When you’re trying to snag those elusive resale tickets, the absolute best strategy often boils down to playing the waiting game, with prices typically dropping significantly on the day of or the day before the event. It feels counterintuitive, right? Like you should grab them as soon as you see them, but data often tells a different story. If you’re patient, keep an eye on prices, and are ready to act fast, you could save a good chunk of cash and still get to see your favorite artist or team.
Buying resale tickets can be a bit like a high-stakes treasure hunt. You’re trying to get a good deal without getting scammed or missing out entirely. This guide is all about helping you understand the market, know when to pounce, and what to watch out for. We’ll cover everything from the general wisdom to specific tips for those super-hot tickets, like for big concert tours or major sporting events.
The Basics of Resale Tickets: Understanding the Game
First things first, let’s get on the same page about what we’re even talking about. Resale tickets are essentially tickets that someone bought from the primary seller like Ticketmaster or a venue box office and is now selling again, typically because their plans changed or they’re trying to make a profit. This creates a “secondary market” that operates differently from the initial sale.
Why do prices on this secondary market swing so wildly? It’s all about supply and demand. If an event is incredibly popular and sold out fast, initial resale prices usually skyrocket because demand far outstrips the available tickets. Think about how Taylor Swift tickets often go for many times their face value. On the flip side, if an event isn’t selling out, or as the date gets closer, sellers who don’t want to lose all their money on an unused ticket will start lowering prices to just get rid of them.
|
0.0 out of 5 stars (based on 0 reviews)
There are no reviews yet. Be the first one to write one. |
Amazon.com:
Check Amazon for When to buy Latest Discussions & Reviews: |
You’ll mostly find these tickets on dedicated resale platforms. The big players you’ll want to keep an eye on include:
- Ticketmaster they have a verified resale section
- StubHub
- SeatGeek
- Vivid Seats
- AXS
These platforms are generally safe because they offer buyer guarantees and verification processes, which is super important when you’re shelling out good money for an experience. When to Buy Puts: Your Ultimate Guide to Bearish Options Trading
The global secondary ticket market is actually quite a beast, valued at around USD 9.0 billion in 2023 and projected to grow to USD 18.75 billion by 2032, with a compound annual growth rate CAGR of 8.5%. This growth is fueled by the high demand for live events, the rise of digital ticketing, and even AI-powered dynamic pricing strategies. North America, especially the U.S., plays a huge role, accounting for over 45% of this market, with major sports leagues driving a lot of those transactions.
The Sweet Spot: When Prices Are Usually Lowest
When should you actually click that “buy” button? Based on what folks are seeing and what the data tells us, there are a few key windows.
The Day Of or Right Before the Event
This is often cited as the golden rule for snagging cheap resale tickets, especially for concerts. Studies have shown that concert tickets purchased on the day of the show can be 33% less than the average resale price, and even buying them the day before can get you a 27% discount. Why? Simple: sellers get desperate. As the clock ticks down, an unsold ticket becomes a worthless ticket. They’d rather get something for it than nothing, so prices often plummet. This is particularly true for events where sellers have last-minute conflicts.
Now, there’s a small catch: while you might find the best deals, only about 7% of tickets are actually purchased on the day of the event. This means you might not find any tickets at all, or the selection could be limited. It’s a bit of a gamble, but if you’re flexible and a bit daring, it can pay off big time. Many people on Reddit, especially for sports and less-hyped concerts, swear by this strategy.
The Week Of the Event
If waiting until the very last minute gives you too much anxiety and who could blame you?, aiming for the week leading up to the event is a solid compromise. For NFL tickets, for instance, fans who waited until the week of the game paid 8% less than average, saving nearly $20 per ticket. For concerts, buying tickets the week of the event can still bring significant savings, around 20.77% off. This period is when many sellers who realize they can’t go start dropping their prices more aggressively. Why Preference Points Matter in Wyoming
For podcast festivals, the timing is a bit different. While you can still find savings the day of, the sweet spot appears to be around 12-13 days before the festival starts, with prices potentially 30% below average. This suggests that festival-goers often plan a bit further in advance, and sellers adjust their strategies accordingly.
Right After the Public Sale with a caveat
Sometimes, right after the initial public sale, you might see a brief dip in resale prices. This can happen if some people bought more tickets than they needed or panic-bought and then realized they overspent. However, for genuinely high-demand events, prices usually shoot up immediately after the primary sale sells out, so this window is less reliable. It’s more about “early bird gets the worm” for those who want to guarantee a seat, often at a premium, rather than finding a deal.
The “Dump” Times
You might hear people talk about “ticket dumps.” These are specific times when tickets, whether official releases or desperate resale listings, tend to appear.
- Morning of the event: Sellers waking up and realizing they can’t go.
- A few hours before the event: The ultimate last-minute attempt to sell.
- Even after the event starts: Yes, you can sometimes snag tickets for a steal right after the doors open or even after the first act, especially if sellers are physically at the venue trying to offload them. Just be sure you can actually get in!
