Eagles vs. Patriots: Tom Brady Craze Causing Ticket Prices to Soar
When the Philadelphia Eagles visit the New England Patriots for Week 1 on Sept. 10, it'll mark just the third meeting between the two squads since Super Bowl LII in February 2018.
The Philly faithful certainly remember that thrilling 41-33 win all too well, as the team secured its first title in franchise history. In order to capture their first ring, the Eagles had to take down the mighty Tom Brady, who had beaten Donovan McNabb and Co. in Super Bowl XXXIX 13 years earlier.
There's definitely plenty of championship memories between the two sides, which makes it all the more fitting that the now-retired Brady will be honored at Gillette Stadium during the Week 1 contest. But considering Brady's greatness, the history between the two teams and the fact that Philly is the defending NFC champs, getting into Gillette to soak in the magic will hardly be easy.
According to a report from ESPN's Mike Reiss, the average ticket price for the Patriots-Eagles clash is $807. This makes it the most in-demand ticket throughout the league, as the No. 2 hottest ticket for the San Francisco 49ers-Dallas Cowboys game pales in comparison at $501 on average.
It will be Brady's first time back in Foxboro since he faced off against the Patriots in the 2021 season. As a member of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the Patriots could not spoil Brady's homecoming as he got out of Foxboro with a 19-17 win. With his retirement, it will be the only game Brady played inside Gillette where he wasn't in a Patriots uniform.
But he also got familiar with these current Eagles in his final years before retirement.
Brady topped rising quarterback Jalen Hurts and the Eagles 31-15 in the 2021 NFC Wild Card before bowing out to the eventual champion Los Angeles Rams in the Divisional Round. The postseason win over Philly marked Brady's second over the team that season, as he and the Bucs beat the Eagles 28-22 during a Week 6 battle at Lincoln Financial Field.
While Brady won't take the field with a helmet and pads this September (at least we think he won't), it will be one for Eagles senior defensive assistant Matt Patricia. Patricia will return to Foxboro after leaving this offseason following a disastrous stint as the Patriots' offensive play-caller. This will be another intriguing storyline, as he still can claim credit for three Super Bowl-winning defenses when he served as the defensive coordinator.
It is sufficient to say that there are plenty of reasons for fans' demand to be in attendance as the Patriots will kick off a new season versus the Eagles.
You can follow Zach Dimmitt on Twitter at @ZachDimmitt7
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