Fans from around the country are heading to Miami to go watch the biggest game of the year. Sure, most of them are getting a break from the Kansas City Winter or coming in from San Francisco and messing up their internal clock, but the Super Bowl is a game that anyone can go to. Fine. . . that’s not true either. Tickets are expensive or tough to get. The NFL makes the Super Bowl it’s own professional sports convention and a lot of tickets are given to sponsors, business partners, or former players. That means that normal fans are dropping a pretty penny to get tickets on the secondary market. The cheapest price for a ticket on StubHub is over $4,500. So if you’re dropping almost $5K, here’s some advice for attending the Super Bowl from someone who has attended the last four years — sweet humblebrag.
Getting a ticket is an act of patience and gambling
Look, right now tickets are at $4500. No one wants to spend that, but it’s important to remember you’re going to have to pay a lot of money either way. Face value tickets in the heavens are around $1000 no matter what. These resellers are going to make their money.
There’s still a way to not invest a mortgage payment in Super Bowl tickets. Usually, tickets are the cheapest Friday before the game. Prices start trending down starting on Wednesday and hit a bottom on Friday. That’s the time to strike — or at least it has been the past few years — but waiting until Saturday can be risky. That’s when people who traveled to the game without a ticket get real nervous. They didn’t make a long trip to Miami to not see the game. Tickets prices shoot back up. Waiting could work, but by Sunday, everyone who wants to go really makes a move. So monitor prices closely. Hit up every single connection you can think of, and get those tickets before Saturday hits and people get nervous.
Find a team bar
There will be a designated Chiefs’ bar and a designated Niners’ bar. Usually, the local sports radio show will post up there. Make your way there. It’s fun to hang around exuberant fans partying and talking about their teams. It could be the highlight of many folks’ fandom. Fair warning, these bars will get packed and there will be lines at certain times. Just figure out an off time and head for a beverage and sneak out. It’s still nice.
Head to the NFL Experience
Like I said, the NFL makes Super Bowl week it’s own little professional football convention. There are a ton of activities. The NFL Experience is one of them. It’s like it’s own traveling football museum. There are activities for fans of all ages. It does cost money to get in, but it shouldn’t be a burden.
Watch some free shows and go to an event
Yup, there are normally free concerts and events that don’t cost money. Check them out. Where else are you going to be able to check out a free concert, experience the NFL, and hang out with friends old and new?
Keep an eye out
There are a ton of former and current players. TV personalities are all over the place. The reality is, they’re just like us. They may be sitting up in the balcony of the stadium — again, tickets are hard to come by. They may be at the bar. Don’t bug them or anything, but realize you too are hanging out at places with former NFLers and the folks you watch on television every night.
Skip the crazy parties
They are all alike. They have expensive drinks and some celebrities. They may even have a show, but they are always packed and often overrated.
Get to the game early
You’re at the Super Bowl. You want to be in your seat for the warmups, intros, and national anthems. Plus, there isn’t really a tailgating scene at the Super Bowl. It’s impossible because it’s tough to get to the stadium. The parking lot is often taken over by the NFL and a ton of television production trucks and equipment. It’s not a normal game. It’s not a normal tailgate. Head in early and bit any lines at the — extensive — security gates.
Take a break during halftime
Look, I am sure the Jennifer Lopez/Shakira halftime show is going to be great, but the halftime show is much more for television than it is for live performance. NFL games and stadiums simply aren’t made for concerts. Everything feels weird and television production makes things better for viewers on their couch. You’re at the game. You need an emotional break. Take it.
Stay for the whole game
If you paid the price for a ticket and your team is getting blown out, it’s simply time to take your medicine. Yea, it won’t be fun, but it’s the Super Bowl. It’s a time to appreciate everything your team has done for the entire season. You’ve already paid the sunk cost, you might as well stay. Plus, you never want to be the guy who left a Super Bowl comeback — yes those people exist.
