How to Find Cheap Super Bowl Tickets

While the world won’t know which teams are headed to the 2020 Super Bowl until Sunday, February 2, people are already working to secure tickets. For some, whether their favorite team is playing isn’t as important as being there for the big game. However, if you want to see the event live, tickets are usually pretty expensive. Luckily, there are things you can do to secure relatively cheap Super Bowl tickets.

Be a Season Ticket Holder

Current season ticket holders for any NFL team have the best shot at only paying face value for Super Bowl tickets. The NFL distributes a set number of tickets to each team, with the most going to the AFC and NFC championship winners.

The teams that become the AFC and NFC champions secure 17.5 percent of the available tickets each. Season ticket holders for those team usually get the first crack at them, after certain other VIPs (like owners, managers, players, and players’ families) get their tickets.

In 2020, the Miami Dolphins get access to 6.2 percent of the tickets, as the host team gets more than the remaining 28 teams. Everyone else divvies up 33.6 percent, meaning each of those 28 teams only gain access to 1.2 percent of the available tickets. Again, after VIPs, season ticket holders likely have the best odds of getting a reasonably priced ticket.

Usually, the teams hold a lottery drawing to determine which season ticket holders get a chance to buy tickets. They draw names until their available pool is sold out.

The NFL controls the initial destinies of the remaining 25.2 percent of tickets. They make their way to various partners, sponsors, media organizations, and networks.

Shop the Resale Market for Cheap Super Bowl Tickets

If you aren’t a season ticket holder, then heading to the resale market is your best option. People who purchase tickets but aren’t able to attend the Super Bowl will sell their tickets through various exchanges, giving anyone a chance to buy them.

It’s important to note, if you were hoping to find cheap Super Bowl tickets selling at or below face value, that isn’t going to happen in nearly every case. The secondary market sets prices based on the principles of supply and demand and, for the Super Bowl, demand always exceeds supply.

However, by shopping around, you may be able to find seats for less with one resale site than on another. Additionally, the price for tickets may fluctuate as teams are eliminated during the playoffs. The strength of a teams fanbase plays a role. Similarly, season ticket holders whose team is in contention today but doesn’t end up in the Super Bowl may be offloading their tickets later, impacting supply at that moment.

The Only Cheap Super Bowl Tickets Are…

As you can see, calling any Super Bowl tickets cheap is pretty hard. However, it is possible to get your hands on tickets without paying a bundle; you just have to win them.

Radio stations, media groups, news outlets, and a variety of other entertainment organizations often hold contests where Super Bowl tickets are the prize. Food and beverage manufacturers or restaurants and businesses that sponsor the NFL or the Super Bowl may also offer some up in sweepstakes or contests.

While your odds of winning may be low, if you do get chosen, you could end up with free tickets. However, you will have to pay taxes on the value of the tickets when you file in 2021, so keep them in mind if you are lucky enough to win.

Do you have plans to score cheap Super Bowl tickets? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

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Amanda Blankenship

Amanda Blankenship is the Chief Editor for District Media. With a BA in journalism from Wingate University, she frequently writes for a handful of websites and loves to share her own personal finance story with others. When she isn’t typing away at her desk, she enjoys spending time with her daughter, son, husband, and dog. During her free time, you’re likely to find her with her nose in a book, hiking, or playing RPG video games.