When Will Ticket Prices Drop on My Event?
We Provide Our Insights on “Will Ticket Prices Drop?” & “When should I buy?” Questions We Get Almost Daily
The age-old questions for every popular event we offer: Will ticket prices go down? When should I buy __ tickets? For many fans, it is a tempting thought to hold off on buying hoping for a price drop closer to the event date. Figuring out what is the best time to buy is not a simple answer for every situation, so we share some the factors that influence ticket prices in hopes to help you make that decision. Our standard advice to every TicketCity customer is buy when you are ready but the information may help you a bit more to know that.
Factors Affecting Ticket Prices
Several key elements determine whether ticket prices will rise, fall, or stay the same:
- Demand: If an event has very high demand, chances are prices will remain steady or maybe even increase. We’re talking about a popular NFL or college football game. That is because there are typically a larger pool of fans also waiting and watching the market. Those same fans are looking to buy and as they continue to do that it keeps the prices steady or pushes them higher.
- Supply: Limited ticket availability can drive prices up. We share on www.TicketCity.com how many tickets are listed on our site which gives you insight into the # of tickets available and even which way that supply is trending.
- Economic Factors: While some will claim that live events are “recession proof” we do see a change in buying patterns based on the economy. Inflation, recessions, and other economic conditions can influence ticket pricing decisions.
- Event Type: The nature of the event plays a role. Huge concerts (think Taylor Swift or Beyonce) are in their own stratosphere because the demand of people wanting to attend will outpace supply. Popular teams also have huge fan bases that want to see them play, so that keeps demand up.
When Might Prices Drop?
While not guaranteed, there are instances when ticket prices might decrease:
- Last-minute deals: Almost 30% of tickets today on the secondary market sell within 48 hours of the event, so there is always robust sales late but that is often when ticket prices may come down.
- Overpriced primary market tickets (i.e.- face value is too high): If tickets are initially priced too high which happens way more often now post-Covid you will often see that fans are not buying for that show. That trend can send those ticket prices down sometimes even below the original face value.
- Life Situations: A popular player gets injured and prices will go down (e.g.- Aaron Rodgers in 1st game for Jets in 2023). Poor weather for an outdoor event can send prices down, even at bell weather events like The Masters. Even tough economic times can dissuade buyers and produce favorable prices for fans.
Tips for Buying Tickets
If you’re hoping to score a deal on tickets, consider these strategies:
- Shop at TicketCity: we offer very reasonably priced tickets compared to other secondary market ticket sites. Our overhead is lower and we’re not spending insane dollars on marketing like our competitors, which allows us to keep our prices lower for you.
- Be flexible with your dates: If possible, consider attending on a less popular night or day to potentially find lower prices. Everyone wants to see Yankees vs Red Sox, but a midweek game at Fenway versus less popular team is always more economical decision when buying tickets.
- Set a budget: Determine how much you’re willing to spend upfront and stick to it. We typically offer tickets to meet all budgets, but certain events may not fit that pattern. Know what you want to spend and stick to it. If the event you want is priced too high, then try a different event.
Ultimately, whether ticket prices will drop for a specific event depends on a variety of factors. While it’s tempting to wait for a price decrease, there’s also a risk of missing out on the event altogether. We have countless stories of when fans came to us last-minute as they were expecting ticket prices to drop and they did not. If the game or show is worth it to you, then find tickets that work and get them secured so you do not risk a last-minute shutout. Weigh the pros and cons carefully before making your decision, we never want any customer to buy from TicketCity until they are sure they are ready to buy tickets.