Buying tickets to see your favorite NBA team play can be an exciting experience. However, the various fees that come with purchasing tickets can quickly drive up the total cost. Convenience fees, service fees, and processing fees are just some of the extra charges added to the base ticket price. For savvy buyers looking to avoid the fees and save some money, there are a few options to consider.
Buy Directly from the Arena Box Office
One of the best ways to avoid fees when purchasing NBA tickets is to buy directly from the arena box office. Most major arenas sell tickets on-site at their box office on game days and sometimes in advance of games. Since you are buying directly from the source, you can often avoid the various processing fees you’d pay when purchasing through a secondary seller. Box office locations are usually found right at the arena, so you may need to make a trip in person to buy this way. But if the box office is open in advance of the game, you can get your tickets ahead of time without fees. Just be aware of box office hours which can vary by team.
Use Team or Arena Presales
Many NBA teams and arenas offer special presales for newsletter subscribers, season ticket holders, or social media followers. Getting access to these presales allows you to buy tickets directly from the team before the general public on-sale. Tickets purchased through presales are often sold at face value price without any added fees. Signing up for team newsletters, following the team on social media, or looking into season ticket holder presales are great ways to get early access to tickets before they go on sale. This gives you first pick of seats before the general public has access.
Buy from the Team Website
Visiting your team’s official website is another way you can buy tickets directly from the source and avoid fees. NBA teams sell tickets through their own website, allowing fans to purchase tickets online in advance of the game. Buying this way allows you to get official team tickets without any third party seller fees. Make sure to purchase from the official team site rather than a resale site. Many team sites offer promotions or discounts for purchasing well in advance too. So buying this way can sometimes score you tickets below face value.
Use Membership or Discount Programs
Some NBA teams offer special membership or discount programs that allow you to buy tickets with minimal fees or access to special offers. For example, certain teams have student, military, senior, or other fan membership programs that provide discounted tickets for certain groups. Signing up for these programs allows you exclusive access to cheaper tickets before the general public. Teams want to fill seats, so taking advantage of these membership programs is a great way to avoid fees and get cheaper tickets if you qualify.
Purchase Season Ticket Packages
Investing in season tickets for your favorite team grants you access to tickets for every home game without paying fees every time. NBA teams offer season ticket packages that allow you to purchase tickets for the entire season upfront. Breaking down the per-game cost, season tickets are usually cheaper than buying individual tickets each game. Plus, season ticket holders get first access to playoff and special event tickets too. There’s a larger upfront investment, but season tickets can be a way to avoid fees over the course of the season if you plan to attend a majority of games.
Use a Ticket Exchange or Resale Market
If you can’t buy directly from the team or arena box office, using a team-authorized ticket resale marketplace is another way to avoid high fees. Many teams partner with a specific ticket exchange or secondary market to allow season ticket holders to resell unused tickets. Buying resale tickets directly from other fans can eliminate some of the convenience fees you’d pay on other secondary sites. Teams authorize and partner with a specific resale marketplace, ensuring tickets sold on their exchange are verified and legitimate.
Comparison of Fees on Different Purchasing Options
| Purchasing Method | Convenience Fees | Processing Fees | Service Fees |
|---|---|---|---|
| Box Office | No | No | No |
| Team Website | No | No | No |
| General Ticket Sites | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Team Authorized Resale | No | No | No |
| Presales | No | No | No |
As you can see, buying directly from the team or arena avoid all of the various secondary market fees that can drive up costs. Team presales and resale exchanges authorized by the team also allow you to avoid paying convenience fees, processing fees, and service fees on top of the ticket price.
Join Fan Clubs or E-Newsletters
Signing up for team fan clubs and email newsletters can be another great way to get access to special ticket presales and promotions. Teams will often send presale codes and ticket discounts to their biggest fans signed up through these programs. So you can gain access to tickets before the general public and score discounted seats. Signing up is free on most team websites and can give you first dibs on seats before they sell out to the general public.
Follow Social Media Accounts for Presale Codes
NBA teams will frequently announce ticket presales and offers on their official social media pages as well. Following your favorite team on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram can give you exclusive access to presale codes before tickets go on sale. Special promotions like student nights, military discounts, or other deals will often be marketed through social media channels. So being active on social media and following team accounts is a great way to find presale codes and special offers to save on tickets.
Consider Upper Level or Weeknight Games
If your goal is avoiding fees, considering less in-demand games can help. Weeknight games and matchups against less popular opponents tend to be easier to find without fees. Additionally, opting for upper level seats rather than lower bowl or floor seats can also save you money. There is less demand for these games and seating areas, so teams will be less likely to tack on fees to purchase. If you are hoping to find tickets with minimal fees, focusing on weeknight and upper-level seats is a good strategy.
Wait Until the Last Minute
In some cases, waiting until the very last minute to buy tickets can help you avoid fees. As game time gets closer, demand decreases for unsold tickets. To attract buyers, teams may waive processing and service fees to get more fans in seats. This is an unpredictable strategy, but for unpopular opponents or weeknight games, fees are sometimes dropped or reduced as game time nears. Of course, this also carries the risk of missing out if tickets sell out. But if getting a deal on tickets is more important than seat location, waiting until the last minute can pay off.
Consider Partial Season Plans or Mini Packs
Full season tickets are a big investment, but partial season plans are another option that help avoid fees. Many teams offer mini packs with a set number of games – usually around 6-12 games per package. The per-game cost is still reduced versus buying individual tickets every game. Plus, partial plans still provide access to presales, special events, and sometimes playoff priority too. For casual fans, partial season tickets deliver some benefits of season tickets at a lower cost.
Buy with a Group or Suite
If attending with a large group or splitting costs with others, suite rentals and group packages can secure you a block of tickets while avoiding fees. Teams and arenas offer special group packages for parties of a certain size, usually around 10-20 people. Perks like discounted overall pricing, waived fees, add-ons like food and drinks are available with group packages. Suites take the benefits even further, giving your group food, private space, and an exclusive experience. But suites are premium so come at a higher overall cost.
Conclusion
While NBA tickets seem to get more expensive every year, there are still several strategies a savvy fan can use to avoid extra fees. Buying directly through team channels gives you the most control over pricing and fees. Opting for less popular games or upper-level seats can also make tickets cheaper overall. With some creativity and planning, catching an NBA game without all the annoying fees is definitely possible. The best deals go to those fans who get in early through presales, memberships, and other exclusive offers direct from teams. Check all of your options and use team authorized sources for the lowest prices and fee-free NBA tickets.
