There are many ways to gauge the likelihood of a team making it to the Super Bowl. Gambling companies use odds while sites like 538 use analytics. SI Tickets is using a unique method that uses a reservation fee that’s set based on how likely a team is going to the Super Bowl. And they are looking at the NFL Kickoff game featuring the Buffalo Bills and the Los Angeles Rams as the most likely Super Bowl matchup. If that happens, it would be the first time a Kickoff game would also be the Super Bowl in the same season.
SI Tickets gives fans the opportunity to place a non-refundable reservation on a team in the hopes of making the championship game. If that team makes it, you’ll be able to pay a flat amount that will be very much below face value to go to that game. The more likely a certain team will go to the Super Bowl, the higher the reservation fee. There is a risk of losing out on your non-refundable deposit but if you have confidence in your team, you can see them go for a championship for a much cheaper rate.
For example, the Buffalo Bills command the highest reservation fee ($1,236) to reserve one Super Bowl LVII lower endzone ticket if they make it. If the Bills do, it will cost an additional $3,500 for the ticket for a total of $4,736. That might sound expensive and there’s a chance you won’t see that $1,236 back but if the Bills go to Super Bowl LVII, you stand to save about $1,600 compared to a Super Bowl ticket at the estimated face value. It’s a risk, but it can pay off.
While the Bills are first, the rest of the top 10 consists of the Rams ($1,117), Tampa Bay Buccaneers ($875), Los Angeles Chargers ($863), Green Bay Packers ($818), San Francisco 49ers ($812), Baltimore Ravens ($512), Denver Broncos ($503), Dallas Cowboys ($456), and Kansas City Chiefs ($443).
If you’re looking to go the other way and not plunk down as much of a deposit in the hopes of a Cinderella, the five least expensive reservations are the Houston Texans ($23), Atlanta Falcons ($35), New York Jets ($42), Jacksonville Jaguars ($46), and Chicago Bears ($55).
Reservation fees change each week based on team performance so as of Week 1, the Bills are the favorite to make it to the Super Bowl. Who knows what Week 2 brings.
About Phillip Bupp
Producer/editor of the Awful Announcing Podcast and Short and to the Point. News editor for The Comeback and Awful Announcing. Highlight consultant for Major League Soccer as well as a freelance writer for hire. Opinions are my own but feel free to agree with them.
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