Butler win boosts demand for Final Four tickets - 13 WTHR Indianapolis

Cat Andersen/Eyewitness News

Indianapolis - Ticket brokers say Final Four tickets are still available, but how much are Butler fans willing to pay for them?

When the buzzer sounded Saturday in Salt Lake City, Butler made history by reaching the Final Four for the first time in school history.

"It doubled the number of tickets we had sold," said Renny Harrison, managing partner of Fanfare Tickets.

Just like the Bulldogs, ticket brokers are finding themselves in new territory.

"When the Colts made it to the playoffs and then to the Super Bowl, we were well prepared," Harrison said. "We knew there was a good chance of that happening. We were hoping for it, but this is completely different for us."

While demand for the tickets has shot up in Indianapolis, ticket brokers in town said the cost isn't as much as it could have been had Kentucky reached the Final Four. The Wildcats were defeated by West Virginia Saturday in Syracuse, New York.

"Having Kentucky lose damages the value of the tickets a lot," Harrison said. "Kentucky fans are used to spending good money to attend their games."

Seats may be less expensive, but they're certainly not cheap. Ticket brokers say upper level seats for Saturday's semifinal games are about $250 each. A seat on the lower level will cost about $450. To see the Final Four matchups and the championship game on Monday night from the upper deck will run you about $400. Sitting closer to the court will cost close to $650.

"If I had the cash, I would buy one. I would buy one in a heartbeat," said Butler sophomore Matt Karnstedt.

Karnstedt says since cash flow is a problem, he's willing to exchange his modesty.

"I would probably run downtown in the buff for a pair of tickets," he said.

"I would drink the water from the canal for Final Four tickets," said fan Michael Ryan.