Season ticket cards allow holders to attend all home games for a particular sports team during a season. They provide guaranteed admission to games without having to purchase single-game tickets. Season ticket cards are issued by the team and contain important information like the cardholder’s name, account number, and seat location. Let’s take a deeper look at how these cards work.
Purchasing Season Tickets
Fans can purchase season tickets directly from the team, usually through an online account manager or ticket office. Teams offer season ticket “plans” at different price points based on seat location.Upper deck or end zone seats are cheaper than lower-level mid-field seats. Teams often require an initial deposit to secure the season tickets, with the remaining balance charged later. Season ticket prices are typically consistent from year-to-year, however teams may raise them occasionally.
There are a few key steps in the season ticket buying process:
- Select the number of seats needed and preferred section or price level
- Pick specific seat locations from an interactive map if available
- Place a deposit per seat (often 10-20% of total cost)
- Sign a contract agreeing to purchase the full season ticket package
- Pay remaining balance according to team’s scheduled payment plan
- Receive season ticket member card and package before first game
Teams usually give priority access to existing season ticket holders for seat upgrades and additional seats. There is often a waitlist for new customers to acquire available season tickets.
Benefits of Season Tickets
There are several benefits that come with being a season ticket holder:
- Guaranteed admission – Season ticket holders are guaranteed a seat at every home game.
- No per-game costs – The season ticket package covers the cost of all games upfront.
- Savings vs. single-game tickets – Buying season tickets is almost always cheaper on a per-game basis.
- Same seat all season – Fans sit in the same seat for every game.
- Playoff priority – Existing holders often get first access to purchase playoff tickets.
- Exclusive perks – Teams provide season ticket members discounts, gift packages, special events, etc.
Season tickets provide convenience, cost savings, and exclusivity compared to buying single-game tickets. They are best suited for die-hard fans planning to attend most home games.
Season Ticket Member Cards
Along with season ticket packages, teams issue ticket holders a season ticket member card. This card serves as the fan’s gameday ticket for the entire season. The card has several key features:
- Cardholder’s name
- Account number
- Seat location(s)
- Season year
- Team branding/logos
- Barcode or QR code
On game days, fans simply present their season ticket card for scanning at stadium gates. The barcode or embedded chips provide digital verification of ownership. Teams track attendance by scanning cards to see who actually showed up. The card itself does not need to be shown after scanning. Some teams now offer digital season tickets accessible via smartphone instead of plastic cards.
Sharing and Transferring
While season tickets are issued to a specific account holder, teams often allow some flexibility in how they are used. Common sharing or transferring options include:
- Sharing – Account holder can share unused tickets electronically with friends and family. Recipient shows email/mobile barcode for entry.
- Print-at-home – Holder prints tickets at home to give to others. Tickets scanned at entry and then invalidated.
- Partial plans – Two or more people split season tickets, with access to an agreed-upon number of games each.
- Ticket exchanges – Teams let holders exchange tickets for another game if they can’t attend.
- Sell unused tickets – Most teams allow holders to sell unused single-game seats, often through official resale platforms.
These options provide flexibility for season ticket holders to manage their full package of games. Teams restrict extreme abuse, like mass transfers of the entire package. Check individual team policies for full details on sharing rules.
Season Ticket Holder Accounts
Teams provide season ticket members access to an online account manager to handle everything related to their tickets. Account features typically include:
- Review season ticket invoices and make payments
- Update contact information
- View season ticket holder benefits and offers
- Share, transfer, or resell tickets for individual games
- Access digital tickets on mobile devices
- Manage playoff priority and purchases
- Renew season tickets for upcoming seasons
The online account gives holders a centralized place to manage their season tickets and engage with exclusive content from the team. Mobile apps further enable convenient digital access.
Premium Seats and Suites
Teams offer premium seating options at higher price points above regular season tickets. These include options like:
- Club seats – Premium sections with amenities like all-inclusive food/drink, parking, lounge access.
- Luxury suites – Private enclosed luxury areas for groups with food, TVs, and more.
- Loge boxes – Small private boxes with premium views of the field/court.
Access to premium areas requires purchasing the appropriate season ticket package. These packages come with higher per-game prices but also significantly upgraded amenities and exclusivity. Multi-year contracts are common to secure premium seats.
Season Ticket Waiting Lists
Only a limited number of season tickets are available for each team, based on the size of the stadium or arena. Demand often exceeds supply for season tickets, especially for pro sports teams and college football. As a result, fans must join a season ticket waiting list when no inventory is directly available.
Key aspects of waiting lists include:
- One-time fee to join – $25 – $500 per seat
- Years-long wait behind existing holders
- Request specific number of seats and location
- Contacted when seats become available based on tenure
- Option to decline offered tickets without losing place in line
- Wait time depends on team’s demand and turnover
Joining a waiting list is the only way to eventually acquire in-demand season tickets. Fans must be patient and flexible on exact seat locations when notified of availability.
Giving Up Season Tickets
While season tickets are a long-term commitment, account holders do have an option to give them up if needed. Typical ways holders forfeit tickets are:
- Non-renewal – Elect not to renew season tickets for upcoming year during renewal period.
- Relocation – Move away from team’s city and can no longer attend games.
- Financial reasons – Lose ability to afford due to job change, income loss, illness, etc.
- Loss of interest – No longer wish to attend games and give up tickets entirely.
Teams will cancel season tickets if payment is not received by renewal deadlines. Accounts can also be forfeited due to misuse of tickets or violations of stadium policies.
Conclusion
Season ticket membership provides dedicated fans with guaranteed admission to home games, potential savings, access to exclusives perks and content, and more. These packages require upfront costs and year-round commitment but come with many advantages over single-game tickets. Season ticket cards serve as the ticket holder’s gateway to each event throughout the season. Demand for seats may require waiting lists, but the investment pays off for diehard fans that attend most games every year.
