It might not always be possible to get a bargain seat to a big championship game that's been sold out for weeks, but that doesn't mean sports fans have to pay top dollar for every seat in the arena during a normal game. Smart sports fans shop around, pick their games and buy their tickets accordingly. When a fan knows where to look, there are bargains to be had without having to resort to nosebleed sections. From hockey to football and baseball and beyond, there are deals available.



No matter the sport, there are a number of places a fan can turn to find decent prices on tickets. Scalping isn't legal, but selling a ticket for its face value or under is. Yes, tickets below face value can be had, if a fan knows where to shop.

Think about it: Why would an avid fan with tickets want those seats to be unfilled by another avid fan if he or she is unable to attend? A true sporting fan wants to see a packed house to root on their team.

The best way to find the greatest deals on sporting tickets involves first deciding what kind of game and the location it will be viewed in. The places to find the best seats for a football game, for example, might be different than for fans hunting the best seats to the local ice hockey game.

When looking for cheap tickets, here are some places to turn:

* Classified ads. Fans within the city where a game will take place, and even in other cities, will often buy tickets in advance and then find out they cannot attend. Wanting to at least get their investment back, or close to it, these fans will turn the tickets around sometimes to others. The prices here generally are equal to what the buyer paid or a little less if all laws are being observed.

* Fan sites/publications. These are especially great for championship games where tickets have been for sale for a while. As it is with the above case, people buy tickets and then realize they have a conflict. Not wanting to eat the total price, they will pass them along. Plus, fan locations often involve the sale of single game passes by those who hold season tickets. When they can't go, true fans want their seats filled by other true fans. The savings can be incredible.

* Ticket brokers. This outlet might not always result in the best prices, but the availability will generally be there. When a game is a must-not-miss, a ticket outlet is worth a look see.

* Internet sites. There are a number of different sites that work to hook fans with tickets up with fans who want to buy them. Offering tickets for every kind of event imaginable, these locations are great for getting outright buys and even bargains on tickets. There are also sites that cater to direct sales of face value tickets and even online ticket agent sites that might not save money, but they ensure booking for the big event.

Finding the best in cheap tickets might take a little looking around, but there are tickets available for almost any sporting event imaginable. All it takes is a little patience and a willingness to look in a few sources.