Hey, baseball fans! Are you ready for another season of cheering on your favorite team? If the analysts are to be believed, the 2018 campaign is going to be a special one.
Though spring training is over and games are already underway, it’s still a good idea to get yourself prepared. If you plan on seeing your team in person – especially if you want to do so frequently – an important part of that is knowing where, when, and how you’re going to get your tickets.
DISCLAIMER
Just a heads-up that some of the services we’re reviewing here have affiliate partnerships with us, so we may earn a commission if you visit one of them and buy something. You can read more about how this works at https://techboomers.com/how-to-support-techboomers.
To that end, we’ve compiled this guide of tips for saving your seats – and your money – when visiting the ballpark. We’ll cover:
- The 5 best ways to buy baseball tickets online
- The 5 best websites and apps to buy cheap baseball tickets
- 7 tips for buying cheap baseball tickets online
Alright, let’s get started on helping you get your fix of diamonds, dugouts, and bullpens!
The 5 best ways to buy baseball tickets online
1. The MLB website
If you’re looking for baseball tickets, you can always go straight to the source. MLB.com features the full schedule of all the games played by all the teams throughout the season, along with a quick view of promotions that may be happening at each game.
Why it’s a good choice: You get guaranteed legitimate tickets quickly (that can be printed out or scanned), especially for single games if you’re going to be in an area and just feel like seeing a ball game.
2. The MLB Ballpark app
If you have an account on MLB.com, you can also get your tickets on the go with the MLB Ballpark app! Available for Android and iOS devices, MLB Ballpark lets you purchase, manage, and even upgrade digital tickets to games for some clubs.
Download It Now: Android | iOS
Why it’s a good choice: The app can also give you virtual ballpark tours, team stats and highlights, player and ballpark soundtracks, club promotions, ballpark and parking directions – everything you need to have a great experience at your favorite team’s ballpark!
3. Team websites
Of course, if you have a favorite local team, their website likely has lots of different ways to purchase admission to games. A team’s website is also where you’ll find more detailed information on any promotions or special events they’re holding at specific games, as well as general discount offers. Click here for links to the specials offered by each team, or click below to find tickets for some of your favourite MLB teams!
New York Yankees|Chicago Cubs|Toronto Blue Jays|St. Louis Cardinals
Boston Red Sox|L.A. Dodgers|Kansas City Royals|Baltimore Orioles
New York Mets|San Francisco Giants|Atlanta Braves|Texas Rangers
Why it’s a good choice: This allows you to purchase season tickets or other bulk ticket packages to watch your team play at multiple times through the year (and we’ll explain why this can be a good idea later in our tips section). It also directs you to a licensed ticket dealer that won’t sell you fake tickets.
4. Primary ticket outlets
One of the safest options for buying tickets is getting them from a primary ticket seller. These are companies that are hired directly by ballparks and teams to sell tickets on their behalf. Lots of other event venues and promotion companies rely on them, too. Ticketmaster.com is one of the most recognizable ones, though there are others.
Why it’s a good choice: Since the tickets these dealers sell come straight from teams or their ballparks, they’re guaranteed legit.
5. Ticket resale markets
Finally, ticket resale markets like StubHub.com (and even general online marketplaces like eBay.com) are becoming an increasingly common avenue for buying baseball tickets. Fans who can’t make it to the ballpark will often list their tickets on these websites in an attempt to get at least some money out of them. However, be aware that these venues are more vulnerable to scammers than the other options. We’ll have some tips on avoiding those kinds of pitfalls a bit later.
Why it’s a good choice: This is often the only way to get tickets last-minute or to sold-out games. You may also be able to get a bargain from someone who can’t make it to a game and so is desperately trying to recoup some of the cost of their tickets.
Those are some general places on the Internet where it’s easy and convenient to get baseball tickets. So which ones are the cream of the crop when it comes to getting tickets for cheap? Here are the top 5 most popular picks.
The 5 best websites and apps to buy cheap baseball tickets
1. StubHub
StubHub.com is the official ticket resale partner of the MLB, so it’s easier to get cheap baseball tickets here than on some other ticket resale sites. Plus, joining their rewards program allows you to store up credits with your purchases. Earn enough credits, and you can get “Fan Codes” that you can apply to future purchases to save even more cash.
