Golden State Warriors Offering Passes Into Oracle Arena For $100 A Month

By Jordan Long

The Golden State Warriors are one of the hottest tickets in all of the NBA.  They average 19,596 fans per game, 6^th in the NBA.  The Warriors have sold out every single home game since December 18, 2012. Their season ticket holder waiting list is 44,000.  They have decided to try something new to have more fans in the building, a $100 monthly pass that lasts until the end of the regular season.  Golden State is limiting these passes to 200 each month

This might sound like a great deal.  A fan can enter the arena for $100 a month and see as many Warriors’ games as possible.  There is a catch though.  This pass comes without a seat.  The people who buy these passes are not allowed to watch the game from the seating bowl and they don’t have a view of the court.  Rather this gives a supporter the admission to Oracle Arena’s bars and restaurants where they can watch the game and have access to the club area.   It is believed to be the first time a franchise has offered tickets to enter the stadium without a view of the playing  surface.

This is one way to have fans be in the stadium.   $100 a month isn’t a bad price to be in the building especially if some haven’t ever experienced Oracle.   Sure it is just to wander the place and not have a seat.  They might be able to hear the excitement of the game from some of these bars or restaurants.

On the other hand, how is that any different than watching the game at home?  They are just allowed to watch the game on television for $100 a month but still have to deal with parking or taking the train to get there which takes time, only to watch the game on TV. This doesn’t seem like the greatest deal.   They are better off staying home and avoiding all that.

The Warriors are trying to be innovative.  It’s not the worst idea.  It would be better if these passes included a standing room only section even if these were limited.  People could feel like they are part of the game.  It will be interesting to see how well this goes and how many buy these passes.  If it is successful, more teams in all of the 4 major sports may end up having the same sort of ticket plan.