Getting discounted Washington Nationals tickets can seem daunting, but with some insider knowledge and flexibility, scoring cheap seats at Nats Park is very doable. As a savvy Nats fan on a budget, you can find ways to enjoy MLB action in D.C. without breaking the bank. Read on for tips and tricks to land $5 tickets to see the Nationals play.
Check the Nationals’ Special Ticket Offers
The best place to start your search for cheap Nationals tickets is on the team’s official website. The Nationals frequently offer special discounted ticket deals, many of which are only advertised on nationals.com. Here are some of the ticket offers and promotions to look out for:
- Student Nats Packs – Special discount ticket packages for students, often starting around $5.
- Military Personnel Specials – Discounted tickets for active and retired military members.
- Senior Citizen Specials – Special rates for fans 60 and older.
- Kids Eat Free Ticket Packages – Bundled deals with cheap tickets and free food for kids.
- Daily Deal of the Game – Different discounted tickets every day.
By frequently checking the website for deals, you can often score $5 tickets in the outfield or upper deck through these specials. They frequently offer discounted tickets for weekday day games when demand is lower. Create an account on the site and opt-in for promotional emails to stay on top of the latest deals.
Purchase the Cheapest Individual Game Tickets
If you don’t hit on a special offer, the next step is to review the pricing for regular individual game tickets. Even when the Nationals aren’t running a special, you can often find cheap upper deck and outfield seats priced at or under $5 on weekday afternoons against non-premium opponents. Tickets on weekends and nights are more expensive, so you’ll get the most value concentrating on afternoon games Monday through Thursday.
Use the team’s virtual venue tool to browse individual game ticket pricing options section by section to find the best values. Games with low attendance like those against weaker teams on weekdays will have the most inventory of cheap tickets. Avoid rivalry games against the Phillies and Orioles as well as games against other big draws like the Yankees, Red Sox and Cubs, as those will be priced higher.
Buy Upper Deck Tickets From Authorized Resellers
In addition to the Nationals website, you can find cheap tickets through authorized resellers like StubHub and VividSeats. Season ticket holders and other fans often resell tickets below face value on these sites when they can’t attend a game.
Sort listings by price and scour these sites for upper deck seats priced around $5. Remember you’ll pay extra fees buying through a reseller, so target tickets listed below $5 to keep your final cost near $5. Also check frequently as prices drop leading up to the game as sellers slash prices trying to unload tickets.
Check Group and College Student Deals
If you’re buying tickets for a group or college students, look for special discounts targeted to those groups. The Nationals offer group ticket rates for parties of 20+ on select dates that can drive the price down. College students can find deals by checking their school’s ticket office, as many run specials for sports events in D.C. Certain clubs like the Student Alumni Association offer discounts. Joining student membership programs like Student Advantage can also unlock cheap Nationals tickets.
Buy Standing Room Only Tickets
If you just want in the gate for cheap, consider buying Standing Room Only tickets. The Nationals sell these for the outfield and upper concourse, often for around $5 weekdays and $10 weekends. You’ll have to stand the whole game and arrive early to claim a good spot, but it’s an affordable way to enjoy the experience on a budget.
Time Your Purchase Strategically
Timing your ticket purchase strategically can save money:
- Buy well in advance – Prices usually start cheaper earlier and then rise as the game approaches.
- Buy at the last minute – As game time nears, prices can drop as sellers slash prices.
- Avoid summer weekends – The most popular dates are more expensive.
- Target day games – Weekday afternoons are cheaper than nights and weekends.
Studying historical pricing trends on sites like TicketIQ can help discern the best times to buy cheap.
Have Flexible Dates
The easiest way to score $5 tickets is having completely flexible dates. If you can attend any game, you can target the cheapest days against the worst opponents. Midweek day games in April, May, September and October often have abundant cheap seats. Avoidpotential playoff clinchers and popular interleague matchups.
Get Creative with Seating
If the cheap seats are sold out, get creative with seating options:
- Ask fan services for standing room upgrades – Politely inquire about available upgrades at customer service.
- Check for late-inning seat upgrades – Ask ushers if you can move down later in the game.
- Split season tickets – Split packs with others to lower costs.
With persistence and ingenuity, you can often finesse your way into better seats.
Conclusion
Scoring $5 Nationals tickets involves effort, flexibility and insider know-how. Monitor discounts online, target weak opponents during daytime hours, buy strategically, get creative with seating options, and you can enjoy exciting MLB action in D.C. on a tight budget. With the right prep work and mindset, Nats fans can have an affordable ballpark experience.
