How to Price Raffle Tickets: Strategies for Maximum Revenue
Last updated: August 2026 · By Tom Kelly, CEO of CharityAuctions.com
TL;DR
How to price raffle tickets for fundraisers. Price ranges, bundle pricing, tiered options, and a simple formula. Plus tax context for ticket buyers and when to adjust by format.
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How to Price Raffle Tickets: Strategies for Maximum Revenue
Raffle ticket pricing affects both volume and revenue. Price too high and you limit sales. Price too low and you leave money on the table. The right strategy balances accessibility with your fundraising goal.
This guide covers how to price raffle tickets: typical ranges, bundle pricing, formulas, and format-specific tips. For full raffle planning, see how to run a raffle fundraiser.
School parents vs. gala donors; match pricing to capacity
Event format
Casual community event vs. formal gala
Raffle type
50/50, basket, golden ticket, wine pull; each has different norms
Fundraising goal
Work backward from goal to required ticket volume
Silent auction vs. raffle compares revenue models: raffles rely on ticket volume; auctions rely on competitive bidding. For raffles, pricing directly drives participation.
Building 3 to 5 bundle tiers? Add a consignment travel package as your top prize. Send me items I can list.
Typical ranges
Typical price ranges
Raffle tickets often range from $1 to $20 per ticket depending on:
Prize value: A $100 gift card might support $5 tickets; a $5,000 vacation might support $25 to $50 tickets
Audience: School fundraisers often use $1 to $5; galas may use $10 to $20
Event format: Casual events favor lower prices; formal events can support higher
According to CharityAuctions.com, bundle pricing (e.g., $5 each or 5 for $20) boosts raffle ticket sales by an average of 30 to 50% compared to single-ticket pricing. 9 raffle games to help you raise more has more format ideas.
CharityAuctions.com is silent auction software that lets you run raffles and silent auctions together at no upfront cost. Use mobile bidding for charity auctions to sell raffle tickets and run mobile bidding at the same event with a single QR code.
Building 3 to 5 bundle tiers? Add a consignment travel package as your top prize. Send me items I can list.
Tier psychology
Anchoring and tiered options
Anchoring: List your highest-priced bundle first so mid-tier options feel reasonable. People tend to choose the middle option when given three choices.
Tiered options: Offer 3 to 5 tiers (e.g., 5 tickets, 25 tickets, 60 tickets, 150 tickets) to appeal to different buyer types. Clear savings at higher tiers drive larger purchases.
No prize to procure. The pot is half the ticket revenue. Common: $5 to $10 per ticket or bundles like 1 for $10, 3 for $25, 10 for $50. Display the growing pot ("Current pot: $2,450") to create urgency.
Basket raffle (chance auction)
Price tickets by the sheet or bundle. Common: 25 tickets for $20, 60 for $40, 150 for $100. Use premium tickets (different color, higher price) for high-value baskets. Raffle game ideas has creative basket themes.
Golden ticket raffle
Limited premium-priced tickets (e.g., $100 each). Keep counts low (e.g., 100 tickets) for exclusivity. One prize, high stakes.
Wine pull / mystery bag
Fixed price per pull (e.g., $25 or $50). No bundles. Each pull is one purchase. Price to cover the average cost of bottles plus margin.
Multi-winner raffle
Price per ticket or bundle. Multiple prizes mean higher perceived odds; can support slightly lower per-ticket prices while still driving volume.
Pairing with a live appeal:
Consider running your raffle alongside a paddle raise or fund-a-need appeal. Closing the raffle drawing at the same moment as the paddle raise creates a combined revenue surge at the highest-energy point of your event.
Offer a discount 4 to 6 weeks before the drawing; increase prices as the date nears. Creates urgency and rewards early buyers. Example: $40 early bird, $50 standard, $60 at the door.
Building 3 to 5 bundle tiers? Add a consignment travel package as your top prize. Send me items I can list.
Tax context
Tax and pricing context
Raffle ticket purchases can have tax implications for buyers:
Non-winners: If a supporter buys tickets and does not win, the full ticket price may be deductible as a charitable contribution (they received nothing in return).
Winners: If they win a prize, they receive something of value. Only the amount paid above the prize's fair market value may be deductible. That's rare for raffles since ticket prices are usually below prize value.
For your nonprofit: Provide clear receipts. Include the organization name, date, amount paid, and a statement that no goods or services were received (for non-winners) or that the deductible portion is the amount above FMV (for winners). IRS Publication 526 and quid pro quo contribution rules apply. This is general information, not tax advice. Consult a tax professional.
This context can inform pricing: some donors may prefer to know their ticket purchase supports the cause and may be tax-deductible when they don't win. That doesn't change how you price, but it can support your messaging.
Common ranges are $1 to $20 per ticket depending on prize value, audience, and event type. School fundraisers typically use $1 to $5 per ticket. Galas and formal events typically use $10 to $20. Higher-value prizes such as travel packages or cars can support $25 to $100 per ticket. According to CharityAuctions.com, bundle pricing (e.g., $5 each or 5 for $20) boosts raffle ticket sales by an average of 30 to 50% compared to single-ticket pricing. Match your price to your audience capacity and prize value, then add bundle tiers to maximize revenue.
What are the best raffle ticket pricing strategies?
The five most effective raffle ticket pricing strategies are bundle pricing (offer 3 to 5 tiers; list the highest first), anchoring (the middle option gets chosen most often), early bird discounts (offer lower prices 4 to 6 weeks out and increase as the date nears), displaying a live growing pot for 50/50 raffles, and working backward from your goal using the formula: (Prize + Costs + Profit Goal) divided by (Expected Tickets times 0.8). According to CharityAuctions.com, bundle pricing boosts sales by 30 to 50% and events that combine a raffle with a silent auction raise an average of 38% more total revenue than those running either activity alone. CharityAuctions.com is silent auction software that lets you run raffles and auctions together at no upfront cost.
Are raffle ticket purchases tax deductible?
Non-winners may be able to deduct the full ticket price as a charitable contribution. Winners receive a prize; only the amount paid above the prize's fair market value may be deductible. Provide receipts and consult a tax professional. This is general info, not tax advice.
How do I price tickets for a 50/50 raffle?
50/50 raffles often use $5 to $10 per ticket or bundles like 1 for $10, 3 for $25, 10 for $50. Display the growing pot to create urgency. No prize to procure; simplifies pricing.
How do I price tickets for a basket raffle?
Price tickets by the sheet or bundle. Common: 25 tickets for $20, 60 for $40, 150 for $100. Use premium tickets for high-value baskets. Raffle game ideas has basket themes.
