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Schwartzies Guide to Buying Game Tickets

Hi Schwartzies Sports Fans,

You can now purchase game tickets direct from Schwartzies Sports website.  Each team page has a link to every home game.  Important to disclose, these are affiliate links and Schwartzies Sports may earn a small commission from qualifying purchases.  This has no impact on the price you pay.

When buying game tickets, there are many services to choose from.  For many events, gone are the days where you could stroll up to a ticket window and make your purchase.  Events can be in high demand and often sold out in advance.  Tickets must be bought and sold thru brokers or tickets service companies. Unlike scalpers or personal ads, this business is legal and safe.

There are many legitimate ticket services companies to choose from.  They offer a huge choice of seats and an easy to use web interface.  Electronic tickets are delivered and in most cases instantly emailed to you.  I have used the following ticket services:

  • Ticketmaster – Only place you can purchase available tickets direct from team
  • StubHub
  • Gametime.co
  • SeatGeek
  • TicketSmarter
  • Vividseats
  • TickPick

They all have their nuances and have subtle differences.  Expect to pay a fee, usually $35-$50 per ticket.  Some will allow you to display the fees as part of the ticket price while others hide them until just before clicking the purchase button.

While I have used many of the ticket services, my preference is TickPick. They automatically include the fees as part of the ticket price and the markup ends being about half the price as other services.  As an example, I recently researched ticket prices for an upcoming hockey game.  The average price after fees was coming in right around $200 each.  TickPicks  pricing was  $181.  They offer the same value and similar tickets at a lower price without sacrificing any features.

Regardless of where you buy tickets, it can be a bit intimidating, especially for first time buyers from a service company.  Here are a few guidelines that I use to buy tickets and attend a game in person.

  • Set your parameters. Have a good understanding of what you’re willing to pay and where you want to sit ahead of time. Your goal may be to attend the game no matter of the seat location and just enjoy being part of the crowd.  Or you may decide you will only go if a certain area of the venue is available at the price you are willing to pay.   Understand your expectations ahead of time.
  • Seat selection. Have an idea of where you want to sit.  This takes some thought.  Do you want to sit up high or low?  Towards the aisle or towards the middle of a section (pros and cons for both)?  Is the section entrance behind you or in front of you?  This can affect how many people will be walking in front of you (annoying) during the game.  Along the same lines, what side of the section do you want to be on?   If you are on the right side aisle and most of the field is to your right, your view will be obstructed by people walking up and down the aisle.  A little thought can change your entire experience and make the event much more enjoyable.
  • Be prepared to purchase. As you are looking at tickets and something favorable shows up, be ready to move quickly to secure the tickets.  Check prices often.  Seats that weren’t available one minute are available the next.  Remember these are tickets that the original ticket buyer can’t use for one reason or another and their situation changes.  Check often – move quickly.
  • Be prepared to not purchase. Have a realistic price that you are willing to pay pre-determined.  Be realistic.  If tickets are going for $100, they aren’t going to magically drop to $25.  It just doesn’t happen.  Know what you are willing to spend.  Don’t be afraid to walk away.  Sometimes you just have to give up on the event.  There will be other games.
  • Timing! Buying early is generally not recommended.  This may be counter intuitive to your thought process.   Sellers generally keep their prices higher early on “fishing” to see if they get any bites.  The closer to game time, pricing tends to normalize and in most cases will drop.  Now for a high demand game, this can work the other way but, in most cases, the best time to buy is a few days before game time.  For Football games I find the most success during the Tues-Friday time frame before a Sunday game.
  • Qty of Tickets. Even number tickets (optimally 2) are easier to buy than an odd number and usually priced lower.  Tickets are generally originally sold in even numbers so a seller must be willing to split them up to accommodate an odd number request and may look to sell them at a higher price.
  • Travel. If you are traveling to the event, it could alter your approach.  If you have plane tickets, hotel reservations, etc… you may not feel comfortable waiting until it’s close to game time to purchase your tickets. Use your judgement.
  • Level of Comfort. You have to find your level of comfort.  Some people don’t mind paying a higher price for piece of mind.  Buying early, while most likely not optimal, takes it off your plate and you no longer have to think about it.  Others that are more measured and patient generally save money. You have to find your comfort level. 
  • No such thing as the perfect seat. This often happens:  You see the perfect seats at a price you are willing to pay.  You get everything lined up and are ready to pay.  When you hit the purchase key, the seats are no longer available.  It happens and the general thought is “Ill never get this opportunity again”.  Don’t give up.  Keep checking and stick to your strategy.
  • Factor in additional costs. Take into consideration the additional cost of attending the event.  Research parking.  Some venues require you to pay for an expensive parking permit prior to the event. This can sometimes be as expensive as the game ticket.  Most will have off-site parking areas that are far less expensive but requires you to walk a bit.   There will also be public transportation options.  Make sure to check prior to attending the event.  Also consider food costs.  The cost to feed a family of 4 at a sporting event can be a quite a shock.  Plan ahead.  Eating beforehand will save you plenty of money.  However, eating at the stadium/arena or enjoying a beer may be part of the experience you want.
  • Security. You hear horror stories regarding unruly fans and fights in the stands.  This does happen especially when alcohol is flowing and rival fans are nearby.  However, these are generally isolated incidents but they get publicized on social media.    While things happen, it is usually a very safe environment.  In recent years teams have taken great steps to ensure fan safety.  Security guards are in full force and fans are encouraged to report unusual behavior via text to a publicized number throughout the stadium.  Common sense will be your greatest safety net.  If you are in a visiting city, it is wise to act accordingly.  Safety concerns should not prohibit you from having a great experience.

