The Ultimate Guide to NFL Season Passes
Hey there fellow football fanatic! I‘m Lillie – your go-to gal for everything NFL season passes. As a huge Packer‘s fan myself, I know how exciting and confusing it can be picking out the perfect season pass package. Well, you‘ve come to the right place for the inside scoop.
In this comprehensive guide, I‘ll walk you through everything you need to know about NFL season passes so you can catch every game this season. Whether you‘re looking to follow your home team on the road or never miss a Sunday of football action, we‘ve got you covered. Let‘s dig in!
What Are NFL Season Passes?
Simply put, an NFL season pass gets you tickets to every regular season game for an entire football season. Season passes are sold by individual NFL teams for access to all home games, or league-wide from the NFL for all teams.
There are a few main types of passes:
- Single Team Pass – Home games for 1 team
- NFL Sunday Ticket – All out-of-market Sunday afternoon games
- NFL Game Pass – On-demand access to replays of all games
With prices ranging from $100 to $10,000+, there are NFL season passes for every type of fan and budget.
Benefits of Season Passes
Trust me, you‘ll thank me later for explaining why season passes are worth it over buying single game tickets. Here are some of the biggest benefits:
Cost Savings
Buying in bulk almost always saves you money – season passes can save 20-60% per ticket over individual games. When you run the numbers, passes pay for themselves quickly.
Premium Perks
From presale opportunities to VIP access and rewards points, many teams hook up pass holders with exclusive deals. The Packers give me special discounts at the Pro Shop and access to player meet-and-greets. Pretty sweet!
Guaranteed Seats
No need to stress about hunting down tickets every week or missing a sellout. Your spot is locked in from the first kickoff to the final playoff push.
Playoff Access
Pass holders often get first dibs on playoff seats before the general public. This means you won‘t miss the action during your team‘s postseason run.
Flexibility
Many passes allow you to resell or transfer tickets for games you can‘t attend. You can easily share with friends and family.
Season Pass Packages
Now that you know why passes are so popular, let‘s explore the main types available, what‘s included, and how much they cost.
Single Team Season Pass
This gets you one ticket to every regular season home game for a specific NFL team like the Cowboys, Patriots or Packers. Prices vary dramatically based on seat location and the team‘s demand:
- Nosebleeds: $250-$500
- Mid-range: $500-$1,500
- 50-yard-line: $1,500-$10,000+
With club or VIP passes, you‘re looking at a starting price of $2,500+ for many teams. Of course premiere franchises like my Packers command a premium. Supply and demand, folks!
Pro Tip: Buy during presale periods to get the best rates on single team passes. I save 10-15% buying my Packers tickets in early summer.
NFL Sunday Ticket
The Sunday Ticket from DirectTV gives you access to watch ANY out-of-market Sunday afternoon game (1 pm and 4 pm EST) live or on-demand. This pass is for diehard fans who don‘t want to miss a snap of the action all season long.
With Sunday Ticket, your team‘s game is available no matter where you live. You can stream on your laptop, tablet, phone and connected TV devices.
They offer a few package options annually:
- Basic: $293/season for all live Sunday games
- Max: $395/season for all Sunday games + NFL RedZone and streaming
RedZone is awesome – they cut to every touchdown from every game on Sunday afternoons. Football heaven!
NFL Game Pass
For $99-$149 per season, Game Pass unlocks on-demand access to full game replays and condensed 45-minute replays of all 256 regular season games. With coaches film, it‘s perfect for analyzing X‘s and O‘s.
Game Pass does NOT include live games. It lets you replay the action after it happens – ideal for catching up on an amazing game or studying your team‘s performance.
Pro Tip: Use promo codes to score discounts – I saved 20% off Game Pass last season.
