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District explains $1 athletics ticket increase, says fees help cover game operations and safety
Summary
Peoria Unified officials said a $1 ticket price increase for select high‑school sports helps pay for officials, security and game operations; athletics program said revenues largely offset operational expenses.
Peoria Unified administrators explained a board‑approved $1 ticket price increase for many high‑school sports and outlined how gate revenue supports game operations and safety.
Assistant superintendent Dr. Vanessa Hernandez told trustees that the district’s athletic venues require single points of entry for crowd control and safety. As approved at a May 29 meeting and reiterated Sept. 25, ticket prices for 2025–26 are $7 for adults, $5 for students and seniors/military, with children 5 and under admitted free. The district also moved passes to a digital platform (GoFan) to reduce processing fees and provide families more flexibility.
Hernandez said athletic operations (seven high schools plus elementary activities) have roughly $650,000 in annual operating expenses, and that ticket sales help offset costs for officials, announcers, security and scoreboard support. She noted officials’ rates and public‑safety costs have risen — officials’ pay up about 25% since 2020, and police hourly rates cited by the district have increased to roughly $75 per hour — and that several sports such as swim and badminton previously had free entry but now can be ticketed because new venue access controls make it feasible.
The presentation included a market check showing Peoria’s football pricing aligned with other large Valley districts. Hernandez also highlighted academic and scholarship achievements among student athletes; board members praised the safety and communications work and asked for follow‑up surveys on parent satisfaction with events and ticketing.
