Cheap Lions Tickets: 10 Smart Plays to Save Money at Ford Field

1) Target preseason and early-season games

Preseason games and early regular season matchups (especially against non-divisional opponents) are historically the cheapest entry points for Lions fans. Many season ticket holders sell these off at lower rates. Compare listings on the official Lions single-game ticket page and then set alerts with Pingseat to lock in fair prices before casual fans start looking.

We also cover how timing impacts NFL resale markets in our NFL Tickets Guide.

2) Focus on weekday and late-season flexibility

Games played on Monday night or late in the season when the Lions face non-playoff teams tend to see softer demand. If you’re willing to be flexible, you’ll find that prices drop noticeably compared to prime Sunday afternoon divisional games. More tips on seasonality can be found in The Cheapest Times of the Season to Buy Tickets.

3) Compare multiple resale platforms before buying

Resale prices for Lions tickets can vary significantly between sites like SeatGeek, StubHub, and Ticketmaster. Always double-check across at least two platforms. Start with the Lions Ticketmaster listings, but don’t stop there—automation with Pingseat lets you track price drops across multiple feeds in one place. For NBA ticket savings examples, see our Cheap NBA Tickets Guide, which applies the same principles.

4) Use all-in pricing alerts (fees included)

Service fees on NFL tickets can be steep. Always think in “all-in” terms: what you’ll actually pay per seat after fees. With Pingseat, you can set your alert cap to reflect the true per-ticket total. This avoids the trap of thinking you found a bargain when fees actually push you over budget. Learn how to set smarter caps in our post on When Do Ticket Prices Drop?.

5) Consider 2-seat splits instead of 4+ contiguous seats

Four contiguous seats at Ford Field often carry a premium. Splitting into two pairs can unlock lower rows or better angles. If your group can handle sitting in twos, you’ll stretch your budget much further. This strategy mirrors NBA arenas too—see examples in our NBA Tickets Guide.

6) Shop opponent-driven demand shifts

Prices for Lions tickets swing dramatically depending on who’s coming to Detroit. Division rivals like the Packers or Bears always push demand higher, while matchups against out-of-division teams with smaller traveling fanbases (e.g., Jaguars or Cardinals) are much more affordable. Stay ahead by checking the full NFL schedule release and planning your alert setup around less-hyped matchups.

7) Verify seat views at Ford Field before buying

Not all “cheap” seats deliver a good experience. Use the Ford Field seating chart to confirm sightlines. Endzone upper-level sections are usually the lowest cost, but some rows are surprisingly strong values with full-field perspective. Always cross-check before hitting “buy.”

8) Buy during dips caused by injuries or weather

Lions ticket demand reacts to news fast. If a star opponent is ruled out, or if poor weather impacts tailgating appeal, resale prices can soften quickly. Running “opportunist” alerts through Pingseat ensures you’re notified of bargains within hours of a market shift. We outline how to time these windows in our When Do Ticket Prices Drop?.

9) Factor in Detroit parking & transit savings

Sometimes the hidden cost of a Lions game is parking. Ford Field garages and lots near Comerica Park can add $40–$60. Save by parking further out and using the Detroit People Mover or QLINE streetcar. The money you save on parking often makes higher-quality seats more affordable without increasing your total outing cost.

10) Run layered alerts for the full season

The best way to consistently find cheap Lions tickets is to layer your alerts:

• Bread-and-butter alert: your target sections at your max all-in cap, set for the full season.
• Opportunist alert: broader sections, toggled on 7–10 days and again 48 hours before kickoff.

This strategy works for NBA, NCAA, and NFL games alike, and it’s covered step-by-step in our Cheapest Times of the Season post and the NFL Tickets Guide.