Playoff football delivers the most intense games of the season. Teams fight for their Super Bowl dreams in freezing January weather. Fans pack every stadium despite the cold. Tickets vanish within hours of going on sale.
Getting into a playoff game takes real planning. You can’t just decide on game day and expect tickets. Prices jump way higher than regular season. Scammers flood the market with fake tickets.
This complete guide walks you through everything about 2026 playoff tickets. We cover the exact schedule for all rounds. Real ticket prices from Wild Card through Super Bowl. The safest platforms for buying. Money-saving strategies that actually work.
When Do NFL Playoff Tickets Go On Sale in 2026?
Playoff tickets went on sale after teams clinched their playoff spots. The regular season ended January 4-5, 2026. All playoff matchups are now confirmed.
Season ticket holders got first access through exclusive presales. The Seahawks ran their presale December 8-9, 2025. Most teams offered “Pay As We Play” plans where your card only gets charged when games are confirmed.
The general public can buy tickets now through verified resale sites. Wild Card games begin this Saturday, January 10, 2026. Major platforms like StubHub show thousands of tickets available right now with real-time pricing.
View current playoff ticket prices on StubHub
2026 NFL Playoffs Schedule: Key Dates You Need to Know
The playoffs are underway with all matchups set.
Wild Card Round: January 10-12, 2026
Saturday, January 10:
- 4:30 PM ET: #5 Rams at #4 Panthers (FOX) – Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte
- 8:00 PM ET: #7 Packers at #2 Bears (Amazon Prime Video) – Soldier Field, Chicago
Sunday, January 11:
- 1:00 PM ET: #6 Bills at #3 Jaguars (CBS) – TIAA Bank Field, Jacksonville
- 4:30 PM ET: #6 49ers at #3 Eagles (FOX) – Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia
- 8:00 PM ET: #7 Chargers at #2 Patriots (NBC) – Gillette Stadium, Foxborough
Monday, January 12:
- 8:15 PM ET: #5 Texans at #4 Steelers (ESPN/ABC) – Acrisure Stadium, Pittsburgh
Divisional Round: January 17-18, 2026
Four games over the weekend. Top seeds Denver Broncos and Seattle Seahawks enter here after their bye week. The Broncos host at Empower Field at Mile High. The Seahawks host at Lumen Field. Two other stadiums will host based on Wild Card results.
Conference Championships: January 25, 2026
AFC Championship and NFC Championship both on Sunday. CBS airs the AFC title game. FOX airs the NFC title game.
Super Bowl LX: February 8, 2026
Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California hosts. Kickoff at 3:30 PM PT / 6:30 PM ET. Bad Bunny headlines the halftime show. NBC broadcasts the game with streaming on Peacock. Levi’s Stadium seats 68,500 fans.
NFL Playoff Ticket Prices 2026: What to Expect
Playoff tickets cost significantly more than regular season games.
| Playoff Round | Starting Price | Average Price | Premium Seats |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wild Card Round | $145-$220 | $300-$800 | $1,000-$14,746 |
| Divisional Round | $400+ | $600-$1,000 | $2,000-$28,349+ |
| Conference Championships | $800+ | $1,200-$2,500 | $3,000-$10,000+ |
| Super Bowl LX | $1,800-$2,000 | $5,000-$8,787 | $7,000-$15,000+ |
Wild Card tickets currently average $803 for premium matchups on StubHub. The Eagles versus 49ers game shows the cheapest get-in price at $220. Super Bowl LX tickets average $8,787 across platforms.
What Affects Prices
Popular teams like Dallas, Green Bay and Pittsburgh cost more because their fan bases are massive. The Packers-Bears game creates huge demand with prices reflecting the historic rivalry.
Smaller stadiums mean fewer seats and higher prices. Soldier Field seats just 63,500 fans. Lower bowl seats near midfield cost three to four times more than upper deck.
Seat location creates massive price gaps. End zone seats cost less but deliver excellent views. Upper deck saves hundreds with clear sightlines. StubHub’s interactive seat maps let you see the actual view from each section before buying.
Season ticket holders pay the lowest prices when buying directly from teams. Most fans buy from resale markets where prices change constantly.
Where to Buy NFL Playoff Tickets 2026 Safely
Scammers flood the market during playoffs. You need verified platforms that protect buyers.
Official NFL Partners
- Ticketmaster – Official Ticket Marketplace of the NFL. All tickets verified. Mobile delivery. All fees shown upfront.
- NFL Ticket Exchange – The league’s official resale platform through Ticketmaster. 100% verified tickets with buyer protection.
Most Trusted Secondary Marketplace
StubHub – The most recognized name in ticket resales with the largest inventory for playoff games. Interactive seat maps show your exact view before buying with photos from actual fans who sat there.
The 100% FanProtect guarantee covers every purchase. Full refunds including all fees if your game doesn’t happen because your team loses. StubHub processes automatic refunds within 5 business days. No paperwork needed.
Last-minute tickets remain available until kickoff. The mobile app makes buying and transferring tickets easy. Prices update in real-time so you see current market rates. Seller competition often drives prices down as game day approaches.
Tens of thousands of fans choose StubHub for playoff tickets because the platform has operated since 2000. The company maintains the strongest buyer protections in the industry.
Other NFL Licensed Partners
- SeatGeek – Official partner in the NFL Ticket Network. Deal Score rankings show best value. All-in pricing with no hidden fees.
