When Dianne Debarros and Tom Stitzel went to a Toronto Blue Jays game last month, they expected food and drink prices at Rogers Centre to be steep. With foot‑long hotdogs near $13 and 515‑ml premium draft beers approaching $15, the Sarnia, Ont., couple behind the @coupon.couple account started hunting for ways to cut costs.
A friend suggested two words: Dugout Deals. Located near sections 240 and 537, that concession sells classic ballpark items at a fraction of the typical price. Before tax, “value” hotdogs, popcorn and 16‑ounce soft drinks were listed at $3.49, and a 12‑oz. Bud Light at $5.79. “If you got a hotdog and just a pop, it would be, like, under $7,” Debarros said. “That’s awesome compared to $30 at some of the other stands.”
Events and festivals across Canada have become more expensive. AtVenu, a point‑of‑sale technology company, reported that the average fan in Canada and the U.S. spent USD $68 on food and beverages at festivals last year, up from $65 in 2022. The firm also found food prices rose about 21% on average, while drink prices climbed between 7% and 20% depending on type and alcohol content.
Still, sports fans, concertgoers and festival attendees say there are practical ways to save without missing the experience.
Featured credit cards
Consider cards that earn rewards or cash back on everyday spending if you regularly attend events. A rewards card can help offset ticket and concession costs over time, while a low‑interest or no‑fee card may be better if you carry a balance. Always compare annual fees, introductory offers and ongoing rates before applying.
Check if you can bring your own food and drink
Some venues, including Rogers Centre, allow outside food and non‑alcoholic drinks, often with restrictions such as no glass or metal containers and sealed caps on bottles. Bringing a sealed water bottle or a small snack can save money, especially when bottle refill stations or public water fountains are available inside the venue.
“Some will let you bring water as long as you have it in a bottle with a sealed cap, so I try to take advantage of those little loopholes,” said Jordann Kaye, a Halifax‑based personal finance writer. Many places also permit clear, empty bottles to be filled at on‑site fountains, which is an easy way to stay hydrated without buying pricey bottled drinks.
If you do plan to buy at the venue, check prices carefully. Draft beer is often less expensive than mixed drinks or wine, though all options can be costly. Kaye prefers beer because it’s more filling and she drinks it more slowly, which reduces the number of purchases during an event. Also be aware that in‑seat service or tipping roaming vendors can add to the tab—buying from fixed concession stands often costs less.
Look for budget-friendly promotions
Promotions and themed nights are an easy way to save. Some arenas run $1 hotdog nights, and last season one football team offered a $5 menu including beers, nachos, popcorn and hotdogs. At another venue, a pre‑game happy hour sold draft beer, highballs, wine and selected food items for a reduced price during a set window before puck drop.
If promotions aren’t available, opt for shared or refillable items. “Bottomless” or refillable drinks and popcorn can be split among friends or family, and frequent refills can stretch a small purchase into multiple servings. Sharing is a simple and effective strategy for lowering per‑person costs.
Plan to eat before the event
Arriving already fed is one of the best ways to avoid impulse purchases at busy concession counters. Kaye recommends having a meal before you go so snacks and quick buys aren’t as tempting when you’re standing in line. When you are full, chips or other munchies simply don’t look as appealing.
For longer outings, stash portable snacks—granola bars, fruit, or trail mix—in your vehicle or bag, if allowed. Those small items can curb post‑event hunger and prevent an expensive drive‑through stop on the way home. To manage spending across a season, look ahead at your calendar and factor events into your entertainment budget so purchases don’t come as an unexpected expense.
“If you regularly meet friends for drinks after work, maybe skip that for a week or two, so you have some extra cash to put toward these events that are memorable,” Kaye said. Planning and small tradeoffs let you enjoy events without financial guilt.
More about spending:
- 5 credit card habits that earn points faster
- The best low‑interest credit cards in Canada
- Why is gas so expensive in Canada?
- Wise card review