Going to a sold out show in Las Vegas can be an incredible experience. From world-famous residencies like Celine Dion and Elton John to one-night-only concerts from major touring acts, the entertainment capital of the world brings in some of the hottest talent on the planet. But scoring tickets to these in-demand performances is no easy feat. As soon as shows go on sale, they can sell out in mere minutes.
If you had your heart set on seeing a particular sold out Vegas show, don’t give up hope. There are still ways you can get your hands on tickets, even after the initial onsale. It just requires planning ahead, being flexible, and utilizing all possible resources. Here are some tips and tricks for how to get tickets to sold out Vegas shows.
Check Resale Websites
One of the first things you should do when you find out a show is sold out is to check resale ticket sites. There are many reputable online ticket marketplaces where people resell tickets they can no longer use. Sites like StubHub, Vivid Seats, and SeatGeek are safe and reliable sources for resale tickets. They guarantee all sales and have customer support teams available if any issues come up.
On these sites, you can find tickets being resold at or even below face value if sellers are trying to get rid of them. But more in-demand shows will also have tickets marked up higher than the original price. Make sure to compare prices across different resale sites to find the best deal. The benefit of using resale sites is you can immediately purchase available tickets instead of waiting to find a deal.
Recommended Resale Sites
Website | Price Range | Features |
---|---|---|
StubHub | From below face value to highly marked up | Large inventory, price alerts available |
Vivid Seats | Typically at or above face value | Rewards program for frequent buyers |
SeatGeek | Varies greatly depending on demand | Comparison tool to see deals across sites |
Wait for Potential Ticket Releases
When a Vegas show initially goes on sale and quickly sells out, sometimes additional tickets will be released down the road. As the performance date gets closer, the venue and artist may decide to open up more seats or put more tickets on sale for various reasons. This could be due to production changes that allow for more capacity, the artist requesting more shows get added, or tickets being released from vendor holds.
There is no guarantee of extra tickets being released, but for very hot shows, it can be worth waiting to see instead of overpaying on the secondary market. Some ways you can try to get early access or notifications for potential ticket releases:
- Join fan clubs – Artists will often give pre-sale access to their most loyal followers first
- Sign up for venue newsletters – Big Vegas venues like Caesars Palace will notify subscribers about new tickets
- Follow the show’s social media accounts – Turn on notifications so you don’t miss any presale announcements
- Check fan forum sites – Other fans often share tips and rumors about extra tickets becoming available
Timing is everything when waiting for extra tickets. Have accounts created and payment info saved so if you do get access, you can check out quickly.
Book a Vegas Package
One way to guarantee you’ll get to see a sold out Vegas show is to book a hotel and show package. Many Vegas hotels and casinos offer packages that bundle rooms with top show tickets, including sold out performances. These packages allow you to buy tickets to in-demand shows before they go on sale to the general public.
Of course these packages come at a premium price, costing significantly more than just the tickets themselves. But some benefits of Vegas show packages include:
- Best seats – Packages often get first access to VIP seating like front row
- Perks – Can include meet and greets, merchandise, transportation, dining credits
- Convenience – Show tickets and hotel booked in one easy transaction
Caesars Entertainment and MGM Resorts offer some of the most popular Las Vegas show packages with top artists. But almost every major hotel on the Strip will provide show package options for hot concerts and residencies. Be prepared to book these vacation packages months in advance to get the best rates and availability.
Sample Vegas Show Packages
Package | Details | Sample Price |
---|---|---|
Celine Dion at The Colosseum | 2 nights, VIP tickets, $100 dining credit | $1,500+ per person |
Aerosmith at Park MGM | 3 nights, front row tickets, merchandise | $2,500+ per person |
Lady Gaga at Park Theater | 4 nights, meet & greet, limo transfers | $4,500+ per person |
Join Fan Clubs and Presales
One of the best ways to get access to tickets before the general public is through presales. Presales give you the opportunity to buy tickets days or weeks before they go on sale to everyone else. Joining artist fan clubs, venue email lists, and having presale passwords will help you get in on presales.
