5 reasons why every sports fan should have the Chase Sapphire Reserve

I love sports just as much as I love points and miles. I’ve actually been wondering why there isn’t a dedicated credit card for sports fans.

But there is a card that I truthfully may have overlooked: the Chase Sapphire Reserve® (see rates and fees).

The Sapphire Reserve is a popular premium travel rewards card, but it also offers a unique value proposition to sports fans. If you go to one game a year or are a die-hard fan and travel to every game, this card is arguably the best one for you.

The card has a steep $795 annual fee, but sports fans can use a variety of lifestyle credits and benefits to help offset some of that cost.

Whether you’re a fan of the diamond, field, hardwood, rink or track, this card may deserve a spot in your wallet. Here are five reasons why.

Ticket credits

The Chase Sapphire Reserve has an annual up-to-$300 credit for StubHub or Viagogo through Dec. 31, 2027, allotted as up to $150 biannually (one credit from January to June and another from July to December). Activation is required.

StubHub and Viagogo are two of the largest ticket marketplaces, so you should have no issues finding tickets to a sporting event. However, it’s important to note that ticket prices on these platforms can be higher than face value because many tickets are from resellers.

For example, TPG Credit Card Writer Danyal Ahmed, a huge Los Angeles Lakers fan, can make the most of his credit by getting tickets to a game in November or December and again getting tickets once the new year comes. This way, he would use his credit effectively for the second half of 2025 and the first half of 2026.

Personally, I’m considering getting this card to use this credit on Oregon Ducks football tickets. Since the credit is broken down biannually, I could use up to $150 to buy a ticket to a game in October or November. Then, if fortune favors me and Oregon makes a deep run in the college football playoffs, I could use the other $150 to buy tickets to a playoff game in January.

Although the credit may not fully cover the cost of tickets, it effectively saves you $150 off the total cost. On the flip side, if your ticket is cheaper than $150, you can use this credit on multiple purchases until you reach your biannual allotment.

Note: If you’re a current Sapphire Reserve cardholder who applied before June 23, you will have access to this credit after Oct. 26.

Related: The best credit cards for sports fans

Travel credit

The Chase Sapphire Reserve offers an annual $300 travel credit. It is by far one of the easiest credits to use — you may not even realize you are using it. It is automatically triggered after you make any purchase that codes as travel, including for things like buses, parking and tolls.

This can be great for sports fans, with many options for using the credit. You can use it on a flight, or if you’re local and just want to drive to the game, it can cover parking costs.

Even better, this credit isn’t distributed in allotments and can be used all at once.

Related: How to use the Chase Sapphire Reserve $300 annual travel credit to save on travel

Hotel credits

Cardholders receive an up-to-$500 annual statement credit for hotels booked via The Edit by Chase Travel℠, allotted as up to $250 biannually. A minimum two-night prepaid stay is required.

The Edit is a luxury hotel booking platform. Sports fans will not scoff at the idea of a discounted hotel stay. While in most major cities during a sporting event, getting a two-night stay through The Edit isn’t possible for just $250, you can effectively save up to $250 off your stay twice per year.

Plus, if you have hotel elite status, those benefits will apply when booking through The Edit, and you will earn hotel points and elite night credits, which is not typical when booking through an online travel agency.

Note: If you’re a current Sapphire Reserve cardholder who applied before June 23, you will have access to this credit after Oct. 26.

Related: Chase Sapphire Reserve’s The Edit credit: What to know

Apple subscriptions

Chase Sapphire Reserve cardholders receive complimentary Apple Music and Apple TV+ subscriptions (through June 22, 2027; one-time activation per service through chase.com or the Chase Mobile app is required).

Most don’t realize Apple TV+ streams many games, including those from Major League Baseball and Major League Soccer. Plus, Apple TV+ has a variety of interesting sports documentaries and scripted shows (like one of my favorites, “Ted Lasso”). While everyone may not use this subscription, if you can, this is a nice perk for sports fans to have.

Note: If you’re a current Sapphire Reserve cardholder who applied before June 23, you will have access to this credit after Oct. 26.

Related: I pay for Apple Music and Spotify — soon, I’ll get both for the price of one thanks to this card

Earning rates

The Chase Sapphire Reserve has a variety of bonus categories. You’ll earn:

• 8 points per dollar spent on purchases made through Chase Travel, including The Edit
• 5 points per dollar spent on Lyft rides through Sept. 30, 2027
• 4 points per dollar spent on flights and hotels booked directly
• 3 points per dollar spent on dining worldwide
• 1 point per dollar spent on all other purchases

Fans who travel frequently to see their team play can really rack up rewards. If you prefer booking travel through a portal, you’ll earn 8 points per dollar spent on travel booked via Chase Travel and 4 points per dollar spent on all flights and hotels booked directly.

If you need to get a ride to the game, you’ll earn 5 points per dollar spent on Lyft (through Sept. 30, 2027). Cardholders also receive $10 monthly in Lyft ride credit. While $10 likely won’t cover a ride to and from a stadium, it will effectively save you $10 off those costs.

When traveling to sporting events, you’ll likely get hungry and want to fuel up. You’ll earn 3 points per dollar spent on dining worldwide. Additionally, while most purchases at stadium or arena food stands don’t code as dining, there is the possibility that they might, and you’d be able to earn 3 points per dollar spent as well.

Note: If you’re a current Sapphire Reserve cardholder who applied before June 23, you will have access to these earning rates after Oct. 26.

Related: I’m keeping my Chase Sapphire Reserve despite its $795 annual fee. Here’s why

Other considerations

There are a handful of other useful perks and credits that can make the Chase Sapphire Reserve beneficial to sports fans, including:

• Dining credit: Cardholders receive up to $150 biannually at Sapphire Reserve Exclusive Tables with no reservation required. If you’re traveling to see your team play, you can enjoy a nice meal for free or at a reduced cost with this credit. Simply pay with your card at a participating restaurant to receive the credit.
• Lounge access: Receive access to Sapphire and Priority Pass lounges and access to select Air Canada Maple Leaf lounges. This can be a nice perk to start any trip to go to see your favorite team play. Who doesn’t like free food and drinks to start or end a trip?
• Travel protections: Cardholders have access to a suite of travel protections in the event that, when traveling to see your play, your plans go awry.
• Welcome bonus: The Sapphire Reserve offers a massive welcome bonus, allowing new cardholders to earn 125,000 bonus points after spending $6,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. Based on TPG’s September 2025 valuations, this offer is worth $2,563. This welcome bonus can help you travel to even more sporting events or cover hotel costs. It’s important to note that Chase does have very strict rules regarding welcome bonus eligibility.

These additional benefits are even more reasons why sports fans should consider adding the Sapphire Reserve to their wallet.

Note: If you’re a current Sapphire Reserve cardholder who applied before June 23, you will have access to the dining credit after Oct. 26.

Related: Chase Sapphire Reserve statement credits: What they are and how to use them

Bottom line

The Chase Sapphire Reserve isn’t just a travel rewards card. Sports fans should really consider adding this card to their wallet, as they’ll be surprised by the value they can extract from it.

To learn more, read our full review of the Chase Sapphire Reserve.

Apply here: Chase Sapphire Reserve