When it comes to buying tickets for concerts, shows, and other events, many people wonder if they can save money by purchasing pre-sale tickets instead of waiting for the regular on-sale. Pre-sale tickets typically go on sale before the general public tickets, and they are offered to various groups like fan club members, credit card holders, and newsletter subscribers. Here’s a look at some of the key differences between pre-sale and regular tickets and whether pre-sales offer cheaper prices.
What are pre-sale tickets?
Pre-sale tickets are tickets that go on sale before the general public on-sale date. They give certain groups early access to tickets before anyone else. Some common pre-sales include:
- Fan club pre-sales – for members of an artist or team’s official fan club
- Venue pre-sales – for members of a venue’s email list or loyalty program
- Credit card pre-sales – for holders of specific credit cards associated with the event
- Radio station pre-sales – for listeners of radio partners
- VIP packages – bundled deals with perks like meet and greets
- Spotify pre-sales – for Spotify users who listen to the artist
To access pre-sales, you typically need to sign up for accounts, join mailing lists, or be an existing member of something tied to the event. Promoters use pre-sales to reward loyal fans and credit card partners. Pre-sales often have very limited ticket allotments available.
Do pre-sale tickets have cheaper prices?
In general, pre-sale tickets are the same price as regular price tickets. The promoter and artist usually set the initial face value pricing ahead of when any tickets go on sale. So pre-sale and general on-sale tickets will have identical pricing if you are looking at the same seats in the venue.
However, there are some cases where pre-sales may offer cheaper ticket prices:
- Special pre-sale discounts: Sometimes there are special promo codes offered just for pre-sales to incentivize early ticket buying. These can take a few dollars off the price.
- VIP packages: Upgraded packages bought during pre-sale may be cheaper than buying separately later.
- Sell-outs: If a show sells out fast, resellers will jump prices up higher. Buying early avoids this.
- Dynamic pricing: Major events may use dynamic pricing that increases over time. Early buyers get lower base prices.
While the savings are usually small, buying early through pre-sales provides the best chance at getting face value or lower prices before additional fees.
When do regular tickets go on sale?
If you miss a pre-sale, the next chance to buy tickets will be during the public on-sale date. General public on-sale times can vary:
- Following pre-sales: Typically 1-7 days after pre-sales end.
- Fridays: Most commonly 10am local venue time on Friday mornings.
- Specific on-sale time: Check event pages for the exact on-sale date and time.
- Immediately: Popular shows may go directly on sale to the general public right after pre-sales end.
Promoters want to build up demand through pre-sales before opening up ticket sales to everyone. But major concerts will usually go on sale around 10am on a Friday soon after pre-sales end. It’s a good idea to check the event page ahead of time to confirm the exact general on-sale date and time.
Are there other ways to get cheap tickets?
Beyond pre-sales, there are some other creative strategies fans use to try and get cheaper tickets below face value:
- Wait for general sales: Prices usually drop as the event nears if it isn’t sold out.
- Last minute deals: Promoters release last minute tickets at steep discounts.
- Ticket resale sites: Fans resell extra tickets, sometimes below face value.
- Scalpers: Buying right before the event from unofficial sellers may yield deals.
- Promo codes: Check for special access codes that unlock cheaper tickets.
- Season passes: Bundles like Broadway season tickets average out costs.
There are risks buying tickets through unofficial channels, but waiting until the last minute can result in great deals on leftover tickets. Following fan forums for tips on cheap tickets can uncover some useful insights as well.
Should you buy pre-sale tickets?
Here are some of the key pros and cons of buying tickets during pre-sales:
Pros
- First access to tickets
- Best chance at face value prices
- Avoid ticket sell-outs and high resale markups
- Peace of mind knowing you have tickets already
- Chance for special pre-sale discounts
Cons
- Very limited quantities available
- Need to sign up for pre-sale access ahead of time
- The best seats may already be taken
- Less ability to comparison shop prices
Overall, pre-sales are a smart strategy for high-demand events where sell-outs and expensive resale prices are likely. The small upside of cheaper prices combined with getting tickets before anyone else makes pre-sales worth it for hardcore fans who want to guarantee entry. For more casual fans, waiting for the general on-sale may yield almost as good of seats and prices if you act fast.
Conclusion
Pre-sale and general on-sale tickets typically have the same face value prices, but pre-sales offer some opportunities for discounts and savings before quantities become limited. Getting early access through pre-sales provides peace of mind of having tickets in hand for your must-see events and can help avoid inflated resale prices down the line. While the cheaper prices pre-sales offer tend to be minimal, earlier buyers generally get better seat locations too. For the best chance at your ideal seats for hot shows, sales, joining fan clubs, and jumping on pre-sales is your best bet.