I’m an avid soccer player, and also coach my son’s team. I also like to watch sports. But the truth is, we haven’t made it out to many sporting events. Why? I must admit, a big deterrent is the cost. First, there is the price of a ticket, which for a UT football game can sell for $100…each. Then, there are concessions. Then, there is parking.
I must be missing something. I decided to do some research to find how to save on sporting events. I should mention that it’s generally pretty inexpensive to head to your closest middle or high school to catch a game (just look at the school’s website for schedules or browse the AISD Athletics website). Also, you can sometimes find savings on deal sites for upcoming games.
Here are other discounts I discovered.
BASEBALL
Round Rock Express – The Express is the Triple-A affiliate of the Texas Rangers. The regular season runs from April through September, and the team plays at Dell Diamond.
Ways to save:
- Sign your child up for Spike’s Kids Club to save on tickets. Annual membership is $15 for a $130 value. The benefits change each season, but usually include tickets, merchandise, and a front of the line pass for running the bases.
- At the beginning of each season, check the promotions calendar for upcoming discounts.
University of Texas Men’s Baseball – The UT Men’s team plays from October until May each year at Disch-Falk Field.
Ways to save:
- Purchase a membership for your child to the Longhorns Kids Club to receive special discounts and benefits. Appreciation parties take place once a season for most sports. Members may RSVP and bring their families to enjoy special activities, great food and a chance to win special prizes and interact with UT student-athletes (not guaranteed with all sports). At the All-Conference level, your child will receive free admission to over 100 regular season UT Athletics events, a Kids Club t-shirt or baby blanket, a membership card and lanyard, a membership certificate, quarterly newsletters, opportunities to meet UT coaches and student athletes and other surprises. At the All-American level (recommended for ages 4-13), your child will receive the benefits above plus a Texas Football jersey, an exclusive UT Athletics poster, a Fantasy Day Experience, the chance to win two free tickets to select UT football games and special gifts from Hook ‘Em.
- UT Athletics email subscribers receive advance notice of sales and special promotions. To subscribe, visit this link.
- The team hosts an Orange-White intrasquad scrimmage before the season begins in October. Parking is free to this FREE sneak peek of each year’s team. Look for information about the scrimmage in October.
- Groups may purchase discounted tickets to select home games. Group packages can be ordered by calling Texas Athletics at (512) 471-3333.
- StubHub is the Official Fan to Fan Ticket Marketplace of the Texas Longhorns and allows you to buy tickets from other Longhorn fans. Tickets may be either above or below face value, depending on the event. All orders are covered by StubHub’s FanProtect guarantee.
BASKETBALL
Austin Spurs – The NBA Development League affiliate for the San Antonio Spurs, the Austin Spurs, play all home games at the Cedar Park Center. The regular season runs from November through April.
Ways to save:
- Sunday home games are Family Fun Day. For $11, receive one game ticket, one hot dog and one soda. To order Family Fun Day tickets, call the Austin Spurs at (512) 236-8333.
- Purchase a Spurs Kid’s Club membership for fans ages 2-12 to receive a membership card, VIP access for post-game autograph sessions, a birthday card from Da Bull and 2 tickets to Da Bull’s Birthday Bash game
- Groups of 15 or more are eligible for discounts of up to 47% off the face value of tickets and other benefits. Group ticket buyers can also take advantage of no service fees nor box office charges. Call the Sales Office at (512) 236-8333 for more information.
- Members of the military and veterans can save up to 40% off tickets to select home games. For more information, click here.
University of Texas Men’s and Women’s Basketball – The UT Basketball teams’ regular schedule lasts from November to March, and home games are played at the Erwin Center.
Ways to save:
- Texas Farm Bureau members can receive two free tickets to select Men’s Basketball home games. For more information, visit this link.
- UT Athletics email subscribers receive advance notice of sales and special promotions. To subscribe, visit this link.
- Mini plans are sometimes available, to save on tickets to multiple games, depending on the season.
- Purchase a membership for your child to the Longhorns Kids Club to receive special discounts and benefits. Appreciation parties take place once a season for most sports. Members may RSVP and bring their families to enjoy special activities, great food and a chance to win special prizes and interact with UT student-athletes (not guaranteed with all sports). At the All-Conference level, your child will receive free admission to over 100 regular season UT Athletics events, a Kids Club t-shirt or baby blanket, a membership card and lanyard, a membership certificate, quarterly newsletters, opportunities to meet UT coaches and student-athletes and other surprises. At the All-American level (recommended for ages 4-13), your child will receive the benefits above plus a Texas Football jersey, an exclusive UT Athletics poster, a Fantasy Day Experience, the chance to win two free tickets to select UT football games and special gifts from Hook ‘Em.
