Do ticket prices drop the day of a concert? This is a question that many music fans find themselves wondering as concert day approaches. While pre-purchasing tickets in advance is often seen as the best way to secure seats, some wonder if they might score a better deal by waiting until the last minute to buy.
There are a few factors that determine whether or not ticket prices are likely to drop on the day of a show. Overall demand for the concert, remaining seat availability, and the policies of the ticketing platforms all play a role in day-of pricing. Additionally, the specifics of each show, like the venue size and city location, can impact availability and prices.
So when can savvy music lovers hope to score a deal on concert tickets the day of? Here is a detailed look at whether ticket prices tend to drop on the day of a show and some tips for finding the best deals.
When Ticket Prices Are Most Likely to Drop
There are certain scenarios when waiting until concert day to buy tickets may pay off with lowered prices:
– For concerts that don’t sell out. If a show still has a significant number of unsold tickets near concert day, prices often drop as the event nears in an effort to sell remaining tickets. This is especially true for larger arenas or amphitheaters that need to fill a high volume of seats. Shows with a lot of hype usually sell out quickly, but more niche concerts may still release last minute deals.
– During off-peak days/times. Less popular concert nights like Tuesdays or Wednesdays are more likely to have ticket deals close to showtime compared to weekend nights. Similarly, shows earlier in the week tend to reduce prices as the event nears. The key is looking for lower demand concert dates.
– At smaller venues. Smaller clubs and theaters with capacities under 1,000 are likely to release discounted tickets as the event approaches, especially if ticket sales have been slow. There are fewer seats to fill, so last minute discounts are used to sell remaining tickets.
– In certain cities/markets. Certain areas simply have lower demand for concerts and events. Venues in these cities are more likely to drop prices to spur last minute ticket sales. Likewise, artists tend to have markets where they are less popular and unable to sell out.
– For festivals or all-day events. Since festivals take place over multiple days, there are often single day passes released at the last minute. This presents an opportunity to score tickets at a reduced daily rate rather than paying for the full festival pass.
Why Prices May Not Drop
On the other hand, there are also many scenarios where concert ticket prices are unlikely to be lowered on the day of the event:
– For sold out shows. If a concert is completely sold out well in advance, there is little incentive for the ticketing platforms to drop prices day-of since demand already exceeds supply at face value prices. Highly popular artists and bands that quickly sell out major venues are unlikely to have last minute discounts.
– When prices are already low. For very affordable concerts under $20/ticket, venues are less likely to offer deep discounts on the day of the event. With tickets already at lower price points, demand remains steady so last minute deals are less common.
– At major venues. Large arenas and stadiums with capcities over 15,000-20,000 tend to maintain their ticket prices, even on the day of a show. Since they need to fill so many seats, prices stay static to continue driving sales. Discounts only tend to emerge if tickets remain close to showtime.
– During peak days/times. Fridays and Saturdays are prime concert nights, as are shows starting after 7 or 8pm. Because demand is already high during peak days and times, prices are less flexible for last minute bargains on popular concert nights.
– With high production shows. For major concerts with elaborate lighting, video displays, pyrotechnics and other production elements, the costs are higher so discounted pricing is less likely. Unless sales have badly lagged, prices stay consistent on the day of the event.
So while sometimes day-of discounts emerge, it’s most common for high profile concerts at large venues on peak nights to maintain their pricing all the way up to showtime.
Tips for Finding Last Minute Deals
If you’re hoping to score deals on concert tickets the day of an event, here are some handy tips and strategies:
– Check official artist social media accounts. Artists will sometimes release discounted tickets to fans directly on Twitter, Instagram or Facebook on the day of a show, offering codes or links to limited promotional seats. Turn on notifications so you don’t miss out!
– Look for official ticket resale. Many major ticketing companies like Ticketmaster and AXS offer fan-to-fan exchanges for users to safely resell event tickets. Check their resale sites for heavily discounted seats on concert day as sellers slash prices.
– Try third party resellers. Sites like StubHub and Vivid Seats are known for having significant last minute ticket price drops for concerts with availability. But be cautious of incredibly low prices, which could signal scam tickets.
– Head to the box office early. Sometimes concert venues will release extra production holds or lightly discounted tickets only at the box office on the day of the show. Line up early when doors open to try and take advantage of these deals.
– Join fan clubs and mailing lists. By joining an artist’s official fan club or subscribing to venue/promoter email lists, you can take advantage of special pre-sales and last minute offers that aren’t available to the general public.
– Check promotions on social media. Follow the event, concert venues and local promoters on social media, then check for any special Twitter/Facebook promotions they post leading up to or on the day of an event. Contests and discount codes do emerge through these channels.
Using Mobile Ticketing Platforms
In recent years, more concerts have moved to mobile ticketing to reduce scalping and fraud. Here are some things to know about scoring deals on mobile ticketing apps:
– Download the official app early and set up an account. This ensures you’re ready to grab last minute discounts if they are released through the app.
– Enable notifications. Push notifications will alert you immediately if discounted tickets become available through the app on concert day.
