It's shockingly expensive to attend a game at BDS

[theballguy]

I've had season tickets since Franchione. Obviously, the tickets are expensive. But, I guess I'm surprised about how parking and concessions are squeezing my wallet. First come first serve parking is harder and harder to find, even 6-7 hours before kickoff. So much of it is reserved now. And because I have a friend who hosts a tailgate, I hadn't visited a concession in a few years. Holy $ 10 Hot Dogs, Batman - are you serious ? And they sold out of them near me by halftime ? I don't see how middle class folks can afford to go very often. I'm fortunate and I realize that - but wow, it's so different these days.

I live in Colorado Springs. The last game I went to at BDS was the 2018 Iron Bowl only because my brother hosted it for me. Otherwise, I'll never attend another game in-person (except Air Force Academy ... maybe). My TV at home is so much better than watching it in person. The food I make here is so much better than what you'll get at a stadium or even at the pub and WAYYY cheaper. I don't drink much these days but a beer is still only a dollar for me at home. And a coke is still less than 50 cents .... now if only I can get rid of that Gary Danielson guy who keeps showing up most gamedays

 

[theballguy]

laissez faire; the free market will decide

I hate it for the venue we're talking about but ultimately have to agree with this.

 

[B1GTide]

It’s just numbers, guys.

You want a $10M head coach, a $7M staff, essentially unlimited budget for facilities, support staff, analysts, recruiting, AV special effects, etc., etc., ad infinitum?

On top of which, the Athletic Department writes a check to the University for scholarship tuition, including OOS. As that goes up, so goes the Athletic Department’s costs.

And football foots the tab for the non-revenue sports, which scholarships cost exactly the same. $100 face value of tickets, mid-four figure Tide Pride donation, $15 beer, $10 hot dogs and $7 soft drinks is what happens.

Keep in mind, the Athletic Department as a whole doesn’t make a whole lot of profit. So it’s not like there’s a bunch of money piling up.

I don’t see a good solution, and agree that more and more people are going to opt for their 75-inch TV, air conditioned and heated comfort, beverages at grocery story prices and a clean bathroom within 10 steps of your La-Z-Boy.

I get it….I’ve held season tickets since the second season of Tide pride (1988 or 89, not sure which), and have about reached my choke point.

And you know what‘s coming next….rather than howl at the moon (which does no good whatsoever), offer a solution. I don’t have one other than to vote with my feet. Do you have another?

My thought - For tickets - stop supporting Tide Pride and buy from the secondary market. This is what I do, and we can be more selective in our game choices while paying less per season. Now, if you just have to be at every game, go and tailgate then watch the game from a tailgate tent. I do this a lot at OSU, and did it for the Alabama Lsu game in 2019 at your tent. You get the best of both worlds - a better view of the game overall and the game day experience, but at a tiny fraction of the cost.

 

[Padreruf]

I live in Colorado Springs. The last game I went to at BDS was the 2018 Iron Bowl only because my brother hosted it for me. Otherwise, I'll never attend another game in-person (except Air Force Academy ... maybe). My TV at home is so much better than watching it in person. The food I make here is so much better than what you'll get at a stadium or even at the pub and WAYYY cheaper. I don't drink much these days but a beer is still only a dollar for me at home. And a coke is still less than 50 cents .... now if only I can get rid of that Gary Danielson guy who keeps showing up most gamedays

I have watched the last few games with the announcers muted...I thoroughly enjoyed the silence!

 

[USCBAMA]

Attended USC-TAM game Saturday in Columbia. Just so you know this isn't exclusive to Bryant-Denny, this was my outlay of $$ for me and a buddy:

Parking $30
Hot dog and chips $9
Hot dog and chips $9
Beer $10
Beer $10
Coke $7
Coke $7

$82 for two people and that doesn't include cost of tickets.

 

[Go Bama]

It's not just BDS. I went to a St Louis Cardinals game in August and took my family. There are three of us.

We went up on Thursday after work and had nice Italian dinner on The Hill.

We went to Grant's Farm on Friday morning to see the Clydesdales. After that we went to a Thai restaurant in downtown St Louis for lunch.

The game was Friday night. We spent the night in St Louis and came home Saturday morning.

The whole trip was about $1200. That's more than tuition for a full year when I was in Tuscaloosa.

 

[Lucky Jack]

If I had children, I would tell them that the concession stand is strictly verboten.

My mind first read that as verbatim. LOL

 

[jashleyren2]

As we get older, the experience is just not quite the same. Funny thing about having to pay your own way into the game, with food, parking, anything else that steals money from your wallet.

And to those who think a bad economy might put an end to some of these high prices and all....HA. In my opinion, those who just never notice a bad economy because they have so much already, will just keep right on keeping on. Spending more than some of us make. Ya'll, I just don't have it in me anymore.

