Mahomes vs Jackson prompts sky-high AFC Championship game ticket prices

27 January 2024 , 02:00

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Lamar Jackson will try to book his place in the Super Bowl for the first time in his career. (Image: Getty Images)

Ticket prices for the AFC Championship game between the Baltimore Ravens and Kansas City Chiefs have hit a six-year high. The cheapest ticket on the secondary market is around £500, a price not seen since the 2018 AFC Championship game.

There are several reasons why tickets for this game are so pricey. One reason is that Baltimore hasn't hosted a game at this level since 1971, and local fans are eager to be part of the action. For neutral NFL fans, it's an exciting matchup between two evenly matched-teams including star quarterbacks Patrick Mahomes and Lamar Jackson.

Another factor is the potential presence of pop superstar Taylor Swift, who is dating Chiefs player Travis Kelce. Some fans are willing to pay top dollar just to be in the same venue as the singer, even if she's not performing.

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The Ravens had a strong home record of 6-3 during the regular season, and they recently defeated the Houston Texans at M&T Bank Stadium. Their only home losses were against the Indianapolis Colts, Cleveland Browns and Pittsburgh Steelers, but many of their key players were rested for the last match.

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Ravens linebacker Roquan Smith spoke about the advantage of playing at home after their playoff win over the Texans. He said: "It's big," and "Having our crowd behind us [on] big plays, big stops, it's amazing. And this energy here, it's contagious, and it just helps us on the field more and more."

Looking forward to the Chiefs game, Smith added: "I know it's going to be rocking next week in the AFC Championship game. But it was huge today. Coming to the MandT Bank Stadium, I was a witness to it last year, how loud and how hostile the environment can be as well as this year. They love their football and the way they come out. ...They got at the top of their lungs, and it's a big part for us."

The game will start at 3 p.m. local time and is the first part of an NFL doubleheader. The NFC Championship game between the San Francisco 49ers and Detroit Lions will follow. Tickets for the 49ers game are currently less expensive, with upper deck seats going for less than $450.

The 2024 Super Bowl is set to take place at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, and Ravens fans are aware that the AFC title showdown will be their last opportunity to see this team on the East Coast. However, it's going to cost a pretty penny to get through the door.

* An AI tool was used to add an extra layer to the editing process for this story. You can report any errors to [email protected]

Dan Bernstein