- Sports Illustrated Tickets – NFL licensed partner. Verified authentic tickets with full buyer protection.
Additional Trusted Options
- Vivid Seats – Trusted by over 100 million fans. 100% Buyer Guarantee. Rewards program earns credits on purchases.
- TickPick – No hidden fees whatsoever. Shows all costs upfront before checkout.
- Gametime – Mobile-first platform with last-minute deals. Easy mobile ticket transfer.
Never Touch These
Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace carry extreme fraud risk. Most tickets are counterfeit or stolen. No buyer protection exists. Street sellers outside stadiums primarily deal in fake tickets.
Tips for Getting the Best Deal on NFL Playoff Tickets
When to Buy
Buy early for best seat selection and certainty. Wait until game day for possible price drops as sellers panic. Set price alerts on StubHub for instant notifications when tickets hit your target.
Compare Across Platforms
Open StubHub, SeatGeek, Vivid Seats and TickPick in separate tabs. Same game and section often show wildly different prices. One platform lists $450 while another has $380 for identical seats. Ten minutes of comparing saves real money.
Choose Seats Wisely
End zone seats cost less but deliver excellent views. Upper deck saves hundreds with clear sightlines in modern stadiums. Use seat view maps before buying. An upper centered seat sometimes beats a lower corner seat with awkward angles.
Target Cheaper Rounds
Wild Card Weekend starts at $145 versus $400 minimum for later rounds. Six games across three days provide options. Playoff intensity hits hard even in the opening round.
NFL Playoff Ticket Refund Policy: What You Need to Know
You get a full automatic refund if your purchased game doesn’t happen. Buy Divisional tickets but your team loses in Wild Card? Money comes back within five business days.
StubHub leads the industry in refund protection. The platform refunds everything including all fees for games that don’t happen. The 100% FanProtect guarantee covers all playoff rounds automatically.
The refund processes within 5 business days to your original payment method. No forms to fill out. The system detects when games are canceled and triggers automatic refunds.
Other verified platforms like Ticketmaster, SeatGeek, Vivid Seats and TickPick also offer refunds for canceled games. Season ticket holders using “Pay As We Play” plans only get charged when games confirm.
How the NFL 7-Team Playoff Format Works in 2026
Fourteen teams make the playoffs. Seven from AFC and seven from NFC. Seeds 1-4 go to division winners ranked by record. Seeds 5-7 are wild card teams.
The #1 seed gets a first-round bye. Only Denver Broncos and Seattle Seahawks skip Wild Card Weekend.
Wild Card matchups are 2v7, 3v6 and 4v5. Higher seeds host games at home stadiums. The bracket reseeds after each round. The top remaining seed faces the lowest remaining seed in Divisional Round.
Conference Championship winners advance to Super Bowl. Every game is single elimination.
FAQs About NFL Playoff Tickets 2026
What happens if my team loses?
You receive a full automatic refund. StubHub refunds ticket price plus all fees within five business days for games that don’t happen. No paperwork required. Refunds process automatically to your original payment method.
Do season ticket holders automatically get playoff tickets?
No. Season ticket holders get priority access to purchase playoff tickets at face value but playoff tickets are sold separately. Most season ticket holder presales happened in early December 2025. The “Pay As We Play” plan charges cards only when games are confirmed.
Can children attend playoff games? Do they need tickets?
Yes, children can attend. Most stadiums require tickets for children ages 2 and older. Children under 18 months typically attend free if sitting on a parent’s lap. Bring noise-canceling headphones for young children since playoff crowds get extremely loud.
What time do parking lots open for playoff games?
Parking lots typically open 4-5 hours before kickoff. Arrive as early as possible since playoff parking fills quickly. Consider public transportation or ride-sharing to avoid parking hassles and post-game traffic.
Is tailgating allowed at playoff games?
Tailgating policies vary by stadium. Most venues allow tailgating in parking lots with specific rules. Some cities like Seattle prohibit tailgating on stadium property but offer indoor pregame experiences. Check individual stadium policies before planning.
Are NFL playoff games played in bad weather?
Yes, playoff games proceed in virtually all weather conditions including snow, rain and extreme cold. The NFL rarely postpones games for weather. Historic playoff games include the 1967 “Ice Bowl” at -13°F. Check forecasts and dress appropriately in layers.
Can I bring food and drinks into the stadium?
Most NFL venues prohibit outside food and beverages. Small sealed snacks for babies and toddlers are typically allowed. All NFL stadiums are now cashless requiring credit cards for concessions. Budget extra since playoff game food prices run higher than regular season.
What happens during overtime in playoff games?
Each team gets at least one possession unless the team receiving the opening kickoff scores a touchdown. Overtime continues with 15-minute periods until a winner is determined. Playoff games must produce a winner unlike regular season games that can end in ties.
How long do NFL playoff games typically last?
Playoff games typically last 3-3.5 hours including halftime and commercial breaks. Close games with multiple lead changes run longer. Overtime games can exceed 4 hours. Plan extra time for parking and security screening.
The 2026 NFL Playoffs run January 10 through February 8, 2026. Tickets range from $145 to thousands depending on the round. StubHub offers the largest selection with 100% FanProtect guarantee and automatic refunds if your team loses. Tickets are available now with Wild Card games starting this Saturday.
