Getting New England Patriots tickets at face value can be a challenge, especially considering their popularity and success over the past two decades. However, it is possible to get tickets directly from the team without paying inflated prices on secondary market sites. Here are some tips and strategies for getting face value Patriots tickets.
Buy From the Patriots Directly
The best way to ensure you are paying face value for Patriots tickets is to buy directly from the team. There are a few options for purchasing tickets through the Patriots’ official channels:
- Season tickets – Season ticket holders get the first option to buy tickets each year. There is an extensive waitlist, but signing up gives you access before the general public.
- Single game tickets – The Patriots sell a limited number of single game tickets through their website each year, usually in July. These sell out extremely quickly.
- Ticket exchanges – Season ticket holders can post extra tickets for sale at face value on the Patriots Ticket Exchange.
- Patriot Place pre-sale – Buying tickets at the Patriot Place box office during the pre-sale allows you to get face value tickets.
Supply is limited, so you have to act fast when tickets are released for any of these options. Be ready and signed up for alerts ahead of time.
Join Patriots Fifth Quarter
Signing up for the Fifth Quarter fan club gives you special access to purchase face value tickets. Fifth Quarter members get their own presale opportunities before the general public. There is a fee to join ($20 per year), but access to presale tickets is a major perk.
Use Reputable Ticket Resale Sites
If you can’t buy tickets directly from the Patriots, your next best option is to use a trustworthy secondary ticket site.Sites like StubHub and Vivid Seats have protection programs so you don’t get ripped off. Some tips for finding face value tickets:
- Sort by price – Start your search by looking at the lowest priced tickets. This will show you the closest to face value.
- Check constantly – Good deals go fast, so check back often for newly listed tickets.
- Buy last minute – Prices tend to drop leading up to game day as sellers get desperate.
- Avoid craigslist and scalpers – These options are very risky for fake or invalid tickets.
Consider Preseason and Less Popular Games
If seeing Tom Brady or facing a big rival isn’t a must, you can find better ticket deals for preseason and less in-demand games. Tickets against weaker opponents or AFC teams will be easier to find at face value. Preseason tickets can often be purchased below face value late in the summer.
Strategies for Getting the Best Deal
There are some general strategies Patriots fans can use to give themselves the best shot at face value tickets:
- Be flexible – If you can attend games on any date, you’ll have more options.
- Buy singles – Fewer people are selling just one ticket, so single seats are easier to find.
- Ask friends – Reach out to your network, especially season ticket holders who may have extras.
- Bundle games – Sellers may give you a discount if you buy tickets to multiple games.
- Join fan clubs – Besides Fifth Quarter, see if any local fan clubs get ticket allotments.
Where Not to Buy Patriots Tickets
Some sources of tickets should be avoided because of the risk of fraud or sky-high prices:
- Online classifieds like Craigslist
- Scalpers near the stadium on game day
- People on the street asking if you “need tickets”
- Unknown resellers that are not verified
These sources may be selling fakes, stolen tickets, or scamming you with invalid barcodes. Paying more than face value is expected, but prices from unverified sellers will likely be absurdly inflated.
Join Fan Groups and Mailing Lists
Connecting with other passionate Patriots fans can help give you access to face value tickets. Join fan clubs, email lists, Facebook groups, and online forums to expand your network. Letting the community know you are looking for tickets can lead to opportunities. Season ticket holders with extras will often sell to other fans they know at low prices.
Head to the Stadium on Game Day
If you are nearby on game day, it can be worth heading down to Gillette Stadium to look for last minute deals. Some desperate sellers will let tickets go at big discounts right before kickoff rather than eat the cost. This is a risky strategy since you aren’t guaranteed to find tickets, but great bargains are possible if you get lucky.
Conclusion
Getting Patriots tickets at face value requires effort, flexibility and luck. Your best options are to purchase directly from the team through season tickets, single game sales or fan club presales. Reputable secondary marketplaces can also yield good deals below or close to face value. With persistence and the right strategies, dedicated Patriots fans can successfully find tickets without breaking the bank.