2. SeatGeek
SeatGeek.com is kind of like a search engine for tickets. While it does allow ticket resale, its claim to fame is its ability to compare the prices of ticket listings across several online outlets. Even if there aren’t that many listings to compare, SeatGeek’s “DealScore” algorithm will weigh the cost of tickets against the quality of seats and how in-demand the particular game is. That way, you have an idea as to whether you’re getting a bargain or should shop around some more.
3. Ticketmaster
As one of the largest primary ticket outlets in North America, Ticketmaster.com is a perfectly legitimate choice for getting baseball tickets online. It can be a good option if you’re worried about getting legitimate tickets, or find that ticket prices on resale markets are getting inflated beyond proportion. However, Ticketmaster has a lot of selling fees attached to its ticket sales, so it won’t always be the cheapest pick.
4. Vivid Seats
While VividSeats.com may not be the most user-friendly ticket resale website, its prices are pretty decent. It also has good fan protection guarantees, as well as a great customer service reputation. So it’s one of the better resale companies when it comes to resolving problems and compensating you if something goes wrong. Use it if you want a balance between discounted prices and peace of mind.
5. ScoreBig
Now owned by TicketNetwork.com, ScoreBig.com is another popular choice for getting second-hand baseball tickets. They’re especially good for getting last-minute tickets, as they deal primarily in unsold tickets and can sometimes get you up to 60% off retail price (though, as a resale market, their prices may be over face value sometimes, so keep that in mind.) Interactive seat maps, a secure checkout system, and a 100% money-back guarantee help you get into the game.
So now you know where to go online to get baseball tickets for a bargain. The question is: how do you go about doing it? These five pointers should steer you in the right direction.
7 tips for buying cheap baseball tickets online
1. Avoid advance sales.
Most teams will offer “advance sales” of tickets in February or March, before the season starts. While it may be tempting to use this opportunity to get the best seats before everyone else, remember that the team knows their perennial fans will likely be trying to do the same thing. And this increased demand will almost always mean inflated prices, too. Therefore, it’s probably better to hold off until closer to the start of the season – or after the season has actually started – if you want better prices.
And don’t worry too much about sellouts, even for high-demand games. Most teams will set aside a certain number of tickets from the presale, so people who want to buy through other avenues will still have a chance to enjoy the game.
2. Go to games at off-peak times.
An easy trick to scoring cheap tickets is to order them for games that not as many other fans are likely to attend. For instance, you’re much more likely to get a great deal if you go to a weekday game during the afternoon than if you go at night or over the weekend. Also, if you live in a market where the weather is likely to not be all that baseball-friendly at times, buy tickets for those games anyway. If you’re willing to brave the elements, you’ll often find that you can get seats for a bargain compared to games in the fair-weather summer months, even for those featuring teams with big followings.
3. Skip games against rivals or popular teams.
In general, try to avoid buying single-game tickets to games where your team plays against one of their big local rivals, or a team with a widespread fan base. It’s more likely that fans will come from out-of-town to see these games, and the increased demand will usually mean higher ticket prices. Some teams that tend to have this effect include the Boston Red Sox, Chicago Cubs, New York Yankees, St. Louis Cardinals, and San Francisco Giants. If you’re a fan of one of these teams, though… well, this tip might not help you much.
4. Get resold tickets on websites with buyer guarantees.
While getting resold tickets can be one of the best ways to get good seats at a cheap price, it can also be an easy way to walk into a scam. For that reason, it’s generally best to avoid getting second-hand tickets through online classified ad sites or general online marketplaces. Instead, stick to the sites that specialize in tickets, as they often have specific guarantees that may compensate you if you end up buying phony tickets through them.
5. Gauge the right time for buying resold tickets.
Online ticket resale markets can be good places to get cheap last-minute baseball tickets. That’s because season ticket holders who can’t attend certain games will often list them on these sites in an attempt to get at least some of their money back. So generally, the closer it is to game time, the lower resale ticket prices will be as ticket holders get more desperate to make a sale. If you take advantage of this dynamic, you can end up getting some real bargains.
