How to Save When Buying NFL Tickets: Tips to Avoid Unnecessary Fees

Top Strategies to Find NFL Tickets with No Service Fees

The thrill of watching an NFL game live is an unforgettable experience, but the final price at checkout can often be a shock. Hidden service fees, processing fees, and facility fees can inflate the cost of a ticket by 20-30% or even more. Fortunately, with a little know-how and effort, you can find ways to bypass these extra charges and pay a price closer to the ticket's actual value. These strategies range from old-school methods to modern digital hacks that put the power back in the buyer's hands.

The key is understanding where these fees come from. Primary sellers like Ticketmaster charge them for handling the initial sale for the team, while secondary marketplaces like StubHub or SeatGeek charge them to facilitate a safe transaction between two fans. By finding ways to circumvent these official middlemen, you can often eliminate the fees they charge. Below are some of the most effective methods fans use to save money and get more value for their dollar.

1. Buy Directly from the Team's Box Office

This is the most traditional and straightforward way to avoid online service fees. By physically going to the stadium's box office, you are purchasing directly from the source. In nearly all cases, the price you see is the price you pay, as the hefty "convenience fees" associated with online transactions don't apply. This method is ideal for fans who live near the stadium and can easily make the trip. It removes any doubt about ticket authenticity and puts a physical ticket in your hand (or a direct digital transfer to your account) without any third-party involvement.

However, this approach has its limitations. Box office inventory can be limited, especially for high-demand games where most tickets are allocated to season ticket holders. You also have to factor in the cost and time of traveling to the stadium. It's best for single-game tickets for less popular matchups or for fans who can visit during off-peak hours to avoid long lines. Always check the box office hours online before making the trip.

2. Utilize Fee-Free Secondary Marketplaces

In response to consumer frustration with hidden fees, a few secondary ticket marketplaces have built their business model around transparent, "all-in" pricing. The most well-known platform in this space is TickPick. When you browse for tickets on their site, the price you see listed is the exact price you will pay at checkout. They don't add any service fees or other charges on top of the listed price for the buyer.

These companies make their money by charging a commission to the seller instead, which is already factored into the ticket's list price. While this might mean the initial listed price looks slightly higher than on other sites, you avoid the sticker shock at the end. This transparency allows for much easier and more honest price comparison. You can directly compare the final cost of tickets without having to go through the entire checkout process on multiple websites.

3. Connect with Season Ticket Holders

Season ticket holders are often the best source for face-value tickets. Many purchase a full season package but can't attend every single game due to work, travel, or other commitments. They are often happy to sell their extra tickets to fellow fans, and most aren't looking to make a huge profit—they simply want to recoup their initial cost. This means you can frequently buy great seats at face value, completely avoiding both primary and secondary market fees.

You can find these sellers in dedicated online communities, such as team-specific fan forums, official team subreddits, or Facebook groups for fans and season ticket holders. When transacting this way, always prioritize safety. Use secure payment methods like PayPal Goods & Services, which offers buyer protection. Whenever possible, meet in person in a safe public place if you are local, or verify the seller's identity and history within the fan community before sending money.

4. Join Official Fan Clubs or Waitlists

Many NFL teams offer official fan club memberships that come with a variety of perks, including exclusive access to ticket presales. These presales can be a golden opportunity to purchase single-game tickets directly from the team before they go on sale to the general public, where they are often snapped up by brokers. While you might still pay a small processing fee, it's typically far less than the fees on resale markets.

Similarly, getting on the official season ticket waitlist can pay off even if you don't want a full season package. Teams often send special ticket offers to people on the waitlist throughout the season, providing another chance to buy directly and avoid the inflated prices and fees of the secondary market. This requires some patience, but it's a great long-term strategy for dedicated fans.

5. Look for "All-In Pricing" Toggles on Major Sites

While this isn't a hack to *eliminate* fees, it's a crucial strategy for transparency that helps you find the best final price. Many major ticket sites, including StubHub and SeatGeek, have a display setting or a toggle switch in their filters that allows you to see the "all-in" price, which includes all estimated fees. Turning this feature on from the very beginning of your search is a game-changer.

By seeing the total cost upfront, you can accurately compare tickets across different sections and even different websites. It prevents you from wasting time on a ticket that looks like a great deal, only to find out at checkout that it's hundreds of dollars more expensive than you thought. This simple step makes you a smarter shopper and ensures you’re comparing apples to apples when evaluating the true cost of attending the game.