Sacramento Kings Open Season at Golden 1 Center
The Kings host the Portland Trail Blazers tonight as part of a season schedule that offers local fans affordable options.
Updated on Oct. 23, 2026 in Basketball
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The Sacramento Kings play their first home game of the season against the Portland Trail Blazers at Golden 1 Center. The team currently maintains some of the lowest ticket prices among California NBA franchises.
Why it matters
Attendance costs at professional sporting events have climbed 123% since 2000, making the relative affordability of local games a significant factor for families. The Kings provide a lower-cost alternative for fans compared to the broader NBA average.
A family of four can attend a Kings game for $279.70, which is 18% lower than the $343.18 NBA average. Cheap seats at Golden 1 Center average $48.68, sitting 23% below the league mean.
The players
Sacramento Kings
The Sacramento Kings are a professional basketball team competing in the NBA that plays its home games at the Golden 1 Center.
Portland Trail Blazers
The Portland Trail Blazers are an NBA franchise that serves as the opponent for the Kings home opener.
The details
The average cost estimate accounts for four SeatGeek tickets, parking, two beers, two sodas, and four hotdogs. While the Kings remain the most affordable option among California's four NBA teams, costs vary significantly by opponent, such as the December 29 game against the Philadelphia 76ers where the cheapest seat is $144.
Timeline
The Sacramento Kings host their first home game of the season on October 23, 2026.
The team offers single tickets as low as $25 for the game against the Orlando Magic on November 10, 2026.
The Philadelphia 76ers are scheduled to visit Sacramento on December 29, 2026.
Season Trajectory
The current pricing structure at Golden 1 Center follows a pattern set by the historical 123% increase in sporting event admission costs since 2000. This places the Kings in a competitive position for local attendance as rising costs impact the broader sports ecosystem.
Fans looking for the most budget-friendly entry point to the season should target the November 10 matchup, which features the lowest single-ticket price of $25. Conversely, high-profile visits like the December 29 game carry a significant premium for the cheapest available seats.
The takeaway
Local fans can manage the rising costs of professional sports by strategically selecting games against lower-demand opponents. Prioritizing these specific dates allows families to attend NBA games while staying well below the national average price point.
Further reading
For more on the team's upcoming schedule and local news, visit Sacramento Basketball.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Sacramento Bee.
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Do you plan to attend more professional sporting events this year due to current ticket prices?
