Priority Points and Levels
The Department of Athletics provides over 1,000 student-athletes participating in 36 sports an unparalleled experience to help achieve their academic and athletic goals. With no external funding for athletics scholarships, the Department is responsible for annually paying in full the rising cost of grant-in-aid. Athletics scholarships are funded, largely, through Buckeye Club contributions – but there remains a deficit that must be covered through the Athletic Department’s operating budget. Per-seat contributions on season tickets help fund the Buckeye Club and support the circle of care for our student-athletes. In addition to per-seat contributions, generous support in helping to provide those resources and closing this gap is vital to the success of the current student-athletes and lays the foundation for future Buckeyes.
Priority Level
- Priority for access to season tickets and parking, selecting seat and parking locations, access to away and postseason tickets, and other exclusive opportunities is determined by Priority Giving Level first, then ranked within each level by Priority Points.
- Priority Giving Levels are determined through a combination of Champions Fund giving, per-seat contributions, Athletics pledge payments ($100k overall pledge or greater) and premium football seat payments for that year. Lifetime giving levels start at $250,000 and only include giving to Athletics. No planned giving or ticket/parking payments count toward giving levels.
Lifetime Giving Levels
| Level | 2025 Members |
|---|---|
$5 Million+ | 29 |
$1 Million+ | 138 |
$250,000+ | 570 |
Annual Giving Levels
| Level | 2026 Members |
|---|---|
$50,000 | 15 |
$25,000 | 34 |
$12,000 | 191 |
$6,000 | 707 |
$3,000 | 1,069 |
$1,500 | 1,476 |
$500 | 7,221 |
$50 | 5,442 |
Priority Points
- Priority Points are used to determine rank within each Priority Giving Level. Priority Points can be earned in a variety of ways including Athletics giving, university giving, Alumni status, Varsity letter winning and more. See the table to see how Priority Points are determined.
- A one-time transfer of priority points is allowed only to a surviving spouse. The accumulated points will also transfer to the spouse. Therefore, if one spouse passes away or is otherwise unable to maintain the membership, the other spouse is eligible to maintain the membership and the associated benefits.
How to Earn Points
Donation Details | Points Earned |
|---|---|
Every $10 in Athletics giving | 1 |
Every $100 in university philanthropic giving | 1 |
Every $1,000 in irrevocable planned gifts to the university | 1 |
Every $10,000 in revocable planned gifts to the university | 1 |
Each consecutive year of football season tickets purchased* | 1 |
Alumni status (one time only) | 30 |
Letter winners in any varsity sport (one time only) | 40 |
*Consecutive years of season ticket purchase for Football, Men's Basketball, and Women's Basketball. In addition, consecutive years of season ticket purchase dating back to 2005 for Men's Ice Hockey, Baseball, Women's Volleyball, Wrestling, and Women's Gymnastics.
Want to hear more about increasing your priority? Fill out this form and a member of our team will contact you to explore your options with you.
Learn More
Tax Information
- Pursuant to tax law changes in the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, per-seat contributions and payments made for premium seating are not considered charitable gifts.
- Any gifts above the minimum per-seat contribution amount would be considered charitable and are non-refundable.
- Per IRS guidelines, gifts from IRAs cannot count towards Priority Points, Annual Priority Levels, Lifetime Priority Levels, or overall giving to the University/Athletics.
- Per Charles Schwab DAF giving360, gifts from this Donor Advised Fund cannot count towards Priority Points, Annual Priority Levels, Lifetime Priority Levels, or overall giving to the University/Athletics.
- For copies of charitable giving receipts, please reach out to The Ohio State University Alumni Engagement Center at (614)-292-2281 or via email at EngagementCenter@osu.edu.
- For further questions about charitable donations, tax information or legal advice, contact a tax advisor or attorney.
Referral Program
- Each year, Ohio State coaches recruit future generations of Buckeyes who desire to commit to the Scarlet and Gray. With Buckeye Nation extending far beyond the confines of campus, you can assist The Buckeye Club in its recruiting process.
- The Buckeye Club Referral Program has been designed to reward our current members for bringing new members to The Buckeye Club. Each current member who successfully refers a new Buckeye Club member will be invited to an exclusive football gameday experience with the new member.
- By helping Ohio State Athletics grow Buckeye Club membership and provide world-class resources for our student-athletes, members can earn exclusive rewards and one-of-a-kind experiences as a thank you for referring new members.
- Step 1: Spread the word to family and friends to support Ohio State Athletics by becoming a Buckeye Club member!
