5 Ways to Enjoy Sporting Events on a Budget
Whether you’re a seasoned fan or going to your first game ever, whether you’re rooting on your home team or checking out some new competition at an away game, sports can provide some of the most enjoyable entertainment imaginable.
The booming crowd, sights, and smells that fill a stadium have something to offer everyone, regardless of whether they prefer baseball, football, soccer, hockey, or any other sport.With the Rugby World Cup in full swing, you could be planning a trip to watch a local game with your loved ones or to catch a provincial game with a pal. The following tips can be applied to practically any sporting event in order to help keep costs down.
Buy tickets from online sellers
There is no need to pay inflated prices for tickets sold by the team itself. Instead, you should look into online auction houses like Facebook Marketplace, as well as ticket resale sites.
Worried about buying fraudulent tickets and getting ripped off? Fear not! The major online ticket resale marketplaces provide assurances that this will not occur. You can verify the legitimacy of a seller on an online auction site by looking at their comments and ratings from previous customers.
Braai at home before the game
The outrageous cost of concessions at sporting events is a major expense. But you can still have a great time at a game without breaking the bank on the outrageously priced food and beverages.
In fact, you can save a lot of money by eating lunch or dinner somewhere before heading to the stadium or having a braai at home with your friends before heading out.
This way, you can have a decent lunch for a reasonable price, and you won’t have to wait in queue, so you won’t miss a minute of the action on the field.
Worried that you might dehydrate while watching the game? There are often free filtered water stations located near the entrances of many stadiums and arenas. Learn whether your stadium offers this option.
Don’t overspend on parking
Parking fees are an often overlooked but significant expense while attending a sporting event. Especially if the game is being played in a large city like Cape Town or Joburg.
Fortunately, there are options available to you that will allow you to save money on parking. Taking public transport or a ridesharing service instead of driving your own car will save you money on parking fees.
In addition to carpooling, parking further away from the stadium is a great method to save money.
Buy the cheaper seats
You can save a lot of money by selecting cheaper seats, and this doesn’t have to mean sitting in the nosebleed section (the very last row of seats in the top deck of a stadium).
Discounted general admission sections without assigned seats are frequent during professional soccer games, and in some rugby stadiums, tickets are cheaper behind the endzone.
All of these alternatives bring you into the stadium, where you can experience the buzz of the crowd without breaking the bank. And if you don’t mind being a little removed from the action, you can always sit in the nosebleeds and save some cash. You might even get a cool overhead perspective that TV viewers miss out on.
Go to amateur or club games
Here’s a shocker: You don’t have to go to a high-priced professional game to fulfil your in-person sporting event hankering. Seeing professional athletes in action at a small club game might be just as exciting.
There are amateur alternatives for soccer, rugby and cricket, and there’s probably a team in a city near you. Obviously, the price of admission to these sports is much lower. Plus, you could be witnessing future Springbok or Protea superstars.
Also, don’t miss out on all the high school and varsity action. A varsity town is a great place to see a lot of games without spending a lot of money. And in some sections of the country, high school rugby and cricket games are significant events with a low price of entry.
Final Thoughts
Attending a game doesn’t have to break the bank. But even if you follow every suggestion on this list, you still need to be strategic and arrange finances accordingly.
The best method to save for anything is to make a monthly budget and allocate money specifically for that purpose. Find out how much tickets to the game of your choice will set you back, and divide that total by the amount of time you have to save.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a live sporting event?
A live sporting event is one that is produced using at least one camera, overlay visuals, and a play-by-play commentator.
What are some of the reasons people prefer to attend a live sports game?
A variety of social and psychological motives encourage sport enthusiasts to not only become sports fans, but also to attend live athletic events, including self-esteem, escape, amusement, economic gains, aesthetics, group connection, and family.
How do I get more people to come to a sporting event?
To entice people to attend your event, consider offering group discounts, early bird pricing, and other promotions. Make your sports event an unforgettable experience for everyone who attends. Outside of the game, provide activities such as tailgating parties, concerts, and entertainment shows.
How can I watch live sports for free in South Africa?
- Redbull Television. To begin our list of free sports streaming sites, we have Redbull TV.
- Rugby Online Streaming. This one’s for the rugby fans out there
- Kodi. Good things rarely come easily, and this is the case with Kodi which can be difficult to download
- Reddit. Sites where you may watch matches are posted on subreddit pages.
Does Netflix show live sports?
Netflix has supported some sports documentaries but has yet to provide viewers with live coverage of athletic events. However, Netflix has dabbled in live events in general, with mixed results.