NFL

5 Tips to Save Money When Buying NFL Tickets

Aug 25, 2016

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Angela Bunt

As the most popular sport in America, football tickets can pack a serious punch into your wallet. Prices for regular season NFL games can get pretty high depending on who’s playing and which venue they’re competing at. And that’s not to mention the outrageous listing prices we see during the postseason and Super Bowl.

Luckily, with these buying tips from SeatGeek, you’ll be armed with the tools to find the best deals to see your favorite NFL team. While we can’t guarantee massive price breaks on highly anticipated events like the Super Bowl – we can assure you we consistently have low prices and the most reliable NFL tickets in the primary and secondary markets. 

Tip 1: Buy tickets as the event nears

Just like food with an expiration date, ticket prices tend to drop in the days leading up to an event as sellers try to offload them. While there may be less inventory to choose from, the remaining tickets will most likely be discounted. 

A recent study from Finance Buzz shows that ticket prices are highest up until three months before the event.  In the case of the AFC Championship this season, the average ticket resold for $264.00 three weeks out from a game but just $174.00 one day before the game. That’s a drop in price of 34%!

Tip 2: Consider the opponent

When it comes to watching NFL games live,  both teams play a massive role in determining ticket prices. Teams with a national following (Cowboys, Steelers) and teams that are successful (49ers, Chiefs) tend to drive up prices more than the teams that have struggled as of late. 

That said, it’s important to mention that a low-performing team won’t always guarantee low prices. Just because a team isn’t performing well doesn’t mean they don’t have a niche and dedicated following, such as the Jaguars.

If one of the two competing teams holds a strong grip on the NFL realm, you should expect to fork up some extra cash. 

Tip 3: Compare tickets by value instead of price

Think of tickets as an investment. If you’re operating on a shoestring budget, finding the cheapest possible tickets to get you in the door may be your only choice. But if you can afford to spend a little extra, it’s best to choose the ticket with the highest value. 

It’s not uncommon for you to find cheap NFL tickets closer to the field for only $10.00 more than upper stadium tickets. Similarly, you can consider VIP and suite options to get the best bang for your buck. These tickets often have the clearest views and include perks such as transportation, food and drinks. If you know you’re going to spend the money anyways, why not get a bundle deal?

The key to finding these high-value tickets is knowing where to look. We here at SeatGeek developed a tool for this called Deal Score, which sorts tickets based on their value, instead of strictly their price. Look for the green dots on our map to signify a great value.

Tip 4: Utilize “View From Seats”

With SeatGeek’s seat views, you don’t have to guess what you will see from your seat. The interactive seat map lets you see the view from the section where your seat is located. You can compare different sections to find what angle of the field you think is best. Keep in mind that the view will be from the entire section, not your exact seat. You can verify any view obstructions by reading the ticket listing.

Tip 5: Buy tickets from a legitimate source

To avoid being the victim of a ticket scam, users should make sure they purchase their tickets from a legitimate source like SeatGeek, which has guarantees that come along with the purchase of a ticket. 

Our teams work hard year-round to ensure you receive legitimate tickets. SeatGeek is partnered with several NFL teams, including the Dallas Cowboys, New Orleans Saints and more. Our partnerships ensure trust, making us the top primary and secondary marketplace for NFL tickets.

Still have questions? Check out our list of helpful FAQs, or create an account with SeatGeek for personalized help!