Sunday, November 1, 2026

Colorado Football’s $14M Ticket Revenue Surge Amid Revival

  • The additional revenue is flowing in with tickets completely sold out for the season.
  • Colorado will look to offer even more season tickets in 2024 when they join the Big 12.
Syndication: The Coloradoan

Want more from Front Office Sports
in your search results?

Add Front Office Sports on Google

BOULDER, Colorado — Colorado suffered a second straight loss to a Pac-12 opponent, falling 48-41 to USC on Saturday — but five games into the Coach Prime era, the football program has already achieved monumental financial success.

Ticket revenue for football games is up $14 million from last season, the school tells Front Office Sports — that’s about half the cost of Deion Sanders’ five-year, $29.5 million contract that Colorado athletic director Rick George said they didn’t have the money for at the time of his signing last December.

In April, the Buffaloes sold out of season tickets for the first time since 1996, and after their 3-0 start, tickets for the entire season sold out for the first time. 

Single-game ticket revenue is up threefold this season, thanks partly to Colorado’s strategic dynamic pricing techniques since 2016. But, the athletic department carefully kept things in perspective while capitalizing on the demand. 

“We made decisions to stop at some points,” Colorado senior associate athletic director for external operations Alexis Williams told FOS. “We didn’t want to totally out-price, for instance, what fans were paying for tickets on the secondary market.” So far, get-in prices for several of Colorado’s games have reached hundreds of dollars.

Bigger Is Better

Colorado created a rooftop lounge area this season to add more ticket options at the 53,000-seat Folsom Field. The space has limited field views but still drew strong interest from fans looking to be in the building for a game.

Colorado sold close to 20,000 season tickets and plans to add to that number for 2024 when the Buffs join the Big 12. Those will likely go on sale before this season ends to capitalize on the current momentum.

Download the FOS App

The business of sports, in your pocket.

QR code to download the app

Scan the QR code to get the app now.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Miami Tops Last AP Poll Before Initial CFP Rankings

The ACC, Big Ten, and Big 12 each have one undefeated team.

Robert Griffin III Says He’s Spoken With Baylor About Coaching Job

The former Heisman winner says college coaching is about being a CEO.

Big 12 Commish: Multiple CFP Bids ‘Deserved’ As Rankings Loom

The Big 12 is the only Power conference without a multi-bid season.

Florida-Georgia Rivalry Takes $18M Detour Through Atlanta

Tickets, which were split equally between fan bases, are sold out.
podcast thumbnail mobile
Front Office Sports Today

10/30/26 – First WNBA Game 7, Utah Targets Kalshi Founders, Cowboys Cheerleaders Unionize

0:00

Featured Today

How Injuries Hit Pro Marathoners in the Wallet

Staying healthy can get expensive—quickly.
Football - NFL - Houston Texans v Jacksonville Jaguars - Wembley Stadium, London, Britain - October 18, 2026 The necklace of a Jacksonville Jaguars fan outside the stadium before the match
October 21, 2026

Die-Hard Sports Fandom Has Reached the Afterlife

Will fans pay $6,000 to memorialize their team loyalty?
October 20, 2026

Why Europe Is Pumping Out NBA Superstars

The NBA and NCAA have an increasingly European flavor.
October 15, 2026

College Flag Football Is Outgrowing Its DIY Era

Women have been building the college game themselves at the club level.
Oct 5, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins general manager Kyle Dubas arrives at the arena before the Penguins host the Winnipeg Jets at PPG Paints Arena
October 12, 2026

NHL’s New Wave of GMs Is Built Different

“I am in the prediction business,” Devils GM Sunny Mehta tells FOS.
Online allegations that a Somali immigrant-run nonprofit registered 40 day care providers on the same day are unfounded, Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine said during a news conference Jan. 5, 2025.

Ohio Supreme Court Allows Players Fifth Year of Eligibility

The NCAA denounced the decision and vowed to continue fighting in court.
Oct 24, 2026; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; Syracuse Orange running back Ahmad Miller (22) celebrates scoring a touchdown during the fourth quarter against North Carolina Tar Heels at Kenan Stadium.
October 30, 2026

Syracuse AD: 24-Team CFP Is Like ‘Dangling a Carrot’

The Orange have never made it to the CFP.
October 30, 2026

Brett Yormark to Step Down As Big 12 Commissioner

Yormark stabilized the conference through realignment and secured major deals.
Sponsored

How the New York Yankees Stay Game-Ready with Sage Intacct

See how Sage Intacct helps the Yankees streamline finances and plan for the future.
American Conference Commissioner Tim Pernetti watches during the first round American Conference Tournament game between Memphis and Tulane in Birmingham, Ala, on March 11, 2026.
October 29, 2026

Why Private Equity Is Still Hesitant to Invest in College Sports

There’s “plenty of money for the taking,” says Tim Pernetti.
Oct 14, 2026; Birmingham, AL, USA; SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey speaks during the SEC Basketball Tipoff at Grand Bohemian Hotel Mountain Brook.
Exclusive
October 29, 2026

GOP Staffer Urged SEC to Support College Sports Bill Before Midterms

If the Democrats win the House, “you won’t see this bill… being considered.”
October 29, 2026

How Wisconsin’s $14.6M Boost Helped Fuel Badgers’ Resurgence

State debt relief helped Wisconsin free up millions for athletics spending.
October 24, 2026

CFB Coach Firings: NC State, Maryland, Baylor Owe More Than $30M

More costly coaching changes could follow as pressure mounts across college football.