Ticket prices for the highly anticipated Arizona State versus BYU football game have hit the stratosphere, reflecting the unexpected stakes of a Big 12 Championship bid. The showdown, which also doubles as ASU's homecoming game, has drawn such a fervent following that as of Wednesday, tickets were fetching anywhere from $265 to a steep $1000 for close-up seats on reselling platforms, according to a report by FOX 10 Phoenix.
The demand is reflective of a Sun Devil's season that has defied expectations, galvanizing the student body and alumni alike. "We love it. All the students love it out here. You hear the talks every day in the hallways and the streets: ASU football is on the come up!" a sophomore named Eugene shared in an interview with FOX 10 Phoenix. This sentiment was echoed by a freshman, identified as Zach, who said, "Everyone is excited. I’ve talked to people in classes, it’s going to be a fun time!" This fervor is also evidenced in the rapid sell-out of tickets, with one freshman recounting to FOX 10 Phoenix how he was "1,200 in queue" as ticket sales began, only to watch them sell out in mere hours.
Despite the current hefty price tag, long-time Valley ticket broker Jason Karniol suggested to AZFamily that there's little hope for a price drop before kickoff. "If you can afford these ticket prices, I would buy the tickets. Now, if you’re thinking, ‘Oh my god, I can’t spend $300, I’ll wait. It’ll come down to $100,′ that’s definitely not going to happen," Karniol said. He also emphasized caution for buyers looking for a deal, stating plainly, "Nobody is selling a ticket for $100—nobody. So use your due diligence."
For those who can't justify the steep entry fee, or perhaps missed their chance at scoring a seat in the stadium, there's an alternative in ASU's free block party for Homecoming, slated to start at 9:30 a.m. with a parade. While the inside of Mountain America Stadium will be packed with the lucky ticket holders, the streets of Tempe will still be alive with the spirit of celebration, providing a communal experience of what's shaping up to be an event of the year, for this sports community.
