Oregon football season-ticket holders will see a significant price increase heading into the 2026 season, leading some Duck fans to consider whether renewing their seats at Autzen Stadium is financially feasible going forward.
Tickets are up an average of 15.33% over last year in total cost across the various price points, according to data shared with The Oregonian/OregonLive. That includes an average ticket face value increase of 14.64% and a 24.03% boost in required contributions to the Duck Athletic Fund.
For some, this means hundreds or even thousands of dollars more per year to keep their seats — some of which have been held for decades.
In response to The Oregonian/OregonLive’s inquiry, a spokesperson for the athletic department said the decision to increase prices helps ensure Oregon’s long-term financial stability as it navigates the revenue sharing era in college sports.
The Ducks posted a narrow, $2.7 million surplus in fiscal year 2025 before revenue sharing kicks in this fiscal year. In FY2026, they can spend up to $20.5 million compensating student-athletes, with anything beyond that amount required to come from outside NIL sources.
“Oregon Athletics is one of a small number of self-sustaining departments that receive no direct financial support from the university’s general fund or student fees,” a department spokesperson wrote in an email to The Oregonian/OregonLive. “The cost of operating an elite football program and continuing to compete at the highest level in the Big Ten and nationally is rising, following the House Settlement and the associated changes in the industry. Both expense and revenue pressures across college athletics are increasing at an unprecedented pace.
“The department pays the full cost of scholarships, campus assessments, and other institutional expenses. As a result, managing our revenue streams to ensure long-term financial stability while continuing to invest in the student-athlete experience and competitive excellence is critical.”
Oregon was among the biggest spenders on the 2026 high school football recruiting class, according to a survey of Power Four general managers and staffers conducted by On3’s Pete Nakos. USC leads the pack while the Ducks sit among other major programs like Texas Tech, Miami and Texas A&M.
Oregon typically is among the biggest spenders in the transfer portal, though it doesn’t win every battle: highly touted Colorado offensive line transfer Jordan Seaton chose LSU over the Ducks this offseason.
In order to keep up with the competition, as the largely unregulated NIL marketplace continues to operate despite the House settlement, fans across the country are increasingly footing a portion of the bill.
One Ducks fan who asked not to be named for this story said he and his family declined to renew, as their season tickets went up $150 per seat.
“The mandatory donation made it impossible,” he said.
Still, Oregon says renewal rates exceeded 90% for the fourth year in a row. When the product has been this good — 48-8 in four seasons under Dan Lanning — people are willing to pay.
How long that lasts, and which fans get squeezed out along the way, remains to be seen as the Ducks chase their first national title in football.
“Oregon Athletics is fortunate to have a passionate and generous fan base supporting Oregon football,” the department spokesperson wrote. “(The renewal rate) reflects the continued enthusiasm and commitment of Duck fans as well as the value in a season ticket compared with purchasing tickets on a single-game basis or on the secondary market. We remain focused on providing value to our supporters while maintaining a championship-caliber program and a tremendous gameday experience that represents the university and our community at the highest level.”