For Panthers, the Cost of a Two-Win Season Is a 4% Ticket Hike

The Panthers are increasing ticket prices after a 2–15 season.

Overall ticket prices will be more than 4% higher than last year, with lower-level season tickets averaging a 7% jump and the vast majority of upper-level seats remaining about the same, a team spokesperson told the Associated Press. Premium offerings like suites and club seats will increase depending on individual contracts, and the cheapest season-ticket package will stay at $510, per the AP. The AP also reported that the Panthers said nearly all NFL teams are bumping up ticket prices next season.

Carolina ranked 20th in the league in total home attendance, with 573,086 people across eight games last season, according to Pro Football Reference. That averages to more than 71,600 people per matchup. The team faced some flak online for photos of an empty Bank of America Stadium and low ticket prices for a Dec. 17 matchup against the Falcons. However, that game still brought 70,301 spectators, per Pro Football Reference. For context, the stadium capacity is 74,867.

The team has had a busy offseason: It axed general manager Scott Fitterer and head coach Frank Reich. The team will continue to pay Reich, whom it fired in late November, between $20 million and $40 million through 2026. Reich coached just 11 games, and his predecessor, Matt Rhule, lasted 38. Dave Canales got the job in late January, 

Under the reign of owner David Tepper since 2018, the Panthers have dropped from the 21st-most valuable franchise to the 26th and have yet to record a winning season.