Finding a seat at the Scheels Center isn't exactly like trying to get into a Duke-UNC game, but if you think you can just stroll up to the North Dakota State University box office five minutes before tip-off for a big Summit League matchup, you’re probably going to end up watching from the concourse or paying a premium you didn't need to. Honestly, the way people handle buying ndsu men's basketball tickets is usually all wrong. They either panic-buy three months out or wait until they’re standing in the parking lot to check SeatGeek.
The reality is that Bison basketball has a weird rhythm. You've got the non-conference games where the arena feels cavernous, and then you have the South Dakota State or UND games where the place is absolutely rocking and "cheap" seats don't exist.
The SHAC Factor: Where to Actually Sit
The Scheels Center at the Sanford Health Athletic Complex—everyone just calls it the SHAC—is a great venue, mostly because it was renovated to be intimate. There are about 5,700 seats. It’s not huge. That means even the "nosebleeds" in the 200 level are actually pretty decent.
If you’re looking for the best value, the upper concourse rail seats are kind of a hidden gem. You get a ledge for your popcorn and a clear view of the floor without someone’s giant foam finger in your face. For the high rollers, the Radio FM Media Club Suite is where you’ll find the cushioned seats and the buffet, but for a standard Saturday afternoon game, sticking to the lower bowl corners is usually the sweet spot for sightlines and atmosphere.
🔗 Read more: Buddy Hield Sacramento Kings: What Really Happened Behind the Scenes
How the Pricing Actually Works
NDSU keeps things relatively simple, but there’s a gap between what the university asks and what the secondary market demands. For the 2025-26 season, season tickets started around $180. If you’re a local and plan on hitting more than half the games, it’s a no-brainer.
Single-game tickets usually drop around October 1st.
- The "Get-In" Price: You can often find tickets for as low as $6 to $12 for midweek games against lower-tier opponents.
- The Big Games: When the Jacks (South Dakota State) or the Fighting Hawks (UND) come to town, expect that price to jump to $40 or $50 on the resale market.
- The Sweet Spot: Usually, $25 will get you a very solid seat for a standard conference game.
I’ve noticed that people often forget about the "Doubleheader" factor. On February 28, 2026, for example, NDSU is hosting UND. That’s a doubleheader where one ticket gets you into both the women’s and men’s games. Those tickets are like gold. If you see those for under $20, buy them immediately. Don't think. Just buy.
💡 You might also like: Why the March Madness 2022 Bracket Still Haunts Your Sports Betting Group Chat
The Student and Alumni Secret
If you’re a student, you're lucky. You basically get in for free, but you have to "claim" your ticket through the Green and White account (or the NDSU equivalent electronic ID system) starting the week before the game. It's a "use it or lose it" situation.
Alumni don't get as much of a break as you’d think, but joining the Champions Club is the real "pro move" here. For about $100 a year, you get into the ticket presales. In a year where the Bison are projected to be at the top of the Summit League, that presale access is the difference between sitting in Row 4 and sitting behind a concrete pillar.
Common Misconceptions About Buying Tickets
- "It's always cheaper at the window." Wrong. The "walk-up" price often includes a convenience fee anyway, and you risk the game being sold out or only having single seats left.
- "Third-party sites are always a rip-off." Not true for NDSU. On a Tuesday night against a team nobody has heard of, you can often find people dumping tickets on Vivid Seats or StubHub for $5 just because they can't make it.
- "The student section is the only place with energy." While the students are loud, the baseline seats near the band are arguably just as intense and you won't have to stand the entire game.
The 2026 Schedule Highlights
Looking at the current stretch, there are a few dates you need to circle.
Wednesday, January 14, 2026, against South Dakota State is going to be a battle for the top of the standings.
Then you have the St. Thomas game on January 17. St. Thomas is the "new kid" in the conference and they've been playing with a chip on their shoulder.
The regular season wraps up with that massive home game against North Dakota on February 28. If you haven't secured your ndsu men's basketball tickets for that one by mid-January, you’re going to be paying double.
📖 Related: Mizzou 2024 Football Schedule: What Most People Get Wrong
Actionable Steps for Your Next Game
Stop overthinking the process. If you want to go, follow this checklist:
- Check the Official Site First: Go to GoBison.com/tickets. If the game isn't a "rivalry" game, they usually have the best inventory at the flat face-value price.
- Wait for Midweek Games: If you just want to see high-quality D1 hoops and don't care about the opponent, buy your tickets 48 hours before a Tuesday or Wednesday tip-off. Prices bottom out.
- Download the App: NDSU has moved almost entirely to mobile ticketing. Don't show up with a printed email and expect it to work seamlessly; save the ticket to your Apple or Google Wallet before you get to the SHAC because the cell service inside a concrete arena can be spotty.
- Park at the Fargodome: It’s right there. It’s easy. Just walk across.
The Bison have a legacy of being a "giant killer" in the NCAA tournament, and that culture starts in Fargo. Whether you're a die-hard alum or just someone looking for something to do on a freezing North Dakota Saturday, getting your hands on some tickets is the first step to seeing if this is the year they make another run to the Big Dance.