When attending a concert, sporting event, or other live entertainment, attendees have a choice between general admission and reserved seating. Both options have their pros and cons that should be considered when deciding which is the better experience. Here is an in-depth look at the differences between general admission and seats.
What is General Admission?
General admission refers to event tickets that do not assign seats. Often abbreviated as GA, general admission gives attendees access to an open space like the floor at a concert or the grass at an outdoor festival. People with general admission tickets can arrive early to get a good spot, but there are no guarantees on sightlines or proximity to the stage.
Some key things to know about general admission:
- No assigned seats – Attendees stand or find a place to sit if available
- First come, first served – Getting there early means a better chance at a front spot
- Cheaper tickets – General admission is usually the most affordable ticket option
- Communal experience – People tend to interact more freely in a GA environment
General admission areas often allow for more energetic crowds and flexible movement. Fans can shift around for a better view or get closer to join an enthusiastic section. Many festivals and some concerts use GA ticketing exclusively to create a vibrant standing-room-only atmosphere.
What are Reserved Seats?
Reserved seating allots ticket holders a designated spot, usually identified by a row and seat number. This guarantees entry to a specific location in the venue. Seats may have different viewing angles and distances from the stage.
Some key features of reserved seating:
- Assigned spots – Each ticket corresponds to a certain seat location
- Arrive anytime – No need to show up early since seats are held
- More expensive – Designated seats usually cost more than general admission
- Intimate setting – Less movement and distractions around seated areas
Many large venues and stadium concerts have reserved seating. This allows every guest to be guaranteed a view of the stage from their chosen vantage point. Reserved seats create a more organized environment focused on the performance rather than audience participation.
General Admission Pros
What are some of the benefits that make general admission an attractive option over reserved seating?
Closer to the Action
For high energy acts, nothing beats being in the thick of the crowd. General admission puts fans right near the action, whether that’s at the front of the stage or in the mosh pit. The lack of chairs and aisles allows people to move fluidly toward the focal point.
Lower Prices
There’s a reason general admission tickets sell out fast – they are much more affordable than reserved seats! GA prices can be 25-50% less than comparable reserved seating. Concerts and festivals maximize profit by selling expensive chair-back seats and then packing in general admission.
Better Atmosphere
The vibe in general admission creates a sense of community absent from staid seating areas. Fans bond over securing a prime spot or enthusiastic cheers. Strangers often become friends after sharing an amazing experience elbow-to-elbow. The lively environment enhances the live entertainment.
Flexible Positioning
General admission offers fluid movement impossible with designated seats. If the view is obstructed or a particular section looks fun, it’s easy to slide into a different position. Seats nail attendees to a single perspective, while GA grants the freedom to experience the event from multiple vantage points.
Reserved Seating Pros
What advantages do assigned seats have over open floor plans?
Guaranteed View
Regardless of when patrons arrive, their seat will be waiting with the expected view. This ensures every ticket holder gets the experience they paid for, without jockeying for position. Floor plans allow fans to compare sightlines and select the ideal seat in advance.
Comfort
Let’s face it – concerts can mean hours on your feet. Reserved seating offers the ability to rest when needed. Chairs also provide space for leaving to get food or use the restroom without surrendering hard-earned position. For guest with disabilities, seating provides necessary accommodations.
Controlled Environment
Some fans prefer less chaotic settings that allow focusing on the show itself. Sections of reserved seats have minimal disruptions relative to raucous GA crowds. Families also appreciate the predictability of reserved seating when bringing kids.
Status Symbol
Front row seats can carry prestige and VIP treatment unavailable to general admission. Reserved seating may include perks like early venue access, exclusive lounges, and premium parking. For corporate events or business entertaining, premium chair locations convey important status.
Venue and Event Considerations
Certain performances and locations tend to favor one ticketing scheme over the other. Consider these factors when choosing seats versus general admission.
Music Genre
Pop, rock and EDM concerts with dancing often utilize general admission floor access. Reserved seats work better for mellow jazz, classical, acoustic acts. Ultimately the artists’ fan culture and performance style should dictate GA versus seating.
Indoor vs. Outdoor
Outdoor concerts and full day festivals heavily rely on GA with blankets on grass or dirt. Indoor arenas allow for more seating options and benefit from orderly rows. Climate-controlled halls keep seated patrons comfortable.
Production Scale
Large global tours and spectacle-driven productions can leverage reserved seating to generate huge revenue. More local and regional acts playing club tours need affordable GA tickets to draw crowds.
Venue Size
General admission makes sense for smaller, intimate venues. Arenas and stadiums with 10,000+ capacity require reserved seats. Many mid-size theaters and amphitheaters effectively offer both options.
Age of Fans
Mature audiences for legacy bands like The Rolling Stones need ample seating. Younger fan bases for pop stars prioritize GA floor access. Families also require seating, especially for very young children.
Which Option is Better?
Now to answer the key question – does general admission or reserved seating make for a better concert and entertainment experience? There are good arguments on both sides.
General admission yields a lively communal environment and the potential for premium proximity. The trade-off is no guarantees on sightlines or having to arrive extremely early. This approach suits enthusiastic crowds who want a shared immersive experience.
Reserved seating ensures every fan gets the view they expect. Patrons pay for the exact seat they want. The atmosphere tends to be calmer, leading to less audience participation. Controlled environments appeal to older and more reserved tastes.
In reality, most major concerts combine general admission and reserved seating. Floor access goes to GA while stadium-style tiers or balcony sections have chairs. This caters to diverse preferences and maximizes revenue. Some key advantages to each format:
General Admission Advantages
- Closer proximity to performers
- Cheaper ticket prices
- Lively communal atmosphere
- Fluid movement and positioning
Reserved Seating Advantages
- Guaranteed sightlines
- Arrive anytime without waiting
- Comfortable chairs and spacing
- Less disruptive environment
On balance, general admission edges out reserved seating for most fans and events. The energy and excitement of GA just can’t be matched. Being immersed in the enthusiastic crowd enhances the entertainment. But the best scenario combines both options. Budget conscious fans get GA access at a reasonable cost, while those wanting a controlled viewpoint opt for seats.
Here is a summary table comparing general admission and reserved seating:
Factor | General Admission | Reserved Seating |
---|---|---|
Ticket price | Cheaper | More expensive |
Proximity | Closer to stage/action | Farther from stage/action |
Seating | Standing or first come seats | Assigned chair |
Timing | Must arrive early | Guaranteed seat any time |
Atmosphere | Lively, high energy | Reserved, controlled |
Conclusion
General admission and reserved seating both have compelling cases. GA provides lively ambience and prime positioning balanced by the comfort and guarantees of seats. Most venues strike an effective mix of both setups. The best ticketing choice depends on personal preferences around sound, sightlines and environment.
Fans wanting to immerse in the enthusiastic crowd will favor GA floor access. Groups preferring a relaxed, distraction-free experience gravitate toward reserved seating. Artists themselves dictate these options based on genre and fan culture. There’s also something to be said for blending the options when possible.
Overall general admission edges out reserved seating for its cheaper access, communal vibe, and proximity. But having choice between the formats at most events accommodates all types of concertgoers. Get to the venue early for the best GA spots, or leisurely arrive knowing your seat will be waiting – either way, enjoy the show!