October 10, 2008 Sox fans pleasantly surprised with low ticket prices Play video

(Josh Brogadir, NECN) - The Red Sox are in St.Petersburg, Florida on Friday night for the start of the ALCS against Tampa Bay.

Some fans made the trip to Florida, but ticket brokers say more are staying here in New England than one year ago.

It is perhaps an unexpected result of the faltering economy.

Fewer people are buying tickets from brokers for the Red Sox playoff games meaning lower costs for tickets.

It's tough to get more loyal to a team than fans are to this team

"Red Sox in six," predicted Dave Toscano, of Ottawa, Canada.

"I'm going to say Sox in six," said Matt Dubois of Boston.

So even with the Red Sox string of success the past few years, even with the economic downturn in this nation and Red Sox nation, fans are still heading to the airport.

They are going to Tampa for the ALCS, though maybe not quite as many as last year's series against the Indians.

"We actually had probably more people go to Cleveland than went to Tampa this year, even though Tampa is such an easy thing and it's Columbus Day weekend. What we're finding is people are staying here," said Jim Holzman.

Holzman is the founder and president of aceticket.com, located in the Allston section of Boston.

He says market demand sets the price of tickets and with less demand, supply is up.

"Right now, it's an incredible value for the consumers. I think people are calling in pleasantly surprised at what they are, usually

But his take on tickets is don't go to Tampa. Wait for games 3, 4, and a potential game 5 and come to Fenway instead.

The numbers bear that out.

Last year, face value of an ALCS ticket in the bleachers was $70. Ace Ticket sold it for $225.

This year, face for that same seat is $80; Ace Ticket has it for $99.

Even the lower prices are out of the price range of the average fan, like one couple who lives around the corner from Fenway Park.

"I would rather use that money elsewhere, watch them on TV," Matt Dubois said.

"Well, maybe just to do it one time. But I wouldn't pay for it on a regular basis. (It's) expensive, ridiculous," said his girlfriend Katherine Dubois.

Holzman cautions that if the Red Sox win Game 1 and/or Game 2, those prices for Games 3 and 4 and the potential Game 5 will go up. But comparatively, he still expects them to cost less than one year ago.