New ticket-pricing system for single games made available

The Padres are introducing several new ticket programs for the 2012 season.

The club is the sixth in the major leagues to offer "dynamic pricing" for single-game sales. Fans purchasing tickets well in advance of games usually will get a discounted price while fans buying tickets just before an attractive game will likely pay a premium.

The Padres also announced a military season pass for 2012. The $99 package offering to a junior enlisted grade member of the active military (grade E1-E3) will be for one ticket for up to 80 home games.

"Nearly three-quarters of our tickets will go on sale at or below 2011 prices," Padres President and COO Tom Garfinkel said while describing the "dynamic pricing" program.

"The primary motivation is to provide advance discounting to fans to encourage early purchase. The degree of discounting will vary based on factors like opponent and day of game. Prices will normalize as it gets closer to the game, but generally, fans who buy early will save money."

The Padres' new computer-controlled pricing program will give the team the ability to adjust ticket costs higher or lower based on a number of factors including market demand, pitching matchups, the team's performance, weather and potential milestones.

The program is used by a half-dozen other major league teams as well as NASCAR, the NBA and the NHL.

Although the cheapest tickets for any section will still be season tickets, nearly 60 percent of single-game tickets will go on sale below 2011 prices while another 14 percent will be at the same price.

"We wanted to provide discounted seats across the ballpark to fans that purchase in advance," said Garfinkel. "Season ticket holders will still enjoy the deepest discounts."

In a related matter, Garfinkel said season ticket renewals for the 2012 season will "end up in the mid to high 70" percent range.

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