Additional Season Pass Perks
Beyond just getting tickets to the games, many teams offer special programs and discounts for pass holders:
- Discounts on concessions, merchandise and parking
- Presale opportunities for future seasons
- Season ticket rewards programs with points you can redeem for autographed memorabilia, exclusive events and more
- VIP club access before games and at halftime
- Events like meet-the-team experiences, training camp tours, or sideline passes
For superfans like me, these perks take the season pass experience to the next level. The Packers hook me up with free food vouchers, signed merchandise and exclusive player Q&A sessions. Gotta love those perks!
Buying and Pricing Tips
When‘s the best time to buy passes? How can you get the best deal? Here are my top insider tips:
Buy Early
Purchase during presales in the offseason for early bird discounts. Prices are lowest in spring and summer before demand rises for the upcoming season.
Renew Early
If you already have season passes, opt-in to renew as early as possible. Loyal returning holders often get the first crack at seats.
Group Discounts
Buying passes as a group saves cash. Many teams offer special rates on 4+ tickets purchased together. Grab your crew to save!
Payment Plans
Paying monthly over 3-6 months is easier to digest than one lump sum. Nearly all teams now offer payment plan options.
Avoid Fees
Watch out for sneaky per ticket fees that can add up. Ask about discounts for paying by check or cash to dodge fees.
Comparing Season Passes vs Individual Games
Should you buy a full season or just get individual games? Here‘s how it shakes out:
Benefits of Season Passes
- Big savings per ticket
- Guaranteed seats every game
- Rewards programs and VIP access
- Presale for playoffs
Benefits of Buying Individual Games
- More flexibility if you can only attend a few
- Can choose more in-demand matchups
- Less upfront cost commitment
For me, the savings and security of season passes outweigh buying individual games. But if your schedule varies or budget is tight, single games give you more choice game to game.
Additional Costs
On top of the pass price, prepare for these other costs:
Fees
Variable "convenience fees" per order and per ticket often apply. Budget $5-$25 per ticket.
Parking
Many teams now require separate parking passes for the season. Around $100-$500 more for the year.
Food & Drink
Between drinks, snacks and souvenirs, concessions can run you $100+ per game easily.
Travel
For away games, factor in airfare, hotels, and transportation if following your team on the road.
Which NFL Teams Are Most Expensive?
Ticket prices fluctuate wildly depending on the team, stadium, and demand. Based on average 2021 rates, these NFL clubs have the priciest season passes:
| Team | Avg Season Pass Price |
|---|---|
| Dallas Cowboys | $574 |
| New England Patriots | $540 |
| Green Bay Packers | $558 |
And the most affordable season passes:
| Team | Avg Season Pass Price |
|---|---|
| Cincinnati Bengals | $215 |
| Detroit Lions | $195 |
| Cleveland Browns | $210 |
As you can see, perennial contenders and large markets like Dallas, New England, and Green Bay command big premiums. Smaller cities with less successful clubs offer cheaper pass options.
Club Seats vs Regular Seats
Most NFL stadiums have luxury club seating areas in addition to regular seats. Here are the key differences:
Space
- Wider seats with ample legroom
- Reclining chair-back seats
- More space between rows
Premium Extras
- Exclusive lounge access
- In-seat service for food and drinks
- Private club entrances/exits
- VIP parking
Upgraded Views
- Located in prime mid-field positions
- Elevated sight-lines
Cost
- Club passes are 2-4x more expensive than regular seats
- Minimum $2,500 per season for many teams
For well-heeled fans who crave luxury, club season passes offer an upgraded experience. But regular passes provide more budget-friendly access to the average football lover.
Making Your Season Pass Decision
As you decide on NFL season passes, keep these tips in mind:
- Compare features and pricing to pick the package you want
- Buy early to get the lowest rates
- Check for discounts – look for presales, bulk pricing, etc
- Read the fine print for fees and extras
- Join fan clubs for special deals and early access
- Ask about perks – playoffs, rewards programs, etc
- Consider club seats for a luxury experience
That covers everything you need to rock NFL season passes like a pro. Thanks for letting me share my insider advice – now you can sit back and enjoy every exciting gameday! Go Packers!