KU announces lower season ticket prices for basketball games at Allen Fieldhouse
Kansas’ athletic department has lowered season-ticket prices on Jayhawks men’s basketball games for the first time since the 2008-09 season. The coronavirus pandemic has something to do with that.
The lowest package last year was $975. This year it will be $500. One must donate at least $100 to KU’s Williams Fund to be eligible for the cheaper tickets.
“Our priority is to keep Allen Fieldhouse as the best homecourt advantage and we cannot do that without our fans,” Kansas athletic director Jeff Long said Tuesday in a statement. “We have heard the concerns of some fans that our prices have increased to a level some struggle to meet, and given the economic conditions created by COVID-19, we felt it was a good time to reduce some prices and create more options for our loyal fans.
“Simply put, we know many of our fans will be struggling when we emerge from this pandemic and we needed to create a more affordable experience or we could risk losing the incredible home court advantage that has made Allen Fieldhouse the best college basketball venue for decades.”
KU announced that for the 2020-21 season, Allen Fieldhouse will expand from three to eight pricing tiers, including four tiers that are lower than any season-ticket price from last season.
This new structure is designed to lower the cost of season tickets for almost 45% of Allen Fieldhouse season ticket-holders, KU’s athletic department indicated. Last season, the smallest gap in pricing was $300; now, the difference between tiers two through eight is $125.
On its KUathletics.com website, KU explains in a Q and A session that the change from three to eight tiers is taking place because “the old tiered system had too many seats that were overpriced. Therefore, someone purchasing a season ticket behind the basket was paying the same as someone sitting between the baselines in the upper rows. The new system will place a much more accurate value on each section, accounting for sightlines, proximity to the court, etc. It creates opportunities for more fans to be part of the tradition at Allen Fieldhouse.”
Of the new $500 ticket option, Long said: “We felt it was important to create a dramatically reduced baseline season ticket as an option for our renewing season ticket holders that are experiencing significant financial stress. Additionally, we think it will be an attractive price point for fans that want to become season ticket holders for the first time or are ready to become a holder again.”
KU has sold out 306 consecutive games dating to the 2001-02 season.
“Our fans are the best in the country and we have been fortunate to see Allen Fieldhouse sold out for every game during our 17-seasons here,” Jayhawks coach Bill Self said. “It is unfortunate to see how this pandemic has hit so many, so hard, but hopefully the addition of tiers and lower ticket prices will allow our fans to enjoy Kansas basketball together again soon. All of you have helped create the best home court advantage in college basketball. We look forward to seeing you in Allen Fieldhouse this winter.”
Those interested in buying season tickets can visit www.kuathletics.com/mbbtiers for more details. The web page includes a detailed map. Williams Education Fund pledges and ticket orders must be made by June 30 in order to participate in the online Select-A-Seat process July 13.
This story was originally published May 5, 2020 at 11:15 AM with the headline "KU announces lower season ticket prices for basketball games at Allen Fieldhouse."
