Floor general admission, sometimes abbreviated as FGA, refers to a type of concert or event ticket that allows the holder access to the open standing room area directly in front of the stage. This is different from having an assigned seat like in the stadium seating sections. Here are some key things to know about floor general admission:
No Assigned Spots
With floor GA tickets, you do not get an assigned seat or spot. It is open standing room only on the floor in front of the stage. People tend to cram in and get as close to the stage as possible. So if you leave your spot for any reason, you will likely lose it and have to find a new place to stand when you return.
First Come, First Served
Because there are no assigned spots, floor GA is first come, first served. The early birds will get the prime real estate right up next to the stage barriers. The later you arrive, the further back from the stage you will end up. Lines to get in may form hours before the doors open so people can rush to get a good place.
Prepare to Stand
These tickets are for standing only, so wear comfortable shoes and be prepared to be on your feet for many hours. Since there is no seating, the floor can get very crowded and tight. Moshing and crowd surfing are common occurrences at high energy rock concerts in the GA section.
Advantages of Floor GA
Here are some of the main benefits of having floor general admission tickets:
- Get closest to the stage and action
- Better view compared to higher up seated sections
- More immersive concert experience
- Ability to be right up front if you arrive early enough
- Often cheaper than reserved seat tickets
- Greater freedom of movement for dancing, moshing, etc.
Disadvantages of Floor GA
Some downsides to keep in mind with floor general admission include:
- Standing for long periods of time
- Cramped crowds with little personal space
- Possibility of losing your spot if you leave
- Higher likelihood of encounters with rowdy, intoxicated fans
- Potential to wait in long lines for entrance due to first come nature
- Restricted views if stuck behind tall people or poles/speakers
Tips for Floor GA Concerts
If you are planning to get floor GA tickets, here are some helpful tips to improve your experience:
- Arrive extremely early – at least 2-3 hours beforehand or earlier if it’s a big act. Earlier is always better.
- Hydrate and eat before entering since concessions may be far away.
- Wear comfortable, closed toe shoes you can stand in for hours.
- Bring earplugs to protect your hearing.
- Be prepared to stand your ground in tight crowds.
- Accept that you’ll be sardine-packed with nowhere to sit.
- Use the bathroom before the show starts.
- Charge your phone so you can capture photos/videos.
- Have a meetup plan in case you lose your group.
- Travel light without bags to reduce what you have to keep track of.
Common at Certain Venues and Events
Floor general admission is very common at certain types of venues and events. These include:
- Rock and pop concerts at smaller theaters and clubs.
- Festivals that have a standing room pit area.
- EDM/electronic dance music shows.
- Metal, punk, jam band concerts.
- Smaller country concerts.
On the other hand, GA is less common at larger arena concerts and symphony/classical performances where most people are seated throughout the venue.
Ages/Restrictions
Most of the time floor general admission tickets have the same age restrictions or policies as the rest of the venue or event. For example, if it is an all ages concert, floor GA is open to all ages. If it is 19+, then you would have to be over 19 to be on the floor. However, sometimes floor GA has a higher age limit than the rest of the venue. For example, the floor may require you to be 21+ even if minors are allowed in the seated sections. This depends on the artist, venue policies, and estimated crowd energy/moshing.
Pricing
Floor general admission ticket prices can vary greatly depending on the concert or event. In general, floor GA tickets tend to be cheaper than reserved seat tickets for the same show. Some typical floor GA price ranges include:
- Small club shows – $20 to $50
- Theater concerts – $50 to $100
- Arena concerts – $75 to $250
- Large festivals – $100 to $300 for whole festival
Of course, for high demand shows and huge acts like Beyonce or U2, all tickets may be in the hundreds of dollars range.
Buying Floor GA Tickets
Floor GA tickets can sell out extremely quickly, especially for popular bands at smaller venues. Here are some tips for trying to buy them:
- Get online right when tickets go on sale – have accounts created on ticket vendor sites ahead of time.
- Use pre-sales if you have access – fan club, credit card, promoter, etc.
- Utilize waiting rooms on ticket sites so you’re queued up.
- Keep trying if tickets seem sold out – more may be released.
- Be ready to buy instantly – have payment info pre-saved.
- Use multiple devices/friends help search.
- Consider reseller sites but beware huge markups.
Conclusion
Floor general admission tickets offer a unique concert going experience for fans who want to be immersed right in the action. The lack of seats and first come nature means you have to plan ahead and be strategic to get a good spot. While tiring, the energy and excitement of the GA floor creates memories that seated tickets just cannot match. Just be sure you are up for standing up close in the mayhem!