Ask fans whether they’d like to go to more games and most will say yes. Ask what’s stopping them and the answers line up fast, with one reason far out in front.
According to Alchemer’s 2026 Fan Experience Report Card, 48.4% of fans say ticket prices are the main thing keeping them from attending more often. That’s more than double the next answer. Here’s the full ranking and what each barrier tells venue and team leaders.
TL;DR — key takeaways
- Ticket prices are the #1 barrier to attending more games at 48.4%, per Alchemer’s 2026 Fan Experience Report Card.
- Parking, concessions and other on-site costs rank second at 17.4%. Combined, 66% of fans point to cost.
- Fans report a median of $10 for a beverage and $11 for a basic food item at the venue.
- Venue inconvenience (13.5%) ranks third, ahead of watching from home (9.8%).
- Only 0.7% say the in-venue experience isn’t worth it compared with watching on TV.
What is the #1 reason fans don’t attend more games?
Ticket prices, cited by 48.4% of fans, according to Alchemer’s 2026 Fan Experience Report Card. No other barrier comes close. Price sets the starting point for every game-day decision, and the add-ons stack on top of it.
What keeps fans from attending live sports, ranked?
Here’s the complete ranking. Fans chose the single biggest barrier to attending more often.
| Rank | Barrier to attending more often | % of fans |
|---|---|---|
| #1 | Ticket prices are too high | 48.4% |
| #2 | Parking, concessions or other on-site costs add up too much | 17.4% |
| #3 | The venue is inconvenient (location, parking, getting in and out) | 13.5% |
| #4 | It’s easier and more comfortable to watch from home | 9.8% |
| #5 | My schedule doesn’t allow it | 4.7% |
| #6 | Other | 2.6% |
| #7 | Health, mobility or accessibility reasons | 2.1% |
| #8 | I don’t have anyone to go with | 0.7% |
| #8 | The in-venue experience isn’t worth it compared to TV | 0.7% |
| #10 | Tickets are hard to get, sold out or scalped | 0.2% |
Read the top of the list as one story. The first two answers are both about money, and the third is about the effort of getting to and from the building. Three of the top four barriers sit in pricing and operations, far from anything that happens on the field.
How much do fans pay for food and drinks at games?
Fans in the study reported paying a median of $10 for a beverage and $11 for a basic food item like a hot dog or nachos. Averages run higher, which means a meaningful share of fans paid well above the median.
| Concession item | Median price | Average price |
|---|---|---|
| Beverage | $10 | $12.95 |
| Basic food item (hot dog, nachos) | $11 | $14.22 |
Those prices don’t land one at a time. Fans experience the cumulative bill: ticket, fees, parking, a drink, a snack and maybe merchandise. That total shapes how the night feels.
Do fans prefer watching sports at home or in person?
Not on experience. Only 9.8% of fans say it’s easier and more comfortable to watch from home, and just 0.7% say the in-venue experience isn’t worth it compared with TV. Fans still prefer the building. What they’re weighing is whether the night delivers enough to cover the full cost of being there.
Find out which barrier your fans feel most. Alchemer helps sports venues and teams survey fans after every event, segment results by ticket type and act on what’s keeping people home. Explore Alchemer for Sports and Venues →
How can venues get fans to attend more games?
Venues can’t control every factor in ticket pricing. Demand, market size, league economics and resale all play a role, and fans know it. What venues can control is predictability. The report card’s value section points to three practical moves:
- Show the all-in price early. A total fans can see before checkout feels fairer than the same total revealed at the last step.
- Bundle the add-ons. Packaging parking or concessions with a ticket turns a surprise cost into a known one.
- Shrink the hassle. The 13.5% who call the venue inconvenient are describing entry, exit and parking, the same friction points fans want predictive wait times for.
The barriers at the top of this list are real, but they aren’t fixed. The more predictable the total cost and the smoother the trip, the easier it is for a fan to say yes to the next game.
Want the full report? Download the complete 2026 Fan Experience Report Card for Sports Venues and Teams for the full value-of-a-ticket benchmarks, fee and dynamic pricing data, and the segment breakdowns behind every barrier.
Methodology: Alchemer surveyed 1,064 U.S. fans who attended a professional or college sporting event in the past 12 months. The 2026 study covers ticket value, venue experience, technology and fan feedback.
FAQ
Q: What is the biggest reason fans don’t attend more sporting events?
A: Ticket prices, cited by 48.4% of fans in Alchemer’s 2026 Fan Experience Report Card, more than double any other barrier.
Q: How much does food cost at sporting events in 2026?
A: Fans reported a median of $11 for a basic food item and $10 for a beverage, with averages of $14.22 and $12.95, per Alchemer’s 2026 data.
Q: Do fans prefer watching sports at home?
A: Few do. Only 9.8% say home is easier and more comfortable, and 0.7% say the in-venue experience isn’t worth it compared with TV.
Q: How can venues encourage fans to attend more often?
A: Make the total cost predictable with all-in pricing and bundles, and reduce friction at entry, exit and parking.