Of course, there are other factors to consider, too. How in-demand is the particular game? What quality of seats do you want? How long will it take you to get to the ballpark? Do you mind missing some of the early parts of the game? All of these can play a role in how pricey resale tickets are, as well as how long you may be willing to wait to buy them.
6. Try to verify resold tickets before you buy them.
If you’re buying tickets second-hand, try using some tricks to see if they’re legit or not before you complete the purchase. See if you can find (or request) a picture of what the tickets look like, or other verifying numbers or information that you can easily check against a quick Internet search. If the tickets don’t look official, or their info is duplicated somewhere else online, back out of the deal.
7. Take advantage of ticket package offers.
If you’re planning to visit your favorite team’s ballpark more than a handful of times during the season, see if you can buy a bulk ticket package ahead of time. And even if you aren’t planning to go to games all that often, doing so can still be worth it if you have friends who are fans as well. Split the cost of the ticket pack with them, and then decide amongst yourselves who is going to which games.
There are three major benefits to doing this. First, you’ll almost always end up paying less per ticket than if you bought them for a single game. Second, you can more easily get into high-demand games where tickets would otherwise likely be very expensive and/or hard to find. Third, some clubs will consider you an “honorary” season ticket holder if you buy a big enough package, and that can get you extra perks, like saving money on concessions or merchandise.
Great! Now you’re all set to get great seats at your favorite baseball team’s ballpark without breaking the bank in the process! If you’re looking for more places to get tickets, we have some recommendations for the best places to get concert tickets, as well as some of the best alternatives to StubHub! And we’ve got all sorts of other great tips for saving money in our coupon and discount shopping section! Have fun at the old ‘ball game this summer!
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FAQs
How to get the best deal on MLB tickets? ›
Baseball games that fall on a Friday and Saturday are typically the priciest, with Saturday being the most expensive. According to SeatGeek data, Tuesday and Wednesday games often offer the best deals. If your schedule allows, heading to a Wednesday game will save you the most money.
Is it cheaper to buy MLB tickets online or in person? ›It's almost always the cheapest route. If you buy tickets online, check for online ticket promotions. Unfortunately, buying directly from the ballpark in advance isn't always possible. When that happens, buying tickets online is the best option – but only if you use online ticket promotions.
Is it cheaper to buy MLB tickets at box office? ›As far as the fees are concerned, you should avoid all fees by purchasing the tickets at the box office. You will also receive another discount should you purchase 10 or more at once, and they don't all have to be for that game. I try to plan my year in advance and purchase as many games as I plan to attend at once.
Is StubHub cheaper than MLB? ›StubHub. It is easier to get cheap baseball tickets on StubHub because they are MLB's official ticket resale partner. They have a big selection and fluctuating prices based on demand and supply.
Do MLB tickets go down the day of the game? ›Purchase Last-Minute Baseball Tickets
Many season ticket holders are willing to slash prices on the day of the game in order to make back some of their initial investment; their loss is your gain!
The MLB Ticket Exchange is Ticketmaster's safe and secure marketplace for purchasing tickets to see your favorite MLB team live. You can find standard tickets for select MLB teams, as well as resale tickets being sold by other fans.
Do prices go down on SeatGeek? ›Ticket prices tend to fluctuate as events get closer; that's based on a number of factors, but SeatGeek doesn't go out of its way to explain the reasons for the fluctuations. Rather, it uses behind-the-scenes algorithms that the company claims lead to 80% accurate predictions of where ticket prices will go.
Do baseball tickets get more expensive closer to date? ›It actually pays to wait. It might seem counterintuitive, but you're generally not going to get a cheaper ticket by buying early. That's just not how the laws of supply and demand work. “You'll spend a little less the closer you get to the show,” Erskine says.
Is it best to buy tickets online or in person? ›To get the cheapest plane ticket, always book online. Even if this means booking a ticket on your phone in the airport parking lot, you'll be better off.
Is MLB package worth it? ›MLB.TV is the ultimate streaming service for baseball fans who want out-of-market access. Though hampered by blackout restrictions, MLB. TV's game volume and on-demand content give you the most action from any major league sports streaming service for $139.99 a year.
Are baseball tickets cheaper at the gate? ›
At most ballparks, “service fees” are not charged at the box office while they are always charged when purchasing tickets on-line. So, tickets can be cheaper at the box office. Very few regular season games sell out and it is often possible to buy tickets from “scalpers” outside the stadium for less than face value.
