When it comes to purchasing tickets for concerts, sports games, theater shows, and other live events, Vivid Seats and Ticketmaster are two of the biggest and most popular options. But which ticket retailer actually offers the best deals? There are a few key factors to consider when determining whether Vivid Seats or Ticketmaster has cheaper ticket prices.
Key Factors in Ticket Pricing
There are several elements that influence the prices you’ll find on Vivid Seats and Ticketmaster:
- Base ticket price set by event organizer/performer/team
- Dynamic pricing algorithms that adjust prices based on demand
- Service fees and other charges added by the ticket retailer
- Availability of seats in different seating sections
- Timing – prices can fluctuate leading up to event date
While Vivid Seats and Ticketmaster don’t actually set the initial ticket prices, they do have control over service fees and dynamic pricing. This means that the more in-demand an event is, the more prices are likely to rise on both sites. The key differences come down to service fees and accessibility.
Service Fees
One of the biggest factors in ticket pricing is the service fees charged by Vivid Seats and Ticketmaster. These fees cover the costs of online ticket sales and can really add to your overall ticket purchase price.
Ticketmaster is notorious for its high service fees that often surpass 30% of the base ticket price. Their fees also tend to increase as demand goes up for hot events. Vivid Seats generally has much lower service fees in comparison. A sampling of fees for random events shows that Vivid Seats adds on 10-20% fees, while Ticketmaster’s are usually 25-35% of ticket prices.
Sample Vivid Seats Fees
Event | Ticket Price | Fees | Total Price |
The Weeknd Concert | $200 | $40 | $240 |
New York Yankees Game | $80 | $15 | $95 |
Harry Styles Concert | $350 | $70 | $420 |
Sample Ticketmaster Fees
Event | Ticket Price | Fees | Total Price |
The Weeknd Concert | $200 | $70 | $270 |
New York Yankees Game | $80 | $30 | $110 |
Harry Styles Concert | $350 | $120 | $470 |
Just looking at service fees alone, Vivid Seats appears to offer cheaper ticket prices thanks to lower fees. However, there are some other important factors to consider.
Accessibility
In terms of ticket availability and accessibility, Ticketmaster has a clear advantage. As an official ticket provider for many major events and venues, Ticketmaster has exclusive access to large inventories of tickets.
Vivid Seats operates as a ticket resale marketplace, so they are limited by what tickets are made available by individual sellers. For extremely popular events, Ticketmaster is likely to have access to more seats, even premium offerings that may not make it to resale sites like Vivid Seats.
Where to Find the Best Deals
When to find the cheapest tickets on Vivid Seats vs Ticketmaster depends on the event type and other factors:
- Hot concerts or games: Ticketmaster likely to have more inventory, but fees will be high. Vivid Seats will have fewer ticket choices but cheaper prices on comparable seats if you can find them.
- Less popular events: Vivid Seats will shine here. Good ticket availability and much lower fees compared to Ticketmaster.
- Last minute purchases: Again Vivid Seats will have better deals. Ticketmaster has higher fees too close to events.
Comparing Prices on Vivid Seats vs Ticketmaster
To demonstrate the differences in Vivid Seats and Ticketmaster pricing, here is a direct comparison of ticket listings for upcoming concerts:
Green Day Concert Tickets
Section | Vivid Seats Price | Ticketmaster Price |
---|---|---|
Lower Level Side | $170 + $35 fees = $205 | $150 + $60 fees = $210 |
Upper Level Corner | $70 + $15 fees = $85 | $60 + $25 fees = $85 |
Floor Seats | Not available | $300 + $105 fees = $405 |
For this major concert, Ticketmaster has access to better floor seats, while Vivid Seats has slightly cheaper prices for upper and lower level seating. The fees are lower on Vivid Seats across the board.
New Kids on the Block Concert Tickets
Section | Vivid Seats Price | Ticketmaster Price |
---|---|---|
Lower Level | $130 + $25 fees = $155 | $125 + $50 fees = $175 |
Upper Level | $70 + $15 fees = $85 | $75 + $30 fees = $105 |
Floor Seats | $200 + $40 fees = $240 | $250 + $100 fees = $350 |
For a less popular event, Vivid Seats has much lower prices across all seating sections when you factor in their lower service fees.
When Are Tickets Cheapest on Each Site?
Another major factor in getting the best ticket prices is timing your purchase right. Here is an overview of when Vivid Seats and Ticketmaster prices will be lowest:
- Vivid Seats – Prices are generally lowest 2-4 weeks before the event, after the initial on-sale rush. Watch for promos offering discounted tickets during this time period.
- Ticketmaster – Looking to buy tickets within 1-2 weeks of the event will yield the lowest prices. Fees tend to drop as events get closer.
Vivid Seats offers the most savings when buying ahead, while Ticketmaster rewards those willing to wait until the last minute.
How to Get the Cheapest Tickets
Here are some tips to save and find the lowest prices on both Vivid Seats and Ticketmaster:
Vivid Seats Tips
- Set price alerts to grab seats before they sell out or increase
- Check site for promo codes to deduct dollars off your order
- Buy larger quantity of tickets to qualify for bulk discounts
- Purchase tickets as part of a package with hotel or other perks to save
Ticketmaster Tips
- Join Ticketmaster Verified Fan programs to get access to special low price presales
- Purchase Official Platinum tickets which sometimes beat resale prices
- Buy at very last minute to avoid the highest demand-based pricing
- Shop around event date for price drops as demand decreases
Conclusion
When comparing Vivid Seats vs Ticketmaster for the cheapest ticket prices, there are a few key takeaways:
- Vivid Seats tends to have lower service fees, saving 10-15% on average
- Ticketmaster has access to more inventory, especially for hot events
- Timing your ticket purchase right is key – Vivid Seats rewards earlier buyers while last minute deals can be found on Ticketmaster
- Sales, promos and special access can unlock deals on both sites
While Ticketmaster is the official source, savvy shoppers can find cheaper tickets on Vivid Seats for many events. Compare both sites across seating options and factor in fees to determine the best overall ticket value.