For the first time since before the COVID-19 pandemic, season ticket prices for Kentucky men’s basketball games at Rupp Arena are set to increase for Mark Pope’s first season as coach.

Prices for season tickets in the lower bowl, chair back portions of the upper arena and some bleacher seats in the upper arena will increase, UK announced in a news release Thursday. In total, 87% of season ticket holders will see a price increase.

Prices for most upper-level bleacher seats will remain unchanged.

The largest increases will come in the premium seating areas closest to the court, including the sideline risers and first four permanent rows along the sideline. UK reports 64% of season ticket holders will see an approximate 5% increase in prices, 16% will see an approximate 12% increase and 7% will see an increase of approximately 25% or more.

The K Fund donation required of season ticket holders will also be adjusted with the lower bowl now featuring 10 different price levels instead of four.

“The passion that Big Blue Nation exhibits for Kentucky men’s basketball is a huge part of what makes our program special,” athletics director Mitch Barnhart said in the release. “We have been reminded of how extraordinary our fans are throughout this offseason. We thank Big Blue Nation for their ongoing support of our program and look forward to seeing them back in Rupp Arena at Central Bank Center this season.”

The last time UK increased season ticket prices for men’s basketball was before the 2019-20 season, coinciding with the renovation to Rupp Arena that introduced premium seating areas and chair backs in the upper arena. K Fund donations were last adjusted before the 2014-15 season.

The price increase comes as athletic departments are searching for new revenue sources in the wake of the settlement of multiple lawsuits against the NCAA that will open the door for schools to share approximately $20 million per year in revenue with athletes.

During a meeting of the UK Board of Trustees’ athletics committee in June, Barnhart vowed to do everything possible to avoid cutting staff or sports as a response to the budget crunch created by the legal settlement. That means cutting expenses elsewhere while searching for more revenue.

“We will try to continue to keep our family whole,” Barnhart told the committee. “For us, that’s 675 student athletes. That’s a lot. That’s a big number. We’re one of the largest departments in the SEC. That’s a tall task. We’ve got work ahead of us.”

The renewal deadline for season tickets is Aug. 29. Fans who renew before Aug. 8 are eligible to receive five bonus K Fund priority points and two complimentary tickets to a home football game against Southern Miss, Ohio or Murray State. UK will select 20 winners from the early renewals for two Big Blue Madness tickets.

UK’s nonconference home schedule is highlighted by the annual rivalry game versus Louisville on Dec. 14. The Wildcats will host Alabama, Arkansas, Auburn, Florida, LSU, South Carolina, Texas A&M, Tennessee and Vanderbilt during SEC play.

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