When looking to purchase tickets online for concerts, sports games, theater shows or other events, it can be overwhelming trying to figure out the best website to use. With so many ticket selling platforms available, how do you know which one offers the best deals and most reliable service? The ticket buying experience can vary widely depending on the website you use, so it’s important to understand the key factors that separate the good from the bad. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the pros and cons of the most popular online ticket websites to help you determine where to buy tickets online for the best experience.
Key Factors to Consider When Buying Tickets Online
When evaluating which ticket site is best for your needs, here are some of the most important factors to take into account:
Ticket Availability
The inventory of tickets available will vary by site, especially right when sales first open. Some sites may have exclusive access to certain tickets that quickly sell out on other platforms. Checking multiple sites will give you a better sense of overall ticket availability for the event you want to attend.
Pricing
Ticket prices can fluctuate widely between different resale sites. Certain platforms are known to have cheaper last minute deals while others boast more reasonable prices upfront. Fees and shipping costs also impact the final price so be sure to factor those in.
Buyer Protection
The level of buyer protection and fraud prevention offered by the ticket site makes a big difference on the reliability of your purchase. Make sure you understand refund policies in case the event is cancelled or you can no longer attend.
Customer Service
Having access to helpful customer service representatives can save you from frustration if any issues come up with your order. Check reviews and test out the customer service yourself before buying.
Delivery Options
The delivery method for receiving your tickets – mobile transfer, print-at-home, mail, or will call – is another consideration. Assess your own needs and preferences around having hard copy tickets versus electronic.
User Experience
The overall user experience and ease of finding and purchasing tickets varies. Make sure the site is convenient for you to navigate and provides all the necessary details on seating charts, venue info, etc.
Reviews of the Top 5 Online Ticket Sites
Now that you know the key criteria for evaluating ticket sites, here is an in-depth assessment of 5 of the best and most popular places to purchase tickets online along with their pros and cons.
Ticketmaster
As one of the largest primary ticket providers, Ticketmaster offers some distinct advantages:
Pros:
- Often has exclusive ticket inventory for top events
- Quickest access to tickets right as sales open
- Official partner for many major venues, sports teams, and tours
- Wide event selection beyond just concerts and sports
Cons:
- Service fees tend to be high
- Mixed reviews of customer service response times
- Frequently has website crashes during high demand sales
StubHub
As a major secondary marketplace, StubHub offers plenty of pros:
Pros:
- Large selection of event tickets even after initial sales
- Often has lowest prices on sold out events
- Strong buyer guarantees on invalid or fraudulent tickets
- Electronic delivery of tickets within minutes
Cons:
- High commission fees charged to sellers
- No ability to re-sell unwanted tickets after purchase
Vivid Seats
Here’s an overview of the Vivid Seats marketplace:
Pros:
- All-in pricing with no hidden fees
- Free shipping on all orders
- Helpful interactive seat maps when selecting tickets
- Rewards program for earning credits on future purchases
Cons:
- Smaller selection for less popular events
- Fewer filters to refine ticket searches
- Electronic ticket delivery can have lengthy delays
SeatGeek
SeatGeek is another popular resale site with these positives:
Pros:
- Very efficient sorting and filtering of ticket listings
- Interactive color-coded seat maps showing value ratings
- Comparisons of listings across multiple seller platforms
- Generous refund policy on cancelled events
Cons:
- Service fees can be high depending on seller
- Unclear delineation between official and resale ticket sources
- Smaller inventory for less common events
Gametime
For last minute sports tickets, Gametime is a top option:
Pros:
- Excellent prices on last minute tickets
- All tickets come directly from teams and venues
- Fast mobile ticket delivery in minutes
- Useful sorting of listings by price and section
Cons:
- Very limited selection focused just on sports
- No paper ticket option – mobile entry only
- High delivery fees on short notice purchases
Best Sites for Specific Event Types
Beyond the major ticket platforms, there are more specialized sites that excel for certain event types.
