The first preseason game for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers may be in Miami, but many faithful fans are giddy about football being back in their lives.
At the behind the scenes stadium tour at Raymond James Stadium, Darryl Voltz could hardly contain his excitement.
“Man, I’ve been a Bucs fan since, you about to get me going. I’ve been a Bucs fan since like 1996,” said Voltz, who is a fan from afar.
He lives in Birmingham, Alabama and has never been to a Bucs game at Ray Jay.
“I’ve always been kind of an underdog type guy. Bucs were real bad back then and I picked them and I stuck with them.”
Fans who don’t have season tickets may be in for at treat this year.
Brent Miller with Choice Tickets of Tampa says game tickets could be more affordable this year, depending on when and where you buy.
Buying at the last minute used to be risky, but now that could save you some cash.
“Wait ’til the last second. You can’t have your print at home ticket any more, they’re not mailing tickets out,” said Miller.
“It’s all on your phone so you can be tailgating and walk up and buy your tickets five minutes before the game starts.”
At The Bucs Store at Heads and Tails on Kennedy Boulevard in Tampa, the shelves are stocked and the red and pewter garb is hanging, ready to be gobbled up.
Lisa Hopkins expects if the team wins its first preseason game, business will be brisk in the morning.
But, she says, there are still fans that are waiting to make that all important purchase.
“They’re waiting for all fo the merchandise to come in, to see what they have to choose from. They’re also waiting to see how the team does,” said Hopkins.
“Perhaps they’re going to switch jerseys this year, maybe start out with a new jersey, a new lucky jersey.”