Ticket prices for the first-ever National College Football Playoff Finals at Indiana University are at record highs, reflecting the overwhelming excitement of the fans.

The upcoming College Football Playoff (CFP) National Championship game between No. 1 Indiana and No. 10 Miami on January 19, 2026, has generated unprecedented demand, driving secondary market ticket prices to levels never seen before in the playoff era.

While the game is set for Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida—the home venue of the Hurricanes—the matchup pits an undefeated powerhouse against a resurgent program chasing its first title in over two decades, creating a perfect storm of hype and scarcity.

Indiana’s journey to this historic moment has captivated the college football world. The Hoosiers, coached by Curt Cignetti in just his second season, entered the 2025 season with modest expectations after a 3-9 record in 2023.

Yet they transformed into a dominant force, finishing the regular season 12-0, capturing the Big Ten title for the first time since 1967 with a victory over Ohio State, and earning the No. 1 overall seed in the expanded 12-team CFP.

Their playoff run has been nothing short of spectacular: a convincing 38-3 dismantling of Alabama in the Rose Bowl quarterfinal, followed by a 56-22 rout of Oregon in the Peach Bowl semifinal.

Led by Heisman-contending quarterback Fernando Mendoza and a suffocating defense, Indiana stands on the brink of a perfect 16-0 season and the program’s first-ever national championship.

For Hoosier fans, this is uncharted territory. Indiana has never appeared in a modern-era national title game, and the excitement has translated into massive travel support.

Thousands of crimson-clad supporters turned out in droves for the Peach Bowl in Atlanta, where they reportedly made up over 80% of the crowd in a neutral-site blowout.

Now, with the championship on the line, fans are eager to witness history in person, even if it means crossing the country to South Florida.

On the other side, Miami brings its own compelling narrative. The Hurricanes, entering the playoff as the No. 10 seed and the last team in, have authored one of the most improbable Cinderella runs in recent memory. Victories over higher-seeded opponents—including No. 7 Texas A&M, No.

2 Ohio State, and No. 6 Ole Miss in the Fiesta Bowl semifinal—have propelled them to their first title game appearance since 2001.

Playing in their home stadium at Hard Rock Stadium adds an extra layer of intrigue; although officially designated as the visiting team, the Hurricanes benefit from familiar surroundings and a passionate local fan base hungry to end a 24-year championship drought.

Miami’s five previous national titles (most recently in 2001) make this a chance to reclaim glory on their own turf.

The convergence of these storylines has sent ticket prices soaring on the secondary market. Before Indiana’s Peach Bowl win, the cheapest available seats hovered around $2,800.

In the immediate aftermath of the 56-22 victory, prices spiked dramatically, with get-in tickets jumping to approximately $3,734 at their peak and settling around $3,210 to $3,800 for upper-deck seats in recent days.

Average prices on platforms like Victory Live have reached $3,964 before fees, while some reports indicate historical highs averaging over $5,500 for the matchup. Individual listings on resale sites such as StubHub, TickPick, and others have exceeded $10,000 for premium locations.

Experts attribute the surge to several factors. Limited supply plays a major role: each school receives an allotment of about 20,000 tickets for allocation to season ticket holders, donors, alumni, and priority groups based on donation levels and loyalty points.

These face-value tickets are distributed first, leaving fewer options on the open market. The secondary market then absorbs the remaining demand, where scarcity meets fervor. Miami’s home-field advantage draws local buyers willing to pay premiums for a rare opportunity to see their team in a championship setting.

Meanwhile, Indiana’s newfound national profile and loyal traveling fan base—many traveling long distances for the first time to see their program at this stage—further intensifies competition for seats.

Ticket analysts compare the current market to a Super Bowl, where one-off events create volatile pricing. TickPick’s Kyle Zorn noted the similarity, highlighting how both fan bases, starved for recent success at this level, are driving unprecedented demand.

Fluctuations are expected in the final days leading up to kickoff, with prices potentially rising or dipping slightly based on last-minute releases or shifts in sentiment.

However, the consensus is that this year’s title game is on track to be the most expensive in CFP history, surpassing previous highs like the $2,716 average for the 2025 Notre Dame-Ohio State matchup or the $1,975 for Washington-Michigan in 2024.

For many fans, the cost has proven prohibitive. Stories abound of alumni and supporters shocked by four-figure prices for even the nosebleed sections, forcing tough decisions between attending in person or watching from home.

Indiana University has organized a watch party on campus for those unable to make the trip, allowing the Bloomington community to rally together. Airlines have added flights to accommodate the expected influx of Hoosier supporters, underscoring the event’s magnitude.

As kickoff approaches on January 19 at 7:30 p.m. ET, broadcast on ESPN, the focus will shift to the field. Indiana seeks to cap a transformative era with perfection, while Miami aims to author a storybook ending in front of their home crowd.

Regardless of the outcome, the record-high ticket prices serve as a tangible measure of the overwhelming excitement surrounding this clash.

Fans on both sides view it as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and the market has responded accordingly, turning what was once a distant dream into an extraordinarily expensive reality for those determined to be there in person.