Going to concerts can be an expensive hobby. Ticket prices vary widely depending on the artist, venue, and demand. With prices ranging from $20 to hundreds of dollars per ticket, it’s important to shop around to find the best deals. Luckily, there are a variety of websites that sell concert tickets, many of which offer discounts and promotions to help you save money on shows.
In this article, we’ll explore some of the best websites for finding cheap concert tickets. We’ll look at major ticket retailers like Ticketmaster and StubHub as well as alternative sites that offer exclusive deals. We’ll also provide tips on how to maximize your savings when purchasing tickets online. Whether you’re looking for nosebleed seats or front row VIP packages, you should be able to find discounted concert tickets that fit your budget and needs.
Major Ticket Retailers
For most major concerts, the go-to source for tickets is Ticketmaster. As the dominant ticket marketplace, Ticketmaster sells seats for the majority of large venues and productions. However, despite its popularity, Ticketmaster is not always the cheapest option. Service fees and other charges can add a significant amount to your base ticket price. Still, with its wide availability and selection, Ticketmaster can be a good starting point for checking ticket prices.
Some tips for finding cheap tickets on Ticketmaster:
– Look for ticket presales and fan club presales, which usually offer discounted tickets before the general public sale
– Use Ticketmaster promotions and discount codes when available
– Consider VIP or package deals that sometimes equal out to less than individual tickets when you factor in added perks
– Buy last minute tickets after initial sales slow down to get deals on remaining seats
StubHub is another massive ticket marketplace similar to Ticketmaster. As a resale site, StubHub allows users to resell extra tickets. Like Ticketmaster, StubHub tacks on service charges, but cheap tickets can still be found.
Tips for StubHub:
– Sort by lowest price instead of best seats to find deals
– Use the Best Value filter to balance cost savings and seat quality
– Consider tickets under face value when resellers are trying to dump extra seats
– Buy last minute right before the event as prices usually drop
Both StubHub and Ticketmaster are worth checking when looking for concert tickets. But often, the best values can be found using other resources.
Ticket Resale Sites
In addition to StubHub, there are several other popular ticket resale sites. These platforms let fans resell tickets they can’t use. By buying fromindividuals instead of ticket companies, you can sometimes find big discounts. Here are some top sites for scoring cheap concert tickets:
Vivid Seats – Vivid Seats offers a large inventory of cheap concert tickets. They have a unique sorting tool that lets you view by Promo Code Discount so you can easily identify and select discounted tickets.
SeatGeek – SeatGeek is a search aggregator that compiles listings from multiple ticket sites. Their Deal Score helps identify the best values. Discounts of up to 55% off can be found.
Gametime – Last minute tickets can be found for up to 60% off on Gametime. Their mobile app makes finding last second deals simple.
TickPick – Unlike most ticket marketplaces, TickPick displays the final price with no added fees. They also offer a limited number of no-fee tickets.
Razorgator – With Razorgator Rewards, you can earn 5% credit back on ticket purchases to apply to future events. Discounts are also regularly offered through their newsletter.
These resale sites provide access to tickets being resold by individuals unable to attend events. By buying from them, you can score seats similar to StubHub but often at cheaper prices.
Artist and Venue Presales
One of the best ways to get cheap tickets is to take advantage of artist and venue presales. Presales give fans early access to purchase tickets before the general public. There are usually less tickets available during presales, but the tickets that are available tend to be discounted. Here are some tips for accessing presales:
– Join fan clubs and mailing lists to get presale codes for your favorite artists
– Follow venues on social media to get presale offer announcements
– Check artist and venue websites ahead of the public on-sale for presale details
– Use presale registration services like Presale Password Info that share passwords with members
– Consider joining membership programs like AEG Presents Premier that provide presale ticket access
Putting in the effort to take advantage of presales is one of the most reliable ways to score cheap concert tickets before they sell out or surge in price. Just having a special presale code can unlock ticket discounts of 50% or more in some cases.
Ticket Packages
Some concerts offer special ticket packages that bundle seats with other perks. These packages are put together by artists and promoters as an alternative way to sell tickets. By providing added value, they allow companies to charge higher prices. But in some cases, the packages actually save you money compared to buying individually. Here are some examples of discounted ticket packages:
– VIP packages with amenities like pre-show receptions, exclusive merchandise, and premium seats
– Ticket bundles with a copy of the band’s latest album download
– Early entry packages that allow entering the venue before general admission
– Group ticket packages with discounted rates for buying four or more seats together
It takes some hunting to find them, but ticket packages can offer serious savings for concerts you really want to see. Be on the lookout for bundle deals, and don’t assume packages always cost more.
Memberships and Season Passes
Another way you may be able to get cheap concert tickets is through memberships and season passes. Some examples include:
– Season passes to venues giving you priority and discounts on all year’s shows
– Memberships to concert promoter companies like Live Nation/House of Blues
– Fan club or band-specific memberships offering ticketing perks
– Credit card deals like Citi Private Pass that include concert access
Memberships that offer ticketing benefits are a smart investment for avid concertgoers. The perks they unlock typically result in major savings that offset the membership cost. Just be sure to comparison shop to confirm a particular program provides enough value before signing up.
Student and Local Discounts
If you’re a student or local resident, there are often special discounts available:
– Student Advantage and other student membership programs
– Student rush tickets released day-of-show at box office
– Local resident offers for venues subsidized by city funding
– Discounts advertised only to local schools and universities
– Special rates for buying tickets as a local group or organization
Students and locals should never assume concerts are full price. Venues will often release discounted tickets reserved for residents to improve community relations. Doing a little research ahead of time into special offers for students and locals can really pay off.