Attending a game in person can be a fun and enjoyable. I often travel to games and attend locally.   These are some of the strategies and tips that have worked for me.  Find what works for you.

Good Luck – Schwartzie

2023 NFL Offseason

As the excitement and buzz of the 2022 NFL season winds down, we can now look ahead to 2023! Sure, it’s a bit depressing without our weekly football fix – but there are still plenty of things for diehard fans to get excited about. From building on established rivalries and forming unlikely connections between teams over time – this upcoming off-season is sure to be one of surprises. Here’s hoping that those creative sparks ignited in ’22 will carry through into an unforgettable ‘23 campaign!!!

Football fans brace yourselves, because it’s never a dull moment! Free Agency is about to begin and the draft is coming up soon. Even when the season ends, football fanatics certainly aren’t left high and dry. Preparation for the upcoming draft always has something exciting in store! It’s a whirlwind of activity that never seems to end. Check out SchwartziesSports NFL Draft Coverage and get all the information and background on your teams needs and player profiles.  See what the “experts” are saying.  Have fun with the Draft Simulator that lets you become the General Manager – predict the outcome of what your team will do.   

The 2023 NFL off-season is shaping up to be one of the most anticipated in recent memory. With a record setting $224.8 million salary cap, teams will have more money and flexibility than ever before when it comes to signing free agents and making trades. This could lead to some interesting moves as teams look to improve their rosters for the upcoming season. Some of the biggest names that could potentially hit the open market include former league MVP Lamar Jackson, Sequon Barkely , Josh Jacobs and Geno Smith just to name a few of the many marquee players in the league.  Teams may also use this opportunity to rebuild by trading away veterans for draft picks or younger players with potential upside. With so much on the line during this off-season, it’s sure to be an exciting time for football fans everywhere!

NFL Offseason Key Dates:

Feb 21 – March 7:  Franchise/transition tag window

Feb 28 – March 6:  NFL Combine (Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis)

March 7-31:  Pro Days

March 13-15:  Free Agency Legal Tampering period

March 15:  New league year begins.  Free agency officially begins.  Trading period begins.

March 26-29:  Owners’ Meetings

April 3:  Off season workouts can begin for teams with new Head Coaches

April 17:  Off season workouts can begin for teams with returning Head Coaches

April 27-29:  2023 NFL Draft (Kansas City, MO)

May 1:  Fifth year option deadline

May 5-8 or 12-15:  Rookie minicamps

Mid May:  Anticipated schedule release

Late May: OTAs and minicamps begin

Late July:  Training camps open

Get ready for a new and exciting 2023 NFL season! Take some time to sit back, relax, and recharge – there are plenty of opportunities coming up that will make you feel energized. Don’t miss out on the fun this season!  

NFL Background and Showdown

The American Football Conference and the National Football Conference each have 32 clubs in the National Football League. The National Football League (NFL) is a prominent professional sports league in the United States and Canada, as well as the highest professional level of American football in the world. The NFL season kicks out in August with a three-week preseason, followed by an 18-week regular season from early September to early January, with each club playing 17 games and having one bye week. The National Football League comprises 32 clubs from the American Football Conference (AFC) and the National Football Conference (NFC).

