Gaining press credentials to something you're not supposed to have credentials for is a lot like trying to jump to better seats in an arena/stadium: You take your chances that the powers-that-be are being lazy about checking, and your odds improve dramatically at a non-elite event.
I've been to countless Saints and Hornets games as a legitimate member of the media, but LSU is all uppity about things because they have limited pressbox space and think my outfit is too "bloggy". Getting credentialed to an LSU game is like getting an invite to an event at the White House ... you're better off crashing. Which is ironical, given how dumpy that stadium is. (It reminds me of Memorial, only bigger ... and full of fans that sort of care.)
The key to being elite at these events, stevedave, is to just act like you belong. That's pretty much it.