NBA vs. NHL: A Tale of Two Finals
As both the NBA and NHL Finals heat up, fans are not only keeping their eyes on the game action—but also on the market. With the 2025 finals officially underway, we are taking a closer look at what ticket prices reveal about fan demand, star power, and storyline strength across the two leagues.
To do that, we’ve compared the Average Ticket Price (ATP) for Games 1 through 4 of each series. The result is a clear and compelling side-by-side look at how the NBA and NHL stack up.
Two Leagues. Two Stories. One Market Test.
At first glance, these NBA and NHL Finals matchups have little in common. The NBA features two small-market teams—Oklahoma City Thunder and Indiana Pacers—both making deep playoff runs behind rising young stars, and in Indiana’s case, epic comebacks. On the other hand, the NHL Finals bring a heavyweight storyline: a Stanley Cup rematch between the Florida Panthers and Edmonton Oilers, with the Panthers chasing a potential dynasty and the Oilers led by MVP-favorite Connor McDavid.
And yet, despite their differences, both leagues are facing the same question: who’s winning over fans—and wallets—when it matters most?
Game 1: Neck and Neck
The opening games were nearly a draw in ticket pricing. The NBA Finals Game 1 in Oklahoma City averaged nearly $750, while the NHL’s Game 1 in Edmonton came in at just over $714. This parity shows that excitement was high for both matchups from the start, even without the big-market teams traditionally known to drive demand.
Game 2: Oilers Home Crowd Drives NHL Surge
Game 2 is where things began to diverge. NHL ticket prices spiked to more than $960, outperforming the NBA’s $902.60 average. With Edmonton fans eager to see their team chase glory and McDavid on home ice, the increase makes sense. It also marked the largest margin between leagues across the four games.
Games 3 & 4: NBA Shows Stability, NHL Softens
In Games 3 and 4, both series shifted to the road cities—Indianapolis for the NBA and Sunrise, Florida for the NHL—and that’s where the price dynamics flipped again. NBA ATPs remained remarkably consistent: $885 and $915, while the NHL dipped to $768 and $800, respectively.
This suggests the NBA Finals may be drawing steadier demand across markets, despite the smaller team brands, whereas NHL demand may be more heavily concentrated in Edmonton.
What It All Means
The data tells us that both finals are generating serious interest—but in different ways. The NHL’s highs are higher (thanks to the Oilers’ rabid fanbase), but the NBA’s prices have shown more resilience and consistency, no matter the host city.
In total, the NBA’s four-game ATP average sits just slightly higher than the NHL’s:
- NBA (Games 1–4): $836
- NHL (Games 1–4): $811
As the Finals roll on, we’ll continue watching the market. But for now, one thing’s clear: whether it’s on the ice or hardwood, fans are showing up in big ways.
