This is a common question that many concert-goers have when looking to purchase tickets. There is a pervasive belief that ticket prices tend to drop dramatically on the day of the show as sellers become more desperate to unload their extra tickets. However, the truth about last-minute concert ticket prices is a bit more complicated. Here is a comprehensive look at whether or not ticket prices actually get cheaper on the day of a concert.
It Depends on the Artist and Venue
Whether or not ticket prices decrease leading up to and on the day of a concert largely depends on the artist, venue, and overall demand. For extremely popular artists playing at smaller venues, or legacy acts on a farewell tour, prices will very likely remain high and steady leading up to showtime. There is enough demand from core fans who know they want to be there no matter what. Diehard fans are often willing to pay premium prices, even if buying at the last minute. So in many cases, sellers have no real incentive to drop prices.
On the other hand, more niche artists playing large venues that have not sold out may see ticket prices decline in the final days as brokers try to unload inventory. This dynamic is also sometimes seen at festivals, where single-day passes do not sell out and get discounted at the last minute. But for the most in-demand acts, sellers know they can wait until the last hours before showtime to get top dollar from desperate fans who waited too long.
Where You Buy Tickets Matters
Where you are purchasing tickets also makes a major difference in availability and pricing leading up to the day of the event. If you are buying from an official source like the venue box office or an authorized ticketing site like Ticketmaster, prices are generally set ahead of time and do not fluctuate. However, if you are purchasing through a secondary marketplace like StubHub, SeatGeek, Vivid Seats, etc., pricing trends become more unpredictable.
On secondary sites, independent sellers list tickets for sale, similar to a stock exchange. Prices fluctuate according to supply and demand. In the days and hours before a major concert, you may see ticket prices decline on secondary marketplaces if sellers get desperate and are willing to take a loss on extra tickets. But you also may see prices increase due to last-minute demand. It really depends on the overall market dynamics at play.
Time Your Purchase Strategically
Rather than counting on prices dropping last-minute, many experts recommend buying tickets far in advance if it is an artist/venue you know you want to see. Buying early helps secure tickets before a show sells out, gives you the most selection of seat locations, and avoids the risk of last-minute price spikes.
That said, for more casual concerts where you are flexible on attending or indifferent about seat quality, it can pay off to wait until the last 48-72 hours. Monitoring secondary market sites in the final days can sometimes reveal price drops or promo discounts. Just be aware that by waiting, you also risk missing out altogether if another eager fan snaps up tickets first.
A good general guideline is to buy tickets 1-2 months in advance for major artists at mid-size venues, and around 2 weeks out for lesser-known acts at large venues. Sites like SeatGeek provide historical price data on specific artists and venues so you can observe typical trends.
Day Before vs. Day Of Strategies
If you’ve decided to play the last-minute waiting game, is the day before or day of the concert better for finding deals? This depends on your tolerance for risk. Here is a comparison of buying day before vs. day of:
Day Before
- Prices may start to drop as sellers get anxious
- More ticket availability and selection
- Allows time to evaluate options and offers
- Less risky than waiting until day of
Day Of
- Best chance for lowest prices as sellers scramble
- Very limited ticket selection
- Requires quick action on sudden deals
- High risk of missing out and no tickets
As you can see, buying the day before allows more time to take advantage of some early price drops without the high risk of waiting until the last hours. The day of the show often sees the steepest discounts pop up, but very little ticket availability remains at that point.
Is It Worth the Risk?
Trying to score a last-minute bargain on concert tickets can certainly pay off when you land an amazing deal. But it is always a gamble. Here are some pros and cons to consider when deciding if it is worth waiting until the last minute:
Potential Pros
- Significantly lower prices as demand drops
- No need to commit early, stay flexible
- Takes advantage of sellers desperate to unload tickets
Potential Cons
- Limited ticket availability, risk missing out entirely
- Must constantly monitor listings for price drops
- Best seats likely already sold out
- Prices could increase last-minute if demand spikes
Ultimately it comes down to your own risk tolerance. Are you willing to gamble passing up early ticket purchases in exchange for the possibility of better deals down the line? The more in-demand the concert, the riskier it becomes to wait. For many fans, securing a guaranteed ticket, even at a higher price, is worth more than the uncertainty of waiting.
Tips for Finding Last-Minute Concert Ticket Deals
If you decide to play the last-minute concert ticket game, here are some tips to improve your chances of landing a great bargain:
- Check secondary sites frequently in the last week, prices can change hourly
- Focus searches on single seats, hardest for sellers to move
- Filter by lower priced tickets first to spot deals
- Consider partially obstructed view or standing room only tickets
- Buy right when doors open to get desperation deals
- Head to the venue box office for walk-up sales
- Leverage price matching guarantees on some sites
With persistence, flexibility, and a little luck, scoring discounted or even free last-minute tickets is possible. Just be prepared that you may end up missing out too.
Common Questions
Here are answers to some other common questions about last-minute concert ticket prices:
What days/times see the steepest drops?
The 12-24 hours leading up to doors opening is primetime for price reductions. Buying an hour before showtime can yield the best deals.
How much discount can you expect?
There are no guarantees, but day before/day of discounts could be 10-25% below previous prices, sometimes more.
Are some sites better than others?
All the major secondary marketplaces can have deals, but StubHub and SeatGeek tend to have among the most competitive last-minute discounts.
Should I wait until the venue box office opens?
Yes, box office is often best on day of. But expect very limited options and you may have to arrive hours early to get in line.
Can tickets sell out the day of?
Absolutely. For hot shows, overnight campers may buy up all remaining tickets first thing opening.
Are brokers trustworthy?
Legitimate resale sites vet their brokers and guarantee all tickets. But scams happen, so buyer beware.
The Verdict
So in summary, do concert tickets get cheaper on the day of the show? There is no universal yes or no answer. It truly depends on the unique dynamics of that artist, venue, and overall demand. In some cases, prices remain high and steady right up until showtime. But for lower-interest shows or festivals, significant last-minute deals are possible. Savvy buyers can sometimes land amazing discounts in the final hours through persistence and monitoring secondary ticket markets. However, waiting until the last minute certainly carries risk. For high-demand shows, the most reliable way to secure tickets is to buy early when selection is best. Time your purchase strategically based on your priorities and risk tolerance.