Getting VIP tickets isn’t about luck. It’s about knowing how to ask - and when. Most people think VIP packages are only for celebrities or people who pay double. That’s not true. Venues and promoters often have unsold VIP spots, and they’ll give them to someone who asks the right way. Here’s how to actually get them, without sounding desperate or entitled.
Know what VIP really means
VIP concert packages aren’t all the same. Some just mean better seats. Others include early entry, meet-and-greets, exclusive merch, or even backstage access. Before you ask, figure out what you actually want. Don’t say, ‘I want VIP.’ Say, ‘I’m looking for a package with early entry and a band-signed poster.’ Specificity shows you’ve done your homework.
Look at the artist’s official website. Check their tour page. Most big acts list what’s included in each VIP tier - sometimes with photos. If the artist has a VIP package with a 15-minute meet-and-greet, that’s different from one with a private lounge and free drinks. Know the difference. You’ll sound like someone who’s serious, not just someone who wants to brag.
Start with the official channels
Never start with a scalper or third-party site. They charge 3-5x the face value and often sell fake or non-transferable tickets. The real VIP packages are sold through the artist’s official website, the venue’s box office, or authorized partners like Ticketmaster, Live Nation, or AXS.
When tickets go on sale, VIP packages usually sell out in minutes. But here’s the trick: check back 48-72 hours after the sale. People change plans. They get sick. They lose their credit cards. Venues often re-release unsold VIP spots. Set up alerts on the ticketing site. Refresh the page at 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. local time. That’s when most cancellations happen.
Call the venue box office directly
This is where most people give up - and where you get the edge. Don’t just rely on the website. Call the venue’s box office. Ask for the manager or the VIP coordinator. Say: ‘Hi, I’m really hoping to get a VIP package for [artist] on [date]. I’ve been trying online but everything’s sold out. Do you have any cancellations or leftover inventory?’
They’re not supposed to tell you, but many will. If you sound polite, genuine, and not demanding, they’ll often say, ‘Actually, we have one left - it’s $250, includes front-row seats and a meet-and-greet.’ That’s a deal you won’t find anywhere else.
Pro tip: Call during business hours, Tuesday to Thursday. Mondays and Fridays are too busy. Weekends? Forget it. The staff are dealing with walk-ins and angry fans.
Join the fan club
Most artists have official fan clubs. These aren’t just for merch discounts. They’re your golden ticket to VIP access. Fan club members get first access to VIP packages - sometimes weeks before the public sale. Some even get exclusive drops that never go on sale anywhere else.
Signing up usually costs $50-$100 a year. That’s a bargain if you get one VIP package. Look for the artist’s website. Scroll to the bottom. There’s always a link: ‘Join the Fan Club.’ Sign up early. Use your real name and email. Don’t use a fake account. Venues cross-check names at the door.
Some fan clubs even let you vote on setlists or request songs. That kind of engagement makes you memorable. If you’re active, they might even invite you to a pre-show hangout.
Ask the right way - no begging
If you’re emailing or DMing the artist’s team, don’t say, ‘Please give me VIP tickets, I’ll do anything!’ That’s cringe. It’s also useless.
Instead, say something like: ‘Hi, I’ve been a fan of your music since [album/year]. I’m flying in from [city] to see the show and would love to support you in a bigger way. Do you have any VIP packages available for purchase? I’m happy to pay full price.’
Keep it short. Show you know their work. Mention you’re traveling. That signals you’re a real fan, not a ticket reseller. If they have extras, they’ll reply. If not, they’ll still remember you.
Use social media smartly
Don’t just tweet, ‘I NEED VIP TICKETS!!!’ That gets ignored. But if you post a genuine story - like how you saw them live in 2023 and it changed your life - and tag them with #ArtistNameVIP, you might catch their eye.
Some artists monitor their hashtags. If your post is heartfelt and gets traction, they might DM you a code for a free upgrade. One fan in Auckland got a backstage pass after posting a video of her singing the artist’s song at her wedding. That’s real.
Don’t spam. Don’t tag 10 people. One clean, emotional post is better than 50 angry ones.
Timing matters more than money
People think VIP tickets are about spending more. But timing is everything. If you ask the day before the show, you’re too late. If you ask two weeks before, you’re too early. The sweet spot? Five to ten days before the concert.
That’s when venues start moving unsold inventory. They’ll offer discounts to fill VIP sections. You might get a $500 package for $250. Or a meet-and-greet added for free. Call the box office. Ask: ‘Is there any chance VIP packages are being discounted or bundled?’
