Buy concert tickets soon? Here are 7 ways to get them cheaper

If you’ve been waiting to see your favorite artist perform live, you probably have a lot of money to spend. In 2024, that could mean hundreds or even thousands of dollars for a ticket. According to a study conducted by SeatPick, the average price of a used ticket to Taylor Swift’s three Eras tour shows in Miami in October was $3,472.

While Taylor Swift is certainly one of the biggest artists in the world – as proven by the Ticketmaster fiasco in getting tickets to her current tour – she’s not alone. Artists like Sabrina Carpenter, Olivia Rodrigo and Noah Kahan, all of whom headline the top 100 concerts of the year, have average ticket prices well over $100.

The mental debate of either seeing your favorite artist or spending as much as possible on rent for a single ticket can be unsettling. While the cost of concert tickets may never be cheap for larger musicians, there are effective ways to save. Below, I’ll explain how much concert ticket prices have increased over the years and provide efficient tips on how to save money along the way.

Read more: Buying concert tickets online is a mess. 10 tips to get the seats you want

Are concert tickets becoming more expensive?

Concert tickets can be outrageously expensive. I do not make this statement based on the anecdotal evidence of millions of people who recount the nightmarish experience of fighting for advance ticket codes and then being bombarded with taxes and fees after selecting their seats. I base this on decades of data on rising ticket costs.

According to Pollstar, the average ticket price data for the top 100 tours over the past four years is as follows:

According to data provided by Pollstar, ticket prices have risen faster than the cost of other consumer goods and outpaced inflation over the past 20 years.

7 tips to save money on concert tickets

Here you’ll find tried-and-true tips – as well as my personal lessons from years of concert ticket debacles – for finding the lowest ticket prices.

Buy your tickets early

Buy tickets as soon as they go on sale. Early bird tickets are often cheaper than waiting until shortly before the concert date.

Register for advance ticket sales

Join artist fan clubs, subscribe to newsletters, or follow your favorite artists on social media to access presale deals, usually at discounted prices. Many concert ticket distributors such as Ticketmaster, Live Nation and AXS offer advance purchase options. Therefore, it is advisable to sign up for alerts so as not to miss out on cheap ticket prices.

Attend shows on weekdays

Concert tickets are generally cheaper on weekdays than on weekends because demand is generally lower. Over the years, I’ve saved hundreds of dollars by choosing to see my favorite artists on weeknights instead of on weekends.

Take advantage of student or military discounts

Many venues or ticketing platforms in the US offer discounted tickets for students, military members and seniors. Double check if you are eligible for special discounts.

Use a credit card with entertainment rewards

You can save up to 4% on concert tickets with an Entertainment Rewards credit card. Some credit cards may even have partnerships with ticket distribution companies, offering cardholders exclusive offers, discounts, and access to advance ticket sales.

Volunteer at music festivals or venues

Volunteering at a multi-day music festival or music venue can be an efficient way to get free or discounted concert tickets. Many festivals allow you to volunteer for a multi-hour shift and then attend for free for the rest of the day. Volunteers at music events, symphonies or theaters often receive discounted or free tickets to performances as a thank you for their work.

Purchase during concert week

Live Nation is hosting a concert week from May 8th to 14th, during which the ticketing company is offering discounts of up to 75% on over 5,000 shows. In 2024, discounted tickets were available for over 900 artists, including notable artists such as Janet Jackson, Maggie Rogers and Missy Elliott, meaning there is something for everyone and all genres.

You can find more tips for saving on airfare and tips for saving money this holiday season here.