As the College Football Playoff semifinals arrive, the ticket market is telling a familiar late-January story: urgency on the field, patience rewarded at the box office. With kickoff hours away in Glendale and Atlanta, asking prices for both semifinal games have continued to drift lower from their early-January levels, creating genuine last-minute opportunities for fans willing to stay flexible.
That softening has coincided with a bracket that, while still compelling, lacks some of the traditional demand drivers. As was noted after the quarterfinals, Miami and Ole Miss bring contrasting styles and recent momentum, while Indiana and Oregon represent programs chasing modern-era validation rather than defending entrenched national brands. That novelty makes for great television — but it often tempers last-minute resale demand.
All prices below reflect current average asking prices and current inventory snapshots and can change quickly as kickoff approaches.
| Game | Date | Venue | Avg. Asking Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fiesta Bowl (CFP Semifinal) | Jan 8, 2026 | State Farm Stadium (Glendale, AZ) | $494 |
| Peach Bowl (CFP Semifinal) | Jan 9, 2026 | Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Atlanta, GA) | $546 |
| CFP National Championship | Jan 19, 2026 | Hard Rock Stadium (Miami Gardens, FL) | $6,931 |
For comparison, when we last checked in on January 2, Fiesta Bowl tickets were averaging $642 and Peach Bowl listings sat near $648. The continued slide since then underscores how quickly CFP semifinal markets can loosen once travel plans, fanbases, and inventory realities collide.
Fiesta Bowl (Miami vs. Ole Miss): When the Market Finally Blinks
The Fiesta Bowl has evolved into the clearest example of a late-market reset. As ESPN’s preview coverage highlighted, Miami’s path has been defined by physical dominance up front, while Ole Miss arrived in Glendale with an offense that barely slowed down despite postseason changes. It’s a compelling football matchup — but one that hasn’t translated into sustained resale pressure.
Current snapshot:
Get-in: $73
Overall median listing: ~$225 per ticket
That median number is the key signal. When half the available inventory is clustered around the low $200s, sellers are no longer dictating terms — buyers are. It’s the kind of setup that often leads to last-hour price jockeying as kickoff nears.
Current Inventory Pricing by Stadium Area
- 400 Level Terrace: $73–$409
- 400 Level Ring of Honor: $187–$2,116
- 200 Level Middle: $183–$5,622
Current Lower Bowl Ranges
- 100 Level End Zones: $158–$3,398
- 100 Level Corners: $158–$2,007
- 100 Level Sidelines: $277–$3,880 (one $10,894 Row 1 listing stands well above the rest of the sideline market)
- Lower VIP: $950–$1,215
Ticket takeaway: This is a classic “trade-up” environment. Fans starting in the upper levels or shopping on a budget can often find lower-corner or end-zone seats without paying a dramatic premium. When a CFP semifinal offers seated lower-bowl options under $200 on game day, patience has clearly paid off.
Peach Bowl (Indiana vs. Oregon): Firmer Than Glendale, Still Flexible
The Peach Bowl market has held together a bit more tightly, reflecting both Atlanta’s travel accessibility and a matchup ESPN framed as a contrast between Indiana’s completeness and Oregon’s disruptive, turnover-driven defense. That intrigue has helped keep asking prices from collapsing — but it hasn’t eliminated value.
Current snapshot:
Get-in: Standing Room $165 | Seated $230
The presence of standing room inventory matters here. It creates a low entry point that indirectly pressures seated listings, especially in the upper and club-adjacent tiers.
Current Inventory Pricing by Tier
- 300 Level: $230–$912
- 300 Level Club: $288–$469
- 200 Level Mezzanine: $379–$912
- Suites: $1,092–$1,606
Current Lower Bowl Ranges
- 100 Level End Zones: $374–$762
- 100 Level Corners: $413–$932
- 100 Level Sidelines: $454–$1,164
- 100 Level “Club” Sidelines: $594–$3,224
Ticket takeaway: The Peach Bowl rewards flexibility more than timing. Buyers willing to move between tiers — especially into 300 Club or certain mezzanine sections — can often land improved sightlines without paying a true CFP premium.
CFP National Championship: A Market Waiting on Certainty
Unlike the semifinals, the National Championship remains a forward-looking market. With current average asking prices at $6,931, sellers are clearly pricing in the anticipation of fanbase travel once the finalists are known. Historically, this is the calm before the storm — the real reshuffling usually happens immediately after the semifinal results are final.
Bottom Line
As kickoff approaches, the story is clear:
- The Fiesta Bowl has become a true buyer’s market, with deep inventory and meaningful last-minute value.
- The Peach Bowl remains firmer but still offers multiple consumer-friendly paths into the building.
- The National Championship is priced for uncertainty — and poised to move quickly once the matchup is set.
For fans willing to wait, the CFP semifinals have once again shown why patience — and flexibility — are often rewarded in the final hours before kickoff.