- The Erwin Center offers a variety of discounts, including military, seniors and college and university students, faculty and staff for select shows. Visit the Discounts page for more information.
- Groups may purchase discounted tickets to select home games. Group packages can be ordered by calling Texas Athletics at (512) 471-3333.
- StubHub is the Official Fan to Fan Ticket Marketplace of the Texas Longhorns and allows you to buy tickets from other Longhorn fans. Tickets may be either above or below face value, depending on the event. All orders are covered by StubHub’s FanProtect guarantee.
FOOTBALL
University of Texas Men’s Football – Probably the best known team in town is the Texas Longhorns Men’s Football team. Home games are played at DKR-Texas Memorial Stadium, and the regular season runs from August until November.
Ways to save:
- Children under the age of two do not require a ticket as long as the child is held and does not take up a seat.
- Mini plans are sometimes available, to save on tickets to multiple games, depending on the season.
- The annual Orange-White Scrimmage celebrates the start of each football season in April. This FREE intrasquad scrimmage is open to the public and also features a fan fest with appearances with the team mascot, Bevo, cheerleaders, Hook ‘Em and Smokey the Cannon. Look for information about the Scrimmage each March.
- Current Texas high school coaches with a valid THSCA member number can request two complimentary tickets per event (except for the Texas-OU game in Dallas). Coaches must register online at TexasSports.com.
- UT Athletics email subscribers receive advance notice of sales and special promotions. To subscribe, visit this link.
- Groups may purchase discounted tickets to select home games. Group packages can be ordered by calling Texas Athletics at (512) 471-3333.
- StubHub is the Official Fan to Fan Ticket Marketplace of the Texas Longhorns and allows you to buy tickets from other Longhorn fans. Tickets may be either above or below face value, depending on the event. All orders are covered by StubHub’s FanProtect guarantee.
HOCKEY
Texas Stars – An affiliate of the NHL’s Dallas Stars, the Texas Stars play all home games at the Cedar Park Center. The regular season begins each October and ends in April.
Ways to save:
- All home games on Monday-Thursday nights are H-E-B Nights, which means that fans can donate and H-E-B branded, non-perishable food item at the box office for $5 off their ticket purchase. When the Stars score at least three goals, fans in attendance receive a buy Buy One, Get One Free coupon for the Raising Cane’s Cedar Park location.
- Winning Wednesdays allow attendees to win a free ticket to the following Wednesday’s game if the Stars win.
- Fun Food Fridays include $3 specials on beer, soda, hot dogs and Pizza Hut slices, plus $4 specials on Robert Mondavi Private Selection Wine.
- On Saturdays, fans can take advantage of Coke Zero Family Four Packs with four tickets, four hot dogs, four soft drinks and parking starting at just $18 per person. Saturdays are also Texas Lottery Lucky Row Nights, where the first Stars player to score a goal will win scratch-off tickets for one lucky row of seats.
- Order through the Group Sales Department for 10 or more tickets and receive a discount and a chance to participate in a post-game shootout, post-game broomball, fan tunnel, sit in the penalty box, ride the Zamboni, concourse kiosk, sing the national anthem, sing “God Bless America”, present the American flag or participate in a concourse demonstration. For Group Sales, please call (512) 600-5013.
ROWING
University of Texas Women’s Rowing – The UT Women’s team has regattas from October through May each year. Several competitions take place at Lady Bird Lake each year, and admission is free. The Austin Rowing Club hosts the Heart of Texas Regatta each March and admission is free.
SOCCER
University of Texas Women’s Soccer – The UT Women’s team plays at Mike Myers Stadium on campus. The regular season runs from August until October.
Ways to save:
- Children under 2 may be admitted without a ticket.
- UT Athletics email subscribers receive advance notice of sales and special promotions. To subscribe, visit this link.
- Purchase a membership for your child to the Longhorns Kids Club to receive special discounts and benefits. Appreciation parties take place once a season for most sports. Members may RSVP and bring their families to enjoy special activities, great food and a chance to win special prizes and interact with UT student-athletes (not guaranteed with all sports). At the All-Conference level, your child will receive free admission to over 100 regular season UT Athletics events, a Kids Club t-shirt or baby blanket, a membership card and lanyard, a membership certificate, quarterly newsletters, opportunities to meet UT coaches and student-athletes and other surprises. At the All-American level (recommended for ages 4-13), your child will receive the benefits above plus a Texas Football jersey, an exclusive UT Athletics poster, a Fantasy Day Experience, the chance to win two free tickets to select UT football games and special gifts from Hook ‘Em.
