FanSnap | Ticket Search for Fans

Editor’s note: Guest author Bobby Calise is a former US Open ball boy, lifelong tennis player and fan, and perennial US Open attendee. He is also a freelance writer.

Like any other event, fans simply want to get their money’s worth.  The crowd inside of Ashe during a night session will usually cheer heavily for the underdog in the hopes that if he or she wins the first set, it’ll simply make for a more dramatic victory when the favorite eventually comes back to win the match.  In the early rounds, favorites usually win pretty handily, which is what the crowd really wanted all along because it means they can get to bed at a decent hour.

When it doesn’t go according to plan, it’s pretty disappointing.  American star Andy Roddick, seeded #4 at the time in 2005, actually did lose in three sets in a first round evening match, leaving fans looking at each other incredulously, as if to say, “Wait…what?”

The first match in Ashe Stadium typically starts a little after 7:00 p.m., followed by a second featured match. However, if either (or both) matches run long, an evening session can last into the wee hours of the morning.  Don’t feel bad about keeping an eye the time.  The idea of seven hours of tennis sounds like good value for your US Open ticket, but for many fans Flushing Meadows is a bit of a trek and 2:00 or 3:00 a.m. is a little late to be watching tennis, especially on a weeknight.

The good news: if you do muster up the stamina to stay until the end of an evening session, the staff allows remaining fans to move as far up as there are open seats, transforming a Row Z ticket into one of the best seats in the house.

More on the 2010 US Open:

• US Open Tennis a Hot Ticket in New York
• Best Value 2010 US Open Tickets
• US Open Special: Getting to the US Open
• US Open Tennis Etiquette

Find US Open Tickets here.

Editor’s note: Guest author Bobby Calise is a former US Open ball boy, lifelong tennis player and fan, and perennial US Open attendee. He is also a freelance writer.

Even as a tennis enthusiast, I’m the first to admit that the etiquette behind tennis is a little hoity-toity.  But by following a few simple guidelines you’ll avoid getting the stink eye from your fellow spectators at the US Open.

• Whether you’re in the very last row of Ashe or 50 feet from the court, it’s customary to be silent when players are about to serve and during the point.  However on occasion the longer points will elicit oohs and ahhs from the crowd, which is OK.
• It’s considered poor form to cheer for an unforced error, even if the error it helps the player you’re rooting for.  You won’t get kicked out for doing this, but you may get a few dirty looks.
• In between points, feel free to yell out, “COME ON [first or last name of the player you’re supporting]!”  Unoriginal exclamations like these are surprisingly common in professional tennis, so go nuts!
• Cell phone usage is frowned upon and sometimes even self-policed by the crowd.  If you must have a phone conversation, start and finish it during the short changeovers.

More on the 2010 US Open:

• US Open Tennis a Hot Ticket in New York
• Best Value 2010 US Open Tickets
• US Open Special: Getting to the US Open

Find US Open Tickets here.

Coming in at number 8 on FanSnap’s NFL FanDemand rankings is the Baltimore Ravens.

The Baltimore Ravens are a real threat to win the AFC North this coming season. Third year starter Joe Flacco will look to lead an improved offense into the post season. The Ravens did a good job of bolstering the receiving core around him as well, with the signing of Anquan Boldin. He, with veteran Derrick Mason, can really stretch defenses, and this duo is one to be feared by any defense in the league. And when you one of the top running backs in the league, Ray Rice, you have a potent offense that will put up some serious points and yardage.

The fact that Baltimore Ravens tickets are ranked 8th on FanSnap’s FanDemand rankings is a testament to the overall excitement around the team and its potential to win  games this season.

The Baltimore Ravens start the season off on the road against the New York Jets, which is one of the most exciting match-ups of the opening week. Both teams are drastically improved since last year, and whoever comes out on top will be in good shape for the rest of the season. Check out some great deals on Ravens-Jets tickets at FanSnap.

For the Best Value on Baltimore Ravens tickets, remember to search with FanSnap all season long.

