For many sports fans, becoming a season ticket holder is the realization of a lifelong dream. The chance to have the first right of refusal for all home games on the schedule puts you in the drivers seat for the season. There’s the jubilation that comes with every hit, basket, or touchdown, especially when it’s shared with thousands of other fans cheering for the same thing.
It’s a big part of the reason why many sports fans invest in NFL ticket resale and other league ticket sales. Doing so ensures that they’ll never miss out on any of the big moments that happen on the field, court, or ice. Is a season ticket package right for you? In this post, we’ll discuss some of the key advantages and disadvantages of purchasing season tickets for your favorite team. Here’s a closer look at what you need to know.
Advantages of Being a Season Ticket Holder
Cost Savings
Perhaps the biggest advantage of holding season tickets is that it often represents a rather significant cost saving compared to purchasing individual tickets on the resale marketplaces for each game on the schedule. In fact, season tickets are often about 20% cheaper compared to single-game resale tickets— and that’s not considering the potential price increase for rivalry games or when a more popular team is coming to town.
Guaranteed Access
To piggyback off the last point, when you buy season tickets, you’re guaranteed to have access to every game on the schedule (or at least as many games as your ticket package allows). This means you won’t have to worry about finding a ticket to the big game or competing with other fans for limited ticket availability if your team is vying for a championship. When you purchase a season ticket package, you’re certain to have access, and taking in a season’s worth of games of your favorite team is a great way to make memories with your family and friends (not to mention being there for all the big moments throughout the season).
Added Perks
Another advantage of buying season tickets is that they often come with value-added benefits. Season ticket holders are like VIPs to a sports team or athletic department — and they’re often rewarded for their investment and dedication to the team in several ways. For instance:
- Season ticket holders are usually offered playoff tickets or postseason tickets prior to the general public.
- Season ticket holders often have the opportunity to upgrade their seats if they renew for another season.
- Season ticket holders are often privy to special fan appreciation days and other special events throughout the year, such as draft day parties, team autograph sessions, discounts on admission, and travel to road games.
- Season ticket holders often receive discounts on team merchandise, parking, and more.
Disadvantages of Being a Season Ticket Holder
You’re at the Mercy of the Schedule
One of the biggest disadvantages of holding season tickets is that you’re at the mercy of a particular season’s schedule. For instance, maybe the big rivalry game is on a day that you can’t make it to the stadium. Or maybe the defending league champion isn’t coming to town. Aside from the home schedule, there’s often the challenge of juggling your own personal schedule around your team. While you can always sell your tickets to games you are unable to attend, the point of purchasing season tickets is for you to attend the games — not someone else. Depending on the schedule and game times, this could be a challenge.
You’re at the Mercy of a Possible Slump
If you’re purchasing season tickets, chances are it’s because you have a bond or love for your team, and that can include holding tickets during a down or rebuilding year. It’s never fun to watch your team lose or struggle, and when you buy a season ticket package, you’re essentially locked into your team for that given season — no matter how bad or how good it is. Yes, there’s always the option to sell your tickets if you’re unable or unwilling to attend games, but in the event of an underwhelming season, it’s likely to be more difficult to do so.
Is a season ticket package worth it for you? If you plan to attend multiple games a year and want more ownership over your gameday experience, it’s probably a worthwhile investment. But if you’re just a casual fan who tends to only follow your hometown team when they’re playing well, you may want to think twice. Make sure to carefully weigh the pros and cons before you decide what to do.