After the regular season, seven teams from each conference proceed to the playoffs, a single-elimination tournament that ends in the Super Bowl, which is played in February between the AFC and NFC conference champions. The American Professional Football Association (APFA) founded the National Football League in 1920, before changing its name to the National Football League for the 1922 season.

After determining champions through end-of-season standings for the first time, a playoff system was implemented in 1933, ending with the NFL Championship Game until 1966. The Super Bowl was first played in 1967 to choose a champion between the best teams from the two leagues following an agreement to merge the NFL with the rival American Football League (AFL), and it has remained the last game of each NFL season since the merger was completed in 1970.

The NFL is the most popular sports league in the United States, with the largest average attendance (67,591) of any professional sports league in the world. The Super Bowl is also one of the world’s largest club athletic events, with individual games accounting for many of the most watched television programs in American history and all are on Nielsen’s Top 5 list of the most viewed US television broadcasts of all time. The NFL is the richest professional sports league in terms of income, as well as the league with the most valuable clubs.

The Green Bay Packers have won the most cumulative NFL championships, with thirteen, winning nine before the Super Bowl era and four later. The New England Patriots and the Pittsburgh Steelers have shared the most Super Bowl triumphs with six each since the game’s inception. The Los Angeles Rams are the current league champions, having defeated the Cincinnati Bengals 23-20 in Super Bowl LVI on February 13, 2022. The 2022 National Football League playoffs are set to begin on January 14, 2023, and will culminate with Super Bowl LVII on February 12 at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. At the end of Week 16, the following teams have qualified for the playoffs:

AFC

  • Baltimore Ravens
  • Buffalo Bills, AFC East division champions
  • Cincinnati Bengals
  • Kansas City Chiefs, AFC West division champions
  • Los Angeles Chargers

NFC

  • Dallas Cowboys
  • Minnesota Vikings, NFC North division champions
  • Philadelphia Eagles
  • San Francisco 49ers, NFC West division champions

Format

The four division winners and three wild card clubs (the top three non-division winners with the best overall regular season records) from each conference qualified for the playoffs. The four division champions are seeded 1-4 based on their overall won-lost-tied record, while the wild card teams are seeded 5-7. The NFL playoff system does not use a fixed bracket playoff system, and teams from the same division can face each other in any round. The second-seeded division winner hosts the seventh seed wild card in the first round, termed the Wild Card NFL Playoffs or Wild Card Weekend, the fourth seed hosts the fifth seed, and the third seed hosts the sixth seed. Each conference’s top seed receives a first-round bye, moving them to the second round, the Divisional NFL Playoffs, and hosting the poorest surviving seed from the first round (seed 4, 5, 6, or 7). The remaining teams compete against each other, with the higher-seeded team hosting. The two divisional playoff clubs from each conference then face in the respective AFC and NFC Conference Championships, which are hosted by the higher seed. Although the Super Bowl is played at a neutral site, the chosen host club is decided by a conference-wide rotation.

Schedule Overview

The wild-card round is set to begin the 2022 playoffs, with three wild-card games contested in each conference. The Wild Card Weekend in 2023 is scheduled for January 14-16. The top seed in the conference will play the lowest remaining seed in the Divisional round on January 21-22, while the other two remaining teams will play each other. The winners of those games will progress to the Conference Championships on January 29. Super Bowl LVII is set for February 12 at Glendale, Arizona’s State Farm Stadium.

 – Guest Post

After the winter break, headlines include Gadreau homecoming and the Winter Classic

The Blue Jackets’ forward is returning to Calgary; the Bruins and Penguins will play at Fenway Park on January 2. Following its customary Christmas break, the NHL resumes play on Tuesday with 12 games. The League will have an action-packed stretch leading up to the 2023 Honda NHL All-Star Weekend, which will be hosted by the Florida Panthers at FLA Live Arena in Sunrise, Florida, on Feb. 3-4.

Here are a few stories to keep an eye on between now and the All-Star Game:

The IIHF World Junior Championship will be held in 2023.

Conor Bedard of Canada, Leo Carlsson of Sweden, and Charlie Stramel of the United States are among the best prospects for the 2023 Upper Deck NHL Draft who will compete in Halifax, Nova Scotia, and Moncton, New Brunswick. The tournament begins on Monday and concludes on January 5 with the gold medal game. Shane Wright, the No. 4 selection in the 2022 NHL Draft on loan from the Seattle Kraken, who was named Canada captain, and Luke Hughes, the New Jersey Devils No. 4 pick in the 2021 NHL Draft, who is in his sophomore season at the University of Michigan and was named captain for the United States, will also compete.

