The Rolling Stones are one of the most iconic and legendary rock bands of all time, having formed in London in 1962. They rose to fame in the 1960s and have been performing ever since, embarking on massive worldwide tours playing to millions of adoring fans. Their shows are famous for their energy, spectacle, and of course the fantastic music. If you are hoping to see the Rolling Stones live in concert, you’ll want to get your hands on some tickets as soon as possible. But where exactly can you buy Rolling Stones tickets?
Online Ticket Retailers
One of the most popular and convenient ways to buy concert tickets these days is through online ticket retailers. There are a number of large ticket selling websites that typically have availability for major concerts and shows like the Rolling Stones. Some of the most popular online ticket outlets include:
- Ticketmaster – This is one of the largest primary ticket outlets and has tickets available for Rolling Stones shows in North America and Europe.
- StubHub – A ticket resale marketplace where fans can sell extra tickets. Great place to find last minute tickets.
- Vivid Seats – Another large secondary ticket marketplace with a wide selection of seats.
- SeatGeek – Searches multiple ticket sites and resale marketplaces for the best available deals.
- AXS – Primary ticket seller for shows in Europe and select North American dates.
The benefit of using these online ticketing platforms is their large inventories with tickets in all price ranges. You can browse available listings and purchase tickets conveniently online and have them delivered digitally or by mail. The resale marketplaces like StubHub and Vivid Seats are useful for finding sold out shows. The downside is prices are often inflated compared to face value.
Venue Box Offices
For some shows, the most direct way to buy tickets is straight from the venue’s box office. You can visit the box office website or call their phone number to check for ticket availability. Oftentimes venues will hold back some tickets for in-person sales. This can be a good option to avoid high service fees from the online retailers. You may also have access to presales and special promotions. The downside is box offices typically have very limited quantities, so they sell out fast. You also need to purchase in person.
Official Fan Clubs
Many major artists like the Rolling Stones have official fan clubs you can join in order to access special benefits like presale ticket opportunities. By joining the Rolling Stones’ fan club online, members can get early access to buy tickets before the general public sale. This improves your chances of getting good seats before they sell out! The only caveat is you usually have to pay an annual membership fee. But for die-hard fans it can be worth it!
Ticket Presales
Presales are advance ticket sales held ahead of the public on-sale date. Besides fan club presales, you can often gain access to presales by pre-ordering the band’s latest album or signing up for their email newsletter list. Presales are a great way to beat the crowds and buy tickets before the best seats are gone. Just be sure to register for accounts well in advance so you are ready to purchase when the presale window opens.
VIP Packages
For the ultimate Rolling Stones experience, you can check out VIP ticket packages that typically come with amenities like premium seats, pre-show receptions, merchandise, and more. Companies like CID Entertainment offer special VIP packages for Rolling Stones tours. These premium ticket bundles don’t come cheap, but they offer perks like meet & greets and exclusive access. It’s the perfect way to celebrate a special occasion!
Authorized Resellers
In addition to the major secondary marketplaces, there are some smaller authorized ticket resellers that may have ticket allotments for Rolling Stones shows. Often you can find competitive pricing compared to the huge resale sites. Reputable authorized resellers include ScoreBig, TickPick and Ticket Club. It’s worth checking them out for tickets to sold out dates. Just be careful of scams and make sure to only use 100% verified ticket sources.
Ticket Auctions
For ultra-rare tickets, you can turn to auction sites like eBay where fans sell tickets in bidding style auctions. You’ll find floor seats, VIP packages and even meet & greet opportunities. Keep in mind prices get bid up very high for popular auctions. Make sure to review seller ratings and only transact through secure payment platforms. Many auction sites provide buyer guarantees for invalid tickets.
Craigslist & Classifieds
Checking online classified ads is another option to find Rolling Stones tickets, either from fans reselling extras or small brokers. Sites like Craigslist, Kijiji and Facebook Marketplace are popular spots for local ticket ads. Just remember to be smart when transacting over classifieds: insist on PayPal Goods & Services, only meet in public places, verify barcodes, etc. Scams are common so use caution when dealing with strangers.
