I’ve had a surprising number of inquiries about tickets to the Alabama – Texas BCS National Championship Game. Even from Texas fans!
Sadly, I have no tickets and no ticket sources — not even for Alabama fans. Most years I’d actually have access to tickets at good prices. But this is not most years.
Nonetheless, I’m delighted to share what little I know.
1. The two schools have sold out their allotments.
2. The Rose Bowl will put a bunch of tickets on sale for $275 on December 15 at 8:00 PT via Ticketmaster. These will go first come, first served. Therefore, you should prepare in advance by setting up a Ticketmaster account to avoid having to type in credit card info and such in competition with all the other fans. Use a street address, not a PO Box.
3. While usually UA tickets are available from friends and contacts at face value, I’ve seen nothing but premium-priced tickets. I mean, they’re trading from $825 to $1769 over at Stubhub. Don’t expect any bargains.
4. For most games, prices fall the days just before the game (the people who just have to have tickets will have already bought). But then, the plane tickets may all be gone. And every once in a while, the market completely dries up the last few days. Nonetheless, if you strike out on 12/15 and you can’t afford market prices, waiting may be the smart move.
5. Many people are staying in Las Vegas rather than LA, as it’s not a long drive at all and plane tickets and hotels are much easier to come by (and you can watch Blue Man while you’re there). Just don’t do anything in Vegas you wouldn’t do traveling with the preacher and 20 elders. (What happens in Vegas most definitely doesn’t stay in Vegas.)
Finally, here’s a story in the Tuscaloosa News giving their guidance on getting tickets.
