Bears raise 2011 ticket prices

Just hours after extending the contract for head coach Lovie Smith on Friday, the Bears announced on the team’s website that tickets for all seats at Soldier Field will have a price increase for the 2011 NFL season.

The club also mailed out notices to season ticket holders on Friday.

Non-club seat increases will range from $5 to $15, while club seats will be raised from $10 to $30 per ticket. The Bears’ non-club ticket prices now range from $74 to $140 and account for approximately 85 percent of the seating at Soldier Field, according to the Bears. Club seats range from $265 to $530.

While Smith’s contract is not a factor in the ticket price hike, the success of his team is related. In a letter mailed to season ticket holders, team president and CEO Ted Phillips explained the increase as necessary to build a championship team.

“In order to remain competitive within the NFL and to field the best team to compete for a championship, ticket prices will increase in 2001,” Phillips said in the letter.

According to the Bears, it is the first time in three years all seats will see an increase. Invoices to season-ticket holders were to be delivered on Friday, and full payment is due by April 7.

The Bears are coming off an 11-5 regular season that saw them reach the NFC championship game before loving to the Green Bay Packers. In addition to home games against NFC North rivals Detroit, Green Bay and Minnesota, the Bears are also slated to host Atlanta, Carolina, Seattle, Kansas City and San Diego at Soldier Field during the 2011 regular season.

In the event any NFL games are canceled due to a labor dispute, refunds will be paid to season ticket holders no later than 30 days after final determination of how many games will be played during the 2011 NFL season.