I know that the conventional wisdom is that the early bird gets the worm, but data from latest survey shows that this might not always be true when it comes to buying tickets to sporting events. According to data from a survey conducted by Penn Schoen Berland, fans who waited until the day of an event to purchase tickets saved 30 percent on average than those who bought tickets one month prior. So far in 2012, the average ticket price for a concert or marquee sporting event one month from the event date was $95 on StubHub. However, just three days away from the event the average ticket price dropped to $66, and within 24 hours of the event the average ticket price was $62.

This backs up all the recommendations I’ve been trying to tell everyone. As Ray Elias, our chief marketing officer points out in this USA Today article, when it comes to the ticket industry, the longer you wait, the lower the price will usually get. Look at it this way, a ticket is an expiring item. Once the event date passes, the value of a ticket drops to $0. So as that moment approaches, sellers will try anything to unload their seats because in a short while they will soon be worth nothing!

This year’s Super Bowl is a great example. Once the Conference Championships were over, prices for the Big Game were close to $2,500. By Super Bowl Sunday, the get-in price was down to $900. This means that fans who want to purchase tickets to high-profile games, such as the NHL or NBA playoffs, can likely score the best deal by waiting until game day to purchase.

The survey also highlighted some of the other trends that are taking place in society, as more and more fans are waiting until the last minute to make plans and purchase tickets. I found this pretty fascinating, and obviously the rise of mobile devices is making it easier for friends to connect, make plans, and buy tickets all at a moment’s notice.

If you want to read all the findings of the report, which are pretty interesting, check out our full release here.

I’m sure many of you are thinking, “Oh no, tomorrow is Valentine’s Day and I have yet to plan the perfect evening for my Valentine!” No need to break a sweat quite yet. StubHub still has many last-minute tickets that are sure to impress your guy or gal so they never have to know that you almost forgot about the holiday. Below I’m highlighting just a few of the great options we still have available for events across the country.

Ladies, your man is sure to love you forever if you take him to see the NBA’s hottest sensation, the New York Knicks’ Jeremy Lin. Lin is attempting to continue his remarkable playing streak as they take on the Toronto Raptors in Toronto. Be a part of the Linsanity without breaking the bank with tickets starting at $52. You don’t have to take your man to Canada either; there are great deals to be had stateside as well. Tickets to the Bulls vs. Kings game in Chicago are another affordable gift option. What better reason to brave the chilly Chicago weather than a trip to see this fun match-up.

Is your man a hockey fan? Then how about tickets to see the Tampa Bay Lightning take on the Ottawa Senators in Tampa? Be there to find out if the Lightning can fight their way back into the playoffs. And if you aren’t into hockey, don’t worry, I love the stadium’s new lightning bolt contraptions that fire up as the team takes the ice.

Now guys, don’t expect her to do all the work. Get your country on with Martina McBride for as little as $54 at the Nokia Theater in Los Angeles. And if theater is your lady’s thing, then I would recommend taking her to see the buzz-worthy Broadway hit, which stars my favorite little Harry Potter, How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying playing at the Hirschfield Theater in New York City. Don’t be scared, the Chicago Tribune calls this smash, “great fun for everyone.”

So, don’t fret over last-minute Valentine’s Day plans. StubHub will make it quick and simple, and we’ll even let you take all the credit. Drop me a line if you use StubHub to set-up your perfect date!