Monday, June 1, 2026

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

  • Carolina ranked 20th in total home attendance last season.
  • The team averaged more than 71,600 fans in home games despite a 2–15 campaign.
Carolina Panthers
Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

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.

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

Lee Corso puts on the Brutus helmet as he makes his final pick between Kirk Herbstreit and Pat McAfee prior to the NCAA football game between the Ohio State Buckeyes and the Texas Longhorns at Ohio Stadium on Aug. 30, 2025.
exclusive

Pat McAfee in Early Extension Talks With ESPN

McAfee’s current five-year deal with ESPN isn’t up until 2028.

Myles Garrett Trade Makes All-In Rams an Even Bigger TV Draw

The Super Bowl LXI favorite goes even more all-in.
Reuters FILE PHOTO: Kalshi logo appears in this illustration created on April 22, 2026.

DraftKings Cofounder ‘Loves’ Prediction Markets Despite Attacks

Matt Kalish credits Kalshi with fighting legal and regulatory battles for the entire industry.

Indiana’s Bears Stadium Bid Gets More Real After Illinois Misses Chance

Recriminations rise as Illinois leaders fail to ratify a Bears stadium bill.

Featured Today

Frances Cabral-Delaney

How Arsenal Fandom Went ‘Manic’

“People do not become Arsenal fans because it’s easy,” says Zohran Mamdani.
May 23, 2026; Anaheim, California, USA; Fans participate in a tarp off during a MLB game between the Los Angeles Angels and the Texas Rangers at Angel Stadium
May 28, 2026

‘Tarps Off’: How Shirtless Fans Took Over MLB

The viral movement began with the SFA club baseball team.
Apr 6, 2026; Arlington, Texas, USA; Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh (29) walks to the on deck circle during the game against the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Field
May 28, 2026

Why Ballparks Are Louder Than Ever

Some stadiums sound like veritable nightclubs. How did we get here?
May 24, 2026; Evanston, IL, USA; Northwestern Wildcats attack Kathryn Ratanaproeksa (13) shoots against the North Carolina Tar Heels during the first half at Martin Stadium
May 26, 2026

Can Women’s Lacrosse Buck the Trend in College Sports?

The sport is fighting to prove its worth in the revenue-sharing era.
May 30, 2026; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders third baseman Taylor Pannell (6) yells towards her dugout after a stolen base as Tennessee Lady Volunteers infielder Ella Dodge (25) looks on in the seventh inning during the NCAA WomenÕs College World Series at Devon Park.

Powered by Transfers, Texas Tech Softball Heads to WCWS Semis

15 of 23 players on Texas Tech’s roster are transfers.
May 27, 2026

Dave Checketts Says Founding MLS Team Was His ‘Worst Investment’ 

Checketts cofounded Real Salt Lake in 2005 and sold it in 2013.
Formula 1
May 28, 2026

Gucci Is Making a Big Bet on Sports

Gucci will be the title sponsor for Alpine Formula One team starting next year.
Sponsored

The Hidden Economy of Race Weekend

Learn more about the Vintage Flying Museum and how Spectrum Business is helping them achieve their business goals while fueling their dreams.
May 26, 2026; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Vegas Golden Knights are presented with the Clarence S. Campbell Bowl by Deputy commissioner of the NHL Bill Daly after winning against the Colorado Avalanchein game four of the Western Conference Final of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at T-Mobile Arena.
May 27, 2026

Golden Knights Reach Final Despite Messy Season

The playoff run is extending a chaotic two months for the NHL franchise.
May 25, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; New York Knicks lift the 2026 Eastern Conference trophy after defeating the Cleveland Cavaliers in game four of the eastern conference finals for the 2026 NBA playoffs at Rocket Arena.
May 26, 2026

Title-Starved Knicks Fans Push Finals Tickets to $3,700

Demand for games at Madison Square Garden reaches Super Bowl-like levels.
May 26, 2026

James Dolan’s Controversial $30M Thibodeau Firing Has Paid Off

Mike Brown has the Knicks in their first Finals since 1999.
May 25, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; New York Knicks forward OG Anunoby (8) high fives New York Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) in the fourth quarter against the Cleveland Cavaliers during game four of the eastern conference finals for the 2026 NBA playoffs at Rocket Arena.
May 25, 2026

Knicks Reach First NBA Finals Since 1999

The Knicks are looking for the franchise’s first NBA title since 1973.