Here are some tips for accessing presales:
- Search for the fan club on the artist’s website – Members often get first access
- Follow venues and promoters on social media – Presale codes are announced ahead of time
- Sign up for Presale Passwords – This service texts you codes for upcoming shows
- Check fan forums – Other users will share info on presales
Buying during presales is no guarantee tickets will still be available. But it certainly improves your chances and gives you more options than waiting for the general onsale.
Get on the Waitlist
If a show already sold out during the presales, most ticketing platforms will still have an option to get waitlisted. This essentially puts you in a virtual line for tickets in case more become available. There’s no guarantee you’ll eventually get off the waitlist, but it’s worth a shot for hard to get shows.
On Ticketmaster, Join the Waitlist is available under the Buy Tickets button when a show is sold out. You can also try calling the venue box office directly to ask about waitlist options. The key is getting your name on the list as early as possible, as it’s generally first come, first served. Waitlisting for multiple shows will increase your odds.
Some other waitlist tips:
- Only waitlist if you can pay immediately once tickets are offered
- Make sure your contact info is up to date so you get notifications
- Don’t wait too long or all tickets could get snatched up
- Multiple people can waitlist for better chances at tickets
Head to the Venue
This tactic requires effort and patience, but one way you can potentially score last minute tickets is to go to the venue on the day of the show. Some reasons tickets may become available at the box office day of:
- Production releases extra seats or standroom spots
- Credit cards get declined on will call orders
- People can no longer attend and need to return tickets
Your chances of tickets popping up day of depends on how in demand the show is. But for Vegas, many venues are right on the Strip with box offices open daily. It doesn’t hurt to check. At minimum, you may be able to get on a cancellation line in case seats open up.
Going the box office route requires dedication. Be prepared to show up extremely early and wait in long lines. And hanging around all day is no guarantee you’ll get tickets. But some shows sell a limited number day of only, so it can be worth a try for your must-see concert.
Look for Ticket Giveaways
If all else fails, you may luck out with free ticket giveaways for sold out Vegas shows. Radio stations, local websites, the artists themselves, and even the venues may offer contests and giveaways to fill last minute seats.
Follow these sources on social media for the chance to win:
- Local radio stations – They often run promotions with free tickets
- Vegas blogs and news sites – Check Vegas Seven or Las Vegas Review Journal
- Venue and artist accounts – Last chance giveaways before the show
- Promoters like LiveNation Vegas – Follow their pages for opportunities
Giveaway quantity is very limited but with persistence, you could win yourself free tickets even after a show has sold out.
Pay a Premium if Necessary
At a certain point, if a sold out Vegas show is a once in a lifetime event for you, paying above face value may be worth it. Of course no one wants to overpay for tickets. But major artists, reunions, residency finales – these type of in-demand shows may not come around again.
If budget isn’t too big of an issue, or seeing the concert means that much, don’t be totally turned off by marked up secondary prices. Just make sure to use trusted resale sites, compare prices across multiple platforms, and buy from sellers with good reviews. The peace of mind in gaining access to an exclusive event can outweigh the additional costs.
Try setting a spending limit beforehand. And if prices are beyond your budget, keep an eye out as it gets closer to the show. Last minute desperation to sell from scalpers can bring prices down. The key is knowing your personal price threshold for what a unique Vegas show experience is worth to you.
Conclusion
Scoring tickets to the hottest sold out concerts and residencies in Las Vegas can definitely take effort and ingenuity. But with enough persistence and flexibility in your plans, getting into these in-demand shows is not impossible. Being prepared ahead of time, following all possible ticket avenues, and using trusted sources will help increase your odds of success.
Where there’s a will, there’s a way for determined fans to experience their dream artists in The Entertainment Capital of the World. Don’t give up if a show sells out quickly. Use these tips and tricks to make your Vegas concert dreams a reality!