The Silver Premium ticket package is an option offered by some concert venues and sports teams to provide an upgraded experience over regular tickets. It typically includes better seat locations, added amenities, and other perks to enhance the event for fans willing to pay a higher price.
What are some common features of a Silver Premium ticket package?
While specific inclusions can vary between different venues and events, there are some typical components found in many Silver Premium packages:
- Preferred or upgraded seating – This usually means seats that are closer to the stage or field and/or in a central location for better viewing. Silver Premium seats are generally considered an intermediate option between regular seating and the highest ticket tiers.
- VIP entrances and/or separate queues – This allows Premium ticket holders to enter the venue through special entrances, bypassing longer lines. They may also get quicker access once inside.
- Exclusive lounge or club access – Some venues have separate lounges, clubs, or hospitality spaces only available to Premium ticketholders before the event and during intermissions.
- Food and beverage services – This can include free drinks, buffets, or wait service delivering food and drinks right to your seat.
- Merchandise discounts – Premium packages sometimes offer savings on team/artist merchandise at the on-site retail stores.
- Dedicated parking – Premium ticketholders may get access to preferred parking lots or spaces close to the venue.
- Ticket concierge services – This provides a personal representative to assist with any ticket needs and manage the overall experience.
How do Silver Premium tickets compare to other ticket tiers?
Venues typically offer several ticket tiers beyond basic General Admission, with increasing amenities and costs. Here is an overview of how Silver Premium packages often compare:
Ticket Level | Basic Features | Average Cost |
---|---|---|
Bronze/Standard | Regular seating, basic admission | $50-$150 |
Silver Premium | Upgraded seating, some exclusive amenities | $200-$500 |
Gold Elite/Platinum | Prime seating, luxury extras like food/drinks, celebrity access | $500-$1,000+ |
As the mid-tier option, Silver Premium provides a step up from basic admission with better seats and some VIP perks. It gives a taste of luxury without the higher prices of the elite packages.
What kind of amenities can come with Silver Premium tickets?
Depending on the venue and event, Silver Premium packages may include some of the following perks:
Seating Upgrades
- Rows closer to the front
- Center sections in front of the stage
- Cushioned, wider seats
- No obstructed views
VIP Experience Extras
- Early building access before general doors
- Separate entrances and queues
- Access to lounges, clubs, or restaurants
- In-seat food and drink delivery
- Meet-and-greet or autograph opportunities
- Event programs, posters, or limited merchandise
Premium Parking and Transportation
- Preferred parking lots near venue
- Onsite valet parking options
- Private entrances with drop-off areas
The specific amenities provided will depend on the venue and event, but most Silver Premium packages aim to make the experience more convenient, exclusive, and memorable.
Why are Silver Premium tickets more expensive than regular tickets?
There are a few key reasons why Silver Premium packages carry a higher price tag than standard event tickets:
- Better seat locations – More central seats closer to the action come at a premium.
- Exclusive amenities – The VIP extras and amenities involve additional costs to operate.
- Limited supply – Only a set portion of seats are designated as Premium, increasing demand.
- Flexibility – Upgrades can be purchased separately for specific shows instead of entire seasons.
- Experience enhancement – The overall experience feels elevated beyond general admission.
Venues can also charge more for Premium tickets since people are willing to pay extra for certain seating sections and special amenities they wouldn’t otherwise receive. The additional revenue can help fund improvements across venues.
When are Silver Premium tickets worth the upcharge over standard tickets?
Whether or not Silver Premium tickets are “worth it” depends on the individual fan’s budget and preferences. However, they are often a good option in these scenarios:
- When securing seats very close to the stage or field is a priority
- For especially popular shows or games where regular tickets sell out fast
- If you want an upgraded experience as a special treat or gift
- When using Premium amenities like VIP parking, lounges, exclusive offers
- To avoid obstructed views or extremely distant seats in large venues
- For fans who regularly attend multiple events each year
Occasionally splurging on Silver Premium tickets can take an event experience to the next level. Doing some comparison shopping at a given venue can determine if the added benefits are worth the higher pricing for your budget and preferences.
What are some tips for getting the most value from Silver Premium tickets?
Here are some tips for maximizing the benefits that come with purchasing Silver Premium packages:
- Take advantage of early building access and separate entrances to reduce wait times
- Make reservations early for any dining or lounge spaces to ensure availability
- Review the Premier parking map ahead of time to find ideal spots
- Check the venue’s bag policy – some allow Premium guests to bring in larger bags
- Arrive early to have time to shop for merchandise with potential discounts
- Sign up for Premium email lists to receive reminders about perks and offerings
- Inquire about any celebrity meet-and-greet or autograph opportunities
- Dress the part and act like you belong in the exclusive spaces
Taking some time to understand all the Silver Premium benefits at a given venue is the key to ensuring you can utilize everything available with your upgraded experience.
How has premium ticketing evolved over the years?
Premium ticketing has become much more prevalent and involved compared to 20 or 30 years ago. Some key evolutions include:
- More ticket tiers – Where once there may have just been “General Admission,” now there are often Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum levels.
- VIP treatment and amenities – Free food, drinks, parking, club access, etc. have become common Premium perks.
- Higher prices – Ticket prices overall have risen, especially for front row, club, and Premium sections.
- celeb interactions through pre-show experiences.
- Detailed online seat views – Fans can preview sightlines and distances for all ticket levels during purchase.
- Resale market – Premium tickets especially are often resold between fans at markups.
As live events compete for fan dollars, Premium packages help create buzz and additional revenue. Venues are getting creative with celebrity interactions through pre-show experiences, pop-up lounges, and other innovative perks.
Does the value of premium tickets vary by sport or music genre?
Premium tickets can be more or less worthwhile depending on the sport or music performer:
Sports
- Football – Given limited games and intense fan interest, Premium tickets are very popular for key matchups and playoffs.
- Baseball – With 81+ home games per season, Premium tickets are less coveted except for highlight matchups and playoff runs.
- Basketball – More intimate arenas make every seat valuable, though lower bowl mid-court seats carry the most cache.
- Hockey – Lower bowl seats centered on the rink provide the ideal viewing experience and command high premiums.
Music
- Pop – Fans want to be near the action on stage, so front rows carry premium pricing.
- Rock – General admission festival seating is common, but reserved seating and VIP packages are available.
- Country – Larger crowds mean seat quality varies more, increasing demand for verified premium locations.
- Classical – Premium pricing tied closely to seat proximity to performers and acoustics.
In general, Premium tickets are most in-demand for big rivalry games, championship series, superstar performers, and limited tours or residencies.
What does the future hold for premium event ticketing?
Some potential evolutions in premium event ticketing include:
- Virtual and augmented reality experiences incorporated into live events
- Premium ticket sales bundled with NFTs or other collectibles
- More emphasis on exclusive experiences like celebrity meetings
- Flexible premium packages tailored individually in real-time
- Premium queues replaced by assigned entry times to reduce waits
- Premium parking replaced by VIP transport services
Venues will likely continue to enhance premium offerings to attract fan spending on more than just proximity. The most in-demand seats will remain key drivers of premium pricing, but added experiences may provide additional revenue streams.
Data analytics will also allow premium packages to be dynamically customized based on individual interests and real-time demand. Premium ticketing will aim to make every aspect of the live event journey faster, easier and more tailored.