Special Events & High-Demand Scenarios
Not all events are created equal, and some require a tweaked strategy.
Major Concerts e.g., Taylor Swift, Beyoncé, Big Sports Championships
These are the events where everyone wants a ticket, and the resale market can get wild. For artists like Taylor Swift, where initial demand crashed Ticketmaster, prices on the secondary market can be extremely high. In these cases, waiting until the very last minute can still work, but it’s riskier because demand remains so strong. What Exactly is a Lease Buyout?
For the ‘Eras’ tour, data suggested that the best time to buy Taylor Swift resale tickets was 3-5 days before the concert. During this window, 75% of the analyzed shows saw price drops, likely because sellers wanted to ensure their tickets sold. However, some shows actually saw prices go up the day of or day before, possibly due to many fans trying the “wait it out” strategy, and not enough tickets to meet that last-minute surge. It’s a delicate balance!
For these incredibly popular events, some fans on Reddit recommend looking a month before to get a feel for prices, but still aiming for the week of, or even a few days before for the best chance at a drop.
Niche Events or Less Popular Shows
If it’s a smaller artist, a local play, or a sporting event without huge fanbases, prices will likely behave more predictably. The “day of or day before” rule holds even stronger here, as there’s less overall competition, and sellers are more likely to slash prices quickly.
Weekday vs. Weekend Events
Weekday shows often have lower demand than weekend ones. People have work, school, and other commitments, which can lead to more last-minute availability and potentially lower prices on the resale market. So, if you’re flexible with your schedule, a Tuesday night concert might be your ticket to savings. When to Buy New Golf Clubs: The Ultimate Guide
Holidays and Special Occasions
Events around major holidays or special occasions like New Year’s Eve, a big rivalry game, or a farewell tour tend to have consistently high demand. Don’t expect huge drops here, as people are often willing to pay a premium for these unique experiences.
Factors That Drive Resale Ticket Prices
Understanding why prices fluctuate can help you predict trends and make smarter buying decisions. It’s more than just a random number generator!
Artist Popularity and Tour Demand
This is a no-brainer. If an artist has a massive global following or hasn’t toured in years, demand will be through the roof, and so will resale prices. Think about the sheer frenzy around artists like Adele or BTS. Conversely, a less-known act, even if you love them, will probably have more accessible tickets.
Venue Size and Capacity
A smaller, more intimate venue means fewer tickets available, which typically drives up demand and prices on the secondary market. A huge stadium, on the other hand, has a larger supply of tickets, potentially leading to more competitive pricing, especially for seats further away from the stage. Consider if a concert blanket or portable chair might make those back seats more comfortable and cost-effective.
When to Buy Nvidia Stock: Your 2025-2030 Investor’s Playbook
Seating Location
This is a huge factor. Premium seats, like front-row or VIP sections, will always command a higher price, even on the resale market. The perceived “quality” of the seat is a major determinant. If you’re okay with nosebleed seats or a side view, you’ll generally find much cheaper options. Sometimes a good pair of compact binoculars can make those distant views feel a bit closer without breaking the bank.
Market Saturation & Event Overlap
If a city has multiple big events happening on the same night or weekend, it can dilute demand for any single event. This might lead to more competitive pricing on the resale market as sellers compete for buyers’ attention.
Economic Conditions
Believe it or not, the broader economy can play a role. When people have more disposable income, they’re often more willing to spend on experiences like concerts and sporting events, which can keep resale prices buoyant. During tougher economic times, people might be more hesitant to splurge, potentially leading to lower demand and prices.
Strategies for Smart Resale Ticket Buying
Being smart about buying resale tickets means having a plan and using the tools available to you.
Set Price Alerts
Most major resale platforms like StubHub, SeatGeek, and Vivid Seats allow you to set price alerts for specific events and sections. This is a must! You’ll get a notification if tickets drop to your desired price, letting you jump on a deal the moment it appears. This tool is probably one of the most useful for playing the waiting game without constantly checking your phone. When to Buy a New Car: Your Ultimate Guide to Smart Car Shopping
Research Historical Data If Possible
For major tours that visit multiple cities, sometimes you can find insights into how prices behaved in previous stops. Did prices drop significantly in City A a few days before the show? There’s a decent chance they might do the same in City B. Websites like RateYourSeats.com compile data for popular tours, offering a peek into these trends.
Be Flexible with Seats
If you absolutely have to be front row, be prepared to pay a premium. But if your main goal is just to be there, being flexible with your seating location can unlock significant savings. Often, as the event gets closer, a wider variety of seats become available at lower prices, including some that might not have been listed earlier.
Check Multiple Platforms
Don’t just stick to one site. Prices can vary between Ticketmaster, StubHub, SeatGeek, and others. What’s expensive on one platform might be a bargain on another. Keep a few tabs open or use aggregator sites if they’re available for your event. Remember, prices are set by individual sellers, so they aren’t uniform across the board.
