A general admission ticket is a type of ticket that provides access to an event, but does not guarantee a reserved seat. General admission tickets are very common for concerts, festivals, and other live entertainment events where all or part of the venue is open seating.
What Does General Admission Mean?
The term “general admission” refers to the fact that the ticket holder can access the general event area, but their spot is not reserved or assigned. With a general admission ticket, you can arrive early to get a good spot, but you are not guaranteed any particular viewing location or seat.
General admission access is first come, first served. This means the earlier you arrive, the better your chances of getting a spot closer to the stage or the main action. Later arrivals will wind up further back in the crowd.
How General Admission Tickets Work
With a general admission ticket, you are purchasing access to the venue and event, but not a reserved seat. The venue will only sell as many general admission tickets as the open space can safely accommodate.
When you arrive at the venue, you will likely need to wait in a line outside along with other general admission ticket holders. Once the doors open, ticket holders can file into the venue and position themselves within the general admission areas. There is often a rush when the doors first open as fans sprint to get prime spots closest to the stage.
Good general admission spots fill up quickly, especially right next to the stage. The venue may implement additional rules like no saving space in line, removing chairs or blankets left unattended, etc. to keep the flow moving. Most general admission configurations are standing room only.
Where General Admission Tickets Are Used
Some of the most common places you will find general admission tickets include:
- Concerts – Most arena concerts, music festivals, and club shows use general admission tickets for all or part of the venue. The area directly in front of the stage is almost always general admission standing room only.
- Sporting Events – Some stadiums have large general admission sections, especially for high-demand games. Sports like college football also sometimes sell general admission student tickets.
- Fairs & Festivals – Outdoor fairs and festivals typically use general admission for the entire grounds. Some rides and attractions may require separate tickets.
- Theater – General admission or “rush” tickets provide cheaper access to Broadway and Off-Broadway shows. Seats are first come, first served.
- Movies – Theaters in major cities like New York sometimes offer general admission seating for popular movie premieres and events.
Benefits of General Admission
There are a few key benefits associated with general admission tickets:
- Price – General admission tickets are usually the least expensive ticket option for an event. There are no assigned seats to boost the value.
- Flexibility – Fans can roam general admission areas and get closer to the stage for certain acts if they want.
- Atmosphere – For high-energy concerts and shows, many fans enjoy being in the thick of the standing room only crowd.
- Spontaneity – No need to pick seats in advance. You can just show up and pick a spot.
For very popular shows, some venues will sell premium general admission tickets for early access or access to a separate general admission area closer to the stage.
Downsides of General Admission
There are also some potential downsides to keep in mind with general admission:
- Lack of Reserved Spot – You are not guaranteed any particular spot or view. Prime spots go fast.
- Difficulty Sitting – Most general admission setups are standing only, which can be tiring.
- Crowd Management – Tight crowds can lead to issues like people pushing or cutting in line.
- First Come, First Served – You may need to wait in line for hours to get a good spot.
If you have mobility issues, general admission may not be the best option. And if you hate fighting crowds or waiting in long lines, general admission can definitely be stressful.
Tips for General Admission Tickets
Here are some tips for making the most of general admission tickets:
- Arrive Early – Get to the venue as early as realistically possible to secure a good spot in line and enter with the first groups.
- Check Rules – Read up on the venue policies around lines, admission times, space saving, etc.
- Review Layout – Study the general admission map and plan where you want to be. Aim for central zones closer to stages and screens.
- Travel Light – Don’t bring a lot of stuff since you’ll have to hold it. Hydration packs work better than bags.
- Charge Up – Make sure phones and other devices are fully charged to last through long waits and the event.
- Use the Buddy System – Attend with friends so you can take turns holding spots, bathroom breaks, food/drink runs, etc.
- Plan for Weather – Outdoor events especially require bringing proper gear for dealing with elements like sun, rain, cold, etc.
Purchasing General Admission Tickets
General admission tickets can typically be purchased:
- Online via the event or venue website
- By phone through the box office
- In person at the box office or a ticket outlet
- Through a ticket resale site like StubHub
Official general admission tickets from the venue are often cheaper than resale. Promoters and artists will sometimes hold fan presales for general admission tickets before the general public on-sale.
Make sure to only buy from authorized ticket sellers to avoid counterfeits and scams. Fake tickets may not scan at the door.
The Future of General Admission Tickets
General admission is likely to remain a staple at events where crowds and energy are part of the atmosphere. Despite some of the hassles, fans enjoy the shared live experience and freedom to roam that general admission provides.
However, venues continue to look for better ways to manage crowds and reduce risks like trampling. Improvements in technology for scanning tickets, counting occupancy, and tracking fans may lead to upgraded general admission setups.
Some venues now use RFID or NFC chips in wristbands to track admittance into different general admission zones. Machine learning analytics also help identify congestion areas in real-time.
Virtual queues through an app could also be one future general admission upgrade. This would digitally manage the “line” order for entrance rather than physical lines outside. Fans could wait anywhere instead of standing for hours.
Whatever changes may come, general admission continues to be an affordable, fun way for huge crowds of fans to collectively enjoy live entertainment.
Conclusion
A general admission ticket provides access to an event without assigning seats. It is first come, first served for the open spots. General admission is a common option at concerts, festivals, fairs, sporting events, and more.
The pros of general admission include lower prices, crowd energy, and freedom to roam. The cons are the lack of an assigned seat, potential to wait in long lines, and tiring nature of standing for long periods.
Planning tips like arriving early, reviewing the layout, and traveling light can help you have the best general admission experience. While some logistical headaches exist, general admission allows thousands of fans to pack into venues and share an unforgettable atmosphere.