Clemson football games are an exciting event that many fans look forward to every year. However, Clemson football tickets can be quite expensive, especially for big games against rivals like South Carolina or top-ranked opponents. For fans on a budget, finding affordable Clemson tickets can make the difference between attending the game or missing out.
The good news is there are a number of strategies fans can use to get cheaper Clemson football tickets without breaking the bank. Knowing when and where to buy tickets, understanding the different pricing tiers, and utilizing promos and deals can all help save money. With some planning and flexibility, you can find great deals on Clemson tickets and enjoy the gameday experience on a budget.
When to Buy Clemson Football Tickets
One of the biggest factors in ticket pricing is timing. In general, the earlier you can buy tickets, the better deal you will get. As the event date gets closer, especially the week of the game, ticket prices tend to rise.
For the cheapest tickets, aim to buy as soon as tickets go on sale to the public. This is typically in the summer months leading up to the football season. Tickets sold through the Clemson ticket office go on sale first, usually in early June. Season ticket holders get the next chance at tickets, followed by the public on-sale date. Buying during the initial public on-sale ensures the largest inventory and lowest prices.
Keep in mind that the most in-demand games like South Carolina, Florida State, and other big ACC matchups will have the most expensive tickets regardless of when you buy. But buying early can still save you money compared to buying closer to game day.
You may also find another window for cheaper tickets a few weeks before the game if prices drop. This depends on factors like team performance and matchup anticipation. Use ticket resale sites to track price changes leading up to the game.
Where to Buy Clemson Football Tickets
Where you buy tickets also impacts how much you’ll pay. While the most convenient option is directly through Clemson’s ticket office, it isn’t necessarily the cheapest. Tickets bought through the school are almost always full price.
Your best bet for affordable Clemson football tickets is through online ticket resellers like StubHub, Vivid Seats, and SeatGeek. These sites offer resale marketplace tickets at below face value. Season ticket holders and other fans list and sell extra tickets on these sites. With numerous sellers competing for sales, you can often find tickets well under face value.
Buying resale tickets online offers more choice and flexibility too. You can shop around for the best deals on specific seating sections and rows. With the school ticket office, you only get what inventory they have available.
That said, always double-check you are buying real tickets from authorized resellers. Scams do happen, so purchase from reputable sites and verified sellers only.
Understand Clemson Football Ticket Pricing
Ticket prices for Clemson football games can vary widely depending on the specifics of the seats. Lower bowl seats closest to the field are most expensive. Upper bowl and endzone sections are more affordable.
Pricing also differs based on whether the opponent is a conference rival or top-25 ranked team. Ticket demand goes up for big games, driving costs higher.
Here is an overview of typical Clemson ticket prices by seating section:
– Lower Bowl Sideline – $175-$350
– Lower Bowl Corners – $150-$250
– Upper Bowl Sideline – $100-$200
– Upper Bowl Corners – $75-$150
– Endzone – $50-$125
Knowing the market value for different areas of Memorial Stadium can help guide your ticket buying. Lower level seats will always be premium cost. But you can find solid upper bowl deals, especially for less popular games.
Checking a view-from-seat tool on ticket sites shows exactly what the view will be like before purchasing. You want to aim for a balance of affordability and decent vantage point of the field.
Look for Promotions and Deals
Beyond buying early and shopping resale tickets, taking advantage of promotions and special deals is key.
The Clemson ticket office does run specials at certain times, though these are less common for football games. Joining their ticket email newsletter provides info on any sales or codes. The ticket office also sometimes releases discounted singles and standing-room only tickets closer to games.
Resellers like StubHub offer selling fees promotions during busy times, helping lower seller costs which can translate to cheaper ticket prices. Signing up for accounts with resellers allows you to get alerts on price drops for games you want.
Some ticket resellers also run contests and giveaways for free tickets. Follow their social media and enter any of these competitions. While a long shot, you could score tickets for free.
Student and military discounts are also available from Clemson’s box office, so take advantage if eligible. Kids under two years old get in free with a paying adult as well.
Buy Individual Tickets vs Full Season
Fans have the option to purchase single-game tickets, smaller multi-game packages, or full season tickets through Clemson. The cost per ticket often goes down the more you buy.
