Best Time to Buy Concert Tickets in 2026 — A Data-Backed Guide

Do Concert Tickets Get Cheaper Closer to the Date?

Yes, but not always. Our analysis of 307,727 validated concert ticket sales shows that day-of-event tickets have the lowest median price at $99. However, prices actually peak 2-4 weeks before the event at $162. The sweet spots are buying 90+ days early ($139 median) or waiting until the last 1-2 days.

Beyond timing your purchase around the event date, the calendar matters too. Saturday is the cheapest day of the week to buy, and March is the cheapest month, 67% less expensive than peak-season pricing in September.

Finally, these a results are an average and not all concerts follow the same path. We elaborate below in a separate section on how to tell if your event will follow the path less traveled.

Next, we break down the data behind each finding so you can build your own ticket-buying strategy.

How Far in Advance Should You Buy Concert Tickets?

We analyzed over 307,000 sales across 2,292 concert events and grouped them by how many days before the event each sale occurred. The data showed that concert ticket prices follow a curve that starts low, peaks in the middle, and drops sharply as showtime approaches.

Here are the median prices by timing window:

• 90+ days before: $139 (the early-bird sweet spot)
• 60-89 days: $154 (+11% vs. early bird)
• 30-59 days: $160 (+15%)
• 14-29 days: $162 (+17% — the most expensive window)
• 7-13 days: $156 (+12%)
• 3-6 days: $146 (+5%)
• 1-2 days: $134 (-4%)
• Day of event: $99 (-29% — the deepest discount)

Why does this happen? Early on, supply and demand can be volatile. More often than not, the strong demand around on-sale time, competing with a seller's natural desire to liquidate sooner than later, may temporarily cause prices to cool.

As the event gets closer, demand spikes. People finalize plans, buy tickets as gifts, or commit after seeing friends post about the show. That 14-to-29-day window is when many buyers are entering the market while sellers feel less pressure to discount.

Then something flips. In the final days, sellers holding unsold inventory face a hard deadline. A ticket to Saturday's concert is worthless on Sunday. That urgency creates the day-of discount — but it comes with a real trade-off. By then, many sections are sold out and your seat options can be limited. If you are flexible on where you sit, day-of buying can save serious money. If you want a specific section or guaranteed seats together, buying 90+ days out is the smarter move.

What Day of the Week Are Concert Tickets Cheapest?

We also looked at which day of the week you make your purchase — regardless of when the event takes place. There is a measurable difference, though it is smaller than the advance-timing effect.

• Saturday: $190 median (cheapest)
• Sunday: $194
• Friday: $196
• Wednesday: $197
• Monday: $197
• Tuesday: $206
• Thursday: $207 median (most expensive)

The spread between the cheapest and most expensive day is about 9%, or roughly $17. Weekends consistently come in cheaper than midweek. One possible explanation: sellers may adjust pricing for the weekday rush when office workers browse during lunch breaks and after work. Weekend buyers, who are browsing more casually, may encounter slightly less aggressive pricing — or are more willing to shop around across multiple listings.

Is $17 a game-changer? On its own, probably not. But remember that it's an average. In some situations, your savings may be sizable.

What Month Is Cheapest for Concert Tickets?

This is where the biggest savings hide. Monthly pricing swings are dramatic — far larger than day-of-week differences.

• March: $128 median (cheapest)
• April: $145
• February: $148
• January: $150
• December: $167
• July: $176
• June: $176
• May: $181
• October: $203
• August: $208
• November: $214
• September: $217 median (most expensive)

The gap between March and September is striking: $89 per ticket, or about 67%. Late winter and early spring (February through April) is the clear sweet spot for buying. Late summer and fall (August through November) is when prices peak.

This tracks with how the concert industry works. Tours are typically announced in winter and early spring, with presales and initial secondary market listings hitting when demand is still building. By late summer, concert season is in full swing. Buyers are competing for a fixed supply of remaining tickets to shows happening in the next few weeks or months, and sellers price accordingly.

If you are planning to attend summer concerts, the data says to buy your tickets in the spring — not the week before the show.

Key Takeaways

Combining all three dimensions of our analysis, here is your playbook for getting the best price on concert tickets:

• 90+ days before the event could yield the most reliable price. Median: $139, saving 17% vs. the peak window.
• Day-of tickets may offer the deepest discounts (median $99, a 29% savings) but come with limited selection and no guarantee you will get the seats you want.
• Shop on Saturdays. It is the cheapest day of the week to buy, saving about 9% over Thursday.
• Buy in late winter or early spring (February through April). March is the single cheapest month, with a median of $128.
• Avoid the 2-to-4-week-before window. This is when median prices peak at $162 as demand surges and sellers hold firm.

The ideal scenario: spot a concert you want to attend in February or March, buy tickets on a Saturday, and do it 90+ days before the show. That combination puts every pricing factor in your favor.

Our Methodology

This analysis is based on 307,727 sales across 2,292 concert events tracked by SeatData.io between February 2021 and December 2023.

Secondary market only. This analysis covers resale platforms, not primary box office pricing. Primary market tickets (bought directly from venues or promoters) follow different pricing dynamics.

We publish our methodology because we believe transparency builds trust. If you have questions about the data or want to run your own analysis, SeatData.io provides access to historical ticket sales data for thousands of events.