Heading to Houston: Huskers and Hawkeyes Fans Prepare for Sweet 16
For fans of the Nebraska Cornhuskers and Iowa Hawkeyes, the Sweet 16 showdown in Houston is a must-see event. But getting there? That’s going to require some planning and, quite possibly, a bit of financial flexibility.
Ticket Packages and Demand
First things first: Tickets are being sold as doubleheaders. So, if you're planning to catch the Nebraska-Iowa game, you'll also have a seat for the Houston-Illinois matchup. This setup has Husker fans flocking to secondary markets to secure their spots.
In the past 24 hours, Nebraska has surged to the top of StubHub searches among all Sweet 16 teams, ranking second overall and leading the South Regional. Iowa follows closely behind in the regional search rankings.
It's no surprise that Texas buyers are snapping up the most tickets, accounting for 46% of StubHub sales for the Houston games. Nebraska fans aren't far behind, making up 28% of sales, significantly outpacing both Iowa and Illinois supporters.
Over on SeatGeek, Nebraska fans also dominate the buyer demographic, representing 24% of Thursday's ticket sales, compared to Iowa’s 4%.
Houston Cougars fans, as the No. 2 seed, appear to have planned ahead, with many purchasing tickets before they sold out, reducing their presence in the secondary market.
Ticket Prices on the Rise
If you’re looking to snag a ticket, be prepared to dig deep into your pockets. As of Monday evening, the cheapest ticket on SeatGeek was going for about $532, a significant jump from the $400 price tag earlier that day. Historically, the average price for a first session ticket on the second weekend of the tournament hovers around $350, making this year's South Regional a hot ticket.
GameTime confirms this trend, noting that Thursday's session in Houston is the priciest South Regional first session they've seen, surpassing last year's get-in price in San Francisco of $310.
Travel Considerations: Drive or Fly?
For those contemplating the journey from Omaha to Houston, the decision between driving and flying is crucial. Google Flights lists the cheapest round-trip flight from Omaha to Houston at $668 if you depart Wednesday and return Sunday.
Opting to leave Thursday? You'll be looking at over $1,000 to make it in time for the game.
Driving presents its own challenges. The nearly 13-hour trek from Omaha to Houston means a long haul for Husker fans, especially compared to previous trips like Oklahoma City. With gas prices at $3.50 per gallon and an average of 25 miles per gallon, expect to spend about $250 on fuel, not to mention the wear and tear of adding nearly 2,000 miles to your vehicle.
As fans gear up for what promises to be an electrifying Sweet 16, the journey to Houston is shaping up to be an adventure in its own right. Whether by road or air, the excitement is palpable, and the dedication of Husker and Hawkeye fans is on full display.