how good are the cheap seats at an NFL game?

September 13, 2007 7:50 PM

Please help me decide which seats to buy for a Dallas Cowboys home game.

I've never seen a Cowboys home game, and I'm about to buy tickets to the 10/14 Pats game. The tickets are quite expensive, and I would like to purchase the least expensive tickets that will let me see the game well enough to enjoy it and be engaged.

I am looking for people who've been to NFL games and have an opinion about upper deck, corner, or end zone seating, and have recommendations.

posted by popechunk to sports, hobbies, & recreation (10 comments total)

These are the prices I'm looking at. I have to buy two adjacent tickets.
posted by popechunk at 7:52 PM on September 13, 2007

I've been to Texas Stadium. There are no really horrible seats. It's basically you get what you pay for. No matter what, you will probably enjoy the experience. I wouldn't get too bent out of shape on seat selection.

I personally prefer to stay away from the end zones, but that's just me. No matter where you sit, unless you go really, really expensive, your seats will not be close enough to really see at least half the action. (That's where the video screens come in ;-)
posted by Doohickie at 8:47 PM on September 13, 2007

I've probably been to 20 games at Texas Stadium. There are really no bad seats.

If you're willing to risk it, you can almost always get cheap seats the day of the game. Just stroll around the stadium grounds after kick-off. Scalpers reduce prices then.
posted by 26.2 at 8:59 PM on September 13, 2007

I've been to Texas Stadium twice in the past three years. Both times, I've had pretty decent seats (and both times the tickets were free). Looking at your chart, my best guess is that I sat somewhere in sections 2 and 29, respectively. You're going to be paying a high premium, since you're essentially buying from scalpers. The face value on my section 29 ticket was $93, and that was in row 5, which was damn near ideal.

The section 2 seats were okay, from a an end-zone perspective, but the game-changing fumble (by the Cowboys) of that game was on the opposite end of the field, so I certainly felt a little miffed that I couldn't see it better. Then again, the vast majority of my time at that game was spent trying to keep the 280 lb. tailgater from passing out on my shoulder. YMMV.

Bear in mind a few things, though: traffic getting in, esp. for an afternoon game, is terrible. Budget a *lot* of time to find parking and walk in from 20-30 minute distances away. Also, assuming you've not been there before, Texas Stadium is a bit of a pisshole. I suppose I'm probably spoiled by the American Airlines Center and the Ballpark in Arlington, but man, it can be a wretched concrete stinker, especially if it's warm and muggy. Also, if you find your ideal price and viewing point, bear in mind that in an evening game, the south->southeast->east side of the stadium will probably have some direct sun. Adjust accordingly.

If you ever want to come up for a Mavs game, I'll be of much better service, but best of luck to you.
posted by Ufez Jones at 9:04 PM on September 13, 2007

Never been to Texas Stadium, but I've been to a couple others. Never been in a bad seat for a football game. In fact, I almost like the upper deck/nosebleed seats more than the closer ones because you get a great panoramic view of the game. If I were you I wouldn't hesitate at all to get the cheaper seats, but I would probably rather be on the long side of the field as opposed to behind an end zone.
posted by PFL at 9:25 PM on September 13, 2007

Oh... one other thing about going to the game in general. I went when they played the Buffalo Bills. Being from Buffalo, I had some Bills colors on. We parked way the heck out. There were some tailgaters nearby and they invited us over to party with them- beer and bratwursts- yum! I tried to give them money but they wouldn't take it. Since so many people are from outside the area, I find Dallas fans to be reasonably tolerant of people routing for the other team.
posted by Doohickie at 10:02 PM on September 13, 2007

I have found that at Texas Stadium, and football stadiums in general, that a seat near the front of the upper deck is far superior to a seat at the front of the lower deck.
posted by Uncle Jimmy at 6:18 AM on September 14, 2007

I bought 40 yard line, upper deck, 20 rows back. I'll report back on the view. Thanks to everyone who posted.
posted by popechunk at 5:40 PM on September 18, 2007

I could see great, even from super-nosebleed-land on the 40 yard line. Texas stadium is indeed a piss-hole. There were tons of Pats fans there, they got only mild ribbing in the abuse department.

I was blown away by the HORRIBLE traffic. it took us over 90 minutes to park, and we showed up 140 minutes before kickoff. It was insane. What a farce.

I think that by buying near the middle of the field, I got a superior view of the field. Thanks for the advice.

Go Pats!!!!!
posted by popechunk at 6:53 PM on October 15, 2007

Glad it worked out. ;- )
posted by Doohickie at 10:06 AM on October 23, 2007