When you’re searching for tickets on Ticketmaster, you may notice different colors for the seats in the venue layout. Most commonly, you’ll see blue, green, yellow, orange, and red seats. The different colors indicate different types of seats that are available. Light blue specifically denotes seats that are still available for purchase, but are considered “value seats” by Ticketmaster’s pricing algorithm.
What Are Value Seats?
Value seats are seats that Ticketmaster has priced lower than others in the same section. There are a few potential reasons why some seats are priced as value seats:
- The seats may have partially obstructed views of the stage or field. For example, they may be behind a pillar or cortain that blocks a small portion of the view.
- The seats may be located at the back of a section, further away from the main action.
- The seats may be odd singles or pairs that are left over after most other groups have purchased tickets.
So in summary, light blue seats are seats Ticketmaster has marked down compared to other seats in the vicinity due to some disadvantage in the location or viewing angle. However, they are still valid, available seats for the event.
Are Light Blue Seats Worth Buying?
Whether light blue value seats are worth buying depends on your priorities:
- If you’re on a tight budget, light blue seats get you in the door for typically 20-30% cheaper than neighboring seats. Something is usually better than nothing.
- If your main goal is being close to the action or having an unobstructed view, you may want to avoid light blue seats or carefully inspect the seat views before purchasing.
- If you just want to get into the event and don’t care much about seat location, light blue seats are a great affordable option.
So weigh your priorities. Here are some examples:
When Light Blue Seats Are Worth It
- Concerts at large arenas – Being a bit further back isn’t a big deal for this type of event. You’ll probably still have decent views of the performers and big screens.
- Sporting events you just want basic admission to – Light blue seats get your through the door so you can enjoy the game live.
- Events where you plan to be up dancing anyway – Proximity to the stage or perfect viewing don’t matter as much.
When to Avoid Light Blue Seats
- Theater shows where you really want to see the performers’ expressions and costumes up close.
- Sporting events like tennis where you want to closely follow the ball.
- Concerts at smaller, intimate venues where every seat is relatively close anyway.
So consider the type of event and your viewing priorities when deciding if light blue seats meet your needs.
How Are Light Blue Seats Priced?
Light blue seats are typically priced 20-30% lower than regular seats in the same section. However, there is no universal discount applied to light blue seats. Ticketmaster uses dynamic pricing algorithms that consider various factors:
- Location of the seats
- Obstructed views or not
- Overall supply and demand for the event
- Days remaining until the event
Taking these factors into account, Ticketmaster’s software assigns a market-based price to each set of seats marked light blue. The light blue designation simply tells you that these seats are priced below similar seats nearby.
Sometimes light blue seats are only $5-10 cheaper than neighboring seats. Other times they may be $20-50 cheaper or more. There’s no fixed rule, so it pays to carefully compare options if you’re trying to save money.
How to Find Light Blue Seats on Ticketmaster
It’s easy to locate light blue value seats when searching for tickets on Ticketmaster:
- Conduct a search for the event you want to attend. Review the listings and prices.
- Filter the search results by “Value Price” to see all light blue seats grouped together.
- Click the blue “See Tickets” or “View Tickets” button for a specific listing.
- The venue seating chart will open, with light blue dots showing you all available value seats.
- Click on individual light blue seats or groups of seats to view listing details and purchase options.
Following those steps filters out all other seats, letting you browse and select from available value seats only.
Pro Tips for Finding the Best Light Blue Seat Deals
To get the very best values on light blue seats, keep these tips in mind:
- Act fast when sales first open. The initial block of tickets released often includes more value seats. They can sell out quickly as fans scoop up deals.
- Check back as the event nears. More value seats may be released over time if the event isn’t sold out. Prices also tend to drop.
- Go for singles or odd pairs. Odd seats are often priced lower by default. You can sometimes get a better deal on a single in a row versus buying two seats together.
- Look for obstructed views. If you don’t mind a pillar or other blockage, these seats tend to be marked down further.
Patience, flexibility, and carefully comparing all light blue options can lead to significant savings on quality seats.
Should You Buy Value Seats From Other Ticket Sites?
Ticketmaster is the primary source for value priced official seats. But you can sometimes find additional deals on light blue equivalents from resellers too.
Advantages of Buying From Resellers
- Wider selection of discounted seats from multiple sources
- Potential for lower prices as sellers undercut each other
- More flexibility to make offers and negotiate prices
Risks of Buying From Resellers
- Less guarantee you’ll actually receive valid tickets
- Possibility of counterfeit or voided tickets
- Higher risk of scams
- No recourse if problems arise
If you do buy from a reseller, tips include:
- Stick to major established platforms like Stubhub.
- Thoroughly check seller reviews and ratings.
- Pay via credit card for purchase protection.
- Confirm a ticket guarantee is offered in case issues arise.
- Avoid sellers with prices that seem suspiciously too good to be true.
With caution, resellers can offer comparable savings on seats similar to Ticketmaster’s light blue value options.
Should You Buy Value Seats on the Day of the Event?
In most cases, it’s riskier to wait until the last minute to buy value seats:
- Availability is lower and you may not get tickets at any price.
- Prices are often higher on the day of as demand rises from other last minute shoppers.
- You won’t have time to receive and verify e-tickets before doors open.
However, for very low-demand events, same day value seats can occasionally be a good deal:
- Prices are sometimes lowered further to attract any last sales.
- You may find unused VIP seats released at normal prices.
- Tickets may be sold onsite at the box office without fees.
But you have to arrive extremely early and be willing to risk not getting in. For most fans, booking value seats in advance is the better option.
Conclusion
To summarize what light blue seats signify on Ticketmaster:
- Light blue dots represent discounted “value seats” priced below nearby options.
- These are unsold seats Ticketmaster has marked down due to obstructed views or suboptimal locations.
- Fans on budgets can save 20-30% or more versus regular seat prices.
- But look out for pillars, cortains, or very far distances that justify the markdowns.
- Seek out light blue steals during presales, early sales openings, or as the event nears.
Light blue seats won’t offer perfect views or proximity. But the savings can make attending live events possible for many more fans. With smart shopping, you can land bargain seats marked in Ticketmaster’s signature light blue hue.