Going to a concert is an exciting experience. Watching your favorite musician or band perform live on stage can be exhilarating and create lasting memories. When planning to attend a concert in Germany, it is important to know how to find and purchase tickets properly. Buying concert tickets in Germany is somewhat different than other places around the world. By following some key steps, you can secure tickets to see any concert in Germany.
Find Upcoming Concerts and Festivals
The first step is identifying concerts and music festivals happening during your travel dates. The lineup at large festivals like Rock am Ring, Hurricane Festival, and Southside Festival are announced months in advance. For individual artist concerts, dates are usually shared a few months ahead of time. Here are some ways to find upcoming concerts in Germany:
- Check the websites and social media pages of your favorite musicians. Most will post tour dates and cities on their official pages.
- Visit Ticketmaster.de and Eventim.de, two major ticket retailers in Germany. Their sites list hundreds of upcoming shows across all genres.
- Search concert calendars on German music websites like Ampya.com and Musikbase.de which compile listings.
- Check the schedules of popular German concert venues such as the O2 Arena Berlin, Lanxess Arena Cologne, Mercedes-Benz Arena Stuttgart, and more.
- Consider signing up for email newsletter alerts from bands or venues to receive tour announcements.
Knowing the exact dates and city of the concert will be key when it comes time to buy tickets. It is also helpful to research how popular the musician or band is in Germany. More in-demand performers will require buying tickets well in advance.
Purchase Tickets From Official Sources
Once you find a concert you want to attend, the next step is purchasing tickets. In Germany, it is highly recommended to use authorized ticket retailers and avoid scalpers or secondary sites. This ensures you get valid tickets and pay fair prices. Here are some of the official ticket sources:
- Ticketmaster.de – This is one of the largest online ticketing platforms in Germany. They sell tickets for concerts of all sizes from huge arena shows to small club gigs. Tickets can be purchased online and printed or delivered to your smartphone.
- Eventim.de – Similar to Ticketmaster, Eventim is a major ticket marketplace in Germany. They sell passes for thousands of concerts, theater performances, and sporting events. Eventim provides print-at-home and mobile ticket options.
- Venue websites – Larger concert venues like Mercedes-Benz Arena Berlin and Barclaycard Arena Hamburg sell tickets directly through their official websites. This is the safest way to buy tickets for shows at those places.
- Band websites – Some musicians sell concert tickets through their own websites. Check your favorite band’s page to see if this is an option.
- Box offices – You can visit the concert venue box office in person to purchase tickets. This ensures you are getting them directly from the source. Box office hours vary by venue.
Buying tickets from unauthorized resellers runs the risk of getting fraudulent or invalid tickets. Stick to major ticket sellers for peace of mind. Also beware of fake ticket websites – only use reputable, familiar retailers.
Understand the Ticket Release Process
Timing is very important when buying concert tickets in Germany. You’ll increase your chances of getting good seats if you comprehend the different sales phases.
Here is the typical timeline of when tickets go on sale:
- Pre-sales – About 1-2 weeks before the general public on-sale, pre-sales will allow certain groups to buy tickets early. This includes fan club members, credit card holders, and mobile phone subscribers. These are limited batches of tickets.
- General on-sale – This is when tickets first become available to the public. For high demand shows, they may sell out extremely quickly.
- Additional releases – More tickets tend to get released over the next few weeks, sometimes due to production holds or cancelled industry holds. Keep checking back for newly available seats.
- Last minute tickets – Any unsold tickets are usually released in the final days leading up to the event. Prices may be lowered for these last minute seats.
Having your payment details on file with a major ticket retailer will help you secure tickets quickly. Waiting for general on-sale is risky for popular concerts since the best tickets go fast. Consider taking advantage of pre-sales or waiting for another ticket release down the road. Timing and persistence are key.
Understand Ticket Pricing and Fees
Concert ticket prices in Germany vary greatly depending on the act, venue, and seat location. Expect to pay anywhere from 20 EUR for small club shows up to well over 100 EUR for VIP packages at huge arena concerts.
