Honestly, if you tried to grab BYU football tickets 2024 at the last minute, you probably realized pretty quickly that the game has changed. Literally. For years, being an independent meant BYU fans could kind of coast through the schedule, picking and choosing games like a buffet. But the jump to the Big 12 turned LaVell Edwards Stadium (LES) into one of the toughest tickets in the country.
I’m not just talking about hype. The numbers are actually wild. In 2024, the Cougars averaged 62,849 fans per home game. That’s over 100% capacity. Basically, if you weren't sitting in a seat, you were probably hovering.
The Reality of the 2024 Ticket Market
The 2024 season was a perfect storm. You had a massive home slate featuring Kansas State, Arizona, and Oklahoma State. When the Big 12 schedule dropped, the secondary market went through the roof.
Most people think you can just hop on a resale site on a Friday night and find a deal. Not last year. For the Holy War—which, let's be real, is the only game that truly stops time in Utah—prices for the November 9th clash at Rice-Eccles were astronomical. Even though that was an away game, the demand for BYU football tickets 2024 stayed localized to the "Wasatch Front" bubble.
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Here is the breakdown of how the ticket tiers actually shook out:
Season Tickets and the Cougar Club Loophole
If you wanted guaranteed seats, you had to play the Cougar Club game. Membership starts at about $150 (the "Royal Cougar" level), but that only gets you the right to buy tickets. It doesn't actually give them to you. In 2024, the reseating process became a major point of stress. Because the stadium is essentially "sold out" through season tickets, single-game tickets were basically crumbs left over from the table.
The ROC Pass Situation
For students, the ROC pass is the golden ticket, but it’s also a nightmare if you hate lines. In 2024, the ROC (Roar of Cougars) section stayed at capacity. Students have to "claim" their digital tickets online, and if you're a second late, you’re watching the game from a dorm room.
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Why 2024 Was Different (and Expensive)
It wasn't just the opponents. It was the "New Big 12" vibe. BYU received a partial revenue share from the conference this year—roughly $19 million compared to the $40 million+ the legacy schools got. To bridge that gap, the athletic department has to lean heavily on ticket sales and "Cougar Club" donations.
That pressure trickles down to the fan's wallet.
Key Home Games that Drove Prices:
- Southern Illinois (Aug 31): The "easy" opener. Tickets were still floating around $40-$60.
- Kansas State (Sept 21): The "1996 Throwback" game. This was the Big 12 home opener and the secondary market saw "get-in" prices over $100.
- Arizona (Oct 12): Another sellout. The environment was electric, mostly because people finally believed the 2024 team was for real.
- Oklahoma State (Oct 18): A Friday night lights scenario. Friday games in Provo are always weirdly intense, and the ticket demand reflected that.
What Most Fans Missed About Digital Tickets
BYU went hard on "Account Binding" in 2024. If you bought tickets and tried to just screenshot them and text them to a buddy, you probably got stuck at the gate. The new system links the ticket to your Apple or Google Wallet. You have to use the official "Transfer" button in the BYU Cougars app.
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It’s a pain, but it’s designed to stop the scammers who sell the same PDF to ten different people on Craigslist.
How to Actually Get Tickets Without Selling a Kidney
If you're looking for BYU football tickets 2024 (or looking ahead to the bowl season/next cycle), there are a few "pro moves" that locals use.
- The "Returned" Ticket Window: On the Wednesday or Thursday before a home game, the visiting team often returns a small block of tickets they couldn't sell to their own fans. Keep the BYU Tickets website open on a second monitor those days.
- Avoid the Big Aggregators: StubHub and SeatGeek are fine, but the fees are soul-crushing. Look at local Facebook groups or "CougarBoard" (if you can handle the drama). Often, season ticket holders who can't make a 8:15 PM kickoff will sell at face value just to keep a "Y" fan in the seat.
- The South Endzone Secret: The views aren't as prestigious as the West sideline, but the energy near the student section is better, and the tickets are usually 20% cheaper.
The 2024 Season Impact
Looking back, the 2024 season was a massive success for the box office. BYU led the Big 12 in attendance. That’s a huge statement. It proves that despite being the "new kids," the fanbase is ready to pay Power 4 prices for a Power 4 product.
If you're planning for the future, don't expect these prices to drop. With the 12-team playoff and the Big 12 being wide open, every home game at LES is essentially a playoff game.
Next Steps for Fans:
If you missed out on the 2024 home slate, your best bet now is to look at the upcoming bowl game tickets or jump on the 2025 season ticket waiting list immediately. Check the official BYU Tickets portal and make sure your Cougar Club membership is active before the February selection window opens.