If you’re trying to snag Mountain West football championship game tickets, you’ve probably realized the process is a bit of a chaotic mess compared to the Power 4 conferences. It’s stressful. Unlike the SEC or Big Ten, where the venue is locked in years in advance, the Mountain West plays its title game at the home stadium of the team with the highest winning percentage in conference play. This means you often don’t know where you’re flying until about six days before kickoff.
That lack of certainty creates a weird market.
Prices swing wildly based on whether the game ends up in Boise, Las Vegas, or Colorado Springs. If it’s at Albertsons Stadium, expect a sellout and a massive secondary market markup. If it’s at a massive NFL stadium that isn't quite full, you might find a bargain. But honestly, the "wait and see" approach usually backfires.
The Reality of the Host Site Scramble
The host is determined by the "win-loss percentage" in conference play, but if there’s a tie, it goes to head-to-head results and then a series of tiebreakers involving computer rankings. It’s a math headache. Fans of teams like Boise State, UNLV, or Fresno State basically have to keep two tabs open on their browser: one for the standings and one for refundable airline tickets.
When the site is finally confirmed, there is a literal 48-hour gold rush.
Schools get an allotment of tickets to sell to their season ticket holders first. If you aren't a donor or a long-time season ticket holder, you’re basically fighting for the scraps left over for the general public. This is where most people get it wrong. They wait for the official university link, but by the time they click "buy," the best seats in the lower bowl are gone.
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The smart move? Check the host school’s primary ticket vendor—usually Ticketmaster or SeatGeek—the second the clinching scenario is over. Don't wait for the celebratory email from the athletic department.
Where to Buy Mountain West Football Championship Game Tickets Without Getting Scammed
You’ve got three real options. First, the host school's box office. This is the only way to get face-value prices, which typically range from $25 for nosebleeds to $150 for premium midfield spots. Second, the visiting school's allotment. If you're a fan of the away team, call their ticket office immediately. They want their section to look full for the TV cameras, so they often prioritize getting those tickets into the hands of actual fans rather than brokers.
Then there’s the secondary market. StubHub, Vivid Seats, and TickPick.
TickPick is often the favorite for the Mountain West because they don't add those annoying "buyer fees" at the very last screen of checkout. What you see is what you pay. However, because the Mountain West isn't the SEC, the volume of tickets on these sites is lower. This means one or two "super-fans" buying up a block of seats can artificially inflate the price for everyone else.
Don't panic if you see high prices on Monday. The market usually "corrects" on Wednesday or Thursday once the physical tickets are transferred to digital accounts.
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The "Boise Effect" on Ticket Availability
If Boise State is hosting, throw the rulebook out the window. The Broncos have a stranglehold on this conference's attendance records. When the game is on the Blue Turf, Mountain West football championship game tickets become one of the toughest gets in the West.
The stadium capacity is around 36,000.
Compare that to a venue like Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas (if UNLV is the host), which holds 65,000. In Vegas, you can breathe. In Boise, you’re squeezed. If the game is in a smaller venue like Wyoming’s War Memorial Stadium, the cold weather actually helps the ticket buyers. Casual fans stay home when it’s 15 degrees, leaving more seats for the die-hards.
Travel Logistics: The Hidden Cost
Buying the ticket is only half the battle. Because the game is usually on a Friday night or Saturday, and the location is settled so late, hotel prices in college towns like Logan, Utah, or Laramie, Wyoming, skyrocket instantly.
Sometimes it’s cheaper to buy a "VIP Package" through an official partner like RevelXP or On Location. These packages often include a game ticket, a pre-game tailgate with food, and sometimes a hotel stay. While the upfront cost looks scary—maybe $400 or $500—it can actually save you money compared to booking a last-minute hotel at "event rates" and buying a marked-up ticket on StubHub.
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Avoid the Facebook Scammers
I can’t stress this enough: stay off Facebook Groups. Every year, people post in "Boise State Fans" or "Fresno State Football" groups claiming they have four tickets because their "grandma got sick" and they can’t go. They’ll ask for payment via Zelle or Venmo.
Don't do it.
Ninety-nine percent of the time, these are bots or scammers. If you aren't using a platform with buyer protection, you are throwing your money into a black hole. Only use Zelle if you are literally standing in front of the person and see them transfer the ticket to your email.
What Happens if the Game Moves?
It doesn't. Once the host is announced, that's it. However, the time can change. The Mountain West is beholden to TV networks like FOX and CBS Sports Network. They want the highest ratings, which means they might flex a game from the afternoon to a late-night "Mountain Weird" kickoff.
Make sure your ticket is digital. The conference moved away from paper tickets years ago. You’ll need the host school’s specific app (like the "Boise State Broncos" app or the "UNLV Tickets" app) to show the QR code at the gate. Screenshots sometimes work, but many stadiums now use "rotating" barcodes that refresh every few seconds to prevent fraud.
Action Steps for Securing Your Seat
If you are serious about going, you need a tactical plan. Don't just "hope" for the best.
- Monitor the Tiebreakers: Follow reporters like Chris Vannini or local beat writers who track the complex computer rankings used to determine the host. You’ll know who is in the lead for the home-field advantage before the conference officially announces it.
- Create Accounts Early: Go to the ticket websites of the top three contenders (e.g., Boise State, UNLV, Colorado State) and create an account now. Save your credit card info. When tickets go live, you don't want to be fumbling with your billing address while others are checking out.
- Check "Single Game" Links: Sometimes the host school lists the championship under their regular season ticket portal rather than a special "Championship" page. Search both.
- Join the T-Mobile/Student Queue: If you’re a student at one of the participating schools, you usually get a massive discount, sometimes 50% off. You’ll need a valid .edu email address and a specific student login.
- Look for End Zone Seating: In many Mountain West stadiums, the "corners" and "end zones" offer the best value. You get the atmosphere of the student section without the premium price of the 50-yard line.
The Mountain West is currently in a state of flux with realignment talk always looming, which makes these championship moments even more precious for the fanbases involved. Secure your entry early, use verified platforms, and keep an eye on those tiebreaker scenarios to stay ahead of the crowd.