The NBA Finals 2026 between the San Antonio Spurs and New York Knicks are producing a rather unusual scenario. While the series has generated massive media attention, the secondary ticket market is showing two completely different realities in Texas and New York.

After the Spurs’ victory in the Western Conference Finals, prices for Games 1 and 2 on the secondary market have collapsed. A surprising development, especially considering San Antonio is hosting the Finals for the first time since its 2014 championship run.

Prices cut in half after the Thunder elimination

According to data from TickPick, tickets for Game 1 and Game 2 dropped by more than 50% following the elimination of the Oklahoma City Thunder.

For Game 1, the cheapest entry price was initially set at $2,105. After the Thunder lost Game 7, that figure fell to $943, a 53% drop.

A similar trend followed for Game 2, which went from $2,420 to $1,162, a 52% decrease.

The shift is even more surprising considering the massive viewership numbers from the Spurs-Thunder Western Conference Finals, including over 2 billion social media views, the most-watched game of the 2025-26 season, and Game 6 of the WCF becoming the most-watched conference finals game since 2002, averaging 11.6 million viewers.

The absence of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander impacts demand

One of the main reasons for the price drop is likely the elimination of the Thunder and their star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.

The reigning MVP was one of the biggest attractions of the postseason, and Oklahoma City had the chance to attempt a rare back-to-back championship run, something not seen since 2018.

His exit has clearly reduced interest among neutral fans, who were drawn to one of the league’s brightest stars.

On top of that, the Spurs are a young team making their first playoff appearance since 2019. San Antonio is entering a new era, but the local market has not yet reached the demand levels of more established contenders.

New York goes the opposite way: record prices at Madison Square Garden

While prices fall in Texas, the opposite is happening in New York.

The Knicks are back in the Finals for the first time in 27 years, and the city’s excitement is directly reflected in ticket prices.

For Game 3 at Madison Square Garden, the cheapest ticket is now close to $4,200, about $500 higher than last week and $1,700 above levels seen two weeks ago.

Game 4 is also rising, surpassing $3,900, while a potential Game 6 has already reached $5,300 just for entry into the arena.

For the most exclusive seats, especially courtside, prices enter a completely different range: many tickets are listed above $40,000, with some listings even reaching six-figure numbers.

Is it cheaper to fly to Texas?

For many Knicks fans, the answer might be yes.

Even including flights and hotels, attending a game at the Frost Bank Center in San Antonio may cost less than buying a single ticket at Madison Square Garden.

Minimum prices for Games 1 and 2 range between $1,000 and $1,300, significantly lower than New York’s asking prices.

Of course, the appeal of Madison Square Garden remains unique. Many Knicks season-ticket holders now face a dilemma: experience a historic moment in person or cash out thousands of dollars by reselling their seats.

The Spurs’ future could change everything

The price drop in San Antonio does not appear to be tied to the Spurs-Knicks matchup itself, but rather to the cultural and market differences between the two cities.

New York remains one of the biggest and most passionate sports markets in the world, while San Antonio is still rebuilding its return to the top tier.

The sense is that this situation may not last much longer. If Victor Wembanyama continues to develop and leads the Spurs to an NBA title, demand could spike dramatically in future seasons.

In that case, seeing ticket prices cut in half ahead of the Finals might become nothing more than a distant memory.