Going To An NBA Game

Paully D

Hi all,

I'm just wondering if any of you have gone to an NBA game in America (not the London games).

It's something I've always wanted to do, and hopefully if I save up this year I might get to a game at the end of the 2011/2012 season or start of the 2012/2013 season.

Is it hard to get tickets for games? Is it really worth it? Do the teams do travel packages such as ticket and hotel etc?

Basically I'd be interested to hear of your experiences of it as a whole!

I've really gotten into the Bulls this season as this is the 1st year I've had the time to watch a lot of Basketball for a while, so I'd love to get to one of their games!

Thanks all

Lafortezza

I've been to a bunch of games in NY, LA and Phoenix over the last few years. Definitely recommend it if you're a fan as there's nothing like seeing the superstars in the flesh and seeing how fast and furious the games are.
But there's a huge problem if you live outside the USA and want to book tickets ahead of time for when you arrive in the US on holidays.
You can't book tickets direct from say Madison Square Garden (for Knicks games) or Ticketmaster with a non-US credit card. I tried this the last time I went over but they no longer accept them. The reason is that they have had huge problems with EU people booking via credit card, going to the games, then disputing the charges when they get back home.

http://www.ticketsnow.com/nba-tickets/ is where I got tickets this year when I was over in March. They accept EU credit cards but they charge you an arm and a leg. You have the face value of the ticket + what the owner wants to charge + huge markup by Ticketsnow + the cost of the EU card risk.
For example, we got seats in section 223 of http://media.ticketcity.com/images/seatingcharts/MADISONSQUAREGARDEN_ENDSTAGE.GIF in MSG for the Knicks vs Orlando game, face value was about $120, it cost us close to $300 per ticket.

There are always touts selling tickets outside the venue, never dealt with them but I'm sure they will be ridiculously expensive. Another option might be contacting some travel agency in whatever city you are going to and seeing if there's some way they can book on your behalf.

Noono

I went over in April to see the Knicks play in MSG and then the Celtics at The TD Garden. Booked my tickets on Ticketmaster.com with my EU credit card no problem.
Got to pick where i wanted to sit and everything. Collected the tickets up at Will Call at each venue. No hassle.
Wouldn't deal with any other outlet as Ticketmaster.com offer insurance in case your flight is cancelled etc in which you will not be charged for the tickets. And your paying face value.
Have attached a pic of where i was sitting at the TD Garden....

http://www.flickr.com/photos/noonesy/5836834375/

Paully D

Great stuff lads, cheers!

phil

huge ticket market on craigslist.org as well. Tickets are easy to come by, providing you're not trying to score playoff tickets, but even then you can definitely get them for early rounds, if a little over face value.

El Horseboxo

The second home game on a back to back is usually the easiest to buy as long as it's not against a divisional rival. I usually get family to get them before i head over and Noono i've used Ticketmaster no problem. I'd usually use my US card but i have my Irish one at times and it's been fine.

RightHalfBack

I went to three games earlier this year, basicially followed the Celtics from Oakland to Denver then back to Utah. was able to get the tickets directly through the clubs websites, no trouble at all from what i remember. Just box office Collection at the venues. Was a great trip and would highly recommend a similiar trip to anyone.

Now I know getting tickets for a Celtics/Bulls etc home game is not so easy, stubhub.com is a good site but you need a US postal address to receive the tickets with it.

went to Chicago in March, caught the bulls playing the wizards. Booked through ticketmaster and picked the tickets up at the united centre. Arena was so impressive and the time-out breaks and half time the entertainment was actually pretty good. We got standing tickets for $20 each because we didnt have much money and our view was absolutely fine, great experience anyway

krissovo

I caught a few games in Madison Square Garden both basketball and hockey. Always got my tickets from the touts outside about 5mins before the start for below face value. Penn Station always has a few "real" fans offloading tickets as well for mainly face value.

If you go with a tout have the exact money to hand over, if you are a few bucks over let them keep the change. They will give you sob story about being hungry and try and more $$$ off you. Dont let them escort inside, they will demand a few extra bucks for that.

finbarrk

I got caught by buying a dud ticket outside MSG about 10 years ago. I wouldn't chance one again. The police officer told us tourists get caught all the time.