– Check the app repeatedly. Even without notifications, prices can fluctuate or new seats open up, so check back often leading up to showtime.
– Link accounts for quicker checkout. If creating a new account, link Facebook or Google to simplify the process and checkout faster if deals emerge.
– Understand transfer limits. Many mobile tickets cannot be transferred or resold, limiting options but also reducing fraud. Make sure you can actually attend before purchasing mobile tickets.
– Look for promo codes. Some apps will release special promo codes on concert day unlocking discounted tickets for app users only. Social media promotions are a good source for these codes.
Following these mobile ticketing tips can help you score seats at reduced rates even on the day of the event. Just make sure to act fast, as discounted inventory sells out quickly!
Comparing Prices Across Ticketing Sites
To maximize chances at finding deals, it helps to compare prices across multiple ticketing sites including:
– The official ticket seller’s site – Whether Ticketmaster, AXS, eTix or others, always check the source site first.
– Ticket resale sites – StubHub, Vivid Seats and SeatGeek are top secondary marketplaces for discounted resale tickets.
– Online retailers – Walmart, Amazon and Target all sell event tickets. Their supply can differ from other sellers.
– Facebook ticket groups – Join group for the concert venue or city and watch for fans reselling at low prices.
– Craigslist – Scour the tickets section, but use caution as scams are common. Meet in public places and verify tickets.
– Local classifieds – Check apps like LetGo, OfferUp and 5Miles for users unloading extra tickets.
Casting a wide net across multiple ticketing sites gives you the best chance at spotting and taking advantage of any last minute price drops or promotions for concert tickets on the day of the show.
Are Third Party Tickets Risky?
Purchasing discounted tickets from secondary resellers does carry some risks, including:
– Fake/invalid tickets – Scammers can easily duplicate tickets and sell fakes. This only becomes apparent at the venue when the tickets won’t scan.
– Restricted views – Some resale sites don’t disclose obstructed views, which are more common in resale tickets.
– Non-transferable tickets – Many major concerts now use mobile tickets that cannot be resold or transferred.
– Canceled events – If a concert is postponed or canceled, you may only get refunded for the lower resale value, not face value.
– High fees – Resale sites add numerous fees for buyer and seller that drive up the total cost.
To reduce risks, thoroughly vet sellers, purchase from reputable sites, meet locally when possible and understand refund/cancellation policies before buying. Also try to buy earlier than day-of, as scammers target last minute buyers more frequently.
Should You Buy Concert Tickets the Day Of?
Here are some general guidelines on whether or not to buy tickets the day of a concert:
Buy Day Of | Buy In Advance |
---|---|
– For concerts that haven’t sold out | – For sold out or nearly sold out shows |
– If you can comfortably afford to wait and risk not getting tickets | – If securing a ticket is your top priority |
– To events with tapering demand as concert day nears | – When attending with a group who all need seats together |
– If you have flexibility on where you sit or stand | – If you need seats in a prime location |
– For smaller venues with ample inventory | – When traveling to attend and need certainty |
There’s no perfect formula, but in general concert-goers who need the security of having tickets in hand are better off buying early. More flexible buyers who can risk not getting tickets and don’t need specific seats can often score big discounts by waiting until the last minute to purchase.
Understanding the event specifics, venue sizes, ticket availability, pricing trends and your own needs is key to deciding the best timing for your concert ticket purchase.
Using Bots and Alerts to Find Deals
While manually checking ticketing sites repeatedly is one way to catch price drops on the day of a show, there are also some handy technology tools that can automate the process:
– Ticketing site price drop alerts – Most major ticketing platforms let you track specific event listings and get alerted if prices dip.
– Twitter ticket bots – Bots like @ConcertDealz automatically tweet when they find ticket deals for upcoming shows. Follow them to get notifications.
– Ticket price tracking apps – Apps like TicketAnalyst detect price patterns across the web and send alerts for drops.
– Daily deal emails – Sign up for daily “deal” emails from sites like Groupon that sometimes include discounted concert tickets.
– Social media notifications – As mentioned earlier, turn on notifications from venues, artists, promoters and ticketing companies so you never a promotional offer or pre-sale code.
Using these types of automated alert systems removes the need to constantly check prices manually across the web. The technology does the heavy lifting and sends you an alert when something matches your search criteria. Just make sure to quickly grab deal notifications before discounted tickets sell out to others.
Final Thoughts
While it’s never guaranteed, waiting until the day of a concert to buy tickets can occasionally pay off with significant savings, especially compared to prices weeks or months in advance. Under the right circumstances and using smart technology to enhance your search, scoring seats for 20%, 30% or even 50% below face value is possible.
Just keep in mind that the most in-demand concerts from superstar performers are still a long shot for discounts directly on concert day. Moderately popular shows with tapering demand as the event nears are the best targets for day-of deals. With preparation, persistence, and a little bit of luck, determined bargain hunters can sometimes get rewarded with concert tickets at a fraction of the cost right as the opening act takes the stage.