Whether to buy tickets the day of the concert or plan ahead and get them in advance is a common dilemma for music fans. There are pros and cons to both options that are worth considering before making your decision.
Quick Answer
In most cases, it is better to buy tickets in advance rather than waiting until the day of the show. Here are some key reasons why:
- Popular shows will likely sell out if you wait too long
- You’ll have more time to find the best seats if you buy early
- Advance tickets are usually cheaper than day-of prices
- You won’t risk not getting tickets at all if the show sells out
However, buying tickets the day of does have some advantages:
- You can score last minute deals on unsold tickets
- No need to commit too far in advance
- Allows for a more spontaneous experience
Overall, buying in advance eliminates a lot of the risk and uncertainty associated with waiting. But spontaneity-seekers and bargain hunters may still opt for day-of tickets in some cases.
The Advantages of Buying Tickets in Advance
Here is a more in-depth look at why it’s often better to buy tickets ahead of time rather than on the day of the event:
Ensures Admission
The top reason to buy advance tickets is to guarantee you actually get into the concert. Many popular shows sell out completely weeks or months ahead of the performance date. Fans who wait until the last minute risk missing out altogether. If it’s an artist or band you are really excited to see live, booking early provides peace of mind that you’ll get to experience the event.
Access to More Seating Options
Buying tickets as early as possible also gives you access to the full range of available seats before others snap them up. You’ll get to choose your exact seat location rather than being stuck with whatever leftovers are still available day-of. The prime seats tend to go first, so booking ahead is the best way to secure spots close to the stage or in other preferred sections like the orchestra.
Cheaper Ticket Prices
In most cases, ticket prices will be lower if you buy further in advance. Concert promoters often use dynamic or “surge” pricing, where the cost goes up over time as availability goes down. Prices are usually lowest when tickets first go on sale to the general public. Meanwhile, last-minute tickets sometimes come with premium markup. Booking early locks in tickets before any price hikes occur.
Avoid Sellouts
As mentioned above, waiting until the last minute runs the risk that the event will already be sold out. Major artists playing at small-to-mid-size venues often exhaust the ticket supply very quickly. Diehard fans pounce on seats the moment they go on sale. An instant sellout can happen weeks or months prior to the show date, leaving latecomers totally shut out. Buying advance tickets is the only way to avoid disappointment and ensure you can actually get in.
Plan Transportation and Accommodations
Having your tickets in hand well before the event allows you to finalize all the other logistics like:
- Booking travel to and from the venue
- Making hotel reservations if coming from out of town
- Arranging rides to and from the concert
- Coordinating meet-ups with other friends attending
Taking care of these details becomes rushed and problematic if you wait until the last day to buy tickets.
Allows Time to Resell if Needed
Sometimes your plans change after you purchase tickets and you can no longer attend. If this happens, buying well in advance gives you time to resell your tickets and recoup the cost. You can sell through ticket exchange services or even outside the venue the day of the event. But you lose this option if you wait too long as demand drops sharply right before the concert starts.
When Buying Tickets Day-of Makes Sense
Despite the many good reasons to buy ahead of time, there are a few scenarios where waiting to get tickets on the day of the show may be reasonable:
Low Demand Events
If an artist or band is not hugely popular and the venue is large, sellouts are unlikely. There will probably still be decent ticket availability even up to show time. Big, mainstream pop acts playing arenas are rarely going to sell out. So if you’re flexible on seat location, waiting may enable big savings.
Last Minute Deals
Venues will often discount unsold tickets at the last minute to at least recoup some revenue. Social media posts and email blasts are commonly used to advertise these limited-time promotions. So waiting could allow you to score seats at a fraction of face value. But you miss out if the show ends up selling out at regular prices.
Spontaneous Fun
For some, there’s an extra level of excitement and adrenaline rush associated with the spontaneous experience of buying tickets and walking straight into a show. It can be more fun and adventurous than meticulously planning everything out weeks or months in advance. This sense of spontaneity may outweigh the risks and disadvantages for free spirited fans.
Schedule Flexibility
Your schedule may be uncertain far in advance of a concert, only firming up close to the date. Perhaps your work calendar is in flux or you have childcare to arrange. Waiting until the last minute retains flexibility at the expense of seat selection. But you still end up seeing the show.
Tips for Getting the Best Deal on Day-Of Tickets
If you do decide to buy tickets the day of the event, here are some tips to help find the best deals and minimize the risks:
- Use ticket resale sites like StubHub and VividSeats to find last minute deals on unsold seats
- Check fan forums and Craigslist for others selling at below face value
- Follow the official box office social accounts for special offers
- Arrive at the venue early to scout for scalpers or fans looking to sell
- Be flexible on seating sections – the worst areas will have most availability
- Have backup plans in case the show sells out before you can buy
- Look for single tickets as odd leftover seats are common
With the right strategy, you can still find affordable tickets even on the day of the event. But there are no guarantees with this high risk approach.
The Verdict: Buy Advance Concert Tickets
Looking at the pros and cons, buying tickets well in advance of the concert emerges as the best approach for most fans. The key benefits of earlier booking include:
- Guaranteed admission before a sellout
- Wider selection of seating options
- Cheaper ticket prices
- More time to make other plans
These advantages typically outweigh any potential last minute deals or sense of spontaneity from waiting until show day. The main exception would be smaller shows where availability is unlikely to run out right away.
Here is a summary table comparing the key differences between advance and day-of concert ticket purchases:
Factor | Buying in Advance | Buying Day-of |
---|---|---|
Price | Usually lower | May be higher |
Availability | More options | Limited options |
Admission | Guaranteed | Risk of missing out |
Planning | More time | Rushed |
Experience | Less spontaneity | More excitement |
Ultimately, buying concert tickets in advance is the safer choice that prevents the huge disappointment of missing out altogether. The early bird gets the worm when it comes to reserving seats for top tours and hot shows before they sell out completely. But last minute bargain hunters can still luck out if they play their cards right.
Are you looking to get tickets for an upcoming concert? Let me know the details and I can provide some specific advice on the best timing and strategy based on factors like artist popularity, venue size, pricing trends and more. My goal is to optimize your chances of securing great seats at the lowest prices.
Some key tips I would recommend for buying any concert tickets include:
- Sign up for pre-sales and fan club promotions to get early access to seats before the general public
- Check the venue seating chart ahead of time to target your desired section
- Buy early during the internet presales rather than waiting for the box office to open
- For very popular shows, hop online right at the on-sale time for best selection
- Don’t underestimate the front row appeal – these go fastest!
- Purchase together if attending with a group so you can sit together
- Review policies on exchanges and refunds in case your plans fall through
- Only buy from official ticket channels or trusted resellers to avoid scams
Let me know if you need any other tips for researching concert tickets, comparing prices and seating, or timing your purchase. I’m happy to share insider techniques that can help music fans get great deals and lock down the hottest seats!