1 Mon, Sept. 13 at New York Jets – 7 p.m.

2 Sun, Sept. 19 at Cincinnati Bengals – 1 p.m.

3 Sun, Sept. 26 vs. Cleveland Browns – 1 p.m.

4 Sun, Oct. 3 at Pittsburgh Steelers – 1 p.m.

5 Sun, Oct. 10 vs. Denver Broncos – 1 p.m.

6 Sun, Oct. 17 at New England Patriots – 1 p.m.

7 Sun, Oct. 24 vs. Buffalo Bills – 1 p.m.

8 Bye

9 Sun, Nov. 7 vs. Miami Dolphins – 1 p.m.

10 Thu, Nov. 11 at Atlanta Falcons – 8:20 p.m.

11 Sun, Nov. 21 at Carolina Panthers – 1 p.m.

12 Sun, Nov. 28 vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – 1 p.m.

13 Sun, Dec. 5 vs. Pittsburgh Steelers – 8:20 p.m.

14 Mon, Dec. 13 at Houston Texans – 8:30 p.m.

15 Sun, Dec. 19 vs. New Orleans Saints – 1 p.m.

16 Sun, Dec. 26 at Cleveland Browns – 1 p.m.

17 Sun, Jan. 2 vs. Cincinnati Bengals – 1 p.m.

This is going to be big. Eminem and Jay-Z tickets are the hottest thing going. In fact, one Live Nation spokesperson said the mega-concert has brought the heaviest ticket demand they’ve ever experienced.

According to the Detroit Free Press, the Sept. 2 & 3 Eminem and Jay-Z shows have been months in the making. World-renowned lighting and scene designers were enlisted and specialists have been working 15-hour days, crafting stage renderings and configuring logistics.

The Detroit Eminem and Jay-Z concert is part of a two-city tour in which the superstar rappers are playing each other’s hometown baseball stadiums. The duo will perform at Yankee Stadium in New York on Sept. 13 & 14. So how does a production this big travel? 50+semitrailers will haul the set, lighting, etc. — more than the typical continental tour by the Rolling Stones or U2.

And a special treat for fans, Eminem will be backed by a live band. How about that for one of hip-hop’s greatest? This is definitely a show not to be missed. While Eminem and Jay-Z tickets are sold out at the box office, a quick search on FanSnap shows more than 1,200 tickets available for each Detroit show.

Check out the two artists on Letterman!

JAY-Z AND EMINEM’S “HOME AND HOME” TOUR DATES INCLUDE:
September 2 Detroit, MI Comerica Park
September 3 Detroit, MI Comerica Park
September 13 New York, NY Yankee Stadium
September 14 New York, NY Yankee Stadium

Since 1996, 10-time Grammy award-winner, Shawn “JAY-Z” Carter has dominated the rap industry and set trends for a generation. Through his own label, Roc Nation, JAY-Z released The Blueprint 3, his 11th number one album, putting him ahead of Elvis for the most number one albums by any solo artist. JAY-Z has fostered the careers of international stars Rihanna, Ne-Yo and Kanye West while continuing philanthropic work through his Water for Life initiative and the Shawn Carter Scholarship Foundation.

EMINEM has sold more than 80,000,000 albums worldwide and has won 11 Grammy Awards and an Academy Award. He was recently named Nielsen SoundScan Artist of the Decade, having sold more records than any other artist for the years 2000-2009. His new album, Recovery, will be released on June 21. “Not Afraid,” the first single off Recovery, soared to #1 on the iTunes chart and debuted at #1 on the Billboard Hot 100, the first time a rap artist has accomplished the feat in 15 years.

Search for Eminem and Jay-Z tickets with FanSnap!

Editor’s note: Guest author Bobby Calise is a former US Open ball boy, lifelong tennis player and fan, and perennial US Open attendee. He is also a freelance writer.

As a lifelong tennis player, a former ball boy, and all-around tennis enthusiast, I enjoy my trips each year to the US Open, and I’ve come to learn what exactly to expect each time I buy US Open tickets, pass through the gates, and walk the grounds of the National Tennis Center. I always attend one or two night sessions during the first week of the tournament because it’s cheaper, I don’t have to take a day off from work, and there are plenty of matches to see during the first three rounds of the tournament.

US Open Parking
Assuming you don’t take public transportation to the US Open, parking in the lots costs $19.  However, if you share George Costanza’s creed about paid parking (“Why should I pay for it when, if I apply myself, maybe I can get it for free?”), you can try your luck parking on the street outside the National Tennis Center.  For the last two US Opens, I found spaces for my plum-colored ’97 Altima on 111^th street near 50^th avenue, which is a 20-minute walk to the National Tennis Center.  Out-of-towners and/or people with decent cars may want to play it safe and just pony up the $19.

Once you’re inside the gates at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center
For the casual tennis fans or first time US Open attendees who want to see players they’ve actually heard of, head directly into Ashe Stadium.  Federer, Nadal, Sharapova, and Venus Williams (Serena is not playing this year due to an injury) will likely play all of their matches on Ashe.  Each day or night session includes matches featuring top male and female players.

Some of the best matches during the first three rounds are on the outer courts (i.e. any court with a number, starting with 4).  These players are not necessarily the biggest names, but are usually the ones in the middle of the bracket who are a little more evenly matched with their opponents.  Not only are the matches more competitive, but the seats are much closer to the court.  I always try to get to some of these matches before making my way into Ashe.  Doubles, if you can find it, is particularly fun to watch up close.