 

[teamplayer]

I live in Colorado Springs. The last game I went to at BDS was the 2018 Iron Bowl only because my brother hosted it for me. Otherwise, I'll never attend another game in-person (except Air Force Academy ... maybe). My TV at home is so much better than watching it in person. The food I make here is so much better than what you'll get at a stadium or even at the pub and WAYYY cheaper. I don't drink much these days but a beer is still only a dollar for me at home. And a coke is still less than 50 cents .... now if only I can get rid of that Gary Danielson guy who keeps showing up most gamedays

I hear you. Gary D. can be shut down with the mute button.

 

[bamadwain]

I know I'm an "oldtimer" around here, but I remember going to games when I was a kid in the 70's and the face value on many of those tickets was $15.

Yep and we thought that was ridiculous! My wife found a old ticket stub from a Heart concert we attended before we got married in 87 and I paid 40 dollar's for two tickets, boy time's have changed

 

[bamacpa]

I guess I need to just get on board with reserving a parking space well in advance. There used to be a benefit to arriving early in being able to claim parking spots. Oh well. I'll be sure to eat well at the Iron Bowl tailgate. But these factors when combined with my advancing age mean my days are getting short as a ticketholder.

 

[ReturnToGlory]

I paid $30 for a ticket to the 1st ever SEC championship game in B'ham. And my parents thought that was too much when I asked them for the money. It came out of my Christmas.

 

[Crimson1967]

Watching at home you have a good and comfortable seat. The line at the concession stand is short and affordable. They will even stop the game for you while you are away from your seat. The woman working there even smiles at you if you tap her on the butt instead of calling security. Also nice clean bathrooms with no waiting.

 

[Bamaro]

The cost of a football game is like the cost of college. If you want all the bells and whistles, you have to pay for it.

 

[Superdad]

Showing my age here but I remember going to the Dental Clinic Classic at Legion Field as a teenager, around 1985. I asked the lady at the concession stand what the difference was between a $1 hot dog & a $1.50 hot dog. She said that the $1.50 hot dogs were for college games. I thought how crazy that it would cost 50 cents more for a college game.

 

[Cruiser]

Utah St. game- took my youngest to his first game.

2 Conecuh Dogs
1 Hot Dog
3 bags of chips
3 Bottles of Water
Total: $56.00

In todays eating out market prices; that ain't really that high at all.

 

[Dudeman]

Concession stand prices isn’t a make or break for the athletic department.

It’s just numbers, guys.

You want a $10M head coach, a $7M staff, essentially unlimited budget for facilities, support staff, analysts, recruiting, AV special effects, etc., etc., ad infinitum?

On top of which, the Athletic Department writes a check to the University for scholarship tuition, including OOS. As that goes up, so goes the Athletic Department’s costs.

And football foots the tab for the non-revenue sports, which scholarships cost exactly the same. $100 face value of tickets, mid-four figure Tide Pride donation, $15 beer, $10 hot dogs and $7 soft drinks is what happens.

Keep in mind, the Athletic Department as a whole doesn’t make a whole lot of profit. So it’s not like there’s a bunch of money piling up.

I don’t see a good solution, and agree that more and more people are going to opt for their 75-inch TV, air conditioned and heated comfort, beverages at grocery story prices and a clean bathroom within 10 steps of your La-Z-Boy.

I get it….I’ve held season tickets since the second season of Tide pride (1988 or 89, not sure which), and have about reached my choke point.

And you know what‘s coming next….rather than howl at the moon (which does no good whatsoever), offer a solution. I don’t have one other than to vote with my feet. Do you have another?

 

[Crimson1967]

You could always become a Stanford fan.

Stanford Offering Free Tickets for Final Two Home Games | Sports Illustrated

 

[jarajam]

I guess I am fortunate that my nerves don't allow me to eat or drink during the games...even the cupcakes, but we have gone to the Zone before and it was very nice! We also luck out on the parking because my daughter lives on campus and we park at her place, but I agree that the seats are way to tight. My 6'5" offensive lineman sized husband does NOT fit well, and I'm not a huge fan of strangers sitting practically in my lap...especially the drunk variety.

 

[WylieTexasTider]

The Zones are always a great option that eliminates all of what I’m hearing…

I sat in the North Zone for the Arkansas game last season and the Miss St game this past weekend. The food this season has gone downhill in quality. On the plus side, no real wait to get food, and clean restrooms.

I agree with the OP that the cost to attend a game prices out many fans, especially those having to travel more than a few hours. It cost over $2500 this past weekend for 2 tickets in the Zone, 2 nights hotel at the Homewood Suites, gas for the car, parking and food. I am blessed that I can afford the expense but, feel bad that many true fans can not. I gave my Iron Bowl tix to a friend and he gave them back today b/c he just could not afford to go. I feel bad b/c going to the Iron Bowl has been on his bucket list.