Best ways to obtain sports tickets?

[NZflygirl]

(Not really sure where this question belongs???)

Well, sports is a very big reason to travel.

I have been awful at watching for dates tickets become available or having my finger on any buttons to push at the time. Even concerts, I go do something and come back and they're sold out!

I'm thinking of giving AMEX concierge a list of events to keep an eye out for and email/contact me when they have pre-sales. I've just missed one, hence the thread! I'm after Wimbledon if anyone knows where to look.

Are AMEX good at those type of requests?
I know there's ticketek but are there any other non dodgy sites to check or ways to get tickets? Especially for some of the American sports?

I'm after tennis like the US open, final four for college NBA, in general other NBA NFL ice hockey games. Not me but +1 likes UFC, soccer, rugby etc (I am dreading the day I get pulled along to a UFC fight).

 

[Pushka]

Just don’t use viagogo.

 

[NZflygirl]

I've read about them. (Might even have used them for a play a couple of years ago before I knew).

 

[Pushka]

I've read about them. (Might even have used them for a play a couple of years ago before I knew).

Yes we used them for an AFL match. Thankfully it worked out ok. We went to House of Mormon play and the couple behind us had used Viagogo. The original purchasers of the tickets also showed up. The usher knew who had bought the original tickets and the Viagogo purchasers were removed from the seats.

 

[VPS]

I've never used the Concierge facility on any of my cards so will be interested to see how you go

 

[burmans]

Sorry to rain on your parade but I think you are looking for a unicorn.

Most ticket reselling agents seem to be somewhat dodgy in every country I've ever lived/visited. And for those few that are not, well they may be safe but man do they charge a premium.

 

[mannej]

Sorry to rain on your parade but I think you are looking for a unicorn.

Most ticket reselling agents seem to be somewhat dodgy in every country I've ever lived/visited. And for those few that are not, well they may be safe but man do they charge a premium.

In the case of Ticketmaster Resale, it is the original purchased of the ticket who sets the price. TMR add a percentage on top, however it is really scalping endorsed by Ticketmaster

 

[Denali]

Presale has always worked out for me. Visa, Amex mastercard, fan clubs, whatever it takes.

Otherwise I look for sport speciality sellers, got All Black tickets once via joining a private AB fans charter flight but they didn't know we were Aussie fans until boarding

 

[burmans]

Otherwise I look for sport speciality sellers, got All Black tickets once via joining a private AB fans charter flight but they didn't know we were Aussie fans until boarding

Are you into S&M as well?

 

[kermatu]

I’ve had great success and very good rates with Stubhub in the US. Can be expensive if booked early but great bargains can be hard if you are prepared to risk late purchase. I’ve done NHL, NBA, NFL, MLB this way.

Also used them for Tottenham Hotspur games in London a few years ago.

 

[Denali]

I've used Stubhub in the US as well.

 

[Justinf]

don't use stubhub or viagogo. Both rip off merchants.
I have used Flash Seats for US NBA games. It downloads your ticket onto your phone and the attendants have a special scanner epecially for it. It was good.

 

[Dr Ralph]

Stubhub excellent. Used many times.

 

[NoName]

Ticketmaster is the official ticket agent for the US Open tennis tickets. They also operaterate a USTA approved resale market. I have used them twice when going to the tennis and has been easy and safe both times. Would recommend.

 

[serfty]

In the USA with official resale sites, the admission 'barcode' changes on a resale so no doubling/tripling up etc.

 

[Ausbt]

I've used StubHub a fair bit in the US. Sometimes you can get some really cheap seats, for example the New Jersey Devils Ice Hockey in Newark. Once I got really good seats at Madison for the Knicks and thought the price was ok. I could clearly see Ben Stiller in the front row!

 

[theblank]

I'm after tennis like the US open, final four for college NBA, in general other NBA NFL ice hockey games. Not me but +1 likes UFC, soccer, rugby etc (I am dreading the day I get pulled along to a UFC fight).

an American friend of mine told me to never by MLB tickets, He said to just go to the game and you will always get them very cheap just before the game starts, even cheaper after it starts. He said he gave up his annual seat membership, because he saved so much money just grabbing the tickets outside the ground. Said he once got best seats in the house for $15. the disadvantage is, cant choose where you want to sit, and harder if you have more then 2 people, and for a tourist of course you dont have any certainty

however I didnt get to try it, my local mate bought the tickets, but on the way in, was approached by at least 10 people selling tickets.

otherwise I dont beleive there is a way to get cheap tickets, your best bet is if you want hard to get tickets is to use the concierges.

 

[Dr Ralph]

He said to just go to the game and you will always get them very cheap just before the game starts, even cheaper after it starts.

Except when the game is a sell out. Seen this several times.

 

[wandering_fred]

Any thoughts on cricket in Sri Lanka, South Africa or England?

Just wandering
Fred

 

[Dr Ralph]

Any thoughts on cricket in Sri Lanka, South Africa or England?

Just wandering
Fred

If you want guaranteed seats use Cricket Australia.