Getting tickets at the box office is often the most convenient and secure way to purchase tickets for concerts, sporting events, theater performances, and other live events. Here is an overview of the key things to know about buying tickets directly from the box office.
What are the benefits of getting tickets at the box office?
There are several advantages to buying tickets at the box office rather than from a secondary ticket seller:
- Avoid fake or invalid tickets – Box office tickets are 100% legitimate and direct from the source.
- Avoid extra fees – Box office tickets do not have the extra processing fees that you often pay when purchasing through a ticketing website.
- Get the best availability – Box offices often have access to tickets that haven’t been released for general public sale yet.
- Personal customer service – Box office representatives can answer questions and provide recommendations for seating options.
- Secure will call pickup – You can arrange for will call ticket pickup at the box office to avoid losing printed tickets.
- Exchange flexibility – Depending on the event, you may be able to exchange box office tickets for a different date if needed.
Overall, the peace of mind of getting official tickets directly from the source makes buying at the box office worthwhile.
What are some potential downsides?
There are a few potential disadvantages to keep in mind when purchasing box office tickets:
- Limited operating hours – Box office hours are usually limited and may not be open seven days a week.
- May need to line up – For high demand events, be prepared for the possibility of lining up at the box office.
- Limits on number of tickets – There is often a cap on the maximum number of tickets per purchase.
- Travel required – You’ll need to travel to the physical box office location to make an in-person purchase.
- Cash payments – Some box offices are cash only and don’t accept credit/debit cards.
However, for most events, the pros of buying directly from the box office outweigh these potential inconveniences.
Where can I find box office locations and hours?
To confirm box office details, always check the official website for the venue or event. Box office locations can vary for different venues within the same city. Pay attention to whether the box office is located right at the venue or at a different offsite office.
Typical box office locations include:
- At the venue lobby or entrance
- Inside a performing arts center
- At a dedicated ticket office building
- Inside a mall or shopping center
- At a hotel associated with the event
Box office hours tend to follow typical retail hours like 10am-6pm, but may have extended pre-event hours. Box office hours are often listed at the bottom of the venue or event website.
How far in advance should I buy tickets at the box office?
It’s recommended to buy box office tickets as early as possible, especially for popular events. To get the best selection of seat locations at box office prices, plan to purchase tickets:
- 1-3 months in advance for major concerts or sports games
- 2-4 weeks in advance for smaller music/theater performances
- At least 1 week before for comedy shows, minor league sports, family events
Limited VIP options like meet-and-greet packages may sell out months in advance. Don’t wait until the last minute!
What if tickets sell out online before I can buy at the box office?
If an event is showing as sold out online, there is still a chance that the box office will have tickets available. This is because box offices will hold back a small allotment of tickets for in-person sales. Steps you can take include:
- Checking the venue’s social media for announcements of box office ticket releases.
- Calling the box office directly to inquire about ticket availability.
- Lining up at the box office on the morning tickets go on sale to get first access to box office inventory.
- Arriving early on the day of the event and asking if there are any production holds or last minute releases.
Persistence and luck may pay off with box office tickets, even when online tickets are long gone.
What about VIP or specialty ticket types?
In addition to regular tickets, box offices can offer access to VIP, premium, or specialty ticket types you won’t find online or through resellers. Examples include:
- VIP packages – Get special perks like premium seating, meet & greets with performers, exclusive merchandise, and more.
- Platinum tickets – Higher priced tickets for premium seat locations.
- Suite rentals – Share a private luxury suite with amenities and food/beverage packages.
- Party decks/passes – Access special group seating/ mingling areas.
- Fan club presales – Presale purchase periods for official fan club members.
Ask the box office what special ticket offers are available when purchasing your seats.
How does will call work at the box office?
Purchasing box office tickets for will call pickup is convenient if you don’t want to worry about losing your tickets. Here is how will call typically works:
- When purchasing tickets, request will call pickup and provide the box office with your name and contact details.
- You will receive a will call receipt with pickup details. Bring a printed copy of the receipt and a photo ID.
- The tickets will be held under your name at the venue’s box office. Arrive 45-60 minutes early to retrieve them.
- If picking up for someone else, call the box office in advance with authorization and bring their photo ID.
- Tickets left unclaimed are subject to release if not picked up by a certain time.
Will call provides peace of mind so you don’t have to worry about lost, stolen, or forgotten tickets.
What forms of payment do box offices accept?
Box office payment policies can range from cash only to accepting every form of payment. Common payment methods include:
- Cash
- Credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover)
- Debit cards
- Traveler’s checks
- Gift cards or gift certificates
- Venue vouchers
Check the box office information online or call in advance to confirm acceptable payment methods for your specific event.
Can I choose my exact seat location?
One major advantage of buying at the box office is getting to choose your exact seat locations. Options may include:
- Having seating charts available to view open seat locations.
- Getting advice from staff on the best seats based on preferences like closer to stage, away from speakers, end aisle seats, etc.
- Purchasing specific upgraded seats like loge box seats or club seats.
- Being able to purchase pairs of seats together for groups.
Buying earlier gives you access to the most seating choices before inventory sells out.
What are tips for buying box office tickets?
Follow these tips to master the art of buying tickets directly at the box office:
- Look up box office hours/location and get there early for first choice of seats.
- Bring a credit/debit card as primary payment method.
- Have a backup payment method like cash or gift card.
- Check online seating charts so you know preferences (closer, farther, angles, etc).
- Ask about VIP options or special packages not listed online.
- Inquire about any ticket limits per person.
- Arrive early day-of if retrieving will call tickets.
- Sign up for fan clubs to get access to presales.
With the right preparation and timing, you can land the perfect seats buying directly through the box office.
Should I still consider other ticket sources?
Despite the benefits, buying box office tickets isn’t always the right option for every situation. You may also want to consider:
- Official online ticket retailers – Often more convenient for quickly buying anytime from anywhere.
- Reseller marketplaces – Can sometimes get tickets below face value or after box office sells out.
- Ticket package deals – Bundle event tickets with perks like hotels, transportation, and more.
- Guest lists – Free or reduced price admission by getting on guest lists.
- Ticket contests/giveaways – Enter to win free ticket opportunities.
Depending on pricing, availability, convenience, and perks, alternatives may be a better fit in specific situations. Evaluate all options.
Key Takeaways
Here are some of the key points to remember about buying tickets at the box office:
- Box office tickets are 100% legitimate and the most secure way to buy.
- Avoid extra fees buying direct through box office vs. ticketing websites.
- Box offices have earlier access to tickets and premier seating options.
- Buying early (weeks or months) gives you the best ticket selection.
- Will call pickup and seating assistance provide convenience and peace of mind.
- Also consider online retailers, resellers, package deals, contests as alternatives.
Visiting the box office is often the best way to get amazing seats to live events while avoiding counterfeits. By planning ahead and knowing box office policies, you can land the hottest tickets even when demand is high.
Conclusion
Getting your tickets directly through the box office provides many benefits compared to secondary marketplaces or resellers. You can score amazing seats even when shows are sold out elsewhere and have confidence that your tickets are legitimate. While buying online can provide more convenience, the box office gives you the ultimate control and assurance that you’ll get into the event. Do your research and get to the box office early, and you’ll secure the tickets you want while avoiding extra fees and markups.
