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Who does not like to watch football at the neighborhood sports bar or at home on the couch where there is plenty of comfort food? While each of these options has its own perks, nothing beats being at an NFL game in person. It is a sensory-engaging experience.

You have got the roar of the crowd in your ears, the smell of hot dogs and beer tempting your taste buds, and a great view of the game, even if you are in the nose-bleed section. To get your in-person fix of NFL action, you need to get tickets to one of the games. Here are five ways to do it:

1. Purchase individual or season tickets directly from an NFL team

This is the most straightforward option. Prices will vary widely, depending on which team you want to see. Teams playing in newer stadiums will slap a higher price on their tickets to help recoup the costs of building the facility. If you are active or retired military or are in the reserves, some teams will offer you a discount on season tickets.

2. Buy tickets from another fan or a ticket broker

The NFL offers an official “ticket exchange” website that Ticketmaster operates, but there are many other places online where you can buy tickets off the secondary market, either from brokers or other fans. A recent news report claims that the average price of NFL tickets sold between fans is up nearly $100 over last year’s price.

Definitely shop around for the best deal before you make your purchase. Also, do all you can to ensure that your tickets are authentic. There are unscrupulous sellers who are looking to rip off unsuspecting buyers.

3. Go with a group

Round up your friends and co-workers for the afternoon kick-off. Many NFL teams offer deals and discounts to groups with as few as 10 people.

4. Plan to see a pre-season game

Your favorite team is going to play four pre-season games, two at home and two on the road. These tickets are a bit cheaper and easier to get than the regular season.

Insiders say the best game to see is your favorite team’s third pre-season game. You will see some big names on the field, as well as some great up-and-comers who want to be included on the roster for the regular season. Try to avoid getting tickets to the fourth game, since you are unlikely to see the well-known players.

5. Walk up to the ticket window at the stadium

If you are fortunate enough to live in or near the city that your favorite team calls home, you can just buy your tickets in person. Waiting to buy tickets the day of the game is probably not a great idea, unless your team is not having a good season.

If you get the chance to see your favorite team play, go for it. You might have to consider loans to cover the cost of the tickets, unless your monthly budget makes allowances for unexpected expenses. It is definitely worth doing whatever it takes to get the tickets so you can cheer your team to victory!

Jessy Troy is a lifestyle blogger for Mobile Phone Finder, the free mobile comparison app in Australia.