During sales on the various platforms and with different purchase options, tickets for the most eagerly awaited concerts often sell out in a matter of minutes, leaving many fans disappointed. Fortunately, there are strategies to maximize your chances of getting your ticket, your precious sesame, and living an unforgettable musical experience.
In this comprehensive guide that Arena Tour has put together for you, we will reveal all the secrets to optimizing your purchases during a concert ticket sale. Get ready to become a pro at ticket hunting and attend the concerts of your favorite artists!
Optimization & tips
As connoisseurs of the concert ticket universe, we know perfectly well how stressful buying tickets can be, especially when it comes to highly anticipated events. Fortunately, we are here to guide you and help you put all the odds in your favor!
Based on our experience in the ruthless world of ticketing, we have observed the various obstacles encountered by fans, their anxieties, their disappointments, but also their immense joy when they finally manage to obtain the precious sesame. This is why we have put together this ultimate guide for you, gathering all the tips you need to prepare yourself as best as possible for the ticket sale and optimize your chances of success.
Follow our expert advice and become a ticket hunting expert! Live your passion for music to the fullest by attending the concerts of your favorite artists!
Research your tickets in advance
The very first thing you need to do is find out about the event well in advance of the official sale. The more information you have about the event, the better prepared you will be.
- Research, anticipate and be ready! The key to success? Information! Before the official sale, immerse yourself in the world of the event. Check out reference sites like Arena Tour, Live Nation or Ticketmaster or the websites and social networks of your favorite artists to get all the crucial information about the announced concerts: tour dates, locations, purchase terms (price, number of places…), etc.
- Be a detective and track down presales! 90% of events offer exclusive presales a few days, or even the day before the general sale. Fan presale, artist presale, private presale… the forms vary, but the objective remains the same: to give you a head start!
- Master the key times and be there! Punctuality is king! Most sales, whether general or presale, take place between 9am and 12pm. Unless otherwise stated. Some may also be held around 6pm, at the end of the day, when people are more available to participate. Generally, the date and time are communicated early enough so that you will not miss the information. Be ready to jump on your keyboard as soon as the sales sites open.
- Increase your chances by signing up for alerts! Activate notifications! Many ticketing sites offer email or SMS alerts to inform you when the sale opens. A simple tip to avoid missing anything and maximize your chances.
- Prepare yourself mentally and stay calm! The ticket war can be trying. In the face of the virtual crowd, stay calm and focused. Don’t panic if the site lags or if the tickets sell out like hot cakes. Persevere, your sesame awaits!
Remember: Buying tickets can be stressful, but with good preparation and a dose of perseverance, you will be able to live your musical dreams!
Create a user account on the ticketing site
Buying concert tickets online can be a race against time. In the face of the virtual crowd and the speed at which tickets sell out, every second counts. This is why it is crucial to create your user account on the ticketing site in advance. Whether you are a regular online shopper or a novice, this simple step will save you precious time and optimize your chances of obtaining the precious sesame.
Why create your account in advance?
- Save precious time: By creating your account in advance, you will not have to enter your personal and banking information at the time of the sale. You will then be able to place your order in a few clicks and maximize your chances of getting your tickets.
- Avoid last-minute stress: The adrenaline is pumping, the concert is approaching, and you still have to create your account? Don’t panic, but imagine the stress this could cause. By anticipating, you stay serene and can focus on the essential: getting your tickets!
- Speed up the payment process: Many ticket sales sites, such as Ticketmaster, offer saved payment options. By entering your payment information in advance, you will be able to finalize your order in the blink of an eye, without having to enter your bank details for each purchase.
- Activate notifications and stay informed: By creating your account, you will often be able to activate email or SMS notifications to inform you of the opening of the ticket sale or the availability of additional places. A simple tip to avoid missing anything and maximize your chances.
Additional tips to optimize your user account:
- Use a valid and easy-to-remember email address: You will receive important emails about your orders and tickets. So make sure to use an email address that you check regularly and that you can easily identify.
- Create a secure and easy-to-remember password: The security of your information is paramount. Choose a strong password that you can easily remember to log in to your account.
- Enter your phone number: Some ticketing sites, such as Ticketmaster, may use your phone number to send you validation codes when purchasing tickets. So make sure your number is correct and up to date.
By following these simple tips, you will be ready to face the ticket sale and live your musical dreams!
Friendly reminder of the list of ticket offices in the UK:
- Ticketmaster
- See Tickets
- AXS
- GigsAndTour
- AEG Presents
- O2 Priority
NB: In some cases, events may only be on sale on the producers’ websites. The principle remains the same.
Tips to optimise your ticket buying experience
- Open several Google sessions: To increase your chances of being well-placed in the queue, of adding to your basket more quickly and of buying your tickets. You should open several Google windows on different devices (tablet, PC, smartphone, etc.).
- Be ready before the box office opens: Tickets often sell out very quickly, so it’s essential to be ready to buy as soon as the sale opens. We advise you to be on the site at least 30 minutes beforehand so that you can get into the queues as quickly as possible if there are any. For some of the biggest and most popular events, it’s better to be there, say, 1 hour before the ticket office opens. Better safe than sorry.
