Looking down the sidelines of a National Basketball Association (NBA) game, you will see a who’s who of A-List celebrities and high-profile business people. Is it the action on the court that draws them to courtside seats or the exclusivity? It may be a mix, but either way, courtside seats are some of the hottest tickets in all of sports.
Keep reading to learn more about the benefits of courtside seats, how much they cost and how you can get them for yourself.
Growth of the NBA
The NBA was founded in 1946 as the Basketball Association of America and included 11 teams. In 1949, it became the National Basketball Association after merging with the competing National Basketball League. In the early years of the NBA, the Boston Celtics were dominant, winning eight consecutive titles from 1959 to 1966 with Hall of Famers Bill Russell, Bob Cousy and Red Auerbach on the roster.
The NBA faced competition again in the 1970s from the upstart American Basketball Association and later merged to add four more teams. Through expansion and relocation, the NBA now has 30 teams – 29 in the United States and one in Canada – that compete in the Eastern and Western Conferences.
One major key to the success of the NBA was the 1992 Olympic Dream Team that featured Michael Jordan, Larry Bird, Magic Johnson, Patrick Ewing, John Stockton, Charles Barkley and more huge names from the league. That team routed opponents by an average of 44 points on their way to winning the Gold Medal. It was also the first year that all players were sourced from the NBA, following a change to International Basketball Federation (FIBA) rules that allowed professional athletes to compete on Olympic rosters. FIBA voted in April 1989 to allow professional players to compete in international events, a change that directly enabled the 1992 “Dream Team” and is widely credited with accelerating the NBA’s worldwide growth and popularity (FIBA — 2017 Class of FIBA Hall of Fame: Dream Team). The 1992 U.S. Olympic team — commonly called the “Dream Team” — went undefeated in Barcelona and is often cited as a turning point in the NBA’s globalization and commercial growth (Britannica — Dream Team).
The NBA is now considered the world’s premier men’s professional basketball league featuring players from across the globe. It is also the third wealthiest professional sports league in North America behind the National Football League (NFL) and Major League Baseball (MLB).
Some of the league’s most prominent teams have included the Celtics, Los Angeles Lakers, and more recently, the Golden State Warriors.
For current games, schedules and seating maps across all teams, browse TicketSmarter’s NBA tickets hub.
How Much Are Courtside Seats in the NBA?
The price of courtside seats will largely depend on the venue you choose to attend and which teams are playing. However, you can plan to spend several hundred to a few thousand dollars to secure a courtside seat at an NBA game. Some tickets will even cost five or six figures for games during the NBA Playoffs. If you are wondering how much are courtside tickets, it is best to check costs for an individual game and compare available options.
The New York Knicks made headlines before the 2022-23 NBA season after announcing that ultra-premium courtside seats by the scorer’s table at Madison Square Garden would sell for $3,000 per ticket. In Dallas, prices soared to $8,000 to sit courtside and watch the Dallas Mavericks at American Airlines Center.
The previous year, NBA Finals tickets at the TD Garden in Boston reached $22,044 before fees for Game 3. The lowest price in a VIP section was $6,356 for the same game, according to NBC Sports.
Prices also vary by opponent, market size and timing. Friday to Sunday evening games and rivalry matchups usually command a premium, while some Tuesday and Wednesday games in January or February can trend lower in the final 48 to 72 hours as sellers adjust pricing.
If you plan to attend a Knicks game at MSG, review TicketSmarter’s Madison Square Garden venue page and this Insider guide to Madison Square Garden for seating and premium tips.
What Are Some of the Perks of Sitting Courtside?
Sitting courtside at an NBA game comes with a variety of perks. To start, most luxury packages at arenas, like the Smoothie King Center where the New Orleans Pelicans play, will include elevated parking options and access to exclusive parts of the arena like clubs with all-inclusive food and beverage service. Venue premium pages (for example, Smoothie King Center’s suites & premium experiences) list common courtside and club perks—VIP entrances, private suites/loge boxes, expedited entry, and purchasable catering or all‑inclusive packages—illustrating the types of amenities often bundled with courtside and club-level tickets (Smoothie King Center — Suites & Premium Experiences).
For the sports enthusiast, there is no better view for an NBA game than courtside seats. They place you right in the middle of the action within feet of your favorite players. Depending on where your seats are located, you may even be able to hear the chatter in the team huddle or the players communicating on the court.
Courtside seats in the NBA come with some social clout too because these tickets are expensive and difficult to acquire. They are also frequently shown on television given their proximity to the action.
Beyond the view, many courtside and club experiences include in-seat food and beverage service, dedicated entry, club access with private restrooms and HD TVs and reserved parking. Some premium clubs are fully all-inclusive for food and select drinks, while alcoholic beverages may be purchased separately at many venues.
If you plan a trip to New Orleans, compare amenities and floor-level options at the Smoothie King Center venue page.
Tips for Buying Courtside Tickets
There are two main factors affecting the accessibility of courtside seats. The first is price. Sitting courtside at an NBA game is expensive, but the experience is one-of-a-kind.
If you are looking to attend a single game for a special occasion or to see a specific matchup, it would be wise to start shopping as early as possible before that game sells out. The second factor is availability. The number of courtside seats at a given arena is naturally pretty limited and many of the seats are taken by season ticket holders.
If you are wondering how to get courtside NBA tickets, there are two approaches: primary and secondary. Single-game tickets may be available through the team’s ticket office, which would be the primary option. The ticket office should be able to discuss availability and run through the full calendar with you. Secondary ticketing sites like TicketSmarter also list courtside seats for NBA games and are still a safe option if the event is sold out.