How much should you spend on baseball tickets? ›As of 2022, the average cost of an MLB ticket is just under $36. However, the price of baseball tickets varies based on several factors: team, opponent, seat location, and the date and time of the game. On the upper end, tickets can cost hundreds or even thousands of dollars, depending on the seat and the game.
Is StubHub reliable to buy tickets off of? ›So is StubHub legit? The bottom line: Yes, StubHub is legit, and they're a safe option for buying and selling tickets online. At the end of the day, every online transaction has its risks.
How much are StubHub fees usually? ›Q: How much does it cost to use StubHub? It is free to list tickets for sale, and to search for tickets to buy on StubHub. On each completed transaction, the buyer pays a 10% fee, and a 15% fee is deducted from the seller's payment. For example, on the sale of a $100 ticket, the buyer would pay $110.
Do ticket prices go down closer to game on StubHub? ›Yes they do. You just have to give it time and keep checking back. Typically, as the event date gets closer, ticket holders selling on the StubHub marketplace will lower their prices so as to get rid of the inventory of tickets they have, for better to make money at a cheaper rate than to completely lose your profit.
Is SeatGeek good for baseball games? ›Why should I buy MLB Tickets on SeatGeek? Every ticket bought on SeatGeek is verified and trusted. So you know you're getting real tickets from other real fans.
Is it better to buy a baseball tickets at the game? ›Purchase tickets near – or on – game day.
Buying your ticket at the ballpark before the game can help you snag a good deal.
Researchers at personal finance website FinanceBuzz took data from 1.6 million NFL ticket transactions last season and analyzed when prices were cheapest. They found that buying an NFL ticket online from a third-party site like StubHub on the day of the game is typically 29% cheaper than buying it ahead of time.
What is the safest way to buy tickets on Ticketmaster? ›- #1 Get On The Verified Fan Presale List.
- #2 Have Your Account Information Saved.
- #3 Watch The Time.
- #4 Have Multiple Accounts In The Queue.
- #5 Plan Ahead and Double-Check.
- #6 Do Not Refresh The Page.
- #7 Join Artist Mailing List And Look For Promotions.
Sign in to your account, then go to “My Events.” Click on the event to view your tickets. If they're there, then they're real. Contact Ticketmaster to verify your tickets. You can visit the venue or use Ticketmaster's virtual assistant to check if your ticket is legitimate (and learn how to tell if it's fake).
Why are tickets expensive on Ticketmaster? ›
Service Fee and Order Processing Fee
In almost all cases, Ticketmaster adds a service fee (also known as a convenience charge) to the face value price, or in the case of a resale ticket to the listing price, of each ticket. The service fee varies by event based on our agreement with each individual client.
Summary For fees, we have found that SeatGeek is better overall, but we like StubHub's transparency. For example, SeatGeek builds the fees into the price of the ticket, while StubHub will show the add-ons. SeatGeek is typically not as expensive, but this can vary depending on the show, so this isn't always the case.
How is SeatGeek different from Ticketmaster? ›“They just aren't designed for high-demand ticket sales, like concerts,” says Arfa, who describes SeatGeek as “a secondary ticketing company that dabbles in primary ticket sales” while Ticketmaster is better built for large sales.
Why are tickets cheaper on SeatGeek? ›Much of the inventory listed on SeatGeek originates from the secondary market, which means the tickets were purchased at the venue box office and are now being resold.
Are tickets actually cheaper on Tuesday? ›Tuesdays and Wednesdays are the cheapest days to fly domestically. The cheapest days to depart if you're flying within the U.S. are midweek — generally Tuesday or Wednesday. For economy tickets, Tuesdays are about 24% lower than peak prices on Sundays, which translates to savings of about $85 per ticket.
Why are tickets cheaper on Tuesday? ›Back in those days, managers were manually updating prices and inputting discounts. Just after the new information posted, tickets were cheaper. Since the sale prices were always inputted on Tuesdays, it became well known that airline tickets were cheaper on Tuesday.
