5/14/2014
Chili Bowl Nationals
The Great Question: How do I get Chili Bowl Tickets?
TULSA, Okla. (May 14, 2014) - For those who already have tickets to the great indoor race that is the Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals, getting seats from year-to-year is simple. If you don't have tickets for the Chili Bowl, things can get a little more complicated, but really it's not as hard as you think.
Granted, Chili Bowl tickets are a coveted thing. So much so that they have been bequeathed on more than one occasion, but they are not out of reach. Here are the 11 most common questions we get about tickets. Our answers are in hopes of informing, and giving you a giggle.
So, with the deadline for ticket renewals now past, the question is when can the general public get in line for tickets? Here's what most people don't know, and we've tried to let them know. You can call and order tickets during the renewal process. This doesn't guarantee you tickets, but it does put you in line to receive tickets once the previous year's ticket holders have been taken care of.
How long until we know what is still available? Call us old fashioned, but we pull all orders by hand. We DO NOT use any online ordering or sorting system for our tickets. If you see seats for sale online, that's not us. Now, because we hand pull and ship all orders, it takes about a month after the deadline to truly know what is available.
HINT: When you call and order tickets for the first time, try not to be overly picky about where you sit. There really isn't a bad seat at the Chili Bowl. What works best is to say how many you want, as close as possible. We'll do our best to try to get you next to your buddy. Getting an aisle seat is right up there with seeing a unicorn.
If I ordered for the first time, when do I get charged? If paying with a credit card, we do not charge anyone until we are able to pull their order. That goes back to hand pulling tickets to make sure you are not out money due to a computer glitch. Granted, we are human, but there is something reassuring about being able to see the actual ticket before we asses any charges. If you pay by check, the check is sent to our bank as soon as we get it since most checks have a 90 day window. If we can't get you tickets, we will refund your money.
How can I pay? We take Visa, Mastercard, Check, Money Order, and of course Cash. We do not take American Express, Discover, or foreign currency.
Is there a limit to the number of tickets I can buy? Not at all. We have people who order 50 tickets at a time but remember, they have been collecting these seats for years, and usually are the go to for the entire town.
How many rows are there? Depends on where you are sitting. If you are on the front straight-a-way, there are 14 rows. These are the most coveted tickets and usually don't come up for sale. Turns three and four are the super-stands, they are 35 rows and that is where most of the unclaimed tickets end up.
Do I need a ticket to watch the Chili Bowl? Knowing you have a seat is the best way to go, but not the only way to go. The Pit Pass gives you access to the entire Pit area, obviously, but it also gives you access to the back straight-a-way where seating is first come, first serve. This is the home of the Top Row Rowdies. This is their domain, and you will be judged on your partying ability. Just remember, these seats are first come, first serve, so a bribe of beer, or food, to save your seat when nature calls might be a good idea. Also, Pit Passes cannot be purchased in advance, they must be purchased at the Chili Bowl.
I bought my tickets online, but lost them, can you replace them? Absolutely NOT. If you bought your tickets from someone besides the nice ladies, or occasional guy, that answers the phones at the Chili Bowl office, you are out of luck. There is no way around this.
I bought my tickets from the Chili Bowl, but lost them, can you replace them? Now see, we can work with you on this. Anyone who attends the Chili Bowl, who has lost or left their tickets at home, will be charged again for their tickets. No exceptions. Only when the tickets are found and returned to the Chili Bowl Office will a refund be issued for the second charge. The buyer has 30 days after the Chili Bowl to claim a refund. Again, we are not liable for any second hand purchased tickets. Tickets must be purchased from the Chili Bowl Office.
So and so said I could have their seats, can I switch them over? NO YOU MAY NOT. Unless we have direct permission from the person who has claim to those tickets, we will not switch tickets to anyone.
So and so has died, can we get their tickets? Remember that comment earlier about bequeathing tickets? This falls into that category. Only a family member can release the tickets, and they must be the executor of that person's estate, and provide a certificate of death to the Chili Bowl offices before the tickets can be released.
We hope this answers some of your questions. We realize we probably haven't covered every question that arises, but these are the 11 most common we get. If you have any other question, please call us at 918-838-3777, Monday-Friday, between 9:00 A.M. and 5:00 P.M. (CT).
For more information on the 29th running of the Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals presented by General Tire, log onto http://www.chilibowl.com.
Quick Check:
Event: 29th Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals presented by General Tire
Date: January 13-17, 2015
Business Office mailing address:
Chili Bowl Nationals
1141 S. 83rd East Ave.
Tulsa, OK 74112
Phone: 918-838-3777
Fax: 918-836-5517
Website: http://www.chilibowl.com
Ticket Prices:
Tickets are Sold in 4 day or 5 day packages:
1 ticket for 4 days=$217
1 ticket for 5 days=$267
All orders are shipped USPS. Ticket orders of 12 or less are $5.00 to ship. Shipping above depends on size and weight of envelope or package.
Submitted By: Bryan Hulbert
