A season ticket is a ticket that allows holders access to all home games for a sports team, theater, or other entertainment venue during a season. Season tickets provide a way for fans to attend multiple events at a discounted rate compared to purchasing single game or show tickets. They come in a variety of options and price points to suit different budgets and interests. Let’s take a closer look at what season tickets typically include and the benefits they offer.
Ticket to All Home Games/Shows
The core element of any season ticket package is a ticket to every home game or show in that team’s or theater’s season. This includes both regular season and any home playoff games should the team make it to the postseason.
For a sports team, the regular season will typically consist of around 40-82 home games depending on the league and sport. NFL teams play 8 regular season home games. MLB teams generally host 81 home games. NBA and NHL teams tend to have between 40-50 home games. College sports also offer season tickets with anywhere from 5-15 home games on average.
For theaters and concert venues, the number of shows will vary greatly based on their programming schedule. A Broadway theater may offer 40-50 shows a season while a local community theater could have 10-15 shows. Symphonies, operas, and ballet companies also offer season ticket packages to their full season of performances.
No matter what the venue, a season ticket ensures entry to every event designated as part of that season’s home schedule. This grants the holder guaranteed seats without having to purchase tickets week-to-week or show-to-show throughout the season.
Same Seats for Every Game/Show
In most cases, season tickets also come with allocated seats that don’t change from game to game. Holders can expect to sit in the same location for the entirety of the season. This allows fans to really settle into a section and build community with those sitting nearby also on season tickets.
Assigned seats provide consistency and familiarity as well as an optimal viewing angle that won’t vary depending on where tickets are purchased game by game. Many season ticket holders end up renewing their tickets in the same seats year after year to maintain their desired spot.
Of course some venues will offer general admission style season passes without allocated seating as well. The main draw of these is still guaranteed entry, just without a specifically reserved seat.
Savings vs Buying Individual Tickets
One of the biggest benefits that season tickets offer is significant savings versus buying tickets individually to each game or show. Season tickets can cost anywhere from 20-60% less on average compared to the total cost of single tickets. Even greater discounts are usually offered for longer commitments of multiple seasons.
Venues price season tickets below market rate to foster a season ticket base that provides guaranteed revenue year after year. It rewards the loyalty of fans willing to purchase ahead of time and attend consistently.
The exact dollar amount saved will vary based on factors like:
- Number of games/shows in the season
- The sport/league or type of performances
- The team’s popularity and demand
- Seat location – upper or lower section, sideline or end zone, etc.
But generally season ticket holders can expect to pay substantially below box office prices. Over several years the savings really add up.
Priority on Seat Location
Long-time season ticket holders often get priority when it comes to choosing or upgrading seat locations. Loyal holders may have the first option to improve their seats before any remaining inventory is released. Some teams/theaters even offer tenure-based upgrades at certain milestone years.
This allows fans to gradually move closer to the action over many seasons. As seats open up in more desirable sections, repeat season ticket holders are frequently first in line based on seniority.
Special Perks
Depending on the venue and package level, season tickets can come with various special perks like:
- VIP parking passes
- Discounts at concession stands or merchandise shops
- Invitation to exclusive season ticket holder events
- Gifts like apparel packages or branded items
- Tours of the facility, locker rooms, or backstage areas
- Meet and greet opportunities with players, coaches, performers, or staff
- Presale opportunities for other events at the venue
- Discounts on additional single game/show tickets
Offerings will vary, but most venues provide at least a handful of special incentives and experiences. Access to presales, for example, ensures season ticket holders can purchase highly coveted tickets before the general public.
Flexibility
While season tickets require a significant upfront investment, most venues offer flexibility and options should ticket holders need to resell games they can’t attend.
Many include exchange privileges that allow switching out tickets from one game for another. Season ticket holders can trade in seats they don’t need and receive tickets to another game in return. This keeps the total number of tickets used the same but provides flexibility around dates.
Ticket transfer or resell programs are also common. This allows season ticket holders to electronically send or sell tickets they don’t plan to use to other fans seemlessly. The rise of online ticket marketplaces has expanded transfer options as well.
Payment plans can also help take the sting out of the large upfront cost. Season tickets can be financed over several months rather than paying everything at once. Some teams even allow splitting packages across multiple credit cards.
Best Seat Locations
Season ticket holders get access to the best seat locations that aren’t obtainable on a single game basis. Primo spots like lower bowl rows at midfield, courtside seats, premium club sections, or front orchestra are really only accessible through plans.
