NBA Playoffs: How to Get Tickets to the Biggest Games

NBA playoff basketball is some of the most intense and exciting live sport you can experience. The atmosphere inside an arena during a playoff game is electric, with fans creating wall-to-wall noise from tip-off to the final buzzer. But getting tickets can be a challenge, especially for later rounds.

How NBA Playoff Tickets Work

Season ticket holders get first access to playoff tickets. Most NBA teams require season ticket holders to pre-pay for potential playoff games when purchasing their season package. Any remaining tickets go on sale to the general public, but inventory is extremely limited for popular teams.

Pricing by Round

First round tickets are the most affordable, with upper bowl seats starting around $50-80 for smaller market teams. Conference Semifinals and Finals jump significantly. NBA Finals tickets are the most expensive in basketball, regularly exceeding $1,000 for upper deck seats and $5,000+ for courtside.

Best Value Arenas

Not all markets are equally expensive. Cities like Indianapolis, Columbus, and San Antonio tend to have lower playoff ticket prices than New York, Los Angeles, or Boston. If you are willing to travel, you can see playoff basketball for a fraction of the cost.

When to Buy

Prices fluctuate based on matchup, series situation, and timing. Game 1 and potential closeout games command the highest prices. If a favoured team is up 3-0, Game 4 tickets often drop as the anticipation of a sweep reduces demand from the trailing team's fans.

Fan-to-Fan is Key

Season ticket holders who cannot attend every playoff game regularly list their tickets on Tickets9. Because prices are capped at face value, you avoid the massive markups found on other platforms. Set alerts for your team's playoff games and be ready to act quickly when tickets are listed. Browse NBA events now.