If you’re looking to attend a popular event that’s likely to sell out quickly, one of the key pieces of information you’ll want to know is how many tickets are still available. Knowing the number of remaining tickets can help you gauge the demand for the event and the urgency to purchase your tickets before they’re gone.
Here are some tips on how to find out the availability of tickets for an event you want to attend:
Check the event or venue website
The official website for the event or venue is usually the best place to start. Look for a ticket availability counter or announcements about selling out. Often the website will have wording like “Only X tickets left!” or “Limited availability” to indicate high demand.
For very high-profile events, the website may have a waitlist you can join when tickets are sold out. This gives you the option to still try for tickets should more become available later. Keep checking back regularly as the on-sale date approaches, as more tickets could be released in batches.
Know the on-sale date and time
Mark your calendar for when tickets go on sale to the public. For popular events, tickets may sell out extremely quickly once sales open up. Be ready at your computer to purchase as soon as the sale starts.
Also look out for presales that give certain groups early access before the general public sale. Fan clubs, credit card holders, and social media followers may get presale codes to purchase tickets ahead of the crowd.
Sign up for alerts and notifications
Many ticketing sites will let you set up alerts about ticket availability. You can get notified when new tickets are released or a show is marked sold out.
Social media is another good avenue. Follow the event pages and sign up for updates on any last-minute tickets. Turn on notifications so you don’t miss any announcements.
Check secondary markets
If a show is sold out on the primary ticket seller, check secondary markets like StubHub and Vivid Seats where resellers list tickets. The ticket prices will likely be higher than face value, but it may be your last option to get into a hot event.
On these resale sites, you can see exactly how many tickets are left based on current listings. Keep in mind this availability can change fast as tickets sell.
Look for special promotions
In some cases, extra tickets may be released through special promotions, contests, or giveaways, even after an event has supposedly sold out. It’s worth entering any of these available promotions for a chance to still score seats.
Radio stations, sponsors, and the venue itself may run ticket contests to create more buzz leading up to the event. It doesn’t hurt to try your luck by participating.
Wait until the last minute
As the event date gets closer, some ticket holders may need to sell their tickets due to unforeseen changes in plans. More tickets could become available a few days or hours before the show. Prices may even drop below face value if sellers are desperate to unload tickets.
Keep checking online resale sites and outside the venue box office right up until showtime for any tickets released at the last minute.
Inquire about in-person options
For some events, a portion of tickets are reserved for in-person sales only at the venue box office. These box office only tickets are not available online.
Contact the box office directly to ask if they are holding any tickets to sell on-site. Be prepared to go down to the venue and line up for the chance at box office tickets.
Similarly, ask the venue if they will have any production holds or VIP ticket packages. These may offer guaranteed entry, even when general admission is sold out.
Check for seat upgrades
If you already have tickets but want better seats, see if you can upgrade. Venues sometimes hold back select premium tickets for release at the last minute.
Ask your original point of purchase and check the venue website for any upgrade options that may now be available.
Use a ticket search engine
Ticket search engines like SeatGeek can be helpful to look for tickets across multiple online sellers. You may come across listings you otherwise would have missed.
These search engines aggregate ticket sites, resale platforms, and online marketplaces. The best deals get surfaced at the top of the search results.
Turn on deal alerts
Many ticket search engines allow you to save your search and get alerted if any new deals pop up. This custom alert tracks tickets on your behalf and emails you if better seats open up.
Getting quick notifications of newly available discount tickets increases your chances of scoring a great deal.
Expand your search
If the pickings are slim, try broadening your search to include additional shows on other dates or cities nearby. There may be more availability on adjacent tour dates or locations.
Traveling a bit farther or adjusting your schedule slightly could be worth it to secure tickets.
Seeing the same show on a different night isn’t quite as ideal. But the experience would still be better than missing out altogether.
Follow the tour
For major concert tours,you can follow the schedule to cities that haven’t sold out yet. Look for locations later in the tour that still have seats available.
Booking early for a future date can get you in the door, even if your own hometown is sold out.
Get on the guest list
For some smaller events, getting on the guest list can help you gain free entry when tickets are scarce. The venue or performers keep a list of VIP guests who can bypass the ticket line.
You’ll need to establish the right connections to get a spot on the exclusive guest list. Reach out to the event coordinator, promoter or band/artist team to politely ask about guest list options.
Show up early
When all else fails, show up at the venue early before the scheduled doors open time. Some shows will admit a limited number of people from the ticket line on a first come, first served basis.
Arrive hours in advance to be near the front and stake out your place in line. The earlier you get there, the better your chances if the venue releases extra last minute tickets or allows stand-by patrons to fill unsold seats.
Persistence and dedication to wait it out could still result in you getting into a “sold out” event.
