Tickets for Mystics’ game against Clark, Fever hot item

The Washington Mystics’ June 7 game against Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever at Capital One Arena sold out its first run of tickets in under three hours after they went on sale at 10 a.m. Tuesday.

The Mystics had already moved the highly-anticipated matchup from their usual arena — Southeast’s 4,200-seat Entertainment and Sports Arena — to the 20,000-seat Capital One Arena downtown. The Mystics didn’t say how many seats sold Tuesday, but confirmed that more tickets would be made available in coming weeks. 

Teams around the WNBA are adjusting to the increased demand that accompanies Clark — college basketball’s all-time leading scorer — and the highly-touted draft class entering the league alongside the Iowa star. 

This year’s NCAA women’s basketball tournament shattered viewership records and interest in the sport has continued as the WNBA season approaches.

“Demand this season has really been unprecedented,” Alycen McAuley, the Mystics’ chief business officer, told WTOP. “The interest, especially after [the] draft, has really been extraordinary. I think we’re seeing double-digit interest increases for us right now.”

This year’s draft was the most-watched for the WNBA since 2004. More than 2.4 million viewers tuned in to see where Clark and fellow rookies Angel Reese and Cameron Brink would begin their professional careers.

Unsurprisingly, interest in Fever games skyrocketed after the team selected Clark with the No. 1 pick. Clark’s Iowa Hawkeyes sold out every away game in her final collegiate season, bringing flocks of basketball fans to college campuses around the country. 

WNBA teams expect the ticket sales to follow her into the professional ranks.

The reigning champion Las Vegas Aces moved their first home game against Clark and the Fever to the 20,000-seat T-Mobile Arena, which can host 8,000 more fans than their usual home — Michelob ULTRA Arena.

The Aces had already sold out their season tickets. Two more teams, the Atlanta Dream and Dallas Wings, sold out their season plans this month.

In statements, WNBA teams have said moving to bigger arenas for high-demand games is just smart business as interest in women’s basketball explodes.

“The move to Capital One Arena will allow for additional fans in the stands as well as premium hospitality options,” the Mystics said. “There has been unprecedented demand for the WNBA this season due in large part to the talent of incoming players from this season’s collegiate draft.”

Record demand has made the ticket-buying process more difficult for fans who wanted to see Clark play the Mystics in person. Tickets to the June 7 game sold out quickly and some customers said their tickets became more expensive during the check-out process.

“Did y’all turn dynamic pricing on,” one user wrote on X, including a screenshot noting that tickets were not available at their original price. “You’re killing me actually why did my 400-level tickets double in price.” The Mystics did not respond to a request for comment.

Any fans still hoping to see the Mystics face the Fever will have to wait for more tickets to go on sale. 

Brave fans could also plumb the resale market, though some tickets close to the court have a $900 price tag on Ticketmaster.

“It’s not just that Fever game. I think we’re seeing that demand for some of our other games this season,” McAuley said. “I’m also really surprised and impressed with how many fans just really want to come in and support … They’re really voting for women’s sports with their wallets.”

The Mystics open their season May 14 against the New York Liberty.

Correction: This story has been updated to reflect that only the tickets the Mystics made available Tuesday to the June 7 game at Capital One Arena are sold out — not the entire arena.