Season Ticket Loans

While season tickets can come with a slew of perks like access to exclusive events and discounts on merchandise, the upfront cost can be hefty. Personal loans can cover the upfront fee, but that doesn’t mean it’s a wise choice.

We’ll examine how a personal loan would work for season tickets.

Considerations before taking out a loan for season tickets

If you’re contemplating a personal loan to pay for your annual season ticket package, there are a few things you’ll need to consider.

• Your credit score. Your credit score is often the first factor your lender considers when determining your interest rate and other loan terms. Ideally, only borrowers with good to excellent credit should consider using a personal loan for season tickets.
• Your current finances. The last thing you want to do is default on a season ticket loan or take on more debt than you can handle. Before applying for and accepting a personal loan, ensure you can easily afford the monthly installment payments on your annual ticket plan.
• The interest rate. Even if you are approved for a loan, the interest rate you receive may outweigh the potential perks. If your goal is to save money on tickets, you must consider the personal loan’s interest rate and overall cost to determine if you’ll end in the black when the season’s over. Of course, for some fans, it’s more about the experience.
• Any applicable fees. Similar to interest rates, personal loan fees — such as origination, application, and prepayment penalties — can add to the total loan cost.

Lenders offering season ticket loans

If you’re still considering taking out a personal loan for season tickets, here are a few personal loan lenders you may want to consider. These lenders typically deposit loan proceeds in your bank account within a few days and require a single application form to simplify the process.

Upgrade

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• Choose an offer that fits your budget
• No prepayment fees
• Check your rate without impacting your credit

Upgrade offers loans to borrowers with lower credit scores that can be used to purchase season tickets. You can use Upgrade’s website to check your interest rate without affecting your credit score.

• Rates (APR): 8.49% – 35.99%
• Loan amounts: $1,000 – $50,000
• Credit score category: Fair, bad
• Soft credit pull to check rates: Yes
• Deposit time: As soon as the next day
• Origination fee: 2.9% – 8%
• Late fee: $10
• Repayment terms: 36 or 60 months

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Upstart

View Rates

• No limitations on how you use your funds
• No prepayment fees
• Check your rate in 5 minutes without affecting your credit score

Upstart allows borrowers to access their money as quickly as one business day. This is a huge advantage if you need fast access to cash. Upstart is a good option for borrowers with fair or bad credit as they offer competitive rates and a large range of loan amounts.

• Rates (APR): 6.12% – 35.99%
• Loan amounts: $1,000 – $50,000
• Credit score category: Fair, bad
• Soft credit pull to check rates: Yes
• Deposit time: As fast as one business day³
• Origination fee: 0% – 10%
• Late fee: $5 or 15% of payment (whichever is higher)
• Repayment terms: 36 months or 60 months¹

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You can compare our picks for the best personal loans for additional options.

Benefit of a season ticket loans

Under the right circumstances, using a personal loan to finance season tickets can decrease the overall cost of attending games and give you access to numerous fan perks; however, such benefits related to a season ticket purchase are typically limited to a specific borrower profile.

With that in mind, you may consider a season ticket loan if you have excellent credit and can probably qualify for a low interest rate. In addition, since rates and repayment terms are often contingent on a borrower’s annual income, it’s typically more beneficial for higher-earning fans with room in their budget to accommodate the payments.

Risks of season ticket loans

As you may have assumed, one of the primary factors in evaluating your risk as a borrower is your credit score. If you have average or below-average credit, chances are your interest rate makes season tickets a luxury you’ll want to reconsider.

Not only will a high interest rate negate any benefits or savings you may enjoy, but you can also potentially place yourself in a financially compromising position. This is particularly true if your budget doesn’t allow much wiggle room.

Unfortunately, a personal loan will add to your overall debt, negatively impacting your credit score. If you cannot make your payments, the situation can become even more dire, plummeting your credit score.

Alternatives for season tickets

For the most part, there is no such thing as a free loan, so using a personal loan to finance your season tickets may cost you far more than you saved. However, there may be alternative options.

One popular option is financing directly through the franchise. In this case, you’ll be placed on a payment plan for your tickets, allowing you to reap the benefits of season tickets without opting for third-party financing.

Remember that franchise financing also comes with pros and cons, including the recurring payment and any interest or fees you’ll be required to pay. As such, it’s important to review the financing agreement before proceeding.

Sometimes, a credit card deal may also be a reasonable option, particularly if you can secure a 0% introductory APR offer and pay off the tickets before the promotion ends. Essentially, you’ll be using the card as an interest-free loan.

Bottom line

Season tickets are a great way to secure a regular spot in your favorite arena or stadium, but paying for them may take some planning. Although a personal loan may be a good option for borrowers with excellent credit and a high income, not every borrower will meet the eligibility criteria.

Some borrowers, particularly those who can’t secure prime interest rates, may be better off forgoing the season ticket costs and opting for individual weekly tickets as they fit into their budget.

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1 The full range of available rates varies by state. The average 3-year loan offered across all lenders using the Upstart platform will have an APR of 21.97% and 36 monthly payments of $35 per $1,000 borrowed. For example, the total cost of a $10,000 loan would be $12,646 including a $626 origination fee. APR is calculated based on 3-year rates offered in the last 1 month. There is no down payment and no prepayment penalty. Your APR will be determined based on your credit, income, and certain other information provided in your loan application.

2 Your loan amount will be determined based on your credit, income, and certain other information provided in your loan application. Not all applicants will qualify for the full amount. Loans are not available in West Virginia or Iowa. The minimum loan amount in MA is $7,000. The minimum loan amount in Ohio is $6,000. The minimum loan amount in NM is $5100. The minimum loan amount in GA is $3,100.

3 If you accept your loan by 5pm EST (not including weekends or holidays), you will receive your funds the next business day. Loans used to fund education related expenses are subject to a 3 business day wait period between loan acceptance and funding in accordance with federal law.