NFL: Carolina Panthers at Denver Broncos Thomson Reuters
NEW YORK (Reuters) - This opening games of the new National Football League season are expected to be marked by peaceful demonstrations during the US national anthem on Sunday by players trying to draw attention to racial disparities in the country"s justice system.
San Francisco 49ers backup quarterback Colin Kaepernick began the protests when he refused to stand for "The Star-Spangled Banner" during preseason games, at first choosing to sit on the bench and then later kneeling on one knee in a gesture that has divided fans.
Other players have followed suit, most recently Denver Broncos linebacker Brandon Marshall ahead of Thursday"s season opening win against the Carolina Panthers.
The players have been praised as high-profile allies of the Black Lives Matter movement, which grew as a response to a spate of police officers in cities around the country killing unarmed black men. About two-thirds of NFL players are black.
The protests have also provoked anger in some fans who see the gesture as disrespecting the US flag and the country in general.
Sunday"s 13 games coincide with the 15th anniversary of the attacks by al Qaeda hijackers that brought down the two largest towers of the World Trade Center in New York City. The league will play videotaped messages from President Barack Obama and his predecessor, George W. Bush, before each game, and a 9/11 decal will be placed on players" helmets, the league said.
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick. AP Photo/Ben Margot
The Seattle Seahawks have said they have decided as a team to stand and interlock their arms during the anthem on Sunday.
"Progress can and will be made only if we stand together," Doug Baldwin, a Seahawks wide receiver, said in a video he posted online announcing the team"s decision.
Kaepernick"s 49ers play their opening game against the Los Angeles Rams on Monday evening. Obama has defended Kaepernick, saying this week the player is exercising a constitutional right and provoking conversation "around some topics that need to be talked about."
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Some NFL ticket prices might be as low as $30 to $40, but the total cost of attending a game can be much higher. In fact, a recent GOBankingRates.com study found that the average total cost including stadium food and parking for two people to attend a home game is nearly $200. Of course, those costs are much higher if you attend NFL games at certain stadiums, such as the San Francisco 49ers" Levi"s Stadium and the Dallas Cowboys" AT&T Stadium.
For the typical family, the only way to attend an NFL game without breaking the budget is by taking small steps to save money along the way. From tips on how to find cheap NFL tickets to secrets to scoring NFL jerseys for less, click through to find out how you can stay in budget this football season.
1. Wait Until Just Before the Game to Buy NFL Tickets
Some NFL games are cheaper to attend than others but what if your favorite team is one of the most expensive? Luckily, you can find affordable tickets if you buy at the right time.
There is a common misconception that all NFL ticket prices rise as the game draws nearer. But according to event ticket search engine SeatGeek, it"s actually better to make a purchase just a few days before the game. In 2015, for example, the average Bears ticket cost $249 three weeks before game day on the resale market. But three days before the game, that price dropped 22 percent to $195.
Just keep in mind, however, that the longer you wait, the fewer ticket options you"ll have to choose from.
2. Consider Buying Directly From the NFL Team
If football teams experience a drop in attendance and the number of season ticket holders, they might start offering variable pricing to attract fans, reports The Street. If that"s the case, you might be able to nab cheap NFL tickets by buying directly from the team. However, always compare ticket prices among sellers before you buy.
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3. Opt for Sports Bar Shuttle Service
When it comes to parking at NFL stadiums, the league average is $31.21. But if you"re attending a football game at the Dallas Cowboys stadium, parking is as high as $75, according to the 2015 Team Marketing Report.
Luckily, you might be able to take advantage of a free shuttle service from a bar near the stadium. In Dallas, for example, J. Gilligan"s Bar & Grill feels the pain of overcharged Cowboys fans and offers a free ride from the bar to the stadium.
4. Drive Almost All the Way to the Game
Another way to beat the NFL parking costs: Drive as close to the stadium as you can get, find a free or cheap parking space and then book an Uber or a similar ride-hailing service to take you to the game.
Of course, this strategy might not always work, especially if the ride-hailing rates are high. But plan well in advance and you might end up saving some serious cash.
5. Take a Road Trip and Attend an Away Game
If you live in an expensive NFL market, it might be worth it to wait until your team plays a regional team offering cheaper NFL tickets.
For example, the cost of a New York Giants game at MetLife stadium could be more than $100, but somehow you find tickets to a Philadelphia Eagles game at Lincoln Financial Field for less than half the price and they"re playing the Giants. You could get more value for your money by taking a road trip to see the Giants play away from home.