What days are tickets most expensive? ›Ultimately, you want to remain as flexible as possible when considering travel dates. Because flight prices vary based on demand, tickets are more likely to be pricier on more in-demand days, like Fridays and Sundays, according to flight deal website Going.
Is round trip or one way cheaper? ›Round-trip tickets are usually cheaper than one-ways, sometimes significantly so. NerdWallet compared fares across multiple international routes and found that, typically, buying two one-way tickets costs 20% more than a single roundtrip.
Is it cheaper to buy tickets early or later? ›Specifically, plane tickets usually don't get cheaper closer to the departure date. Instead, flights tend to be the most inexpensive when you book between four months and three weeks before your departure date.
How do I make sure someone is legit when buying tickets? ›- Buy tickets at the venue box office.
- Buy tickets from authorized brokers and third party sellers, with verified contact information. ...
- Verify that the seller has a real physical addresses and phone numbers. ...
- Check the actual web address of the resale ticket seller. ...
- Search for negative reviews about the seller.
Is MLB free with Amazon Prime? ›
Amazon Prime offers MLB TV subscriptions @ $25 a month. For users of Amazon Prime within the U.S., viewers can subscribe to MLB.TV for $24.99/month, or if they prefer, a yearly plan of $149.99. A previous subscription of Prime is required before adding on the additional service.
Is AA or AAA better in MLB? ›The levels of MiLB are as follows, starting with the highest level and working down to the lowest: AAA or triple A is the highest MiLB level, and where players are most likely to be called up to the parent Major League team. AA or double A. Class A advanced or “High A”
What is the best MLB package? ›$119.99–$139.99/yr. MLB EXTRA INNINGS® is the best way to watch live out-of-market regular season MLB games. It requires a cable or satellite TV subscription, but it seamlessly integrates with your provider's channel guide.
Where are the best cheap seats at a baseball game? ›In general, seats that are further away from the field are less desirable. This is because they provide a worse view of the game due to their distance. The upper-deck seats are typically less popular for these reasons. Bleacher seats, found in the outfield, are also cheaper and less sought after.
What is the cheapest baseball stadium to visit? ›- Chase Field, Arizona Diamondbacks: $152.30.
- loanDepot park, Miami Marlins: $186.06.
- Tropicana Field, Tampa Bay Rays: $192.02.
- PNC Park, Pittsburgh Pirates: $199.23.
- Oriole Park at Camden Yards, Baltimore Orioles: $203.06.
The Ballpark app lets you access and manage your digital tickets, easily forward tickets, browse team schedules, view interactive ballpark maps, and much more! Plus, you can chronicle your own personal history, creating an archive of your personal experiences at Major League Baseball stadiums.
What seats should I get for a baseball game? ›THE RESULTS: The best place to sit at a Baseball game is…
According to Sports Where I Am users, the best place to sit in baseball venues across the USA is along the third base line. This is followed by sitting behind the home plate area or along the first base line.
How much would it cost a family to go to an MLB game in 2023? According to the study, the average cost for a family of four attending an MLB game was $204.76 last year. That price however does not only include four tickets, but also two beers, two sodas, four hot dogs, and parking.
How much does it cost for a family to attend a MLB game? ›Bookies.com has calculated the cost of attending MLB games at each of the 30 stadiums ahead of the 2023 season. On average across all 30 teams, families will spend $149.03 on four of the cheapest available tickets, a parking spot, two beers, two sodas, and four hot dogs.
What is the difference between TicketMaster and StubHub? ›To sum up, Ticketmaster should be your top choice for better prices, more protection, and smoother delivery. While StubHub is the better choice if you're hoping to find great tickets for in-demand and sold out events, and could help you make some money if you ever want to resell.
Is Vivid Seats a trusted site? ›
Is Vivid Seats legit? Vivid Seats is as legit as ticketing sites come. The site offers a buyer's guarantee that includes award-winning customer service care, safe and secure transactions, valid and authentic tickets delivered prior to events, accurate orders and compensation if your event is canceled.
Can I trust TicketMaster? ›TicketMaster is a legitimate company that holds the exclusive rights to sell the tickets for many of the biggest concert tours, Broadway shows and major sporting events that happen across the world.
