Going to concerts can be an exciting experience, but ticket prices can often make it an expensive night out. Fortunately, there are ways to get discounts on concert tickets so you can enjoy live music without breaking the bank.
Buy Tickets in Advance
One of the best ways to get a deal is to buy tickets early. As soon as concerts go on sale, look for pre-sale opportunities and early bird pricing. Venues will often offer discounted tickets in the months and weeks leading up to a show before prices go up closer to the event date.
Sign up for pre-sale alerts through the band’s website or venue’s email list so you can get access to tickets before the general public. Set a reminder on your calendar for when tickets go on pre-sale to increase your chances of getting good seats at lower prices.
Look for Promo Codes
Promotional codes can save you a lot on concert tickets. Before checking out, search online for the specific concert promo codes. Venues, bands, radio stations, and sponsors will often release discount codes you can enter at checkout to get 10-20% off your order.
You can find codes by:
- Following the band, venue, and promoter on social media
- Visiting fan club websites
- Signing up for email newsletters
- Listening to the radio for mentioned codes
Having the latest promo code can result in huge savings on multiple tickets.
Buy Ticket Packages
Many concerts offer special ticket bundles and packages that package amenities with tickets at a discounted price. Common concert packages include:
- VIP packages with premiere seating, pre-show access, and merchandise
- Meal packages with dinner or drinks included
- Hotel packages with discounted rates
While these special packages are more expensive upfront than regular tickets, they can be a lot cheaper than purchasing all the amenities separately. Packages are a great way to get an enhanced concert experience at a deal.
Purchase Resale Tickets
If a concert is sold out or you missed the chance to buy early, you can find discounted tickets being resold by other fans. Check sites like StubHub, Vivid Seats, and SeatGeek for tickets being resold often at prices below face value.
The best time to find cheap resale tickets is the week of and day of the concert when sellers are trying to unload tickets last minute. You can score amazing deals, just be sure to review seller ratings and purchase only e-tickets so you can get them instantly.
Go For General Admission
General admission concert tickets that allow you to access a standing room only floor area are always cheaper than reserved seating. While you won’t have an assigned seat, you can get closer to the stage and still have a great view.
Many stadium concerts will sell general admission tickets for the field area in front of the stage for $20-$50 cheaper than lower bowl seats. Opting for general admission over reserved seats can lead to big savings.
Join Fan Clubs
Die-hard fans can often get special loyalty pricing and discounts by joining an artist’s official fan club. Membership fees are typically $20-$50 per year and give you early access to ticket pre-sales, exclusive merch, and discounted rates.
If you plan on attending multiple shows in a year, a fan club membership can easily pay for itself through ticket deals alone. Just don’t forget to renew it when your membership term is up.
Seek Out Ticket Deals
Check out daily deal sites like Groupon and LivingSocial which will sometimes offer discounted concert tickets. You can also find special concert ticket offers through warehouse clubs like Costco and Sam’s Club.
Retailers like Target and Amazon will also run concert ticket promotions. You may be able to score up to 25% off just by purchasing through a special deal or offer.
Volunteer at the Venue
If you’re willing to put in a little work, you can earn free concert tickets by volunteering at the venue. Venues like arenas, theaters, and amphitheaters often look for volunteers to help with ushering, ticket scans, concessions, parking, and more.
In exchange for a 4-6 hour shift, volunteers will get a free ticket to the show and sometimes a voucher for food and merchandise. Just contact the venue directly to inquire about volunteer opportunities.
Enter Ticket Contests
Radio stations will often give away ticket prizes through call-in contests and social media giveaways. Follow your favorite radio stations on social media and listen in for your chance to win free tickets. Concert promoters, bands, and local businesses may also run ticket contests.
You can find dedicated contest websites that compile lists of current concert ticket giveaways in your area. Entering contests takes a little effort, but can reward you with free seats.
Go on Off Nights
The night of the week can impact concert ticket prices. Shows midweek on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday nights are typically cheaper than weekend shows.
Prices also tend to be lower for concerts on Sunday through Wednesday during common work weeks. Avoid Friday and Saturday night shows if you’re looking to save.
Buy at the Box Office
Buying tickets directly through the venue’s box office allows you to avoid some pesky fees that come with online orders. Box office purchases won’t charge you services fees, shipping fees, or order processing fees.
Buy in person at the venue when you can to get the most bang for your buck. Just be aware that the box office usually only sells tickets for upcoming shows a few weeks out.
Wait Until the Last Minute
If the concert doesn’t sell out, prices usually drop drastically in the final week leading up to the event. Keep an eye on unsold ticket prices and be ready to purchase if they go down.
On the day of the show, you may even be able to talk the box office down on ticket prices. Unsold seats equal lost revenue, so venues will often budge on pricing if demand is lower than expected.
Find a Presale Password
Most major concerts have an artist, venue, radio station, or sponsor presale that gives you early access to purchase tickets. You’ll need to get the right presale password to unlock tickets.
Presale passwords get released ahead of time if you know where to look. Search Google, check presale ticket sites, and follow fan forums to find valid passwords.
Discount Strategy | Potential Savings | Downsides |
---|---|---|
Buy early | 25-50% off | Less selection |
Use promo codes | 10-20% off | Codes may be hard to find |
Buy resale tickets | 25-50% off | Less reliable |
Choose general admission | $20-$50 off | No reserved seat |
Join fan clubs | 10-20% off | $20-$50 membership fee |
Conclusion
Concerts can be pricey to attend, but you don’t have to pay full price every time. Take advantage of early bird discounts, promo codes, resale tickets, general admission, and other tricks to make concerts more affordable.
With a mix of planning ahead, being patient, and hunting for deals, you can get $20-$50 off each concert ticket. Do your research and don’t be afraid to wait until the last minute to score the lowest price.
Enjoy incredible live music performances on a budget using clever ways to get concert ticket discounts and save.