On top of the base ticket price, you will also have to pay booking fees and service charges to the ticket retailer. These extra costs can add 10-20% more to your total order. Make sure to factor them in when budgeting for concert tickets.
Some other things that can impact pricing in Germany include:
- Higher demand performers fetch higher ticket prices
- Front row/pit tickets are most expensive, nosebleeds are cheapest
- Weekend shows are typically more costly than weeknights
- VIP amenities raise prices but provide perks like premium seating, exclusive lounge access, and more
Comparing prices at multiple ticket sellers can help you find the best deals. And if your budget is tight, consider less popular weekday performances. Those can have very affordable tickets.
Purchase Tickets at the Venue
If you are already in Germany without concert tickets, visiting the venue’s box office is a great option. Many concert halls sell tickets directly on-site without added service fees. Some key tips for buying tickets at the venue:
- Find out the box office hours – they usually open a few hours before showtime but venues like O2 Arena Berlin have box offices open longer
- Get there early, especially on the day of the event, as box office tickets are limited
- Ask if they have any tickets that were held for production or other industry holds – these often get released at the last minute
- Inquire about obstructed view or restricted seating tickets – they are cheaper if you don’t mind compromised views
- Cash or credit card are accepted at most box offices in Germany
If heading to the venue ahead of time, calling the box office is wise to ask what tickets are still available. That way you avoid an unnecessary trip if everything is sold out. With some persistence at the box office, scoring tickets on the day of the show is often possible.
Use Reputable Resale Sites
If tickets are sold out from primary sources, you can turn to the secondary market. Reseller websites allow fans to post tickets for resale at above face value. Some popular and trustworthy resale sites in Germany include:
- Viagogo – This global ticket marketplace has millions of tickets for concerts, sports, and events in Germany.
- Stubhub – Owned by eBay, this is one of the largest ticket resellers worldwide. You can find tickets resold in Germany.
- Seatwave – Specializing specifically in concert and live entertainment tickets, Seatwave has a large selection of resold tickets.
- Fansale – This is Ticketmaster’s official resale platform, so it offers verified resale tickets.
When using resellers:
- Sort by price to find good deals – some are marked up ridiculously high
- Read seller ratings and ticket guarantees to avoid fraud
- Make sure the tickets are valid for entry – some are non-transferable fan club tickets etc.
- Purchase only from trusted sites – not social media or informal sellers
You will pay above face value when buying resale tickets, sometimes significantly more. But for sold out shows, it may be your only option besides scalpers outside the venue.
Buy Early for the Best Seats
To get the optimal concert experience in Germany, you’ll want to secure good seats. The earlier you purchase tickets, the better seating options you will have access to.
Some tips for getting the best seats possible:
- Buy during pre-sales a week or two before general on-sale
- Log in right when tickets go live online – have payment ready
- For general admission shows, arrive extremely early to get in front
- Pick seats closest to center stage instead of the far sides
- Pay extra for VIP/premium tickets that include early entry
- Avoid obstructed views behind pillars or production gear
If you wait until the last minute to buy tickets, you’ll likely get stuck with nosebleed seats far from the stage. Sound and visibility suffers up there. Mid-priced lower bowl or floor seats closer to the performers offer a good balance. Front row and VIP tickets deliver the ultimate experience for bigger budgets.
Be Wary of Scalpers and Scams
While unavoidable outside major concerts, scalpers selling counterfeit or stolen tickets are common in Germany. Never buy from these unauthorized street sellers. Fake tickets will not scan and will prevent you from entering the venue.
Some warning signs a concert ticket seller is untrustworthy:
- They approach you in the street instead of official sales channels
- They only accept cash payments
- Their prices seem too good to be true
- They cannot show identification or licensing
- Their tickets look photocopied or home printed
If possible, have the seller accompany you to the entrance so the tickets can be verified before completing the purchase. And always get hard tickets, not just a paper receipt.
