Monster deals in sports

$7 The only way to enjoy pro sports gratis, unless your company hooks you up, is to lurk in the parking lot at the Meadowlands and make out with some rich old codger who has good seats. One of the better deals out there, however, is a package for Nets season tickets that costs only $299—which equates to around $7 per game—a small price to pay for seeing Jason Kidd at work (the season starts Wed 31). This is a special deal that’s available while supplies last, and it’ll get you squarely in the mezzanine (nba.com/nets/tickets or 800-765-6387). Season ticket holders are also occasionally allowed locker room visits during games, access to postgame press conferences and clearance to play ball at the Nets practice facility. Comparatively, Knicks season tickets begin at $1,100 (nba.com/knicks)—and the team is going to get worse before it gets better (Allan Houston? Really?). Individual Knicks tickets can run anywhere from $10 to $3,004.50 courtside. Our advice is to head to Jersey.

Giants tix do exist... sometimes.

$40–$100 The cheapest tickets to a Rangers game are $40.50 each through TicketMaster for mezzanine seating and are readily available. Plus, watching a game at the Garden is easier than driving out to Long Island to see the Isles muck about on the ice (although upper-level seating in Nassau Coliseum starts at just $19). Pigskinwise, the New York Giants sell out most of their games, and so do the Jets. The best way to score tickets, however, is TicketExchange (at ticketmaster.com). This program allows season ticket holders to sell unused seats to people on the waiting list, which you have to sign up for—and most available regular-season tickets go for somewhere between $100 and $150 each (plus surcharges), although it can be more depending on the opponents.

An easier, less expensive gridiron alternative is the New York Dragons (newyorkdragons.com) of the indoor Arena Football League. Seats in their “Fire Zone”—upper level but midfield—are $45 in advance through the website, and this price includes free food and drink.

Share your secrets! We've told you everything we know about getting great deals on sports tickets, but we know you have your own schemes. Leave your own tips in the Comments box below.