For the best of both worlds—a good seat and a fairly well-known player—try Louis Armstrong Stadium and Grandstand.  At Armstrong some seating is reserved and the rest is first-come, first-serve. At Grandstand, it’s all first-come, first-serve.  If you want to get a head start the day before your trip to the Open, head to USOpen.org to check out the Schedule of Play for that day so you can map out your trip.  (If you forget, the scoreboard outside of Ashe has the court listings.)

Another option is to purchase US Open Grounds admission tickets, which allow access to all matches not played at Ashe.  But remember, if you’re attending the event with people who like to see the top players, you should probably buy tickets that include the Ashe matches.

More on the 2010 US Open:

• US Open Tennis a Hot Ticket in New York
• Best Value 2010 US Open Tickets

At #9 on FanSnap’s FanDemand list is the Washington Redskins.

The ‘Skins are a much changed team since last season. The organization has made a number of important signings and trades. Among the most important is the signing of ex-Denver Bronco coach Mike Shanahan, who will undoubtedly change the nature of the team and the way it plays.

The Washington Redskins other key addition is quarterback Donovan Mcnabb, who will have to play a few games against his previous team, the Philadelphia Eagles. Rounding out the attack for the Redskins is Clinton Portis, who played a season under Shanahan in Denver in 2002-2003. Portis won a Rookie of the Year award under Shanahan’s run heavy offense, so look for him to have a killer year under his old coach.

Washington Redskins tickets are among the hottest in the country this season, and their tough schedule proves this point. The ‘Skins start with their home opener against the Dallas Cowboys, one of the most anticipated match-ups of the opening week. Check out FanSnap for some Best Value Cowboys-Redskins tickets. For example, find seats in Zone A Club Level 320 for $330, which is 61% off the average price of tickets in this section.

And don’t miss the game when McNabb’s old team, the Philadelphia Eagles come to DC on November 15. For the best possible Eagles-Redskins tickets at the greatest possible value, look no further than Fansnap.

For all Washington Redskins tickets, both home and away, FanSnap has Skins fans covered

• Sept. 12 Dallas, 8:20 p.m.
• Sept. 19 Houston, 4:15 p.m.
• Sept. 26 at St. Louis, 4:05 p.m.
• Oct. 3 at Philadelphia, 4:15 p.m.
• Oct. 10 Green Bay, 1 p.m.
• Oct. 17 Indianapolis, 8:20 p.m.
• Oct. 24 at Chicago, 1 p.m.
• Oct. 31 at Detroit, 1 p.m.
• Nov. 7 BYE
• Nov. 15 Philadelphia, 8:30 p.m.
• Nov. 21 at Tennessee, 1 p.m.
• Nov. 28 Minnesota, 1 p.m.
• Dec. 5 at N.Y. Giants, 1 p.m.
• Dec. 12 Tampa Bay, 1 p.m.
• Dec. 19 at Dallas, 1 p.m.
• Dec. 26 at Jacksonville, 1 p.m.
• Jan. 2 N.Y. Giants, 1 p.m.

After what seems like the longest off-season ever, it’s finally game week! And here at FanSnap we have the scoop on all of the hottest college football tickets.

Curious exactly which games fans are flocking to? Well let’s have a look.

Number one on our list is a can’t miss Monday night game featuring Boise State-Virginia Tech. Should the Broncos win this game, many pundits are penciling them into the national title game. Of course there’s still a LONG, LONG season to go. Here’s the rest of the list. Let the games begin!

Week 1: Hottest NCAA Football Tickets (Avg. ticket price)

1. Boise State Broncos @ Virginia Tech Hokies tickets – $186

2. Oregon State Beavers @ TCU Horned Frogs tickets – $182

3. Purdue Boilermakers @ Notre Dame Fighting Irish tickets – $179

4. Marshall Thundering Herd @ Ohio State Buckeyes tickets – $155

5. Western Kentucky Hilltoppers @ Nebraska Cornhuskers tickets – $148

6. Kentucky Wildcats @ Louisville Cardinals tickets – $141

7. Illinois Fighting Illini @ Missouri Tigers tickets – $138

8. LSU Tigers @ North Carolina Tar Heels tickets – $138

9. San Jose State Spartans @ Alabama Crimson Tide tickets – $130

10. Eastern Illinois Panthers @ Iowa Hawkeyes tickets – $121

11. Colorado State Rams @ Colorado Buffaloes tickets – $117

12. Pittsburgh Panthers @ Utah Utes tickets – $114

13. UConn Huskies @ Michigan Wolverines tickets – $105

14. Wisconsin Badgers @ UNLV Rebels tickets – $102

15. USC Trojans @ Hawaii Warriors tickets – $98

16. Texas Longhorns @ Rice Owls tickets – $98

17. Utah State Aggies @ Oklahoma Sooners tickets – $95

18. Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin Cajuns @ Georgia Bulldogs tickets – $90

19. Eastern Illinois Panthers @ Iowa Hawkeyes tickets – $89

20. Utah State Aggies @ Oklahoma Sooners tickets – $86

Still looking for your week 1 college football tickets, a quick search on FanSnap should provide endless choices for each of these key match-ups!

