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Fenway Park has sold out every game since it was opened in 1912, or at least it seems like that lately. In a city where Red Sox free agent signings dominate the headlines while the Patriots are en route to the Super Bowl, its not surprising. Tickets start going on sale before Christmas, typically selling in 4-packs and for the early season and late season games (April, May and September) though not for any of the premium games (Patriots Day, Yankees, Opening Day, etc.). Then, they drop most of the regular season tickets sometime in February, which of course, sell out in a few hours. Here’s what you don’t know: They don’t put all the tickets on sale at the same time. The Red Sox are very aware of the demand their tickets carry, and the current ownership has pledged to battle scalpers and keep the price of tickets down (Even though some cost $250 from the Red Sox). This means that they hold tickets and drop them to the public at random points throughout the season, so if you are diligent enough, you will always be able to get a ticket for just about any game. It really is quite random, though there are a few key times when your luck will be better than others. Here are some ticket tips:

Leading up to the game you want to see, keep checking the web site for ticket drops. These typically happen a couple days before the homestand starts, and tickets will show up in the morning after the ticket office opens (10:00 am). I’m not sure if online is better vs. calling - I think it’s all a crapshoot as the systems are not necessarily always displaying the same availability.

On Game Days, there are ALWAYS tickets available for that day’s game. Many times, they are excellent seats (that were saved for players and last-minute VIPs). I have gotten 5th row behind the on-deck circle, Green Monster, and Right Field roof tables on day of game multiple times in the past. Its all about timing.

• Call the automated line or the box office directly right at 10:00 am - often tickets are available only on the phone or from a rep and not online.
• Go online around 10:15 and keep checking - they will often release tickets to the website soon after they open. Even for sold out games, tickets will be dropped and you can get lucky.
• Check online again after lunch, like 1:00 or so. This is when the preium tickets get released. I’ve seen it happen any time between 12:00 and 3:00. They usually last only a couple minutes becuase I’m not the only one who has figured this out, but again, the more persistent you are, the better your chances are.
• Go to the park early. The box office DOES NOT sell tickets on game day - there is a separate window on Landsdowne St. by gate C. You will see a large line - all of the unclaimed and last minute tickets to the park go on sale here 2 hours before game time. I’ve been told they release an average of 200 tickets here, sometimes more, sometimes less.
• Not many people know this, but Fenway Park has a scalp-free section behind the park next to the Ted Williams statue. This is where fans with extra tickets can sell their tickets at face value to other fans. It is regulated by Red Sox staff to ensure scalpers stay away. I know people who got World Series tickets waiting here, though a typical day at scalp free sees only about a dozen or so tickets exchange hands (at least for the more popular games).
• Last but not least, wait out the scalpers. Once the game starts, prices drop. Take a stroll back to Kenmore station and then back to Fenway Park - at this point, they want to go home as much as you want to go to the game, and are often willing to dump the few remaining tickets they have for face value or less.