The Best Ways to Get Early Access to Sports Tickets

8 May 2025

Sports fans, we’ve all been there—you wait too long to grab tickets for your favorite game, and boom! They’re sold out or ridiculously overpriced. Whether it’s the Super Bowl, the NBA Finals, or just a regular-season game, getting early access to tickets can be a total game-changer.

But guess what? You don’t have to rely on luck. There are legit ways to snag those tickets before the general public, and I’m about to break them down for you.

Why Early Access Matters

Getting early access isn’t just about securing a seat—it’s about getting the best seats at the best prices. Here’s why it’s a big deal:

- Lower Prices: Prices shoot up after general sales open, thanks to demand and resale markets.
- Best Seat Selection: Be the first to pick the prime spots before they’re gone.
- Avoid Last-Minute Hassles: No scrambling or paying triple the price on resale sites.

Now, let's dive into the best ways to score early access.

1. Join Official Team Presales

Most major sports teams offer presales to their members and email subscribers. If you’re a die-hard fan, signing up for your team’s official mailing list or loyalty program is a no-brainer.

How Does It Work?

- Teams send out presale access codes to their subscribers.
- These codes give you a chance to buy tickets before general sales open.
- Sometimes, you’ll need to register for free, while other times, VIP memberships offer even earlier access and better discounts.

💡 Pro Tip: Follow your favorite team on social media—they often drop presale alerts there!

2. Get a Credit Card with Ticket Perks

Some credit card companies partner with ticket platforms to offer exclusive access to presales and VIP events.

Best Credit Cards for Early Ticket Access

- American Express – Offers presales for major events, including sports games.
- Citi Card – Their “Citi Preferred” and “Private Pass” programs give early access.
- Chase Sapphire – Offers access to priority seating and presales.

Using the right credit card can unlock presale codes, get you into private ticketing windows, and even offer cashback on purchases.

💡 Pro Tip: Check if your card offers perks like presale codes, cashback, or concierge services for ticket purchases.

3. Sign Up for Ticket Platform Presales

Platforms like Ticketmaster, StubHub, and SeatGeek frequently offer exclusive presales for members. It only takes a few minutes to create an account, and it’s totally worth it.

How to Get Early Access

- Sign up for their email newsletters to receive exclusive presale codes.
- Opt into “fan club” memberships if available.
- Check your email regularly—presales often last only a few hours.

💡 Pro Tip: Enable notifications for ticket sales on your favorite ticket apps so you never miss a presale window.

4. Become a Season Ticket Holder

If you go to multiple games a year, consider investing in season tickets—it’s one of the best hacks for early access.

Why It’s Worth It

- Priority Access: Many teams let season ticket holders buy extra tickets before anyone else.
- Better Prices: Early-bird packages are usually cheaper than last-minute ticket purchases.
- Resale Potential: If you can’t make it to every game, you can resell some tickets (often at a profit).

This strategy works best if you’re a dedicated fan—because let’s be real, season tickets aren’t cheap.

💡 Pro Tip: Some teams offer partial season ticket packages at a lower price, letting you cherry-pick the best games.

5. Follow Teams & Ticket Vendors on Social Media

Social media is a goldmine for ticket access. Teams, leagues, and ticket sellers often announce flash presales and giveaways on their platforms.

Where to Follow for Alerts

- Twitter (X): Many teams drop presale codes here.
- Instagram & Facebook: Some teams hold exclusive giveaways for followers.
- Discord & Reddit: Sports fan communities share presale codes and early ticketing tips.

💡 Pro Tip: Turn on post notifications for your favorite teams and ticketing platforms to get alerts ASAP.

6. Join Fan Clubs & Membership Programs

Many sports leagues and teams have official fan clubs that offer early ticket access as a perk.

Examples of Fan Clubs with Presale Benefits

- NFL Fan Clubs: Some teams offer early ticket access to season ticket waitlist members.
- NBA Team Memberships: Many teams give fan club members a first shot at single-game tickets.
- MLB & NHL Loyalty Programs: Exclusive presales for members.

Some fan clubs charge a small membership fee, but if early access is included, it’s money well spent.

💡 Pro Tip: If your team has a free fan membership, sign up! Even if the perks are limited, you could still get early access alerts.

7. Use Verified Resale Marketplaces

Okay, let’s say you missed early access—what now? Resale marketplaces like StubHub, SeatGeek, and Vivid Seats can still help you get tickets before general release.

How to Get the Best Deals

- Look for verified resellers (who often get tickets before public sales).
- Buy tickets right before they hit public marketplaces—prices tend to surge after general release.
- Check different platforms to compare prices before committing.

💡 Pro Tip: Some resale platforms have price alerts—set one up to get notified if prices drop before game day.

8. Corporate & Employee Perks

Many big companies partner with ticketing agencies to offer presale access to employees. If you work for a large corporation, check if they have a deal with:

- Ticketmaster
- Live Nation
- Local sports teams

Some jobs offer discounted sports tickets as an employee benefit—don’t sleep on this one!

💡 Pro Tip: If you’re a student or military member, check for early ticket access perks—many leagues offer them.

9. Sign Up for Streaming Service Perks

Believe it or not, some streaming services offer sports ticket exclusives as part of their subscriptions.

Services That Sometimes Offer Ticket Perks

- ESPN+ – Early access to certain sporting events and bundles.
- Amazon Prime – Exclusive ticket access for events they stream.
- Apple TV+ & NBA League Pass – Occasionally offer priority ticketing for subscribers.

💡 Pro Tip: If you already subscribe to a sports streaming service, check for hidden perks—you might have early ticket access and not even know it.

Final Thoughts

Scoring early access to sports tickets doesn’t have to be a struggle. From presales and VIP memberships to using your credit card perks, there are plenty of ways to get ahead of the rush.

The key? Stay proactive. Sign up for alerts, follow your favorite teams, and take advantage of every presale opportunity available. Because let’s be honest—nothing beats the thrill of watching your team play live, especially when you’ve secured prime seats without breaking the bank.

Now go out there and grab those tickets before they’re gone!