The Demand for the Characteristics of Football Matches: A Hedonic Price Approach

Abstract

We estimate a system of demand equations for three aggregate characteristics of a football game—quality of the teams, outcome uncertainty, and schedule—based on the estimation of a hedonic price model for the ticket price of a football match using data from the Spanish football league. We conclude that all three characteristics are not inferior goods (quality as a luxury), and they are price inelastic, showing some degree of complementarity. Some implications of these results in terms of the measures taken and to be taken by the Spanish association of football clubs (LaLiga) are discussed.