FAQs
Below are some answers to questions you may have. If you still need more information please feel free to call 574.631.7356.
Why did Notre Dame choose season tickets as the funding plan?
When the stadium repair project was announced in October 2005, the University said it would study a variety of options for raising revenue to repair one of the legendary landmarks in American sports.
Funding options other than a ticket rights fee were considered, including the addition of luxury boxes. The decision against these alternatives was made in favor of maintaining the traditional game-day look and feel of Notre Dame Stadium.
The result will be a continuation of Notre Dame’s commitment to the historic integrity of the “House that Rockne Built.”
Use of the endowment was never considered. Most of the endowment is restricted to particular scholarships, programs, etc., and to tap into any available funds in the endowment runs contrary to our stewardship principles. Also, we decided against seeking a donor to fund the repairs because we attempt to steer the majority of our major benefactors toward the academic priorities of the University. Thus, in keeping with our mission of academic excellence, we preserved the endowment and donor funds for providing a premier education for our students.
How did Notre Dame settle on these prices?
The University consulted experts in the field who provided information on the rights fees at other college football programs with a high demand for tickets. Armed with this knowledge, we applied it to the information we have on what the stadium renovation will cost us.
How much higher in price are these tickets compared to those at other universities?
Every situation is slightly different, but the information provided by our consultants indicates that the rights fees we have set are similar to or less than what is charged by other universities with high demand for football tickets.
As an alum, did my odds for winning tickets in the alumni lottery get worse because ND is selling more season tickets?
No. The new season tickets did NOT come from those utilized for the general alumni lottery. They came from season ticket attrition over the last few years and a reduction in internal University allotments.
How does this season ticket program compare to other major football schools?
It is common for other programs to have access fees or required contributions that vary by seat location to obtain season tickets. Michigan, Tennessee, and Ohio State are examples.
You say alumni, parents, and friends get first choice; what does that mean for the general public?
If the University does not sell out the tickets to people with a direct affiliation with Notre Dame – such as alumni and donors –we will make remaining tickets available to the general public. However, the general public can become Friends of the University by joining one of our recognition societies.
How long will this new season ticket program run?
The program is designed to run indefinitely to provide for ongoing revenue to renovate and maintain the stadium. New inventory will only become available when season tickets are not renewed.
How does someone not affiliated with the University apply for these tickets?
It’s easy: Go online ($50 enrollment fee required), call, or write to request an application, which will be sent each January. Recipients will then mail back the application and be put on a waiting list.
How does the system work?
Each April, the University sends applications to alumni, parents, and Friends eligible to participate based on the their financial support of the University as outlined in the Football Ticket Lottery Guidelines.
There are key operating principles that govern how the lottery functions:
- The lottery is designed to be responsive to market demands and each game is treated independently.
- Tickets available through the lottery consist of those tickets remaining after season ticket holders, visiting team and other University commitments are apportioned.
- As the lottery is conducted, special consideration is given to groups such as contributing members of the monogram club, special contributors (donors at the $1,500 and above level), and senior alumni, parents, and alumni family for designated games.
As an average alumni donor, will my odds for winning increase substantially as I apply for more games?
Each additional game you apply for improves your odds of receiving tickets. We recommend that you apply for as many games as fits your schedule. However, you do not have to apply for all seven games in order to have an opportunity to win tickets.
Will alumni contributing at the minimum level primarily have access to the lower demand games and not "big games"?
No. Applications submitted by alumni supporting the University at the minimum gift level will still have a chance to win the “big games.” That will not change.
If I am successful in obtaining season tickets this year, will I have an opportunity to renew them in future years?
Yes. Notre Dame football season tickets obtained from the season ticket lottery waiting list will have the option to be renewed annually, as long as all terms, conditions and policies set forth by the University are complied with.
All Notre Dame tickets are a revokable license, the University reserves the right to revoke the license at any time.
When do I have to pay for the season tickets?
You will have an option to choose an annual or pre-payment option.
Payment for the tickets and rights fee will be due in full at the time of renewal each Spring.
For individuals who are interested, a rights-fee pre-payment (10 year) option will be offered (details will be enclosed with the January season ticket lottery application). One of the benefits offered to those who exercise this option be a right to transfer the tickets one time during the duration of the prepay period.
All Notre Dame tickets are a revokable license, the University reserves the right to revoke the license at any time.
I am required to send the University an upfront deposit for the face value of the tickets for all of those I apply for through the lottery. Does the University make a significant amount of interest on those deposits?
Actually, the University does not generate significant revenue from lottery deposits. Due to the high costs of running the annual lottery and the way deposits and refunds are financially structured, we do not receive any significant interest.
I recently heard that joining the Sorin Society will increase my odds of winning in the lottery. If I join, by how much will my odds increase?
Fully sustained members of any annual giving society are eligible to participate in the lottery as special contributors. Special contributors are those individuals who support the University at the annual giving level of $1,500 or more – usually through the Sorin Society or any one of the University’s other recognition societies. Special contributor applications have improved chances for success to multiple home games in the lottery. However, it is difficult to quantify the degree of improvement as it varies annually.
How do the lottery policy changes affect ticket availability for away games?
They do not. Away game ticket access will remain the same and will still be limited by the allotment we receive as a visiting team.
If I choose to purchase season tickets will I still receive my regular application through the lottery?
Yes, you can choose to apply for the new season tickets AND continue to participate in the general alumni ticket lottery if your support of the University meets the minimum annual donation requirements as outlined in the ticket lottery guidelines. (Please note that contributions made toward rights fees do not count toward the annual ticket lottery minimums.)
If I choose to purchase new season tickets, is the rights fee considered a contribution to the University?
In accord with the policies for existing season ticket holders, the rights fee is considered a donation to the University that is 80 percent tax deductible. However, the use of this contribution is restricted for renovation, repair, and maintenance of the stadium. In addition, contributions made toward rights fees do not count toward annual giving recognition society memberships or the minimum annual donation required to participate in the general alumni ticket lottery.
With this new season ticket offering and changes to the football ticket lottery, are there also plans being made to offer additional parking passes?
The location and distribution of parking passes are reviewed annually. We do not anticipate offering additional on-campus parking passes at this time.
Are “preferred/gold” seats for sale?
Not at this time.
FAQs
“Notre Dame Stadium is a legendary landmark in American athletics, and we are committed to preserving and maintaining both its structural integrity and its historic look and feel.” –John Affleck-Graves, executive vice president of the University