HOUSTON – The Sweet 16 is just days away, and the Houston Cougars are set to take on the Illinois Fighting Illini at Toyota Center.
Fans around the University of Houston campus and across the city are scrambling for seats, and ticket prices have spiked.
Brayan Penate, a UH junior, said, “I’m willing to pay whatever for the team because I am confident. We are going to win for sure.”
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Ticket prices on resale sites range from about $400 for some upper-level seats to more than $8,000 for premium listings. Resale values change quickly depending on demand, seating location, and time until tipoff.
KPRC 2 spoke with Kayla Ramsey, aka the Ticket Queen and owner of Midtown Tickets and Houston Tickets Store, who offered practical tips for buying resale tickets while avoiding scams.
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“Prices do change hourly, sometimes daily, so definitely shop around and check pricing when more inventories become available. For high-profile events like this, I wouldn’t wait — everybody wants to go, and people come from out of town. The downside of waiting is that it can drive prices up, sometimes doubling the cost,” Ramsey said.
Ramsey added that buyers should expect electronic-only tickets and should use a credit card whenever possible to preserve dispute rights.
“Everything is electronic, so first and foremost, there will not be a PDF or hard ticket to be found. Use a credit card, and if possible, buy from a local ticket broker so you can dispute any charges if problems arise,” she said.
Bottom line: Buy early for high-profile NCAA tournament games, stick with reputable sellers, and beware deals that look too good to be true.