How to Get the Cheapest Tickets: From Movies to Concerts and Sports
As much as we love spending the night on the couch and watching what comes next in our lineup on Netflix, there is something wonderful about putting on pants and being part of a live audience. Whether it’s a concert, a movie, or a sporting event, it’s sometimes worth experiencing with fellow fans around you. But if you want to do this, you will need to buy tickets, and they can be expensive. Fortunately, there are several ways to save on tickets of all types.
Finding cheap entertainment requires not only knowing where to look, but patience as well. It’s not such a big joke with movies, but sporting events and concerts take a little more effort. Let’s start by looking for cheap movie tickets to hide from the sun and do a little air conditioning.
Buy the cheapest movie tickets
Traditionally, the cheapest way to see a movie is to go to the movies in the afternoon, but not all of us can find a cheap midweek matinee. Instead, you need to think a little and search.
One simple trick you can do is subscribe to free advanced movie views . This is usually a few days before the initial release, and nothing is required of you other than the opportunity to appear at the theater at a specific time.
If you’d rather choose your own movies and times, it’s time to start digging for discount codes. Fandango ticket seller currently has several offers that you can get discounts on online orders. If these offers no longer apply, another option is to search for tickets on coupon sites like Retail Me Not . Whichever way you decide to do it, you shouldn’t have a problem as long as you save some money at the cinema.
Find cheap tickets for concerts and sports no matter when you buy them
Tickets for concerts or sporting events can get expensive very quickly, but finding cheap tickets for both events is not that hard. Basically, you have two different methods: buying them right after they go on sale, and a slightly more risky but usually cheaper trick to wait to buy them second-hand. Let’s start with how to buy tickets cheap when they go on sale.
Buy directly at the checkout to avoid service charges
If you are unwilling to take the risk and wait for cheap tickets for fear that the event might be sold out, you can still buy reasonably priced tickets if you know where to go.
In many cases, you can skip the service fees charged by companies like Ticketmaster by heading directly to the venue to purchase them. Most major concert venues and stadiums have ticket offices where you can buy tickets directly. This is not always the case, but if this is an option for you, it is a great way to avoid the ridiculous service fees that are charged when ordering tickets online.
Also works when tickets are supposedly sold out. Often times, stadiums and venues will release extra tickets on the day of a show or game, and all you have to do is show up at the box office when it opens.
Buy tickets from real people for the best deals
If you prefer a discount, it’s time to look for people who can sell tickets. As you get closer to the date of the event, check Craigslist for people selling tickets. Sports and concert tickets are no different than anything else on Craigslist, so make sure you know how to go wrong when shopping on Craigslist . You can also try StubHub , which offers a guarantee for both buyers and sellers, so you don’t have to worry about getting robbed.
As noted by CNET, the advantage of buying tickets on Craigslist is that you usually buy them simply from fans who have a conflict in their schedules and want to get rid of them as quickly as possible. Better yet, season ticket holders who simply don’t know how to play and are often willing to part with their tickets for less than par. To save as much money as possible, wait until the last minute and buy your tickets the day before or on the day of the event. Just make sure you take the time to meet with the person selling them ahead of time. It’s the same with tickets to the amusement park. If all else fails, you might want to look at ticket brokers.
The best ways to get tickets from brokers
As NPR points out , the idea that concerts are selling are mostly just an illusion. Scalpers and ticket brokers are buying up tickets faster than most fans, and if you’re willing to risk the opportunity not to go, you can almost always get tickets cheap by biding your time.
When tickets first go on sale, they will be expensive through brokers, but as the event approaches, they will drop in value unless demand is too high. You can search multiple brokers at once using a site like Ticketwood, which combines deals from companies like StubHub , RazorGator, and Ticketsnow . While these sites can often find cheap tickets closer to the date of the event, keep in mind that many still have service charges. Usually it is not as high as Ticketmaster charges, but it is good to know about it. If you can hold out the night before or on the day of the event, you will probably save money on tickets. This is not often not the best option, but if the event is not selling as well as expected, you will find cheap deals.
This story was originally published in 2012 and was updated on 12/5/19 to provide more complete and up-to-date information.