Columbus City Schools on Aug. 14 announced its first ticket price increase for athletic events in more than two decades, bringing admission closer to suburban and rural districts across the area and beyond.
Tickets for varsity contests will now cost $10 for adults, double the previous cost, and $5 for students, the district announced in a press release.
The revenue will support athletic programs at the district’s 16 high schools and continue to eliminate the need for participation fees.
“The adjustment comes after a review of current admission prices around the region, the rising cost of operating athletic events and the rising cost of equipment and uniforms,” the release said. “Adult admission has remained at $5 for more than two decades, while costs for officials, event staffing, security, equipment, facilities, maintenance, uniforms and other athletic operations increased significantly.”
Scott Williams, the district’s new director of athletics and activities, added the district “needed to make this change to meet the real costs of operating top-quality programs without pay-to-play fees.”
Dispatch research this spring into participation fees across central Ohio showed districts range from less than $50 per athlete to $575 in Marysville because of recent failed levies.
More: CCS to spend $2.5M on Eastmoor Academy football stadium replacement
Columbus is one of the few central Ohio districts not to mandate participation fees, along with Big Walnut and Circleville.
Admission to Columbus middle school events will remain at $3 for basketball and volleyball. Baseball, soccer, softball and track and field admission is free.
The district also said it will continue to offer the Golden Apple Pass for fans ages 60 and older. That provides free admission to regular-season varsity contests hosted within the district.
High school sports reporter Dave Purpura can be reached at dpurpura@dispatch.com and at @dp_dispatch on X.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: CCS raises ticket prices for high school varsity sports. Here's why