June 17, 2008

Six Strategies for Buying Red Sox Tickets

Getting into the park without breaking the bank

By Edward A. Brown

Watch the video above to see game-goers’ strategies outside Fenway Park.

Boston University has a reputation for great professors, eager students, and outstanding academic opportunities. It also happens to be roughly 1,056 steps from Fenway Park, the oldest and one of the most storied ballparks in the country — home of the Boston Red Sox.

That means BU students have an outstanding opportunity to become emotionally invested in the legendary Red Sox–Yankees rivalry, to watch Manny and Big Papi swing for the fences, and to see Dice-K hurl pitches. Of course, those things are best done from inside Fenway Park, and getting in is not always easy and seldom cheap. With a capacity of 39,928 spectators, Fenway is one of Major League Baseball’s smallest parks. And, the Sox have sold out every game since May 15, 2003.

With that in mind, BU Today offers personality profiles of six buyers, each with a unique strategy that just may get you inside Fenway Park.

The Opportunist
BU’s Student Activities Office offers some game tickets, usually once each spring or fall. As a group buyer with the Red Sox, SAO is typically allotted just 80 to 100 tickets. Needless to say, they get snapped up immediately. The Opportunist keeps tabs by checking SAO’s Web site periodically or dropping by the office at One University Road.

The Philanthropist
If you’ve never thought of a night out at Fenway as a charitable way to spend your time and money, it’s time you discovered the Red Sox Foundation. What better way to get your hands on tickets than through the team’s official charity. The Foundation auctions off tickets for some of Fenway’s most in-demand tickets on its Web site.

The Waiting Gamer
Two hours before each game, a limited number of tickets go on sale at Fenway’s Gate E on Lansdowne Street. Unfortunately, fans often start to line up for those tickets four or five hours before game time, so there is no guarantee any will be left by the time you make it to the front of the line. Also, these tickets are typically for single and obstructed-view seats and for standing room. That said, they go for face value, and if you’re lucky, you can get into a game that has been sold out for months.

The Headhunter
Buying Red Sox tickets from scalpers typically means paying more than face value — often much more. And though scalping tickets is illegal in Massachusetts, the biggest problem for buyers is not getting busted, but getting stuck with fake tickets. “Ask to look at the ticket,” says Steve Thaw (COM’08). “Make sure the date, time, and opponent are correct. Check whether or not that section and seat exist.” To get the best bargain, Thaw suggests buying right before a game begins, right after it has started, or if the forecast says rain.

The Gambler
Going online to Craig’s List or eBay to get tickets is another option. On Craig’s List, transactions can be faster and easier because you are dealing person to person, Thaw says. On eBay, it’s usually easy to tell which ticket auctions are legit — but be prepared to pay much higher prices. “I only buy from reputable sellers with positive ratings,” says Chad Boldini (COM’08). “I always look at an auction carefully to make sure it’s legitimate, and I read some of the seller’s feedback.”

The Doughboy
StubHub is an open marketplace where any person can sell any ticket. Many fans swear by it, but are generally resigned to paying more than face value. The Doughboy must be prepared to fork over the extra dough. The site charges a 10 percent commission, plus shipping fees or pickup fees. Ace Ticket is another option.

Edward A. Brown can be reached at ebrown@bu.edu.