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Sports fans hoping to follow their favorite team throughout the season could face steep prices as the cost of streaming services rises, but attending those games in person could prove even less cost-effective.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported last month, citing data collected through the Consumer Price Index program that shows admissions to sporting events increased 123% from 2000. In addition to rising admission costs over the past 25 years, fans will pay for concessions and transportation and, although not a necessity, for merchandise.
Kansas City Chiefs fans do the Tomahawk Chop in the first quarter of an NFL game between the Buffalo Bills and the Kansas City Chiefs on October 16, 2022 at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri. (Scott Winters/Sportswire Icon via Getty Images)
The increase in ticket prices is also impacted by the secondary market, which may include a number of additional fees. Sen. Eric Schmitt, R-Mo., believes something needs to be done.
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“The Senate Commerce Committee has jurisdiction over amateur professional sports and these kinds of deals that you’re talking about with Ticketmaster and others,” he said during a recent appearance on OutKick’s “Don’t @ Me with Dan Dakich” when asked about rising ticket prices.
“So I have legislation. We need to get rid of it – people don’t really know where all the fees are coming from. [from] and have greater transparency.
“Kid Rock was at a hearing earlier this year where this issue came up because yeah, consumers are kind of getting ripped off. I mean, you want a marketplace where people can get access to tickets, but a lot of acts are kind of taking advantage of people wanting to see their team and a bunch of hidden secondary market fees are added and people don’t know what those are.”
Senator Eric Schmitt, Republican of Missouri, during the Republican National Convention (RNC) at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, July 16, 2024. (Al Drago/Getty)
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Kid Rock, whose real name is Robert James Ritchie, spoke at a Senate Commerce Committee hearing in January to say that predatory ticket prices are forcing fans to turn to expensive resale markets and that legislation is insufficient.
“Nowadays, just ask anyone if they can buy a ticket to a popular sporting event or concert, and they will tell you it’s a complete bust,” he said during an appearance on “America Reports.”
Kid Rock, real name Robert Ritchie, arrives to testify at a Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation subcommittee hearing on January 28, 2026. (Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images)
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Meanwhile, the FCC announced last month that it would seek public comment on the current shift of live sports from broadcast channels to streaming services. This decision comes as the NFL, NBA, MLB and other major sports have moved many games from broadcast and cable TV to streaming services.