Avoid Scams
This is critical. Only buy from reputable, well-known secondary market platforms that offer buyer protections, like “FanProtect” guarantees. Avoid buying directly from strangers on social media or unofficial forums unless you’re using a secure payment method like PayPal Goods & Services and can verify the seller’s history. Even then, exercise extreme caution. Ticketmaster, for example, verifies each ticket when it changes ownership on its resale platform, giving you peace of mind. Also, consider if ticket insurance is an option for particularly expensive purchases, though many resale tickets are non-refundable except in case of event cancellation.
When to Buy New Tires: Your Ultimate Guide to Staying Safe on the Road
The “Wait It Out” Game: When it Pays Off, When it Doesn’t
As we’ve discussed, waiting can often lead to savings. But for highly unique, once-in-a-lifetime events, the “wait it out” strategy can backfire, potentially leading to even higher prices or no tickets at all. For a regular season game, it’s probably worth the wait. For the final farewell tour of your all-time favorite band? You might want to secure those tickets sooner rather than later, even if it means paying a bit more.
Understanding Dynamic Pricing
Many resale platforms use dynamic pricing, which means prices adjust in real-time based on demand, inventory, and other factors. This works both ways: prices can drop if demand is low, but they can also surge if a lot of people are looking for tickets at the same time. AI is increasingly used to forecast demand and dynamically adjust resale prices, which means the market is constantly shifting.
When NOT to Buy Resale Tickets and When to Just Buy Early
Sometimes, the stress of the resale market isn’t worth it, and buying early is the better choice.
Once-in-a-Lifetime Events
If it’s an event that truly only happens once, like an Olympic final, a farewell tour for a legendary artist, or a historic championship game that your team might never reach again, the risk of waiting might be too high. The peace of mind from securing your spot early can be priceless, even if you pay a premium.
Events with Limited Supply
Smaller venues, exclusive meet-and-greets, or events with extremely limited ticket releases are often not good candidates for last-minute deals. The scarcity keeps prices high, and last-minute availability will likely be minimal. When to buy maternity clothes
If You NEED Specific Seats
If you absolutely must have front-row center, or a particular section for accessibility or a perfect view, don’t rely on the resale market to deliver a last-minute miracle deal. These specific, highly desirable seats are the first to be snapped up and usually maintain their high value.
Frequently Asked Questions
When to buy resale tickets on Ticketmaster?
Many users on Reddit and experts suggest that the best time to buy resale tickets on Ticketmaster and similar platforms is closer to the event date, often the day of or the day before. Ticketmaster verifies each resale ticket, so the buying process is similar to a regular purchase. Prices tend to drop as sellers become more desperate to offload tickets they can no longer use. You can also try a few days before, or keep checking frequently, as availability can change.
Are resale tickets generally more expensive?
Often, yes, especially for high-demand, sold-out events. The secondary market exists precisely because tickets are often underpriced in the primary market, allowing resellers to capitalize on excess demand. However, as the event date approaches, or for less popular events, resale tickets can sometimes drop below their original face value or at least become more affordable than their peak resale prices. The global secondary tickets market sees significant growth because people are willing to pay a premium for convenience and guaranteed access to major events.
Is it safe to buy resale tickets?
Buying resale tickets from reputable platforms like Ticketmaster’s Verified Resale, StubHub, SeatGeek, and Vivid Seats is generally safe. These platforms typically offer buyer guarantees and verification processes to ensure you receive a valid ticket. Always be cautious of buying directly from unknown individuals on social media or unverified sites, as this significantly increases the risk of scams. Some platforms may not transfer tickets until closer to the show, so consider that if buying very far in advance.
When do people buy resale tickets the most?
While the best deals often appear closer to the event, a significant portion of resale tickets are purchased well in advance. For concerts, many fans buy three months or more before the event, often paying more than the average resale price. For NFL games, nearly half of all resale tickets are sold more than two months in advance. This early buying is driven by the desire to secure tickets, even if it means paying a premium. However, about 24-25% of concert and festival tickets are bought in the week leading up to the event. When to Buy Life Insurance: Your Ultimate Guide
What’s the best time to buy resale concert tickets Reddit users recommend?
Reddit users frequently echo the advice to wait until the day of the show or a few days before for the best prices. Many report significant savings by being patient, citing desperate sellers who need to get rid of tickets at the last minute. Some suggest starting to casually look about a month out to gauge prices, then pulling the trigger closer to the event if a good deal appears. For major events, there’s also chatter about “official tickets” being released a few days before the show.
When should I buy Taylor Swift resale tickets?
For highly in-demand events like the Taylor Swift ‘Eras’ tour, data suggests that the best time to buy resale tickets was typically 3-5 days before the concert. During this period, prices for many shows dropped, likely as sellers tried to offload their tickets. However, some shows saw prices increase at the very last minute due to a surge of buyers using the “wait it out” strategy. It’s a riskier game for such popular artists, so if you’re set on going, balance patience with being ready to pounce when a reasonable price appears. Keep an eye on multiple resale platforms like StubHub and SeatGeek.
Leave a Reply