However, unless you plan to attend every home game, individual resale tickets can still end up being less expensive. Buying a full season ticket means paying for less in-demand games just to secure the big ones.
Evaluate the per ticket cost for the games you really want to go to. If buying them separately resale is cheaper than the per ticket cost in a season package, go for individual games. Multi-game mini packs can be a decent compromise, but run the numbers carefully.
Shop Group and Split Costs
Attending the game with a group of friends or family members? Buying tickets together can help cut down the per person costs.
First, look for ticket listings that have seats grouped together rather than spread out singles. Many postings on resale sites involve pairs, sets of 3-4, or even full rows.
If buying from Clemson, season ticket holders can sometimes request seat locators to have everyone together. For single tickets, ask the ticket office if you can provide a list of attendees to try and get adjacent seating assigned.
Splitting the total ticket cost with your group saves per person. Venmo or Paypal makes it easy to collect everyone’s portion. Plane tickets, lodging, and rental cars can also be shared if traveling together.
Join Fan Clubs and Email Lists
Signing up for Clemson’s official fan club IPTAY provides early access to ticket purchasing and other membership benefits. There is a fee to join IPTAY, but it may be worthwhile for football fans.
You can also join the Clemson ticket office email newsletter mentioned above. They send handful of presale opportunities and other ticket info. Sign up is free and doesn’t commit you to buy anything.
Following Clemson fan accounts on social media can alert you to last minute ticket deals as well. Turn on post notifications so you never a promotion or discount code.
Avoid Scams and Unauthorized Sellers
While great deals on Clemson tickets can be found, you also have to watch out for potential scams and counterfeit tickets from shady sellers. Here are some tips to ensure your tickets are valid and avoid fraud:
– Only buy from reputable, authorized ticket marketplaces like StubHub and SeatGeek. Check site reviews and protections offered.
– Verify the seller has a legitimate history of sales and positive reviews. Don’t just buy from a random new account.
– Look for indicators of authenticity like official team logos and verbiage on the tickets.
– Avoid sellers advertising on Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, eBay, and other non-secure platforms.
– Never pay with unsafe forms of payment like wire transfers or gift cards. Use credit cards for buyer protections.
– Contact the seller with any questions or concerns before completing the transaction.
– Review Clemson’s ticket policies and know the refund, exchange, and transfer options before buying in case issues arise.
Being cautious upfront prevents problems down the road. Pay a little extra if needed to ensure you are getting real, valid event tickets that will get you into the game.
Use Fan-to-Fan Ticket Exchanges
Dedicated fan ticket exchange boards are another avenue find affordable tickets directly from other fans. TigerNet.com has a very active ticket exchange specific to Clemson.
Fans list extra tickets they have for upcoming games. You can browse for free and contact sellers. There is no fee to buy and sell.
Buying direct from individuals can provide lower prices than resale sites. It also allows fans to sell at any price they want, even below face value. Just use common sense precautions when transacting.
Attend Less Popular Home Games
If your schedule allows, look to attend Clemson’s lower profile home games. Matchups against smaller conference opponents or FCS teams have much lower demand.
Tickets to these games can often be purchased for under $50 on the secondary market. So you can get into Memorial Stadium on a budget.
Then save up for a bigger game later in the season you really want to see. Less exciting early season games are the best value play.
Wait Until Last Minute
A risky but potential strategy is waiting until the very last minute to buy tickets. While prices normally go up over time, unsold tickets to less desirable games can plummet at the end.
Hours before kickoff, you may find bargain deals from sellers scrambling to unload extra tickets. This is extremely unpredictable though.
Only attempt this approach if you live closeby and are flexible on attending. Have backup plans in case ticket prices don’t fall. Waiting too long could mean getting shutout entirely too.
Conclusion
Great seats at Clemson football games can be expensive, especially for marquee opponents and rivalry showdowns. But using smart shopping strategies like buying early, scouring resale marketplaces, and joining fan clubs can help you find deals.
Comparing prices across multiple sellers, understanding the different ticket tiers, and timing your purchase optimize your chances for affordable tickets. With flexibility on seating and avoiding high-demand games, you can experience a Clemson football Saturday on a budget. Use these tips to pay less but still cheer loud alongside thousands of fellow Tiger fans.