- Groups may purchase discounted tickets to select home games. Group packages can be ordered by calling Texas Athletics at (512) 471-3333.
- Mini plans are sometimes available, to save on tickets to multiple games, depending on the season.
SOFTBALL
University of Texas Women’s Softball – The UT Women’s Softball team plays at Red & Charline McCombs Field on campus. The regular season runs from February until May.
Ways to save:
- Children under 2 may be admitted without a ticket.
- UT Athletics email subscribers receive advance notice of sales and special promotions. To subscribe, visit this link.
- Groups may purchase discounted tickets to select home games. Group packages can be ordered by calling Texas Athletics at (512) 471-3333.
- Purchase a membership for your child to the Longhorns Kids Club to receive special discounts and benefits. Appreciation parties take place once a season for most sports. Members may RSVP and bring their families to enjoy special activities, great food and a chance to win special prizes and interact with UT student-athletes (not guaranteed with all sports). At the All-Conference level, your child will receive free admission to over 100 regular season UT Athletics events, a Kids Club t-shirt or baby blanket, a membership card and lanyard, a membership certificate, quarterly newsletters, opportunities to meet UT coaches and student-athletes and other surprises. At the All-American level (recommended for ages 4-13), your child will receive the benefits above plus a Texas Football jersey, an exclusive UT Athletics poster, a Fantasy Day Experience, the chance to win two free tickets to select UT football games and special gifts from Hook ‘Em.
- Mini plans are sometimes available, to save on tickets to multiple games, depending on the season.
SWIMMING & DIVING
University of Texas Swimming & Diving Teams – Home meets are held at the Lee & Joe Jamail Texas Swimming Center, and regular season meets are free to attend. The regular season starts in September and ends in February.
TENNIS
Austin Aces – The Austin Aces is a Mylan World TeamTennis team which played its first season in 2014 at Cedar Park Center. The Aces play 14 regular season matches, half of which are at home during a three-week season in July.
Ways to save:
- Purchase a Kids Club membership and receive an Official Kids Club membership credential with lanyard, Kids Club group photo with team, participate in player high-five tunnel, player training cards, Austin Aces cowboy foam hat, 15% discount on youth merchandise (one-time use), ticket voucher, birthday spotlight on mascot page and online activities including coloring pages of mascot and logo, crossword and wordsearch.
- Order through the Group Sales Department (512-600-5013) for 10 or more tickets and receive a discount.
University of Texas Tennis – Admission is free for all regular season Texas Tennis matches. Matches are played at the Weller Indoor Tennis Center, the Whitaker Tennis Complex and the Caswell Tennis Center. The regular season runs from September until January.
VOLLEYBALL
University of Texas Women’s Volleyball – The UT Women’s Volleyball team plays its regular season from August until November. Home games are played at Gregory Gym on the UT campus.
Ways to save:
- Fans can get a preview of each season’s squad at the FREE annual Orange-White Scrimmage, which takes place in advance of the season in August. Texas Volleyball usually also hosts a FREE youth clinic for kids in conjunction with the scrimmage. Look for information about the Scrimmage in August.
- Purchase a membership for your child to the Longhorns Kids Club to receive special discounts and benefits. Appreciation parties take place once a season for most sports. Members may RSVP and bring their families to enjoy special activities, great food and a chance to win special prizes and interact with UT student-athletes (not guaranteed with all sports). At the All-Conference level, your child will receive free admission to over 100 regular season UT Athletics events, a Kids Club t-shirt or baby blanket, a membership card and lanyard, a membership certificate, quarterly newsletters, opportunities to meet UT coaches and student-athletes and other surprises. At the All-American level (recommended for ages 4-13), your child will receive the benefits above plus a Texas Football jersey, an exclusive UT Athletics poster, a Fantasy Day Experience, the chance to win two free tickets to select UT football games and special gifts from Hook ‘Em.
- UT Athletics email subscribers receive advance notice of sales and special promotions. To subscribe, visit this link.
- Groups may purchase discounted tickets to select home games. Group packages can be ordered by calling Texas Athletics at (512) 471-3333.
- Mini plans are sometimes available, to save on tickets to multiple games, depending on the season.
Do you know of any other discounts available for local sports teams? Please share them in the comments!
