Cagewriter reports that this Saturday’s UFC 167 event in Las Vegas has drawn the most demand for tickets for a UFC event since 2009. Ticket search engine company, Seat Geek, has provided the numbers revealing the average ticket price on the secondary market for UFC 167 is $580 per ticket.
The secondary market refers to the reselling of tickets by ticket brokers, etc. The information provided does not include those that purchased their tickets directly from the box office.
According to Seat Geek representative Connor Gregoire, the lower sections of the MGM Grand Garden are going at an average of $801 per ticket and the average floor seats are going for $1,944 per ticket with seats near the Octagon at $2,800 per seat. The secondary ticket market for this event exceeds last month’s event in Houston where the average ticket was $302 in comparison to $580.
UFC 167’s tickets eclipsed UFC 137 which featured BJ Penn versus Nick Diaz. A ticket for that event at the Mandalay Bay drew an average resale price of $578 per ticket.
Does this live gate equate to PPV success? This is only a small glimpse but here’s a look at the top secondary market ticket selling events and the number of PPV buys.
UFC 156 – 330K buys
UFC 160 – 380K buys
UFC 149 – 230K buys (Calgary)
UFC 148 – 925K buys
UFC 162 – 550K buys
UFC 126 – 725K buys
UFC 137 – 280K buys
Average – 488, 571 buys
Payout Perspective:
Seat Geek has been tracking UFC ticket prices since 2009 so we do not know what event in UFC history garnered a higher demand but this provides a good snapshot. The chart is an interesting look at the gate as it relates to secondary market demand. The inference here is that the ticket prices reflect the demand by fans. This shows the popularity of Georges St. Pierre as we may expect a lot of Canadian fans in attendance. The demand may also be driven on rumors that GSP may be retiring after this fight.
Can we deduce PPV success with the gate receipts from the secondary market? We premise this on looking at demand from the secondary market. Thus, we must factor in whether or not casinos and others bought up the initial round of tickets to provide to its patrons. Once again, we have a very small sample size but only 2 of the 7 events received over 500K PPV buys. So, its tough to say that based on ticket demand, will we see good PPV buys.
GSP is by far the most reliable PPV draw for UFC.
And GSP and his team have cleverly played this retirement rumor angle. Better buy the PPV, might be the last chance to watch GSP!
I don’t believe the rumors at all, but it’s an excellent and relatively subtle way to hype the fight.
GSP isn’t retiring and he has even said so and ha never said he was. Only a fool would believe this rumor as it has no legs.
As for this chart. Its hard to make heads or tails of the info as being a predictor of PPV buys. According to Dana this event was over 5 million gate days ago. That doesn’t tell us exactly how many PPVs it will sell. But no event that ever broke 5 million gate ever did less than 750,000 buys. Does that mean this will do over 1 million? No, and it doesn’t mean it has to break 750K. But does suggest that it should at least be in the ball park of 750. Giving that Evans and Chael are both decent draws. GSP has always sold huge PPV’s and Hendricks is his biggest threat to date added to the fact this is a milestone event for the UFC like UFC 100 was being is the 20th anniversary. I expect this to be around 900,000 buys.
GSP personifies UFC product
garbage
GSP: “I just bought an Octagon, I wouldn’t do that if I’m gonna retire”
Has often spoken of his desire for a long career and to be the best ever
I would expect it sold damn well, was a lot of great fighters and a special event, early enouigh that upcoming Christmas expenditure shouldn’t affect anything. Maybe as high as 1.2m ? was a well promoted fight and Hendricks highlight reel made us all need to see it.. least that’s how I felt 😀 all of my friends who watched were hyper as fuck with anticipation leading up to show start and the chatter was explosive as we all reacted to all sorts of things. Many strange conversations and a lot of laughs were had. Big success for the company I thought.
What an enlightened comment Sampson. You must be a delight for your family and co-workers.
Sampson is nothing but a hater
Gsp is the ufc,s most reliable fighter wen it comes to ppv buys he done over 900 000 against diaz about 800 000 against condit about the same 4 shields hardy n has never does less than 600 000 in his last 8 fights i rekon the hendricks fight will do no lower than 800 000,,, i cant see him retiring just yet ,,maybye a couple more fights n thats it hendricks n lawler shud fight 4 the interim title then get pierre ,,,wud luv to see condit get another go at jonny hope diaz comes back soon but iv heard he is wanting to fight at middleweight,,,,,not a good idea,,,the diaz that kod lawler n daley n smashed penn thats what i want to see again,,the welters r the most exciting division out there,,,plenty ov great fighters,,,,,,,