Stamkos aims for their 500th goal

Overshadowed by Alex Ovechkin’s pursuit of his 802nd goal, Tampa Bay Lightning center Steven Stamkos is three goals away from becoming the 47th player in NHL history to score 500 goals. On Wednesday, the Lightning begins a three-game homestand against the Montreal Canadiens (7 p.m. ET). Stamkos, who has 16 goals and 32 assists this season, became the Lightning’s first 1,000-point player with an assist in a 4-1 win over the Philadelphia Flyers on Dec. 1.

Busy On New Year’s Eve.

The winter classic for NHL bids farewell to 2022 with twelve games on December 31, beginning at 1 p.m. ET with the Buffalo Sabres hosting the Boston Bruins and the Chicago Blackhawks visit the Columbus Blue Jackets. The reigning Stanley Cup champion Colorado Avalanche host the Toronto Maple Leafs at 7 p.m. ET, followed by the Calgary Flames at the Vancouver Canucks and the Edmonton Oilers at the Winnipeg Jets at 10 p.m. ET.

The Winter Classic returns to Fenway Park.

On January 2, the Bruins will meet the Pittsburgh Penguins in the 2023 Discover NHL Winter Classic at Fenway Park (2 p.m. ET; TNT, SN, TVAS). The Winter Classic for NHL will be held for the second time at Fenway Park, home of Major League Baseball’s Boston Red Sox. In the third Winter Classic, the Bruins defeated the Flyers 2-1 in overtime at Fenway Park. This game, like that one, will feature plenty of star power, with Boston led by David Pastrnak, Brad Marchand, Patrice Bergeron, and Taylor Hall, and Pittsburgh led by Sidney Crosby, Jake Guentzel, Evgeni Malkin, and Kris Letang.

Lindholm’s visit to Anaheim Hampus

Lindholm spent the first nine seasons of his winter classic NHL career with the Anaheim Ducks before being dealt to the Bruins on March 19, 2008. The following day, they reached an agreement on an eight-year, $52 million contract ($6.5 million average yearly value). When the Bruins visit Honda Center on Jan. 8, the defender will return for the first time since then. Lindholm, who helped Anaheim win the Pacific Division four straight seasons from 2013 to 2017, is third among Ducks defensemen in goals (57), assists (165), and points (165). (222).

The Sabres will retire Miller’s No. 30 jersey.

Ryan Miller will become the Buffalo Sabres’ ninth player to have his number retired when his No. 30 is lifted to the KeyBank Center rafters prior to their game against the New York Islanders on Jan. 19. Miller, who spent 11 seasons with the Sabres after being taken in the fifth round (138th overall) of the 1999 NHL Draft, holds Sabres records for wins (284) and games played (540). Tim Horton (2), Rick Martin (7), Gilbert Perreault (11), Rene Robert (14), Pat LaFontaine (16), Danny Gare (18), and Dominik Hasek (39) will be among the Sabres players whose numbers will be retired.

Canada celebrates Hockey Day.

On Jan. 21, all seven NHL clubs based in Canada will be in action for Scotiabank Hockey Day in Canada. At 3 p.m. ET, Calgary hosts Tampa Bay, followed by Toronto visiting the Montreal Canadiens and Winnipeg visiting the Ottawa Senators at 7 p.m. ET. At 10 p.m. ET, Edmonton hosts Vancouver in the nightcap. A day of off-ice events will take place in Owen Sound, Ontario.

The return of Gaudreau to Calgary

On Jan. 23, Johnny Gaudreau will make his debut appearance at Scotiabank Saddledome as a visiting player with the Blue Jackets, it will most likely be an emotional night. Gaudreau spent his first nine NHL seasons with Calgary before signing a seven-year, $68.25 million contract with Columbus on July 13 ($9.75 million AAV). Last season, he led the Flames and was tied for second in the NHL with 115 points (40 goals, 75 assists) in 82 games. With 609 points (210 goals, 399 assists) in 602 regular-season games, Gaudreau ranks fifth in Calgary/Atlanta Flames history.

Gagner, Edler, Krejci, and Tavares are all close to 1,000 games.

