Friday, June 12, 2026

Big Markets, In-Season Tournament Powering NBA Ticket Sales

  • The Golden State Warriors and Los Angeles Lakers are the two most in-demand teams ahead of the 2023-24 season.
  • StubHub credits a nearly 60% year-over-year increase in NBA sales at this point to the In-Season tournament and the second year of NBA Rivals Week.
Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry shoots the ball against Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves and forward LeBron James in the second half of game four of the 2023 NBA playoffs at Crypto.com Arena.
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

The most in-demand teams on the secondary ticket market ahead of the 2023-24 NBA season are many of the usual suspects — but exciting new additions to the league are bolstering sales for the league as a whole.

The Golden State Warriors — in the middle of a four-title dynasty — have the highest average ticket price on the secondary market at $624, according to ticket aggregator TicketIQ. Ticket marketplace Vivid Seats has the Warriors as its most in-demand team, while StubHub has the Los Angeles Lakers; TicketIQ ranks the 17-time NBA champions second ($443).

It makes sense, then, that for the second year in a row, Vivid’s most expensive game ahead of the campaign is Lakers-Warriors, with an average sold price of $552. Lakers home games account for three of StubHub’s top four best-selling games, led by Feb. 8’s clash with the defending NBA champion Denver Nuggets.

The New York Knicks come in as TicketIQ’s third-most-popular team at a $323 average ticket listing price. Knicks games at Madison Square Garden occupy five spots in StubHub’s top 10 most in-demand, more than any other team’s.

New York’s Nov. 24 contest against the Miami Heat ranks eighth on StubHub’s list — and stands as the only NBA In-Season to make it. StubHub credits a nearly 60% year-over-year increase in NBA sales to the new format and the second year of NBA Rivals Week.

Lakers at Suns (Nov. 10), Celtics at Raptors (Nov. 17), Warriors at Thunder (Nov. 3), and Nets at Celtics (Nov. 10) round out the top five most in-demand In-Season Tournament games. 

Of course, an article about NBA hype would only be complete with a mention of Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs.

Ticket IQ reports that the Spurs made its top 10 most expensive teams list for the first time since the 2018-19 season, checking in at sixth with a $261 average listing price; that’s up 66% since last year — the largest jump for any team in the league.

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Sign up for
The Memo Newsletter

Get the biggest stories and best analysis on the business of sports delivered to your inbox twice every weekday and twice on weekends.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Atlanta, GA - March 7, 2026 - Turner Studios: Shaquille O'Neal , Ernie Johnson, Kenny Smith, and Charles Barkley during the 2026 NBA marketing campaign featuring Inside the NBA on ESPN.

Burke Magnus: ‘Inside the NBA’ Was ESPN’s ‘Missing Piece’

ESPN has been thrilled with the studio show’s NBA Finals debut.
Apr 30, 2026; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) reacts to his score against the Philadelphia 76ers during the second quarter at Xfinity Mobile Arena

Tatum Leaves Door Open for St. Louis WNBA Expansion Bid

The Celtics star wouldn’t comment directly, but also didn’t deny his involvement.
Dec 31, 2025; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Utah Utes quarterback Devon Dampier (4) and tight end JJ Buchanan (81) celebrate after a touchdown against the Nebraska Cornhuskers in the first half during the SRS Distribution Las Vegas Bowl at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

University of Utah Finalizes Private Equity Deal

Utah is the first athletic department to sign a private equity deal.
May 31, 2026; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; United States defender Sergino Dest reacts in the first half at Bank of America Stadium

How World Cup Teams Stack Rosters With Foreign Players

Nearly 25% of players are representing a country they weren’t born in.

Featured Today

Ai sports slop

How Sports Became Ground Zero for AI Slop

The category is the perfect breeding ground for AI content churn.
FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - FIFA World Cup - UEFA Qualifiers - Group A - Germany v Luxembourg - Rhein-Neckar-Arena, Sinsheim, Germany - October 10, 2025 Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann
June 4, 2026

‘Weird Corners of the World’: How to Find a World Cup Coach

National associations look for a winning record—and also hope for serendipity.
June 3, 2026

The Elite High Schools Hosting World Cup Teams

Spain, Morocco, Croatia, and Switzerland chose schools as their tournament base camps.
Frances Cabral-Delaney
May 29, 2026

How Arsenal Fandom Went ‘Manic’

“People do not become Arsenal fans because it’s easy,” says Zohran Mamdani.

Inside UFC’s $60M White House Spectacle

The MMA promotion has big aspirations for its D.C. showcase.
Jun 10, 2026; New York, New York, USA; New York Knicks forward OG Anunoby (8) makes a game-winning tip shot against San Antonio Spurs guards Dylan Harper (2) and Devin Vassell (24) during game four of the 2026 NBA Finals in the final second of the fourth quarter at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
opinion
June 11, 2026

Knicks-Spurs Finals Is Showing the NBA at Its Best

A 29-point comeback and record ratings have the sports world buzzing.
exclusive
June 11, 2026

Under Armour Did Not Renew WNBA Shoe Deal

Jacy Sheldon also wears logo-less Holo shoes due to WNBA apparel rules.
Sponsored

World Cup Betting Preview: Big Kickoff in USA, Canada, and Mexico

A look at the key betting storylines with BetMGM heading into the tournament, including favorites, dark horses, and top scorer odds.
Landon Donovan discusses investment opportunities with the NWSL.
June 11, 2026

Landon Donovan: NWSL Is ‘Best Investment in Sports’

The former USMNT captain pointed to the USWNT’s success as proof.
Jun 1, 2026; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders pitcher Nijaree Canady (24) points after a strikeout in the fifth inning against the Alabama Crimson Tide during the NCAA Women’s College World Series at Devon Park. Mandatory Credit: Brett Rojo-Imagn Images
June 10, 2026

NiJaree Canady Remains Unsigned With AUSL Season Underway

Canady was the No. 2 pick in the 2026 AUSL Draft.
June 10, 2026

Why WNBA Expansion Teams Are Surprising the League Again

The Fire and Tempo are much better than expected.
June 9, 2026

LIV CEO Won’t Guarantee Final 4 Events of 2026 Season Happen

The PIF in April said it would fund LIV through this season.