The Ravens are looking to produce another highlight-reel season.
And they’re confident the players will deliver that encore performance.
That’s one of the reasons it’s going to be a bit more expensive for fans to take in the action.
The team sent a letter to season ticket holders that prices are on the rise.
“Ticket prices will increase for the first time in three seasons and only the second time in seven years. We are committed to keep the same prices for 2021. Our prices are increasing a blended 6.45% (some zones have a higher increase, some have lower additions and one remained the same),” the letter said.
In addition, the Ravens unveiled adjustments to the renewal process with payment deadlines of March 15 (50%) and May 15 (final). The previous dates were early March and June 1.
The Ravens were ranked 16th among all NFL teams with an average price of $103.59 last season, according to Statista.com. The Los Angeles Rams had the highest-priced tickets at $165.77, followed by the New England Patriots ($127.04), Chicago Bears ($124.51), Green Bay Packers ($122.68) and Philadelphia Eagles ($119.59).
The Ravens aren’t the only team in the AFC North raising prices.
The Cleveland Browns had the league’s most disappointing performance last year, but the franchise announced they were raising ticket prices $5 or less for nearly 40 percent of the seats, and about two-thirds of the stadium will increase by $10 or less per game, according to a statement released by the team.
“We have a deep appreciation for the support of our season ticket members and fans. We will always prioritize providing affordable options for all, while looking at ticket prices throughout the NFL to determine our structure,” Browns Vice President of Communications, Peter John-Baptiste said in a statement. “The last 12 years, our ticket prices have remained flat in many areas.
“After careful consideration and discussion, we created a moderate increase that will still fall within the four least expensive season tickets in the NFL. We fully understand that our results on the field have not met expectations, either ours or our fans, and we are working hard to create the success that our fans truly deserve,” he wrote.
Unlike the struggling Browns, the Ravens had the best record in the NFL last season at 14-2. They won a second straight AFC crown and earned the No. 1 seed in the playoffs for the first time in franchise history. However, the season ended with a thud in a 28-12 loss to the Tennessee Titans in the divisional round of the playoffs.
The Ravens are poised to make another run in 2020 behind NFL MVP Lamar Jackson. The team also has the easiest schedule among all 32 teams based on the 2019 win percentages of their upcoming opponents.
In addition to their AFC North schedule against the Cincinnati Bengals (2-14), Browns (6-10) and Pittsburgh Steelers (8-8), the Ravens will play the NFC East, AFC South and the other division winners in their conference in the 2020 regular season.
Baltimore will host the Jacksonville Jaguars (6-10), Tennessee Titans (9-7), Dallas Cowboys (8-8), New York Giants (4-12) and Kansas City Chiefs (12-4).
The Ravens take the road against Beltway rivals, the Washington Redskins (3-13), Philadelphia Eagles (9-7), Indianapolis Colts (7-9), and Houston Texans (10-6).
The Ravens also will likely have several prime-time games. The match against the Kansas City Chiefs will be the most highly anticipated game of the season.
So, while the costs will be going up, the Ravens plan to provide a solid product on the field. It’s a fair trade if the team can make a deeper run in the postseason and have the city illuminated in purple once again.
