LeBron Effect’: 76ers Preseason Match Costs 142% More Than Last Regular Season

Topline The “get-in” price for the Philadelphia 76ers preseason home debut has surged following the team’s signing of LeBron James, according to secondary ticket marketplace TickPick, far exceeding the average cost of a 76ers regular season home game ticket in 2025.

The “get-in” price for James’ preseason home debut against the Boston Celtics on Oct. 16 is $165 on the secondary market, which is 142% more expensive than the overall average purchase price ($68) for 76ers regular season home games in the 2025-26 season, according to TickPick.

Several non-premium tickets have reached as high as $589 for the preseason matchup on TickPick.

The vast majority of other preseason games in October featuring teams other than the 76ers have get-in prices well below the $100 mark, with some matchups offering tickets around the $30 range.

The NBA is expected to release its schedule for the 2026-27 regular season in mid-August, according to The Athletic .

It is “safe to say” the average purchase price for 76ers home games this season will be 40% higher than last season, Brett Goldberg, co-CEO at TickPick, told Forbes in an email.

"LeBron has been one of the NBA’s biggest draws, if not its biggest, over the last 23 years. We've seen the 'LeBron Effect' play out in the past. When he joins a new team, ticket prices spike,” Goldberg said. “Given the nature of this move and where he's at in his career, joining Philly will undoubtedly have the same effect. When the 76ers are on the road, ticket prices will increase even more. Fans know there are only a few chances left to see LeBron in action, and the time to do it is now.”

James announced last week he would join the 76ers, revealing he was “pretty sure I played my last game” in the previous NBA season. James called the choice his “ last decision ,” noting he wants to have a “chance at the feeling of winning another championship.” James signed with the 76ers on a two-year, $8 million deal with a player option, extending what is already the longest NBA career of all time. The contract is a significant pay cut for James, who is the fourth-highest-paid athlete in the world and has an estimated net worth of $1.4 billion.

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