With more people itching to see their favorite artists perform live in a post-pandemic world, the price of concert tickets has skyrocketed. But not all hope is lost: There are still ways to find and buy tickets at a discount.
Here are 12 tips to help you snag cheap concert tickets — or at least cheaper ones.
Take Advantage of Credit Card Rewards
Credit card rewards programs can be a great way to save money on concert tickets and get access to exclusive events. Many credit card companies offer rewards programs that include a variety of perks such as cash back, travel rewards, and even concert tickets. To take advantage of these rewards, check with your card’s rewards program to see if they offer exclusive deals or discounts on concert tickets.
Join Fan Clubs or Rewards Programs
Joining fan clubs for your favorite artists can give you access to presale tickets or exclusive ticket deals. Many artists offer fan clubs that provide exclusive content, early access to tickets, and discounts on merchandise. You can typically find information about fan clubs and other rewards programs on the artist’s official website, or by following them on social media.
Check for Student or Senior Discounts
Special discounts and promotions are often available for certain groups such as students, senior citizens, teachers, or veterans. To find out if a venue offers special discounts, check its website or contact the venue directly. To avoid any issues while buying tickets at a box office, be sure to bring a valid ID to prove your eligibility for any available discounts.
Wait To Buy ‘Em at the Last Minute
If you’re willing to take a bit of risk and wait until the last minute, ticket prices may drop as the event gets closer and demand starts to wane. You can also check ticket resale websites such as StubHub, SeatGeek, and Vivid Seats for potential deals or discounts. Note that resale sites will typically charge a larger transaction fee (usually around 15%) to cover services such as payment processing and fraud protection.
Sign Up for a Venue’s Newsletter
When you sign up for newsletters from your favorite music venues, you’ll likely receive regular updates and notifications about upcoming concerts and events via email or text message, including presale codes and exclusive ticket deals. This can be a great way to get early bird access to tickets before they sell out or before prices start to surge due to high demand.
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Buy Tickets in Bulk
Some ticket sellers may offer discounts when you purchase tickets as a group, as opposed to individually. The only caveat? Make sure everyone in your group is committed to attending the concert before deciding to buy. Since many ticket sellers have a no-refund policy or charge fees for exchanging or reselling tickets, if someone in the group backs out, it could wind up costing everyone more money.
Go During the Week
Concert tickets are often cheaper on weekdays due to less demand. If you have a flexible schedule, opting for a weekday concert can be cheaper than going on the weekend. However, keep in mind that attending concerts on a weekday may require taking time off work or school, which can add to the overall cost. If you do need to take time off, make sure to factor in the cost of lost wages or any other expenses associated with taking the time off to see whether it’s worth it or not.
Snag the Early Bird Specials
Early bird specials are discounted tickets that are available for a limited time when an event is first announced. These specials are often significantly cheaper than regular-priced tickets, and can help you save a considerable amount of money.
Pro tip: Keep an eye out for early bird specials when the concert is first announced as the deals may only be available for a short period of time before prices start to go up.
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Consider Working the Event
Working or volunteering for a concert can be a great way to see your favorite artist for free. Many concerts and events rely on a team of workers and volunteers to help with various tasks such as setting up the stage, selling merchandise, or directing attendees. In exchange for this, volunteers and workers typically receive free admission to the concert, and can even get paid for their time.
If you’re interested in working or volunteering for a concert, check the artist or venue’s website for information on available opportunities. You can also check job listings on sites like Glassdoor, which often list side hustles and short-term work opportunities.
Check Local Classifieds
Local classified sites such as Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace can be a good source for finding concert tickets at face value or at a discount. Just be extra cautious when buying tickets from strangers on these platforms. Some sellers may try to sell fake or counterfeit tickets, while others may sell tickets that have already been used or are otherwise invalid.
To avoid scams, it’s important to verify the authenticity of the tickets before making a purchase. You can do this by checking the tickets’ barcodes, or contacting the venue or ticket seller to confirm the ticket’s authenticity.
Watch Official Festival Livestreams
Major festivals like Coachella, Lollapalooza, and international events stream performances for free (usually on YouTube) for a limited window. While not the same as being there, it’s a zero-cost way to see major artists — especially if you’re avoiding $500 ticket prices.
Stretch Your Budget at Multi-Day Festivals
Multi-day music festivals can also deliver more bang for your buck than a single high-priced arena show. While one headliner might cost $300 to $500 for a few hours, a three-day festival pass often includes dozens of artists, potentially bringing your cost per performance down to $20 or less. If you’re strategic — splitting hotel or Airbnb costs with friends, staying farther from the venue and driving in, or even car camping onsite — the overall expense can be surprisingly manageable.
Instead of thinking of a festival as a splurge, consider it a bundle deal. You’ll see established headliners and discover new acts for roughly the same price as one premium-ticket concert. For fans frustrated by soaring ticket prices, spreading that cost across an entire weekend of music can make live shows feel affordable again.
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