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Most and Least Expensive Arenas To Watch an NBA Game

You might want to pick a new favorite team based on cost.

Basketball is a great American pastime, and there's nothing like seeing your favorite NBA team live. Sure, you could watch every game on TV, but there's nothing like going to the local NBA arena with a friend, grabbing a beer and a hot dog and cheering your team to victory.

NBA games can set you back quite a bit, though. To see which basketball arenas offer the best bargains for their fans, GOBankingRates looked at four costs associated with attending a basketball game at all 29 NBA stadiums for two people. The study gathered the average cost of two tickets, two hot dogs, two beers and one parking spot at each team's home arena from Team Marketing Report's 2018-2019 NBA report. Ranked from least to most expensive, find out how much it'll cost you to take in a game at these must-see sports venues.

30. Cost To Attend Spectrum Center: $100.10

Two tickets:$64.10
Two hot dogs:$8
Two beers:$14
Parking:$14

If you're looking for the least expensive way to see an NBA game, check out the Charlotte Hornets, who have the cheapest tickets. It won't cost you a lot to eat there, either — the hot dogs are the second-least expensive at just $4 each. While you're in the Spectrum Center, be sure to get a good look at the center-hung scoreboard. It's one of the largest in the NBA, and you can see through it to the cell-patterned cladding that represents the hive of the Hornets.

Read More: LeBron James, Kevin Durant and the NBA's Highest-Paid Star Players

29. Cost To Attend FedExForum: $115.04

Two tickets:$68.54
Two hot dogs:$11.50
Two beers:$17
Parking:$18

The Memphis Grizzlies play at the FedExForum, which opened in 2004 at a cost of $250 million. The team was ranked the best overall professional sports franchise in North America in ESPN The Magazine's 2013 ultimate standings list. The rankings, which considered all of the MLB, NBA, NFL and NHL teams, were based on how much each organization rewarded its fan base and community. The Grizzlies also earned high rankings in the categories that evaluated affordability and bang for the buck.

28. Cost To Attend Smoothie King Center: $116.22

Two tickets:$71.22
Two hot dogs:$11
Two beers:$22
Parking:$12

The Smoothie King Center is the home of the New Orleans Pelicans, and the arena is part of the Louisiana Stadium and Exposition District, which includes the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. The 2014 and 2017 NBA All-Star games were held here.

Also See: Average Ticket Prices for Every NFL Team, Ranked

27. Cost To Attend Target Center: $129.16

Two tickets:$87.16
Two hot dogs:$12
Two beers:$20
Parking:$10

Home to the Minnesota Timberwolves, Target Center opened in 1990 and later reopened in 2017 after a $145 million renovation. It has a movable arena floor that can be raised up to 5 feet to maximize sight lines. Of all the NBA arenas, it's tied for the least expensive parking rates at just $10.

26. Cost To Attend Capital One Arena: $136.58

Two tickets:$83.68
Two hot dogs:$11.50
Two beers:$20
Parking:$21.40

Capital One Arena is home to the Washington Wizards as well as the NHL's Washington Capitals, the WNBA's Washington Mystics, the AFL's Washington Valor and the NCAA's Georgetown Hoyas men's basketball team. Several college basketball championships have been held here in recent years, including the Big Ten men's basketball tournament in 2017, the Atlantic 10 men's basketball tournament in 2018 and the 2019 NCAA East Regional.

25. Cost To Attend Vivint Smart Home Arena: $139

Two tickets:$98.50
Two hot dogs:$14
Two beers:$16.50
Parking:$10

The Utah Jazz play at Vivint Smart Home Arena, which originally opened in 1991 as the Delta Center. It underwent a $125 million renovation, which included technology enhancements, new food selections and more. Despite the face-lift, tickets to see the Jazz are affordable, and Vivint Smart Home Arena is tied for the least expensive parking at $10.