Why does StubHub need my SSN? ›In order to generate a complete Form 1099-K as required by state and federal tax laws, we'll need your Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN). Your TIN is typically either your Social Security Number (SSN) or Employer Identification Number (EIN) for businesses.
Does StubHub charge fees like Ticketmaster? ›Overall, Ticketmaster and StubHub are both great options when it comes to seller fees. Both platforms allow fans to create an account and list their tickets for free. They both also only take a small seller fee once the tickets are sold, which is believed to be 15% for both platforms.
Why does SeatGeek have high fees? ›SeatGeek's fees are in a range commensurate with other ticket market participants' fees, and are driven by the same supply and demand factors. These fees help SeatGeek keep the lights on, pay the sellers that list tickets on our marketplace, and continue to provide a great product for finding live events.
How to get good price on StubHub? ›Buying last-minute tickets could land you a great deal. Sellers often list tickets on StubHub weeks or months ahead of a given event. But as those events near, they may come down in price in the absence of having a buyer. And so if you wait until you're within a few days of a given event, you might snag a great deal.
Is it cheaper to buy tickets last minute? ›ANSWER: No. Last minute flights are NOT cheaper but are usually MORE expensive than planning a few months ahead of time. The closer to departure, the more expensive the flight. Exception: If you have open travel plans and looking to go anywhere, airlines occasionally put open seats on sale to fill the remaining spots.
Why are tickets different prices on StubHub? ›Sometimes we discount tickets for some events on StubHub. This is why your ticket price on site may be lower than what you listed. All listings are impacted equally. Showing lower prices helps to maximize the tickets you sell on StubHub.
What is the cheapest way to watch MLB games? ›Sling TV offers the best value for casual MLB fans. Depending on the plan you choose, you'll be able to watch every nationally televised MLB game for a lower monthly cost than DIRECTV. There are no RSNs or out-of-market game add-ons, but Sling TV offers customizable plans with no contracts.
How do you get the best seats at a baseball game? ›Another popular spot to sit is the pocket of seats closest to first base and third base. If you sit here, you will have a good view of the infield and outfield. Fans often bring baseball gloves to the stadium when they have tickets to these seats because they have a good chance of snagging a foul ball.
Can you get MLB free with Amazon Prime? ›
MLB TV is not free to Amazon Prime customers. However, it is a package users can subscribe to with Prime Video Channels. Singe-team packages, a subscription tier that only allows users to stream the out-of-marker games of one team, go for $129.99 via Prime. All-access subscriptions cost $24.99 per month.
Is MLB.TV cheaper through Amazon Prime? ›Amazon Prime offers MLB TV subscriptions @ $25 a month. For users of Amazon Prime within the U.S., viewers can subscribe to MLB.TV for $24.99/month, or if they prefer, a yearly plan of $149.99. A previous subscription of Prime is required before adding on the additional service.
Is baseball free on Amazon Prime? ›However, MLB.TV is not free with Amazon Prime Video. An active Amazon Prime membership is necessary to have access to the MLB.TV subscription channel. MLB.TV provides live access to MLB matches. It costs $24.99/month or a yearly plan of $149.99.
How to get MLB Network cheap? ›Skinny bundles are typically cheaper and give you more of the channels you care about – including MLB Network. To watch MLB Network without cable, use one of the following streaming services: DIRECTV, fuboTV, or Sling TV.
Is it safe to buy baseball tickets on StubHub? ›StubHub works really hard to guarantee the tickets you purchase are legit. For starters, they use a verification process with more than 130 partners, including the MLB, NFL, and NCAA. Many of those tickets are available via instant download once StubHub's finance team reviews and approves the transaction.
Where is the safest place to sit at a baseball game? ›According to Sports Where I Am users, the best place to sit in baseball venues across the USA is along the third base line. This is followed by sitting behind the home plate area or along the first base line.
What are the best seats for a play? ›Orchestra Section
Considered the best tickets in the house, these seats are on the main level of the theatre and offer the closest seating to the stage. The Orchestra is usually divided into 3 sections with a left and right aisle (though this can vary from theatre to theatre).
Alluded to in their name, premium seats are usually regarded as the best seats in the theatre. Often, they're not the closest seats to the stage. Typically, premium seats are a few rows back from the stage in the middle of the row, allowing audience members to see the entire stage without missing any action.