Do concert tickets change prices?

Concert ticket prices can fluctuate leading up to the event for a variety of reasons. In the opening paragraphs, we’ll provide quick answers to key questions around concert ticket pricing.

Do concert tickets get cheaper or more expensive closer to the event?

In most cases, concert tickets tend to get more expensive as the event date approaches. This is because there are fewer tickets remaining, so demand increases relative to supply. As a result, resellers and ticket marketplaces often increase prices over time to capitalize on diehard fans who are willing to pay more for last minute tickets.

When should you buy concert tickets to get the best deal?

To get the lowest price on concert tickets, it’s usually best to buy as early as possible, such as during presales or shortly after the general public on-sale. Buying well in advance means you’ll pay face value before prices start creeping up on the secondary market. However, it’s worth noting that prices can sometimes temporarily dip right before a show if there is still inventory left to sell.

Why do concert ticket prices change over time?

There are a few key factors that drive fluctuations in concert ticket prices as the event date approaches:

• Supply and demand – Lower supply of tickets and higher demand pushes prices up
• Speculation – Resellers may increase prices if they think demand will rise closer to the event
• Inventory management – Venues and promoters may strategically adjust prices to sell more tickets
• Hype – Buzz and excitement over an event often increases closer to the date

How can you get the best deals on concert tickets?

Here are some tips and strategies for getting the lowest prices on concert tickets:

• Buy early during presales
• Join fan clubs and mailing lists for presale code access
• Purchase tickets as soon as general public sales open
• Consider weekday shows instead of weekends
• Look for seat locations further from the stage
• Avoid purchasing just before or day of the event
• Use price tracking tools to find price drops
• Buy single tickets instead of whole sets

Can you get cheap last minute concert tickets?

While last minute concert tickets are usually more expensive, it is sometimes possible to find deals:

• Check fan resale sites like Craigslist for below-market tickets from fans who can’t attend
• Wait until the very last minute for possible price drops if the event hasn’t sold out
• Go to the box office right before showtime to ask about ticket releases or upgrades
• Consider non-transferrable tickets that may get released close to the event date

However, counting on last minute deals is risky. Ideally, get tickets early if there are must-see acts you want to attend.

How much do concert ticket prices vary for the same show?

For popular shows, concert ticket prices can vary widely even within the same venue. Front row or VIP tickets often cost 5-10x (or more) compared to the cheapest lawn or upper deck seats. Seat location, day of week, city/market, and tour hype all impact pricing too. Below is a table showing example price ranges for the same concert tour:

As you can see, the difference between the lowest and highest ticket prices for the same show can be hundreds of dollars depending on the city. Front row seats or VIP packages account for many of the most expensive tickets.

What fees and charges are added onto concert tickets?

Beyond the base ticket price, additional charges and fees can add a significant cost to concert tickets. These include:

• Service fees – Processing/handling fees from the ticketing company, often 10-20% of ticket cost
• Facility fees – Charges added by the concert venue, up to $20+ per ticket
• Order processing fees – Smaller per order fee for ticket purchases
• Delivery fees – For hard tickets shipped by mail or courier
• Taxes – Local taxes on ticket purchases, up to 10-15%

It’s not uncommon for the final price paid to be 30% higher or more than the list price after all additional fees. Buyers should account for these when budgeting for concert tickets.

Which concert tickets have the highest demand and prices?

These are some of the concerts that tend to have the highest ticket demand and prices:

• Pop superstars – Taylor Swift, Beyonce, Lady Gaga, Justin Bieber
• Heritage acts – The Rolling Stones, Paul McCartney, Elton John
• Reunions & farewell tours – Led Zeppelin, The Police, Kiss
• Cult favorites – Grateful Dead, Phish, Insane Clown Posse
• Genre icons – Kanye West, Kenny Chesney, Jimmy Buffett

New popular artists like Billie Eilish also often have high demand when they first tour. Stadium concerts and festival headliners also go quickly. But any act with a devoted fanbase can see expensive resale prices.

How far in advance do concerts sell out?

How quickly a concert sells out depends significantly on the artist. Superstars with huge fanbases may sell out arena tours in minutes. Other concerts may not approach sell-outs until weeks or months later. Some key factors include:

• Artist popularity – More popular acts sell faster
• Venue size – Smaller venues sell sooner
• Tour frequency – Tours after long breaks sell quicker
• On-sale access – Presales move tickets faster
• Pricing – Higher prices may slow sales

Many promoters and ticketing platforms now use dynamic pricing to help maximize sales revenue and pace demand. This involves incrementally raising prices over time.

Should you buy tickets if a show is not yet sold out?

If there are still unsold tickets available for a concert you want to attend, it can be worth buying as soon as you are able if prices are still relatively low. Even if you end up paying a bit more than the absolute minimum, locking in tickets beats the risk of missing out or paying much higher last minute prices.

For very high demand shows that will inevitably sell out, there is no advantage to waiting. Buy early when you can. The longer you wait, the higher prices tend to climb on the secondary market.

For lower demand concerts, it may be safe to wait if you are flexible about ticket locations. But popular sections can still sell out quickly. So buying early maximizes your seating options.

Should you wait to buy tickets closer to the event date?

In most cases, it is not advisable to intentionally wait and try to buy concert tickets at the last minute unless you absolutely cannot commit sooner. Here are some risks with waiting:

• Prices usually get more expensive over time
• Many shows completely sell out
• You may not get your preferred seat locations
• Last minute ticket legitimacy cannot be guaranteed

Again, the exception is lower demand shows where you are flexible. Last minute unsold tickets may get discounted. But counting on deals is risky.

Conclusion

To summarize key points:

• Concert ticket prices tend to rise over time leading up to events, so buy early for the best deals
• High demand shows can sell out very quickly
• There can be huge price variance even within the same show
• Additional fees can add 20-30%+ to the base ticket price
• Waiting until the last minute is generally risky and can result in paying higher prices or getting shut out altogether

While there are no absolute guarantees when buying concert tickets, following some of the guidance above can help fans lock in the best deals while ensuring they secure entry to highly sought after shows.

Some final tips are to take advantage of presales, join fan clubs, and use price tracking tools to pounce when deals emerge. With preparation and planning, music lovers can keep costs down and focus on enjoying the live concert experience.