Badgers fans slow to move on Rose Bowl tickets

GREEN BAY - The Badgers are headed to Pasadena. It’s the third Rose Bowl in row, but will the fans follow this time?

As a local Alumni Association Board member, Sara Klemme says she has done whatever it took to go to the Rose Bowl to cheer on her team.

"We attempted to go two years ago,” she said. “To watch them lose, it was so depressing. So when they went last year, we were determined to make it. We went out really early and hand an awesome time even though we lost last year it was so much fun."

• Timeline: Wisconsin in the Rose Bowl

And while Klemme's still reeling from the unexpected Badgers win Saturday, she says this year she won't be west coast bound.

"Probably not this year, but the alumni association always hosts a huge viewing party,” said Klemme.

Apparently Klemme's not alone. Schmitty's Tickets owner John Schmidt says his business with Badgers fans has been quiet.

"We did order ours, because we get an allotment from the Badgers. But I haven't heard anything yet. Nobody's called,” said Schmidt.

Schmidt says that's noticeably slower than ever before.

"You'd get a call the next day. You'd average 10 calls a day,” he said.

So, if you're looking for Rose Bowl tickets, there are plenty available for less than $200.

While you may be able to get a bargain on game tickets to go to the Rose Bowl, you'll be paying a lot for the airfare. The cheapest flights right now from Green Bay to Los Angeles average around $900.

"If they went to the Orange Bowl, it would be better than the Rose Bowl. Florida's closer, Florida's warmer, and it's a new destination,” said Schmidt.

But for Pasadena, including air travel, a game ticket and everything else, the alumni association is offering four-day tour packages for around $3,000.

Alumni who will be watching in Wisconsin say they're still hopeful lots of fans from across the state and the nation will make the trek to the Tournament of Roses for New Year's Day.

"I think it's hard not to be a Badger fan, whether you went to the school or not. It's really fun and the spirit comes out in everybody,” she said.

As a minor consolation, brokers say Badgers fans should be grateful the team played like it did this season and is not headed to the National Championship in Florida. Those tickets are going for $1,600 a piece, ten times the Rose Bowl price.