Watching sports is a lot of fun, especially with your friends. Many opt to do so from the comfort of their homes, or in the enjoyable ambience of a pub. But, for a really great sporting experience, there’s nothing quite like actually going to watch a game or match live. While it can be a little bit of a hassle, there are some easy steps to take which can ensure the process is not only a lot of fun, but simple too.
Buying your tickets
The first thing you need to do when planning to watch a live sporting event is to get your tickets. Depending on what sport you are watching, the level of the competition, which teams are playing, and where you are seated, you will find the cost of sports tickets can vary hugely. As such, it’s a good idea to check out rough prices and set a budget accordingly before you start booking.
Always consider where it is you want to sit first. This is best done by checking out the floor plan of the stadium or arena. Cheaper seats are usually further away from the action, but depending on the stadium will still give you a good view. Seats on the halfway line (if you’re looking at football or rugby) are considered prime spots and will always be more expensive than those seats located at the short ends of the pitch. This should always be your first decision and will help you have fun when you’re watching the game as well as determining the amount you spend.
No matter what tickets you buy, you should always get them from the official sports site or a trusted ticketing vendor. If you want to watch sports live, then you can check it here for pre-ordering or booking tickets. Never share your tickets online either, even if you’re excited about your trip. It’s possible for someone to see the ticket number or other details and use them for themselves.
Booking your accommodation
Depending on where you are going to see your sporting event, you may need accommodation. If you are travelling to a different city or country, make sure you look at accommodation options and books them in advance. Accommodation can become very expensive, and booked up, if you leave it until the last minute, especially on game days.
When booking your accommodation, typically areas close to the sporting venue or near main attractions will be more expensive. With this in mind, if you don’t mind a little travel time, you can opt for somewhere further out of the city and therefore a bit cheaper. Of course, if you want to be right in the heart of the action, it’s still important to check out how you can get from A to B. Most importantly, you also need to find out how you can get to the stadium or venue on game day.
Getting your transport sorted
Similar to the accommodation issue, when travelling for a game, make sure you’re booking your transport options well in advance. If you’re going to another country, book your plane, train, bus or ferry tickets as early as possible. Don’t leave this until the last minute as you may find that everything has become booked up.
Additionally, booking in advance means getting cheaper tickets across all transport. If you need to leave your car at the airport during this time, it will be cheaper if you book parking early too.
Make sure you’ve checked out the location of where you are travelling too. This means having a look at the transport options and seeing how easy it is to get around. You might find that there is a great tram or metro service, walkable distances, or you may need to rent a car. Doing your research and being prepared is key to having fun while watching your favourite sport.
Travel essentials to consider
In addition to early booking, don’t forget to pack properly for your trip. Of course, you do need to remember to bring items like your travel documents, medication (if needed), and so on, buy you also need to check the weather for the duration of your stay.
Most sporting events are held outdoors. While some stadiums do have roofs, most do not. As such, you will be at the mercy of the elements in whatever form they choose to take. Sunny days can become incredibly hot in a stadium, so make sure you’ve got sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses and so on to remain comfortable while watching the game. If you’re watching a sport in one of the colder months, you’re going to be outside so wrapping up warm is essential. Don’t forget that in either of these scenarios it could rain. Check the weather forecast and make sure you have a raincoat or a poncho packed if necessary.
Once you’ve prepared everything, you’re ready and able to have a fun time when watching sports live.