UCLA Introduces Courtside “Hollywood Seats” for Next Season
Have you ever wanted to be right by the action, maybe snap a selfie while UCLA coach Mick Cronin paces along the sideline in Pauley Pavilion? Or hear exactly what he says during timeouts? Well, it seems that opportunity is coming, according to the California Post.
Starting next season, UCLA plans to sell at least 12 premium courtside seats. These will be split evenly—some will be near the Bruins’ bench, while others will sit beside the visiting team’s bench. This initiative is part of UCLA’s push to enhance the fan experience, which also includes a new courtside lounge.
However, it’s worth noting that these “Hollywood seats” won’t come cheap or be easy to secure. Initial priority will go to corporate sponsors and major donors, and while final pricing is still up in the air, it’s anticipated that the combination of ticket sales and a forthcoming naming rights deal for the lounge could net around $2 million each season.
Roughly speaking, it means each seat could cost six figures for the season; that’s pretty steep, making it more than three times the number of typical courtside seats available across from the coaching area.
Those fortunate enough to score a Hollywood seat will also gain access to the courtside lounge. This space will take over a significant portion of the previous media room, located close to the hallway that leads to the locker room. The lounge will have space for fewer than 100 people, primarily high-value donors and their guests, who would need to pay an annual membership fee to enter.
The vibe of the lounge? Well, you can expect it to be quite chic, reminiscent of a speakeasy.
Enhanced Experience Beyond the Game
Plans are in place for this lounge to serve as a gathering spot during pregame, halftime, and postgame. It will feature a bar and comfortable sofas adorned with UCLA memorabilia, celebrating the university’s storied athletic history.
Construction is set to begin in July, with hopes for a soft launch during non-conference games. This should allow for adjustments before the grand reveal in January. The lounge will also be open for select women’s basketball games.
This new seating arrangement is just one of UCLA’s strategies to bolster revenue amid fierce competition within college sports.
Add to that the more than 400 premium seats being sold linked to the new field-level club at the Rose Bowl, which should yield at least $1 million in new revenue. Surprisingly, about 80% of these sales include new season ticket holders, indicating that the team is drawing in fans who hadn’t previously committed to such investments.
Additionally, UCLA will offer multi-game ticket packages that allow fans to experience premium seating and hopefully entice them to return for more games.
Since the hiring of coach Bob Chesney, ticket sales for the Rose Bowl have seen a rise. He recently made headlines for recruiting efforts, leading James Madison to the College Football Playoff. The team is already on track to surpass last season’s football ticket revenue and will also offer lower-priced admissions for various sports, including football and basketball.
UCLA is also rolling out a new benefits program through its ticketing app, where fans who meet attendance standards can receive perks like complimentary merchandise, collectibles, and pregame field access at the Rose Bowl.
