Already given up on finding cheap NFL tickets for sale? Not so fast. Yes, they’re hard to find. But it’s not impossible. We tapped the ticket experts at SeatGeek, who gave us their pro tips for saving money on NFL tickets. Here’s what SeatGeek told us about how to find cheap NFL tickets for sale.

What is SeatGeek?

SeatGeek is a website that helps folks compare ticket prices from various ticket brokers — including StubHub, eBay and the NFL’s official Ticket Exchange site — all at the same time, on the same page. SeatGeek is a ticket search engine. It’s like Kayak for tickets.

They don’t compete with the second-market distributors listed above; they help match sellers with buyers. It’s free to find cheap NFL tickets for sale online through SeatGeek.

Ultimately, SeatGeek doesn’t care who you buy your tickets from, they just want to help you find them. Here’s what they suggest.

1) Stop Searching So Far in Advance

There’s a common misconception when it comes to online ticket shopping that the earlier you start looking, the better deal you’ll find. This is largely a result of the way airlines seem to price their tickets. But shopping now for tickets to a late-season game is actually a bad idea, according the guys at SeatGeek.

“Just like a loaf of bread or an empty hotel room, a ticket to a sporting event is a perishable good. If it doesn’t sell by it’s ‘expiration date’ — in this case, gametime — it’s effectively worthless,” says Will Flaherty, director of communications at SeatGeek. “Our analysis shows  you can save a lot of money by playing a little chicken with ticket sellers.”

His recommendation? Wait as long as possible to buy tickets to the game you want to go to.

Of course, this can be stressful, but Flaherty says waiting until 24 to 48 hours before the game will regularly save you 30% on what you’ll pay for the same seats 2 or 3 weeks earlier.

2) Hunt for Tickets in the Sweet Spots

For the best combination of a great view and a great price, SeatGeek recommends shopping for tickets in the lower bowl located in the corner or end zone. It’s no surprise that end zone tickets are cheaper, but don’t forget that the end zones are where the action is located. Others are willing to pay such a premium for midfield tickets, that the prices are outrageously more expensive.

“The average NFL corner ticket is 34% cheaper than a midfield ticket, while the average NFL end zone ticket is 42% cheaper than a lower-level seat on the 50-yard line,” says Flaherty. “If you could spend half as much, bring the whole family, and still be as close to the field, why wouldn’t you?”

According to SeatGeek’s analysis, the corners and end zones are almost always going to be your sweet spot, regardless of which team you’re cheering for.

Sit there, and you’re likely catch a good view of crucial plays in the red-zone, some of your favorite player’s celebrations, or even a game-winning touchdown – without taking a massive hit in the wallet.

 3) Hit the Road Despite the Cost of Travel

Confession time: I used to be an NFL beat writer for the New England Patriots. And I can tell you from being in the locker room every day that the players appreciate the fans who travel to away games the most. Patriots fans have it rough. The New England Patriots have the highest average home ticket price in the NFL at $292, according to SeatGeek. So before you scoff at the thought of traveling to an away game, consider the below analysis.

“To get a feel for just how much you can save by hitting the road, let’s look at the Patriots home-and-away series with their divisional rival New York Jets,” suggests Flaherty. “The average price to see the two teams play in New England is $361 right now. But if you’re willing to head down to New Jersey, you can save big bucks. The average ticket to that game is going for only $221 – a savings of $150.”

So, by getting a sweet spot ticket, a Pats fan could save over $200. Bear with me for a second, while we do some math.

According to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics, the average car in this country gets 33.8 MPG. It’s 226 miles to MetLife Stadium from Boston. So the average Pats fan could get there on 6.68 gallons of gas. Even at $4 per gallon, that’s just $27 in gas money each way — which leaves $146 in savings. Depending on your tolerance for a late-night drive home, that could totally be worth the savings.

Recap: How to Find Cheap NFL Tickets for Sale

If you look hard enough, watch for seats in sweet spots, consider traveling and wait until the last possible minute, you can find cheap NFL tickets for sale online. Search the big distributors, like StubHub, and the smaller, niche ones as well. Or compare them all at once on SeatGeek. Hoping to attend a game but not ready to buy? SeatGeek offers the ability to “track” prices at specific games or for individual teams by sending you emails when prices drop dramatically.

No matter what you do, don’t count yourself out of the chance to see your favorite team this season just because you’re on a budget. A little luck and some hard work can get you there.

How do you find cheap NFL tickets for sale? Share your best pro tips and secrets below!