What Your Season Ticket Dollars Can Get You Around Each League
Becoming a season ticket holder carries more value than just receiving discounted tickets to games. Over the years, teams have expanded their season ticket packages to reward their most loyal fans with an increasing amount of benefits. In addition to premium seat location, teams provide season ticket holders with opportunities to meet coaches and players, on-field/court access, exclusive access to team events, and additional savings on numerous team items.
Depending on what team you support, you might be able to take advantage of some quantifiable benefits as a season ticket holder. Here’s a look at what your season ticket dollars can get you around each league:
NHL
The NHL offers its season ticket holders unique meet and greet opportunities in professional sports. Fans have the opportunity to not only meet their favorite players but also enjoy various activities with them in a setting that allows fans to get to know players on a more personal level than reading a Wikipedia profile.
The Washington Capitals host their annual meet and greet event at Six Flags where fans can ride roller coasters with their favorite players. Who knows, you might be able to sneak a selfie with 3-time MVP Alex Ovechkin as you speed around one of the fastest rollercoasters in the world.
Teams like the New Jersey Devils host 3 separate meet and greet events, which include a team BBQ featuring all players, a team skate that allows fans to skate on the ice with players, and access to a private practice. These are priceless opportunities for fans and are more valuable than any memorabilia that can be purchased online. The Devils also reward premium season ticket holders with an all-inclusive gourmet buffet at each game, seats to every event held at the arena on non-game days, and exclusive access to this Platinum Lounge:
MLB
MLB teams offer fans several types of season ticket options ranging from 6 game packages to full-season 82 game packages. Fans that purchase larger season ticket packages are rewarded with an increased number of benefits provided by the organization.
Teams like the Arizona Diamondbacks give fans the option to personalize their season ticket holder benefits through an application called D-backs Experiences. This program allows fans to choose from various experiences throughout the season using their D-backs credits. Some current offerings include on-field batting practice viewing, pictures in the dugout, autographed memorabilia, seat upgrades, and having a child participate in the Hot Dog Derby. The D-backs offer many experiences catered to both kids and adults, and the ability to customize benefits is a unique perk offered by the organization. In addition to D-backs Experiences, season ticket holders benefit from a variety of discount advantages on team store purchases, concessions, parking, suite rentals, and more.
Major League teams have undoubtedly kept season ticket holder’s interests in mind as they continue to construct new ballparks. When the New York Yankees built their new stadium in 2009, they rewarded their season ticket holders with several new amenities, including the Mohegan Sports Bar, which boasts one of the most unique vantage points in all of sports. The indoor bar is located behind the center field batters eye and features two cocktail bars and assorted food options. Full-season ticket holders are provided exclusive access to the bar throughout the season.
NBA
NBA full-season ticket holders can take advantage of private tours, half-time contests, access to stadium lounges for season ticket holders only, complimentary parking passes, savings at team stores and concessions, and access to special game night events. An NBA season ticket holder can also expect to receive special invitations to concerts and events held at the arena on non-game nights.
In 2010, the Portland Trail Blazers aimed to reward its season ticket holders for their loyalty and devotion during the team’s 40-year existence by introducing their Rip City United program. The team offers its member’s loyalty rewards, access to exclusive events, 20% discounts at the Fan Store, and first ticket access. The Loyalty Rewards program offers additional savings for the most tenured season ticket holders, which was the first of its kind in the NBA. Members of Rip City United are provided opportunities to meet past and present players, participate in on-court half-time contests and attend a private tour of the venue.
As a season ticket holder, it is not always possible to attend every game on the schedule. Often, season ticket holders that are unable to attend specific games will sell their seats to individual games on resale sites. NBA teams like the Golden State Warriors have partnered with NBAtickets.com to provide season ticket holders with a reliable resale marketplace to post their tickets. This application quickly links buyers to sellers and gives sellers the option to have funds deposited directly into their bank accounts.
Additionally, teams like the Warriors offer their season ticket holders a “Share Your Seats” ticket option that allows season ticket holders to donate seats to the Warriors foundation when they cannot attend a game. If tickets are donated to the program, the Warriors donate the seats to local non-profit organizations in the Bay-Area.
NFL
As a season ticket holder of any team in the NFL, you are automatically eligible to join the Membership Club that grants fans access to exclusive benefits from the NFL and its partners.
Benefits of The Membership Club include:
- Exclusive access to NFL Redzone and NFL Game Pass free of charge
- 15% off all orders from NFL Shop
- Discounted subscription to DIRECTV
However, NFL season tickets are in such high demand that 24 of 32 NFL teams claim to have a waiting list for their season tickets. The Green Bay Packers first sold out their season tickets in 1960, and currently, have over 73,000 names waiting for their opportunity to purchase season tickets. The last fan to be offered Packers season tickets has been on the waitlist since 1990. The estimated wait time for Packers season tickets is 30 years, while only 6 other teams have waiting times of over 10 years.
While it may be difficult to obtain season tickets in the NFL, current season ticket holders benefit from playoff ticket priority, member events, and discounts on luxury suites. Most NFL organizations offer current season ticket holders a premium season ticket membership option that gives its members exclusive access to pre and post-game events, VIP entrance, access to luxury lounges, and exclusive meet and greets with players.
Because the perks included in season ticket packages differ based on the team and league, the value received from each dollar spent as a season ticket holder can vary. The NHL, MLB, and NBA reward their season ticket holders with a lengthy list of benefits that carry many types of value. While the NFL does offer its highest-paying season ticket holders special treatment, simply possessing season tickets is an accomplishment in its own.
