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 are not cheap and their prices are constantly rising. According to Pollstar, the average price of a concert ticket for one of the top 100 tours worldwide in 2024 will be over $127 – a 9.4% increase from 2023.
Over the years, I’ve developed strategies to ensure I never miss another of my favorite artists and have the time of my life without ruining myself financially.
Here are my top tips for saving money when buying concert and music festival tickets.
Sign up for pre-sale notifications
One of the easiest ways to save money on tickets is to sign up for pre-sale alerts.
Many ticket distribution companies such as Ticketmaster, Live Nation and AXS offer pre-sale options that give fans a better chance of securing tickets before they sell out.
Early access often allows me to snag a ticket at a great price, saving me both money and stress.
Follow your favorite artists on social media
Social media is a goldmine of ticketing information, with artists often sharing pre-sale codes, exclusive offers, and early announcements for upcoming shows.
By following and staying up to date with my favorite artists on platforms like X, I can take advantage of pre-sale opportunities and secure tickets before they are available to the general public.
Use credit cards that offer exclusive ticket deals
Certain credit cards offer exclusive deals with ticket companies and grant discounts and special access to pre-sale tickets.
For example, the III Points electronic music festival I’m attending in Miami offered a ticket discount to Chase cardholders.
In addition, many credit cards allow you to use reward points to purchase tickets, which means you pay less out of pocket. If you use credit cards, it’s definitely worth trying this strategy.
Look 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 updated on these opportunities.
Entering sweepstakes usually involves simple, quick actions like liking a post, tagging friends, or sharing content. While it’s a bit of a gamble, winning a ticket in a sweepstakes is a great way to save money.
Volunteer at multi-day music festivals
Another money-saving trick is to volunteer at large, multi-day music festivals. This strategy can help you secure a free or discounted ticket while contributing to the success of the event.
I have never volunteered at an event myself, but many of my friends have done so year after year. They volunteer a certain number of hours a day and in return they get to attend the festival for free or at a reduced price.
In addition to the ticket, they also value the experience because of the team they are part of and the friends they meet along the way.
