Getting tickets to see the Georgia Bulldogs football team play at Sanford Stadium in Athens is a coveted endeavor for any die-hard UGA fan. With the team consistently ranked in the Top 25 and vying for SEC championships and national title runs, demand for tickets is incredibly high. However, scoring seats to cheer on the Dawgs is not impossible if you strategically plan ahead and know where to look. Here is a comprehensive guide on how to get tickets to see the Bulldogs play between the hedges.
Buy Season Tickets
The most straightforward way to guarantee tickets for every UGA home game is to purchase season tickets. This allows you to lock down the same seat location for the entire season rather than having to scramble for single game seats. However, the catch is that you must commit to buying tickets for the entire home schedule rather than cherry-picking certain games.
UGA offers season tickets to both students and the general public. For students, a full season ticket costs $280. For the general public, prices start at $395 per seat requiring a $100 per seat donation for new buyers. There is also a multi-year Hartman Fund donation required for new buyers ranging from $1500-4500 depending on seat location.
While the upfront cost is higher, buying season tickets gives you peace of mind knowing you have guaranteed seats for big home games against rivals like Florida, Auburn, and Tennessee. It also gives you priority access if UGA hosts the SEC Championship Game or makes the College Football Playoff.
Join the Hartman Fund
The Hartman Fund is UGA’s annual athletic scholarship fundraising program. When you make a tax-deductible donation to the Hartman Fund, you accrue Priority Points which improve your chances of getting season tickets or single game seats. The amount of Priority Points you get depends on the donation level you choose.
Here are the 2023 Hartman Fund levels and Priority Points:
Donation Level | Priority Points |
---|---|
$50 – $99 | 1 |
$100 – $249 | 2 |
$250 – $499 | 3 |
$500 – $999 | 4 |
$1000 – $1999 | 5 |
$2000 – $2999 | 7 |
$3000 – $3999 | 9 |
$4000+ | 11 |
The more you donate, the more Priority Points you earn to boost your place in line for tickets. Even if you cannot afford season tickets, joining the Hartman Fund improves your chances of scoring single game seats in high demand matchups.
Purchase Single Game Tickets
If you only want to attend one or two home games rather than the full season, purchasing single game tickets is the way to go. This offers more flexibility if you have a particular “must-see” matchup in mind.
Single game tickets go on sale in July preceding each season. UGA offers single game seats to students and the general public. The school also allocates a limited number of seats for visiting team fans.
For premium marquee home games, you will need to act right away when single game tickets go on sale to secure seats before they sell out. Less in-demand games may have tickets available closer to game day.
Season ticket holders get the first opportunity to buy extra single game seats before the general public. So your chances are lower for the biggest games if you do not have season tickets. But single game tickets are still possible with some persistence and good timing.
Use the Secondary Ticket Market
If UGA’s official ticket site is sold out, you can turn to the secondary market to buy from resellers. StubHub, Vivid Seats, and SeatGeek are all reputable options. However, you will pay a premium over face value.
For example, at the time of writing in mid-October 2023, here are some of the cheapest 2022 UGA football tickets found on StubHub:
– Vanderbilt (Oct 29): $68
– Tennessee (Nov 5): $183
– Georgia Tech (Nov 26): $327
As you can see, seats for a rivalry showdown with Tennessee cost almost 3X more than ones for Vanderbilt. Tickets on the secondary market fluctuate based on demand, so prices may rise or fall as game day approaches. Set price alerts and pounce when you see a good deal.
While often more expensive, the secondary market does provide more choice. You can comparison shop for the specific seating section and row you want instead of taking what is left over.
Enter Ticket Lotteries and Promotions
In addition to traditional ticket sales, UGA sometimes runs promotions that offer chances to win free or discounted seats. This includes student ticket lotteries, giveaways, and other special offers.
For example, students who enter the ticket lottery and are selected get the opportunity to buy a ticket for $20 or less for marquee games against top-ranked opponents that would normally sell out instantly at higher prices.
UGA also partners with local businesses like Coca-Cola for promotional contests awarding prize packs with tickets, parking passes, and Dawg merch. Follow UGA football social media and sign up for email newsletters to stay on top of any ticket giveaways or lotteries.
While not a sure thing, entering these contests takes little effort and can result in affordable seats or even scoring free tickets if luck is on your side.
Buy a Travel Package
If you do not live locally in Athens or the surrounding area, buying a travel package with game tickets included simplifies planning a game day trip.
Several sports travel companies offer UGA football weekend getaways with hotel accommodations, tickets to the game, and sometimes extras like a pre-game tailgate party. While pricier than buying just game seats alone, it takes the guesswork out of coordinating all the moving parts of travel arrangements.
