Concert Ticket Guides

A reserved ticket gives you a specific seat. A general-admission ticket admits you to an area without a specific seat, so where you end up depends on arrival time and how the area fills.

Many concerts sell both types at the same event — for example a standing floor with reserved seating in the tiers above.

Venues use different names for their areas. Floor usually means the flat level closest to the stage, which may be seated or standing. A pit is normally a smaller area directly in front of the stage. Lawn or terrace usually describes an open outdoor area at an amphitheatre. Balcony, mezzanine and upper tiers sit above the main level.

Because these names are not standardised, read the listing notes and check the venue's own map for the layout used at your event.

Concert stages are built for the tour, not the building. Production elements such as screens, speaker stacks, catwalks and stage extensions can change which seats have a clear view, and some events are staged in the round.

Listings sometimes flag limited or obstructed views. If sightline certainty matters to you, favour listings with clear notes and check the venue's seating information for that configuration.

Support acts, running order and stage times can change, and doors times differ from performance times. Treat any schedule you see elsewhere as provisional.

Confirm doors and set times with the official event or venue source on the day, especially if you are planning travel or dinner around the show.

Bag size limits, prohibited items, camera rules, re-entry, alcohol service and minimum-age or accompanied-minor rules vary by venue and sometimes by event.

These are set by the venue and the organiser, not by us, so check the venue's published policy for your event date.

Concert tickets are commonly delivered electronically and scanned from a phone. Add them to your wallet or app before you travel, keep your device charged, and expect crowded networks near the venue.

Delivery timing is set by the provider handling your order, and some tickets are released close to the event.

A concert is normally one headline performance at a single venue. A festival is a multi-act, often multi-day event with its own site layout, entry system and rules.

If you are buying for a festival, use our festival guides, because the practical considerations are different.

Weigh four things against your budget: how clearly you can see the stage, how the sound behaves where you sit, how close you want to be, and how much standing you are prepared to do.

There is a genuine trade-off between proximity and perspective: closer seats put you nearer the performers, while seats farther back or more toward the centre can give a wider view of the whole stage and production, depending on the venue and how the stage is set up for that event. Neither is automatically better — the right choice depends on what matters most to you for this particular event.

Accessible and companion seating, step-free access and assistive listening are handled by the venue and availability varies. Confirm your requirement with the venue and the provider before buying.