Coldplay is one of the most popular bands in the world, known for hits like “Yellow”, “Fix You”, and “Viva La Vida”. As a result, Coldplay tickets are always in high demand whenever the band goes on tour. However, with so many different ticket resale sites and scalpers looking to make a profit, it can be hard to tell where to buy legit Coldplay tickets.
Buy from Official Ticket Vendors
The best way to ensure you are buying legit Coldplay tickets is to purchase them directly from official ticket vendors when they first go on sale. These include sites like Ticketmaster, Live Nation, AXS, and venues or promoters running the event. Buying from the source guarantees you are getting real tickets sold at face value prices. Beware of copycat sites pretending to be official vendors – make sure you are on the actual website domain and look for the lock symbol by the URL.
Benefits of Buying from Official Vendors
- Guaranteed valid tickets
- Face value prices
- Access to presales
- Secure checkout
The downside is that official ticket releases tend to sell out extremely quickly for popular bands like Coldplay. You need to be ready to hop online the moment they go on sale to try to score tickets.
Use Reputable Resale Marketplaces
If you missed out on getting Coldplay tickets from the original source, your next best option is to use a trustworthy ticket resale marketplace. Sites like StubHub and Vivid Seats let fans resell tickets they can no longer use. This gives you a second chance at finding tickets, often at prices comparable to or even better than face value.
Warning Signs of Scam Resale Sites
- Prices seem too good to be true
- Lack of buyer guarantees or protections
- Unknown or questionable domain name
- Poor website design and layout
- No customer service contact information
Stick to well-known sites like StubHub and Vivid Seats that have been around for many years. Read reviews and check sites like TrustPilot to see what other buyers are saying. Only buy from resale platforms that provide 100% purchase guarantees – this protects you if the tickets end up being invalid or never arrive.
Resale Site | Purchase Guarantee? | Approximate Prices |
---|---|---|
StubHub | Yes | $150+ per ticket |
Vivid Seats | Yes | $100+ per ticket |
eBay | No | Wide range |
Beware of Scammers
There are a lot of unscrupulous ticket scalpers and scammers out there looking to rip off eager Coldplay fans. Here are some warning signs that a ticket seller may not be trustworthy.
Watch Out for These Red Flags
- Listings on Craigslist, eBay, Facebook Marketplace and other non-secure platforms
- Requests to pay by bank transfer, gift cards, or other unprotected means
- Refusal to provide ticket specifics like seat numbers in advance
- Evasive when asked for proof of ticket validity
- Poor communication and unwillingness to talk by phone
If you come across any of these red flags, it’s best to avoid buying from the seller. At best you could get stuck with an overpriced invalid ticket. At worst the “seller” could take your money and run in a complete scam.
Tips for Verifying Ticket Listings
If you do decide to purchase Coldplay tickets on the secondary market, make sure to follow these tips to verify the tickets are likely legit before paying.
- Ask for a screenshot showing the full ticket details
- Crosscheck the ticket listing on the venue’s official seating chart
- Search for the seller’s name online to check for any complaints
- Call the box office to verify if hard tickets are valid
- Only pay through secure provider-protected means
Doing your research upfront makes it much less likely you will end up buying fake or void tickets. Always trust your gut – if something seems questionable at all, it’s better to keep looking than risk losing money on bad tickets.
Buy Early for the Best Prices
Coldplay tickets will become more scarce and expensive the longer you wait. Buying earlier gives you the most options and best chance for scoring affordable tickets. Aim to purchase tickets as soon as dates are announced and initial pre-sales begin.
Here are some tips for getting early access to tickets:
- Sign up for Coldplay’s official fan club mailing list – members often get first access to presales
- Follow Coldplay and the tour’s promoters on social media for presale codes
- Check for presale options on sites like Ticketmaster before the general public on-sale
- Be ready online ahead of the schedule on-sale time for the quickest access
While there are no guarantees, taking advantage of presales and buying early gives you the best shot at getting reasonably priced Coldplay tickets as soon as they are available.
Consider Multiple Shows or Cities
If the initial ticket on-sale date has passed and the concert is already in high demand, you may need to get creative. Consider attending multiple tour dates in the same city or traveling to see them in a different city altogether.
