As the expanded 12-team College Football Playoff (CFP) enters its second season, a notable financial trend is emerging: neutral-site CFP quarterfinal games are significantly cheaper to attend than first-round games played on campus. The data is fueling renewed debate about whether more Playoff games should be hosted by higher-seeded teams.
CFP Quarterfinal Ticket Prices Remain Low
Resale ticket prices for the CFP quarterfinals, held at traditional New Year’s bowl games, are far below what fans paid to attend first-round campus games earlier this month. According to official bowl ticket marketplaces, the lowest available prices for each quarterfinal matchup are:
- Sugar Bowl: Ole Miss vs. Georgia — $181
- Rose Bowl: Alabama vs. Indiana — $109
- Orange Bowl: Oregon vs. Texas Tech — $70
- Cotton Bowl: Miami vs. Ohio State — $28
The Sugar Bowl stands out as the most expensive quarterfinal, largely because it is geographically closer to the participating teams’ fan bases, increasing travel feasibility and demand.
Quarterfinals vs. First-Round Games: The Cost Gap
The average “get-in” price for all four CFP quarterfinals sits at $97, compared to $165 for first-round games played on campus just weeks earlier.
This mirrors last season’s trend. While the Rose Bowl once approached $200 per ticket, the other quarterfinals dipped below $40. Meanwhile, first-round games in 2024 reached extreme levels, with some matchups—such as Indiana vs. Notre Dame—seeing resale prices climb toward $1,000.
The numbers suggest that home-field advantage and campus atmosphere drive far more demand than neutral-site prestige.
Growing Calls for More CFP Home Games
The stark pricing difference has intensified criticism of the CFP’s current structure, which limits on-campus games to the first round. Fans argue that neutral sites reduce urgency and atmosphere, while coaches question the competitive fairness.
Oregon head coach Dan Lanning recently voiced his concerns, stating that later-round games should be hosted by higher-seeded teams rather than moved to neutral venues—even while acknowledging the excitement of playing in a marquee bowl setting.
Ironically, Oregon had already demonstrated the appeal of home games, drawing more than 55,000 fans to Autzen Stadium for its first-round victory, while Texas Tech received a bye as a higher seed.
What the Ticket Market Is Saying
The CFP ticket market is sending a clear message:
- Fans value campus environments more than neutral-site tradition
- Higher prices follow home games, not bowl branding
- Neutral-site quarterfinals risk diminished demand
As the Playoff continues to evolve, these trends may push decision-makers to reconsider how many CFP games are played on campus—and how late into the postseason that advantage should extend.
With affordability, atmosphere, and competitive balance all at stake, CFP ticket prices may become one of the strongest arguments for structural change in college football’s postseason.