Going to see the New York Yankees play at Yankee Stadium is a dream for many baseball fans. As one of the most iconic franchises in sports, the Yankees draw huge crowds every season. This means getting tickets, especially good seats, can be expensive. However, with some strategic planning and smart shopping, you can find great deals on Yankees tickets.
When to Buy Yankees Tickets
Timing your Yankees ticket purchase strategically is one of the best ways to save money. The earlier you buy, the better the selection and prices will usually be. Similarly, avoiding peak demand times like rivalry games and summer weekends will keep costs down. Here are some tips on the best times to buy Yankees tickets:
- Buy early – Once the schedule is announced, usually in late 2020 for the next season, get your tickets right away. This ensures you get the seats you want before supplies dwindle and prices potentially rise.
- Weeknight games – Weeknight games, especially in April and May, generally have lower demand than weekend dates. With fewer people competing for seats, prices tend to be lower.
- Midweek day games – For daytime games Monday to Wednesday, you’ll generally find cheaper tickets since fewer people can attend midday on workdays.
- Avoid premium games – Yankees vs Red Sox, Subway Series vs the Mets, and interleague play vs teams like the Dodgers and Cardinals draw huge crowds. Wait until demand dies down closer to the game date if buying premium matchup tickets.
Another key tip is avoiding last minute purchases on game day. Desperate fans often overpay trying to get any seats they can. Buy at least a few days ahead of time for the best prices.
Where to Buy Yankees Tickets
You can buy Yankees tickets directly through the team’s website or ticket office. However, shopping on the secondary market typically yields better deals. Here are some of the best places to buy discounted Yankees tickets:
- Online ticket resellers – Sites like StubHub, Vivid Seats, Ticketmaster and SeatGeek have big inventories to choose from, often at below face value prices. Comparison shop between sites.
- eBay – Individual sellers list Yankees tickets in auctions and buy it now format. Bid on auctions ending during less popular game times.
- Craigslist – Check the tickets sections for NYC and the tri-state area. Meet in person and inspect before buying.
- Outside Yankee Stadium – On game day, scalpers and fans with extras will hawk tickets around the gates. Try to talk down to very low prices.
Buying from other fans can get you the cheapest prices. Just be sure the tickets are guaranteed authentic before paying. Avoid street scalpers without a license.
Best Online Ticket Sites
These secondary marketplaces offer big selections and low prices on Yankees tickets:
Site | Perks |
---|---|
StubHub | Huge selection even last minute, sorted by value. All tickets guaranteed. |
Vivid Seats | Easy to sort and compare ticket prices. Savings on bundle deals. |
Ticketmaster | Official marketplace, tie-ins with other Ticketmaster events. |
SeatGeek | Interactive maps to scout the best deals. Any ticket can be resold. |
Getting the Best Deals
Beyond timing your purchase right and using the secondary market, there are other tricks to getting the lowest prices on Yankees tickets:
- Avoid the bleachers – Bleacher seats sell out fast and have high demand. Skip them to find better deals elsewhere.
- Sit in the upper deck – The highest seats down the lines can be had for bargain rates.
- Go for weekday packs – Packages including tickets to several weekday games are cost-effective.
- Look for promos – Sites will run Yankees ticket deals and promo codes at various times, especially early season.
- Consider print-at-home – These are sometimes cheaper than shipped hard tickets.
- Buy standing room only – At the lowest price, standing room gets your foot in the door to try and sneak down later.
With a flexible schedule, perseverance, and smart shopping, scoring affordable Yankees tickets is an attainable goal. Head into the process informed and be willing to jump on a good deal when you see one.
Best Value Sections
Certain seating areas at Yankee Stadium offer below average prices, especially for upper deck seats along the foul lines:
- Sections 420A-420B in right field upper deck
- Sections 434A-434B in left field upper deck
- Grandstand Sections 201-208 behind home plate
These affordable sections still provide full views of game action while saving substantially off lower level seats directly around the diamond.
When to Buy at the Box Office
Under some circumstances, buying Yankees tickets directly at the Yankee Stadium box office or Ticketmaster outlets around NYC can score you good deals:
- Day of game walk up sales – Unsold seats get steep discounts a few hours before first pitch when demand is lowest.
- Single seats – Single odd man out seats often go below face value right before the game.
- Rainouts and rescheduled games – Tickets prices dip with the bleak weather forecast.
- Early season – April and May see lighter crowds and ticket markdowns trying to lure fans.
Stopping by the box office within hours of game time can result in huge savings if you get lucky. Just be flexible on seating options.
Best Times for Walk Up Sales
These are the prime times to show up at Yankee Stadium box office and score the cheapest last minute tickets:
- Weeknight games – 2 to 3 hours before first pitch
- Day games – As gates open, the earliest possible entry
- End of season – Playoff elimination days in September
Playing it by ear instead of planning ahead pays off with walk up deals. You can land tickets for a fraction of face value.
Joining the Season Ticket Waitlist
For diehard Yankees fans interested in season tickets, joining the official waitlist is the first step. Benefits include:
- Priority access to full season plans before the general public
- Ability to buy season ticket transfer cards from existing members
- Option to purchase multi-year license contracts for the best seat locations
- Invitations to season ticket holder events, Yankees fan fest, and postseason presales
The season ticket waitlist signup process includes:
- Fill out the online form with contact and personal info
- Select sections of interest from a Yankee Stadium map
- Pay a refundable $100 deposit per seat requested
- Receive a waitlist number indicating your place in line
- Wait for notification as spots become available over ensuing seasons
Joining the list requires patience, but brings you one step closer to Yankees season tickets. Those willing to wait several years will eventually reach the front.
Season Ticket Waitlist Tips
Here are some top tips for joining the Yankees season ticket waitlist:
- Request the maximum four seats allowed
- Select upper deck sections 420-434 for shortest wait
- Link escrow deposits to credit card for easy annual renewals
- Save the annual renewal notice to retain your place in line
- Notify of address and contact changes to avoid missing renewal deadline
With a little savvy and persistence, the season ticket waitlist can be the pathway to Yankees season tickets within a reasonable timeframe.
Conclusion
New York Yankees tickets will always be in high demand and expensive compared to other teams. However, with smart shopping techniques like buying early, scouring the secondary market, and jumping on last minute deals, huge savings are possible. Use the insider tips in this guide to get affordable seats and enjoy Yankees games on a budget.