College sports are a growing part of the athletic world. They bring together students, fans, and athletes in stadiums and arenas across the nation. Tickets for these events can be hard to come by or given away for free, depending on the team and their popularity. Whether you are a loyal alumnus, an enthusiastic student, or just someone looking to watch peak athletes, college sports are a great way to have fun. Yet, finding the right way to buy sports tickets for an upcoming match can prove challenging, especially for people new to the game.
Why College Sporting Events Draw Large Crowds
A college football game in Alabama against a rival can sell out quickly. A UCONN basketball game is often filled to the brim with cheering fans. A pro team like the Knicks has an easy time selling out, thanks to cheap tickets at Hellotickets and a ravenous fan base hungry for a live glimpse of the action. But a college like the University of Alabama has just 40,000 students, all of whom are probably not diehard fans, so how do these college teams manage to sell out stadiums?
The answer is two-fold: the environment and the skill. College sports have come a long way. The athletes on the field are playing at peak performance, with some going on to the big leagues even before they graduate. These games are attended by people of all ages, but young college kids showing up to support their school make up a big chunk of the stands. These young adults are full of energy and pride, ready to chant, shout, stomp, and amp up their players.
The NCAA published a statistic back in 2022 stating that over 49 million people attended college football games in that year alone. That's an absolutely massive chunk of people. While there is undoubtedly some overlap in numbers, as fans attend multiple games, it's still a striking figure.
The emotional investment in a college team can also get heavy. Rivalries are alive and well in college sports. The Boston Red Sox and the New York Yankees have nothing on Michigan vs. Ohio State or Alabama vs. Auburn. This definitely helps drive up ticket sales and stadium attendance numbers, making it harder to get tickets to certain games.
The Two Ways to Purchase Tickets
There are really only two ways to purchase tickets: through an official site or the secondary market. If you're a student or an alum, you might be able to buy tickets at a discount or even for free. Universities with less popular teams are often giving tickets away for free or cheap just to get people in the stands. For more popular games, expect to pay a premium.
The secondary market, or resale, is another popular way to search for tickets. Resale tickets can be more expensive, but once tickets sell out, it's the only option. You'll also want to be aware of scams, as some people may sell fake tickets or sell real tickets, but use them before you have a chance to get into the stadium.
Keep an eye out for hidden fees, too. Some online sites will tack on fees at checkout that can be as much as the price of the ticket itself—sometimes, the fees are even more than the ticket!
Gaming the System
There are ways to save money on tickets if you're savvy. Some fans will buy tickets early in anticipation of rising prices as the season continues and the games get closer. Others will hold out for last-minute deals, banking on the games not selling well and the teams trying to fill seats.
It essentially boils down to buying tickets early for high-profile events or holding out till the day before for events you know are not going to sell well. Waiting is definitely a gamble, however, as the game could sell out, or there could be no deals at all, and you're left paying the same price that you would have but for a potentially worse seat.
Making the Most Out of Your Ticket
Regardless of when you bought your ticket or what seat you're going to sit in, there are easy ways to get more out of your experience. The most obvious way is tailgating. For many fans, tailgating is a quintessential part of the college sports experience. Fans arrive early, hang out in the parking lot, set up grills, drink, and connect with fellow fans. When the sun is shining, this can be a great way to turn a few-hour sporting events into an all-day fun affair.
You'll also want to make sure you're wearing the right colors. Head over to a team spirit shop or the university store and pick up some swag like hats, foam fingers, jerseys, and more. Repping your team is a great way to show support and meet other fans.
Wrap-up
Sports tickets for college events are a great way to blend the excitement of athletic excellence and communal pride. Buying tickets can be hard if the team is popular, but that just means you need to snag an early bird deal. At the end of the day, these games make up a large chunk of the athletic world and are a great way to have fun and destress from your tumultuous life of academics and internships. Buy a ticket or get free ones from your university, and have a blast!
