Tips for Saving Money at Big League Games
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iStockphoto/Thinkstock(NEW YORK) — For many Americans, the rising cost of tickets and other expenses related to attending a baseball game is keeping them out of the stadium.
According to the April 2011 Fan Cost Index, a family of four spends an average of $207.80 to go to a Major League Baseball game. That’s totaling the cost of tickets, parking, snacks and a few souvenirs. In some cities like New York and Boston, that price can easily top $300 for a night at the ballpark.
To find out how to score good seats for less, ABC News’ “Real Money” team called on Jack Groetzinger, the founder of the website SeatGeek and an expert on big league deals.
SeatGeek searches dozens of ticket sites and puts the pricing information in one place. The site even ranks tickets with what it calls a “Deal Score,” helping users determine whether they’re getting a good price.
Below, find some tips to help you save money at the ballpark:
- If you can wait, buy your tickets at the last minute online. Tickets drop big time in the three days before a game, way below box-office prices. SeatGeek searches dozens of ticket sites for deals. You can even log on the day of the game and look for green dots that signal great deals. In some cities, tickets go for $2. “Tickets drop off by as much as 30 [percent] to 40 percent in those last three days,” Groetzinger said.
- Pay for parking ahead of time. Some parking garages near a stadium charge as much as $40, even $60. Pre-paying online at sites like ParkWhiz.com could save you big time.
- If it’s allowed, bring your own food. Most teams let you bring food and water to the game. Check your team’s website or call security to be sure, but if it fits in a gallon-size bag, you can usually bring it in.
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