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I live in South Dakota, but I’ve been a lifelong Minnesota Vikings fan. A few years ago, a large group of close friends decided to attend a game with me. I have season tickets, but I didn’t have enough for the group of 10 people who wanted to attend the game. A few friends bought tickets ahead of time, and the rest decided to try their luck with scalpers outside the stadium.
We made the journey to the Twin Cities and got settled into our hotel before hailing three cabs to ferry our group to the Metrodome — U.S. Bank Stadium was still but a glimmer in Zygi Wilf’s eye. Once a few of my friends began to talk with scalpers, their mistake became clear. The scalpers had tickets in our section, but they could sense desperation. In short, negotiations did not go in our favor.
While everyone had a wonderful experience, our trip to cheer on the Vikings ended up being significantly more expensive than expected. Between hefty cab bills and overinflated ticket prices, a few of our group members paid much more than they might have by planning ahead.
Our experience isn’t unusual, either. According to TotalMoney.com, the average NFL fan pays more than $2,300 per season to support his or her favorite team. That might sound like a ridiculous expense to someone who watches games on television, but attending even a single game can be incredibly costly.
With the NFL season underway, deals on tickets, food, memorabilia, and more can help sports fans cheer on their teams while keeping their budgets in check.
Financially Responsible Fandom
Every financial situation is unique. Some people buy season tickets, and others are only able to attend a game every few years. By evaluating your priorities, you can maximize your involvement with your team without the need to adopt a diet of ramen noodles and hot dogs. The following five tips can help you set and stick to a budget that will keep you cheering all season long.
1. Carpool
When my friends and I went to the Vikings game, the taxis certainly weren’t cheap. If you don’t live near the stadium, find some friends and travel together.
Carpooling is one of the easiest ways to cut costs when traveling to a game. Not only will you save money on gas and taxis, but you’ll also be able to split up exorbitant parking fees.
If you have a large group and want to keep costs down, research your options before the day of the game. Many hotels offer a shuttle service, and some restaurants provide transportation if you eat there before the game. By setting a travel budget before you arrive, you can avoid Uber surcharges while still getting in and out of the stadium quickly.
2. Eat Before You Go
Stadium food is notoriously expensive — unless you’re an Atlanta Falcons fan. Regardless, it’s almost always cheaper to grab some delicious snacks beforehand than it is to shell out $20 for nachos and beer at the stadium.
If you live in town, make some food at home and eat with friends before you go. If you decide to tailgate before the game, you’re all set — eat as many hot dogs and burgers as you can handle. Those brats you got in a pack for $5 at the supermarket will be $10 each once you enter the stadium.
Restaurants aren’t quite as cheap as making food yourself, but they’re still significantly less expensive than stadium food. If you want to spend $50 on food, grab a full meal that will keep you sated throughout the game instead of a few small snacks that will leave you feeling like you never ate.
3. Plan Your Purchases
If you plan to attend at least one game this season, don’t put it off until your friend suddenly wants to buy tickets a few hours before kickoff. Impulse decisions rarely end well. Instead, create a budget for your adventure and set aside that money ahead of time. The further out you plan to attend, the better chance you’ll be able to find a deal on tickets.
Better yet, try to find package deals for large groups. Most teams offer a selection of seats, parking passes, and some food for a discounted sum. Be sure to evaluate those offers before you pull the trigger, however, as you could save more by taking public transit or eating elsewhere.
4. Don’t Combine Attendance and Memorabilia
You don’t need to buy memorabilia at the event. The cheapest official NFL jerseys cost about $100 a pop when not on sale. Stadiums count on people buying jerseys and banners after big wins, but you can get the exact same gear the next day at a steep discount.
You might even plan your game day to coincide with a giveaway night. Teams sometimes offer free bobbleheads, hats, and other souvenirs on special occasions. Check your favorite team’s schedule to see when you might be able to get the most bang for your buck.
5. Invest in Your Home Experience
If you’re on the fence about dropping a couple thousand dollars to attend a game, it’s understandable. Nothing quite matches the live experience, but a significant investment in your home entertainment setup can make every game feel like a front-row seat.
More NFL viewers are choosing to stay home thanks to innovations in high-definition broadcasts, replays, and the ability to watch every game at once through Sunday Ticket and NFL RedZone. Instead of watching one great game live and a few others on a small television, take that money and build an incredible home theater setup. For the same expense as attending one away game, you can get a gorgeous TV, a sizzling sound system, and a comfortable recliner.
Whether you prefer to sit in the bleachers or watch from the comfort of your own couch, there are numerous ways to cheer on your favorite team without blowing your budget. If you’re struggling to build your savings or eliminate debt, don’t let your sports fandom get in the way of your financial goals. Hold yourself accountable to a reasonable budget, and you’ll be able to follow your team without any unnecessary guilt.
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Photo: Getty Images