Have you ever dreamed about seeing a big sports event like the Super Bowl, NCAA Final Four, or Daytona 500 in person? If so, what kept you from realizing your dream? I bet for most of you it was the high cost of tickets. Am I right? If so, I've got good news for you. It's possible for the typical fan to purchase tickets to many of the biggest games or events for face value!

So how do you avoid overpaying for tickets? Well it's really quite simple. Plan in advance. See, I said it was simple.

Since every major sports event occurs at approximately the same time each year, there's no reason why you shouldn't be planning for next year right now. However, if you're like most fans, you won't start thinking about tickets until just before the event. By then the game or race is sold out and ticket are going to an arm and a leg. So, you either mortgage the house and buy them, or decide to try again next year. Next year rolls around and you start looking for tickets again. Unfortunately, the prices are even higher, so you give up yet again all the while thinking that "one of these days" you're actually going to plunk down the money for tickets. Good luck. Sadly, while savvy fans will be experiencing the sights, sounds, and smells of the race in person, you'll be watching from home on the small screen.

Now if you would have just planned in advance, the outcome could have been very different. Many of those same tickets selling for well above face value in the weeks leading up to the big game could have been had for face value a year earlier.

The window of opportunity for many sports tickets opens shortly after the preceding year's event has ended. This is even the case for some of the biggies like the Super Bowl, NCAA Final Four, or the BCS Bowl games.

The tickets are out there. You just have to know when and where to look. Here are some suggestions.

1) Check the official website of the sponsoring organization. Many times this will have all the information you need, including ticket procedures, deadlines, and special requirements. Do this as soon as possible after the event has taken place and keep checking periodically until updated information has been posted.

2) Check the official website of the host venue. Often the arena or stadium handles ticket sales, as is the case for the first/ second and regional rounds of the NCAA Basketball Tournament. In this case, the early bird definitely gets the worm. Again, a polite phone call may provide additional information or get your name on the proper list.

3) Consider joining a team's fan club or booster club. Many times these memberships come with special advance notice of tickets sales or access to in-demand tickets. For example Boston Red Sox fans should join the Red Sox Nation to get ticket preferences for some of the hottest seats in Fenway Park. Membership will only set you back $9.95, a small price if you score some premium tickets.

4) Finally, search the Internet for information about the specific event or venue. You may find a little-known piece of information that allows you to apply for highly-coveted tickets. Be creative and try different word combinations as your search terms. Read everything you can find about the upcoming game or previous games. It's all about your willingness to put in a little "leg work" that may pay off in face-value Super Bowl or Final Four tickets.

In fact I just applied for 2007 Final Four tickets last week, but I'm sure that many hoops fans didn't even know that was possible. (Check my About Me page to learn how you could have applied for these and other tickets!)

So, regardless of the event or game, if you want to see it in person without taking out a second mortgage for tickets, try a little advance planning. With persistence and patience, you may just be watching it next year from the front row.

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