Mary Hance

mscheap@tennessean.com

It takes a substantial commitment of time and money to be a full-season Nashville Predators fan — there 41 games on the home calendar and season tickets range in price from $660 to over $10,000.

Even single game tickets can be expensive, with some seats, like club level ones, priced at as much as $270 apiece.

But that doesn't mean that we cheapos have to miss all the fun, because there are lots of deals and promotions that make watching the action on the Bridgestone ice totally affordable.

Like $15 tickets.

Yep, $15 tickets to Nashville Predators games. A lot of people don't seem to know about this $15 deal that is offered at every single home game. It's called the "Ticketmaster $15 Day of Game Ticket Special."

Preds officials came up with this rock bottom offer four years ago to ensure that everyone would have access to affordable Preds tickets. The way it works is that the morning of every home game, starting at 10 a.m., one hundred $15 tickets will be available to be sold through Ticketmaster: www.nashvillepredators.com/GameDaySpecial.

It used to be that fans would line up at the box office and get these day of game tickets, but now it is only through Ticketmaster that you can get the deal. And Preds officials assured skeptical me that there is no additional Ticketmaster surcharge on the tickets. "The final price is $15," said spokeswoman Alexis Witman.

Woohoo!

There really are a lot of ways to get into the Preds games for less than the seemingly pricey single game rate. Season tickets are one way to bring down the cost per game price (and enjoy other perks, including priority purchasing for Stanley Cup Playoff tickets), and there are also half season ticket packages and a 13-game flex deal, where you can get and pick and choose your games at some nice savings off single game prices.

Full season packages start as low as $15 per game and half season packages, at $24 per game. Details: see nashvillepredators.com/seasonticket or call 615-770-7800.

But there are some other promotions that give you more bang for your puck — oops, I mean buck. Here goes:

McDonald's Family Four Packs are available for any Saturday game: Priced at $99, the pack includes four upper level tickets and four McDonald's coupons for something like a Big Mac or Happy Meal. www.nashvillepredators.com/mcdonalds

The Nissan "Two for Tuesday" package is available for any Tuesday night game. For $99, you get two lower level tickets, two hot dogs, two Pepsi products and a Nashville Predators car flag. Plus, you get to attend a special performance by a local up-and-coming artist on the Ford Band Stage. To get this deal use the promo code "two" at www.nashvillepredators.com/nissan

A good option for students is the Jack in the Box Student Rush Nights deal that is available for any Thursday night game. Area high school or college students can show their student ID at the Bridgestone Arena Box Office to receive a $ $35 Lower Level Ticket, a special T-shirt and a coupon for a Jack in the Box breakfast burrito. Whitman says this offer is good for any student with a student ID.

Hometown Hero Nights give a break for military and first responsders. In partnership with Remington Outdoor Company, the Predators offer all active duty and retired military as well as first responders (firefighters, police officers, nurses and EMTs) a special ticket rate for all games during the 2014-15 season. Hometown heroes can show their work ID at the Bridgestone Arena Box Office to receive up to four tickets at the special prices of $55 for lower level tickets or $23 for upper level seats.

A good chance to get a free insider look at the Preds is by catching a practice and seeing the players work their moves on the ice, which you can do without paying a cent. The Preds practices at Centennial Sportsplex are free and frequently open to the public. Your best bet is to call Fan Information at 615-770-7800 for information about a specific practice date.

In addition to these offers and promotions, there will be fun giveaways at select games — including a return of bobbleheads for the first time since 2003. You can collect a six-game set including Pekka Rinne, Shea Weber, James Neal and others bobbleheads.

Another piece of good news is that the Preds are getting ready to launch a program that rewards single-game buyers for ticket purchases, as well as concessions and merchandise purchases at Bridgestone Arena. Through purchases, fans will accrue credits to use toward future Nashville Predators game ticket purchases on ticketmaster.com.

The season opener was Oct. 9, and the Preds are looking good. And with the hockey season running through mid April, you definitely have plenty of time to catch a game or two, on the cheap of course.

Key games include visits from the Central Division rival Chicago Blackhawks on Oct. 23 and Dec. 6; Patric Hornqvist, Nick Spaling and the Pittsburgh Penguins on Oct. 25; the defending Stanley Cup Champion Los Angeles Kings on Nov. 25; Head Coach Peter Laviolette's former team the Philadelphia Flyers on Dec. 27; and Barry Trotz and the Washington Capitals on Jan. 16.

With the good news last week that Nashville was chosen to be the site for the 2016 NHL All-Star Game, I think our goal should be to take advantage of some of these money saving promotions at home games, get to know the game better, and get ready for this big national event when it comes. If you want info on the All-Star game, see www.nashvillepredators.com/allstar

I'm hoping that I can find a way for us to get some discounted tickets to that All-Star game too! I'll keep you posted.

Meanwhile, stay cheap!

Reach Ms. Cheap at 615-259-8282. Follow her at www.tennessean.com/mscheap, at Facebook.com/mscheap and on Twitter @Ms_Cheap, and catch her every Thursday at 11 a.m. on WTVF-Channel 5's "Talk of the Town."

Kids deals in Smashville

The Preds Kids Club membership is $25, and includes a free ticket to a home game, a monthly electronic newsletter, discount ticket offers to Bridgestone Arena events and Preds home games, eligibility for monthly drawings, invitations to exclusive Kids Club events, Ford Ice Center coupon book, Preds Pro Shop discount, discount on Gnash party appearances, and a goody bag with an official kids club shirt, Preds inflatable checking buddy, shoelaces, Gnash light switch cover, and more! (www.nashvillepredators.com/kidsclub for more info)

There is a "Try Hockey For Free" day set for Nov. 8, with free one-hour sessions for different ages including adults to learn to play hockey at Ford Ice Center in Antioch. The Preds also have a free Get Out and Learn (G.O.A.L.) program that teaches hockey to kids. Unfortunately the programs are currently full but there will be others offered. To stay up-to-date on the next G.O.A.L. programs and for more information on the Try Hockey for Free Day, see www.nashvillepredators.com/goal.

Oh, families will love the Nov. 29, game against Columbus, since the first 4,000 kids get free Marvel super hero gold capes!