Caitlin Clark’s impact on the WNBA has been nothing short of remarkable, but her recent injury serves as a stark reminder of how reliant the league’s excitement can be on its star players. Clark will miss at least two weeks due to a left quad strain following the Indiana Fever’s tight 90-88 loss to the New York Liberty. This absence will keep her sidelined for at least four upcoming games and significantly affects fan interest, particularly reflected in ticket prices.
Since the announcement of Clark’s injury, ticket prices for the Fever’s next games have plummeted. Before Monday’s news, fans were willing to pay an average of $137 for tickets across the four games she’ll miss; that number has now dropped a staggering 71%, with prices averaging around $80, according to data from TickPick.
The impact is especially pronounced for the Fever’s road matchups against the Washington Mystics and the Chicago Sky. Originally scheduled to be played in venues that couldn’t contain the surge in demand for Clark-related excitement, the Mystics have moved their game from the CareFirst Arena to CFG Bank Arena in Baltimore, which boasts over 6,000 extra seats. Before Clark’s injury, the cheapest ticket for that game sold for $41; now, you can find tickets for as low as $14, while the average price has dropped from $115 to $83.
The showdown against the Sky had the potential to be a highly anticipated match-up featuring Clark and fellow star Angel Reese. Now, that excitement has dimmed, with the game also relocating to the United Center, a venue that can accommodate more than 20,000 fans. Initially, the least expensive ticket was priced at $86, but as of Tuesday night, you can snag a ticket for just $25. The average price has also seen a drastic change, plummeting from $210 to $95.
For those Fever fans hoping to see Clark back in action, her possible return to the court could be on June 10 against the Atlanta Dream. Anticipation for this matchup is clear, as the cheapest ticket available is now listed at $147. Following that game, the Fever’s road stretch against the Golden State Valkyries, Las Vegas Aces, Seattle Storm, and Dallas Wings sees ticket prices starting around the $100 mark, with the June 27 game against the Wings set to start at $141.
On the home front, if Clark returns in time for the June 14 matchup against the Liberty, tickets are currently available starting at $43. This situation highlights not only Clark’s superstar status but also the broader implications of player availability in shaping fan engagement and the economic landscape of the WNBA. As we await her return, the league feels the ebb and flow of interest, underscoring just how vital Clark has become to the Fever—and the WNBA at large.
