9 mistakes to avoid while buying sports tickets online

9 mistakes to avoid while buying sports tickets online

The online ticketing system has enabled fans to get tickets to their favorite sports, such as baseball, football, hockey, or soccer, without leaving their couches. Buying sporting tickets online also ensures one does not have to go from one store to another, scavenging for a ticket at exorbitant prices. Despite the easy accessibility and swiftness of an online ticketing platform, it has its caveats, and going about the process could result in several mistakes.

Making an impulse purchase without research
Booking tickets to a favorite sporting event online might be exciting.  That’s why  many users rush to reserve their seats online as soon as possible.  However, in doing so, one might pay  a lot  more for the ticket than they should.  A sports event is usually listed on multiple ticket websites. One must research various ticketing platforms to determine which  one  offers the best price for that particular date.

Not looking for  offers
A common mistake people make when buying tickets online is failing to look for offers. Websites usually tie up with banks to offer  a range of  discounts on tickets for eligible users with select cards. Moreover, the platform may  also  offer cashback on bookings or deals like $10 off on purchasing two or more tickets. Some online ticketing services might include food and beverages in the ticket cost. One should check all the available offers and deals on a ticketing platform before buying seats at a sports event.

Getting tickets from an unverified online platform
Sometimes, a website might offer a ticket deal to a sports event that is too good to be true.  And that’s because it  probably  is a fake platform.  For example, while other sellers quote prices at $100 a ticket, the spurious website might claim to sell seats for as low as $30. While the deal could be legitimate, more often than not, it is a scam. One should ensure they purchase tickets from a reputable ticket platform, such as one with secure payment gateways and security certifications. Additionally, one must check with the sports event organizer about websites they may have tied up with to sell tickets to identify a reputable seller.

Booking the wrong date, time, and location
A common mistake people make when buying tickets to events, including sports, is not going over the details before the purchase, such as the date, time, and location of the event. Overlooking such details might result in booking seats for an event that does not suit their availability. The event might also happen in another state or city. Either way, one might pay for something they cannot attend and lose money. One must carefully review these event elements before making a purchase.

Not considering the refund  policy
While one might get tickets on a date and time that they are available, one must pay attention to the cancellation and refund policy. One might face various situations where they might need to cancel tickets to the sports event closer to the date. A cancellation and refund policy may help get money back if one cannot attend the event.

Ignoring the age restrictions
Individuals who book tickets online should always read the age restrictions associated with the event. One could check if there are age restrictions, especially if one plans to bring their children along. Some sports events might only allow entry to people 18 or 21 years of age and older. So, if one purchases tickets for their kids, such restrictions would result in one losing money on the booking.

Booking last-minute tickets
Those who book tickets to a sports event at the last minute might not get the best price. Tickets to such events usually see a rise in ticket costs as the game date gets closer. Moreover, events with popular teams or players might sell out tickets rather quickly. If one is confident about making it to a particular event, one must book their seats as early as possible to ensure they get the best price. Booking earlier also has other benefits, such as giving one time to look for discounts and promotions and allowing one to pick the ideal seats for the event.

Not signing up for  offers
A website that sells event tickets, such as for sports, might ask users to sign up for newsletters the moment an individual visits the website. One may typically ignore this feature and move on to purchase the tickets. However, allowing the website to send a newsletter to a relevant email address may have benefits. For instance, some ticketing websites might include coupon codes in a newsletter that could offer a certain percentage off on the next ticket purchase. Others may include deals like buy-one-get-one-free, which could let one take a plus one to the sporting event.

Ignoring social media
Most platforms that sell sports tickets online have a social media page that one must pay attention to. Event organizers may often post offers and discounts on social media that are not visible on their website. Sometimes, a vendor might also hold competitions offering participants freebies or free tickets to winners.