You Don't Need to Overspend for a Good Game Day
On our game day cost rankings, the average game day for one person is $258 in the NFL, $287 in the NBA and $201 in the NHL. MLB is the most affordable at $120. But those are averages.
With some basic planning, you can cut game day spending without sitting in the last row or skipping the good parts.
Tickets: Your Biggest Lever
Target the Right Games
Some games are just cheaper:
- Weeknight games (Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday for NBA, NHL, MLB) cost less than weekends
- Non-rivalry matchups with mediocre opponents are the bargain bin of sports tickets
- September and October MLB for non-contending teams
- Early-season NBA and NHL before playoff races heat up
Upper Deck Is Underrated
NBA and NHL arenas especially have good sightlines from up top because the buildings are more compact. You can see the whole play develop.
Day-Of Deals
Apps like Gametime and SeatGeek drop prices in the hours before game time. Sellers with unsold tickets get desperate. If you're flexible and local, waiting can pay off on mid-tier matchups. Just don't try this with rivalry games.
Parking: The Sneaky Budget Killer
Park Further Out
If you don't mind a walk, look for:
- Residential street parking (check the signs carefully)
- Private lots and garages a few blocks away
- Church and school lots that sell spaces on game days
- SpotHero or ParkWhiz for pre-booked discounts
Ditch the Car
At these venues, transit can replace the parking fee:
- Soldier Field, CTA bus and Metra train
- TD Garden, Green/Orange Line
- Madison Square Garden, directly above Penn Station
- Petco Park, San Diego Trolley
- Oracle Park, Muni, BART, and Caltrain
Check each team's Parking & Directions page for transit details at every venue.
Food: Eat Before, Not Inside
Tailgate (Where It's Allowed)
A cooler of food and drinks in the parking lot costs less than the concession stands. Not every NFL or MLB venue allows it, so check the rules on the venue's game day guide first.
Eat Nearby
For NBA and NHL games where tailgating isn't really a thing, eat at a restaurant near the arena before you go in.
If You Do Eat Inside
- Skip the fancy stuff. The specialty burger is good, but a hot dog does the job.
- Bring a water bottle. Some venues let you bring an empty bottle through security and refill it inside. Check the venue's rules before you go.
- Split things. Nachos, pretzels, and fries are meant for sharing.
Compare food prices for every team on the Game Day Price Index.
Merch: Just Say No (At the Stadium)
Buy team gear online before the game. Or just wear what you already have. Nobody's checking how new your jersey is.
Tools for Planning
- Game Day Cost Calculator to estimate costs for your specific team and group
- Game Day Price Index to sort all 124 teams by specific cost categories
- Compare Teams to see two venues side by side
- Stadium Rankings to find the most affordable venues in every league