Colts increase ticket prices, but promise no increase for 2017 season

It was a very rough season for the Colts in 2015, as the team went just 8-8 and missed the playoffs despite starting the year with Super Bowl hopes.  As a result, the team is increasing ticket prices for 2016.

Owner Jim Irsay recently sent a letter to season ticket holders to let them know that the Colts were disappointed in how the 2015 season went but will play better in 2016 and are still excited for the future.  In the letter, Irsay outlined the ticket increases while promising not to increase prices in 2017.  According to the Indianapolis Business Journal, here are the details of the Colts' price increase:

The ticket price hikes ranged from 1.4 percent to 6.3 percent depending on seat location. Overall, Colts Chief Operating Officer Pete Ward said, the increases averaged about 4 percent. He added that Colts have averaged only a 2 percent year-over-year increase since Lucas Oil Stadium opened in 2008.

The ticket price increases don't affect premium seating, including club seats and luxury suites.

It's unfortunate timing for the Colts to increase prices after their fans endured a very rough year and after the team's worst season since 2011, but at the same time it makes sense and isn't uncommon for teams to raise prices.  Demand keeps going up and the Colts are keeping up with the market to make it a fair deal both for fans and for the team.

Furthermore, as Pete Ward pointed out, the Colts have averaged just a two-percent per-year increase since opening Lucas Oil Stadium in 2008 and that Irsay has done whatever he can to keep prices as low as possible - thus the promise to fans not to raise prices in 2017.

So if you're planning on heading to watch the Colts in person in 2016, be prepared to pay a little more than you previously would have - though hopefully the team is improved enough to make it worth it.