Since the product on the field hasn’t been as good as expected, and the opponent isn’t compelling, the Chargers are trying something new in an effort to move unwanted tickets for Sunday’s game against the Panthers.
They’re using Groupon.
That’s right, the online coupon service, which specializes in half-price dinners and maid services and dance classes for suburban moms.
According to Michael Gehlken of U-T San Diego, the team said it was the first time it had used an outside service to try to move inventory.
The Groupon package includes “endzone-level seating” and a $20 voucher for concessions for $68. To buy the same tickets normally via Ticketmaster, the same ticket is $68, with an $8.25 convenience charge and without the food coupon.
When the online deal launched Monday, they needed to sell 13,000 tickets for the Panthers game by Thursday to avoid a third straight blackout and fourth in the past six games. Since 2010, eight of their 16 home games which weren’t in prime time have been blacked out.
It’s a move that comes off as a little desperate, but they’re far from the only team cutting prices or taking unusual steps to move tickets in December for teams out of the playoff hunt.
