When it comes to buying tickets for concerts, shows, and other live events, timing can be everything. Most people want to get the best seats at the lowest prices. This leads many fans to closely watch ticket prices and try to determine the best time to buy. So when exactly do ticket prices tend to drop before a show?
How Far in Advance Are Tickets Sold?
In general, tickets for most live events go on sale 75-90 days before the event date. This allows the promoter time to coordinate details and start building hype and anticipation. For extremely high-demand shows where tickets sell out very quickly, they may go on sale up to 6 months in advance.
Some exceptions to these general timelines:
- Sporting events often have tickets go on sale 30-45 days in advance since game schedules fluctuate.
- Small club shows may only be announced 30-60 days ahead.
- Theatre performances usually go on sale 60-90 days before opening night of a production.
So for most concerts, shows, Broadway performances, etc., there is a 2-3 month window between the initial on-sale date and the event itself. This is when pricing trends start to occur.
Primary Market Pricing Trends
In the primary ticket market directly from the venue or promoter, initial prices usually stay consistent from the on-sale date up until 1-2 weeks before the event. During this time, they are trying to sell as many tickets as possible to fill the venue. Lowering prices too soon would lose them revenue on tickets already sold.
It’s only when they have significant unsold inventory remaining that promoters start reducing prices. This often happens in the final 7-14 days leading up to an event. Examples of primary market discounts include:
- Reduced ticket fees to make base prices more appealing
- Discounts codes offering 15-25% off certain sections
- “Buy 1 get 1” promotions
These sales are often announced on the event’s social media pages and email lists. Fans must act quickly since the best deals go fast. But in general, the last 1-2 weeks before a show is when the primary market offers the cheapest prices.
Secondary Market Pricing Trends
In the secondary ticket market on reseller sites like StubHub, pricing trends follow a more predictable curve. Here are the typical phases:
Timing | Price Trends |
---|---|
On-sale date – 90 days out | Highest prices. Fans buy up initial inventory which is limited. |
60-30 days out | Decline starts as demand decreases. Resellers compete for sales. |
30-14 days out | Sharpest decline as event nears with many tickets still unsold. |
Final 2 weeks | Lowest prices with steep discounts by resellers. Some increase if event sells out. |
There are always exceptions, but this general timeline usually holds true on the secondary market. The sweet spot for deals is that period 30-14 days before the event when sellers start aggressively discounting unsold inventory.
How Much Do Prices Drop?
The overall amount that ticket prices decline varies greatly based on many factors:
- Initial ticket demand – More popular events see smaller price drops.
- Inventory remaining – More tickets still available means lower prices.
- Type of event – Sporting events fluctuate less than concerts.
- Day of week – Weekday events often get cheaper than weekends.
- Location and venue – Big city venues command higher prices longer.
But generally, for medium/low demand events, secondary market prices often decline 25-40% from their high. High demand events see a smaller 10-20% drop. This discount range gets bigger the closer you get to showtime.
Last Minute Deals
In the final 48-72 hours before an event, you can sometimes find even steeper discounts and bargain prices for tickets. These occur when brokers just want to recoup some costs on inventory they are stuck with. But you also take on risk buying so late:
- Selection is very limited at the last minute.
- Tickets may not actually arrive in time.
- Fraud risk is higher.
While great deals can happen, make sure to research the seller carefully before making impulse buys. Also check delivery guarantee timelines before purchasing.
When to Buy Tickets
So when should you actually complete your ticket purchase? Here are some guidelines for finding the best deals across both primary and secondary markets:
If demand is high, buy early
For extremely popular acts and Broadway where tickets sell out quickly, buy early to secure seats at base prices. These don’t get discounted much.
If demand is low, wait
For less popular events, wait until 2-4 weeks out to buy and maximize savings after prices decline. Just make sure inventory is still available.
Check primary market first
Before buying resale tickets, check the event’s official website and fan club for discounts 1-2 weeks ahead. You may find better deals than resellers.
Be flexible on seats
Buying less desirable seats can yield big savings even on high demand events. Sort seats by price to uncover deals.
Conclusion
Timing your ticket purchase correctly can unlock huge savings. While each event is different, looking to buy 14-30 days out yields the best chance for deals. Monitor both primary and secondary market prices for discounts during this window. And maintain flexibility on seat location to maximize savings potential. With smart planning, you can score last minute deals on tickets to just about any concert, show or event.
Key Timing Windows
- On-sale Date: Highest Prices
- 1-2 Months Out: Steady Decline
- 2 Weeks Out: Best Deals
- Final 48 Hours: Last Minute Steals