To boost your chances:
- Set an all-in budget per ticket, fees included, so you can compare listings quickly.
- Watch price drops within 24 to 72 hours of tipoff for select weekday games.
- Enable deal alerts and push notifications on trusted marketplaces so you can act when a verified listing fits your budget.
- Use secure payment methods and avoid cash apps or wire transfers. Follow FTC guidance when buying on secondary sites — verify sellers, beware offers that “guarantee” tickets without confirmation, and avoid wire transfers or non-secure payment methods — to reduce the risk of fraud or counterfeit tickets (FTC consumer guidance on ticket scams).
- Compare all-in prices across sections and clubs to weigh view versus perks.
For special NBA events with VIP access, browse TicketSmarter for NBA All-Star Practice tickets and NBA Crossover tickets.
How to Compare Courtside Options by Section and Amenities
Not all floor seats are the same. Before you buy, review:
- Location: center court, baseline, or near the bench or scorer’s table.
- Perks: in-seat service, club access, private restrooms, early entry and parking.
- Grouping: traditional courtside chairs, semi-private boxes or cabanas for 2 to 4 guests.
- Policies: mobile ticket delivery windows and transfer rules.
TicketSmarter’s NBA tickets hub lets you filter by section and price so you can compare courtside against club and lower-bowl alternatives.
When is the Right Time to Purchase Courtside Tickets?
It is best to buy courtside seats as early as possible since there is a lot of competition for this high-profile seating option. Tickets go on sale shortly after the season schedule is announced and season ticket holders will likely receive priority seating as a reward for their loyalty. Throughout the season, there may be some fluctuation in price depending on the success of the team, but as the popularity rises, so does the demand.
Once the schedule is released in mid-August, you should sit down and make a list of games you would like to see. Then, you can check availability and start making your plans. If those plans involve a trip to see your favorite team on the road, check HotelPlanner for exclusive travel deals throughout the United States.
If you are a little more flexible with your schedule, you can check secondary sites for last-minute NBA tickets and sort them by seating section. You may just get lucky.
Popular buying windows:
- Early season: secure must-see matchups or holidays early.
- Midseason weekdays: monitor prices 24 to 48 hours before tipoff for potential savings.
- Playoffs: expect premiums for later rounds and Game 7 scenarios.
Buy NBA Tickets
Whether you are watching an early-season tune-up or a late-season playoff push, you can get courtside NBA tickets from TicketSmarter to see your favorite team in action this season. On TicketSmarter, you can search by team or venue and then filter by price or select a specific section to view available tickets.
You can also start with TicketSmarter’s NBA tickets and schedule page to compare games across markets.
FAQs
What strategies increase my chances of finding last-minute courtside NBA tickets?
On TicketSmarter, filter by section and sort by price to identify floor seats quickly. Set an all-in budget and check listings 24 to 72 hours before tipoff for select weekday games when sellers often lower prices. Enable alerts from trusted marketplaces, review seller ratings and be ready with a secure credit card to complete purchase when a verified deal appears.
What are the main perks included in luxury courtside packages at NBA arenas?
Perks vary by venue but often include in-seat food and beverage service, club access with private restrooms and HD TVs, dedicated entry and reserved parking. Some clubs are fully all-inclusive for food and select drinks. TicketSmarter lists these amenities on event and venue pages like the Madison Square Garden venue page and the Smoothie King Center page.
How much should I expect to pay for premium courtside seats for high-profile matchups?
Regular season courtside seats can range from several hundred to several thousand dollars per ticket. High-demand games and playoffs can escalate into five or six figures. Market drivers include opponent, star players, day of week and local market size. Check TicketSmarter’s NBA tickets hub for real-time pricing.
How do secondary marketplaces handle authenticity and guarantees for courtside seats?
Reputable platforms like TicketSmarter provide secure checkout, verified-seller indicators, clear fee disclosures and buyer protections, including refunds for canceled or invalid tickets. Always review seller ratings and confirmation details in your TicketSmarter account and follow mobile ticketing instructions for efficient entry.
How can I compare courtside seating options by section, price and amenities?
Use TicketSmarter filters to select floor sections, then compare club inclusions, proximity to benches or center court and total price with fees. For MSG, review our Insider guide to Madison Square Garden to see seating map nuances and premium entry locations.
When is the best time to buy courtside seats for a regular season game?
If the matchup is a priority, buy early. For value, monitor Tuesday or Wednesday games in January or February and revisit listings 24 to 48 hours before tipoff. TicketSmarter shows updated inventory and all-in pricing so you can time your purchase.
Why are courtside seats often owned by season ticket holders?
Many teams grant renewal rights and playoff priority to season ticket members. That keeps a large share of courtside inventory with long-term holders, which is why secondary listings on TicketSmarter are useful when the box office is sold out.
How do courtside prices vary by venue and matchup?
Large markets like New York, Los Angeles and San Francisco tend to have higher baselines. Opponents like the Lakers, Warriors, Celtics, Knicks, Bulls and Heat often drive premiums. Use TicketSmarter’s NBA schedule pages to compare across venues and dates.
Can TicketSmarter help with premium NBA events beyond regular season games?
Yes. You can shop premium experiences and VIP seating for league events such as NBA All-Star Practice tickets and NBA Crossover tickets, where elevated hospitality and near-court access are often available.
Updated: December 12, 2025
For venue tips and premium seating insights, explore TicketSmarter venue guides and product pages linked above.