Ohio State Buckeyes tickets are the priciest in the county. And why shouldn’t they be? The team is ranked in the top two or three in almost every poll and QB Terrelle Pryor is considered one of the top candidates for the Heisman Trophy favorite.

Ohio State claims seven national titles and Buckeye nation is looking to add to that record with a trip to the BCS. Ah yes, while Ohio State is expected to win the Big Ten, their fans want much, much more.

To accomplish that goal, twelve teams stand in their way. They can’t ask for a better start to the season. The Buckeyes play their first four games – all out of conference games at home. Then they have the Big Ten gauntlet with the toughest battle towards the end – - Ohio State-Iowa tickets should be hot ones!

Still looking for your Ohio State Buckeyes tickets? Search for Buckeyes tickets with FanSnap!

Ohio State Buckeyes 2010 Schedule

Sept. 2 Ohio State v. Marshall

Sept. 11 Ohio State v. Miami

Sept. 18 Ohio State v. Ohio

Sept. 25 Ohio State v. Eastern Michigan

Oct. 2 Ohio State at Illinois

Oct. 9 Ohio State v. Indiana

Oct. 16 Ohio State at Wisconsin

Oct. 23 Ohio State v. Purdue

Oct. 30 Ohio State at Minnesota

Nov. 13 Ohio State v. Penn State

Nov. 20 Ohio State at Iowa

Nov. 27 Ohio State v. Michigan

With returning Heisman Trophy winner Mark Ingram, Alabama Crimson Tide tickets are some of the hottest in the nation. Of course Ingram is only part of the team. They also return QB Greg McElroy and a number of skill positions at least on offense, however the defense will feature fresh talent with nine new starters.

Fans are clearly excited. In fact nearly 85,000 showed up for the spring game – five months ago!

So what should we expect from the Tide?

“You’ll see some different things,” said McElroy. “I don’t think there’s anything I want to leave out in the open. We have a few things up our sleeves that we might save for a rainy day. Obviously you want to do some different things each year. One or two different things this year should help us out a lot.’

The Alabama Crimson Tide have a daunting schedule this year. They face Penn State in week two and then start the SEC conference schedule in week four. Looking to attend the biggest games? Get your Alabama-Florida tickets, Alabama-Arkansas tickets and Alabama-LSU tickets today!

Alabama Crimson Tide 2010 Schedule

9/4 Alabama v San Jose State

9/11 Alabama v Penn State

9/18 Alabama at Duke

9/25 Alabama at Arkansas

10/2 Alabama v Florida

10/9 Alabama at South Carolina

10/16 Alabama v Mississippi

10/23 Alabama at Tennessee

11/6 Alabama at LSU

11/13 Alabama v Mississippi State

11/20 Alabama v Georgia State

11/26 Alabama v Auburn

Search for Alabama Crimson Tide tickets with FanSnap!

Justin Bieber ticket holders were quite disappointed on Sunday when the teen popstar was forced to cancel his concert at the New York State Fair in Syracuse due to illness.

Well good news fans! Bieber tweeted that his show Tuesday night at Madison Square Garden is still on! Not only is this show huge because its NYC, but he’ll also be filming shots for his 3D movie!

Those with Justin Bieber tickets can check it out first hand, however other lucky fans will actually get a chance to be in the video! Bieber announced a competition that involves submitting a video of yourself singing along to his hit, “That Should Be Me.” The winner will be selected at random. Of course fans flocked to the website and actually caused it to crash!

Still looking for your chance to be at Madison Square Garden for the filming? A quick search on FanSnap for Justin Bieber tickets shows more than 1,800 tickets starting at $59. Don’t miss out!

To kick off our NFL Ticket Preview special, we start with #10 on FanSnap’s Pre-Season Rankings, the San Diego Chargers.

The Chargers are always a well respected team coming out of the West Coast. This year, they are on the hunt for their fifth straight AFC West title, without the likes of star running back LaDainian Tomlinson. Although this puts a serious damper on the Bolts running attack, quarterback Phillip Rivers may be among the most talented in the league. With tight end Antonio Gates and wide receivers Vincent Jackson and Malcolm Floyd completely the passing game, Rivers will lead an extremely potent Chargers offense, with a keen eye towards the playoffs.