Unfortunately, ticket scams are also common online for hot shows. Be vigilant of:
- Unknown sellers or websites
- Ridiculously low prices
- Requests to complete the transaction outside the platform
- Grammatical errors or poor English on sites
- No refund policy or consumer protections
Stay safe online by using only established ticket retailers and resale marketplaces. Pay via secure payment methods that offer fraud protection and refunds. Protect your concert experience by avoiding scams.
Join a Fan Club for Presale Access
If your goal is to get tickets to see your all-time favorite musician or band, joining their official fan club can provide special benefits. Many fan clubs offer members early access to buy pre-sale tickets before the general public.
Here are some of the perks fan club members enjoy:
- Get first access to buy tickets, usually 1-2 weeks before on-sale dates
- Pre-sale codes emailed in advance to purchase tickets
- Ability to buy better seats before they sell out
- Often discounted ticket prices just for fan club members
- VIP ticket allotments set aside during pre-sales
The cost to join fan clubs in Germany varies greatly. Membership can range from 10 EUR per year up to 50+ EUR for premium access. While not free, fan clubs help die-hard supporters get the best concert tickets.
Some popular German bands with fan clubs offering ticket perks include Rammstein, Scorpions, Tokio Hotel, and more. Even international artists touring Germany give their fan club members special concert ticket access.
Read the Fine Print When Buying Tickets
It is very important to read the fine print when purchasing concert tickets in Germany. This helps avoid confusion or issues later on. Be sure to check:
- Exact location – Is it general admission or assigned seating? Which block, row, and seat?
- Date/time – Double check the correct day and start time.
- Refund policy – Understand if tickets can be exchanged or refunded.
- Delivery method – How you will receive the tickets, via print-at-home, mail delivery, or app?
- COVID policy – Is proof of vaccination or a negative test required?
- Re-entry policy – Can you exit and re-enter the venue?
- Opening acts – Sometimes these are announced after ticket purchase.
Vital details are often buried in the fine print. Overlooking them can ruin your concert plans. Read the policies, venue information, and ticket data closely before finalizing your order. Reach out to customer service with any questions.
Consider VIP and Hospitality Packages
If you want an elevated concert experience, consider splurging on VIP or hospitality packages offered for major shows in Germany. These luxury offerings provide:
- Prime seating in the first few rows
- Use of VIP lounge with private bars and bathrooms
- Pre-show buffet dinner and drinks
- Commemorative merchandise and souvenirs
- Backstage tour or artist meet & greets
- Concierge service and valet parking
Prices for upgrade experiences range anywhere from 200 EUR to over 1000 EUR per person at the top level. Not cheap, but worthwhile for a once-in-a-lifetime concert experience. VIP tickets sell out fast so purchase them the minute they go on sale.
Major companies offering high-end concert packages in Germany include Eventim Music, Deutsche Event, and MLK VIP. Look into their offerings when buying tickets for German stadium tours and arena shows.
Watch Out for Hidden Fees
When purchasing concert tickets in Germany, advertised prices are rarely the final amount you’ll pay. There are often many hidden fees tacked on:
- Booking fee per ticket – often 10-15 EUR extra
- Processing fees per order – around 5 EUR more
- Credit card surcharge – some sites charge 3-5% fees
- Delivery fees – up to 15 EUR for physical delivery
- Print-at-home fees – around 2.50 EUR per ticket
These extra charges really add up, increasing your total cost significantly. Make sure to account for fees when budgeting and expect them at checkout. Some ticket retailers like Eventim show the fees upfront during seat selection.
A few ways to avoid the worst fees include:
- Buy directly at the box office which has no extra fees
- Pay with direct bank transfer instead of credit card
- Opt for mobile ticket delivery instead of print-at-home
- Purchase larger quantity orders which sometimes have lower fees per ticket
While unavoidable, being aware of all the hidden fees will prevent sticker shock when securing those concert tickets.
Conclusion
Attending concerts in Germany is an amazing cultural experience. By better understanding the local ticket purchasing process, you can ensure getting into these in-demand shows. Purchase early from official sources, choose seats wisely, and watch for fees to secure the best concert tickets. With preparation and persistence, you’ll gain access to amazing live performances across Germany. Let the music play on.
