You’re heading to a sporting event and want good seats but you don’t have the money to sit in the lower levels. Just follow these steps and you will have the best seats in the house. At a recent Florida Panthers game, I turned a $10 ticket in the 400 level into seats on the redline in the 100 level. The key to being successful is to “Act Naturally”.

When To Make A Move
Walking into the arena before the game starts is important. Identify the section that you would like to sit and then position yourself near the gate. Spot the ushers in the section to see who is checking tickets and which is taking people to their seats. During most games a flood of people will enter when the action starts, this is when you need to make a move. Blend in with the crowd, do not run or hustle past the ushers. Go with the flow. Don’t get too close and don’t make eye contact, act as though you know exactly where your seats are and that it is an inconvenience having these people around you. Don’t be too picky about where you sit, quickly identify an open area, and get situated, its as though you have been sitting there for the last 20 minutes. Enjoy the game.

So Somebody Shows Up With Tickets For Your Seats
Be on the lookout for the late arrival, have a backup seat to move quickly to. If you see somebody eyeing your seat, just move to your backup as though the other seat is really yours. “I was just stretching out a bit and this seat seemed much more comfortable than my actual seat.”

Bathroom Strategy
If you need to go…what are your options? Stick to between periods in hockey and between innings at baseball games. To return to the seats you will need a crowd to blend into and these will form once the action resumes.

Never Give Up, Never Surrender
I have been confronted by the stadium ushers before, and its not worth it giving them a difficult time. If they ask you to leave, do so without causing a scene. Tip your cap to them on a job well done. It’s better just to move on to the next section with a usher that is not familiar with you. Then just blend in and find a new seat.

Be The Ultimate Fan
Become friends with the people around you. Throw up some high-fives, chat about statistics or the current standings. Engage and be polite, and they will want you to sit with them. If you are obnoxious the people around you will have you kicked out. Respect the section and it will respect you.