It can be confusing when you buy a ticket labeled “pit” but it also has an assigned seat number. Pits are usually thought of as standing room only areas at concerts located right in front of the stage. So why would a pit ticket have a seat assignment? There are a few reasons this can happen.
Pit Tickets Can Have Seat Numbers for Organization
Even though pits don’t have traditional seats, venues will sometimes assign seat numbers to pit tickets anyway. This is most commonly done for organizational purposes. With general admission seating, hundreds or thousands of fans end up crammed into the pit area. Assigning seat numbers, even if just on tickets, can help create a sense of organization and flow into the pit area.
Seat numbers on pit tickets can help venues direct fans to certain entry points or zones within the pit. Even if there are no marked spots, having a sequential order to ticket numbers can assist with crowd control and spacing people out. It prevents everyone from just rushing to the very front. The seat numbers are essentially placeholders to create order even if people will be standing and mingling once in the pit.
Accessibility Requirements
In some cases, pit tickets with seat numbers are designated handicap accessible spots. At many concerts, the venue is required by law to have wheelchair accessible seating options. This is challenging with standing room only pits. So some spots right off the floor will be marked with seat numbers for wheelchair users to have a designated entry point and space.
Someone using a wheelchair pit ticket will be able to access the floor level near the stage while still having room to maneuver. The seat number creates a predictable entry point and space that is usable for them. It also ensures other fans don’t crowd the accessibility spaces. So in this scenario, the seat number serves a logistical purpose even without an actual seat there.
VIP or Early Access Perks
Some pit tickets with seat numbers offer fans VIP or early access perks. This system is commonly used when there is a separate early entry time for certain ticket holders before general admission. The seat number will designate which ticket holders can come in early.
Early access allows fans to get to the pit and position themselves closer to the stage before the crowds rush in. So the seat number creates an organized system of who is let in when. It provides an incentive for fans to pay more for better pit access. The numbers manage the demand and flow at different entry times.
First Come, First Serve Rows
In rare cases, some pits will actually have the space to mark off rows with tape or stanchions. The pit tickets with seat numbers will correlate to these makeshift rows within the standing room area. Usually the rows are very close together with minimal space between.
Even when in rows, there are no seats or spots to sit. Everyone will be standing and the rows mainly create a dense order to fit as many fans as possible closest to the stage. This approach is much more organized but allows the venue to sell more desirable front row pit access.
Conversion to Reserved Seating
Sometimes general admission floor spots will be changed to reserved seating because of high demand. In these cases, all pit tickets will be assigned specific seat numbers rather than first come first served. When the pit has actual chairs put in place, the ticket numbers tell fans where their designated seat is located.
Converting to reserved seating allows the venue to charge higher prices for the pit access. Fans are paying for the guarantee of a certain spot on the floor. This conversion usually happens with very popular concerts where demand exceeds supply.
Mislabeled Tickets
In some cases, pit tickets mistakenly get labeled with a random seat number even though it is standing room only. This is likely just a glitch in the ticketing system. Unless your ticket specifically states it includes early entry or a reserved seat, there may not be an actual seat assigned.
If you are concerned about a seat number on a pit ticket, you can contact the ticket seller to confirm what you are purchasing. Find out if the seat number correlates to a designated entry point or accessible seating before assuming you have an actual reserved spot. But typically it is just part of the inventory system.
How Early Should You Arrive for a Pit with Seat Numbers?
If the pit uses seat numbers just for organizational purposes in general admission, you will likely still want to arrive early. Your ticket may guarantee access if the show sells out, but the earlier you get there the better your spot. Even with seat numbers, it ends up being first come, first served in terms of position.
However, if your ticket has a specific perk like early entry, VIP access, or a reserved seat, you can safely arrive later. These types of tickets do reserve your space in the pit, allowing you to show up closer to show time and still get a good spot.
Be sure to check any fine print on your ticket so you know exactly what is included with your pit access. That will determine what time you need to arrive to get into the ideal spot to enjoy the show.
Example Pit Ticket with Seat Information
Here is an example of what a pit ticket with a seat number may look like:
| Section | Row | Seat |
|---|---|---|
| PIT | GA1 | 123 |
In this case, GA1 is likely referring to general admission zone 1. So while this ticket has seat 123 assigned, there is no actual reserved seat. However, the number indicates the fan should enter through the GA1 entrance to access the front of the pit.
If this was a VIP or early access ticket, it would likely have a VIP or EA row designation instead of GA1. That would guarantee entry into the venue before general admission fans. So the terminology used indicates what type of access the seat number represents.
Tips for Making the Most of Your Pit Experience
To recap, here are some tips to get the most out of your pit ticket experience:
- Arrive early for general admission tickets to get the best positioning
- Look for terminology like VIP or EA for special access perks
- Note your entry point – GA1, GA2, etc if listed
- Contact the ticket seller with any questions on your seat number
- Consider earplugs for hearing protection in the loud pit area
- Stay hydrated and take breaks if needed in intense crowds
- Charge your phone so you can take photos/videos from the exclusive pit access
- Wear comfortable shoes you can stand in for long periods
- Bring a small bag to secure personal items like wallet, keys, etc.
Pit access gets you closest to the stage and the action. Take advantage of this special ticket by arriving at the right time and using any perks provided with your specific seat number. Follow these tips to safely enjoy the concert while making lifelong memories from the pit!
Conclusion
While pit tickets imply standing room only access, the inclusion of a seat number is quite common. Venues use this organizational tool to create orderly entrance procedures and meet accessibility requirements. Unless marked as VIP or reserved, assume your pit access still requires early entry to claim the best spot. Refer to your seat number information and ask the ticket seller any questions. Use your pit ticket wisely so you can rock out from the closest vantage point on the floor!