Some reputable providers of UGA travel packages include:
– PrimeSport: Official UGA travel partner starting at $549 per person
– Fanatics: Weekend packages starting at $799 per person
– On Location Experiences: Upscale packages from $2299+ per person
Look over the trip details carefully to understand exactly what is included. Depending on the package, you may still need to book some meals and transportation separately. There are options for every budget.
Booking a package also guarantees you tickets so you do not need to sweat availability. They secure seat allotments ahead of the public on-sale dates. Just be sure to purchase early before trips sell out, especially for the top matchups.
Join a Booster Club
Local booster clubs are grassroots fan organizations that support UGA athletics. In exchange for an annual membership fee, one benefit is access to purchase away game tickets coordinated by the club.
Some of the longest running booster clubs include:
– Bulldog Club of Atlanta
– Charlotte Dawg Club
– Bulldawg Club of Savannah
In addition to procuring away game tickets, booster clubs host community events, charter buses for away game travel, and promote fellowship amongst fans. Lifetime memberships providing tickets access start around $400-$500.
If you want to follow the Dawgs on the road during away games against Florida, Auburn, Tennessee and more, joining a regional booster club can facilitate acquiring tickets with fellow fans.
Go Through Your Company
Some corporations purchase large ticket blocks for client entertainment or employee perks. If your company has a relationship with UGA, ask your manager or HR department if they distribute any tickets.
Companies may cover full stadium suites or buy batches of seats. Availability will depend on the firm and how tickets are distributed, like through contests, giveaways or performance rewards. Still, it is worth inquiring – you may luck out with free tickets coming directly from your employer.
Even if your direct company does not offer tickets, check if larger clients your firm services have any. For example, you may be able to network tickets from a partner like a financial institution that owns luxury suites. Leverage any professional connections for potential ticket hooks.
Attend Student Events as Young Alumni
Recent UGA grads remain engaged with campus life can take advantage of student ticket offers for a limited time after graduation. Attend “Young Alumni” events hosted through the UGA Alumni Association which provide discounted game access.
For example, the Young Alumni Tailgate is open to graduates from the past 5 years and includes food, drinks, entertainment, and reduced rate game tickets starting at just $45 depending on the matchup. Events sell out fast when announced, so jump on early.
Student organizations you participated in like professional Greek societies, sport clubs or honors groups may also extend discounted ticket invites to young alumni for a period post-graduation. Stay connected on their latest announcements.
While these opportunities are not unlimited, they allow you to continue enjoying student ticketing perks during your first years out of school. Recent graduates looking for affordable ways to attend games should capitalize before aging out.
Go on Scholarship Seating
If you are a UGA faculty or staff member, you are eligible to request up to 2 seats in the designated “Scholarship Seating” sections to purchase at discounted employee rates.
These seats in Lower Level Sections 101-105 & Lower Level End Zone 109 require a $250 Scholarship Seating donation and annual Hartman Fund donation for each seat requested. While not free, the reduced employee price on these tickets can save several hundred dollars compared to general public rates, making games more affordable.
Scholarship Seating privileges depend on your position and appointment status. Visiting instructors/lecturers have more limited access than tenured professors. Check with your department about the specifics of your eligibility. This perk offers a way to take advantage of reduced employee ticket pricing.
Find Individual Ticket Sellers
Some fans end up with extra tickets for individual games and opt to sell them independently via social media groups and online forums. While riskier than going through official channels, you may be able to score seats directly from other fans.
Search Facebook groups and Twitter hashtags related to buying/selling UGA tickets to find sellers. OfferUp and Craigslist also sometimes have sellers listing tickets, but use extra caution buying through these platforms.
Vet any prospective sellers thoroughly before sending payment. Only buy from established accounts with positive feedback versus new users with no history. Use secure electronic payments only – never wire cash. Prioritize trust and safety.
With vigilance, individual sellers can offer access to tickets not widely promoted. But do your due diligence researching the source to avoid scams – buying directly from individuals comes with inherent risks.
Conclusion
While high demand makes getting UGA football tickets challenging, several avenues exist to secure seats if you are proactive, strategic and patient. Buying season tickets or making hefty donations provides the most guaranteed access. Yet those on tighter budgets can still find deals through single-game sales, secondhand sites, contests and other lower-cost channels.
Through the right combination of planning ahead, frequent checking for availability and leveraging any special access like student status or alumni privileges, you can position yourself for success to see the Dawgs live. Where there’s a will, there’s a way for die-hard fans to watch some SEC football Between the Hedges. Just be diligent, do your homework and tap into any connections that can help you land elusive UGA game tickets. With smart strategy, you will find yourself chanting “Go Dawgs!” from the stands in no time.