San Diego Chargers tickets are highly sought after this year, which is understandable considering the more anticipated match-ups within their schedule. The New England Patriots are due to visit Southern California on Sunday October 24th. Average prices for Patriots-Chargers tickets are $303 on the secondary ticket market: this is 12% increase over their season long average ticket price of $272.

Check FanSnap all season long for the Best Value San Diego Chargers tickets to all games, home and away

• Mon, Sep 13th, 2010 at Kansas City 10:15 PM Arrowhead Stadium
• Sun, Sep 19th, 2010 Jacksonville 04:15 PM Qualcomm Stadium
• Sun, Sep 26th, 2010 at Seattle 04:15 PM Qwest Field
• Sun, Oct 3rd, 2010 Arizona 04:15 PM Qualcomm Stadium
• Sun, Oct 10th, 2010 at Oakland 04:15 PM Oakland Coliseum
• Sun, Oct 17th, 2010 at St. Louis 01:00 PM Edward Jones Dome
• Sun, Oct 24th, 2010 New England 04:15 PM Qualcomm Stadium
• Sun, Oct 31st, 2010 Tennessee 04:05 PM Qualcomm Stadium
• Sun, Nov 7th, 2010 at Houston 01:00 PM Reliant Stadium
• Bye
• Mon, Nov 22nd, 2010 Denver 08:30 PM Qualcomm Stadium
• Sun, Nov 28th, 2010 at Indianapolis 08:20 PM Lucas Oil Stadium
• Sun, Dec 5th, 2010 Oakland 04:05 PM Qualcomm Stadium
• Sun, Dec 12th, 2010 Kansas City 04:15 PM Qualcomm Stadium
• Thu, Dec 16th, 2010 San Francisco 08:20 PM Qualcomm Stadium
• Sun, Dec 26th, 2010 at Cincinnati 08:20 PM Paul Brown Stadium
• Sun, Jan 2nd, 2011 at Denver 04:15 PM Invesco Field at Mile High

The crew here at FanSnap is getting ridiculously excited for the upcoming NFL Season. And we know that fans of the NFL and FanSnap followers alike are just as frantic about the regular season kick off as we are. FanSnap’s number one goal is to help fans find the NFL tickets they want, as we all share this same passion for the sport.

So, follow us on twitter (@FanSnap). Check out our Boston and New York specific blogs (where we will feature Patriots, Jets, and Giants specific ticket updates). Check out our main blog for FanSnap 60 Index’s of the week’s hottest NFL tickets. And, if we’re missing something, let us know how we can do better. Send an email, post a reply, track us down on Twitter: in the end, we’re here to help fans find the NFL tickets they desire.

For the next few weeks, we are going to preview the top ten hottest NFL team tickets for the upcoming 2010 season. Last month, FanSnap released their NFL 2010 Pre-Season Rankings: Average Ticket Prices for Upcoming Season. Among the top ten teams with the highest average ticket prices were a few surprises, as well as a few expected results. But this is the list we will use as our base for our NFL team-by-team ticket preview. In case you forgot:

FanSnap NFL 2010 Pre-Season Ranking: Average NFL ticket prices for upcoming season

1. New York Giants tickets (16): $468
2. New Orleans Saints tickets (2): $404
3. Pittsburgh Steelers tickets (19): $390
4. New York Jets tickets (7): $378
5. Chicago Bears tickets (21): $377
6. Philadelphia Eagles tickets (17): $374
7. Dallas Cowboys tickets (4): $327
8. Baltimore Ravens tickets (5): $316
9. Washington Redskins tickets (20): $305
10. San Diego Chargers tickets (10): $271

We’ll break the top ten down, team by team. We want to give you an idea of what the hottest match-ups, according to ticket prices, are for each teams schedule. We’ll also briefly look at the first few games of the season and point out FanSnap infamous “Best Value Tickets”. So for all for your NFL ticket needs, remember one word: FanSnap.

Our Yankees Ticket In The Batter's Eye Seats!

Back at the end of May, we had the privilege of sitting high atop the Mohegan Sun Sports Bar after purchasing a pair of Yankees tickets dubbed the “Batter’s Eye Seats.”  For those who don’t know, the “batter’s eye” is an area beyond the center field wall at a baseball stadium, intended to provide a dark background for batters to better see pitches thrown to them.  At Yankee Stadium, the “batter’s eye” happens to be a blackened glass structure that houses the Mohegan Sun Sports Bar. On top of this “batter’s eye” (but presumably not within the sight lines of the batters) are two rows of seats.   Akin to the “Green Monster Seats” at Fenway Park, Yankees tickets in the “Batter’s Eye Seats” provide one of the most unique experiences that Yankee Stadium has to offer.