The box office typically reserves the most desirable areas for season tickets rather than individual sales. This guarantees season ticket holders the first look at prime seats.
Being locked into seats for the full season also prevents having to settle for last minute leftovers when buying individual games. Season ticket holders are seated first.
Playoff Priority
Should the team make the playoffs, season ticket holders frequently get first priority on purchasing those postseason game seats as well.
This gives holders peace of mind knowing they’ll have the opportunity to buy playoff tickets before the general public. It rewards their commitment to the full regular season by securing them a place in line.
Many clubs offer playoff priority as a season ticket benefit though policies can vary. Some provide guaranteed access, others offer presale codes to purchase before on-sale dates. Either way season ticket holders generally have an advantage when hot playoff tickets go on sale.
Sample Season Ticket Holder Playoff Policy
| Playoff Round | Season Ticket Holder Benefit |
|---|---|
| Wild Card/Divisional | Guaranteed option to purchase seats in season ticket location |
| Conference Championship | Presale code for priority access before general on-sale |
| Super Bowl | Entered into allocation lottery |
As shown in the sample policy, season ticket holders may get gradually fewer guarantees or advantages the deeper into the playoffs the team goes, but still preferred status compared to the general public.
Ticket Transfers
If a season ticket holder can’t attend a particular game, they have options to transfer the tickets to someone else electronically. Many teams have their own official ticket exchange or transfer process within their season ticket account portal.
This allows quickly sending tickets to a guest, often free of charge. The recipient’s name is updated on the ticket records to allow their entry.
Tickets can also frequently be transferred or resold safely on trusted secondary marketplaces like StubHub or VividSeats. Official league/team exchanges offer security and guarantee the tickets. Going through a secure broker also ensures smooth delivery and validity of tickets. Certain transfer restrictions may apply.
Easy transfers provide convenience and flexibility if sellers can’t make a certain game. They can easily digitally pass along tickets to others rather than the seats going unused and wasted. Modern transfer technologies make this a simple process.
Gifting and Sharing
Along with transfers for resale, season ticket accounts often allow seamless gifting of tickets to friends and family. Through the team or theater’s account manager, holders can allocate certain tickets to other parties for free.
This enables easily spreading tickets among a group for different games. For example, parents may gift two tickets to each kid’s birthday game. Or a corporate season ticket holder could rotate treating different employees throughout the year.
Electronic ticketing technologies enable intuitive ticket management and instant transfers to recipients. Season tickets can be divided up in customized ways rather than always being used by the same account owner.
Splitting with Friends
To split costs, season tickets can sometimes be funded and shared across multiple accounts. Groups of friends, families, or co-workers may go in on seats together with a separate log-in set up for each member.
Tickets are then equally distributed and can be managed online through each person’s account portal. This allows groups to share a season ticket package while each maintaining control over their allotted seats.
Payment and mailing of tickets can also be separated among different members of a split plan. The logistics are handled on a shared basis.
Print-at-Home Tickets
Many season ticket packages now offer print-at-home ticket options for added convenience. Rather than waiting for hard tickets in the mail, seats can be accessed online at any time.
Holders simply log into their account, download and print the PDF tickets, or load them onto a smartphone. This provides flexibility for transferring tickets electronically or distributing them in customized ways.
Print-at-home season tickets allow managing everything online. Hard tickets that are prone to being lost or left at home can be avoided. However, some venues still provide the option of having paper tickets mailed.
Inclusion in Team Communications
As a season ticket holder, individuals get added to the team or theater’s mailing and email lists. This provides insider information through official team/venue communications.
Mailings, emails, and newsletters keep holders closely connected to the organization. They’ll be among the first fans to receive schedule announcements, special event notices, and playoff updates. Ticket holders become part of an exclusive club.
Access to presales, special events, and more can be communicated directly from the source. Season ticket holders get priority over the general public when it comes to team news.
Conclusion
Season tickets offer a prime game or performance experience all year long. Guaranteed seats, savings over individuals tickets, special perks, and playoff priority make them an attractive choice for frequent attendees. Modern conveniences like online ticket management provide added accessibility and flexibility. There are ample options to suit different budgets and interests. For the ultimate fan experience, seasons tickets deliver value, consistency, and insider benefits that amplify enjoyment all season long.