Before the All-Star break, Jets forward Sam Gagner (998), Los Angeles Kings defender Alexander Edler (997), Bruins forward David Krejci (990), and Maple Leafs forward John Tavares (983) could all achieve 1,000 regular-season games. Gagner is set to surpass the century mark against the Canucks on Thursday. On New Year’s Eve, Edler played in his 1,000th game against the Flyers. If he doesn’t miss any games, Krejci will play in his 1,000th game on Jan. 16 against the Flyers. If he doesn’t miss any games, Tavares will play his 1,000th game against the Washington Capitals on January 29.

 – Guest Post

How Do You Watch Sports?

October sports has so much to offer.  Over this past weekend we had college football, baseball playoffs and the NFL.  I am a classic channel flipper.  I will watch multiple channels at the same time especially when it comes to sports.  With cable TV I can switch between channels with the push of a button with minimal interruption.

However, my NFL Sunday Ticket package is a streaming service.  With everything moving towards streaming services, I find it more and more difficult/frustrating to watch multiple events.  This in most cases involves switching apps (I use ROKU) and waiting for the service to kick in.  It is not a mere push of a remote control button to move from game to game.  This forces a choice between events.   Very frustrating – NFL or MLB Playoffs.  I want to watch both.  

Short of connecting 2 TVs in the same room – am I missing something?   Streaming services are the future in television viewing.  I’d love to hear from others on how they handle this.  Is there a work around or is this the future of television viewing, sports in particular?

Do I have to just suck it up and go to a bar, and watch all of them at the same time? Do I need to add multiple TV’s in the same room?

 – Schwartzie

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October Sports

It Is The Greatest Time Of Year To Be A Sports Fan!

October is the absolute best time of year to be a sports fan!  It is the only month of the year that all 4 major sports leagues are in action.  Does it get any better than that?

Major League Baseball (MLB) is heading into the playoffs and it appears there will be some really great matchups this season.  The National Football League (NFL) is in full swing and teams are just getting in rhythm. All are still in contention for the Lombardi Trophy in February.  Both the National Basketball Association (NBA) and the National Hockey League (NHL) begin their season with every team optimistic and hopeful for a strong finish at the end of the season.

Is there a better time to be a sports fan?  There truly is something for everyone!  Schwartzies Sports has coverage for all your favorite teams.  So, sit back, relax and grab the remote. Root for your favorite team and enjoy this time of year!

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Get Ready for 2022 Fantasy Football

With NFL Training Camps opening and preseason games right around the corner, its time to get ready for 2022  Fantasy Football.  Fantasy Football League (FFL) Drafts are soon approaching and now is the time to prepare.  The research and work you do now will go a long way in making the season much more competitive,  enjoyable and fun.

Please check out Schwartzies Sports Fantasy Football page.  You can find all the information you need including Draft Research, Player and Position rankings, Leagues to join (both fee and pay) and also mock drafts to help you prepare for many scenarios as you head into your drafts.

Beyond the draft, these sites will also keep you up to date each week during the season with all the latest news and updates you need to stay competitive.

For those not familiar or new to Fantasy Football, you will also find a primer section that will help teach the basics and  guide you.  Fantasy Football is a fun and tremendous way to stay engaged with teams and players you may not ordinarily follow during the NFL season.  Both casual and die-hard fans will find valuable information from reliable website and sources.

Be prepared to dominate your league!  https://www.schwartziessports.com/FFL

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Welcome To Schwartzies Sports – A Source for all Sports Information

Welcome to Schwartzies Sports and thank you for visiting.  What began as an endeavor to teach myself WordPress as a hobby turned into something I had not initially envisioned. Searching for website ideas, the answer was right in front of me.  As part of my pre-work morning routine, I would search through numerous websites and twitter feeds to get the latest news and happenings pertaining to my favorite sports teams.  The idea of one single website that would be the gateway to the information I enjoyed struck me as something that could be useful to others as well.

The initial goal was to create a repository for all the websites I look at on a daily basis for the teams I follow.   The idea grew from there and now close to a year later Schwartzies Sports contains information for every team included in the 4 major sports leagues:  MLB, NBA, NFL and NHL

You will find links to popular websites and twitter feeds specific to each team along with team information and RSS feeds.   Research was done for each team which is in  no way comprehensive  or complete but will be a continuing process to tweak and fine tune.  No sites or twitter contributors were left off intentionally and apologies in advance for any omissions.  I am open to suggestions, comments and welcome feedback both positive and constructive as long as tasteful and non-confrontational.

I hope you enjoy and look forward to hearing from you.

–  Schwartzie

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