Directly in front of the “Bleacher Cafe,” the 80 “batter’s eye seats” offer breathtaking views of the entire field, and a unique perspective of both bullpens.  Upon arrival, it is impossible not to take this photo:

Batter's Eye Section 2, Row 1, Seat 13

Or this one:

Andy Pettitte Warming Up, As Seen From The "Batter's Eye Section"

The actual seats in the section are comparable to other non-premium sections throughout the stadium (Main, Terrace, Grandstand) both in design (they aren’t padded), and in terms of legroom. If you are lucky enough to be in row 1, you’ll have more legroom and a ledge to place personal items on (even though rules state otherwise, security seems to be more lax in this section and didn’t bother us when we left some stuff on the ledge).

Batter’s Eye Section 2 is the most centered of the three sections, with seats number 1 and 2 being the “best” if you want to be aligned directly with home plate.  Food and drink vendors don’t pass through this tiny section, but there is a Johnny Rockets (burgers, fries, milkshakes), Famous Famiglia (pizza) and Stadium Grill (ballpark favorites) steps away in the outdoor “Bleacher Cafe.”

The seats share a home with the center field video cameras, but they don’t cause any obstructed views.  You’re directly below the massive HD video board in center field, so between inning games and advertisements take some serious neck craning to see. More worrisome for some (especially older folks, and those with small children) is that the “Batter’s Eye Seats” offer no reprieve from the sun during day games.  The day we went, temperatures soared into the upper 80′s, and by the third inning, we needed a break from the sun.  No amount of SPF 50, baseball caps or 24 oz. cups of Gatorade were enough to allow us to stand the heat for more than a few innings at a time – and we’re not old, nor are we toddlers.  One of the benefits of Yankee Stadium is that it encourages fans to walk around and experience the entire structure, but if you want to view an entire game start to finish on a sunny summer day, it could be tough to do so in these seats.

Something else to consider; these seats are in close proximity to the bleachers, but with a significantly higher price. For comparison’s sake the face value of Yankees tickets in the bleachers are $15 in advance, while “Batter’s Eye Seats” are $125.  Sure, these seats are slightly more elevated, and they have seat backs unlike the benches in the bleachers, but they can’t be more than 100 feet away.  This might bother some, so it is worth mentioning.  

If you have visions of snagging a souvenir baseball while sitting in these seats, you might want to temper your expectations.  Only one player has even hit a ball off of the black glass “batter’s eye,” and nobody has ever hit one on top.  On the day we went to the game, we were lucky enough to see Alex Rodriguez blast a grand slam into Monument Park (directly below us), but we never had a chance to catch the ball.  Of course we tried, and we have a screen grabs from that day’s game to prove it!

A-Rod's Grand Slam on 5/31/10

And here we are trying (and failing) to catch it!

If you arrive early for batting practice and get the attention of a player, they might toss a ball up to you, but that is probably the only way you’ll go home with a free souvenir.

Overall, the “Batter’s Eye Seats” experience was unique and one that we thoroughly enjoyed.  We’ll admit that it isn’t for everyone, and  night games are probably even better.  Further, the price you pay for these particular Yankees tickets will significantly affect the value proposition compared to other locations in the stadium, so be sure to search using FanSnap before you buy.

Ross Sheingold is a Yankees season ticket holder, the creator of the Yankee Stadium blog NYY Stadium Insider and a contributing writer at FanSnap’s blog.  You can find him on Twitter @StadiumInsider

Lady Gaga tickets are already some of the hottest sellers out there. So what could possibly raise her popularity? How about a combined Lady Gaga-Madonna tour!

British papers and a host of other outlets are reporting that the material girl herself wants Lady Gaga to open for her next year. They say that Madonna is “absolutely obsessed” with Gaga.

And of course the respect is mutual. Gaga is often compared to Madonna and her hit video ‘Alejandro” includes a number of different references to Madonna videos. Check out the similarities for yourself.

Madonna recently wrapped her Sticky ‘N’ Sweet tour, however according to a source she’s reportedly “locked into another deal with promoters, and plans are in full swing.”

So if Gaga and Madonna tour together, think they might actually share the stage for a song or two? Gaga fans – what song are you just dying to hear the two stars perform? A nice duet of “Vogue” or “Like a Prayer” or maybe something more recent?

Lady Gaga tickets continue to sell out venue after venue. However there are still plenty of chances to catch her on tour. In fact, FanSnap can help you find Lady Gaga tickets to any of her upcoming stops – including dates this week in St. Paul, Milwaukee, Auburn Hills and Pittsburgh! Don’t miss out!

