Buying concert tickets in 2026 is … a lot. You can enter a ticket queue at the exact moment a presale begins and still find yourself with tens of thousands of people in the virtual line ahead of you (ask me how I know, as a proud survivor of the Midwest Princess Tour 2k25).
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It's an unfortunate reality these days that, if you want tickets to a popular event, you're not just competing with other fans — you're battling ticket-scalping bots. And that often means searching for ticket deals on third-party sites after the official platform sells out (often within a few minutes). On these sites, prices can vary wildly and change quickly, resale listings move fast and scams are definitely a thing. Because of that, a few rules help keep you (and your bank account) safe:
In this article: USPECLARE Clear Purse Stadium Transparent Messenger Bag, CURVD Live Stylish High-Fidelity Concert Earplugs and Eargasm High-Fidelity Earplugs with Blue Filters
I've shopped for tickets on all these sites, for arena shows, festivals, last-minute nights out and everything in between. Some are better for certain situations than others, but usually, when I'm looking for a ticket for a hot event, I cycle through all of them to see who has the best deals. Here's what to know.
Viator isn’t a traditional concert ticket marketplace, but it does sell tickets to live events, festivals and experiences. You're more likely to find tickets for international shows and destination events here, but it's reputable, so it's always worth a look.
Viator isn't a marketplace for resellers, so there's less risk of getting scammed. If you're trying to get tickets to an international event, it's an especially useful spot to search.
SeatGeek is usually one of the first stops in my ticket rotation. It aggregates listings from multiple sellers and uses a "deal scoring" system to show how ticket prices compare to similar seats. It also offers a pretty solid guarantee in case of scam tickets, though I've never had to use it, so I can't vouch for support.
The visual seat maps and deal scores make it super easy to see exactly what you're getting and compare values.
If you love sports, you should know about TickPick, which offers great deals on resold gameday tickets (it's the only place I go for Cubs tickets anymore). You can get tickets pretty much up until the gates open, with buyer and best price guarantees.
TickPick has no service fees, so the price you see is the price you pay, which means it often has the best deals, especially at the last minute.
Vivid Seats is a large resale marketplace that tends to have a lot of inventory, especially for popular shows. Purchases are backed by a buyer guarantee that seems solid in writing, but once again, I've never had to use it, so I can't vouch for it in practice.
Rewards, baby. Vivid Seats offers credits toward future tickets for every purchase, which add up if you're a frequent concert-goer like me.
StubHub has been around forever, which means it has a ton of name recognition and one of the largest resale inventories available. That makes it pretty much everyone's go-to for sold-out shows.
StubHub is one of my backups when I strike out everywhere else. It doesn't usually have the best deals, but if I'm desperate to see a show, I will be able to get a ticket here.
Ticketmaster is the primary ticket seller for most major tours and venues. For presales, verified fan drops and face-value tickets, it's unavoidable. For resale, it's an absolute last resort.
I wouldn't, unless I absolutely had to. You won't get scammed on Ticketmaster, since it only allows buying and selling of its own tickets, but you will overpay. Probably by a lot.
USPECLARE Clear Purse Stadium Transparent Messenger Bag
This transparent crossbody bag meets most stadium and arena security requirements while still being large enough for essentials like your phone, wallet and maybe even some merch. Adjustable straps make it comfortable for long shows and festival days.
CURVD Live Stylish High-Fidelity Concert Earplugs
These earplugs reduce sound levels by up to 24 decibels without muffling music quality. They're designed for live events and come with multiple tip sizes and a carrying case.
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Eargasm High-Fidelity Earplugs with Blue Filters
Eargasm earplugs are a longtime favorite for concerts and festivals because of how they lower volume evenly across frequencies, helping preserve sound quality while protecting your ears. They’re reusable and come with a compact case that clips easily to a keychain.
Supergoop! Unseen Sunscreen - SPF 50
This clear, weightless sunscreen works well for outdoor concerts and festivals. It applies invisibly, doubles as a makeup-gripping primer and doesn’t feel greasy or heavy.
Occer 12x25 Compact Binoculars
These compact binoculars are lightweight, easy to focus and small enough to carry into many outdoor venues, making them useful for stadium shows, festivals and amphitheaters where you want a closer view without paying for floor seats.
Prices listed reflect time and date of publication and are subject to change.
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