Student ticket pricing and kickoff scheduling choices are driving attendance down at USC Trojans home games inside Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, despite the football team opening the 2026 season with a 130-56 scoring run across its first three matchups.
Student ticket prices exceed value for some
Undergraduate students face a baseline price of roughly $50 for individual home game admissions, while full-season student tickets for all seven home contests sell for $275 plus a $25 processing fee. Season ticket holders are permitted to bring a maximum of two guests per game. By comparison, general single-game tickets fluctuate between $60 and $125 depending on the opposing program.
"I know I'm not going to every single game, and for me, the price of the season ticket outweighs the value it brings me," Holley said.
Johnny Lee, a sophomore biochemistry major, weighed buying a season package before deciding against it. “Last year I bought a season ticket hoping to make a little extra cash reselling tickets,” Lee said. “Instead, I ended up losing nearly $300.” Lee has not attended a home matchup this season, citing a lack of value.
Coliseum attendance hits tenure low for Lincoln Riley
Official stadium attendance figures for early-season victories against San Jose State and Fresno State barely surpassed 50,000 spectators, accounting for roughly 70% capacity at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. The crowd for the San Jose State game marked a tenure low for head coach Lincoln Riley and stands as the second-lowest home attendance mark recorded at the school over the past decade.
CBS Sports reported that USC football average attendance dropped from approximately 71,500 fans during the 2024 season to roughly 68,000 in 2025. A subsequent home victory against Louisiana drew an announced crowd of about 60,000, reflecting a slight rebound while remaining well short of the venue’s 77,500-seat capacity.
Jacob Brown, a junior journalism major who routinely attends games, noted that secondary markets provide a straightforward outlet when personal attendance is impossible. “I usually go to every game, but when I can’t make it, reselling those tickets to someone else is simple,” Brown said.
Student season ticket prices climb after Big Ten move
Student season ticket prices have climbed by nearly $100 over the past decade. In 2015, the university charged $185 for student season tickets, ranking as the second-highest rate in the Pac-12 Conference. Following the move to the Big Ten Conference, prices escalated from $200 during the 2023–2024 cycle to the current $275 level.
Beyond face value costs, game times and opponent caliber shape student demand. “Sometimes the outcome feels entirely predictable, where you know who is playing and you can guess it’s going to be a blowout,” Holley said, adding that she dislikes 12 p.m. starts due to high temperatures. Lee remarked that he selectively attends games based on marquee matchups, noting that secondary market tickets for visits from programs like Oregon or Ohio State can help offset the cost of less attractive fixtures.
How much do USC student tickets cost?
How much do individual student tickets cost for USC home games?
Individual student tickets for USC home games cost at least roughly $50 per game, while full seven-game season passes are priced at $275 plus a $25 processing fee.
What was the attendance for the San Jose State matchup?
Attendance for the San Jose State game barely exceeded 50,000 spectators, representing about 70% of the capacity at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum and marking a tenure low under head coach Lincoln Riley.
How have ticket prices changed since the conference realignment?
Student season ticket prices increased from $200 during the 2023–2024 season to $275 following the transition into the Big Ten Conference.
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