Tickets for in-demand shows can be hard to get your hands on without paying the earth - we show you how to get your tickets without being ripped off.
Going to see your favourite bands and acts can be an expensive business – particularly if you buy full-priced tickets. However there are ways to get discounted tickets even for the most popular shows, though it’s important to make sure you’re buying from a legitimate seller. We show you how.
Track down a deal
There are several websites which list some of the most popular show tickets currently on sale but for a snip of the price. For example, See Tickets and Ticketline often have several offers on in-demand tickets. It’s worth signing up to their newsletters to be among the first to know about deals that might interest you.
Ticketmaster is also worth a look as it allows you to search for the cheapest seats available for when and where you'd like to go.
Lastminute.com often lists deals on hit shows, gigs, and acts, so it’s worth having a look if you’re planning on seeing a particular show. Beat The Touts has some useful information on getting the best ticket deals.
Decide what you want to see, and where
If you have a particular band or act in mind that you’d like to see, it’s definitely worth signing up to their newsletters. You’ll then be kept informed of any new shows and possible deals; plus you might get to reserve priority tickets or get a discount for being a member of the mailing list.
As well as signing up to particular acts’ mailing lists, it’s also worth signing up to newsletters for particular venues that you’re more likely to visit. For example if you’re a frequent visitor to the National Theatre in London you can get £10 theatre tickets if you sign up for advance membership.
Compare online prices
When booking tickets online it's worthwhile searching all the different prices available – prices for some hit shows can vary significantly, sometimes by as much as hundreds of pounds for the more popular shows depending on where you sit. Sites such as CompareTheatreTickets.com and Seat Choice show the differently priced tickets available, which can help you zero in on the best deal.
When comparing the price of tickets remember to compare the entire end price you’ll be required to pay, factoring in any booking fees and postage charges, as these can also vary widely between retailers.
Side-step the online route
Though booking tickets online can often mean discounts and can certainly be convenient, it’s sometimes possible to get a better deal if you buy tickets in person at the box office. This is because of the booking fee often added to tickets booked online. If you can make the trip to the box office it’s worth doing, though it may be a good idea to compare box office prices with how much you’d pay on a discount site such as Ticketline or See Tickets.
It also may be cheaper to phone up the box office directly, as you won’t be booking your tickets through any third party agencies. This can also be a good way to chase up any cancellations.
The Arts Council scheme ‘A Night Less Ordinary’ is worth a look if you’re under 26 – there are hundreds of free tickets up for grabs to theatre shows around the country.
Grab a second-hand ticket
For every show that sells out, there’ll always be people who can’t make the date or change their minds about attending, and so put their tickets up for sale at a bargain price. Sites such as Star Green list sold-out tickets for top shows at face value, while Get Me In, Seatwave, Viagogo and Gigantic allow people to sell their tickets second-hand for cheap.
Ebay and Gumtree also often list second-hand tickets so they’re worth a look if you have a particular show in mind. Remember though that if you buy second-hand tickets online, it’s important to ask the seller for a contact number or email so that you can get in touch if something goes wrong with your purchase. If you’re buying from Ebay you should check the seller’s feedback to get a better idea of their legitimacy and reliability as a seller.
Get priority tickets
Customers of O2 can enjoy priority tickets to performances at the O2 arena in London. These are made available 48 hours before general release so can be a good way to get your hands on tickets to popular shows before they sell out.
Likewise Barclaycard Unwind is another option; Barclaycard customers can reserve tickets to top shows as well as enter exclusive competitions.
If you’re a Wimbledon fan, sign up early to be in with a chance of booking a place on centre court – these also tend to sell out very quickly. Likewise, football fans can sign up to England Fans to get priority tickets to games that sell out quickly, as well as potential discounts.
Become a steward
Stewarding for festivals can mean you get in for free, and you’ll get paid minimum wage too. You won’t have to work all the time – there’ll be plenty of chances to see your favourite acts perform, and without the extortionate price tag usually attached to festival entry. Oxfam and Stuart Security are good places to start if you think stewarding might be for you.
Pay less for London
If you’re a London show-goer, there are discounts to be had on top-price tickets. The TKTS shop in Leicester Square sells half-price tickets on the day of performance, so it’s definitely worth queuing up if you’re in the area.
Sites dedicated to London entertainment often offer discounts too such as What’s On Stage and Theatre Monkey. Theatre Monkey also helpfully has a seating plan for every theatre in London, helping you to book the best available seats.
Protect yourself
Finally, it’s worth mentioning that if you’re buying a ticket to the value of £100 or more, it’s a good idea to use your credit card for the purchase. Doing so means that you’ll be protected by Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act which states that your credit card provider will be jointly liable for the purchase – so if something should go wrong, you can claim a refund from your card provider.
It's really important that you feel sure the site you're buying from is legitimate before you commit to a purchase; checking the site is a member of STAR (Society of Ticket Agents and Retailers) will be a good start.
