These are the hottest tickets for the upcoming NFL season: Top-5 most expensive games in 2026

The 2026 NFL season is coming up, and fans looking to attend the biggest games this season may need to brace for sticker shock.

Ticket demand is already surging across the league, but a handful of matchups have separated themselves as the most expensive of the year. According to ticket marketplace data, games featuring the Buffalo Bills and Green Bay Packers dominate the top tier, fueled by contender status, historic fanbases, and prime-time exposure.

Here’s a closer look at the five most expensive games of the 2026 NFL season based on get-in price, the lowest cost to secure a seat.

Top 5 most expensive NFL games in 2026

No. 1: Lions at Bills (Sept. 17, Thursday Night Football)

The most expensive ticket of the season belongs to a matchup between the Detroit Lions and Bills in Orchard Park.

With a get-in price of $604, it’s the only game this season to cross the $600 threshold. These are two top-tier teams with a national spotlight on Thursday Night Football, and one of the league’s most intense home-field environments at Highmark Stadium.

No. 2: Bears at Packers (Oct. 11)

Few rivalries in sports carry the history of Chicago Bears vs. the Packers, and that legacy continues to drive demand.

Set at Lambeau Field, this NFC North clash comes with a get-in price of $531, making it the second-most expensive game of the season. Rivalry games consistently command premium prices, and this one is no exception.

No. 3: Bills at Packers (Dec. 13, Sunday Night Football)

When two of the NFL’s most passionate fanbases collide, ticket prices follow.

The Bills traveling to Green Bay for a prime-time showdown carries a get-in price of $432. Between playoff implications and the cross-conference intrigue, this late-season matchup is shaping up to be one of the most anticipated games on the calendar.

No. 4: Cowboys at Packers (Oct. 18, Sunday Night Football)

The Dallas Cowboys remain one of the biggest draws in sports, and their visit to Lambeau is no different.

With tickets starting at $425, this game blends brand power, national appeal, and a prime-time slot, a combination that reliably pushes prices higher.

No. 5: Chiefs at Bills (Nov. 26, Thursday Night Football)

Rounding out the list is another marquee matchup in Buffalo, as the Kansas City Chiefs face the Bills.

Also carrying a $425 get-in price, this game features two perennial contenders and recent playoff rivals. With both teams expected to be in the postseason mix again, demand for this late-November clash is already surging.

Why these games are so expensive?

A few clear trends emerge from this year’s most expensive tickets. First, elite teams drive demand. The Bills and Packers each appear multiple times, reflecting both on-field success and deeply loyal fanbases. Second, prime-time scheduling plays a major role, with four of the five games taking place under the national spotlight. And finally, rivalry and brand power, particularly with teams like the Bears and Cowboys, continue to influence pricing as much as performance.

For fans hoping to attend one of these matchups, waiting may not help. If anything, prices could climb even higher as the season approaches and storylines take shape. So if you want to see the NFL’s biggest games in 2026, it might cost you.

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