As the college football season kicks off this week, ticket prices for the opening games are showing a softer trend compared to previous years. With fewer highly anticipated matchups on the schedule, only two games have get-in prices exceeding $100, according to data from official ticketing sources and secondary market partners.
The marquee matchup of the week features the Wisconsin Badgers squaring off against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Lambeau Field in Green Bay on Sunday. This game is part of the Shamrock Series, which showcases college football at iconic venues away from Notre Dame's home turf. The get-in price for this highly anticipated clash currently stands at $170, making it the most expensive ticket available for Week 1.
In addition to the Wisconsin-Notre Dame game, the other notable matchup with a high ticket price is the Clemson vs. LSU game, which has a get-in price of $110. This game marks Lane Kiffin's debut as head coach of LSU, taking place in Baton Rouge on Saturday night amidst controversy regarding the potential participation of former NFL players.
Here’s a rundown of the five most expensive get-in prices for Week 1 college football games:
- Wisconsin–Notre Dame: $170
- Clemson–LSU: $110
- Washington State–Washington: $88
- Colorado–Georgia Tech: $85
- Baylor–Auburn: $80
Georgia Tech's matchup against Colorado is particularly noteworthy as it represents the second-most expensive home game of the Yellow Jackets' season, surpassed only by their upcoming game against Tennessee, which has a get-in price of $114. This game also marks the beginning of Deion Sanders' fourth season as head coach of the Colorado Buffaloes. The Colorado-Georgia Tech game is scheduled for primetime on Thursday night, but interest in Colorado's games appears to be waning this season, as broadcasters are reportedly seeking to spotlight Coach Prime less than in previous years.
Auburn's decision to relocate its 2026 home opener against Baylor to Atlanta is another significant development. This move is part of a multimillion-dollar agreement that will provide Auburn players with opportunities related to name, image, and likeness (NIL) compensation tied to the game's ticket sales and associated events.
Looking Ahead to Week 2While ticket prices for Week 1 are relatively modest, the following week promises to be a different story. The highly anticipated clash between No. 1 Ohio State and No. 5 Texas is expected to generate significant interest, with the current get-in price for this sold-out matchup in Austin reaching $528. Last year, the Texas-Ohio State game in Columbus boasted a get-in price of over $330, and it became the most-watched Week 1 college football game in history, drawing an average of 16.62 million viewers.
In contrast, last year's opening weekend featured several high-priced games, including LSU vs. Clemson at $250 and Miami vs. Notre Dame at $200. Even the TCU vs. UNC matchup commanded over $120, as Bill Belichick made his head coaching debut in Chapel Hill. As the season progresses, it will be interesting to see how ticket prices evolve and which matchups capture the attention of fans.
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