With Ticketmaster controlling a large portion of the primary ticket market, it can be challenging for fans to purchase NBA tickets without going through the ticket giant. However, there are still several options available for buying tickets directly from NBA teams or on secondary marketplaces.
Buy Directly from the NBA Team
The best way to avoid Ticketmaster fees is to buy tickets directly from the team’s box office or website. Here are some tips for purchasing direct:
- Check the team’s official website for ticket listings. Most teams sell some inventory through their own platforms.
- Call or visit the stadium box office if you’re local. Box offices typically don’t charge the extra fees you’ll find online.
- Ask about ticket packages or partial season plans. Teams reserve some tickets for bundle purchases.
- Join fan clubs or email lists for presale ticket access before the general public.
- Inquire about group tickets. Buying as a group may provide access to more ticket avenues.
The biggest challenge with direct purchases is that ticket supply can be limited, so choices may be restricted to less desirable games/seats. But buying directly remains one of the best options for avoiding Ticketmaster’s added costs.
Use Official Ticket Resale Marketplaces
Several NBA teams have official ticket resale partnerships through marketplaces like Vivid Seats and StubHub. Fans can resell unused tickets to other fans on these sites, which serve as alternatives to Ticketmaster for secondary purchases. Here are some tips for using team resale sites:
- Visit the team’s website and look for links to the official resale platform.
- Browse available listings and price compare. There will likely be more options than the primary market.
- Sort by price to find deals if the exact seats aren’t important.
- Read seller reviews and ratings to avoid scams.
- Use filters to narrow down searches by location or price.
The main advantage with resale sites is access to a large supply of tickets, often at discounted prices. Convenience fees and other charges still apply, but may be lower than Ticketmaster in some cases.
Use General Ticket Resale Marketplaces
In addition to team-specific resale sites, general secondary marketplaces like StubHub and Vivid Seats can also be good options for finding NBA tickets. Here are some benefits of using general resale platforms:
- Wide selection of tickets for all teams/games.
- Advanced search filters and price tracking.
- Competitive seller commissions can lead to lower buyer prices.
- Some platforms offer buyer guarantees against fraud.
- Can find great last minute deals on unused tickets.
The main downsides are less direct purchase integration with teams, and buyer protections may not be as strong as team-authorized resales. But general sites provide huge inventory and price competition.
Use Ticket Reseller Comparison Sites
To simplify the ticket search process, you can use reseller comparison sites like TicketIQ. These platforms aggregate inventory from multiple major resale marketplaces in one place. The advantages of comparison shopping sites include:
- See ticket listings from different sellers side-by-side.
- Easily price shop to find the best deals.
- Reduce searching across multiple sites.
- Get notifications when prices drop.
- Read objective reviews and seating tips.
The main downside is having to still finalize purchases through other sites, adding extra steps. But the time saved comparison shopping often outweighs the inconvenience.
Purchase from an Authorized Ticket Broker
In some cases, you may want to work with an authorized ticket broker or reseller that is officially licensed to list and sell tickets. There are a couple key advantages to going this route:
- Higher likelihood of validated authentic tickets.
- Better consumer protections and guarantees.
- Experienced support for finding specific seats.
- Access to VIP/premium ticket inventory.
- Ongoing ticket availability for last minute purchases.
The tradeoff is typically higher costs and fees working with brokers. But the peace of mind and high-end inventory may justify the extra expense for some buyers.
Purchase NBA Tickets on eBay
With millions of users, eBay remains one of the most popular online marketplaces. Tickets are commonly listed by individual sellers, and here are some key considerations for buying tickets on eBay:
- Sort by lowest cost+shipping to find deals.
- Vet seller ratings and reviews to avoid scams.
- Confirm details like seating rows, sections, delivery times.
- Use Buy It Now pricing to avoid bidding wars.
- Make offers to negotiate better prices.
eBay offers buyer protections on ticket sales. However, the large volume of sellers means you need to thoroughly vet listings for authenticity and accuracy. With diligence, deals can be found.
Use Social Media Groups
NBA teams and fans have active communities on social platforms like Facebook and Reddit. Look for fan groups and see if followers are selling or re-selling unused tickets. Things to keep in mind:
- Browse group rules to ensure ticket sales are allowed.
- Vet other posts and feedback to gauge seller reputability.
- Meet locally and pay cash when possible for added security.
- Get full ticket details, transfer timing, seat locations.
- Only buy from established users with history and engagement.
Social communities provide direct access to ticketholders, potentially yielding great prices. But use caution and check seller credibility to avoid problems or fraud.
Consider Season Ticket Licenses or Shares
If attending multiple games per season, you can often save money by purchasing season tickets directly from a team and re-selling unneeded games. Things to evaluate:
- Upfront season ticket costs versus expected per-game savings.
- Hassle of re-selling individual games yourself.
- Season ticket holder benefits like merchandise discounts.
- Sharing/splitting packages with friends or relatives.
- Licensing fees and requirements for re-selling.
Season tickets bring major per-game savings if you attend most matches, but require effort to profit on extra games you can’t use. Weigh benefits against costs.
Conclusion
Avoiding Ticketmaster is possible for NBA fans by using team box offices, official resale sites, general secondary marketplaces, ticket brokers, and social communities. Each option has tradeoffs between cost, convenience, and selection. But with smart shopping techniques, paying retail prices on Ticketmaster isn’t your only option to see top NBA action live.