Less bucks for Bucs in 2019

TAMPA – Hang on to your seats, Bucs fans.

This is good news for you. The crowds may have thinned a bit, but your wallet will be fatter after purchasing tickets.

After experiencing their worst attendance since 2010 and a drop in fans at Raymond James Stadium for the third straight year, the Bucs are reducing the cost for season pass holders to attend a game next season.

The lowest entry level price to watch the Bucs play at home will be only $30, plus a Tampa Sports Authority fee and sales tax.

The Bucs sent out renewals to season pass members today that showed a decrease of anywhere from an eight to 32 percent on seats in the 300 level. Eleven percent of members with lower level seats will receive decreases with the rest remaining flat.

Nearly all club members will see a price decrease from six to 17 percent.

In fact, the average price for a general ticket to a Bucs game will be $76.28, which would rank 24th in the NFL based on last year’s figures.

“We recognize and appreciate the passion and loyalty of our season pass members who have supported the Buccaneers throughout the years," Bucs chief operating officer Brian Ford said. “For the second year in a row, there will be no price increase for our season pass members ensuring that we remain one of the most affordably priced tickets in the NFL. We look forward continuing to provide the best in class customer service and overall game experience that our season pass members have come to expect."

Moreover, season pass holders will see more savings since the team only will play two preseason games and seven regular season games at RJS in 2019.

The Bucs will be the host team in London against the Carolina Panthers next fall. Tampa Bay had to agree to forgo a home game as part of the team’s commitment to bringing a third Super Bowl to RJS in 2021. The date and location of that game – either Wembley or Tottenham Stadium, will be announced when the NFL schedule is released in the spring.

Tampa Bay has an attractive home schedule in 2019. In addition to NFC South rivals Atlanta and New Orleans, the Bucs host the Giants, Colts, Texans, 49ers and Cardinals.

The Bucs are banking on the hiring of head coach Bruce Arians to give them a boost in season pass members after back-to-back 5-11 seasons.

The Bucs averaged 54,356 per game in announced attendance at RJS, their fewest since 2010 when they averaged 49,314. According to a turnstile count by the TSA, the actual attendance averaged 47,708 in eight games, down 8.1 percent from 51,902 in 2017.

In average NFL attendance, the Bucs ranked behind only the Cincinnati Bengals and the Los Angeles Chargers, who play in a soccer stadium.

On average, fans receive a savings of at least 20 percent by purchasing season passes over the cost of single game tickets, which will go on sale after the schedule is released in April. Season pass members also enjoy the added value of saving 15 percent on concession purchases and enjoy unique events such as special access training camp and an NFL draft party.