As IU heads to CFP title game in Miami, Indiana AG warns fans to watch for ticket scams amid record prices

Staff report

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — January 15, 2026

With Indiana football headed to the College Football Playoff National Championship on Monday, Jan. 19, state officials are urging Hoosier fans scrambling for last-minute tickets to be cautious as prices soar and scammers target buyers.

Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita said his office is seeing heightened risk of fraud tied to major sporting events and warned fans not to let excitement over Indiana’s unbeaten run and first-ever shot at a national title become “financial loss,” according to an advisory distributed Thursday.

The championship matchup — No. 1 Indiana vs. No. 10 Miami at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida — is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET and will be televised on ESPN.

Ticket prices “most expensive on record,” data firms say

The warning comes as secondary-market pricing reaches historic levels.

TickPick data shared with The Bloomingtonian indicated the IU–Miami title game is the most expensive national championship on record, with an average purchase price of $4,356 and a current “get-in” price of $2,784, up about 20% from the prior week’s $2,313. Separately, SeatGeek data shared with The Bloomingtonian pegged the current average resale price at $4,978, which it said would be the highest it has tracked for a CFP championship.

Public reporting has similarly described the game as on pace to be the most expensive CFP title ticket on record. Local television outlets in Florida and Indiana have reported “get-in” prices above $3,000 on major resale platforms as the game nears. TickPick has also reported a heavy in-state footprint for both teams, with Florida and Indiana accounting for a significant share of purchases — suggesting Hard Rock Stadium could feature a notably split crowd despite Miami playing in its home market.

Tips to avoid getting scammed

Rokita’s office advised fans to take basic precautions when shopping for tickets online, including:

• Buy directly from official sources — the university, verified vendors, or established third-party platforms.
• Be skeptical of prices that seem too good to be true, and compare pricing across legitimate marketplaces.
• Avoid unsolicited offers via text, DMs, email, or social media.
• Be wary of sellers who push for off-platform payments.
• Use a credit card and avoid cash, wire transfers, gift cards, or other unusual payment methods.
• Avoid instant-transfer apps such as Venmo or Zelle when dealing with strangers.
• Confirm ticketing sites use https and watch for misspelled URLs that mimic legitimate brands.
• Double-check ticket details — date, time, seat, and section — before paying.

Consumers who believe they have been scammed can file a complaint through the Indiana Consumer Protection Division or call 317-232-6330, the attorney general’s office said.

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