Friday, May 22, 2026

CFP Title Game Tickets Already Hitting Unprecedented Prices (Even Without Texas)

  • The CFP final is trending toward being the most expensive ever on the secondary ticket market.
  • Michigan is making its first appearance in the College Football Playoff title game.
Detroit Free Press

Michigan’s first appearance in a college football national championship game (yes, you read that correctly) is generating record demand on the secondary ticket market. Neither the Wolverines nor their opponents from Washington have played in a national title matchup during the College Football Playoff or BCS eras. Excitement for the contest has it trending toward being the most expensive CFP final on record, according to TickPick data shared with Front Office Sports

With the majority of purchases coming from Michigan’s side, the “get-in” price was as high as $1,200 last week before dipping, which is expected to continue until kickoff Monday night but still end up at a record high. No other national championship game has had a “get-in” price above $800. Many “get-in” prices for recent CFP championships have fallen below $200.

What Could Have Been

During halftime of Washington’s playoff semifinal win over Texas, the game was tied 21-21, and Longhorn fans—who travel well to begin with—were apparently getting ahead of themselves, with the potential for playing for a national championship in their home state on the table. 

TickPick says the “get-in” price for Monday night’s title game in Houston got as high as $2,885 midway through that semifinal, and a Texas victory would have made the CFP title game far and away the most expensive matchup ever. Alas … .

Heading into the weekend, the average purchase price on TickPick was $2,201, which would also be a record for the CFP title game.

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

Michigan Wolverines head coach Dusty May talks with his team Monday, April 6, 2026, during the NCAA men's basketball tournament national championship game against the UConn Huskies at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.

Dusty May Draws Interest From Multiple NBA Teams

May coached Michigan to the national title in April.
Apr 6, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Michigan Wolverines head coach Dusty May celebrates with the trophy after defeating the UConn Huskies in the national championship of the Final Four of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Lucas Oil Stadium.

Dusty May: Another Men’s Championship Will Cost $10M or More

“We anticipate it to be much greater next year,” May told FOS.
Nov 22, 2025; College Park, Maryland, USA; Michigan Wolverines head coach Sherrone Moore on the sidelines during the first quarter against the Maryland Terrapins at SECU Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images

Paige Shiver: U-M Athletics Leadership Was Aware of Sherrone Moore Affair

The ex-Wolverines staffer told GMA school officials “didn’t do anything about it.”

Sherrone Moore Sentenced to 18 Months Probation

Moore was arrested in December on stalking and home invasion charges.

Featured Today

Big Money on the Line on Premier League’s Final Day

Arsenal has won the title, but millions are still on the line.
Texas State mascot
May 22, 2026

Mascot-Reveal Videos Are the Newest College Sports Tradition

Student mascot unmasking videos are going mega-viral.
Charlie Pliner and Nikolas Rohrmann
May 22, 2026

How 2 Brown Undergrads Became Sports Dealmakers

An experimental project turned into a permanent course and business deal network.
May 14, 2026

NFL Rivalries Are Made on the Field, Mocked in Schedule Release Videos

Every year, teams find new ways to one-up themselves (and their rivals).

Southern Schools Silent on Proposed Black Athlete Boycott

The campaign asks Black athletes, fans to boycott several southern athletic departments.
Dec 21, 2024; Austin, Texas, USA; A view of the CFP logo and SEC logo before the game between the Texas Longhorns and the Clemson Tigers in the CFP National Playoff First Round at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
May 21, 2026

SEC Holds Cards to 24-Team College Football Playoff

CFP expansion will be a major topic at the SEC spring meetings.
Apr 11, 2026; Las Vegas, Nevada, United States; Wisconsin Badgers defenseman Joe Palodichuk (14) and Denver Pioneers forward Kyle Chyzowski (16) battle for control of the puck during the second period in the championship game of the NCAA men's ice hockey Frozen Four at T-Mobile Arena
May 22, 2026

Hockey Unites to Demand Change to NCAA ‘5-in-5’ Proposal

The sport doesn’t want to be “collateral damage” of the new rule.
Sponsored

How Microsoft and the Premier League Are Making Fans Feel Closer to the Game

The Premier League reaches fans in 189 countries. Now, with Microsoft, it is making global fandom more personal through AI.
Nov 12, 2022; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; LSU Tigers former head coach Ed Orgeron watches a game between the Tulane Green Wave and the UCF Knights from the sidelines at Yulman Stadium.
May 21, 2026

Ed Orgeron Returns to LSU After Years of Scandals

LSU fired Orgeron in 2021, two years after he won a national championship.
May 20, 2026

Will Wade’s LSU Is Pushing College Basketball to the Absolute Limit

The notorious coach has assembled a team of international pros.
Dec 31, 2025; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Utah Utes quarterback Devon Dampier (4) carries the ball against Nebraska Cornhuskers defensive back Donovan Jones (37) in the second half during the SRS Distribution Las Vegas Bowl at Allegiant Stadium.
May 20, 2026

Dave Checketts: Utah ‘Sold Off Their Future’ With PE Deal

The Utah–Otro Capital was approved by the university board in December.
U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) shakes hands with Shanghai Mayor Gong Zheng during a U.S. congressional delegation's visit in Shanghai, China, May 5, 2026.
May 19, 2026

As SCORE Act Fails Again, a New College Sports Bill May Emerge

On Monday night, House leadership canceled the vote.