September 16, 2016
If you've watched the Chicago Cubs play this season, last night's clinching of the NL Central division comes as no surprise. A league-best 93-53 record will set the Cubbies marching into their second straight NLDS appearance, paving a new road to their elusive third World Series championship.
Being a part of that experience won't come easy (or cheap), however. Cubs fans will have a few options when searching for tickets to the NLDS, but they should be well-prepared for what's ahead when trying to lock down the ideal seat at Wrigley Field. TicketIQ breaks down the best ways to buy Cubs playoff tickets below. Fair warning: a prayer and a big wallet will help.
1) Enter the Cubs' NLDS Ticket Lottery
Season ticket holders will get first dibs at Cubs playoff tickets, but never fear - there's still a shot at scoring tickets on the primary market. The Cubs are again holding a NLDS ticket lottery for fans via their official website. The registration period began on September 7th and concludes on Wednesday, September 21st at noon CTD. Lottery winners will be contacted at a later date and will be given the opportunity to purchase from the lot of remaining primary tickets. Inventory will move fast, so make sure to register early and log on as quickly as possible if selected.
2) Timing Is Everything on the Secondary Ticket Market
Missed your chance during the ticket lottery? While odds to be picked were already slim (nearly 1.2 million fans entered last season's lottery), plenty of inventory will be available on the secondary market. Of course, with the Cubs posting record-breaking ticket prices last year, the team is expected to see even greater demand in 2016. Take a look at where Cubs resale ticket prices currently stack up in comparison to fellow divisional leaders below:
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While each team's average resale price is sure to fluctuate as more tickets become available, the Cubs are guaranteed to remain multiples more expensive than any other playoff-bound team. Our advice? Hold off on purchasing tickets until the series draws closer. Tickets will flood the secondary market over the next two weeks, which will lead to lower prices on resale outlets.
As it stands now Cubs tickets on TicketIQ are averaging over $1,000 across all three potential home games. Such a massive price tag is due to sellers trying to maximize return and having those "can't wait" consumers chomp at buying tickets early. That transaction may come with peace of mind in knowing tickets are yours, but the best bang for your buck will come over the coming weeks as prices fall.
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For even more savings on Cubs playoff tickets, make sure to download the TicketIQ app, where you can save up to 10% on all IQ Cerfified listings. The TicketIQ app is the only engagement-based loyalty program in the marketplace, offering fans access to both primary and secondary market options while working with nearly 50 professional sports teams. Get the app and start building your TicketIQ today!
