The most expensive ticket of the Weekend wasn’t a CFP game

Christian Standal

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The most expensive ticket of the Weekend wasn’t a CFP game image

Michael Thomas Shroyer

Entering the opening weekend of the College Football Playoff, fans were treated to one of the most stacked slates in recent memory. Matchups such as James Madison vs. Oregon, Alabama vs. Oklahoma, Tulane vs. Ole Miss, and Miami vs. Texas A&M filled the schedule, featuring powerhouse programs and passionate fan bases. With that lineup, it would be easy to assume CFP ticket prices would be sky-high across the board. Surprisingly, that wasn’t the case.

Oregon’s playoff game carried a starting ticket price as low as $66, making it one of the more affordable postseason options. Alabama’s matchup with Oklahoma, a game fueled by revenge and tradition, had a minimum ticket price of $146, still reasonable by playoff standards. Ole Miss checked in higher, with tickets starting at $206. Miami vs. Texas A&M topped the CFP slate with a $231 starting price, the most expensive among first-round playoff games but it still wasn’t the most expensive ticket of the weekend.

That honor belonged to an FCS rivalry game.

The Big Sky Conference semifinal between Montana State and Montana had a staggering lowest ticket price of $654, eclipsing every CFP matchup despite being played outside of the FBS spotlight. The price reflected the intensity and history of “The Brawl of the Wild,” one of college football’s most passionate and long-standing rivalries.

On the field, Montana State delivered a convincing 48–23 win, punching its ticket to the FCS National Championship game. The victory marked the Bobcats’ fourth championship appearance and their second straight under head coach Brent Vigen, who has quickly built a powerhouse in just his third season. Montana State now looks to capture its first national title since 1984.

The 2025 season added another historic chapter to the rivalry. Montana State narrowly defeated Montana 31–28 in the regular season before eliminating the Grizzlies again in the playoff semifinals. While Montana still holds a 75-45-5 all-time edge, the rivalry continues to evolve with each meeting.

“The Brawl of the Wild” dates back to 1897, the same year William McKinley was sworn in as U.S. President. Since then, the rivalry has endured through major moments in football history, including the legalization of the forward pass in 1906, the birth of legendary coach Bear Bryant in 1913, and even the first Super Bowl in 1967.

Played in a small stadium between in-state rivals, the matchup delivers elite intensity, emotional stakes, and unmatched fan energy. That passion explains why an FCS game outpriced the College Football Playoff—and why some rivalries are simply priceless.

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Staff Writer