Notre Dame football fans hoping to see school's marquee home games this season will "have to dig a bit deeper into their pockets," as the school in April disclosed a $25 increase in the top ticket price, according to Tyler James of the SOUTH BEND TRIBUNE. Home games against Texas and USC last season were priced at $125, while matchups against Michigan State and Miami this season "will cost fans $150 apiece." Notre Dame Associate AD/Ticketing, Premium & Technology Rob Kelly has "started to receive feedback on the pricing but stands by the decisions made by the ticket office and athletic department." When Notre Dame switched to variable pricing in '11, it "opened the door" for the school to "charge more for marquee games." At the same time, the ticket office has "endeavored to keep at least one game at a lower price point." While the cheapest ticket has "only increased from $70 to $75" since '11, the "most expensive ticket has nearly doubled, from $80 to $150." The first season Notre Dame introduced variable pricing, only "two levels of tickets were offered." This season, the six home games are "priced at four different levels, which happened for the first time" in '14. The season-opener against Nevada "is the only game priced at the $75 level." Tickets for the Duke and Virginia Tech games "cost $85, with the Stanford game slated at $125." Based on experience, Kelly "doesn't anticipate having trouble selling tickets to the highest-priced games." The Notre Dame Stadium sellout streak of 249 games, with 80,795 seats to sell, "doesn't appear in jeopardy" (SOUTH BEND TRIBUNE, 5/29).