24. Cost To Attend Little Caesars Arena: $144.20

Two tickets:$108.20
Two hot dogs:$9.50
Two beers:$10
Parking:$16.50

The Detroit Pistons play at Little Caesars Arena, on a court made of maple that comes from Dollar Bay in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. If you want a beer to go with your Little Caesars pizza or two hot dogs, it won't cost you much. This arena is tied for the second-cheapest beer at just $5.

23. Cost To Attend Bankers Life Fieldhouse: $144.32

Two tickets:$101.82
Two hot dogs:$10.50
Two beers:$17
Parking:$15

Home of the Indiana Pacers, Bankers Life Fieldhouse is expected to undergo $360 million in capital improvements over the next few years, beginning in 2020. Plans include a new outdoor plaza, social gathering spaces and technology improvements.

22. Cost To Attend Amway Center: $154.13

Two tickets: $105.46
Two hot dogs:$10
Two beers:$15
Parking:$23.67

Amway Center, home to the Orlando Magic, opened in 2010 and holds up to 18,500 people, depending on the type of event. It features a large scoreboard that measures about 42 feet high and weighs over 40 tons.

21. Cost To Attend Pepsi Center: $154.26

Two tickets:$109.26
Two hot dogs:$11
Two beers:$19
Parking:$15

Pepsi Center seats over 19,000 fans for Denver Nuggets games, in a venue that takes up more than 675,000 square feet. The stadium comes loaded with high-tech features, including a state-of-the-art projection system that turns the floor into a massive 4K screen. There's even Wi-Fi access throughout the arena.

20. Cost To Attend Chesapeake Energy Arena: $157.14

Two tickets:$121.64
Two hot dogs:$10.50
Two beers:$15
Parking:$10

If you're an Oklahoma City Thunder fan, you can join 18,202 other people for a game at Chesapeake Energy Arena. This arena is tied for the least expensive parking at $10.

19. Cost To Attend State Farm Arena: $163.48

Two tickets:$120.88
Two hot dogs:$6
Two beers:$10
Parking:$26.60

Tickets to see the Atlanta Hawks are moderately priced, but you can eat and drink pretty cheaply at State Farm Arena. This venue has the cheapest hot dogs in the NBA at just $3 each and is tied for the second-least expensive beer at $5.

18. Cost To Attend Talking Stick Resort Arena: $165.74

Two tickets:$114.14
Two hot dogs:$9
Two beers:$25
Parking:$17.60

When you go to see the Phoenix Suns play at Talking Stick Resort Arena, you can save some money if you skip the beer and just have a hot dog. This arena is in a four-way tie for the second-most expensive beer at $12.50 each but has the third-least expensive hot dog at $4.50.

See: Best Stadium To Watch a Football Game Across America

17. Cost To Attend Fiserv Forum: $172.78

Two tickets:$122.78
Two hot dogs:$15
Two beers:$20
Parking:$15

The Milwaukee Bucks play in the new Fiserv Forum, which opened in August 2018 at a cost of $524 million. Its 730,000 square feet of space can accommodate 17,341 fans. You can save a little money if you eat before you go since Fiserv Forum is tied for the second-most expensive hot dog at $7.50.

16. Cost To Attend AT&T Center: $176.54

Two tickets:$141.04
Two hot dogs:$11.50
Two beers:$14
Parking:$10

AT&T Center is home to the San Antonio Spurs, as well as the San Antonio Rampage of the American Hockey League. It also hosts the annual San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo. Tickets for NBA games here are in about the middle of the pack, but it's tied for cheapest parking at $10.

15. Cost To Attend Moda Center: $183.42

Two tickets:$131.42
Two hot dogs:$12
Two beers:$20
Parking:$20

The Portland Trail Blazers play at the Moda Center, formerly known as the Rose Garden. Fans can grab a bite to eat at over 70 concession areas, which sell everything from fish and chips to juicy burgers to a Moda Center exclusive: the Jumbo Blaze dog.

