Seeing your favorite basketball team play live is an experience like no other. Getting the tickets, however, can cost you. If you’re looking for ways to get cheap sports tickets , you have a few options at your disposal.
Whether you’re interested in college, WNBA or NBA game tickets, prices will vary depending on a wide variety of factors. Being strategic and flexible is key when figuring out how to get cheap basketball tickets, as you’ll notice while reading these 10 tips to help you save money while scoring your ticket.
1. Buy Through AAA Tickets
AAA membership comes with plenty of perks, including access to AAA Tickets . Here, you’ll have the chance to gain exclusive deals on sporting events across the country — including NBA games. Find Preferred Access tickets and pricing for all 30 NBA teams. This model lists tickets with your discount already applied, so you know how much you’ll pay versus many other listings that show a standard ticket price.
Tickets purchased through AAA Tickets come with the promise of on-time delivery, always guaranteeing valid event entry and a dedicated customer service team. AAA Tickets can help you rest assured that you aren’t being scammed.
2. Monitor Marketplaces and Resale Sites
Marketplaces and resale websites are common places where people browse for discounted tickets. This means another person already has the tickets and is putting them up for sale.
A word of caution with these types of sites: It’s possible to fall victim to a scam where you pay and don’t receive valid tickets. Always make sure you’re purchasing from a trusted source and seller before paying.
Once you’ve validated that the seller and tickets are legitimate, there are some benefits to purchasing basketball tickets on marketplaces and resale websites. On many of these, you can set up alerts for specific teams and games to monitor price changes and ticket availability so you can notice trends and determine the best time to buy.
If the specific marketplace or resale website allows you to contact the seller directly, you can also work on your negotiation skills to get a better deal. Remember to keep your negotiation reasonable and relative to the value of the ticket.
3. Buy Tickets Early… or Very Late
When looking at how to save on event tickets , the time you make your purchase matters. Typically, there are two good times to purchase event tickets: early or very late.
Early ticket purchases mean taking advantage of pre-sale offers or buying when they go on sale. This allows you to get the seats you want at the best face-value price.
On the other hand, you can purchase tickets from ticket vendors, marketplaces and resale websites very late for a good deal on cheap basketball tickets. Many people believe the best time to buy NBA tickets is actually close to or immediately after tipoff. To sell the tickets, sellers will often dramatically drop prices right before or after the game starts. This gives you the chance to get very good seats for less money.
Tip: Hang out near the arena before the game so you can immediately go inside after you purchase the tickets.
4. Get Enough People Together for a Group Rate
Utilizing group rates will save you some money on your basketball tickets. The minimum number needed for a group rate will vary from team to team but typically is anywhere from 10 to 15 people. While you can inquire about group rate tickets for many reasons, some popular ones include family reunions, school fundraisers and special occasions. Another great idea is to get all of the dads in your life together for a memorable Father’s Day gift with discounted tickets to their favorite basketball team.
5. Be Flexible With Dates and Attend a Weekday Game
With traditional work hours, weekend games are a popular choice to avoid disrupting our weekday schedules. However, opting to attend weekday matchups can mean cheap basketball tickets — especially if you’re planning to attend a game on a weekday afternoon. With lower attendance rates because of work schedules, teams will offer tickets to these games with a lower face value, meaning second-hand sales will be even less expensive.
6. Look for Special Events and Promotions
Having a favorite basketball team and following them can pay off. Each team, whether college, WNBA or NBA, offer special promotions for the season that are usually themed to their specific brand. In the NBA for example, the Denver Nuggets offer fans monthly buzzer-beater ticket drops when they sign up for program text messages. Similarly, the Atlanta Hawks featured offers include ticket packages with exclusive pricing and swag.
Simply follow your favorite basketball teams on social media and check their websites to stay informed about their specific special events and promotion offerings!
7. Check for Popular Discounts
Many basketball teams and ticketing agencies offer regular demographic-based discounts. This is especially true if you’re looking for cheap college basketball tickets, with universities offering discounts to enrolled students, alumni and other groups. If a standing discount is not available, teams will often host special nights dedicated to that specific demographic where you can get a discounted ticket when showing a valid ID belonging to that group.
Popular demographic discounts include:
- Military
- Teacher
- First responder
- Student
- Senior
8. Enter Contests and Giveaways
You can score free basketball tickets by entering multiple contests and giveaways. There are often multiple of these per season at local and national levels. Best part? They’re usually free to enter, and you can win courtside seats or VIP access.
While there are no guarantees of winning, it’s worth it to try!
9. Attend Games Featuring Less Winning or Popular Teams
If you’re planning to travel to see a basketball game, it’s worth it to look into attending ones featuring less winning or less popular teams because those games are typically less expensive. Seeing teams who have built a longstanding legacy with their franchise, like the Knicks, Lakers and Celtics, will typically incur a larger cost whether they’re playing at home or on the road.
10. Sit in the “Cheap Seats”
Ticket pricing depends on the location where you choose to sit in the arena. The closer to courtside you get, the more expensive your seat will be. What’s commonly referred to as the “cheap seats” are in the upper tiers and further back, resulting in their lower cost.
In certain arenas, these “cheap seats” can come with a warning of a restricted view and a price reflecting that limitation. This type of ticket is alluring to fans who just want to be at the game and take in the experience.
Save More When Traveling to a Stadium
Once you’ve found and purchased your cheap basketball tickets, you can plan your trip to the game. If you’re attending from out of town, you can save money on travel costs which can add up quickly.
With AAA, you can find additional travel discounts on:
If the basketball game you’re attending is part of a larger vacation, check out our other AAA discounts to find additional ways to save.
Make Memories with Your Favorite Basketball Team While Saving Money with AAA
Knowing how to get cheap basketball tickets will help save you money whether you’re attending to see your favorite team or purchasing them as an experience gift for a big fan.
Whether you’re using your AAA Membership , strategically planning your attendance or using any combination of these other tips to save on basketball tickets, you’re sure to have an unforgettable experience.