Wrapping up the #3 spot we find Notre Dame Fighting Irish tickets.

Ah yes, the Fighting Irish have one of the most storied traditions in all of football. The team has won the most national championships and produced the most All Americans of any team, however the Irish hasn’t quite lived up to expectations over the last decade.

New coach Brian Kelly and a motivated group of players will try to change that this year. The team has a balanced schedule taking on a number of teams that had losing records last season, however they’re likely to have some feisty battles as well.

Looking to scoop up the hottest Notre Dame Fighting Irish tickets? We’d recommend you check out Notre Dame-Boston College tickets, Notre Dame-Pittsburgh tickets, Notre Dame-Utah tickets and Notre Dame-USC tickets.

2010 Notre Dame Football Schedule

Sept. 4 Notre Dame v. Purdue (HOME)

Sept. 11 Notre Dame v. Michigan (HOME)

Sept. 18 Notre Dame at Michigan State

Sept. 25 Notre Dame v. Stanford (HOME)

Oct. 2 Notre Dame at Boston College

Oct. 9 Notre Dame v. Pittsburgh (HOME)

Oct. 16 Notre Dame v. Western Michigan (HOME)

Oct. 23 Notre Dame at Navy (at Meadowlands – East Rutherford N.J.)

Oct. 30 Notre Dame v. Tulsa (HOME)

Nov. 13 Notre Dame v. Utah (HOME)

Nov. 20 Notre Dame at Army (at Yankee Stadium – Bronx, N.Y.

Nov. 27 Notre Dame at USC

No matter the team’s record, Notre Dame tickets are always in high demand.  Whether you’re Fighting Irish through and through or simply want to see a game in the great South Bend, search FanSnap for great deals on Notre Dame tickets.

Even with a slew of sanctions, a new coach and non-stop off-season controversy, USC Trojans tickets still rank #4 in our countdown of hottest college football tickets. The team may not be able to play in the post-season, but that wont stop them from ruining bowl plans for their opponents.

Lane Kiffin takes over as head coach and will try to help the Trojans bounce back after one of their worst seasons in recent history. Unlike last year, USC wont have to face heavy-weight Ohio State. However they will have an exciting game against Notre Dame at home on Nov. 27. USC will also get a chance to avenge last year’s 47-20 loss to Oregon when they take on the Ducks on Oct. 30. USC-Notre Dame tickets and USC-Oregon tickets are sure to be hot sellers.

The schedule in November includes back to back games against Arizona State at home and Arizona on the road. They will wrap up the season with cross-town rivals UCLA on Dec. 4.

With no bowl game in sight, every regular season game means that much more. The team is ready to put last year behind and prove itself on the field. Still searching for your USC Trojans tickets? Don’t miss out. FanSnap can help you find all of the hottest college football tickets.

USC 2010 Schedule

Sept. 2 USC at Hawai’i

Sept. 11 USC v. Virginia

Sept. 18 USC at Minnesota

Sept. 25 USC at Washington State

Oct. 2 USC v Washington

Oct. 9 USC at Stanford

Oct. 16 USC v California

Oct. 30 USC v Oregon

Nov. 6 USC v Arizona State

Nov. 13 USC at Arizona

Nov. 20 USC at Oregon State

Nov. 27 USC v Notre Dame

Dec. 4 USC at UCLA

At #5, we see yet another SEC team. Despite coming off their worst season since Mark Richt came on board as head coach, Georgia Bulldogs tickets are still some of the hottest college football tickets in the nation.

After last year’s 8-5 season, Richt decided it was time for a change. The Bulldogs start the year with a number of new coordinators, a new quarterback and a new defensive approach. Fans are eager to see what the team will bring and are anxiously awaiting the kickoff of the season.

The team’s out of conference opponents should be games the Bulldogs win easily. However the conference schedule will create some tough match-ups.

Of course with the season only a week away, now’s a great time to snap up Georgia Bulldogs tickets. Looking at the season, can’t miss games include: Georgia-Florida tickets and Georgia-South Carolina tickets.

Georgia Bulldogs 2010 Schedule

9/4 – Georgia v. University of Louisiana-Lafayette

9/11 – Georgia at South Carolina

9/18 – Georgia v. Arkansas

9/25 – Georgia at Mississippi State

10/2 – Georgia at Colorado

10/9 – Georgia v. Tennessee

10/16 – Georgia v. Vanderbilt

10/23 – Georgia at Kentucky

10/30 – Georgia at Florida

11/6 – Georgia v. Idaho State

11/13 – Georgia at Auburn

11/27 – Georgia v. Georgia Tech

Still searching for your Georgia Bulldogs tickets? FanSnap has you covered for those and all of the hottest college football tickets!