Ticket Lotteries and Rush Tickets
For the most in-demand concerts, ticket lotteries and rush tickets can get you seats at a fraction of the price:
Ticket Lotteries – Fans enter a drawing for the chance to purchase cheap seats. Only winners get to buy tickets.
Rush Tickets – Cheap tickets are sold at the last minute first-come, first-served. Requires showing up in person day-of.
Standing Room Only – Cheapest option for open floor access without an actual seat. Great for small budgets.
Ticketing lotteries and rush tickets reward persistence and luck. But they provide opportunities for huge discounts on popular shows. Follow your favorite bands and venues on social media to learn about lottery programs as they are announced.
Weekly Deal Roundups
The most comprehensive place to find cheap concert ticket deals in one place is through various weekly deal roundups published by major media outlets. These roundups highlight the best ticketing deals available each week. Examples include:
– CNN Travel’s Weekly ticket deal roundup – Published every Friday, covering the biggest concert and music festival deals nationally and locally.
– Rolling Stone’s Concert ticket deal blog – Part of Rolling Stone’s music section, covering hot deals on must-see concerts each week.
– Dallas Observer’s concert ticket discount post – Weekly posts covering the best deals on concerts coming to Dallas.
– LA Weekly’s Top 5 hot ticket deals – A shortlist of the top 5 cheapest concerts with tickets on sale that week in LA.
– SF Gate’s Weekend concert picks on the cheap – Weekly San Francisco-focused cheap concert ticket highlights.
Reading these weekly concert ticket deal posts is a fast way to discover quickly-expiring discounts and special offers as soon as they become available. They do the deal hunting for you in one place.
Season, Day and Time Strategies
The specific season, day, and time you purchase tickets also impact pricing:
Off-Season – Buy tickets for concerts occurring after peak season ends, like shows in winter.
Weekdays – Weeknight shows are cheaper than weekend nights. Fridays and Saturdays cost more.
Day-Of – Buying tickets day-of-show results in last minute deals.
Morning – Tickets tend to be cheaper when they first go on sale in the mornings.
Being flexible on dates and timing of purchase enables accessing tickets during lower-demand periods with lower prices. Avoiding peak days, times, and seasons is an easy way to score discounts.
Group Ticket Programs
If organizing a group outing to a concert, use group ticket programs for discounts:
– Groupon and other group discount sites organize group deals.
– Venues commonly offer discounts for groups of 10, 20, 30+ people.
– Fan clubs sometimes have group ticket programs.
– AARP offers group rates for members.
Group tickets allow organizers to purchase large batches of tickets at once at a reduced rate. It’s an easy way to plan a concert outing for the office or a club.
Price Tracking Services
Some services will track ticket prices and alert you when they drop:
– TicketIQ – Tracks prices and predicts best time to buy. Provides price history charts.
– Ticketmaster – Price range feature shows cheapest vs most expensive seat prices.
– TickPick – Receive alerts when chosen tickets decrease in price.
– Slickdeals – User-submitted deal alerts for tickets marked down.
Ticket prices fluctuate frequently leading up to events. These tracking services will monitor for price drops and notify you instantly so you can quickly buy discounted tickets before they’re gone.
Promotions and Discounts
Most major ticket sellers run promotions offering discounts on concerts and events:
– Sign up for newsletters and email lists to receive promo codes.
– Look for special Facebook and Twitter deals for social media followers.
– Collect credit card points towards cashback rewards or statement credits.
– Watch for limited time sales around holidays and big events.
– Use services like Groupon and LivingSocial for local event promos.
Taking advantage of promotions and loyalty programs is useful for saving on coveted events. A little time hunting for promo codes can bring prices down by $10-$25 per ticket. Those savings add up, especially for bigger groups.
Consider Fees and Additional Charges
The advertised ticket price is rarely the final amount you’ll pay:
– Services fees – $10-$25 per ticket is standard
– Delivery fees – Physical tickets shipped cost $5-$15
– Facility fees – Added by the concert venue, typically $5-$20
– Taxes and government levies
When comparing ticket prices, be sure to factor in all additional charges. A higher priced ticket could end up cheaper after fees. Focusing only on the ticket’s face value can be misleading.
Purchase Options Summary
To recap, here are some of the best websites and methods for getting cheap concert tickets:
| Ticketmaster | Use presales, promotions, and loyalty programs |
| StubHub | Sort by lowest price and last minute deals |
| Resale sites | Vivid Seats, SeatGeek, Gametime, TickPick, Razorgator |
| Artist presales | Join fan clubs and band mailing lists |
| Venue presales | Follow venues on social media for codes |
| Ticket packages | Bundle offers can provide extra value |
| Memberships | Season passes, fan clubs, credit card perks |
| Student discounts | Student Advantage, rush tickets, local deals |
| Last minute deals | Ticket lotteries, rush tickets, standing room |
| Weekly deal posts | Roundups from major media outlets |
| Off-peak timing | Weekdays, winter months, day-of |
| Group rates | Groupon, venue group plans, fan clubs |
| Price tracking | Notifications for price drops |
| Promotions | Newsletters, social media, loyalty programs |
Conclusion
Scoring cheap concert tickets comes down to being flexible, doing thorough research, and monitoring multiple sources. While Ticketmaster is the most high-profile retailer, the best deals are often found using alternative sellers, presales, memberships, and other special offers. Dedicated deal hunting will pay off to help you afford attending more shows for less.
The most important thing is buying early before prices increase. Sign up for presales, check for password leaks, and purchase as soon as sales open to the public. Patience and persistence are key. The more effort you put into the planning process, the more money you stand to save on live entertainment costs.
With so many avenues for purchasing discounted tickets, concertgoers on any budget can find ways to save. We hope this guide gives you lots of options to compare as you shop for the cheapest concert tickets. The next big show is just a few clicks away!
