Ticket Watch Needs Spousal Approval
Sponsor Note: If you think you've been after me to write this, you should see TicketIQ, our longtime ticket sponsors who've been blowing up my phone with "I will literally pay you to write a Ticket Watch" since Donovan Edwards's long touchdown at Ohio State.
The first one, not the second one. You know, the one that went 75 yards and made Ohio State fans bleed out their eyes, not the one that went 85 yards and made them bleed out their mouths, because sometimes people get those confused. TicketIQ also said "I don't care what you write, we just want to sponsor it!" and I said "Fine but I'm embedding this play at the top" and they said "Fine" so as promised:
lol, "playoff team"
Anyway if you're going to the Playoffs and plan to stick around longer than it takes Donovan Edwards to send you home, use our ticket sponsors TicketIQ, because they make demands that benefit you, and because they're a ticket exchange that doesn't tack on gargantuan surprise fees to every transaction. Price they say = the price you pay.
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Yeesh. Well folks, we wanted to be one of those elite college football programs that plays in the Playoff every year, with a good shot at moving on to the championship round. It cost Michigan a lot of money to put that program together, and the trip's going to cost you an arm if you want to go. Can you save a leg, though? That's what Ticket Watch is here to find out.
Let's get creative.
The Official Route
The best way to get tickets for either of these games is through the university. This has mostly already happened, but there's a catch: These tickets are not all for resale. What that means is people who put in (using their season ticket points) are not all able to put these tickets onto the secondary market online. However, lots of these season ticket holders chose, when given the option, to buy as many as they thought they might need. Either they find someone they know who will buy them, give them away, or eat them. Mostly they'll find someone they know.
That someone could be you! Renew those relationships everybody! 'Tis the season!
FIESTA BOWL
Michigan has an allotment, which sold out immediately for the Fiesta Bowl. If you put in, you heard whether you got in by December 5th. But here's the thing: not everyone who put in is going. A lot of the seats for sale right now were bought up by Michigan fans with a high number of points. If you know one of them, it may be worth a phone call to ask if they bought their tickets. If they say "Yeah, can't wait!" let them know you're in the market; if they say "No, we can't go" say "Yeah, I'm trying to but tickets are expensive!" And if they say "I did but we can't go so I'm just going to sell them on _____" tell them you're not sure they can, but you might be interested.
NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP
The Alumni Club is again offering their full tour, which if you're over 50 and don't want to putz around finding your own accommodations and tickets is a pretty good way to go. I put the age limit on there because honestly if you're my age group or younger their bowl tours start to feel a little too railroaded. I'm also talking to a company interested in putting together an MGoBlog group, but I'm not ready to announce that yet.
Now, if you're from SoCal, you might be in luck; if Michigan makes the CFP Championship they're going to have a lottery for members NEXT WEEK. You have to be a) A member, and b) in before noon on Monday, December 19th. The cost of joining AAUM is (worth it and) less than the secondary markup is going to be.
[After THE JUMP: Indirect routes.]
The Gamble
NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP ONLY
There are sites for the CFP and conference championships where you pay a certain price based on your team's likelihood of making it, and that entitles you to buy tickets at face value if your team makes it. It's like buying an option—if your team doesn't make it you lose the option, but don't have to buy the seats. This isn't a great deal for Michigan now because the expectation is we beat TCU. You'll just end up paying the $500 option to get $190 tickets—which is what you can get on the secondary market without much hassle. What you can do is gamble on Georgia ($300) or Ohio State ($115).
This is a good option if you're my best friend who's married to a Georgia fan. It's also a good option if your decision to go is "If it's Michigan-Ohio State again I cannot miss this." Keep in mind either is a gamble that Michigan won't make it. You could end up with the right to purchase Ohio State-TCU tickets. Gross!
The Waiting Game
FIESTA BOWL
If you struck out with the above options, you're joining the rest of us in the secondary market. The bad news is prices right now are ludicrous. The worse news is the tickets are not owned by fans, for the most part, but brokers. Two upper-deck seats in the corner of the endzone of the Fiesta Bowl are going for $588 apiece. Similar seats for the National Championship are over $1,100/ticket right now. TicketIQ's promise to pay for their sponsorship upfront despite my condition of complete editorial autonomy is about to get their CEO in a tiny bit of trouble with his marketing people. Because here's my advice:
Wait.
What we've got here are brokers who've gotten their hands on a huge portion of the get-in seats. Entire rows are sitting in the "Let's make some moooooolah!!!!" edge of the market. Some of them will get sold at that price, but for the most part those seats are going to rest in the market driving up the average cost. This is not the Ohio State game this year where you could only find singles scattered around the stadium (and not even that once the weather turned gorgeous). Also, remember that it's not representative of the market as a whole, because people who got Michigan allotment seats can't put them online.