Once again, tennis fans from all over the word will descend on Arthur Ashe Stadium in Flushing Meadows, NY for the final of four Grand Slam events. The US Open has grown to be one of the premier events in sports. More than 700,000 fans are expected over the two weeks (721,059 watched play in 2009). It is the most attended annual sporting event in the world with center court tickets to the finals going for as much as $5,000. This year is no exception. Tickets — especially to the later rounds — are hot. That said, there are plenty of them. We’re currently seeing more than 100,000 US Open ticket listings from 15 different ticket sites on FanSnap.

Late round tickets, however, are priced higher than this time last year — with only Women’s Final tickets priced lower than last year. This is likely due to favorites Justine Henin and  Serena Williams missing the US Open this year.

• Men’s Semifinals- Average ticket prices in 2009 were $262, and in 2010 they are $288: that’s a 10% increase.
• Women’s Semifinals- Average ticket prices in 2009 were $203, and in 2010 they are $223: that’s a 10% increase.
• Men’s Finals- Average ticket prices in 2009 were $332, and in 2010 they are $344: that’s a 4% increase.
• Women’s Finals- Average ticket prices in 2009 were $269, and in 2010 they are $259: that’s a 4% decrease.

More US Open stats from Forbes:

• The US Open is big business generating $200 million in revenue each year and around $100 million in profits.
• Ticket revenue is $80 million annually
• sponsorships generate $60 million each year.
• Serena Williams is the second highest-paid female athlete in the world, earning $20 million over the past year

Read more about the the best value tickets to the 2010 US Open on FanSnap/New York.

No Tebow. No problem. Florida Gators tickets rank #6 on our list, with loyal fans anticipating another great year!

Urban Meyer consistently brings in top recruiting classes, so even though the team lost a number of starters, there’s no shortage of talent on this team.

Leading the squad will be one of the most highly recruited QBs in the nation, John Brantley. After spending three years as the backup, Brantley finally has his chance to show off his incredible arm.

The team should wind up #1 in the SEC East and will likely face the Alabama Crimson Tide in the SEC Championship once again. Anything less will be a disappointment to the crew in Gainesville.

So which game will be the hottest? If you are looking to scoop up Florida Gators tickets, don’t miss out on Florida-Alabama tickets (Oct 2), which could be a preview of the SEC Championship game; Florida-LSU tickets (Oct 9); Florida-Georgia tickets (Oct 30); and of course the rivalry game with the Seminoles – Florida-Florida State tickets (Nov 27). Search for all the hottest college football tickets with FanSnap!

Want to see more? Check out this preview by one Gator fan!

Florida Gators 2010 Schedule

Sep 4 Florida v Miami (OH)

Sep 11 Florida v USF

Sep 18 Florida at Tennessee

Sep 25 Florida v Kentucky

Oct 2 Florida at Alabama

Oct 9 Florida v LSU

Oct 16 Florida v Mississippi State

Oct 30 Florida v Georgia

Nov 6 Florida at Vanderbilt

Nov 13 Florida v South Carolina

Nov 20 Florida v Appalachian State

Nov 27 Florida at Florida State

Up next on our countdown, Auburn Tigers tickets, the team many are predicting to be the runner up to the Alabama Crimson Tide in the SEC West.

The Tigers are a team no one wants to face this year. While they lost Ben Tate to the NFL, star recruit Michael Dyer and senior Mario Fannin should be able to team up to give opponents more than they can handle.

This is coach Gene Chizik’s second year and fans have really rallied behind him. In fact, more than 63,000 fans showed up for the annual spring game. Fans are eagerly snapping up their Auburn Tigers tickets and are ready for kickoff!

While a run through the SEC is never something to sneeze at, the Tigers are fortunate to play most of their key games at home. Auburn-Arkansas tickets and Auburn-LSU tickets should both be huge games.

The first snap will be against Arkansas State on Sept. 4 – that’s less than two weeks! Don’t miss your chance to be in the stands. Search for Auburn Tigers tickets with FanSnap!

Auburn Tigers 2010 Schedule

Sept. 4 – Auburn v. Arkansas State

Sept. 9 – Auburn at Mississippi State

Sept. 18 – Auburn v. Clemson

Sept. 25 – Auburn v. South Carolina

Oct. 2 – Auburn v. Louisiana-Monroe

Oct. 9 – Auburn at Kentucky

Oct. 16 – Auburn v. Arkansas

Oct. 23 – Auburn v. LSU

Oct. 30 – Auburn at Mississippi

Nov. 6 – Auburn v. Chattanooga

Nov. 13 – Auburn v. Georgia

Nov. 26 – Auburn at Alabama