When it’s come to season ticket renewals in recent years, 2014 has been the gold standard for the Florida State football program.
The Seminoles were coming off a national championship season, they returned Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Jameis Winston for his redshirt sophomore campaign, and they also happened to have a great home schedule on tap.
That combination resulted in one of the best years for season ticket sales in school history.
As of right now, 2018 might be even better.
“I think people are fired up about Coach Taggart and the changes overall,” said Jack Chatham, FSU’s assistant athletics director in charge of ticket operations and service.
The Willie Taggart effect cannot be denied.
FSU fans certainly are excited about the potential of the new head coach, especially after the Seminoles’ disappointing performance in Jimbo Fisher’s final season. And the promise of an up-tempo, wide-open offense has captured the imagination of the fan base as well.
But it’s more than that.
Like in 2014, the Seminoles have three marquee games on the home schedule -- Virginia Tech on Labor Day night, Clemson on Oct. 27 and Florida on Nov. 24. FSU also has provided financial incentives for fans to renew their season tickets earlier than they might have otherwise.
Fans who renewed their tickets by Feb. 1 were able to lock them in at last season’s prices. Those who renew by March 1 (this Thursday) will get them for $345 per ticket, while all tickets sold after that will cost $380 -- the price of new season tickets.
“We’ve seen 75 percent renewals already,” Chatham said. “That’s better than it was in 2014, when we had Jameis coming back and also home games against Notre Dame, Florida and Clemson. So we’re seeing a lot of people getting in early, which is good.”
FSU also has seen surges in the sales of new season tickets as well as seats in the Champions Club.
If the trend continues, the Seminoles could again sell out their entire seven-game season ticket allotment. When they did that in 2014, it marked the first time since 2003.
Fans who are interested in the bill-pay plan for season tickets have until May 1, Chatham said.
The ticket office also recently launched a new three-game package for fans who want to try out the Champions Club. The $700 package includes a ticket to one of the three marquee games (Virginia Tech, Clemson or Florida) and a ticket to any two of the remaining four (Samford, Northern Illinois, Wake Forest or Boston College).
Chatham said FSU also is encouraging fans to purchase tickets in advance of the April 14 spring game. All seats in the main bowl cost $10 and include a post-game concert.
About 5,000 fans purchased tickets at the stadium for last year’s spring game, which led to some long lines. Cash only is accepted on the day of the game.
“It’s much more convenient to do it online and get it out of the way,” Chatham said.
The Champions Club also will be open for the spring game, with tickets costing $40 for Champions Club season ticket-holders and $55 for the public.
The ticket office can be contacted through its official website or by calling 850-644-1830.
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