A new study examining ticket prices across major NASCAR events has revealed significant differences in the cost of attending races across the United States, with New Hampshire emerging as the most affordable state for fans while Connecticut ranks as the most expensive.
The research, conducted by Westgate Events, analysed ticket pricing data from 90 NASCAR events held across 23 states. The study covered a range of competitions including the NASCAR Cup Series, the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series and the Craftsman Truck Series, comparing the average lowest-priced tickets available in each state.
According to the findings, New Hampshire offers the lowest barrier to entry for NASCAR supporters, with the average cheapest ticket costing just $37. The state hosts two events at New Hampshire Motor Speedway in Loudon, where the lowest available ticket price was recorded at $20, making it one of the most accessible venues in the study.
Georgia ranked as the second most affordable state for NASCAR fans. Two events staged at EchoPark Speedway in Hampton had an average lowest ticket price of $38, only marginally higher than New Hampshire.
Delaware placed third overall, with an average lowest ticket cost of $42 across three events hosted at Dover Motor Speedway, including the NASCAR Cup Series All-Star Race. However, while entry-level tickets in Delaware remain relatively affordable, the state also recorded some of the highest resale prices in the country, with premium resale tickets reaching as much as $6,215.
Michigan followed in fourth place with an average lowest ticket price of $45 across three events. The cheapest ticket available in the state was $24, while premium seating options exceeded $500.
Pennsylvania completed the top five most affordable states for NASCAR supporters. Events held there had an average lowest ticket cost of $48, with entry-level prices starting from $41.
Connecticut tops the list for highest ticket costs
At the opposite end of the rankings, Connecticut was identified as the most expensive state for NASCAR fans. The study found that the average lowest-priced ticket for an event in the state stood at $162, considerably higher than every other state included in the analysis.
Ohio ranked as the second most expensive market, with the average lowest ticket price reaching $114. California followed closely behind at $112, despite hosting five NASCAR events across the year.
Florida, another major NASCAR destination, also recorded high ticket prices. Across eight events in the state, the average lowest-priced ticket was $97, while premium tickets climbed to almost $12,000.
The report also highlighted North Carolina, widely regarded as the heartland of NASCAR, as one of the more affordable destinations for supporters. The state ranked sixth overall, with an average cheapest ticket price of $53 across eight events.
Westgate Events said the findings reflect wider concerns about rising entertainment costs and the increasing financial pressure on sports fans.
Discussing the findings, a spokesperson for Westgate Events commented: “The inflation of ticket prices for any event, far beyond just that of NASCAR, is headline news right now. Many Americans simply cannot afford to do the things that they really enjoy due to the rise in ticket prices.
“NASCAR has always had a family-friendly culture around it, so maintaining affordability for fans that often come with all their friends or all their family is crucial. For many NASCAR fans, this study will highlight where you can watch these amazing races without needing to spend a lot of money.
“Interestingly, North Carolina is the sixth most affordable state too with the average lowest price of a ticket being $53 across the events hosted there. Maintaining affordable ticket prices is a top priority for many NASCAR fans who want to enjoy the thrill and excitement of going to watch a race without needing to compromise financially.”
Large disparities in premium ticket pricing
Beyond entry-level ticket costs, the study also pointed to large variations in premium and resale pricing across the NASCAR calendar.
New Hampshire, despite having the cheapest average entry prices, also recorded one of the highest-priced tickets in the dataset at more than $20,000. California followed with maximum ticket prices exceeding $12,000, while Florida’s most expensive ticket listings approached $11,934.
Industry observers say the findings underline the increasingly complex pricing structure surrounding live sporting events, where affordable entry-level seats continue to exist alongside high-value hospitality and resale packages aimed at premium buyers.
The study arrives at a time when ticket inflation across major sporting and entertainment events continues to attract scrutiny, particularly as organisers seek to balance commercial growth with accessibility for long-standing fan bases.
