When's the earliest you can purchase tickets to next year's event

I guess you should start looking for tickets now

General admission to the induction ceremony is free. You can bring lawn chairs and sit on the grass. If you want seats in the main section, you have to become a Hall of Fame member, which you can do at any time, but only certain levels of membership get you seats, and those levels are currently at least $350. However, hotels and motels need to be booked way in advance. Between the HOF induction and baseball camps, most rooms are already booked for next year, and prices are at 5-star levels for even the 1-star accommodations.

Soon or now