The NBA playoffs are fast approaching, with the play-in tournament in full swing and Game 1 matchups set for this weekend. One postseason contest, in particular, is heating up the ticket market, with fans clamoring for seats to the Warriors’ first-round clash with the Kings. The cross-state rivalry will be held at Sacramento's Golden 1 Center, which has a capacity of 17,608.
According to NBC Sports, Saturday’s game is set to be the most expensive first-round contest on record. The average ticket price for the event is $1,409.14 on SI Tickets, with the most expensive seat posted at $4,031. This year’s series also marks the first playoff meeting between the Kings and the Warriors, adding to the hype surrounding the matchup. If fans want to catch the historic Game 1, then they should prepare to pay some serious cash, with the cheapest available seats listed on SI Tickets for $525.
The Kings’ postseason drought has likely contributed to the astronomical prices, with Sacremnto last making a playoff appearance in 2006. With Kings supporters relishing the opportunity to catch their team in the playoffs for the first time in 16 years, seat costs are ballooning.
Golden State finished three games back from the 48–34 Kings but possesses critical postseason experience that Sacremento does not. However, the Warriors don’t hold the most promising away record at 11–30. Even though Sacramento is just under 90 miles from San Francisco, home-court advantage could still very well benefit the Kings, especially with all indications pointing to an impressive turnout.
