Introduction
What happens to playoff tickets when a team doesn’t make it to the postseason or gets eliminated early? This is a common question for sports fans who purchase playoff tickets in advance, hoping their team will go all the way. There are a few potential scenarios that can play out:
Playoff Tickets for Eliminated Teams
If a team fails to clinch a playoff spot, any tickets purchased in advance for potential playoff games will be refunded. This is standard policy across major sports leagues like the NBA, NFL, NHL, and MLB. The refund is typically processed within 10-14 days after playoff seeding is finalized.
For teams that clinch a playoff berth but get knocked out in an early round, tickets purchased for future rounds are also refunded. However, tickets for any playoff games that were already played would not be refunded.
Here is an example to illustrate:
Game | Result | Refund? |
---|---|---|
Wild Card Round | Team plays game and loses | No refund |
Divisional Round | Team gets eliminated | Refund issued |
Conference Finals | Team gets eliminated | Refund issued |
Championship | Team gets eliminated | Refund issued |
So in this case, the team would not receive a refund for losing in the Wild Card round, but all subsequent round tickets would be refunded since they did not actually play those games.
Exceptions to Refund Policies
While refunds are standard, there can be some exceptions:
– In the NFL, refunds are processed by each individual team, so policies can vary slightly.
– For very high-demand playoff games like the Super Bowl, some teams may not issue refunds, even for eliminated teams. Fans assume the risk when buying tickets in advance.
– If playoff tickets were purchased through unofficial secondary market resellers, refund policies may differ.
– If playoff tickets were transferred rather than directly purchased, refunds typically go to the original ticket buyer.
Timing of Playoff Ticket Refunds
The timing for processing playoff ticket refunds can vary:
– NFL – Refunds are generally issued 7-10 days after a team is eliminated.
– NBA – Refunds are typically processed within 5-7 business days after elimination.
– NHL – Refunds normally processed within 7-14 days after a team is knocked out.
– MLB – Postseason ticket refunds are usually issued 7-14 days following conclusion of the World Series.
Here is a table summarizing the estimated refund timing across leagues:
League | Refund Timing |
---|---|
NFL | 7-10 days after elimination |
NBA | 5-7 business days after elimination |
NHL | 7-14 days after elimination |
MLB | 7-14 days after World Series |
The actual timing can vary depending on the league, team, and type of ticket purchased. Sports teams will try to process refunds as promptly as possible to accommodate fans.
Selling Playoff Tickets on Secondary Market
What about trying to sell or exchange unused playoff tickets instead of getting a refund? This is commonly done through secondary ticket marketplaces like StubHub or SeatGeek.
Risks of Selling Playoff Tickets
There are some risks to keep in mind:
– No guarantee you will find a buyer willing to pay an acceptable price.
– Secondary market sites charge seller fees that cut into profits.
– Scam buyers: You get scammed out of the ticket but still need to issue a refund.
– Price fluctuations: Playoff demand can change quickly, affecting resale value.
– Canceled events: If playoff games get canceled, you may still owe refunds to buyers.
Tips for Selling Playoff Tickets
If you decide to try reselling playoff tickets, here are some tips:
-Sell as early as possible when hype is high. Prices tend to drop as event nears if team is struggling.
-Consider bundling early round tickets to get maximum value. Separate tickets have less demand.
-Be flexible on pricing – some income is better than getting nothing back from refund.
-Sell on trustworthy sites like StubHub with buyer guarantees to avoid scams.
-Read site seller fees carefully. They range from 10-20% typically.
-Transfer tickets via instant online delivery for convenience and security.
-Only sell extras – keep tickets for rounds your team is still alive in case prices rise again.
Reselling Individual Playoff Games
The best strategy can be different when reselling tickets for specific playoff games:
Wild Card and Divisional Rounds:
-Best to sell right after playoff bracket set. Maximize hype.
-If favored team loses, prices will plummet quickly.
-Consider competitive matchups to estimate demand.
Conference Finals and Championships:
-Wait until teams are actually set to gauge demand.
-Boston, New York, and California teams tend to have best demand.
-Historic rivalries like Lakers-Celtics can command higher prices.
Round | Recommended Strategy |
---|---|
Wild Card/Divisional | Sell immediately once matchups set |
Conference Finals | Wait to sell once teams are set |
Championships | Wait until finals matchup is actually set |
Timing the sale based on matchups and demand is key to maximizing resale value.
Donating Unused Playoff Tickets
What about donating unused playoff tickets to charity? This can be a nice option to benefit others instead of getting a refund.
Benefits of Donating Tickets
Potential benefits of donating playoff tickets include:
-Tax deduction – can deduct estimated ticket value from your taxes.
-Avoid hassles of selling tickets yourself.
-Help those less fortunate attend exciting playoff games.
-Support a charity or cause you care about.
-Good PR for the team to be seen giving back to community.
Charities Accepting Sports Ticket Donations
Many charities accept donated event tickets, including:
-Ticket to Dream Foundation – Gives tickets to sick children.
-Athletes for Charity – Donates to various children’s causes.
-Sports Gift – Gifts tickets to youth groups nationwide.
-Second Chance To Dream – Sends special needs kids to events.
-Local teams’ foundations – Most teams work with charities to donate tickets.
Charity | Mission |
---|---|
Ticket to Dream | Tickets for sick children |
Athletes for Charity | Donates to children’s causes |
Sports Gift | Tickets for youth groups |
Second Chance to Dream | Special needs kids attend events |
Team Foundations | Work with local charities |
These are just a few examples of highly-rated sports charities that accept ticket donations. Teams and ticket sellers can also facilitate donations to reputable local charities.
Steps for Donating Playoff Tickets
If you decide to donate tickets, here is a quick guide to the process:
1. Choose a verified charity that will use tickets ethically.
2. Contact them to discuss ticket availability, timing, and delivery.
3. Obtain a tax receipt from the charity for your records.
4. Transfer tickets to charity via instant online delivery.
5. Claim tax deduction on next tax return for estimated ticket value.
6. Enjoy knowing you created a playoff memory for those less fortunate!
Donating playoff tickets can be more complex than getting a refund but provides an altruistic win-win scenario in many cases.
Conclusion
Having unused playoff tickets when your team fails to clinch a spot or gets knocked out early generally leads to three options:
1. Get a refund from the team or ticket seller. This is the most straightforward choice for fans. Refund timing and policies vary by league.
2. Attempt to resell tickets on secondary markets. This can provide upside but involves effort and risk. Timing and competitive matchup analysis are key.
3. Donate extra tickets to charity so others can enjoy playoff excitement. This provides community benefits and tax deductions in return for giving up the tickets.
While a refund is typically the easiest path forward, exploring resale or charity options can sometimes yield better financial or social outcomes for unused playoff tickets. The optimal choice depends on individual fan preferences and situation. Regardless of the approach, sports teams aim to make the process reasonable for their loyal supporters.