Ticket Brokers
There are also traditional ticket brokerages that specialize in obtaining large inventories to resell at a premium. Most now operate online. Reputable brokers can sometimes get you tickets when others are sold out. Look for TM+ rated brokers like TickPick, StubHub and Vivid Seats. Be prepared to pay inflated service fees for the convenience though. Brick and mortar ticket broker offices are rarer these days but some still exist in major cities if you want to buy in person.
Rock Concerts & Festivals
The Rolling Stones often participate in large rock music festivals as headliners. If you want to see the Stones perform alongside other major rock acts, look out for lineups at events like Desert Trip, Glastonbury and New Orleans Jazz Fest. These big festivals go on sale way in advance so you’ll need to get tickets as soon as they are available.
Rolling Stones Official Website
Always check the Rolling Stones official website at rollingstones.com for the most up to date tour news and ticketing information. Typically the site will post about upcoming tour announcements, on-sale dates, links to fan club presales, and more. This is the best resource for finding out about new Rolling Stones tour dates and ticket purchasing options as soon as they become available. Sign up for their email updates so you never miss a tour announcement!
Budgeting For Tickets
Tickets to see rock legends like The Rolling Stones live don’t come cheap. Here is an overview of the typical price ranges you can expect:
| Ticket Type | Average Price Range |
|---|---|
| Nosebleed Seats | $100 – $250 |
| Mid Range Seats | $200 – $400 |
| Floor Seats | $400 – $650 |
| Front Row | $700+ |
| VIP Packages | $1,000+ |
As you can see, the closer you want to get to the action, the higher the price goes. Front row and VIP tickets can cost several thousands for the privilege. If you want to get in the door on a budget, upper level and nosebleed seats are more affordable. Also look for prices to be lower at larger stadium shows compared to smaller arenas.
When To Buy Tickets
Rolling Stones tickets go on sale typically 2-3 months ahead of each tour date. Here is a guideline for the best time to purchase:
- Pre-sales: Purchase during presales 1-2 weeks before on-sale to get early access.
- On-sale: Buy immediately when public tickets go on sale to get best selection.
- 1 Month Out: Prices often dip around this time as initial demand dies down.
- 1 Week Out: Last minute deals can be found but inventory is limited.
Keep in mind that the most popular shows like at Madison Square Garden in NYC will sell out immediately no matter when you try to buy. If a specific date or city is a must, get your tickets as early as possible.
Where They Are Playing
The Rolling Stones typically tour worldwide for 1-2 years at a time, hitting major markets in North American, Europe and often Australia/Asia. Some of the most common Rolling Stones tour stops include:
- New York – Madison Square Garden, MetLife Stadium
- Los Angeles – The Forum, Rose Bowl
- Chicago – Soldier Field
- London – Twickenham Stadium, Hyde Park
- Paris – Stade de France
- Berlin – Waldbühne
- Rome – Stadio Olimpico
- Toronto – Rogers Centre
- Sydney – ANZ Stadium
Given their massive international popularity, expect the band to visit major markets all around the world. Tour details can change, so check their website for the most up to date tour routing info once announced.
How Fast Tickets Sell Out
Due to huge demand, Rolling Stones tickets sell out very quickly – often within minutes. Only a small allotment of seats is released during presales and on-sales. The rest are held back for special promotions, fan club members, hospitality packages, etc. Your best chance is buying during presales or the instant public tickets go on sale. If you wait even 5-10 minutes, many dates will already be sold out. StubHub and other resale sites will have availability, albeit at inflated prices. Leading up to the concert, unsold production holds get released sparking some last minute deals. But counting on finding cheap tickets at the last minute is risky with an act as popular as the Stones.
Why Tickets Sell Out So Fast
There are a few key factors that cause Rolling Stones tickets to sell out at lightning speed:
- High demand – The Stones have millions of loyal fans around the world and these days they tour infrequently, so demand to see them live is off the charts.
- Limited supply – Arenas and stadiums have finite seating, and the Stones play relatively few shows in each market.
