Basketball fans looking to buy tickets to see their favorite NBA teams play have several options these days. With the rise of online ticket marketplaces, getting your hands on legitimate tickets for an NBA game is easier than ever. However, with so many places to buy from, it can be confusing trying to figure out which ticket source is reputable and will get you into the game without issue. This guide will walk you through the best places to buy NBA tickets so you can score seats without worrying about scams or counterfeits.
Buy Directly from the NBA Team Website
One of the most reliable ways to get legitimate NBA tickets is to purchase them directly from the team’s official website. All 30 NBA team sites sell tickets to home games in the official arena. This is the safest option because you are buying straight from the source. There is no risk of counterfeit or fake tickets when you go through the team site.
Most NBA teams use Ticketmaster as their official ticket provider. You will be redirected to Ticketmaster’s site to complete your ticket purchase. Ticketmaster is the official ticket vendor for 28 of the 30 NBA teams. The only exceptions are the Los Angeles Lakers and Dallas Mavericks, who manage their own ticket sales.
Here are some benefits of buying NBA tickets directly from team sites:
- Guaranteed valid tickets – No chance of fakes or scams
- Access to best seat options – Get seats directly from the arenas
- Deals and promotions – Teams often offer ticket packs and discounts
- Easy transfers – Can transfer a ticket to a friend if needed
The main downside of buying from team sites is the prices are usually higher than third-party resellers. Teams don’t offer big discounts, so you’ll pay face value or very close to it. But the peace of mind of legit tickets makes it worth it for many fans.
Use Established Resale Marketplaces
After team sites, the next best option for buying legit NBA tickets is through major online ticket marketplaces like StubHub, Vivid Seats, and Ticketmaster. These resale sites provide a platform for fans to sell extra tickets they have legally purchased from the team or other official vendor. All tickets sold on these sites are verified for authenticity before listing.
Reputable resale platforms like these offer several advantages for buying NBA tickets:
- Huge selection of tickets for all teams and games
- Guaranteed valid tickets or your money back
- Competitive prices, often much lower than box office rates
- Easy and secure ticket delivery
- Buy and sell platform protects both parties
These major secondary marketplaces have become trusted places for fans to resell thousands of live event tickets. There are overpriced listings at times, but also lots of great deals way below face value.
StubHub
StubHub is the largest ticket resale marketplace in the U.S. It offers a massive selection of NBA tickets with all purchases backed by a FanProtect Guarantee. If tickets turn out invalid for any reason, StubHub will find you comparable or better replacements or issue a full refund. Some key facts about StubHub:
- Official partner of over half of NBA teams
- NBA ticket inventory from fans in over 40 countries
- Sort tickets by price, listing type, section, row, etc.
- Rate sellers and see their sales history
- Available tickets for all 30 teams
Vivid Seats
Vivid Seats is another highly reputable source for authentic NBA tickets in the resale market. They independently verify all tickets and guarantee every order. If there are any issues at all with your tickets, you’ll get a full refund or credit of at least 125% of what you paid. Reasons to use Vivid Seats include:
- In business since 2001 with an A+ BBB rating
- Official resale partner for multiple NBA teams
- Hassle-free returns and exceptional customer service
- Big savings compared to box office prices
- All tickets backed by 100% buyer guarantee
Ticketmaster
Even though Ticketmaster is the official provider for most NBA teams, they also have a large ticket resale marketplace. Fans can resell event tickets they purchased from Ticketmaster to other fans on the site. Benefits of Ticketmaster resale include:
- All tickets directly transferred from Ticketmaster accounts
- Verifies barcodes to prevent fraud
- See ratings and reviews of sellers
- Refunds and support from a trusted source
- Integrated checkout with your Ticketmaster account
Ticketmaster doesn’t necessarily offer the best deals on the secondary market. But the convenience and security of keeping your purchase within one provider is appealing for many buyers.
Use Reputable Ticket Brokerages
There are several large national ticket brokerages that specialize in obtaining premium tickets to sporting events and concerts. These companies have connections to acquire prime seats that average fans can’t get access to. Buying from an established brokerage is a safe way to get great NBA tickets. Some of the top national brokers include:
VIP Tickets
With over 34 years in business, VIP Tickets is a trusted source for top-tier tickets. They offer a 100% guarantee on all orders and have an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau. Some benefits of VIP Tickets are:
- Direct connections to acquire the best seats
- Big savings compared to box office pricing
- All VIP orders come with a photo of the view
- Exceptional personal service and support
- Convenient digital ticket delivery
Premium Seats USA
Premium Seats USA specializes in premium tickets packages to premium NBA games and playoff matchups. They boast excellent customer service and full refunds if there are any issues with an order. Reasons to purchase from Premium Seats USA include:
- Access to VIP, suite, club and courtside seats
- Packages with amenities like food and drinks
- Decades of relationships with venues and promoters
- All sales final, but tickets can be transferred
- Wide selection of premium tickets for all teams
TickPick
TickPick is a leading no-fee secondary ticket marketplace focused on transparency. They have all-in pricing with no hidden charges added later. Some benefits of buying NBA tickets through TickPick:
- No service fees or other hidden costs
- Rates often cheaper than StubHub
- Ratings and reviews of sellers visible
- Refunds issued if event is canceled
- Wide range of NBA tickets available
Use Caution Buying from Unknown Resellers
There are many lesser known ticket brokers and resellers that you can find selling NBA tickets online. However, you need to exercise caution when purchasing from unfamiliar third-party sellers. Without an established reputation and customer service team, the risk of getting fake or unusable tickets goes up significantly.
