How to Get Courtside Seats to an NBA Game

For many of us avid NBA fans, courtside seats are the pinnacle of an NBA game experience.  Mere feet away from some of the best basketball players in the world, you’ll have a first-class view of all the action on the court.  And while courtside seats to an NBA game may seem like a perk reserved for the rich and famous, that isn’t necessarily the case.

For many teams, particularly teams going through a slump or those in a rebuilding phase, courtside seats are actually relatively inexpensive.   That is why, below, we are going to review and discuss just how to get courtside seats to an NBA game.

Why Should You Purchase Courtside Seats?

Perhaps the single biggest benefit of sitting courtside at an NBA game is the simple fact that you will be mere feet away from the action and the players.  Courtside seats are the closest seats to the game and to the action and provide you with a more intimate experience to the game.

In addition, by sitting courtside, you’ll have an unobstructed view of all the action.  Whereas  most other seats in the stadium are surrounded by other fans and individuals, courtside seats are not.  And while there will be fans immediately behind you, there won’t be any in front of you.

Similarly, courtside seats provide plenty of prestige and bragging rights.  You’ll definitely be the source of envy to many of your friends and family members, as you post highlights to your social media accounts showcasing the action straight as it happens.

And lastly, with such intimate access to the players, game, and actions, sitting courtside may afford you the opportunity to speak with and discuss the game with players on the bench.  While you may not be able to request an autograph, having the ability to meet an NBA player for an extended period of time is a  feat that few others can claim.

How Much Are NBA Courtside Tickets?

NBA tickets, generally, are bought and sold by both the teams themselves and individual fans.  Typically, you are able to purchase tickets to an NBA game via an NBA team’s specific website, however, oftentimes, those tickets are more expensive and costly. 

This is because those tickets are being sold straight from the teams and not from a reseller.  As such, there is little incentive to offer discounted pricing, with ticket prices typically being set at the start of the season and changing little throughout.

However, purchasing NBA tickets from a third-party reseller, such as StubHub, allows you to purchase tickets from other fans. These tickets are oftentimes sold by season ticket holders who may be unable to make a game due to a prior commitment or obligation.

As such, and in order to recoup some costs associated with the price of the season ticket, those individuals will list their tickets online.  And because they will want to offload their tickets and ensure a sale occurs, they will typically offer the tickets at a steep discount.

That is why we always recommend purchasing NBA tickets straight from StubHub and not from the individual NBA teams.

However, when it comes to NBA courtside seats, prices can vary wildly. Depending on the team, their current season success, and the market in which they play, prices can range from $300-$8,000 per ticket. 

Best Ways to Get Courtside Seats

All that is to say, that although courtside seats to an NBA game are not as expensive as one may assume, knowing just how to get courtside seats, and the best ways to do so, can be a bit more challenging.  While courtside seats are some of the most popular seats in the arena, there are a few surefire ways to secure a pair for yourself.

• Purchase from StubHub – as mentioned above, StubHub is by far the best destination for securing courtside seats to an NBA game.  With their competitive pricing, low fees, and supply-and-demand based marketplace, you can find great deals on NBA tickets throughout the season, playoffs, and even during the NBA Finals.

• Become a Season Ticket Holder – again, we’ll admit, that season tickets are not cheap.  In fact, depending on the team and  their previous season success, season ticket prices can go into the tens-of-thousands of dollars.  And for courtside seats, those prices can rise even higher.  However, with season tickets, you’ll not only be afforded the opportunity to watch every live home game, but you’ll also be able to sell individual game tickets to any game of your choosing.  Whether due to previous engagements or a scheduling conflict, season ticket holders can go to sites like StubHub and sell individual game tickets at their discretion.

• Win Courtside Tickets – another great, and much cheaper, way to get courtside NBA tickets is to win them.  Oftentimes, NBA teams will hold raffles, halftime contests, and other opportunities for fans to win courtside seats.  If you’re. a lucky fan who happens to get chosen for a halftime contest; your grand prize may just be courtside seats.

• Befriend Someone Who Has Courtside Seats – admittedly, this one is a bit more difficult.  But, if possible, you can try to befriend someone who has courtside seats.  If they do, they may be willing to take you along with them to a game and you’ll be able to watch the game from the front row.

• Get Them From Work – and lastly, for many people who work in a corporate environment or office, many corporate sponsors purchase both courtside and suite tickets for their employees and clients.   While these tickets typically go fast, you may be able to secure some for yourself and a big client if you ask early enough.