Baltimore Ravens @ Miami Dolphins Sun Life Stadium, October 6, 2013 1 pm

Welcome to Miami...not  really, you're in Miami Gardens.

This stadium was called Pro Player, Dolphin, Dolphins, Joe Robbie, Landshark and now Sun Life Stadium. Miami (a/k/a The "U") and the NFL Dolphins now call Sun Life their home field.

Facts about Sun Life Stadium 

This is Not South Beach - its Miami Gardens - Exit 2X off the Florida Turnpike (199th Street & University Blvd) bordering with Broward County.  Make sure you have Confirmed Transportation to Get Back to Your Hotel.

This is Not the Orange Bowl - that was The "U" home field in Little Havana, it was demolished in 2009 to make way for MLB Marlins Park. The "BCS Orange Bowl Game" is played here at Sun Life Stadium.

Yes, the 2010 Super Bowl was here.  So why does it look like a dump outside?  The NFL asks that too.

Survival Checklist: If you come Early to Tailgate there is no shade, no vendors and few spot-a-pots outside the stadium.  Be Prepared for 100 degree heat with these items:
___ Hat
___ Sunscreen
___ Bottled Water
___ Hand Sanitizer

**You can bring sealed plastic bottled water into stadium - Do It!

Gas, Food, Drinks, Ice - Walking distance from Sun Life Stadium

Half mile from the stadium is a RaceTrac gas station on University Blvd at 207th Street.  Food, drinks, ice and a bathroom are inside.  The Bus Stop for Broward County & South Beach are on 207th Street.

Calder Race Course is next door to Sun Life Stadium.  Parking & Admission are free.  It's the Tropical Meet @ Calder. Live horse racing (Post Time 12:30 pm) and Simulcast of other tracks.  Poker Room going 24/7 on weekends.  Be Advised - Florida's New No-Limit rules are drawing "sharks" with big bankrolls. The Calder Casino also has slots and is open 24/7 on the weekends.

Lots of Dining choices at Calder.  Excellent prices for comfort foods (buffet, restaurant & counter service).  Join the Players Club for discounts.

**Note:  If you're thinking of Parking at Calder (Free) and walking to Sun Life Stadium - Don't!   I did it for the 2002 Orange Bowl, MD Alumni had "Day at Races" - you still cannot cut through to the stadium (Snake Creek has gators - I don't mean UF mascots).  You'll have to walk via University Blvd (2+ miles).  Park at the Sun Life Stadium for the Ravens Game.

If you arrive by taxi, MAKE ADVANCE plans for a return ride to your hotel.  The Stadium does NOT have a taxi stand and taxis do NOT frequent University Blvd, even in the daytime.  The 2009 Ravens Playoff game ended 4 pm, I directed a dozen Ravens fans on the bus back to Miami.  They arrived in taxis from their hotel and thought the game was in South Beach.

The game will be over during Daylight hours.  At night, the stadium area is NOT safe to walk around and wait for public transportation.  Arrange in advance for a ride to your hotel. 

Public Transit to Sun Life Stadium & Calder Race Course

Tri-Rail from North (Mangonia Park) to South (Miami Airport)

The Tri-Rail (local commuter train) cost $5 on the weekend for an unlimited ticket.  Buy the Ticket at the machine. Take the Train to Golden Glades Station.  There is a FREE SHUTTLE for Tri-Rail Riders ONLY to Sun Life Stadium. This is the BEST way to go to the game, if you're coming from the Palm Beach County.

Bus From Miami (SoBe) Beach

Bus #120 will take you north from Miami Beach (South Beach) to Aventura Mall.  Buy a One-Day Fare Card Miami Metro "Easy Ticket" for $5 on the bus.  At Aventura Mall, Take the #99 Bus to University Blvd & 199th Street - in front of Sun Life Stadium.  See Survival Checklist...there's a Race Trac gas station with a nice store at 207th & University.  That's the "last chance" to buy anything until you are in the stadium.

To return to Miami Beach - take the #99 Bus going Eastbound to Aventura Mall, then back to Bus #120 Southbound to Miami Beach (SoBe).

SCORE THE BEST SEATS - Cheap

What you need to know:

At Kickoff, Unused Tickets are Worthless.

Tickets for the Best Seats arrive 30 minutes prior to Kickoff.

There will be many No-Shows.  The hotter the temperature, the more the No-Shows.  The "U" rarely plays a daytime game and after today, you will know why.

DON'T settle for bad seats.  I bought Orange Bowl (Penn St-Florida St) tickets for $20 and Ravens-Dolphins Wildcard Playoff for $25, both on 35 yard line. The "off the beaten path" location of the stadium makes it a Buyers Market.   If you want to pay $10 for a "comp" employee ticket just to get in the stadium, there are plenty of empty seats in the upper deck.

Season Ticket Holders (i.e. Best Seats) have extras or give them all away to friends, customers and employees. Many tickets are going into the stadium unused...Unless you offer to buy it from the person that have them.  Most people are delighted to get something for it.

A lot of season ticket holders come to the game with extras and want to decide who is sitting next to them. That's why don't sell them on tickets exchange sites.

Buying an extra ticket from a season ticket holder is a Win-Win situation. Most realize there are very few buyers at these games.

Do NOT buy from Ticket "Scalpers" - The "I need tickets" guys with 10 tickets in their hand. Some sell fakes & voided tickets.  Season ticket holders don't want anything to do with them.  They would rather "eat" (carrying it unused into the stadium) the ticket, but you're going to help out the season ticket holders by buying their tickets. 

Season ticket holders don't want to be "embarrassed" by standing outside "hawking" tickets for sale.  But, if they see you're looking to buy a couple of tickets they will ask, "Do you need a ticket?"

The "Face Value" of a ticket means nothing.  The team makes season ticket holders feel good that they paid $75 for something marked $200. It also disappoints them when they sell it for $20.

Never buy "Internet" printed tickets (pages)...they've been photo copied 50 times.

What you need to do:

Print up a Seating Chart of Sun Life Stadium and have it with you. Know what range of sections you want.  Don't bother with end zone seats, between the two 30 yards lines is a good range.

Know what you are willing to pay - $20 a ticket is plenty for this game.  Have CASH READY to buy the tickets.

Dress (your Ravens attire is fine) & Act like the guy you would want sitting next to your children at M&T Stadium.  Nearly every ticket I bought was next to the person I bought it from.  Nobody wants to sit next to a jerk.

Go to Where The Tickets are - The best seats Come From the Maroon & Purple Permit lots next to the stadium  The Parking Lot signs will direct you. Put up 1 or 2 fingers (even if you need 4) to let people know you're looking.

The best seats are Teal & Orange, Fancy, Dolphins Logo, Hologram, Quality Printed tickets. 

If Ticketmaster printed tickets, check the back for printed matter - it should not be blank. Probably, one of the many free tickets given out. Reminder - Don't Buy Internet Tickets (pages).

Check the tickets for the Section Number, is it in your range?  Ask the seller "Are the seats next to you?  Are they Good?"  If you want the tickets, then offer $10 a ticket.  When the person ask for $100, just tell them $20 is all you're willing to pay.  They may take the $20 or look for a better price, but the clock is ticking.  They'll take the $20 and why not?  Its better than nothing.

Enjoy the game and your Great Seats.