As a lifelong music lover, I can’t get enough of live-music experiences. In fact, I’ve attended over 200 concerts and music festivals since 2008.
However, tickets aren’t cheap and have been steadily increasing in price. In fact, according to Pollstar, the average cost of a concert ticket to one of the top 100 tours worldwide in 2024 is over $127 — a 9.4% increase from 2023.
Over the years, I’ve developed strategies to ensure I never miss out on seeing my favorite artists and have the time of my life without breaking the bank.
Here are my top tips for saving money on concert and music-festival tickets.
Sign up for presale notifications
One of the easiest ways to save on tickets is by signing up for presale notifications.
Many ticket-distribution companies like Ticketmaster, Live Nation, and AXS offer presale opportunities, which give fans a better chance of securing tickets before they sell out.
Early access often means snagging a ticket at a great price, saving me both money and stress.
Follow your favorite artists on social media
Social media is an absolute gold mine for finding information on ticket sales. Artists frequently share presale codes, exclusive offers, and early announcements for upcoming shows.
Staying tuned in by following my favorite artists on platforms like X helps me take advantage of presale opportunities and secure tickets before they’re available to the general public.
Use credit cards that offer exclusive deals on tickets
Certain credit cards offer exclusive deals with ticket companies, providing discounts and special access to presale tickets.
For example, the electronic music festival III Points, which I’ll be attending in Miami, offered a deal on tickets to Chase cardholders.
Additionally, many credit cards allow you to use reward points to buy tickets, reducing out-of-pocket costs. This strategy is definitely worth exploring if you use credit cards.
Keep an eye out for ticket giveaways on Instagram
Instagram is a popular platform for ticket giveaways. I like to follow the official accounts of my favorite musicians, music festivals, and venues to stay in the loop about these opportunities.
Participating in giveaways usually involves simple, quick actions such as liking a post, tagging friends, or sharing content. While it’s a bit of a gamble, winning a ticket through a giveaway is an awesome way to save money.
Volunteer at multiday music festivals
Another money-saving hack is volunteering at large, multiday music festivals. This strategy is a great way to snag a free or discounted ticket while also contributing to the event’s success.
Although I haven’t personally volunteered at an event, I’ve had many friends do so year after year. They volunteer to work a certain number of hours per day, and in exchange, they get to attend the festival for free or at a discounted rate.
In addition to the ticket, they’ve come to love the experience for the team they get to be a part of and the friends they make along the way.
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