Getting NFL tickets without fees can be challenging, as most major ticket sellers like Ticketmaster charge service fees on top of the ticket price. However, there are some ways to avoid fees when buying NFL tickets. Here are a few options football fans can use to get NFL tickets without extra charges:
Buy Directly from the NFL Team
One of the best ways to avoid fees is to buy tickets directly from the NFL team’s box office or website. Since there is no middleman, teams don’t tack on processing fees when you buy tickets from them directly.
Most NFL teams sell single game tickets through their official team websites without added fees. Season ticket holders can also sometimes sell their tickets to games they can’t attend without fees on team sites. The only downside is that teams usually have more limited ticket availability than large ticket retailers.
Use Official NFL Ticket Exchange
The NFL Ticket Exchange is the official secondary ticket marketplace of the NFL. There are no service fees charged to buyers on ticket prices for all NFL games listed on the Ticket Exchange.
Sellers pay a small commission, but buyers get the tickets for the set price with no extra hidden costs. There is a good selection of tickets available for all teams and games.
Buy from Season Ticket Holders
Many season ticket holders end up with extra tickets for games they can’t attend. Teams allow season ticket holders to resell their unused tickets, often without fees since there are no middlemen involved.
You can find season ticket holders selling their tickets on sites like Craigslist, eBay and even Reddit. There are risks involved with sites like these, but you can save on fees. Make sure to only buy from established, trusted sellers.
Use a No-Fee Ticketing Exchange
Some secondary marketplaces like ScoreBig and TickPick offer NFL tickets without service fees added on. These sites charge sellers a commission, but don’t tack on any extra costs for buyers.
Selection can be more limited than major retailers like StubHub and Vivid Seats. But you can often find good deals on single game tickets without annoying fees.
Wait Until the Last Minute
If you don’t mind waiting until the last minute, you can sometimes find NFL tickets with few or no fees on game day. As kickoff approaches, prices and fees usually drop as sellers scramble to unload unused tickets.
Apps like Gametime, TickPick and SeatGeek often run promotions waiving fees on last-minute tickets. You can save big on fees and get discounted tickets, but it is risky waiting to buy tickets until the day of the game.
The Downsides of No-Fee Tickets
While buying fee-free NFL tickets can save you money, there are some drawbacks to these options:
- Limited availability – Teams, season ticket holders and no-fee exchanges often have fewer ticket selections.
- No guarantees on seats – You don’t always get to pick your exact seat location.
- Delivery delays – Buying directly from a season ticket holder could mean getting a mobile ticket late.
- Fewer buyer protections – Deals outside major exchanges lack guarantees if issues arise.
- Last-minute risks – Waiting until the last minute could mean missing out on tickets.
So while you can get NFL tickets with no fees, you may lose out on some buyer protections, seat selection flexibility and delivery guarantees. There are trade-offs to consider.
Tips for Finding the Best No-Fee NFL Tickets
Here are some top tips for scoring great NFL tickets without getting stuck paying annoying service and processing fees:
Buy Early for Best Selection
Shop early in the NFL season for the most options. Teams, season ticket holders and no-fee secondary sites have fewer choices later on. Buying early improves your chances of getting better seats.
Be Flexible on Seating
If you aren’t picky about getting specific seats, it expands your no-fee possibilities. Season ticket holders and direct team sales often don’t let you pick seat locations.
Comparison Shop across Sites
Check major exchanges like StubHub and SeatGeek as well as no-fee sites like ScoreBig. Compare to find the best rates without fees.
Join Fan Clubs for Presales
Many NFL teams offer special presale ticket access for fan club members before the general public. Presales frequently have discounted fees.
Buy Single Game Tickets
Single game tickets are in lower demand than high-profile matchups. You’ll have better luck finding no-fee options on lower-interest games.
Ask About Groups and Promotions
Sometimes you can avoid fees by buying bundled or group tickets. Ask teams, venues and major sellers about ongoing promotions.
Average NFL Ticket Prices by Section
To highlight the potential savings from no-fee tickets, here are the average prices NFL fans paid this season for tickets in different sections:
Section | Average Price |
---|---|
Lower Level Sideline | $425 |
Lower Level End Zone | $285 |
Upper Level Sideline | $200 |
Upper Level End Zone | $150 |
Upper Corner/Nosebleeds | $100 |
Savings from avoiding fees can be substantial. For a lower-level sideline ticket averaging $425 with a $75 service fee, no-fee tickets would save fans $75 per ticket.
No-Fee Ticketing Policies by NFL Team
NFL teams have different policies when it comes to fees on primary market tickets sold directly through their box office and websites:
Team | No-Fee Tickets Available? |
---|---|
Arizona Cardinals | Yes |
Atlanta Falcons | No |
Baltimore Ravens | No |
Buffalo Bills | Yes |
Carolina Panthers | No |
Chicago Bears | No |
Cincinnati Bengals | Yes |
Cleveland Browns | No |
Dallas Cowboys | No |
Denver Broncos | No |
Detroit Lions | No |
Green Bay Packers | No |
Houston Texans | No |
Indianapolis Colts | No |
Jacksonville Jaguars | Yes |
Kansas City Chiefs | No |
Las Vegas Raiders | No |
Los Angeles Chargers | No |
Los Angeles Rams | No |
Miami Dolphins | No |
Minnesota Vikings | No |
New England Patriots | No |
New Orleans Saints | No |
New York Giants | No |
New York Jets | No |
Philadelphia Eagles | No |
Pittsburgh Steelers | No |
San Francisco 49ers | No |
Seattle Seahawks | No |
Tampa Bay Buccaneers | No |
Tennessee Titans | No |
Washington Commanders | No |
Less than 10 NFL teams currently offer primary market tickets directly with no fees. Most charge service fees even on their own websites and box offices. The limited no-fee team options restricts choices for fee-free tickets.
No-Fee NFL Tickets: The Bottom Line
It is possible to buy authentic NFL tickets without paying service and processing fees, but your options are limited. Buying directly from NFL teams that set no-fee policies, using exchanges that only charge commissions to sellers, purchasing from season ticket holders, or waiting until the last minute can eliminate fees.
But most NFL teams still charge fees, and you lose flexibility on seats, so buying no-fee NFL tickets requires sacrifices. With some persistence, deals are out there, but fees are hard to avoid completely. The convenience of major ticket retailers often makes their fees worthwhile for many football fans.
The Key Takeaway
While not always easy, you can buy NFL tickets without being charged annoying extra fees. You just have to avoid the major resellers and exchanges and buy directly from no-fee sources like teams, season ticket holders and exchanges that only charge sellers. Limiting seat selection flexibility is the trade-off, but substantial savings make it worthwhile for savvy NFL fans.