I finally saw my invoice when checking my Monumental ticket account. And the price increase isn’t as bad as some might think.
Last weekend, I wrote about the likelihood of Washington Mystics season ticket prices going up significantly. At the time, I didn’t receive my invoice yet, but I received some text messages and saw some social media posts that prices were going up between 25 and 50 percent for the year.
Eventually, I received my invoice. The ticket prices went up from $2,090 for two seats in the 100 level close to the team benches to $2.970 for the 2025 season. From a gross monetary perspective, the total amount increased by a whopping 42.1 percent. If I give this one figure, then I’m sure that we can all agree that this is an unjustified price increase for a team that is 6-21 and tied for worst in the WNBA with the Los Angeles Sparks this season.
So why is this total price jump so high?
There are more regular season home games in 2025
The Mystics’ 2024 season tickets considered 19 home games. I have two seats, so $2,090 divided by 19 is $110 per game, or $55 per seat. The Mystics apparently didn’t charge for the annual kids’ game at Capital One Arena against the Phoenix Mercury nor the preseason game which is generally half price. That preseason game was also a kids game, and season ticket holders didn’t have a dedicated seat for that game.
The WNBA anticipates having 44 games in the 2025 regular season. With that, there will be more home games, so the Mystics appear to be charging for 22 games with my invoice of $2,970. Using that math, it appears that my tickets cost $65 per seat or $130 total per game.
The price increase per seat isn’t that high, considering the league’s growth
Assuming my seats are now $65 per seat next season instead of $55 per seat, my price increase per seat is 18.18 percent next season. It certainly increases inflation by a lot, and I’ll likely have to sell more games. But there’s more context needed than simply saying that my ticket price went up by 42 percent (the total increase).
Why would ticket prices go up significantly, either way?
They include but aren’t limited to:
- Higher costs — Inflation is a fact in any growing economy). Ticket prices help pay the salaries of Monumental Sports employees who are directly involved in selling your tickets, among other things.
- Higher demand to watch WNBA games — The Mystics took full advantage of having both Indiana Fever home games at Capital One Arena and it’s not because they are Washington’s rival. Even then, there is more demand for people to watch WNBA games than in the 1990s. The increased demand to watch WNBA games is enough for Monumental Sports & Entertainment to raise prices, EVEN IF the Mystics aren’t doing well this season.
Why did the Mystics NOT raise tickets by even more?
They include but aren’t limited to:
- A lack of a franchise player — I’m back to my calling card during the 2010s before Elena Delle Donne was traded to D.C. The Mystics don’t have a superstar player who is a face of the WNBA. They have multiple players who are good, individually, but no one is a face of the league. Also, the Mystics can’t predict what draft pick they will have in 2025. If they could, then ticket prices may have been higher.
- The Mystics haven’t been good this year — If ticket prices per seat doubled, that would be unwarranted considering the Mystics’ play this season.
- Season ticket holders will pay lower prices than the public for one game — Buying a single game ticket in the lower bowl for a Mystics game regularly exceeds $100 today and yet the season ticket price is just $65 per seat. Considering that season ticket holders have to pay more money, they should get a fair discount and I still think that is the case.
What could the Mystics do in light of season ticket prices going up?
The Mystics currently offer a nine-month payment plan while the Wizards and Capitals offer 12 month ones. It would be reasonable for the Mystics to offer this as well.
I am not a Monumental Sports employee and I am quick to criticize the teams when they are playing poorly. But I don’t think the ticket price increase is unfair all things considered. Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.