Tips for Enjoying Your Home Sporting Event
Fall is a great time for sports. High school, College, and NFL football are in full swing in addition to a number of other high school sports such as soccer, volleyball, and cross country. Furthermore, the NHL has started play and NBA preseason has also started to attract attention and draw crowds. Going to these events can be extremely fun but also extremely expensive. Below you will see some tips to make these sports more enjoyable and affordable.
Acquiring Tickets
Getting tickets can be one of the easiest or most difficult tasks in regards to attending a sporting event. There a number of ways to acquire tickets. The most reliable is to purchase tickets right from a venues box office, but this might not always be the best price option. If a team is towards the end of their season or has a bad record you might be able to acquire seats for below face value. Several websites exist that give season ticket holders, ticket brokers, or just an individual who bought tickets early and no longer wants to go to a game a way to sell unwanted tickets. If your team is not in the playoff hunt you can usually find some good deals. This can work the opposite way if your team is a favorite to win a championship. These same tickets might be sold for twice the face value because they are in demand. You can also take a risk and wait until game day and try to buy tickets from someone selling them on the street. This can back fire quickly though, tickets sold on the street are priced on demand. If you pick a sold-out game to attend, tickets will be more expensive.
Food
One of the easiest ways to spend a lot of money at a sporting event is to go hungry. Food at most venues is priced outrageously high. A hot dog alone can cost well over $5 and a beer can cost nearly $10 at many stadiums. So the best way to enjoy a game and save so money is to eat prior to going. Depending on the event, you can tailgate and throw a party for you and everyone you know at a nearby parking lot, you can go to a local bar or restaurant, or have a family meal at home prior to heading to the venue. You can have a great night out at the local bars and get dinner at a well-respected restaurant and not spend any more money than you would eating and drinking at the arena. When attending your next sporting event make some plans that include food and drink before and after. Odds are you will save some money.
Merchandise
Everyone likes going to the game supporting their team by wearing team branded paraphernalia. However, many people make the mistake of waiting to buy their new shirt or merchandise until they get to the venue. Almost all team shops sell merchandise at a premium price. Like many other things buying in advance can save you a lot of money. The first thing you need to do, after deciding to attend a game or buying tickets, is to decide what you want to wear. If you do not have any team merchandise, start shopping early. Check local stores for sales or clearance deals and check online as well. Many companies sell fan merchandise online and almost all of them have better prices then buying at a team shop. So spend a few minutes and plan a wardrobe for the event early, it will save you money in the long run.
Transportation
Driving to the game can be simple and easy but can also be very expensive. Most major events charge a premium for parking nearby; however, this money can be saved, or the cost can be shared. First thing to do is ask yourself if you know anybody else going to the game. If the answer is yes simply ask if they want to carpool and share the parking expense. Another way to save money on transportation is to see if any local public transportation services the event. Taking a train or a bus might not be as comfortable as driving but can end up saving money in the long run. In addition, taking public transportation can also help alleviate the headache caused by post game traffic.
Being Comfortable
No matter how much money you spend or save going to a sporting event it is important you make sure you are comfortable once you arrive. The first thing to do to ensure comfort is to check the weather report. This is especially true for any sport being played outside. If rain is in the forecast, make sure you have your rain coat and waterproof pants ready to go. If you do not check the forecast and do not have weather appropriate gear you could be in for a long night of being uncomfortable. Next check the venues seats and rules. Many venues, especially high school stadiums and arenas, have metal backless bleacher seats. These are typically not comfortable; however, you can address this issue. Many stores sell bleacher seat cushions or seats that strap to the bleachers with backs for comfort. If you are planning to attend a lot of high school sports this is an investment worth the money.
Sporting events can be fun to attend at any level, professional or recreational. Making plans and being prepared is a great way to save money and have a better viewing experience. So, take the time and do your homework, you will not regret doing so.