- Step 2: Fill out the form below, including both your and your referred member’s information.
- Step 3: As our thanks to you for increasing support for our 1,000+ student-athletes, all members that successfully refer a new member will be able to participate in an on-field experience during the 2026 Football Season.
Buckeye Club Refer a Friend
What is the Buckeye Club?
It is the primary fundraising arm of Ohio State Athletics, composed of donors committed to supporting student-athlete scholarships and the department’s pursuit of excellence. The Buckeye Club is open to all Buckeye fans, alumni, and organizations. Annual Priority Giving Levels start at $50 and you can learn more about them here (buckeyeclub.org/priority)
You can join by making a gift online here (https://am.ticketmaster.com/buckeyes/quick-donate/MTE5OTY%3D) or contacting the Athletics Development office at (614) 292-9908.
When is the deadline to join or renew?
March 1 is the annual deadline for Priority Giving Level and Priority Points giving to count toward that year’s points and level.
Can I transfer points from a spouse’s account to mine?
A one-time transfer of priority points is allowed only to a surviving spouse. The accumulated points will also transfer to the spouse. Therefore, if one spouse passes away or is otherwise unable to maintain the membership, the other spouse is eligible to maintain the membership and the associated benefits.
How do I get football season tickets?
Football season tickets are currently sold out. Joining the Football Season Ticket Waitlist is the best way to ensure you are spot in line if tickets become available. Click here (https://am.ticketmaster.com/buckeyes/buy/FBWaitlist) for more information on the football season ticket waitlist.
Joining the waitlist does not guarantee season tickets will become available. Waitlists requests will be prioritized by priority giving level and your priority points within each level.
How is seating priority determined?
Priority is first based on your Priority Giving Level, and then by your Priority Points ranking within that level. For more information about the different levels, click here
How do I earn Priority Points?
Priority Points are used to determine rank within each Priority Giving Level. Priority Points can be earned in a variety of ways including Athletics giving, university giving, Alumni status, Varsity letter winning and more. See the table to see how Priority Points are determined.
How can I improve my ranking?
The best way to improve your Priority Giving Level is to increase your giving to the Champions Fund. For more information about priority, click here
How can I get a Football season parking pass?
Season parking passes are qualified for through a combination of per-seat contributions and additional charitable giving to the Buckeye Club (Champions Fund). If you want to add a season parking pass to your account contact the Buckeye Club office at (614) 292-9908.
Do I have to select my seats/parking every year?
- Seats:
- Every four years, a full stadium reseat will occur. This excludes premium seating, Faculty/Staff and students. The most recent selection occurred prior to the 2025 season. For the upcoming 2026 season all public season tickets holders will have the opportunity to participate in the Optional Seat Relocation. Optional Seat Relocations will also occur in 2027 and 2028. Choosing to participate in the optional seat relocation does not impact existing seats until a new seat is selected. If a new seat is not selected during the optional relocation, existing seats will remain unchanged for that season. The option to add seats is based on availability and may not be located with current seats. Priority is used to determine selection order. The next full stadium reseat will take place prior to the 2029 season.
- Parking:
- Every four years, a full parking selection will occur. This excludes season parking tied to premium seating contracts. The most recent selection occurred prior to the 2023 season. For the upcoming 2026 season all public season parking pass holders will have the opportunity to participate in the optional Parking Relocation. Parking pass holders do not have to participate in optional Parking Relocations if they want to retain their current pass. Current public parking pass holders will be retained through the 2026 football season, as long as corresponding contributions are renewed by all future published deadlines. Priority is used to determine selection order. The next full parking selection will take place prior to the 2027 season.
Is my donation tax-deductible?
Pursuant to tax law changes in the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, per-seat contributions and payments made for premium seating are not considered charitable gifts. Any gifts above the minimum per-seat contribution amount would be considered charitable and are non-refundable.
Can I use an IRA for Priority Giving Levels and Priority Points?
Per IRS guidelines, gifts from IRAs cannot count towards Priority Points, Annual Priority Levels, Lifetime Priority Levels, or overall giving to the University/Athletics.
Can I use a Donor Advised Fund (DAF) for Priority Giving Level and Priority Points?
Per Charles Schwab DAFgiving360, gifts from this Donor Advised Fund cannot count towards Priority Points, Annual Priority Levels, Lifetime Priority Levels, or overall giving to the University/Athletics.
Does my planned giving count toward my Priority Giving Level?
No planned giving or ticket/parking payments count toward giving levels.
