USC's Week 0 Tickets Drop to $9 on Secondary Market
USC's season opener against San José State has seen resale ticket prices fall to as low as $9, making it the cheapest way to see a ranked team this weekend. The low demand is attributed to a lopsided matchup (USC is a 38.5-point favorite) and potentially hot weather in Los Angeles. The Trojans have historically dominated this series, winning all six meetings.
USC enters Saturday's opener as a heavy 38.5-point favorite, and the lopsided nature of the matchup has clearly suppressed demand. The Trojans hold a perfect 6-0 record against San José State, including a 56-28 victory in their most recent meeting two years ago. Under Lincoln Riley, USC has won all four of his season openers, scoring over 56 points in three of them.
Game-day conditions may also be deterring fans, with temperatures forecast to reach 94 degrees and humidity near 67 percent at kickoff. To counter sluggish ticket sales, the program has introduced new attractions including fireworks displays, themed game nights, specialty food buckets, and a sword-shaped beer vessel. A new in-stadium host will also debut Saturday as part of seven scheduled home appearances.
Low ticket prices could signal waning enthusiasm around a program that has yet to reach the College Football Playoff under Riley, despite five seasons at the helm. However, the combination of a blowout projection and extreme heat may simply reflect practical fan choices rather than deeper disengagement. This dynamic could influence how athletic departments price early-season games against weaker opponents, potentially making marquee programs more accessible to casual fans while raising questions about long-term brand strength.