Buying Red Sox tickets can be an expensive endeavor, especially if you want good seats at Fenway Park to see the team play. Many fans debate whether it is cheaper to buy tickets ahead of time online or at the stadium on game day. There are pros and cons to each approach. Here is an in-depth look at the costs of Red Sox tickets and whether buying them at Fenway is the most affordable option.
The Costs of Red Sox Tickets Online
If you want to buy Red Sox tickets before game day, there are a few options:
- Buy directly from the Red Sox via the team website or ticket office. These are always the most expensive tickets.
- Use a secondary ticket site like StubHub or SeatGeek. Prices here vary depending on demand.
- Look for deals through ticket consolidators, promo codes, or group discounts.
In general, buying ahead of time online provides certainty over seat location. However, prices typically start at around $50-60 for bleacher seats and can run over $200 for desirable spots like behind home plate or along the first base line. Here are some example Red Sox ticket prices online:
| Seat Location | Online Price |
|---|---|
| Bleachers | $50 |
| Grandstand | $100 |
| Field Box | $175 |
| Green Monster | $200+ |
Keep in mind prices rise significantly when the Red Sox play their biggest rivals like the Yankees, or for crucial late season and playoff games.
Buying Tickets In-Person at Fenway Park
The other option is to buy tickets in-person at Fenway Park on game day. There are a few ways to do this:
- Get tickets directly at the Red Sox ticket office near the park.
- Buy from a ticket scalper outside Fenway before the game.
- Wait until after first pitch and try to buy tickets from scalpers leaving the game.
The main advantage of buying tickets in-person is you can often get seats well below face value. Scalpers and others sellers are trying to unload last minute tickets before demand disappears once the game starts. The downside is you won’t know if tickets are available until you get to the park.
Ticket Office Prices
At the ticket office, last minute tickets will still be expensive, likely $75-100 minimum depending on seat location. However, these prices will probably be below what you’d pay online ahead of time.
Scalpers Outside Fenway
Scalpers hawking tickets around Fenway before the game will offer better deals than the ticket office. Their prices are variable, but you can often find seats for $50-75. They’ll start high then come down as game time nears. Be sure to negotiate and shop around for the best price.
Buying After First Pitch
Waiting until after first pitch is the best way to get bargain basement prices from scalpers. Once the game starts, demand dies down rapidly. At this point you can often buy into the bleachers or grandstand for $20-40. Field box seats can be had for $50-75. Here are some example post-first pitch prices:
| Seat Location | Post First Pitch Price |
|---|---|
| Bleachers | $25 |
| Grandstand | $40 |
| Field Box | $60 |
| Green Monster | $75 |
The major risk is that waiting could leave you shut out if unsold tickets are scarce. However, weekday games against non-rival teams often have deals available until the 3rd or 4th inning.
Other Factors to Consider
Beyond ticket prices, there are a few other factors that impact the costs of buying tickets online vs. at the stadium:
- Online fees – Most ticket sites charge 10-15% in fees on top of list prices.
- Printing fees – If you buy online, printing tickets at home costs around $5.
- Travel costs – Getting to Fenway on game day means paying for gas, train/bus fare, parking, etc.
- Time costs – It takes time to get to Fenway and hunt for deals vs. buying online instantly.
These ancillary costs close the price gap between online and in-person purchases. Even if you save 20% on the ticket itself, fees and travel expenses eat into your savings.
Is it Cheaper to Buy at Fenway Park?
So what’s the verdict? Is buying Red Sox tickets at Fenway cheaper than online? Here are some quick takeaways:
- Buying well ahead of time online is always the most expensive option. You pay a premium for great seats.
- Day-of ticket office prices will beat online prices, but are still on the expensive side.
- Scalpers offer the best savings, especially after first pitch. But you risk getting shut out.
- Factor in fees and travel costs when comparing online vs. in-person.
Overall, if you want prime seats like behind home plate, buying online in advance is worth the premium price. However, for most other seat locations, buying in-person at Fenway Park on game day will be cheaper than buying online once you account for fees and other costs. Scalpers offer the best deals, so buying tickets after the game starts or haggling right before often yields the cheapest prices.
That being said, there is no guarantee of availability buying in person. So buying online provides more certainty. For the budget conscious fan willing to take some risks, buying at the stadium yields better prices much of the time.
As a general rule, expect to pay 10-25% less when purchasing in-person on game day versus online. For marquee games against rivals, the gap is smaller. And for non-premium seats to low-interest games on weekdays, the savings of buying at Fenway can be even greater.
Tips for Getting the Best Deals
Here are some tips to maximize your savings when buying Red Sox tickets at Fenway Park:
- Buy on weekdays – Less demand means lower prices.
- Target low-profile opponents – Games against the Orioles or Royals won’t command a premium.
- Avoid Yankees and playoff games – You’ll pay a much higher premium for big games.
- Check online listings first – Make sure tickets are widely available before going to Fenway.
- Negotiate with scalpers – Don’t be afraid to haggle, especially after the game starts.
- Head up to the bleachers – You’ll find the deepest discounts on less desirable seats.
- Wait until the 3rd inning or later – Prices drop the longer the game goes on.
- Buy a single ticket – It’s easier to find lone seats so prices are lower.
While buying Red Sox tickets is rarely cheap, following these tips will help you find the best deals whether you choose to buy online or decide to purchase at Fenway Park on game day.
Conclusion
Red Sox ticket prices are always high due to the team’s popularity and Fenway Park’s small capacity. However, fans on a budget can often save 10-25% by avoiding buying online and instead purchasing tickets in-person on game day. The deepest discounts come from scalpers, especially after first pitch once demand dies down. While buying at the stadium comes with risks of availability, the potential savings are substantial. Following some of the tips outlined above will enable thrifty Red Sox fans to find the cheapest tickets while still enjoying exciting games at one of baseball’s most legendary stadiums.
