Do tickets get cheaper the day of the show?

Is there such a thing as the day of the show tickets getting cheaper?

Have you ever attempted to purchase a ticket to a concert or a show that is being held on the day of its performance? You may have asked yourself the question, do tickets get cheaper on the day of the show? Everyone goes with the common adage that waiting until the last minute gives you the best and biggest deals since venues are always anxious to fill the available seats. But this is not exactly the case, for the truth is a little more complicated. It’s important to note the following key points in the article that outline what transpires with ticket prices closer to the date of the performance.

Last-Minute Discounts are Rare

The idea of scoring a great deal on same-day tickets may sound good in theory, but in reality, it’s very hard to achieve. The current generation of shows is fine-tuned using programmatic mechanisms that rebalance the price of the show based on its popularity. Popular shows usually being booked many months ahead in the entertainment industry. The end seats, especially in the back, are typically what is left by the show day when the ticket is sold out. Premium positions or what is commonly referred to as ‘prime seats, are no longer available.

Promoters fully know that fans rely on prices falling closer to the event. However, it is possible to find prices rising as the show nears the time it is set to air, depending on demand. If the show is not close to selling out, it is not smart to wait for a hefty cut in ticket prices. It is impossible to guarantee that you will not be forced to pay a higher price for mediocre or very limited tickets on the day of an event.

Exceptions Do Happen

Sometimes you may get those genuine last-minute offers, which are great. This is usually only applicable in cases where the performers or shows are having low turnout or are performing in minor theaters. It is in this circumstance that they remain unsold for some time so that the promoters get tempted to reduce the prices drastically.

If you are looking at less-aired programs or unknown performers, you can easily score cheap offers, like during game day. However, even in that case, it just means that we get a small cut of the price – by as much as 20% maximum. But £5 – £10? That’s where the real difference lies; probably most people will not run to book the worst seats and wait till the last moment for that.

Where to Look for It

Where should you then turn to if you are adamant about taking your chances at finding some last-minute bargains?

First, check with the official box office, as sometimes they put up tickets on the day of the show. This is even more prevalent when the shows are in the theater, especially comedy performances. Some of them include ticket resale services such as StubHub, which offers fans an opportunity to resell other tickets that they do not require. When the time approaches the show, they become more anxious about putting up the tickets to avoid absorbing the loss.

Other mobile apps, such as Gametime, also provide day-of-the-game savings since they have direct contact with the teams and stadiums to sell excess tickets. This means that you will probably get tickets that are in the standing area or even those in the farthest corners of the stadium. And, while it’s often the case that getting the ability to purchase the best seats is a shot in the dark, sometimes you can score the best seats even if the show is about to start on these apps.

Last time tickets: last-minute precautions

In general, the self-organization of employees is rather safe, but waiting until the last moment is always dangerous. But if you're feeling lucky, keep these tips in mind.

Be open. This means that one should not have any preference as to which day he goes or which place he gets to sit in, as this makes it easier to find a deal.

Don’t wait. Later batches of tickets are released, but usually, they are sold out within a short span. More often than not, there should be accounts created and payment information saved to go for the deal.

Refer to your contacts. If you have just come across some phenomenal last-minute offer, well and truly let your friends know. They may release another batch of discounted tickets at a later date to the promoters, although this is not always the case.

Purchase single tickets; pairs and groups of seating are the most difficult to attain at the last minute. It is also possible to divide your party.

Bottom Line

Although it is not advisable to sit tight, hoping the tickets will be cheaper an hour before the show, as the myth claims, one can score a raw deal now and then. But just, you know, don’t expect too much when going into the situation. Of course, with proper preparation and the readiness to adapt and frequently monitor all the sales options, it is still possible to find some decent last-minute offers. But more often than not, the stress of counting on finding rock-bottom prices when they are hours away from the show means disappointment or having to settle for the few high-priced seats that may be remaining.

For shows that are of keen interest, the optimal strategy would still be to purchase early enough so that one can secure a desirable number of tickets at a favorable rate. Using price drops as the main tactic is a very risky strategy that shouldn’t be used since it only rarely works.

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