An NFL credit card is a co-branded rewards card issued by a bank in partnership with the National Football League, offering points or cash back on purchases plus team-specific perks like stadium discounts and exclusive merchandise access.
The most widely available option is the NFL Extra Points Credit Card, issued by Bank of America. It earns points on all purchases — typically 1 point per dollar spent — with bonus points on specific categories like gas, groceries, and dining. Those points convert to cash back or can be redeemed for NFL merchandise, tickets, or donations to the NFL Foundation.
The card also includes benefits tied to your chosen team: discounted tickets to regular season games, priority access to playoff ticket sales, and team-branded merchandise offers. Annual fees, rewards rates, and perks vary depending on which version you select, so the real question is whether the NFL-specific benefits justify the cost compared to a standard cash-back card.
Key Takeaways
- NFL credit cards earn rewards on everyday purchases and convert points to cash back, merchandise, or tickets, but the rewards rate is typically lower than premium cash-back cards without annual fees.
- Team-specific perks include discounted stadium tickets and priority playoff access, which have real value only if you attend games regularly or plan to.
- Most NFL cards charge an annual fee ranging from $0 to $95, which you need to offset with rewards or benefits to break even.
- A standard 2% cash-back card with no annual fee often delivers more value unless you are a frequent stadium attendee or heavy merchandise buyer.
How the NFL Extra Points Card Works
The NFL Extra Points card earns 1 point per dollar on all purchases. You choose one NFL team when you open the account, and that choice determines which stadium discounts and merchandise offers you receive. Points never expire as long as the account remains open.
Redemption options include cash back (typically 1 point = $0.01), NFL Shop merchandise, team gear, tickets to regular season games, or donations to the NFL Foundation. Some redemptions offer bonus value — for example, using points toward tickets sometimes gives you more purchasing power than converting to cash.
The card also includes a $50 statement credit toward your chosen team's merchandise in the first year, which offsets part of the annual fee if you plan to buy team apparel anyway. After that, the benefit depends on whether you use the stadium discounts and ticket access enough to justify keeping the card open.
Annual Fees and When They Make Sense
The NFL Extra Points card carries an annual fee that varies by version — typically $0 for the basic tier and up to $95 for premium versions with higher rewards rates or additional benefits. You need to calculate whether the rewards you earn and perks you use will exceed that fee.
If you attend 2 to 3 games per season and use stadium discounts, the savings on tickets alone can cover a $50 annual fee. The $50 first-year merchandise credit also helps offset the cost. However, if you never attend games and rarely buy NFL merchandise, the annual fee becomes pure cost with no offsetting benefit.
A useful test: multiply your average monthly spending by the rewards rate (usually 1%), then subtract the annual fee. If the result is positive, the card pays for itself through rewards alone. If it's negative, you're relying entirely on perks like ticket discounts to justify the cost.
Comparing NFL Cards to Standard Rewards Cards
A basic 1% cash-back card with no annual fee will deliver the same rewards rate as the NFL card on everyday purchases, but without the annual fee drag. Over a year, if you spend $10,000, both cards earn $100 in rewards — but the NFL card costs you $50 to $95 to hold, while the standard card costs nothing.
Where the NFL card pulls ahead is in perks. Stadium ticket discounts (typically 10% to 20% off face value) and priority playoff access have real dollar value if you use them. A $100 ticket becomes $80 to $90 with a discount, and playoff tickets are often impossible to find at face value. Merchandise offers and team-branded benefits appeal only to fans who actively buy that content.
A 2% cash-back card without an annual fee (such as Citi Double Cash or Capital One Quicksilver) will outpace the NFL card on pure rewards unless you redeem NFL points toward tickets at a bonus rate. The trade-off is straightforward: you sacrifice rewards rate for team-specific perks.
Stadium Discounts and Ticket Access
The most tangible NFL card benefit is discounted access to your chosen team's regular season games. Discounts typically range from 10% to 20% off face value, and you can usually purchase up to 8 tickets per game. This benefit alone can save $200 to $400 per season if you attend 3 to 4 games.
Playoff ticket access is often more valuable than regular season discounts. Cardholders usually get a presale window before general public sales, which matters because playoff tickets sell out quickly. You won't get a discount on playoff tickets, but the ability to purchase them at all — before they're gone — can be worth far more than the annual fee.
One limitation: discounts explore only to your chosen team's home games. If you're a fan of a team in a different city, you won't benefit from this perk unless you travel to their stadium. Some cards allow you to change your team once per year, but check the specific terms before opening the account.
Merchandise and Rewards Redemption Options
Points can be redeemed for cash back at a 1:1 ratio (1 point = $0.01), which is straightforward but not generous. The more interesting redemptions are NFL Shop merchandise and team-specific gear, where points sometimes stretch further. For example, 5,000 points might buy a $50 item on the NFL Shop but only $50 in cash back.
The $50 first-year merchandise credit is a one-time benefit that appears as a statement credit when you make a purchase at the NFL Shop or team store. It's not automatic cash — you have to spend money to use it. If you never shop at those retailers, the credit expires unused.
Ticket redemptions vary by availability. During off-season, you might find regular season games available for 8,000 to 15,000 points. Playoff and premium games cost significantly more. Comparing the point cost to the face value of the ticket tells you whether redemption is worth it or whether buying with cash and earning points is the better move.
Who Should Consider an NFL Credit Card
An NFL card makes sense if you meet at least two of these conditions: you attend 2 or more games per season, you regularly buy team merchandise, you plan to purchase playoff tickets, or your annual spending is high enough that rewards offset the annual fee even without using perks.
A casual fan who watches games on television but never attends in person will almost certainly come out ahead with a standard cash-back card. The annual fee and lower rewards rate create a drag that team-specific perks can't overcome if you never use them.
A season ticket holder or frequent stadium attendee, by contrast, will likely see real value in the ticket discounts and playoff access. The math shifts when you're already planning to spend money on games — the card's perks then feel like a bonus rather than a justification for the fee.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change my team after I open the account?
Most NFL cards allow you to change your team once per year, though some versions may have different rules. Contact the card issuer to confirm the policy before opening the account, especially if you're unsure which team to select or if you support multiple teams.
Do the stadium discounts work for all games?
Discounts typically explore to regular season games only. Playoff games, preseason games, and special events usually don't may have access to. Check your card's terms for the complete list of may be able to access games, as this varies by card version and issuer.
What happens to my points if I close the account?
Points expire if you close the account, so you need to redeem them before canceling. If you're considering closing the card, cash out your remaining points first or use them for merchandise or tickets.
Is the NFL card worth it if I only spend a few thousand dollars per year?
Probably not. If you spend $5,000 annually, you earn $50 in rewards at the 1% rate. After a $50 annual fee, you break even on rewards alone. You'd need to use stadium discounts or other perks to come out ahead, and most casual spenders won't.
How does the NFL card compare to team-specific cards?
Some individual teams issue their own co-branded cards with different terms and benefits. The NFL Extra Points card is the league-wide option, but your team may offer a separate card with team-specific perks. Compare both before deciding, as terms and rewards rates can differ significantly.