This is what it looks like when you have supply that's been waiting all year for its demand to show up, and then that demand's name is "Michigan":
Those are groups of 28, 26, 26, 23, 19 and 14 together. The sections that aren't for sale are all of those that go to school allotment's. It's not just the get-in seats either:
The brokers are counting on you not wanting to book your flight and hotel in Arizona before you know for certain that you can get into the event you're coming for. But flights fill up (they already have—and no, I wouldn't tempt fate with that Delta flight that gets in at 11:50 even if Glendale's just 20 minutes from Sky Harbor), and so do hotels.
Seats for the game however will be available until the online markets close, about an hour before the game. The markup now covers what the brokers are going to lose on what they don't sell. You're not the only one waiting until the last minute to buy your tickets, but the way these things go down there's usually plenty of seats left about 24 hours before the event for you to make your selection.
What you want to do is buy from other fans who have to sell their tickets, not from people who know how to play the system to make money off your quiet desperation. This is more true the smaller your group. If you're going alone, you're gonna be fine. Traveling in twos: Watch the prices before you leave for Arizona, and maybe make your purchase when you get to your hotel. Larger groups are going to have to be more conservative, but as you can see, you could ring the whole building with your family right now if you so desired. Wait.
NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP
Again, wait. Get-in last year for the day of was about $439, in part because Michigan fans were dumping their tickets. Georgia and Ohio State are two fanbases that travel well, however, and one of them is going to lose. The bad news is Bama fans last year didn't have the novelty that we would. And if it's Michigan-Ohio State, well, I think a lot of people will want to see that. I would target $600 if you just want a seat in the building, $700 if you and a friend are going together. Try the various avenues for tickets at face value, but don't panic.
Seat Selection
FIESTA BOWL
Glendale Arena has a couple of standing-room only sections in either endzone. It has some fancy name to make it sound like it's a lounge but these are just flat areas where you stand around other people. I do not recommend.
via rateyoursets
The upper deck is split into the "Ring of Honor" box seats and Terrace Level, which aren't too bad actually. The upper decks are on a sharp angle so you might feel a little heights-y if you don't have a head for highness, but the tradeoff is a pretty good view of the field.
If your budget's higher, the Club Level is a good deal, though seats on the Michigan side are harder to find because everyone who owns a box got first dibs on these. These give you access to the lounges, with full-service bars, actually decent food, and private bathrooms. Row 12 is as high as it goes, but I think the stadium was designed to make these more desirable than the sideline seats, and for non-Cardinals events they tend to be priced the same as the seats below them.
NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP
I don't know anything about SoFi. It should be in the Rose Bowl anyways.
Parking?
Park in Westgate or just pay for a spot in one of the lots. That whole part of "Glendale" is just a giant parking lot broken up by a few stadiums, a Cabela's, an outlets mall, and a Dave & Busters. Quick shout-out to the D-Backs for playing in actual Phoenix, and for building their (and the Rockies') Spring Training facilities out in Scottsdale near the Detroit Coney Grill, which has Lafayette-inspired chili dogs, and serves Bell's Two-Hearted and Blimpy Burgers.
Getting There?
Traffic for Cardinals games is legendarily horrific. If you're not going early to tailgate you should plan on an extra hour(!) to get off the highway and get to parking.
December 15th, 2022 at 12:05 PM ^
There goes Seth again... talking all the time and giving us quality information. Sheesh, when will this guy learn?
(Wish the game was in FL again this year... really want revenge for what happened last year)
December 15th, 2022 at 1:08 PM ^
Couple of refinements, the land only package through the alumni association is actually a good deal. Get in price tickets in upper level are much more affordable than 2ndary market. I’m not much of a joiner, but not having to navigate from UM hotels to/from game and events and having the tailgate hosted close to game at Dave and busters and stuff makes it a one or two click process rather than doing it yourself brain damage.
I couldn’t disagree more about Rose Bowl versus Sofi. The latter is the best stadium I’ve ever been in, the design is intelligent, ingress and egress is well planned, and it’s way closer to anything you want to do in LA and is accessed by the 405 which isn’t optimal but way better than the 110 which was originally designed for horse and carriage. Plus, they’ve thought of everything to make it a great stadium in a way that’s as far front the Jerryworld experience (in a good way) as possible.
December 15th, 2022 at 12:14 PM ^
Seth, The Play isn't embedded for me, not sure if it is for others.
While I would love to see these games in person, I will have to settle for the view from my couch.
December 15th, 2022 at 12:24 PM ^
Are you sure you can't sell the tickets that were received through the Michigan ticket office?
I ended up with two extra tickets to the Big Ten Championship game and was able to sell them on StubHub.
December 15th, 2022 at 1:03 PM ^
Same question. I'm going, but couldn't get as many people to make the trip as I'd hoped. Was planning to sell the extras for money to use on Championship tickets.