Also, check the day of the show. Sometimes, last-minute cancellations happen. Walk into the venue’s box office with cash. Ask: ‘Do you have any VIP tickets left over?’ You’d be surprised how often the answer is yes.
What to do if you get rejected
You’ll get a ‘no’ more than once. That’s normal. Don’t argue. Don’t email again. Don’t post a rant online.
Instead, ask: ‘Is there a waitlist for VIP upgrades?’ Some venues keep a list. If someone cancels, they go down the list. You might get in days later.
Or ask: ‘What’s the best seat I can get without VIP?’ Sometimes, the front row of the general admission section is better than a VIP seat in the back. Don’t assume VIP is always best.
Real examples from real fans
In 2024, a student in Wellington saved for six months to buy a VIP package for Tame Impala’s New Zealand tour. She joined the fan club, called the venue every Tuesday, and finally got a package with front-row seats and a signed guitar pick. Cost? $199. Same package online? $420.
Another fan in Christchurch got backstage access after sending a handwritten letter to the band’s manager. He included a photo of him and his dad at their first concert - 20 years ago. The band sent him a personal note and a free VIP upgrade.
It’s not magic. It’s persistence with respect.
What VIP packages usually include
Here’s what you’re likely to get if you land one:
- Front-row or premium reserved seats
- Early venue entry (often 1-2 hours before doors open)
- Exclusive merch (limited edition shirts, posters, vinyl)
- Meet-and-greet with the band (5-15 minutes)
- Photo opportunity with the artist
- Complimentary drinks or snacks in a VIP lounge
- Priority parking or valet service
- Backstage access (rare, but sometimes included)
Not every package has all of these. Read the fine print. Some ‘VIP’ tickets are just better seats with a $50 surcharge. Don’t overpay for nothing.
Red flags to avoid
Scammers love people who want VIP tickets. Watch out for:
- ‘Guaranteed VIP’ sellers on Facebook Marketplace or Instagram
- Messages from ‘agents’ who ask for a deposit
- Links that look like the official site but have weird URLs
- ‘Last chance’ emails that aren’t from the official ticketing site
Always check the URL. Official sites end in .com, .org, or .nz. No typos. No random numbers. If it feels off, it is.
Never pay with gift cards or cryptocurrency. That’s how you lose money.
Final tip: Be patient, be polite, be persistent
VIP tickets aren’t about having more money. They’re about having the right approach. Most people give up after one try. You won’t. You’ll call. You’ll join the fan club. You’ll show up at the box office. You’ll say ‘thank you’ even if they say no.
That’s the difference between someone who waits for luck - and someone who makes their own opportunity.
Can you get VIP tickets after the concert has sold out?
Yes. Many VIP packages sell out quickly, but venues often hold back a few spots or get cancellations. Call the box office 5-10 days before the show. Check the official site daily. Last-minute cancellations happen - especially 24-48 hours before the concert. Walk-ins with cash sometimes get lucky.
Is it worth joining a fan club just for VIP tickets?
If you plan to see the artist more than once a year, yes. Fan club memberships usually cost $50-$100 and give you early access to VIP packages, exclusive merch, and sometimes even pre-show events. One VIP ticket often pays for the whole year. Plus, you get real perks - like voting on setlists or meeting the band - that you can’t get anywhere else.
Do VIP tickets include parking?
Sometimes. High-end packages at large venues like Spark Arena or Eden Park often include priority parking or valet. But most basic VIP tickets don’t. Always check the package details. If parking matters, call the venue and ask specifically.
Can you resell VIP tickets?
Usually not. Most VIP packages have non-transferable names on the ticket. The venue checks IDs at the door. If your name isn’t on the ticket, you won’t get in - even if you paid full price. Some artists allow transfers through their official portal, but that’s rare. Don’t assume you can resell. Buy only if you plan to go.
What’s the best time of day to call for VIP tickets?
Tuesday to Thursday, between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. local time. That’s when staff are least busy and most likely to have time to check inventory. Avoid Mondays (end-of-week cleanup) and Fridays (ticket rush). Weekends? Don’t bother - most box offices are understaffed.
Sandeepan Gupta
Calling the box office during midweek hours is the real secret. I did this for a Pearl Jam show last year and got front-row VIP for half price because they had a cancellation. No fan club, no luck-just persistence and a polite tone.