Buying concert tickets can be a tricky endeavor. On one hand, buying tickets early often allows you to get better seats at face value. On the other hand, waiting until the last minute opens up the possibility of finding steep discounts as sellers become more desperate to unload their tickets.
The benefits of buying early
There are several advantages to buying concert tickets well in advance of the show date:
- You get first pick of seats. When tickets first go on sale, you have the widest selection of seats to choose from. This allows you to select seats in prime locations like near the stage or in the center section.
- No stress about sellouts. Popular shows often sell out completely within minutes or hours of tickets going on sale. Buying early ensures you get tickets before they’re gone.
- Pay face value price. Early ticket buyers can usually avoid paying markup over the original ticket price. As the event date nears, prices tend to rise on secondary market sites.
- More time to make plans. Having your tickets well in advance gives you plenty of time to book travel, accommodations, and anything else needed for the event.
Taking advantage of presales is one way to get early access to tickets. Presales allow fans to buy tickets before the general public through memberships, fan clubs, credit cards, and other incentives.
The lure of last minute deals
On the flip side, waiting until the last minute to buy tickets can enable significant savings:
- Find below face value tickets. As demand decreases closer to the event, sellers often lower prices even below face value just to unload tickets and mitigating losses.
- Take advantage of timing luck. Popular secondary market sites like StubHub employ variable pricing that frequently drops prices at the last minute based on supply and demand at any given time.
- Capitalize on seller panic. The hours right before an event is when sellers tend to panic about unloading tickets. This desperation can translate to steep discounts.
- Get vacant premium seats. Higher-end seats like floor seats, VIP packages, and suites sometimes go unfilled near event time and can open up availability last minute.
Using mobile apps to buy at the last minute makes it easier to find and capitalize on instant deals. Features like interactive venue maps on apps help pinpoint open seats at discounted prices.
How early is too early?
Is there an optimal time frame for purchasing concert tickets? Most experts recommend buying neither immediately when tickets go on sale nor waiting until the very last minutes.
Buying too early has some disadvantages:
- Paying more in fees – Booking fees tend to be higher the earlier you buy.
- Limiting flexibility – Your plans may change between buying tickets and the event date.
- Potential of better deals – You may miss out on special deals, promotions, and price drops later in the sales cycle.
Waiting too long also has some caveats:
- Limited ticket selection – The most desirable seats are likely snatched up already.
- Possible sellout – Extremely popular shows can sell out months in advance.
- Stressing about finding a ticket – Procrastinating too long leaves you scrambling last minute.
Most experts recommend buying tickets 1-3 months out from the event. This balances getting good seat selection with allowing time for prices to drop a bit.
When are tickets cheapest?
If aiming to get a deal, research shows the optimal time to buy tickets is typically 2-8 weeks out from the event. Some patterns have emerged around when prices hit their lowest points:
- After the initial on-sale frenzy – Prices tend to cool off and decline after the first few days of tickets being available.
- After presales end – More ticket inventory opening up after presales causes prices to drop temporarily.
- When tour dates are added – Additional tour dates being added lowers demand and prices for existing dates already on sale.
- The week before the event – This is often the panic zone when sellers drop prices dramatically to unload tickets.
Of course, pricing varies greatly based on the popularity of the event. A high-demand, sold out show may never see big price drops.
Tips for saving money
Here are some additional tips for getting concert tickets for less:
- Use ticket presales – Access to presales provides first crack at tickets before public on-sales.
- Buy obstructed view seats – You can save up to 25% on seats with an obstructed view of the stage.
- Go for upper level or mezzanine seats – You’ll pay much less than lower and floor level seats.
- Buy single seats – Singles tend to be cheaper with dynamic pricing since most people buy in pairs.
- Join fan clubs – Artist fan clubs often give members access to preferred seating and discounts.
- Use ticket deal sites – Sites like TicketClub and Groupon offer discounted last minute tickets.
Timing your ticket purchase intelligently along with using ticket discounts can help you save money on concert events.
Should you buy concert tickets at the box office?
Purchasing tickets directly at the venue box office used to be a reliable way to avoid pesky service fees. However, with more concert tickets being sold online and via mobile apps, is buying at the box office still a smart tactic?
Here are some pros and cons of buying tickets at the box office:
Pros
- Avoid online fees – Box office purchases often don’t have the same bundled “convenience” fees.
- Personal customer service – You can get face-to-face help choosing seats from a representative.
- Same day purchase – It’s the only way to buy same day tickets other than scalpers.
Cons
- Inconvenient – You have to go there in person during limited hours.
- Long lines – Popular shows often have queues of fans waiting to purchase.
- Limited ticket selection – Many seats sell out online first.
- Cash only – Some box offices still only accept cash for payment.
Here are some best practices around buying at the box office:
- Go on weekdays – You’ll encounter shorter lines during weekdays than busy weekends.
- Arrive early – Get there 1-2 hours before the box office opens to be first in line.
- Ask about fees – Confirm if the box office truly has no added fees.
- Check online first – Make sure your desired tickets haven’t sold out online already.
While the box office has its perks, online and mobile purchasing still tends to offer greater convenience and selection. But for those adamant about avoiding fees or wanting personal service, the box office can be a good option.
Should you use a ticket reseller?
Ticket resale sites like StubHub, Vivid Seats, and SeatGeek have become popular ways to buy tickets from other fans. Here are some pros and cons of using a ticket reseller platform:
Pros
- Gain access to sold out events – You can get hard-to-find tickets even when the event is sold out.
- Potentially save money – Resellers often drop prices closer to event time.
- Choose from multiple sellers – You can shop around for the best deal.
- Reputable platforms – Large sites like StubHub offer buyer guarantees against fraud.
Cons
- Pay above face value – Reseller prices are almost always marked up over original ticket prices.
- High fees – Reseller fees are routinely 10-25% of the ticket price.
- Risk of fraud – Scammers sometimes sell fake or duplicated tickets.
- Worse seats – The best seats are bought early, leaving mostly less desirable seats.
Here are some tips for buying safely on resale sites:
- Buy from highly rated sellers with no negative reviews.
- Avoid sellers with prices that seem too good to be true.
- Use platforms that offer buyer guarantees against fraud.
- Pay with a credit card to utilize buyer protection.
- Carefully verify ticket details before purchasing.
Resellers provide buyers another option for tickets. But patrons should be cautious of high markups and fees common on resale sites.
Conclusion
There are decent arguments both for and against buying concert tickets at the last minute. Here are some key takeaways:
- Buying early ensures you don’t miss out and can get the exact seats you want.
- Waiting until the last minute opens up the possibility of deep discounts.
- The 1-3 month range is often ideal for balancing price, availability, and selection.
- Being flexible on date, seat location, and buying singles can help find deals.
- Presales, fan clubs, and ticket deal sites offer additional savings opportunities.
- Both primary and secondary marketplaces have their pros and cons.
Ultimately there is no one-size-fits-all answer – the best timing depends on your priorities and the specific event. Concert-goers should weigh the benefits of locking in seats early versus the gamble of seeking out last minute bargains. With strategic planning and smart shopping, you can often find great deals on tickets while still getting the experience you want.