clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

Fast food or Lions tickets: Which is more expensive?

We take a look at some burgers with fries and compare it to Detroit-Washington tickets.

Fast food restaurant chain McDonald’s logo seen in Pedro... Photo by Rafael Henrique/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images

Late November is the time of year when many fans not only give up on hope, but look to score a quick buck. Visits to NFL stadiums have become prohibitively expensive; not just the ticket, but add in parking, concessions and whatever else might fit on the bill.

It’s only natural for exhausted fans to sell their tickets (see last week when Cowboys fans gleefully gobbled up the second-hand market) but when it’s two teams both in the deep doldrums of anguish? Buddy, it’s the bottom of the barrel.

As to be expected, prices for the Lions and Redskins have dropped to unconscionable prices. Nosebleeds can be had for single digit values, and you’ll probably starting bleeding if you watch this game too. Fans in DC want to sell, but like peace nobody is buying.

You know what also goes well with anguish and despair? Fast food. What’s the more economical option? Well...

Let’s play a game, buttercup

We’re going to see if your caloric intake from fast food can beat the asking price for a Lions ticket. This is in no way scientific, but for the sake of ground rules and keeping things close, we’re going to go full menu combo items from popular chains. There will be no $4 biggie bags, no $5 taco boxes, nothing off a value menu. Without a combo available, we’re ordering the item with a simple side and the smallest drink available. All prices are before taxes and taken from online fast food menu sites, DoorDash or the chain’s own online ordering website, using Michigan as the state when possible.

Nailing down a ticket price is a bit tricky since it’s constantly shifting. We’re going to go with a price cited by MLive on Nov. 20, where they found tickets on StubHub for $6.98, although I know that Benjamin Raven also found tickets on Nov. 21 for meager $4. $6.98 seems like a competitive price against most fast food combos.

I took suggestions from Twitter on what meals to compare. While many replies had some excellent ideas for substitutions, we decided to keep it simple for now. No “The Price is Right” music was harmed in the making of this post.

Jeremy Reisman: Taco Bell Crunchwrap Supreme

As a combo: $5.29
Is it cheaper than a Lions ticket? The Fearless Leader of this esteemed blog has gone very economical with his greasy consumption and beats most Lions ticket prices except for Raven’s anecdotal $4 price.

@Audibledong: Popeye’s fried chicken sandwich

As a combo: $6.99
Is it cheaper than a Lions ticket? The infamous headline-grabbing chicken sandwich sits just a cent above MLive’s listed $6.98 ticket price.

Mansur Shaheen: McDonald’s Filet-O-Fish

As a combo: $6.20
Is it cheaper than a Lions ticket? It’s comforting to know that the sandwich I rely on so much during Lent is cheaper than a Lions-Redskins ticket.

Ryan Mathews: McDonald’s sausage, egg and cheese McGriddle

As a combo: $4.80
Is it cheaper than a Lions ticket? What would I do without fast food breakfast? It’s the most important grease of the day, and it’s cheaper than a ticket to watch Detroit take on Washington.

@DavidMarra: McDonald’s Double Quarter Pounder

As a combo: $7.16
Is it cheaper than a Lions ticket? We finally found the meal from the golden arches that beats a Lions-Skins ticket.

@AaronVDebs: Wendy’s spicy chicken sandwich

As a combo: $7.16
Is it cheaper than a Lions ticket? A lot of people wanted to get this one in. Unfortunately, it’s more expensive than a Lions ticket.

@CSnackson: Wendy’s Dave’s Triple with cheese

As a combo: $8.66
Is it cheaper than a Lions ticket? Real talk, Wendy’s is pretty pricey for fast food. Each year I feel like their burgers and chicken sandwiches go up faster than I get raises. Wendy’s is an enemy of the proletariat, and their burgers are, like the chicken sandwiches, more expensive that Lions vs. Redskins.

@__john________: Burger King Impossible Whopper

As a combo: $8.89
Is it cheaper than a Lions ticket? Going vegan is more expensive than going to a Lions game.

@gramcraka92: Sonic bacon cheeseburger Toaster

As a combo: $7.48
Is it cheaper than a Lions ticket: Not quite, but you don’t have to wait in a drive-thru lane so who can really say.

@TheAngryKrabby: Carl’s Jr./Hardee’s Western Bacon Cheeseburger

As a combo: $11.05
Is it cheaper than a Lions ticket? I don’t know if this one is on the Hardee’s version of the menu since I haven’t been in forever, but no, it’s more expensive than tickets. That Matthew McConaughey singing isn’t going to pay for itself.

@shemp999: In-N-Out Double Double

As a combo: $6.57
Is it cheaper than a Lions ticket? While you may not find this in Michigan, it’s still cheaper than a Lions ticket. Now, if you make this order Animal style it’s a different story.

@myjakeisname: Raising Cane’s The Box Combo

As a combo: $7.47
Is it cheaper than a Lions ticket? Yes, and as a lover of chicken tenders this is probably a better investment all around. Don’t sleep on Cane’s.

@zippkode: Bojangles’ Four Piece Supreme

As a combo: $6.48
Is it cheaper than a Lions ticket? More chicken! Again, you probably can’t get this in Michigan but it’s cheaper than a Lions ticket.

@thevikesbull53: Dairy Queen Flamethrower Grillburger

As a combo: $8.12
Is it cheaper than a Lions ticket? I don’t even need to upgrade the fries or get a Blizzard to make this more expensive than a Lions ticket.

@misterandyd: Jimmy John’s Italian Night Club

With chips and drink: $11.37
Is it cheaper than a Lions ticket? If we add extra meat like our friend wants, the total is $13.36. Buddy you could almost buy TWO Lions tickets for that gourmet delicacy!

@VichGee: Illegal Pete’s Baja fish burrito

With small chips and salsa: $9.48
Is it cheaper than a Lions ticket? We’re starting to get into the dreaded “fast casual” destination here. Illegal Pete’s doesn’t list their drink prices online but we’re already more expensive than a Lions ticket; the question, dear reader, is just how much that cola is gonna set us back.


Want more? Tune in on Sunday at 8 p.m. ET on Pride Of Detroit’s Twitch channel for PODcast LIVE where I’ll have more fast food prices and make my wonderful cohosts play this game all over again for your viewing pleasure. If you can’t catch it live, be sure to download the Pride Of Detroit PODcast.