Tradition and overall national popularity don’t always have to do with actual current success, which is why USC feature twice on the five most expensive College Football games of 2013, while it’s no surprise that Notre Dame also feature in two games and Alabama, the national champions and favorites to repeat, are part of the number one spot.
Overall, there are 14 games next season with certain seats currently fetching prices of over $1000, and that will probably rise as we get closer to game-day. The rankings was not based on the average price, but on the most expensive seat available.
USC at Notre Dame, October 19
Always one of the biggest tickets on the calendar for both schools, the Fighting Irish are hoping they can win consecutive games against the Trojans since 2001. The game average is at $564, and tickets to the Lower Level Sideline, section 9, row 29 can fetch over $1265 at the moment.
Arizona State “at” Notre Dame, October 5
The game isn’t played at South Bend, but is part of the Shamrock Series which takes place in Cowboys Stadium, as Notre Dame continue to show their popularity all around the country. The Sun Devils are coming off their first bowl game win in seven years with a backfield that might be the best in the Pac-12. The average ticket price is at $438, but the most expensive seats (Club Hall of Fame, section 134, row 20) cost $1545.
UCLA at USC, November 30
UCLA haven’t won consecutive games against USC since 1998, and their 38-28 win last year was their first since 2006. For the first time in a very long time, the Bruins are probably the favorites going into the game, even though Lane Kiffin is bringing back a lot of the talent from last year. The average ticket price is $250, but the most expensive seats (Lower Premium, section 22, row 4) cost $1580.
LSU “at” TCU, August 31
The Tigers and the Horned Frogs play in the Cowboys Classic to open the season in Arlington, which is basically a home game for TCU, hoping to turn LSU’s season sour from the first moment, instead of letting disappointment gradually creep up on them like last year, in which they lost three times, including to Clemson in the best bowl game of the winter. Average tickets cost $492, but the most expensive seats (Club Hall of Fame level, section 133, row 19) cost $2490.
Alabama at Texas A&M, September 14
The Aggies were the only team to beat Alabama last season in what was a wonderful debut season for them in the SEC, highlighted by that win and the play of eventual Heisman trophy winner, Johnny Manziel. The Crimson Tide are the favorites to win the national title, and most early predictions consider A&M as the only team in the SEC that can stop them, and there’s a good chance this will be a #1 vs #2 game very early in the season. Average seats cost $604, but the most expensive of them (Field level sideline, section 105, row 27) go up to $2500.