If Justin Verlander does what he's supposed to do tonight at Comerica Park, the Tigers could take a commanding--though as the 2004 Red Sox proved not insurmountable--3-0 lead in the ALCS. While the game is technically sold-out, plenty of tickets are still available on the secondary market. The secondary market is a polite term for what used to be called scalpers.
As of 8:20 AM, StubHub has 2,836 tickets available for tonight's game. Standing room is currently selling for $84 and up. The cheapest seats, in the Siberia that is the upper deck left field "Skyline" section," are listed at $94.95 with most seats priced at $100+.
Ignoring a couple of overpriced outliers--someone is asking $10,000 for a single ticket in right field--premium seats (on-deck circle, etc) are selling for as much as $1000-$1500 each. However, most infield box seats are listed between $250-$600.
Both StubHub and MLB add their fees on the back end, so a single $84 SRO ticket actually has an out-the-door price of $97.84. You might be able to avoid some of those (ahem) "service charges" by searching listings on another site like Craigslist or eBay, or by purchasing tickets from one of the many entrepreneurs working the sidewalk outside the ballpark. Then again, none of those options afford you the privilege of purchasing your tickets from Major League Baseball's official reseller.
Of course, ticket prices this morning may not be the same as prices as the day goes on. This is a fluid market. Demand may spike in anticipation of the game or panicky sellers may dump tickets at a lower price just so they can sell them for something.
We'll update this post periodically through the day with the latest prices and see how this peculiar little market plays itself out.
11:00 AM UPDATE: StubHub's inventory is at 2,386 tickets--458 fewer than three hours ago. SRO tickets are listed starting at $84 ($97.84 with service fees and convenience charges). The cheapest seats currently available are listed for $90 ($104.45 with service fees and convenience charges) in an upper reserved section. The highest-priced, non-outlier, tickets are on-deck circle box seats listed for $1500/each. -- JTW
1:00 PM UPDATE: StubHub has 1,813 tickets left for tonight's game--573 fewer than just two hours ago. It's quickly becoming a seller's market. The cheapest SRO tickets are now listed at $95 ($109.95 with service fees and convenience charges) but upper deck reserved and "skyline" seats are available for $90 ($104.45 with service fees and convenience charges). The highest-priced, non-outlier, tickets are on-deck circle box seats listed for $1500/each. -- JTW
3:00 PM UPDATE: They're down to just 1,279 tickets left--534 fewer than at 1:00. However, SRO tickets are again available for under $90 (plus assorted service fees and convenience charges). The cheapest seats are listed between $90-$95 (plus assorted service fees and convenience charges). Those $1500/ticket on deck circle seats are still on the board, probably because plenty of premium box seats are offered for $400-$500.
Another thing worth watching is the market for tomorrow's four. StubHub has about 4000 tickets listed for game four and the prices are, at present, slightly higher than game three tickets. Will prices spike if the Tigers take a 3-0 tonight and have a chance to clinch tomorrow? -- JTW