If you do choose to buy NBA tickets from an unknown broker or website, make sure you follow these tips:
- Research seller reviews and check for trust badges
- Only buy e-tickets you can verify with a barcode
- Avoid wire transfers and pay with credit card
- Confirm seller address and customer service contacts
- See if pricing is suspiciously below market value
Buying NBA tickets from small brokers or unknown resellers is very risky. Make sure to thoroughly vet the seller before sending payment. Getting fake tickets and being turned away at the door is something all fans want to avoid.
Avoid Scalpers Outside the Arena
In the past, buying tickets from scalpers outside the stadium was a common way for fans to get into big games. However, this tactic comes with obvious risks. There is no way to verify if the tickets are legit or fake. And getting scammed right before tip-off is a terrible experience.
Here are some of the reasons to avoid scalpers when buying NBA tickets:
- No way to validate if tickets are real
- Prices driven up due to desperation
- Scalpers can disappear after taking payment
- No refunds or support if tickets are invalid
- Sales are completely unofficial
In some cases, scalpers may offer deep discounts on tickets near game time to get rid of excess inventory. But more often than not, the tickets end up being fake or completely invalid. Venues are also cracking down on ticket scalping activities outside entrances.
Use Caution on Online Resale Forums
There are many online resale marketplaces based on forums and classified ads where individuals can list NBA tickets for sale. These include sites like Craigslist, eBay, OfferUp and Facebook Marketplace. Buying tickets on peer-to-peer platforms comes with risks.
While you can find legitimate NBA ticket sellers on these sites, there are also scammers who will take your money and run. Be very careful when purchasing tickets through online forums and use these precautions:
- Vet seller ratings, reviews and identity
- Avoid sellers who only accept wire transfers
- Ask for photos or digital copies of tickets
- Use a protected payment method like PayPal
- Never pay with cash, gift cards or crypto
For high-demand NBA games, chances go up of finding fake or cloned tickets on peer-to-peer sites. When possible, stick to more reputable sources to avoid getting ripped off.
Join Team Season Ticket Programs
The most fool-proof way to get 100% valid NBA tickets is to buy season tickets directly from a team. NBA teams offer season ticket memberships that give you tickets to every home game for one price. Prices vary greatly depending on seat location. Benefits include:
- Guaranteed valid tickets distributed by team
- Special membership perks and rewards
- First option to purchase playoff tickets
- Ticket exchange program for games you can’t attend
- VIP access and experiences
The big downside to season tickets is the large upfront cost. Upper deck season tickets may start around $500, while lower bowl mid-court seats can cost over $20,000. Also, you are committed to buying the entire season slate of games.
Overall, a season ticket membership directly from an NBA team is the best way to get 100% legitimate tickets for every home game. But it requires a significant financial commitment, so explore all options before choosing this route.
Join a Ticket Broker’s Season Ticket Program
If buying a full season ticket plan directly from a team is too expensive, another option is joining a ticket broker’s season ticket program. Many large brokers purchase season tickets and then resell individual games to their clients at discounted prices.
For example, Premium Seats USA offers season ticket memberships starting under $1,000 for access to a set number of games. Benefits of broker season tickets include:
- Cheaper than buying direct from team
- Valid tickets since brokers have season accounts
- Access to premium or VIP seating areas
- Concierge service for ticket requests
- Lower commitment than full season tickets
The main downside is ticket availability is not guaranteed for high-demand games. But broker season ticket programs can be a more affordable way to get legitimate NBA tickets throughout the year.
Use Ticket Purchase Protection
One last tip when buying NBA tickets is to use a credit card that offers ticket purchase protection or a similar benefit. Many premium travel credit cards provide reimbursement in case something goes wrong with a ticket purchase.
For example, the Capital One Venture X card provides up to $500 back per ticket if they are lost, stolen, damaged, or otherwise unusable. This gives you a layer of security against potential scams or issues.
Make sure to check the fine print for coverage amounts and eligibility terms. But ticket purchase protection can help shield you from losses if your NBA tickets run into problems.
Conclusion
While the online ticket market has made buying NBA tickets more complex, there are still many safe and reliable ways to get seats. Buying directly from team websites provides 100% valid tickets. Major resale marketplaces like StubHub and Vivid Seats also offer guarantees and fraud protection.
Using an established ticket broker is another smart option for premium NBA seats. Just be very cautious when purchasing from unknown resellers or scalpers, as the risk of fake tickets goes way up. Do your research, use protected payments, and consider ticket coverage from your credit card.
By buying NBA tickets smart and sticking to reputable sources, you can score great seats to see your favorite team without worrying about ticket scams or fraud.