Fans usually target the Friday and Saturday shows first, so you may have better luck getting tickets to a weekday performance. Or expanding your search to nearby cities can open up more affordable options. Just keep in mind the added costs of transportation and lodging.
Some ideas for finding more ticket availability:
- Check for tickets in your city on weeknights or Sundays
- Search for tickets in smaller markets near you rather than huge cities
- Look for shows later in the tour after initial hype dies down
While less convenient, the strategy of targeting less popular tour dates and cities can pay off in terms of cheaper ticket prices and better seat selection.
Consider General Admission or Single Tickets
If your main goal is just getting your foot in the door, consider general admission floor tickets. The lack of an assigned seat often makes these tickets less popular, so they may still be available when other options are sold out. You will need to arrive early to claim a good standing spot, but it’s worth it for the chance to see Coldplay live.
Similarly, people tend to buy tickets in pairs or groups. Solo tickets languish longer and may still be up for grabs after pairs are gone. Don’t hesitate to grab a single ticket and go it alone if that’s your only option.
General admission and single seat tickets aren’t ideal. But when tickets are scarce, they can be a great last resort for determined Coldplay fans on a budget.
Avoid Free Ticket Offers
If an offer seems too good to be true, it probably is. There are a lot of ticket scams promising free or very cheap Coldplay tickets. But they are almost always a waste of time at best. At worst, they can infect your device with malware or steal your personal information.
Here are some examples of typical “free” ticket scams to avoid:
- “Free ticket” contests or giveaways that require long surveys
- Sketchy sites offering tickets for free just to drive traffic
- Requests for your credit card “for age verification” even though tickets are “free”
Your best bet is sticking to legit ticket platforms, even if you have to pay a bit more. Free Coldplay tickets are basically unicorn – if it seems questionable at all, move along.
Use Payment Platform Protection
When purchasing Coldplay tickets online, make sure to pay through secure means that offer buyer protection. This gives you recourse if the tickets end up being fake or never arrive.
Some payment methods that offer protection:
- Credit cards – Dispute the charges if tickets are fraudulent
- PayPal – File a claim to get your money back if needed
- StubHub and Vivid Seats – Guarantee refunds if issues arise
Avoid direct bank transfers, gift cards, Western Union, etc. These offer zero protection against scams. The minor fees that come with using a credit card or PayPal are worth it!
Shop Around for Best Deals
Be patient and shop around if possible. Prices fluctuate in the secondary market leading up to the event. If you have some flexibility, you may be able to score a better deal by waiting.
Some tips:
- Check prices daily or weekly as dates approach
- Set up price alerts in case tickets drop
- Search multiple resale sites to compare
- Consider bidding on auctions that accept offers
Time is on your side. The longer you have until the concert, the more opportunity prices may go down as sellers lower costs to offload tickets. Just make sure to complete the purchase with enough time to receive the tickets.
Join the Waitlist or On-Site Box Office
If the concert is sold out, join the waitlist on the ticket vendor website. Additional tickets may be released over time. You will get first dibs to purchase them if you are on the waitlist.
Also check when the venue box office opens on-site. They will likely hold some tickets to sell directly leading up to showtime. You can avoid fees by buying in person at the box office too.
Arriving early is key for waitlists and box offices. But for high demand shows like Coldplay, it is worth showing up many hours ahead (even the night before) to increase your chances. The most motivated fans get the tickets!
Attend Soundcheck or Rehearsals
Some artists like Coldplay will sell special tickets to their soundcheck and dress rehearsals leading up to shows. This gives fans the chance to see a mini-concert and watch some songs being practiced in a small intimate setting.
Soundcheck and rehearsal tickets are very limited. But if available, they can be a unique experience and sometimes offer better availability and prices than actual concert tickets.
Check Coldplay’s website and fan club, or contact the venue box office directly to ask about any potential rehearsal tickets.
Conclusion
Great Coldplay tickets are out there for dedicated fans willing to put in the time and effort. Avoid scams and high prices by purchasing from official sources and secure resale sites. Shop early, consider less popular dates, and leverage buyer protections to get the best deal. With smart strategy, you can find legit affordable tickets to see one of the world’s best live bands.