There’s nothing quite like the excitement of football season, but being a football fan isn’t cheap. According to Team Marketing Report, it costs roughly $502.84 for a family of four to attend an NFL game.
On top of that, you’ve also got to factor in all the money you spend on team gear, transportation and football parties throughout the season. To make your life a little more affordable, check out our football savings playbook.
1. Buy Tickets at the Last Minute
The ideal time to buy tickets is a few days before a game, according to SeatGeek.com. At this point, sellers who still have tickets start to get nervous and lower prices considerably, compared to two or three weeks before the game. Sellers don’t want to get stuck with unsold tickets.
Now, this approach is a bit of a gamble because if tons of people want to see a game, there won’t be extra tickets floating around. A good strategy is to pick a few games and keep a flexible schedule. If you can’t get the price you want for the upcoming game, wait until the next one on your list.
2. Split Season Tickets With Friends
If you buy tickets on the secondary market — for example, from a scalper or an online marketplace — you’re usually paying more than twice the face value of the ticket, according to Nerdwallet. For someone who goes to a few games a year, it can be worthwhile to buy season tickets to ensure that you’re paying face value for every ticket.
If you don’t plan on going to every game, you could split the season up with friends or family members. Keep in mind, though, that this strategy won’t be an option for every fan because some NFL teams have years-long (or even decades-long) waiting lists for season tickets.
3. Host Potluck Parties
Having your friends over for the game is a lot more exciting than watching TV by yourself — but if you’re hosting, it’s easy to feel like you have to provide all the food and drinks, which can get expensive. Instead, tell your friends that you’re hosting a potluck-style party, where everyone brings one snack and their own beverages. Another option is to have a different person host each weekend.
4. Consider Jerseys From Traded Players
Have you ever bought a player’s jersey, only to see them traded to another team weeks later? It’s pretty frustrating, but that situation could help you buy your next jersey at a discount. Retailers will still have those old jerseys and will sell them at a lower price. You’ll show off your team loyalty, and no one will know you bought your jersey after the trade!
5. Use Off-Site Parking or Take Public Transportation
Stadium parking can really bust your budget. It can easily cost over $100 for a parking spot at the stadium, sometimes even more than your actual ticket! If you park off-site, it will be a fraction of the cost, and possibly free — if you go far enough. For a little extra travel time, you’ll have a nice bit of extra spending money for the game. And if you’d rather avoid driving altogether, taking public transportation to the stadium (where available) or splitting the cost of a rideshare service with friends are both great, wallet-friendly options.
Showing your team pride and enjoying football season shouldn’t result in a financial fumble. Score big football savings by being strategic about buying your tickets and jerseys, sharing the cost of party refreshments and opting for more creative parking and transportation options.