How to Book Concert and Live Event Tickets Online: The Basics

Tap each step to see exactly how to book tickets for a concert or live event online for the first time.

  1. Create an account and log in

    Sign up and log in on the ticketing site or app before tickets go on sale. Since traffic spikes right when popular events open for booking, it helps to update your account details -- phone number, delivery address, payment method -- ahead of time.

  2. Search for the event you want

    Search by name or browse by category -- concerts, musicals, sports, and more. For events that haven't gone on sale yet, the event page usually lists the exact date and time booking opens.

  3. Choose a date and session

    On the event page, select the date and session, like the afternoon or evening show, you want to attend. For popular events, different sessions can sell out at different times, so it's worth checking a few options.

  4. Choose a seat category and seat

    Pick a seat category -- such as VIP, floor, or upper level -- then select an exact seat from the seating chart. For popular events, available seats can disappear within seconds of the chart loading.

  5. Enter payment details and pay

    Confirm the number of tickets, then pay by card, bank transfer, or another supported method. If you don't complete payment within the time limit, your selected seats are usually released automatically.

  6. Check your booking and mobile ticket

    After payment, check your seat details under your account's booking history, and confirm ahead of time whether the event uses a mobile ticket or in-person will-call pickup.

Getting your account ready matters more than you'd think

For a popular on-sale, the difference between getting a seat and missing out often comes down to preparation rather than luck. Having your account logged in, your payment method saved, and your delivery details current before the clock starts is one of the simplest ways to avoid losing precious seconds when booking opens.

Keep your ticket somewhere you can find it fast

If digging through screenshots to find your mobile ticket on the day of the show sounds familiar, saving tickets to a digital wallet app on your phone means you can pull it up instantly at the door instead of searching your camera roll.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I book on the website or the app?

Both tend to get equally busy the moment tickets go on sale, so it's more useful to check that both start selling at the same time and to use whichever one you're reliably already logged into -- that alone prevents a lot of avoidable mistakes.

What happens if I don't pay within the time limit?

Your selected seats are automatically released back into the pool for other buyers, which means you'll need to start over from seat selection.