14. Cost To Attend Wells Fargo Center: $184.12

Two tickets:$131.20
Two hot dogs:$11
Two beers:$21
Parking:$20.92

The Wells Fargo Center can accommodate 21,000 fans of the Philadelphia 76ers, who share the arena with the NHL's Philadelphia Flyers. Fans of the 76ers might have to pay a little more for tickets next season. The team's resurgence as a title contender in the Eastern Conference resulted in it leading the league in average attendance at home games for the 2018-2019 season.

See: Allen Iverson and Other NBA Stars Who Wasted Their Fortunes

13. Cost To Attend Scotiabank Arena: $184.74

Two tickets:$141.78
Two hot dogs:$11.72
Two beers:$17.38
Parking:$13.86

The only NBA arena outside the U.S., Scotiabank Arena is home to the Toronto Raptors as well as the NHL's Toronto Maple Leafs and the National Lacrosse League's Toronto Rock. The arena, formerly known as the Air Canada Centre, seats 19,800 fans for basketball games.

12. Cost To Attend American Airlines Center: $196.47

Two tickets:$148.68
Two hot dogs:$10.50
Two beers:$20
Parking:$17.29

Dallas Mavericks fans will pay a total of nearly $200 per couple to see their team play, and American Airlines Center can accommodate 20,000 of them at a time. In 2009, American Airlines Center installed the first 1080p high-definition replay system of any NHL or NBA arena.

Related: The Most Incredible Sellout Streaks in Sports

11. Cost To Attend Barclays Center: $207.30

Two tickets: $123.30
Two hot dogs: $14
Two beers: $24
Parking: $46

The average cost of Brooklyn Nets basketball tickets alone would have made this venue far more affordable, but it comes in at No. 11 due to having the second-most expensive parking of any NBA team at $46.

See: Most and Least Expensive Stadiums for MLB Fans To Watch a Ballgame

10. Cost To Attend AmericanAirlines Arena: $211.80

Two tickets:$145.80
Two hot dogs:$15
Two beers:$26
Parking:$25

Not to be confused with American Airlines Center, the AA Arena is home to the Miami Heat. While the tickets are pretty reasonable here, it has the highest cost of any arena for beer at $13 each and is tied for the second-highest hot dog price at $7.50 each.

9. Cost To Attend Staples Center (Los Angeles Clippers): $225.96

Two tickets:$175.46
Two hot dogs:$13
Two beers:$19.50
Parking:$18

Although the Los Angeles Clippers share this arena with the Los Angeles Lakers, Clippers fans benefit from lower ticket prices. This could be due to the team's history — none of the championship banners hanging in the Staples Center have the Clippers' name on them.

8. Cost To Attend Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse: $227.04

Two tickets:$187.54
Two hot dogs:$11.50
Two beers:$8
Parking:$20

The Cleveland Cavaliers play in Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse, previously known as Quicken Loans Arena. Despite the team's poor play this season — and the absence of league superstar LeBron James — ticket prices to Cavs games remain high. This is slightly mitigated by the cost of beer, which is the cheapest of any NBA venue at $4 each.

Related: What Are the Top NBA Players Worth?

7. Cost To Attend Golden 1 Center: $232.16

Two tickets:$178.16
Two hot dogs:$10
Two beers:$24
Parking:$20

Golden 1 Center, home to the Sacramento Kings, opened in 2016 at an estimated cost of $507 million. The arena includes an art collection that features the work of prominent artists and community members. In 2017, the arena was selected as the NBA's sports facility of the year by Sports Business Journal.

6. Cost To Attend Toyota Center: $261.94

Two tickets:$216.70
Two hot dogs:$13
Two beers:$18
Parking:$14.24

The Houston Rockets play in the Toyota Center, which opened in 2003. This arena was the first professional sports venue in Texas to receive a Silver certification for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design.

