Loyal fans want to ensure that they’re in attendance at every game their team plays, come rain or shine.
The best way to do this is to buy a season pass, but what does that mean? And what does it include?
Clubs might personalize many aspects of a season pass but the premise remains the same. Let’s look at what’s involved in season passes in soccer.
What is a season pass in soccer?
A season pass is a ticket that grants you entry to every home game in a club’s season.
The cost varies from club to club but the principle is the same: you’re guaranteed a seat at every one of the club’s home league fixtures (some clubs add cup games onto this).
Nowadays, season passes tend to come in card form that you scan upon entry to the club’s stadium. However, clubs further down soccer pyramids might be more conscious of their expenditure and stick to the more traditional paper season passes.
Typically, your season pass means you will sit in the same seat throughout the season.
Is a season pass the same as a season ticket?
Yes, a season pass is the same as a season ticket.
Some clubs call their season passes different things but effectively, season passes, season tickets, and season cards are the same thing.
Which team has the most expensive season pass?
Within MLS, and perhaps globally too, Inter Miami’s Premium Level 2, packed full of luxurious benefits, is the most expensive ticket listed online, priced at a staggering $24,852. Premium Level 1 would be even more expensive – but the club doesn’t list this price online!
In Europe’s top five leagues, Paris Saint-Germain currently has the most expensive season pass at a staggering €5,720 ($5,570). This appears to be general admission.
London club Tottenham Hotspur currently sells the most expensive general admission season pass in English soccer at £2,025 ($2,205).
Which team has the cheapest season pass?
The award for the cheapest MLS season pass for next season, at least from the data we have, goes to Houston Dynamo at a very reasonable $240. Dynamo hasn’t performed well thus far in the 2022 season but, hopefully, these low prices will attract new fans.
You’d have to travel to Spain to see the cheapest showing of elite soccer in one of Europe’s top five leagues.
The Costa Blanca outfit Elche, one of the minnows of La Liga, offers the cheapest season pass at just €115 ($112).
Not bad at all if you consider some of the opponents they will be facing. Although, just one point from their opening six games in the 2022/23 season might indicate why their prices are so low.
Season pass prices in the MLS reviewed (2023)
As you will see from the table below, we have compiled a list of each MLS club’s cheapest and most expensive season passes for the 2023 season, or the latest season available if the 2023 figures aren’t available.
Unfortunately, some clubs don’t publish their season ticket prices to the public, so we only have unverified data on LAFC, New York City FC, and Real Salt Lake’s season pass prices.
It’s hard to say definitively which club has the worst value for money because some clubs have already sold many of their blocks that would appear to be the lowest priced without explicitly stating what those prices are.
It appears that FC Dallas, Nashville SC, and Orlando City SC have all been performing quite well this season and offer season passes for under $400, presenting good value for money.
However, DC United, Sporting KC, and Toronto FC all charge over $500 for season passes yet the clubs have underwhelmed on the field so far this season.
| Club | Year | Cheapest | Most expensive |
| Atlanta United | 2023 | $460 | $14,520 |
| Austin | 2021 | $475 | $912 |
| Charlotte | 2022 | $486 | $2,250 |
| Chicago Fire | 2023 | $360 | $6,048 |
| FC Cincinnati | 2023 | $418 | $9,500 |
| Colorado Rapids | 2023 | $361 | $4,313 |
| Columbus Crew | 2023 | $594 | $1,494 |
| FC Dallas | 2022 | $360 | $999 |
| DC United | 2023 | $520 | $4,600 |
| Houston Dynamo | 2023 | $240 | $4,900 |
| LAFC | 2020 | $374 | – |
| LA Galaxy | 2023 | $446 | $6,175 |
| Inter Miami | 2023 | $418 | $24,852 |
| Minnesota United | 2023 | $405 | $4,960 |
| CF Montreal | 2023 | $418 | $1,420 |
| Nashville SC | 2023 | $374 | $2,040 |
| New England Revolution | 2023 | $405 | $4,887 |
| New York City FC | 2020 | $442 | – |
| New York Red Bulls | 2023 | $437 | $3,483 |
| Orlando City SC | 2023 | $306 | $2,790 |
| Philadelphia Union | 2023 | $513 | $7,524 |
| Portland Timbers | 2023 | $515 | $12,815 |
| Real Salt Lake | 2020 | $216 | – |
| San Jose Earthquakes | 2023 | $440 | $3,400 |
| Seattle Sounders | 2023 | $468 | $1,746 |
| Sporting KC | 2023 | $540 | $1,200 |
| St Louis City SC | 2023 | $374 | $2,057 |
| Toronto FC | 2023 | $587 | $5,937 |
| Vancouver Whitecaps | 2023 | $400 | $3,202 |
How do you buy a season pass?
Season passes will almost always be sold directly by the club.
There might be instances where clubs outsource third parties to sell their season passes but you should always check with the club that this is the case before placing your order.
Are season passes worth it?
Season passes are certainly worth it if you’re a devoted fan.
If you know that you’ll likely be attending the majority of a team’s games, buying a season pass can take the hassle out of sourcing each match’s ticket.
You might also get to know the people that are regularly sitting near you so a season pass is a good way to socialize.
Pros and cons of season passes
Pros
- You don’t need to fret about securing your seat for any fixture.
- It often works out cheaper per game instead of buying tickets individually.
- You’ll likely be able to choose where in the stadium you’ll sit.
- Fans with season passes are usually given priority windows to purchase tickets for away games, cup games, and season passes for the following campaign.
- Clubs often provide discounts on merchandise, food, beverages, and stadium events for season pass holders.
Cons
- If for some reason, you lose enthusiasm early on, you won’t get your money back.
- Some clubs don’t provide payment schemes in monthly installments, instead requiring 100% of the cost upfront. Those that do have monthly installments often charge a bit more to do so.
- You might not be able to move seats easily once you’ve chosen if you want a different view.
Are season passes cheaper than buying tickets for every game?
Typically, season passes work out cheaper per game than buying tickets individually.
Clubs like to reward loyalty with cheaper rates for their games than occasional fans would be paying.
However, if you know that your club is unlikely to sell out their stadium, it would be a good idea to calculate whether it’s beneficial to buy a season pass or each game as they come, just in case.
Recap: Season passes in soccer
Who knows? Maybe your season pass is relatively cheap and your club goes on to perform impressively throughout the season. Or you could be charged a lot only to watch a disappointing campaign.
Part of the beauty of buying that season ticket is that you never know what could happen. That pre-season hope and optimism get fans through the turnstiles.
If you’re certain that you want to and will be able to attend most of your team’s games, a season pass could be just the ticket for you.
Make sure to check all the benefits you’d receive as part of your purchase beforehand as there are a lot of perks to be had.