If you are in need of NBA tickets, you might be wondering what purchase options you have. Are there still ticket booths on site or do you need to use an online ticket broker? Can you buy NBA tickets at the arena?
Update: Yes, you can buy NBA tickets at the arena, but only as long as supplies last. That said, for reasons we discuss below (like sellouts, lines, etc), many fans choose to buy their tickets online before they go to the game. I like to use Vivid Seats because they show me what my view from the seats will look like prior to purchase. Click here to view NBA tickets available at VividSeats.com (affiliate link takes you to vividseats.com).
In fact, if you are looking for NBA tickets on the same day of the game, sometimes buying online gets you the better deal. Many online ticket brokers will reduce the price of tickets the closer it gets to game time. This is due to the fact that they don’t want to have to eat the ticket and get nothing out of it.
Buying NBA tickets online can help simplify the process and remove some of the risks and annoyances that come from buying tickets at the arena. In this article we discuss buying tickets at NBA arenas, and what your other options might be.
***Sportsfanfocus.com has no affiliation with the NBA. This article is to serve as a helpful resource for fans. If you wish to contact the NBA via email or other method in regards to purchasing tickets by phone or through the NBA’s official website, or have them instruct you on how to proceed, you can view that information here.
Can You Buy NBA Tickets at the Arena?
Yes, as we discussed earlier, you can buy NBA tickets at the arena while supplies last. Most NBA teams have one main ticket office window at their arena, but some have multiple ticket window locations. Also, the hours of operations will vary by arena.
Many fans today prefer to buy from online ticket brokers because the selection of tickets and purchase protection through these well-known reputable ticket brokers, like Vivid Seats, is easier and more convenient (and sometimes cheaper) than waiting in line at the arena, and running the risk of not getting a ticket.
It is important to understand, if you are hoping to walkup and buy NBA tickets at the arena for a game that same day, you might not have any luck. Many times there are not tickets available at the arena on game day.
If you choose to buy at the arena, it is a fairly simple (but at times annoying) process. You just find an open box office window, stand in line, and request available tickets. The ticket representative will ask how many seats you need. Again, you risk missing out altogether if the game is sold out.
Waiting to buy tickets for an NBA game on the day of the game is definitely a risk, for reasons outlined below. Buying online in advance to going to the arena, if possible, is advised. Click here to view NBA tickets available at VividSeats.com (affiliate link takes you to vividseats.com).
Are NBA Tickets Cheaper at the Arena?
Some NBA fans assume that standing in the ticket line at the arena will save them money on their tickets. This is not necessarily true. In fact, there are various situations where the opposite is true. Tickets at the stadium turn out to be more costly.
As we discussed earlier, if you are looking for NBA tickets on the same day of the game, many online ticket brokers will reduce the price of tickets the closer it gets to game time. Eating tickets does not make financial sense for ticket brokers, so they are highly motivated to move tickets the closer it gets to game time. This may allow you to find a nice deal on the same day of the game.
Plus, if you buy online, you’ll have your ticket in hand and not have to wait in line, which just makes everything about the process more convenient. Ultimately, buying tickets at the arena does not guarantee a cheaper price, and you risk not getting a ticket at all.
Issues with buying NBA Tickets at the Arena
If you are choosing to buy NBA tickets at the arena, there are a few risks and annoyances you will want to consider.
- Sellout – This is the big one. As we mentioned above, NBA games frequently sellout. Walking up and buying tickets at the Staples Center on game day likely won’t work. But even though the games sell out, that doesn’t mean you can’t get tickets. It does mean you’ll likely need to use a ticket broker, like Vivid Seats, that sells aftermarket tickets (fan-to-fan). If you choose instead to wait and try to buy tickets at the arena, you will probably miss out.
- Options – You also may find that even if there are tickets left for purchase that you don’t like any of the available seats or prices, especially if you are going to the game with a group of people. Buying online allows you to browse before you go, and find something that works for you.
- Convenience – When you buy at the arena, you will have to abruptly choose your seats while standing at the front of a line. Depending on the length of the line behind you, this may make you feel rushed when choosing where to sit. Buying online allows you to take as much time as needed to choose your seats and price.
- Ticket Lines – Be prepared, waiting in line is a possibility if you choose to buy at the arena. The overall wait can obviously fluctuate depending on the specific circumstance, and may be relatively short for some games. But a wait is possible.
Information on Buying NBA Tickets at the Arena
Every NBA team has different policies on how they handle the availability of gameday tickets. Usually these teams will designate one ticket window to handle gameday ticket purchases, but this policy and hours of operations can vary by team. For more, information, click your team below:
Western Conference
Can you buy Lakers tickets at the arena?
Can you buy Spurs tickets at the doors?
Can you buy Warriors Tickets at the Chase Center?
Can you buy Dallas Mavericks Tickets at the arena?
Eastern Conference
Can you buy Heat Tickets at the arena?
Can you buy Knicks Tickets at MSG?
Can you buy Nets tickets at the Barclays Center?
Can you buy Atlanta Hawks tickets at the arena?
Can you buy Boston Celtics Tickets at TD Garden?
Can you buy Sixers tickets at the stadium?
As mentioned above, I believe the best place to buy NBA tickets online is Vivid Seats. There are, of course, other fan-to-fan ticket sites out there besides Vivid Seats, but my recommendation is to stick with Vivid Seats as much as possible to take advantage of their 100% Buyers Guarantee and loyalty program. Click here to browse through NBA tickets on Vivid Seats to see what seats are available, and what prices (affiliate link takes you to VividSeats.com).