December 15th, 2022 at 1:10 PM ^
Reach out to me, I can take them off your hands
December 15th, 2022 at 1:10 PM ^
Reach out to me, I can take them off your hands
December 15th, 2022 at 2:30 PM ^
Depends which tickets you got maybe? This came via several different people but maybe it's only certain sections.
December 15th, 2022 at 12:29 PM ^
Anyone know what the Alumni Association defines “Southern California” as? I’m in San Jose but will 100% drive down to LA if we make it in.
December 15th, 2022 at 1:47 PM ^
Its just not right that ticket brokers control this market, with the collusion of outlets and even venues. What a racket! My big screen TV is helping to soften the blow. Big shout out to TicketIQ for bringing some much needed integrity to this market.
December 15th, 2022 at 2:28 PM ^
The FiestaBowl seating map lists that the team in front of section 130 is the "higher ranked team". Presumably this is Michigan. SeatGeek, the official ticket scalper of the Fiesta Bowl, also lists Michigan as being in front of section 130. TicketIQ lists the home team as being in front of section 108, and the away team as being in front of section 130. So I think that your statement that we are most likely on the *HOME* sideline is incorrect.
December 15th, 2022 at 2:31 PM ^
Yikes, I'll let them know. I wondered this but then saw where the seats were available vs sold out which was why I was so sure.
December 15th, 2022 at 2:46 PM ^
Good advice as always Seth. I was able to get 4 in of UM allotment (section unknown until I get them) from the friend of a friend. $100 over face which is more than $200 below what the standing room is being offered at now.
Is there an official UM fan gathering place to watch GA-Ohio after we win?
December 15th, 2022 at 3:52 PM ^
So how much is the AA package? My membership just expired last year and without one, I cannot view the prices....
December 15th, 2022 at 3:59 PM ^
Just called. For the two night it's about $2100 plus access to tickets at face for $475. There's probably some fees the (very helpful) person on the phone didn't mention.
I think I might jump on it. If it was just my generation, we'd probably mess around with cheaper hotels and holding out on stubhub until basically day-of, but we're trying to get my grandpa out to LA and having the alumni association be able to do things like coordinate access at accessible entrances at the stadium and good transportation might be worth it.
December 15th, 2022 at 4:36 PM ^
Oh excellent -- thank you so much for sharing the info. Good luck!
December 15th, 2022 at 4:35 PM ^
I have 4 tickets that I can't use now on the 45 Yd Line in the top tier, Section 413. Just trying to figure out how to get them listed for sale (long story) ...
December 15th, 2022 at 4:37 PM ^
For which game? How much? Are you willing to sell 2 at a time?
December 15th, 2022 at 4:44 PM ^
How much for 2? What row we talking here?
December 15th, 2022 at 4:53 PM ^
I am looking to buy 4 tickets to the Fiesta Bowl. Let me know how much you want for them. ekuzmack at gmail com
December 15th, 2022 at 5:01 PM ^
Fiesta Bowl. Section 413. Row 13. Seats 7 - 10. Last I checked, there were no seats available in that section so hard to tell what a fair price would be. I paid about $550 for them, but they look to have gone up considerably. I'm mostly just hoping to get my money back for them.
December 17th, 2022 at 1:31 PM ^
I'm in need of 4 tickets for myself, my buddy, and both of our Dads - were trying to surprise our Dads for Christmas. I'm happy to give you what you paid for them, let me know. gobluejamie @ yahoo is my email or just respond to me on here if that's easier. Thank you!!
December 15th, 2022 at 5:27 PM ^
Looking for one ticket for the Fiesta Bowl!
December 15th, 2022 at 5:44 PM ^
Just received notification from the ticket office that I’m getting three tickets to the Championship Game. 400 level end zone or 500 level sideline. $575 each. I have 350 Victors points, which puts me on the top 9%.
December 15th, 2022 at 5:51 PM ^
Just got a similar email, but 500 level corner or end zone $475 tix (I think I’m about 165-170 points).
I’m stunned!
December 15th, 2022 at 5:56 PM ^
That is surprising. I got an email two weeks ago saying the minimum to qualify for tickets was 500 points. Then another one a week ago saying I could request three.
December 15th, 2022 at 6:01 PM ^
Just got 4 at 675 a piece in the 3-400 level. Now I have to figure out if I can make it work!
December 15th, 2022 at 10:34 PM ^
Shouldn't folks at your sponsor know whether or not one can resell on secondary market. I have seen nothing saying there is such a limitation.
December 16th, 2022 at 2:26 PM ^
I have not gotten a response back yet from the ticket office on tickets for the National Championship game. Based on last year and my points total though, I'm not holding my breath. I am looking for 2 tickets if anyone is not able to go, or friends/family drop out. I already have a flight to LA so I'll be in the area regardless. Would even be open to a single ticket as well, though I'd really like to take my dad. That would count as a lifetime thank you of bringing me to games since I was 7 :)
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