College Football Final: Indiana vs Miami Becomes Priciest Ticket Ever/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ The national championship between Indiana and Miami is one of the most expensive in college football history. Indiana aims for a perfect season with Heisman winner Fernando Mendoza under center. Miami, playing near home, seeks its first title since 2001 in a storybook matchup.
College Football Final Fever: Quick Looks
- National title game between Indiana and Miami among priciest in history
- Get-in price hit $3,652, near-record for college football
- Indiana Hoosiers (15-0) seek first-ever national title
- Miami (13-2) playing near home at Hard Rock Stadium
- Fernando Mendoza, Indiana QB and Heisman winner, grew up near Miami campus
- Mendoza has 8 TDs, 5 incompletions in two playoff blowouts
- Curt Cignetti has transformed Indiana in just two seasons
- Miami boasts elite pass rush with Rueben Bain and Akheem Mesidor
- Hoosiers are 8.5-point favorites, but both teams were 100-1 long shots
- Mario Cristobal credits simplicity and mindset for Miami’s turnaround
Deep Look: Indiana, Miami Turn College Football Final Into Historic Showdown
MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — Monday night’s College Football Playoff National Championship at Hard Rock Stadium is more than just a title game. It’s a collision of two improbable Cinderella stories — and the toughest ticket in college football memory.
When Indiana (15-0) meets Miami (13-2) under the lights, it will cap a season defined by historic turnarounds, elite quarterback play, and two fan bases desperate for championship glory. And the secondary market reflects that passion.
According to Ticketdata, the lowest “get-in” price just 24 hours before kickoff sat at $3,652 — slightly down from earlier highs but still set to become the most expensive college football title ticket since 2009, when the data began being tracked.
Why the Surge in Hype?
It starts with the Indiana Hoosiers, once one of the most irrelevant programs in major college football. Before head coach Curt Cignetti took over in 2024, Indiana had played in just 13 bowl games over 130+ years.
Now? They’re one win from perfection.
“It’s time to sharpen the saw,” Cignetti said. “Throw those warm fuzzies out the door. It’s time to go play against a great opponent.”
Cignetti’s roster is led by Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza, a quarterback with roots in Miami. In two playoff wins over Alabama and Oregon, Indiana outscored their opponents 94-25. Mendoza threw eight touchdowns with only five incompletions.
That stat line reads more like video game numbers than a playoff résumé — but it’s real.
“He’s been on another level,” Cignetti added. “He’s the heart of this team.”
Miami’s Moment at Home
For Miami, this isn’t just a shot at redemption — it’s happening in their own backyard. Hard Rock Stadium, only minutes from campus, will serve as home turf as the Hurricanes chase their first national title since 2001.
Under Mario Cristobal, the program has clawed back into national prominence with a fierce defense and a simple philosophy.
“Football isn’t complicated — blocking, tackling, leverage,” Cristobal said. “People complicate it. We keep it simple and stay focused.”
Miami’s pass rush, led by Rueben Bain and Akheem Mesidor, will be key in attempting to disrupt Mendoza’s rhythm. The duo has been a nightmare for offensive lines all season, and they’ll need their best game yet to stop the nation’s most efficient passer.
“I don’t need outside noise,” Bain said. “Just love from Miami. That’s all I need.”
From 100-1 to Title Contenders
According to MGM SportsBook, Indiana enters the game as 8.5-point favorites. But what makes this matchup even more unbelievable is that both teams were 100-1 long shots to make the title game at different points in the season.
Now, they’ve defied every oddsmaker, statistician, and pundit to land on the sport’s biggest stage.
More Than a Game: Ticket Prices Soar
For fans, the experience comes with a steep price tag. With Mendoza returning to his hometown and Indiana’s massive alumni base hungry for history, the demand has driven prices into record-setting territory.
- $3,652 “get-in” price just 24 hours before kickoff
- Highest since data started being tracked in 2009
- Expected to break records for national title games
Hard Rock Stadium holds about 65,000 fans, and those lucky enough to have a seat are witnessing more than a championship — they’re watching history.
What’s at Stake
- Indiana seeks its first national title in school history
- Miami hopes to end a 25-year championship drought
- Fernando Mendoza eyes a perfect 16-0 finish and legendary legacy
- Curt Cignetti would cement his name among elite coaches in just his second year
- Mario Cristobal could deliver a title to his alma mater as head coach
“Right people, right intentions, working the right way — that’s undefeated,” Cristobal said.
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