- Choose a reliable Internet connection: Avoid buying tickets from a slow or unstable Internet connection. This could slow down your purchasing process and waste precious time. It could be a matter of seconds.
- Update your payment details: Check that your payment details are correct and up to date to avoid any delays when purchasing your tickets.
Choose your tickets carefully
Buying concert tickets is a moment of intense excitement. You are about to live an unforgettable musical experience, but before you can vibrate to the sound of your favorite artists, you have to take a crucial step: choosing the tickets. A decision that should not be taken lightly, as it will condition your comfort, your view of the stage and, ultimately, your enjoyment during the event.
This is why we invite you to follow these wise advice to make the right choice and fully enjoy your concert:
- Familiarize yourself with the layout of the venue and the different categories of seats. Before embarking on your quest for the perfect ticket, familiarize yourself with the layout of the concert hall. Consult the online plan, identify the different categories of seats, and understand the advantages and disadvantages of each.
- Set your budget. Ticket prices vary depending on the category of seat, the proximity to the stage and the popularity of the artist. Determine the amount you are willing to spend to avoid disappointment and refine your search accordingly.
- Prioritize good visibility. If you want to fully enjoy the show and admire your artists in every detail, choose seats that offer a good view of the stage. Avoid seats located behind pillars or in corners where visibility may be obstructed. Some of these seats are put on sale with the mention “Reduced Visibility”.
- Take into account the acoustics. In some rooms, the acoustics can vary depending on the location of the seats. If you are sensitive to sound, inquire about the areas of the room where the sound is best.
- Think about your comfort. If you plan to stand for the entire concert, choose seats in an area where you will have enough space to move around and enjoy the atmosphere. If you prefer to sit, make sure the seats are comfortable and that you have a good view of the stage.
- Don’t forget the extras. Certain categories of seats may include additional benefits, such as access to a VIP bar or private parking. If these options interest you, take them into account when making your choice.
- Act quickly and add your tickets to your cart. During the sale, time is precious. Once you have found the seats that suit you, don’t waste time and immediately add them to your cart. This will allow you to secure them for a few minutes before finalizing your purchase.
- Validate your order without delay. Once your tickets are in your cart, don’t let them escape! Finalize your order as quickly as possible to prevent someone else from taking them from under your nose.
By following these wise advice, you will make an informed choice and ensure you have an unforgettable concert experience, in optimal conditions to fully enjoy the music and the atmosphere.
Pay for your cart quickly
You have finally found the long-awaited tickets, your cart is ready, all you have to do is take the last step: payment. A crucial moment that can be stressful, especially during massive sales where seats sell like hot cakes.
But fear not! By following these wise tips, you will transform this critical step into a quick and secure formality, thus maximizing your chances of obtaining the precious sesame.
- Prepare your payment method beforehand. Have your credit card at hand and make sure it is valid and has a sufficient balance to cover the purchase amount. You can also opt for other payment methods such as PayPal or prepaid cards, but make sure they are accepted by the sales site.
- Save your payment information. Many ticketing sites offer to save your payment information for easier future purchases. This option saves you precious time during the checkout process.
- Be precise and vigilant when entering information. Carefully check all the information entered, from first and last name to credit card number and expiration date. Even a minor error can block your transaction and cause you to lose valuable seats.
- Validate your payment without delay. Once all information has been entered and verified, do not delay in validating your payment. The faster you act, the more you reduce the risk of seeing the seats disappear before your eyes.
- Be patient and wait for confirmation. As soon as your payment is validated, you should receive an order confirmation email. This precious sesame assures you that your tickets are well reserved and that you will be able to attend the concert.
- E-ticket or m-ticket: The choice is yours. Depending on the distribution method offered by the sales site, you will receive your tickets in the form of an e-ticket or an m-ticket. The e-ticket is an electronic ticket to print, while the m-ticket is a digital ticket stored on your smartphone.
- Receipt of tickets: Anticipation and flexibility. If you have opted for the e-ticket, print it as soon as you receive it and keep it safe. For the m-ticket, make sure your smartphone is charged and that you have a stable internet connection on the day of the concert.
- Bugs and crashes: Stay calm and try again. During massive sales, websites can sometimes be saturated, which can lead to bugs and crashes. If you encounter difficulties during payment, do not panic! Refresh the page, check that your internet connection is stable and try again.
By following this sound advice and adopting an optimised purchasing strategy, you’ll make paying for your tickets a smooth and quick process, maximising your chances of having an unforgettable musical experience!
Conclusion
Buying tickets online can be a stressful experience, especially when a highly-anticipated concert goes on sale. Buying concert tickets online can be a real obstacle course. Stress, frustration, disappointment… the frenzy of going on sale spares no one. But rest assured, you’re not alone! By preparing in advance and following these tips, you can optimise your ticket-buying experience and increase your chances of getting the tickets you want.