Instead of simply looking at the NBA odds today and sitting down to watch the big games on television, you can catch the action live and in-person. Traveling to a major sporting event is always a great idea, especially if you have a plan.
If you are going to travel to any sporting event, then you need to have a plan before setting out on your adventure. Going to a big game is a bit different now than it used to be, especially with a big increase in security measures.
Here are a few tips to remember when you are traveling to a big game, and these tips can hopefully save you some time and energy.
1. Be Sure to Have a Clear Bag
Gone are the days when you used to be able to take all of your belongings to a sporting event as teams have really cracked down on what is allowed inside of a stadium or an arena. You are still going to have to go through a metal detector before entering the game, but there is another step that you must take as well.
If you are going to have a bag of any kind, then it has to be a clear bag so that security can see all of the contents that are inside. Having a clear bag is going to make the entry process much easier, and there are even going to be restrictions on the size of the clear bag.
2. Have Your Tickets Loaded
Most stadiums or arenas are now going to require you to have a mobile ticket in order to enter, although there could be some exceptions. If a mobile ticket is required, then it would be a great idea to have that ticket loaded onto your mobile device at least a few hours before you head to the game.
There can always be some situations or issues that arise with a mobile ticket, but having things ready to go before you get there is a great way to make things easier on you and on the stadium workers.
3. Secure Your Parking
Parking is going to be available at all of the biggest stadiums and arenas, but that doesn’t always mean that it’s going to be easy to secure a spot. It would be a great idea to search out alternate parking spots, as that can make things much easier for you in the long run.
Parking is going to be costly, but you might be able to find some cheaper options through third-party companies. Either way, you will want to have a great plan for parking before you get to your destination.
4. Check the Weather
If you are traveling to a game that is played outdoors, then you are going to need to check out the weather before you make that trip. There are going to be times when the weather is not going to be a concern at all, but that won’t always be the case.
YOu don’t want to be the person in the crowd that isn’t prepared for the weather conditions, and a simple look at the weather report can give you all of the information that is needed.
5. Have Cash and Card
It’s hard to predict what forms of payment are going to be accepted at each stadium or arena, and having both cash and card is a great way to go. Most places have moved to only accepting a credit/debit card after COVID, but some might still prefer to use cash.
You will want to have both forms of payment available so that you are prepared in case you are needing to buy something from the concession stand or team store.
6. Make an Exit Plan
Leaving a game can be a bit hectic, and it’s a great idea to have an exit plan in place before you even get to that point. You want to decide how you are going to get out of the stadium or arena, and it’s also a good idea to pre-determine when you are wanting to leave.
This exit plan can be as detailed as you want to make it, but having a plan in place is a great idea so that you don’t get caught up in the mad rush.
7. Always Arrive Early
As you can see from the first six tips on this list, there are a ton of things that can go wrong when traveling to a big game. If you want to make sure that you are in your seat before the big game begins, then you are going to want to arrive early.
Getting into the stadium or arena can be a hassle these days, but arriving early will give you enough time to get to your seat and settle in before the real action begins.
