Attending a Duke basketball game at the iconic Cameron Indoor Stadium is a dream for many sports fans. As one of the most successful college basketball programs in history, Duke games are in high demand and tickets can be difficult to acquire. This guide will provide tips on the best methods for getting tickets to see the Duke Blue Devils in action.
Buy Season Tickets
The most surefire way to guarantee tickets for every Duke home game is to purchase season tickets. However, obtaining season tickets can be challenging due to the high demand and limited availability. There are only around 9,300 seats in Cameron Indoor Stadium, so season tickets are scarce.
To qualify for season tickets, you must be a member of the Iron Dukes, which is Duke’s fundraising organization for athletics. Donation levels vary, but Iron Dukes members typically contribute thousands of dollars per year to maintain the rights to purchase season tickets. Current season ticket holders also get priority to renew their seats each year.
If you want to explore season tickets, reach out to the Iron Dukes office and ask about availability. Let them know you are interested in becoming a member and purchasing season tickets. While you may not secure tickets right away, getting on the Iron Dukes waitlist is crucial for the future. Be prepared to make a substantial donation to prove you are serious about supporting Duke Athletics long-term.
Join the Seventh Man Club
Another way to increase your chances of getting individual game tickets is to join the Seventh Man Club, which is a student support group for Duke Athletics. Full-time Duke students receive priority access to game tickets through a lottery system. The Seventh Man Club also allocates a certain number of tickets to non-student members each game.
To join the Seventh Man Club as a non-student, you must pay an annual fee starting at $175. This membership allows you to enter drawings for single game ticket purchases throughout the season. It does not guarantee tickets but gives you an advantage over the general public. You can join online through the Seventh Man Club website and start entering the ticket lotteries as soon as you become a member.
Use Online Resale Sites
If you don’t secure season tickets or Seventh Man Club access, the secondary ticket market is your next option. Sites like StubHub and Vivid Seats sell tickets to Duke games from season ticket holders and other fans looking to sell extra seats.
Ticket prices on resale sites vary drastically based on factors like the opponent and stage of the season. Big rivalry games like UNC vs. Duke can cost over $1,000 per ticket. Less marquee matchups against unranked opponents may drop below $100 per seat. On average, expect to pay $200-500 per ticket on resale sites.
Here are some tips for finding the best deals on secondary sites:
- Buy well in advance – Prices tend to rise as game day approaches.
- Aim for weeknight games – Weekend and primetime games are most expensive.
- Check for deals on upper level seats – The crazy Cameron atmosphere reaches every section.
- Don’t wait for the UNC game – This rivalry matchup sells out immediately.
Make sure to purchase through reputable, verified sellers on resale platforms, and avoid deals that seem too good to be true.
Enter Public Ticket Lotteries
For high demand games, Duke Athletics runs public ticket lotteries to give fans a chance at seats. Interested fans can enter the lottery by registering on the Duke Athletics website during the specified entry period, which normally opens 2-3 weeks before the game.
If selected through the lottery, you will get the opportunity to buy tickets for the game. Lottery winners are chosen at random. The number of entrants varies by game, but some can see 100,000+ submissions. Continue entering each lottery if you get rejected – persistence is key!
Last Minute Ticket Releases
Keep checking the Duke Athletics ticket site leading up to tipoff, as a limited number of tickets may be released at the last minute. These are often returns from the away team allotment or seats reclaimed from Iron Duke members.
On game day, a standby line forms outside Cameron Indoor Stadium for any unclaimed student tickets. The Seventh Man Club hands these tickets out on a first-come, first-served basis, so arrive early! Non-students can also try standing in the general admission line, which sometimes has extra seats from no-shows.
Buy From Scalpers
We do not officially recommend scalping, but it is undoubtedly a way to get last-minute tickets right outside the arena. Scalpers will approach fans around Cameron Indoor Stadium on game days looking to sell extra tickets at inflated prices.
