NFL Season Costs: What Fans Should Expect

The NFL season is set to begin on Thursday night, featuring the Baltimore Ravens against the Kansas City Chiefs. Financial contributor Ross Mack discusses the rising costs associated with watching NFL games this season. Historically, NFL games were mostly available on cable TV, but now, streaming services have taken a significant role. Fans can expect to pay substantial amounts if they want to watch everything. Access to YouTube TV's Sunday Ticket is about $167, while subscriptions for Peacock and Amazon Prime run at $7.99 and $8.99 respectively. It’s an expensive endeavor for dedicated fans as around 15% of games are exclusive to these platforms. Additionally, attending games adds to the financial burden. The average ticket price has surged by approximately 8.6%, averaging $121, and factoring in other expenses like food and drinks could make a night out for a family of four around $630. Even watching the games at a bar can be pricey, as drink prices can range from $10 to $20 each. As fans eagerly anticipate the season, they need to prepare financially to enjoy all the action, which is truly reflective of the inflation affecting sports entertainment.