- Bots and brokers gobble up tickets – Many tickets are scooped up instantly by ticket bots and brokers before fans can buy them.
- Verified fan presales – These limit supply and filter out casual buyers, leaving fewer tickets for the public on-sale.
Given the huge supply-demand mismatch, sold out shows are inevitable. This is why you need to be extremely diligent and prepared if you hope to secure tickets before they vanish.
Tips For Buying Tickets
Here are some top tips to give you the best shot at scoring tickets to see the Rolling Stones live:
- Join the fan club for access to presales – this gives you first dibs before everyone else
- Register for ticket site accounts in advance – you don’t want to waste time filling out forms once tickets are on sale
- Check fan club and venue websites for presale passwords – this grants access to ticket presales
- Be ready on your computer 10-15 mins early with sites pre-loaded
- Have payment details saved in your accounts – precious time is lost entering card info
- Refresh ticket sites exactly at the specified on-sale time
- Click quickly if you see available tickets – don’t hesitate or they’ll be gone
- If tickets vanish immediately, don’t keep refreshing – the re-release is unlikely and you’ll miss subsequent opportunities
- Have back-up fan club accounts, devices and internet connections ready in case one fails
- If you miss out, immediately check resale sites and re-check often for newly posted tickets
Preparation and lightning quick speed are imperative. Follow these tips and say a little prayer – with major luck you just may score tickets!
Common Ticket Problems
Here are some common issues fans encounter when trying to purchase Rolling Stones tickets online and how to handle them:
- Sites crash or freeze – Keep refreshing and toggle between desktop and mobile. Have back-ups ready.
- Tickets immediately sell out – Don’t keep refreshing as more won’t be released. Check back for production holds later.
- Get stuck in queue – Queue systems are typically just lotteries. Open new windows and keep trying.
- See tickets vanish when selecting – Another fan likely beat you to them. Try again quickly for other seats.
- Error adding to cart – This crushing glitch happens occasionally. Reload and retry immediately.
- Barcodes don’t load – Print the receipt and go to event if you can’t display the barcode.
The online ticketing process is far from perfect. Stay persistent through errors and you may still prevail. Also contact customer service if issues persist.
Paying Above Face Value
Due to very limited supply, most Rolling Stones tickets are sold at significant markups above face value on secondary resale sites. StubHub, Vivid Seats and other resellers charge what the market will bear. Here are sample markups you can expect for top shows:
| Ticket Type | Face Value Price | Resale Price |
|---|---|---|
| Lower Level Seats | $150 | $350+ |
| Floor Seats | $250 | $600+ |
| Front Row | $500 | $1,500+ |
While eating the high premiums hurts, it may be necessary to gain access. Weigh the costs versus the chance to see rock legends like the Stones live.
Avoiding Scams
When shopping for tickets from resellers, scams are unfortunately very common. Here are some tips to avoid getting ripped off:
- Only buy from trusted vendors – check reviews and ratings
- Beware of prices that seem too good to be true
- Avoid wire transfers or checks – only pay through secure provider portals
- Verify the seller’s money back guarantee policies
- Check barcodes and QR codes before purchasing
- Inspect tickets in person before paying if bought locally
- Never pay the full amount upfront if reservations can’t be verified
Only provide payment info and complete transactions through legit provider websites or services like PayPal Goods & Services. This gives you recourse if the tickets turn out to be fraudulent or never arrive.
Recap
To summarize, here are the key things to know about scoring Rolling Stones tickets:
- Join fan club and watch for presales to get early ticket access
- Be ready on your computer the instant public tickets go on sale
- Act extremely fast – popular shows sell out in seconds
- Prep multiple devices as back-ups in case of issues
- If you miss out initially, check back often for new ticket blocks
- For sold out dates, resale sites are your only option, albeit expensive
- Validate tickets and sellers carefully to avoid scams
Landing tickets to see rock legends like The Rolling Stones is no easy feat these days. But with preparation, persistence and a little luck, you can improve your chances of scoring seats at face value. Once you finally land those coveted tickets, get ready for an electrifying and unforgettable live concert experience!