Use extreme caution buying from scalpers. Ensure tickets are valid and verified on the Duke Athletics app before paying cash. Negotiate prices and remember that scalpers will drop asking prices leading right up to tipoff. The box office also sells returned tickets at face value within an hour of the game.
Join a Ticket Exchange Facebook Group
Many ticket buyers and sellers coordinate through the Duke ticket exchange Facebook group. Fans often post extra tickets for sale or request tickets for games they want to attend. Join the group and monitor new posts leading up to each game.
Buying through the ticket exchange group allows you to pay recognized fans directly rather than anonymous resellers. You can view the seller’s profile and previous activity in the group to verify their legitimacy. Use PayPal Goods and Services for payment protection.
Get a Job Working for Duke
One unique way to get into Cameron Indoor Stadium is to get a part-time job or internship with Duke Athletics. Some positions come with perks like free tickets and the ability to watch games while working.
Common part-time jobs include ushering, ticket scanning, concessions, retail, and events staff. Reach out to Duke Human Resources about open positions. You can also contact Duke’s Marketing & Ticketing departments regarding internship opportunities.
Working for Duke Athletics is very competitive, so be sure to highlight any relevant experience on your application. Emphasize your passion for Duke Basketball and desire to contribute behind the scenes.
Go on a Duke Basketball Road Trip
If you are flexible on seeing a home game specifically, consider taking a basketball road trip to see Duke play an away or neutral site game. Duke often participates in early season tournaments and has a few non-conference away games each year.
Neutral site games are typically played at major venues like Madison Square Garden in New York and the United Center in Chicago. Road games allow you to see historic arenas like UNC’s Dean Smith Center. Tickets to these games are often easier and cheaper to obtain.
Plan your trip around a Duke away game in a fun destination you want to visit too. Just be aware of COVID travel restrictions in different areas. Arrive early and enjoy the atmosphere with the smaller but enthusiastic Duke visiting crowd!
Enter Promotional Contests and Giveaways
Throughout the season, corporate partners like hotels, restaurants, and radio stations may run contests awarding Duke tickets. For example, a local radio station may say the 25th caller wins two tickets. Follow Duke social media accounts to find out about these random opportunities as they pop up.
Look out for charity raffles as well, especially ones benefiting Duke Children’s hospital or other local causes. Buying raffle tickets helps increase your odds of winning seats to an in-demand game. Check the official Duke website for upcoming fundraising contests.
Follow Duke Players and Coaches
Current and former Duke players and coaches will occasionally do ticket giveaways on their social media accounts. Follow stars like Coach K, JJ Redick, Jayson Tatum, and others on Twitter and Instagram.
Reply to any posts where they offer free ticket contests or promotions. Often they will ask you to retweet the post or share why you are the #1 Duke fan. Turn on notifications so you do not miss any of these rare opportunities.
Winning a contest from a Duke personality is a great way to get genuine free tickets straight from someone invested in the program’s success. It shows good Karma will come your way if you support past and present Duke legends!
Follow Duke Ticket Accounts
Twitter accounts like @DukeTickets and @DukeSeats tweet out real-time ticket availability and last-minute deals. Give them a follow to stay on top of potential deals. Reach out if they notify followers about ticket contests or promotions.
These accounts are useful for notifying you when a limited number of seats are released days or hours before tipoff. They also will point you to great bargains like upper level seats under face value. Turn on mobile alerts to get their tweets instantly.
Conclusion
With extreme demand and limited supply, getting into a Duke basketball game requires skill, patience, and some luck. Following these tips gives you the best possible chance to witness Cameron Crazies in their natural environment.
Start making Duke Athletics connections right away – whether through donations, student groups, or following key social media accounts. Persistence is vital, so do not get discouraged if you do not secure tickets immediately. Use online resale sites as a backup option.
With the right strategy, Blue Devils fans can make the pilgrimage to Durham and cross Cameron Indoor Stadium off their sports bucket lists. Just be prepared to invest significant time, effort, and possibly money to join the Cameron Crazies!