Purchase partial packages or single tickets
If you only need 1 or 2 tickets but full ticket packages are all that’s left, consider splitting a package with other attendees. You may be able to purchase a block of tickets together and then resell the extras.
Pair up with other fans who need tickets to buy a package and just keep what you need. This can be cheaper than paying marked up reseller prices.
Get creative with multi-act fests
For big music festivals with multiple stages and performers, you have more options. If single day tickets are sold out, look for other package types like multi-day festival passes.
Even if you’re only interested in one headliner or band, a full festival ticket at least gets you in the door. You can skip acts you’re less interested in.
Join a fan club
Dedicated fan clubs often get priority access to purchase tickets for their artist’s shows. By becoming a fan club member, you may be able to buy tickets during presales before the general public.
Fan club members also sometimes get invited to more intimate “underplay” shows in smaller venues. Even when huge stadium shows are sold out, fan club members may be able to attend more exclusive concerts.
Volunteer
Volunteering or working at the event comes with some perks. Event staff, volunteers, vendors and crew members frequently receive complimentary admission. Ask the promoter or venue about volunteer positions that come with free event access.
Working an event is a convenient loophole into some exclusive experiences and great seats without needing a ticket. Just be prepared to take on a job in exchange for the free perk.
Putting in a few hours directing parking, taking tickets or setting up the stage can pay off hugely if it allows you to be at a hot, tough-to-get-into show.
Attend rehearsals or soundchecks
Major concerts often have dress rehearsals or soundchecks the day before the performance. While not guaranteed, sometimes fans can talk their way into attending if they show up early and ask nicely.
Bands want to perform in front of a crowd, even if it’s just a small rehearsal turnout. With some luck and good timing, you may be granted permission to watch the soundcheck as a sneak peak.
Consider related events
Can’t get tickets to the main concert? See if they have any affiliated events going on. The performer may be making other promotional appearances or hosting exclusive meet & greets.
Movie premieres, talk show tapings, signings, interview events and corporate parties can provide alternative chances to see your favorite act.
While not the full live show experience, you may still be able to attend adjacent promotional events if the concert is sold out.
Bid in charity auctions
Charity auctions are another tactic to land hard-to-get tickets. Nonprofit events frequently auction off VIP ticket packages, backstage access, meet & greets with stars, and other exclusive additions.
By bidding in one of these charity events, you can potentially win amazing tickets while also donating to a good cause.
Even if you can afford to buy them, the charity perk and tax write-off opportunity is nice bonus.
Go corporate
Big companies will often buy event suites and full blocks of premium tickets as employee perks, client entertainment, or vendor promotions.
If you know anyone at a company that has an event partnership, see if they have extra tickets to share. Partnerships mean guaranteed ticket access, even when the rest of the event is sold out.
Having a corporate connection can unlock hard-to-get seats and luxury accommodations beyond regular admission.
Conclusion
Getting your hands on tickets when availability is scarce will take some creativity and persistence. But utilizing these tips can help uncover opportunities to see your must-attend event.
From closely tracking on-sales to securing corporate tickets to bidding at charity auctions, exhaust all possible options before giving up. With the right timing and some luck, you can land seats to even the hottest sold out show in town.
The key is being proactive about searching out multiple sources, acting quickly when you find a lead, and staying optimistic that tickets will become available.
Refreshing the event website obsessively, signing up for every alert, leverage your connections, and don’t take “sold out” as a final answer. With the right strategy, you can find a way into nearly any event, however exclusive it seems.
Summary of Tips:
Method | Details |
---|---|
Check official website | Look for ticket availability counters and announcements about selling out |
Know on-sale date/time | Be ready right at the start of public sales to purchase |
Sign up for alerts | Get notified if new tickets are released |
Check secondary markets | StubHub, Vivid Seats, etc. may have resale listings |
Look for promotions | Enter contests and giveaways for chance to win tickets |
Wait until last minute | Check sites again right before event for desperation listings |
Ask about box office tickets | Venues sometimes hold back tickets for in-person sales only |
Inquire about upgrades | Ask your point of purchase about seat upgrades as event nears |
Use a ticket search engine | Tools like SeatGeek aggregate listings across multiple sites |
Broaden search | Look for availability nearby or on other tour dates |
Split ticket packages | Team up with others to purchase blocks of tickets and split extras |
Buy festival passes | Gets you in the door even if single day tickets gone |
Join fan club | Fan clubs get presale ticket access before general public |
Volunteer | Work event for free admission |
Attend rehearsals | Soundchecks may allow some fans as audience |
Go to related events | Performers may have other promotions or appearances |
Bid at charity auctions | Opportunity to win hard-to-get tickets and VIP extras |
Use corporate connections | Companies with partnerships have guaranteed access |