The cost of going to a professional sporting event has steadily risen over the last ten years. The most expensive sport to attend is football, where the average NFL game, as of 2004, would cost a family of four $321.62, 4.3% more than the previous year, and 80% more than ten years ago, where the average cost was $180.33. A MLB game is the least expensive game to attend, but as of 2005, would still cost a family of four $164.43, a 5.6% increase from the previous year, and a 69% increase from ten years ago. The NBA had the lowest increase from the previous year, where a game during the 2004-2005 season cost $263.44, a change of only 1.2%. However, this is still a 55% increase from ten years ago. Finally, an NHL game in 2003-2004 cost a family of four $253.65, a 2.8% increase from the previous year, but the smallest increase over the past ten years at 30%. {The information contained in this article is derived from Team Marketing Report's Fan Cost Index.}
National Football League
Cost to a Family of Four: $321.62 (2004)
Percent increase from previous year: 4.30%
Cost ten years ago: $180.33
Amount of increase: $144.29
Percent increase from ten years ago: 80%
Major League Baseball (MLB)
Cost to a Family of Four: $164.43 (2005)
Percent increase from previous year: 5.60%
Cost ten years ago: $97.55
Amount of increase: $66.88
Percent increase from ten years ago:69%
National Basketball Association (NBA)
Cost to a Family of Four: $263.44 (2004-2005)
Percent increase from previous year:1.20%
Cost ten years ago: $168.68
Amount of increase: $92.58
Percent increase from ten years ago: 55%
National Hockey League (NHL)
Cost to a Family of Four: $253.65 (2003-2004)
Percent increase from previous year: 2.80%
Cost nine years ago: $195.79
Amount of increase: $57.86
Percent increase from nine years ago:30%