5. Cost To Attend TD Garden: $274.71

Two tickets:$201.58
Two hot dogs:$12.50
Two beers:$25
Parking:$35.63

TD Garden is home to the 17-time NBA champion Boston Celtics as well as the NHL's Boston Bruins. For basketball games, it seats 18,624 fans who pay the third-most expensive parking rates of any NBA arena. TD Garden is also tied for the second-most expensive beers at $12.50 each.

Related: Most and Least Expensive Stadiums for Fans To Watch a Football Game

4. Cost To Attend United Center: $281.84

Two tickets:$226.34
Two hot dogs:$13
Two beers :$18.50
Parking:$24

Chicago Bulls fans pay hefty prices to see the six-time NBA champions play at the United Center. The reason for the high ticket prices is simple: Fans pack the stadium, night in and night out. The Bulls led the league in average attendance at home games from 2010-2018. And while the franchise saw its numbers dip in the 2018-2019 season — likely a direct result of the team's poor play — it still averaged 20,084 fans per game, the second most in the league.

3. Cost To Attend Oracle Arena: $324.86

Two tickets:$250.86
Two hot dogs:$14
Two beers:$25
Parking: $35

The Golden State Warriors are one of just three original NBA teams that are still in existence, along with the Celtics and the Knicks. The team is set to leave Oracle Arena for the brand-new Chase Center in San Francisco, where it will open the 2019-2020 season. The Warriors have won three championships in the past four seasons, and the team's recent success appears to have contributed to the high cost to attend a game. Oracle Arena is in a four-way tie for the second-most expensive beers in the league at $12.50, and ticket prices are the third highest.

2. Cost To Attend Staples Center (Los Angeles Lakers): $334.01

Two tickets:$280.82
Two hot dogs:$13
Two beers:$19.50
Parking:$20.69

The Los Angeles Lakers charge a premium for their tickets — over $50 more for the average ticket than the Los Angeles Clippers, who play in the same basketball arena. How can they command such a premium? Maybe it's the 16 NBA championship titles the franchise has won.

1. Cost To Attend Madison Square Garden: $453.56

Two tickets:$361.56
Two hot dogs:$17
Two beers:$25
Parking:$50

The New York Knicks play at Madison Square Garden, the iconic Manhattan arena. Not surprisingly, this popular team commands not only the highest ticket prices in the league, but also charges the most for a hot dog at $8.50 and the most for parking at $50. It's also tied for the second-most expensive beers at $12.50, making a Knicks game the priciest pro basketball experience in the U.S. by a long shot.

Best NBA Arenas To Watch a Basketball Game

Watching an NBA game in person is a multifaceted experience, so naming the best arena is ultimately subjective. However, for those who are undecided on where to see a game, consider looking at the data to get a better sense of which team is worth checking out. If you want to see the team with the best chance of winning, go to AT&T Center to take in the Spurs, who have won 62.1% of their games over 43 years. If you want to see high-octane offense, seek out a game between the Bucks (118.1 points per game) and Warriors (117.7 points per game) — the two highest-scoring teams in the league this past season. If you want to see a new arena, head to Chase Center when it opens in fall 2019.

But if you're a true fan, the best NBA arena is the one where your favorite team plays — and where you can have a hot dog and a beer as you cheer alongside 20,000 of your closest friends.

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Methodology: GOBankingRates surveyed four costs of attending a basketball game at all 29 National Basketball Association (NBA) venues for two people: (1) ticket prices, based on average ticket price; (2) average cost of parking; (3) average price of beer; and (4) average price of a hot dog. All costs were sourced from Team Marketing Report's 2018-2019 NBA report. To find the cost of attending a game for two guests, the average price of a ticket, average price of a beer and average price of a hot dog were multiplied by two; the price of parking was not multiplied, assuming two guests take one vehicle. Stadium names were sourced from the official websites of the NBA or the stadiums.

Photo Disclaimer: Please note that some arena names have changed. As a result, images may show the former name of the arena.

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