The Kansas City Chiefs have eliminated a low price season ticket option. Yet another way they are alienating every day fans and preventing attendance.
The Kansas City Chiefs had offered a great deal the past couple years called the Bud Light Game Day Pass. This pass allowed fans tickets to every home game (including preseason) for $200. If you bought two or more tickets, you were also given a $10 concession credit (total) at each game. The tickets were delivered to your phone approximately three hours before kickoff. My husband and I bought these tickets last year and found them to be fantastic! The seats were nosebleeds, but for $40, we were able to attend each and every game. We did not feel bad if we missed one due to weather or being out of town.
This year, however, the Chiefs have decided to eliminate that option. They are no longer giving fans the chance to purchase seats way up high for cheap. As a loyal fan, I have a problem with this. It would appear that the Chiefs do not care about the needs of their fan base—specifically the fan base that may not have the financial ability to spend $900 for season tickets.
I was contacted by the Chiefs a short time ago asking if I wanted to purchase season tickets. They informed me that the Bud Light Game Day passes were no longer an option but the cheapest ticket option is available for about $450 per seat. The only added benefit of being a Chiefs season ticket holder? You get the option to purchase your seat for the playoffs before anyone else. Not at a discount, of course, but you can buy it. How have the Chiefs found a way to completely disregard their average fans?
Let’s take a look at the typical cost of game day: First, you have to buy your tickets. You’re looking at $45 at a minimum to attend the game. Then, of course, you have to pay for parking – that was $35 last year as long as you bought it ahead of time. We are already at $80 for one person to attend. Then, you have the fringe costs of tailgating—beer, food, etc.—as well as spending money in the stadium and you have priced out a majority of fans. How is this serving the fan base? Look, I get it. The Chiefs are a business, but they are also there to provide entertainment. The ability to bring your family is what develops future fans—which makes for good business.
The Chiefs, however, have decided that the average fan doesn’t matter. Prices continue to rise. I understand that part of it has to do with the fact that we have the reigning MVP slinging the football next year which will undoubtedly draw crowds, but come on. Loyal fans, every day fans, have been with the Chiefs through the toughest of years, the lowest of lows, and have stood by them. The least they could do is make it feasible for that loyal, average fan to attend games without emptying their savings account.