Why Concert Ticket Prices Are So High & How to Save On Them

Promoters. Venues make money from promoters to put on concerts, often charging a facility fee which is added on to the cost of each ticket. Promoters, in turn, earn their money from ticket sales.

Reasons for High Concert Ticket Prices

1. Artists are setting higher ticket prices.

As artists gain popularity and develop a large fan base, they can choose where they perform and how much to charge for their tickets. They often raise prices to compensate for lost revenue from streaming services, where they earn only a fraction of a cent per stream. Additionally, larger artists create more theatrical shows with special effects, stage production, and light shows, which increases their costs and leads to higher ticket prices.

2. Promoters are taking a cut of the ticket price.

Promoters help book venues and market concerts, earning most of their money through ticket sales. They typically take around 15% of ticket sales while artists take 85%. Promoters might increase ticket prices to cover marketing costs and earn a higher profit.

3. Venues are tacking on additional facility fees.

Venues charge facility fees for each ticket sold to cover the cost of renting out the venue. These fees depend on the size of the venue and can increase over time. Some venues have exclusive deals with promoters, leading to higher prices to ensure the promoters make more money. Additionally, venues with state-of-the-art sound systems or lights may charge higher facility fees.

4. Ticketing companies are adding convenience and service fees.

Companies like Ticketmaster and AXS handle many concerts and venues, adding extra fees for processing orders and delivering tickets. These companies disclose the entire cost upfront, including service fees, order processing fees, and delivery fees. With Live Nation owning Ticketmaster and controlling nearly 70% of live ticketed events, they can inflate prices without worrying about competition.

5. Resellers are charging more than face value for tickets.

Ticket brokers or bots purchase some of the best seats quickly to make the event sell out, then resell them at higher prices. Resale sites like Stubhub and SeatGeek don’t set limits on how much resellers can charge, leading to tickets being listed for hundreds or thousands of dollars.

Finding Cheaper Concert Tickets

1. Join an artist fan club for cheaper tickets.

Many artists offer presale discounts to fan club members or followers on social media and music streaming sites. Look up the artist’s fan club or presale offers to access tickets early before resellers buy them. Some credit card companies also offer presale incentives, so watch for promotional emails from your credit card provider.

2. Wait for another block of tickets to release instead of paying resellers.

If tickets sell out quickly and only expensive resale options are available, be patient and avoid paying higher fees. Promoters and venues may release additional tickets after the first batch sells out. Sign up for email notifications for when they go back on sale.

3. Check the ticket prices in nearby cities.

Compare prices for venues where the artist is performing nearby. Artists often charge more in more populated areas, so you might find a deal if they’re playing at a smaller venue.

4. See the artist at a bigger venue.

Popular artists playing at low-capacity venues will have higher ticket prices due to the intimate experience. Tickets are usually cheaper at larger venues because there are more seats available.

5. Buy tickets from the venue box office.

If you live close to the venue, visit the box office to buy tickets in person. You’ll typically save money on the ticket price by avoiding service or delivery fees. Promoters might also give leftover tickets to the box office on the day of the concert if they didn’t sell out completely. Call or visit the venue early on the day of the concert to see if they have any tickets available.