Fan camps out for coveted Bengals playoff tickets

CINCINNATI - The Cincinnati Bengals are heading to the playoffs and many local fans are hoping to head there, too, as playoff tickets came to the box office Wednesday.

Tickets for the Bengals-Texans match up went on sale at noon, but there is a limited number available for the general public, according to Bengals Director of Sales and Public Affairs Jeff Berding. The Bengals will play the Texans at 4:30 p.m. at Reliant Stadium in Houston on Saturday.

Less than 100 tickets will be sold for the Bengals’ first playoff game, Berding said. Under league rules, visiting teams get a limited number and the Bengals are offering those tickets to coaches and players first, Berding added.

Any tickets that may be left over will be offered to season ticket holders on a first come, first serve basis, Berding said.

Berding predicted Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton will snatch up many of the tickets offered to players since he is from Texas. Before Dalton joined the Bengals he played for Texas Christian University in Fort Worth, Texas.

Despite limited ticket availability, one die hard fan camped out through frigid temperatures for a chance to get tickets.

Chris Day of Amelia started camping out at the Bengals box office around 6 p.m. Tuesday. His patience paid off and he was able to get four tickets.

“I want to see the Bengals get their first road playoff win in Houston,” said Day, who said his friends call him “Who Day.” “Andy Dalton is going back home to Texas and it’s going to be a great game.”

Fans are encouraged to call the box office before camping out to see if tickets are even available. The Bengals box office can be reached at (513)621-8383.

But that's not the only place you can find tickets. Resold tickets are available on StubHub at http://www.stubhub.com/houston-texans-playoff-tickets/texans-vs-bengals-1-7-2012-2781183/ .

And while it may be appealing to go to the playoff game, it could cost fans. To read about the estimated cost of going to a playoff game, read John Matarese's story at http://www.wcpo.com/dpp/money/consumer/dont_waste_your_money/800-to-see-the-bengals-in-the-playoffs .