Best and Worst NFL Teams for Fan Value: ROI Rankings

Ian Harper
04 Dec 2024

NFL games are magical. But, with ticket prices rising every year, fans want to know which teams give the best value. We analyzed plays, touchdowns, points, and yardage, weighing those against ticket costs and this season’s standings. The result? A clear picture of which teams provide the best action for your dollar, which we will call Return on Investment (ROI).

Delivering the Action: Which Teams Offer the Most Value for Your Ticket?

ROI isn’t just about wins or touchdowns; it’s about how much excitement fans experience relative to their ticket price. Teams with affordable tickets and strong gameplay make fans happy, while high-priced tickets and weak performances leave them wanting more.

Leading the charge in ROI are the New Orleans Saints. Despite their 4–7 record, Saints fans enjoy affordable games at $43 per ticket with a solid mix of plays, with 62.4 per game and 2.5 touchdowns per game. For fans focused on the experience rather than the outcome, the Saints offer unbeatable value.

The Jacksonville Jaguars also rank high. With $48 tickets and a strong ROI score of 0.80, they balance affordability with decent on-field action, even with their 2–9 record. Similarly, the Arizona Cardinals combine a 6–5 record and consistent gameplay with $58 tickets, offering solid value for mid-tier pricing.

Low-ROI Teams

At the bottom of the list are the Las Vegas Raiders and Detroit Lions. The Lions, despite their impressive 10–1 record and league-leading offense with 3.6 touchdowns per game, simply charge too much for fans to justify the cost at $254 per ticket. The Raiders, with their 2–9 record and $243 tickets, provide even less value, earning them the league’s lowest ROI score of 0.14.

The Rising Cost of NFL Tickets and Declining ROI

The NFL is not just about competition. It’s a changing market for fan entertainment. In the past decade, ticket prices have risen. Fans’ ROI has fallen. These trends show that the cost of attending games is changing. They make us wonder if fans are getting their money’s worth.

Ticket Prices: A Decade of Climbing Costs

Understanding ROI requires looking at how ticket prices have evolved over time. NFL ticket prices have risen steadily, jumping over 48% in the past decade. In 2014, the average ticket cost was $84.43, but by 2024, it had surged to $124.97. This increase is especially noticeable in recent years. There was a sharp rise starting in 2021.

Big Money Teams, Big Money Experiences

While big-market teams like the Eagles, Cowboys, and Chiefs may come with higher ticket prices, they also deliver unique experiences that many fans consider worth the premium. From the electric atmosphere at Arrowhead Stadium to the rich history of franchises like the Cowboys, attending these games offers more than just on-field excitement.

These teams often host high-stakes matchups, playoff-caliber performances, and star-studded rosters that justify the cost for many fans. For those who value iconic moments and unrivaled energy, big-market teams remain an essential part of the NFL experience.

The Detroit Lions and Las Vegas Raiders top the league in ticket prices at $254 and $243, respectively. The New Orleans Saints ($43) and Jacksonville Jaguars ($48) are cheap in comparison.

ROI in Decline: Less Bang for Your Buck

As ticket prices have risen, average ROI across the league has dropped. In 2014, the average ROI for all teams was 0.56. A decade later, it has fallen to 0.43—a 23% decline. This reflects not just the increasing cost of attendance but also the variability in on-field excitement and action.

Fans can maximize ROI by attending games during off-peak times or exploring ticket resale platforms for discounts.

Affordable Action: Which Teams Maximize the Experience?

Budget-Friendly Options

Teams with lower ticket prices but competitive gameplay dominate the ROI rankings. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Carolina Panthers offer affordable, exciting games. Their win-loss records (5–6 and 3–8, respectively) are less impressive, but they remain viable options for fans prioritizing cost-efficiency.

Plays Per Game: A Measure of Engagement

The Cleveland Browns lead the league in plays per game, averaging 66.67. Despite their 3–8 record, this high volume of action ensures fans get a lot of entertainment, especially for $86 per ticket.

The Dallas Cowboys have 65.93) and the Philadelphia Eagles follow closely on 65.87. While the Cowboys’ 4–7 record is underwhelming, the Eagles’ 9–2 record ensures fans are treated to both high-volume and high-quality games. The Detroit Lions and Kansas City Chiefs with 64.77 and 64.73 respectively, round out the top five, offering a combination of plays and scoring efficiency.

Touchdowns and Points: The Highlights of a Game

Nothing electrifies a stadium like touchdowns, and the Detroit Lions lead the way, averaging 3.60 touchdowns per game. The Buffalo Bills and Philadelphia Eagles aren’t far behind, providing thrilling offensive showcases. However, while the Bills and Eagles offer value at $147 and $224 per ticket, respectively, the Lions’ $254 tickets diminish their ROI

Teams like the New England Patriots with 1.87 average touchdowns and New York Jets with a 1.73 struggle both on the field and in ROI rankings, reflecting a lack of excitement and high ticket costs.

The High Cost of Big-Market Teams

High Ticket Prices, Low ROI

Big-market teams with high ticket prices often struggle to deliver strong ROI. The Philadelphia Eagles at $224 per ticket and Dallas Cowboys at $147 per ticket deliver respectable performances, but their high costs reduce value for fans.

Even the Detroit Lions, despite their top-tier offense, are hurt by their $254 ticket price, resulting in one of the league’s lowest ROI scores at 0.35

Low ROI Despite Winning Records

The Buffalo Bills with an ROI of 0.52 and San Francisco 49ers on 0.29 face similar challenges. Despite strong records, 9–2 and 5–6, respectively, their high ticket prices make them tough choices for ROI-focused fans.

High yardage per game reflects dynamic offenses, and the Detroit Lions lead with 390 yards per game, followed by the San Francisco 49ers (382.83) and Baltimore Ravens (378.63). Teams like the Kansas City Chiefs and Buffalo Bills also excel in this area, consistently entertaining fans.

The Sweet Spot: Combining Wins and Value

Some teams find the ideal balance of affordability, excitement, and success:

The New Orleans Saints, Jacksonville Jaguars, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers top the ROI rankings, offering budget-friendly excitement.
The Kansas City Chiefs and Minnesota Vikings combine competitive pricing with strong on-field performances, making them excellent choices for fans who want value and victories.
Teams like the Buffalo Bills, Detroit Lions, and Philadelphia Eagles deliver elite performances but at a premium cost.

Sources and Methodology

Data on NFL teams plays per game, touchdowns per game, and points per game were taken from TeamRankings.com and official NFL stats. The data covers the current 2024 season, plus the 2022 and 2023 seasons to establish a representative, but recent historical record of teams ROI and performance. Data on average ticket price was collected from SeatGeek prior to the season start. Action Per Dollar was taken from the average plays, touchdowns, and points scored over 2024 so far (as of end of November 2024), and 2022-2023 combined.

They were weighted as follows:

Plays Per Game: 25%
Touchdowns Per Game: 20%
Points Per Game: 20%
Yards Per game: 20%
Stadium Rating: 15%

We calculated ROI by combining game stats like touchdowns and plays with ticket prices to measure the value fans get per dollar. In the case of historical ROI, an average was used for the teams as a whole.