6. Wait Until an Unpopular NFL Team Is in Town
You"ll most likely pay more to see your team play winning franchises or teams with huge fan followings. That"s because demand for those tickets will be high, which translates to higher ticket prices. If you don"t care which team your favorite team is playing, consider going to a game that you know will be in less demand.
7. Beware of Stadium Food Eat Before the Game
Stadium food can be expensive, especially if you"re taking the whole family. According to the Team Marketing Report, the average price of a soft drink is $4.79 and a hot dog is $5.29. If you have to feed four people, the total price comes out to more than $40. That price might not seem so bad, but throw in a couple of beers for the adults and snacks for the kids, and it can quickly skyrocket.
To save money at the game, eat before you go. By walking into the stadium with a full stomach, you can resist the urge to splurge on stadium food.
8. Bring Your Own Snacks to the Game
Many stadiums don"t prohibit sealed bottled water and snacks, as long as they"re in a bag that meets the league standard. The Cincinnati Bengals" Paul Brown Stadium, for example, allows unopened bottled water. And the Denver Broncos" Sports Authority Field at Mile High allows food items in a clear plastic bag.
9. Stay Sober
The average cost of a beer at an NFL game is $7.42, according to the Team Marketing Report. But it can be much higher in different cities. For example, it"s $10 at a San Francisco 49ers game and $10.75 at an Oakland Raiders game all the more reason to consider staying sober and perhaps volunteer to be the designated driver.
10. Opt for the Nosebleeds
At the time of writing, tickets to see the Eagles play the Browns in Philadelphia way up high in section 217 were going for $106 on SeatGeek. Meanwhile, tickets on the 50-yard line down in section 101 were around $250. If you care more about saving money than being up close, just buy the cheaper tickets.
11. Don"t Buy Autographed Collectibles at the Pro Shop
Autographed football memorabilia is one of the many collectibles that might pay off big down the line. Plus, they"re awesome keepsakes.
However, they"ll likely be more expensive at the pro shop. A white panel football autographed by Darrelle Revis, for example, goes for $229.99 at the Jets Pro Shop online. Meanwhile, the same autographed ball is on sale for around $184 at SportsMemorabilia.com.
12. Search Groupon for NFL Fan Gear
Before buying team swag at the game, go home, get online and check Groupon for the NFL online shop. At the time of writing, Groupon was offering 27 coupons for the NFL online store, including 10 percent off your first order and up to 70 percent off the NFL Outlet.
13. Become an Atlanta Falcons Fan
The Atlanta Falcons grabbed headlines earlier this year when the team announced dramatic price reductions on food and beverages at Mercedes-Benz Field. Hot dogs will cost just $2, 12-ounce domestic beers will be just $5, and nachos and pizza will go for only $3.
14. Buy Parking Passes Online
Here"s another way around sky-high parking costs: Book your spot online through sites like ParkWhiz. In 2013, ABC News reported finding deals as high as 70 percent off, as well as a $10 parking pass.
15. Chip In for NFL Season Tickets
You"ll likely experience significant cost savings if you opt for an NFL season pass instead of buying single-game tickets. Once you have a season pass, you can go to the games you want. And if you can"t make it to a game, you might be able to sell the tickets on a third-party site. You"ll need to read the fine print to be sure, but this method will save you money and make you money, as well.
16. Barter Services for Cheap NFL Tickets
Season ticket holders are often looking to get rid of tickets. For example, one Eagles fan on Craigslist who, for whatever reason, cannot attend any games is looking to offload NFL tickets.
When season ticket holders are in a tight pinch, they might be willing to barter the price of the ticket for a service. It doesn"t hurt to ask. Who knows you might able to score free or cheap NFL tickets this way.
17. Volunteer at the NFL Stadium
Some teams, like the Carolina Panthers, are calling for volunteers to assist with pre-game and halftime events that take place on the field. It"s unclear how much, if any, of the game volunteers will get to see, but they certainly get an up-close and personal experience that most fans would envy.
18. Join an NFL Fan Club
If you join your favorite team"s fan club, you might have access to some money-saving opportunities. The Green Bay Packers" adult fan club, for example, offers chances to win tickets to a home game, training camp sidelines passes and more. Plus, you can get discounts on regular-priced merchandise at pro shops.
19. Take Advantage of NFL Promotions and Giveaways
You might be able to offset the cost of seeing your favorite NFL team live by taking advantage of any deals, promotions or giveaways featured on the NFL team"s website. The Atlanta Falcons and Aaron"s, for example, are offering eight fans the chance to win two tickets to an upcoming home game.
20. Carpool to the Game
And last, use a service like Waze Carpool or team up with friends and carpool to the NFL game. You"ll save money on gas, tolls and, of course, parking.
