The best time to buy concert tickets is during the official presale or standard face-value launch, though buyers must watch out for official ‘Platinum’ dynamic pricing surge models that inflate face-value prices during initial demand surges.
Prices are lowest, and seat selection is widest in this window. Waiting past on-sale usually means paying more for worse seats, though a few exceptions exist for last-minute deals.
This guide breaks down exactly when to buy based on your priority, whether that’s price, seat quality, or landing tickets to a sold-out show.
Best Time to Buy Concert Tickets: Quick Guide
Your ideal buying window depends on what matters most to you. Use this table to find your strategy.
| Priority Goal | Best Time to Buy | Best Seats Strategy |
|---|---|---|
| Best Selection | On-sale launch | Full access to face-value venue maps |
| Lowest Price | Presales / Onsale | Face-value tickets before dynamic price hikes |
| Budget / Flexible | 3-6 weeks post-onsale | Leftover mid-tier seating after initial rush |
| Resale Bargain | 1-7 days before show | Unsold secondary tickets dropped below face value |
| Sold-Out Shows | Day of show / Daily check | Production holds or fan resales released last-minute |
| VIP Tiers | First presale window | Limited pit access and soundcheck passes sell out instantly |
Best Time to Buy Concert Tickets at Face Value
The best time to purchase at face value is when the tickets are on presale, prior to when the tickets go on sale to the general public. Presales are usually made available either via the artist’s email list, credit card partners, or by the venue itself.
After the general on-sale, there will be face value tickets available for purchase, although these are sold out quickest for those shows that are most in demand. Purchasing during the first hour of on-sale provides the best chances of avoiding demand-based price hikes.
How Far in Advance Should You Buy Concert Tickets?
The answer depends on how close you are to the on-sale date, not the show date itself. Here’s how pricing and availability typically shift over time.
1 to 3 Months Before the Concert
This window offers baseline face-value prices and open seating maps. It is the safest and cheapest time to secure tickets for high-demand artists before inventory shifts to the resale market.
2 to 4 Weeks Before the Concert
Avoid buying secondary tickets during this window if possible. Data shows resale prices hit their peak 2 to 4 weeks out as casual buyer demand spikes while available inventory shrinks.
One Week Before the Concert
Resale prices can swing sharply in either direction here. Scalpers may lower prices to avoid holding unsold inventory, but tickets for in-demand shows can also spike due to limited remaining supply.
24 to 48 Hours Before the Concert
Average ticket prices reach their absolute lowest point – often up to 30% below initial market averages. Promoters also routinely release “production holds” (unsold venue allocations) back onto primary ticketing sites at standard face value.
When Is the Best Time to Buy Resale Concert Tickets?
The ideal time to purchase resale tickets is typically 1 to 7 days before the show or during the day-of-show venue release. Buying immediately after a primary sell-out usually results in paying peak panic markups driven by secondary market FOMO.
Resale prices stay artificially high until roughly two weeks before the show, after which resellers cut prices sharply to clear remaining stock before doors open.
Best Time to Buy Concert Tickets by Concert Type
- Stadium Tours: Demand drastically outstrips supply; buying during official presales or the first 30 minutes of general on-sale is essential.
- Arena Shows: Decent face-value seats remain available longer, but avoid buying on the secondary market during the 2-to-4-week pre-show price peak.
- Music Festivals: Unlike standard tour dates, festival resale passes hit their lowest average price 12 to 13 days before the event (often up to 30% off face value) before climbing again as logistics windows close.
- Clubs & Theaters: Highly flexible inventory makes these the best candidates for last-minute day-of-show price drops.
Does the Day of the Week Affect Concert Ticket Prices?
Ticket prices depend heavily on the day the concert takes place rather than the day you complete the purchase; attending a midweek show (Monday–Thursday) often costs 15% to 25% less on average than a weekend date for the same artist.
Some data from resale platforms suggests midweek days see marginally lower resale prices than weekends, when buyer traffic increases. This isn’t guaranteed and varies by show and platform.
What Time of Day Is Best to Buy Concert Tickets?
Most on-sales launch in the morning, typically between 10 a.m. and 12 p.m. local time, so buying right when tickets go live gives the best shot at good seats and lower prices.
For resale tickets, prices can fluctuate throughout the day as sellers adjust listings, so checking multiple times a day close to the event can help you catch a price drop.
Conclusion: The Best Time to Buy Concert Tickets is During the Official Presale or General Sale
Buying during presale or the first hour of general on-sale remains the most reliable way to get face-value tickets with the best seat selection.
Waiting can sometimes pay off for resale bargains or last-minute releases, but it comes with the risk of a show selling out completely. For guaranteed access and pricing, on-sale day is still the safest bet.
FAQs
The cheapest time is usually during the official presale or general on-sale, before dynamic pricing raises costs based on demand.
Sometimes. Sellers looking to avoid unsold inventory may lower resale prices in the final days before a show, though this isn’t guaranteed for high-demand events.
There’s no confirmed industry-wide pattern showing Tuesdays are cheaper. Some resale data suggests midweek prices trend slightly lower, but this varies by show.
Midweek days tend to show slightly lower resale prices than weekends, based on general demand trends, though this isn’t consistent across every event.
Buying directly from the official presale or on-sale is typically the least expensive method, since it avoids resale markups and dynamic pricing increases.
