Attending a concert can be an exciting experience as you get to see your favorite musicians perform live. When buying tickets, one of the key decisions you’ll need to make is whether to get general admission or assigned seating tickets. While both ticket types allow you to see the show, there are some notable differences between the two that can impact your experience.
General Admission Overview
General admission (GA) tickets give you access to the venue and allow you to stand wherever you like, typically in front of the stage. GA sections are usually large open spaces without chairs or assigned spots. The key thing to know is that GA tickets do not guarantee you an actual seat or specific spot.
Here are some key things to know about general admission concert tickets:
- No assigned seat – You can stand wherever you can fit in the GA section
- First come, first served – The earlier you arrive, the better your spot will be
- Standing room only – Be prepared to stand for the duration of the show
- Closer to stage – GA tickets let you get closer to the band than seating
- Cheaper cost – GA tickets tend to be the least expensive ticket option
- High energy – GA sections create lively crowd excitement and movement
GA concert tickets are popular with fans who want to get as close to the stage as possible and don’t mind standing. The atmosphere is high energy as the crowd surges forward. Many dedicated fans love being in the mix towards the front of the stage.
Assigned Seating Overview
Assigned seating tickets, sometimes called reserved tickets, guarantee you a specific seat in the venue. The seat will be assigned when you purchase the tickets and printed on your ticket stub. Assigned seating sections are broken up into rows and seats.
Here are some key things to know about assigned seating concert tickets:
- Guaranteed seat – Your ticket is for a specific seat in the venue
- Rows and seats – Assigned sections have rows (A-Z) and numbered seats
- First come, best seats – Arrive on time to claim your assigned spot
- Sitting required – You’ll need to stay in your designated seat
- Further back – Seats are further from the stage than GA sections
- Higher cost – Assigned seating is more expensive than GA tickets
- Reserved atmosphere – Seating focuses more on the music than crowd energy
Assigned seating is preferred by concert goers who value having their own reserved space to sit. This allows you to comfortably enjoy the show from a distance. The atmosphere tends to be calmer than the high energy GA floor.
Key Differences Between GA and Assigned Seating
While both ticket types get you into the show, there are some key differences in the experiences between general admission and assigned seating:
General Admission | Assigned Seating |
---|---|
No guaranteed spot | Reserved seat just for you |
First come, first served entry | Arrive anytime for your seat |
Standing room only sections | Chairs available to sit |
Closer to the stage | Further back from stage |
Cheaper ticket cost | More expensive tickets |
Lively, crowded energy | Calmer, reserved atmosphere |
As you can see, there are clear trade-offs between the ticket options. GA provides proximity and crowd energy while assigned seating offers reserved spots to sit and more personal space.
Factors to Consider When Choosing Tickets
When deciding between general admission and assigned seating, there are several factors to take into account:
- Artist/genre – High energy rock bands may be better for GA while mellower genres like folk work well with seating.
- Popularity – The more popular the artist, the more important it is to get GA tickets early for a good spot.
- Age/health – Older or less mobile concert-goers often prefer seating.
- Group size – Getting seats together is easier with assigned seating.
- Budget – General admission is typically less expensive.
- Priorities – Decide if proximity, reserved space, or cost matters most.
Make sure to consider the unique aspects of each show and what matters most to you to decide between GA and seating. For example, if you really want to get close and don’t mind standing, GA is likely the better choice. But if having your own personal space to sit takes priority, go with assigned seating.
Getting the Best Experience with General Admission
If you opt for general admission tickets, there are some tips to maximize your concert experience:
- Arrive early – Get to the venue as early as possible, especially for sold out or popular shows.
- Review the layout – Many venues post GA floor maps so you can find the prime standing areas.
- Head for the center – The middle sections near the soundboard tend to offer the best views.
- Scope the entrance – Note which entrance is closest to the GA section you want.
- Only bring essentials – Don’t bring a bag if possible and keep belongings minimal.
- Charge your phone – But be mindful of pickpockets in tight GA crowds.
- Wear comfy shoes – You’ll likely be on your feet for several hours.
- Use the bathroom first – Once you get a good spot, you won’t want to give it up.
- Stay hydrated – Bring a water bottle since leaving means losing your place.
- Be prepared to stand – Dancing and jumping is expected so wear comfortable clothes.
Following these GA tips will help you get a prime standing position on the floor. The key is arriving early so you can be one of the first fans in when the doors open.
Getting the Best Experience with Assigned Seating
For the best concert experience with assigned seating, keep these tips in mind:
- Shop early for seats – Getting seats close to the stage requires buying tickets when they first go on sale.
- Check the seat map – Many venues provide interactive maps so you can preview sightlines.
- Read the fine print – Check ticket details to see if chairs provided or if it’s bench seating.
- Arrive on time – You want to claim your seat well before the show starts.
- Bring seat cushions – For bench seats, pillows can make long shows more comfortable.
- Review venue info – Check rules on what you can and can’t bring to your seat.
- Charge devices beforehand – Outlets to charge phones are less accessible from seats.
- Eat beforehand – Your seats may be far from food vendors and restrooms.
- Pack binoculars – Help see the stage and screens from a distance.
- Dress comfortably – You’ll be sitting for extended periods so wear layers.
Buying early, double-checking your tickets, and arriving on time will help guarantee you get the reserved seat on your ticket. These tips will enhance your comfort for shows with assigned seating sections.
General Admission vs. Assigned Seating: A Case Study
Here is a hypothetical scenario to highlight the key differences between GA and seating:
Jen and Rob want to attend an upcoming arena concert for their favorite top 40 pop artist. Jen really wants to get as close to the stage as possible to see the artist up close and dance with the crowds. She doesn’t mind standing for hours or cramming into tight spaces. Rob prefers to comfortably sit in his own reserved seat with his wife. He values personal space over proximity to the band.
For this show, general admission floor tickets cost $60 each. Assigned stadium seating is priced at $125 per seat. Jen insists on purchasing GA tickets to get the full immersive experience while Rob pushes for getting reserved seat tickets.
On concert night, Jen gets to the venue 6 hours early to be one of the first in line. She sprints with the crowds to get a spot at the metal barricade directly against the stage. Jen stands squished between masses of fans for 5 hours before the show enjoying the lively pre-concert anticipation. Once the band takes the stage, she loves screaming lyrics and dancing just feet from her favorite singer.
Rob and his wife show up 1 hour before show time to find their seats. Their stadium seats are halfway back in the venue, providing only decent views of the far away stage. But their cushioned reserved chairs offer ample leg room and personal space between neighboring fans. They are able to sit comfortably for the entire show. When Rob wants a drink, he simply walks to the nearby concession area.
Jen ends up with tired legs and gets home at 2am exhausted but thrilled by the unforgettable GA experience. Rob leaves the show refreshed and glad he picked seats over standing in crowds for hours. Both Jen and Rob enjoyed the concert but in very different ways based on their ticket type.
Conclusion
When attending concerts, general admission and assigned seating offer quite different experiences. GA allows you get up close with crowds while seating provides reserved personal space. Factors like your budget, seating preferences, and the artist should be considered when selecting tickets.
Arriving early is key for GA sections to get the best standing room only spots. Reviewing seat maps and buying early helps get the most ideal reserved seats. Either option can provide an amazing concert night but in their own unique ways. Evaluate what factors matter most to you and choose between lively GA floors or comfortable reserved seats.