Red Soz tickets at Fenway Park
 

Okay, help someone out here who knows nothing about buying baseball tickets (I go free to Braves games when someone gets tickets, from one source of another).

I've checked stubhub.com so I see my options in the resale market.

IF I'm planning a trip to the area NEXT season, what are my options about buying tickets? Still stubhub or similar?

SOX
I can't believe I didn't see that typo before it posted :-(

They will release some tickets in Dec and some in Feb for the 2009 season. They're really difficult to come by, you'll have to plunk yourself down at your computer for several hours as they throw everyone in the virtual waiting room. The likelihood of getting tickets is not high but you never know.

If you have specific dates you're looking for, stubhub is your best option.

So, if I'm planning a trip and want to add on time at the Cape, then Stubhub is not a bad route to go?

I think stubhub is the best route. The tickets are legit and I don't find that the markup is as high as the ticket agencies.

Correct, if you have a specific date in mind. If/when you do make it through the virtual waiting room, you will likely not have a great selection of dates.

Stubhub can be is expensive, but you don't have to worry about fraud and taking your chances on game day. You might also want to check out Ace Ticket, which is a similar Boston-based online ticket seller.

I have used Stubhub with great success for the Chicago Cubs. But around here (MA), I have heard that Ace is the official broker for Red Sox tickets. Of course you will pay more to get the tickets but trying through the Red Sox website is nearly impossible - unless they really tank the season :( ! I tried and tried for hours and all I could finally get were obstructed view or standing room. I don't think so!!!! Good luck!

Ace Ticket is better than stubhub for Sox games. They are the Sox official re-seller.

One other option... a lot of hotels around here offer package deals that include a pair of tickets. They won't be great seats, but they won't be outrageously priced. I'm not certain when these become available, and how soon they sell out. But I think if you were to look around April you might find something this way.

The Red Sox will set the consecutive sell-out record for major league baseball in September this year, after selling out for 456 consecutive games. And this trend shows no signs of slowing.

I consider myself a semi-expert in Red Sox ticket frustration. Wyatt and others have some good info.

Other tips - on Red Sox website and/or mlb.com register to get Red Sox emails - you will then be notified when tickets go on sale. The tickets released in December are for 4-game packs and, in past years, games in about the first 6 weeks of the season. It is true that it is an all day non-adventure in the virtual waiting room to try to get tickets. We have sat all day on several computers with several windows open and never got the opportunity to purchase tickets. Sometimes when we do get to that page, it burps on the last step of buying tickets and you start over. Last year they set up some sort of website security thing where you could only open 2 or 3 windows at a time - it made no difference. I average maybe 30% success rate in being able to buy tickets.

Some time in late winter other tickets go on sale. Same frustration.

Do not sit in Grandstand sections 3, 4, 5. These are more often available on the resale market and even the bleachers are better - in these sections one faces nothing and with the tiny width seats you will have a stiff neck for a week after the game.

We like Ace Tickets (I am starting to sound like an ad). I have found the prices to be comparable to StubHub and I like the security of buying from an agency rather than a person. Several news stories this year where duplicate tickets were purchased from on-line from-a-person vendors (using the print at home option). They have a website by same name but also if you call they can usually givbe real specific info like how far from aisle seat is, etc.

Street scalping is illegal in Massachusetts and enforcement is variable - your choice if the risk is worth it.

Be prepared to pay about twice face value for tickets - which is already high. For choice games like Yankees, more than that.

Only other thing to remember with secondary market tickets is that if there is a rainout and you can not go on rescheduled date, ticket broker may or may not take tickets back from you - and while you can get a refund for face value from Red Sox, that does not cover the premium you paid the broker.

This is such great information!

Thanks so much!

(How did we even function in life before Fodors? :-?
Ask a question in the morning and have wonderful answers in the afternoon! :-) )

Well, I tell you what I would do. I would call in a favor from gyppielou. Her sweet DH went to every ALCS Championship game and World Series game at Fenway and then onto Denver for the Final winning game compliments of MLB. Bet she know the where and how to get great seats!! You should ask her to call in a favor for you. She sent us pics of him in the box seats at the Park while she had to sit at home and watch!!!!!

stub hub can be too pricey.

I've had good luck buying tix at fenway on ebay.

Having DH there to watch them sweep the World Series - Priceless! LOL!

Thats not fair to rub it in to another Sox fan who couldn't make it...

In the words of Scar at the top of the Lion King

"Life's not fair"

meow!

And I just bankrolled the trip. I was banned from the games after an early loss. Called me a jinx they did.

LOL!

Hey gyppie! Mr. lou and I have just a wee bit in common. I was fortunate to see the Braves win the World Series in 1995(without the real icee), and Mr. Lou saw your Red Sox win without you!! Woohooo!!

What is the big frakkin deal about baseball anyway!? Ever since the Olympics I have a new found love of springboard diving! Now, I'd like box seats for watching those guys!

gyppie, what did it REALLY "cost" Mr. Lou for those tickets? I hope you made him "pay".

iamq, straighten up and fly right!!
Go back to making those plans! Luv u, mean it!

((r))

ya' awl crack me up! sieze the day!

Okay, topping this again because it WILL happen next season.

Any additional advice? I'm thinking the hotel package may be a good thing to look into.

wyatt, where should I be looking in December if I decide to plunk myself in front of the computer for several hours? That shouldn't be a problem :-)