Season tickets allow fans to attend every home game for their favorite sports team. There are many reasons why fans choose to purchase season tickets rather than buying single game tickets.
Guaranteed Seat Location
One of the main benefits of season tickets is that ticket holders are guaranteed the same seat location for every home game. Fans who purchase season tickets know exactly where they will be sitting for the entire season. This allows them to feel like they are part of the action and have the best views of the field or court. Season ticket holders don’t have to worry about getting stuck with obstructed views or seats far away from the action.
Having an assigned seat also creates a sense of ownership for fans. They feel like those seats are “theirs” for the season. Many season ticket holders take pride in their seats and come early to games to socialize with other fans in their section.
Premium Seat Locations
Season tickets often give fans access to some of the best seats in the stadium or arena. Most teams reserve certain premium seat locations, like lower bowl or club level, specifically for season ticket holders. These coveted seats put fans right in the middle of the action and enhance the live game experience.
Fans know that purchasing season tickets gives them an opportunity to get premium seat locations that would be very difficult or expensive to get on a single game basis. Access to prime seating areas is a huge draw for season ticket sales.
Consistent Game Day Experience
There is a comfort and consistency that comes with sitting in the same seat for every home game. Fans with season tickets can settle into their regular game day routines. They know exactly where they will park, which entrance to use, where to grab food or drinks, and the fastest way to exit after the final whistle.
Season ticket holders also often form bonds and friendships with other fans sitting near them game after game. Getting to share the emotional ups and downs of the season with familiar faces in their section enhances the experience for many season ticket holders.
Priority Access
Purchasing season tickets usually gives fans priority access when it comes to purchasing additional single game tickets. Teams will often give season ticket holders a presale window to buy extra tickets before the general public has access. This ensures season ticket holders can purchase group tickets or additional seats for high demand games like playoffs.
Some teams also provide season ticket holders with priority when it comes to seating for other events held at the stadium outside of regular games. Events like concerts, other sporting events, or family shows. Knowing they’ll have first access to seats for these special non-game events is another nice perk.
Playoff Priority
One of the biggest benefits of being a season ticket holder is that it gives fans playoff priority. Once a team makes the playoffs, demand for tickets skyrockets. However, season ticket holders can rest assured knowing they get first chance to purchase seats before the general public.
Teams will usually give their season ticket holders a chance to buy their same regular season seats for early playoff rounds. Then if the team advances further, they maintain priority to purchase other available playoff tickets. This peace of mind during the postseason is a huge selling point for season tickets.
Discounts and Savings
Season ticket holders enjoy considerable savings over buying single game tickets. Teams offer packaged ticket plans that give fans big discounts off the full price when purchased together. The more games in the package, the bigger the overall savings per ticket.
It is almost always significantly cheaper for a fan to purchase a full-season ticket package compared to buying 17 or 41 single game tickets. Buying in bulk allows fans to maximize the value from ticket discounts. Renewing season tickets year over year also usually provides discounted pricing.
Additional Perks
There are often additional perks included in season ticket packages that further increase the value. Common perks include:
- Food and beverage discounts at the stadium
- Discounts at the team store merchandise shop
- Ticket exchange programs to swap dates
- VIP parking passes
- Gift packages
- Ticket holder events – meet players, exclusive Q&As etc.
All these extra incentives attached to season ticket packages result in a greater overall value compared to buying individual tickets game by game. Fans get more bang for their buck.
Support Your Team
There is also an emotional investment and sense of loyalty associated with purchasing season tickets. True die-hard fans want to support their favorite team by being in the stands for every game. It shows dedication through good times and bad.
Some fans may even feel a sense of duty or obligation to purchase season tickets. They want to do their part to cheer on the team all season long. Supporting the team financially through season ticket purchases is important to these loyal fans.
Be Part of the Action
Being a season ticket holder puts fans directly in the middle of the action. They get to experience every triumph, defeat, and dramatic moment right there in person alongside the players. It’s an immersive experience that can’t be replicated watching at home on TV.
The shared emotional roller coaster ride of a season is a huge draw. Fans feel invested in the team and integral to creating a great home atmosphere. Buying season tickets allows them to be part of something bigger.
Exclusive Access
Some teams provide season ticket holders with access or experiences that regular single game ticket buyers don’t get. This may include:
- Watching warmups from exclusive locations like the sideline
- Post-game access to the field or court
- Autograph sessions with players and coaches
- Photo opportunities with team mascots, trophy, or championship rings
The opportunity for these exclusive experiences that other fans don’t have access to make season tickets even more attractive to die-hard fans.
Social and Community Aspect
There is also a great social and community aspect associated with being a season ticket holder. Fans often form bonds with the other regulars sitting around them game after game. It leads to new friendships and camaraderie.
Season ticket holders look forward to catching up with their section neighbors at every game. They experience the highs and lows together as fellow fans. Having a core group of fans to share each game with enhances the experience and atmosphere.
Multi-Generational Bonds
Season tickets often turn into treasured multi-generational heirlooms passed down within families. Parents purchase tickets so they can create lifelong memories by bringing their kids and grandkids to games together. Passing the tickets down becomes a family tradition.
These generational bonds tied to season tickets are about so much more than just the games themselves. They represent time spent together, community and a shared purpose. Families purchase season tickets to foster these special connections.
Business Development
Many companies purchase season ticket packages as part of their customer and employee relations. Having regular access to prime seats allows businesses to woo clients and reward employees.
Companies may alternate bringing important clients to games one week and employees the next. It’s a perk that enables relationship building in a fun, informal setting outside the office. Season tickets also enable companies to split up and use tickets on an as-needed basis for these business development purposes.
Convenience and Flexibility
While season tickets typically require a large upfront investment, they do provide convenience and flexibility over the course of the season. Fans lock in guaranteed seats to every home game before the schedule is even announced.
This allows fans to plan out their calendars in advance around the games. They don’t have to continually monitor the schedule and ticket availability once single game seats go on sale.
Season tickets also typically come with ticket exchange privileges. This allows fans the flexibility to swap dates with other games during the season if needed.
The pre-purchase convenience combined with exchange policies makes season tickets very fan-friendly. It’s easier than having to buy individual game tickets each week.
Splitting Season Tickets
Many season ticket holders also enjoy the flexibility to split or share their package with friends, colleagues or other family members. Groups can purchase a season ticket plan together and alternate attending games.
Splitting season tickets enables individuals to share costs and also handle any date conflicts that may come up. The ticket holders can divvy up the games however works best for them.
This type of group season ticket arrangement is very common and allows more casual fans to enjoy the benefits without committing to every single game.
Conclusion
At the end of the day, season tickets provide fans with unmatched access, savings, priority and convenience when it comes to following their favorite team. There are many clear benefits that spur fans to purchase season ticket memberships.
The guarantee of tickets, especially for high-demand games like playoffs, provides huge peace of mind. Season ticket holders know their seats are secure. They also enjoy knowing they are directly supporting the team financially year after year.
The camaraderie of being part of a community of fans and season ticket neighbors enhances the experience as well. Season tickets enable many shared memories and lasting bonds over generations.
While not cheap, season tickets offer great long-term value through bulk discounting and additional perks. There are many good reasons why loyal and dedicated fans line up to secure season tickets year after year.