket Prices for NFL Conference Championship Games

In addition to the lower prices for this weekend’s Divisional round, demand is also considerably lower for a potential AFC Championship Game in Foxboro on Jan. 19 versus one in Denver. AFC Championship tickets are available now on the secondary market starting at $221 at Gillette Stadium, 37% lower than the $349 minimum at Mile High. The average ticket prices at the two possible title game venues are $380 and $630, respectively.

Of the last six NFL conference championship games, the Pats have hosted two of the three least expensive by average ticket price. While there’s certainly something to be said for a team hosting two such games in a short period of time, the team’s overall dominance on the field and in the box office is waning by comparison.

Game Avg Price Matchup City State Venue
’12 NFC Champ. $692 Giants @ 49ers San Fran CA Candlestick Park
’11 NFC Champ. $688 Packers @ Bears Chicago IL Solider Field
’11 AFC Champ. $418 Jets @ Steelers Pittsburgh PA Heinz Field
’13 AFC Champ. $397 Ravens @ Patriots Foxboro MA Gillette Stadium
’12 AFC Champ. $338 Ravens @ Patriots Foxboro MA Gillette Stadium
’13 NFC Champ. $316 49ers @ Falcons Atlanta GA Georgia Dome

Indianapolis Colts vs. New England Patriots Preview

The Colts and Patriots are reviving a rivalry that helped define a decade in the AFC. While Tom Brady remains, many of the stars on both sides have changed, including Andrew Luck in place of Peyton Manning who is now leading Denver. This young Colts squad must now work to refocus on the task ahead of them after a dramatic come from behind victory over the Kansas City Chiefs in the Wild Card round of the NFL Playoffs.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9s1extF3zoE