Best Sites for Concert Tickets
For concert tickets your best bets are:
- Ticketmaster – Largest inventory across major concert tours
- LiveNation – Official ticket source for concert promoter LiveNation
- AXS – Good medium-sized venue concert listings
- Resale sites like StubHub for sold out concerts
Best Sites for Sports Tickets
Top options for purchasing sports tickets:
- Team/League Official Sites – Buy direct from the official source
- Ticketmaster – Wide team and league selection
- VividSeats – Competitive pricing on huge sports selection
- Gametime – Best prices on last minute mobile ticket deals
Best Sites for Theater Tickets
For Broadway, off-Broadway, and regional theater, use:
- Telecharge – Largest Broadway ticket inventory
- Ticketmaster – Carries many major theater productions
- TodayTix – Good for more niche and smaller theater shows
- Theater resale sites like SeatGeek
Tips for Getting the Best Ticket Deals
Beyond just choosing the right platform, here are some key tips for scoring the best ticket prices and deals:
- Buy early during pre-sales to get first pick of seats at face value prices
- Join fan clubs and promoter lists for access to exclusive pre-sales
- Compare prices across multiple sites to find lowest prices
- Use coupon codes and cashback offers when available
- Buy partial or obstructed view seats for big discounts
- Purchase last minute tickets on sites like Gametime for major price drops right before an event
- Buy upper deck or balcony seats which are often much cheaper than lower levels
- Avoid convenience fees whenever possible by choosing print-at-home or will call delivery
Following these tips will ensure you find the best ticket values no matter what site you buy from.
Factors That Impact Ticket Pricing
Several factors account for the wide variation in ticket prices for the same events. Understanding what drives pricing differences can help guide your buying strategy.
The Primary vs Secondary Market
Tickets bought during the initial on-sale directly from the venue or artist (primary market) are almost always cheaper than those bought later from resellers (secondary market). Pre-sale access is key for getting primary market face value pricing.
Ticket Demand
Higher demand events see quicker price appreciation as availability declines on the secondary market. Popular opponents and weekends drive-up costs.
Venue Size
Smaller, more intimate venues lead to steeper pricing as supply is limited. Larger arenas with more seating capacity have more price diversity.
Artist/Team Popularity
The top headliners and teams with huge fanbases have the most expensive tickets. Emerging acts and losing teams offer big savings.
Location of Seats
Centered floor seats or lower bowls cost more than obstructed views or upper levels further from stage/field. Goal line and dugout seats also get premium pricing.
Timing of Purchase
Earlier sales have lower prices. As an event nears prices rise on secondary markets. Last minute can sometimes see big drops.
How Dynamic Pricing Affects Costs
Increasingly, ticket pricing is determined through dynamic pricing models that adjust costs based on real-time supply and demand.
This table illustrates how dynamic pricing changes costs over time for a sample concert:
Timing of Purchase | Section | Price Per Ticket |
---|---|---|
Pre-sale 6 months out | Floor | $125 |
On-sale 3 months out | Lower Level | $85 |
2 months out | Upper Level | $55 |
1 month out | Lower Level | $150 |
2 weeks out | Floor | $250 |
Day before | Upper Level | $80 |
Day of show | Obstructed View | $45 |
As you can see, timing and seat location drive significant cost fluctuations based on demand trends. Sales first open with below face value pre-sale pricing. Prices then stabilize near face value during general on-sales. Secondary market prices increase over time. Last minute can see drops for unsold seats.
How to Spot Ticket Scams
While buying tickets online provides huge convenience, it also carries risks of scams and fraud. Here are some tips for spotting sketchy ticket sellers to avoid:
- Only buy from reputable, established platforms – avoid unknown sellers and sites.
- Do not trust sellers offering prices that seem too good to be true.
- Watch for pressure tactics pushing you to buy now or miss out on great deals.
- Verify the seller has a valid business address, phone number, and customer service channels.
- Never pay via money order, gift card, Bitcoin, or other nonreversible payment methods.
- Only provide your credit card details through secured online checkout systems.
- Avoid sellers that require you to pick up tickets locally in cash.
Using your best judgment and being wary of shady behavior will help you avoid ticket scams. Always trust your instincts – if an offer seems sketchy, move on to other options.
Conclusion
While the growing number of online ticket marketplaces gives you more choice, it also makes buying tickets more complex. Carefully weigh the pros and cons of different sites based on your specific needs. Factor in pricing, fees, policies, delivery methods, and ease of use. Do your homework on the best sources for the type of event you want to attend. Ultimately there is no one-size-fits-all best ticket site, but following the guidance in this guide will steer you towards the ideal platform for your next online ticket purchase.