Is it cheaper to buy concert tickets online or in person? Here's the real cost breakdown

Buying concert tickets online feels easy-click, pay, get the email. But then you see the fees: service charges, processing fees, delivery fees. Suddenly, that $89 ticket costs $142. Meanwhile, your friend swears they got the same ticket at the box office for just $90. Who’s right? And more importantly-is it cheaper to buy concert tickets online or in person?

Online ticketing isn’t just convenient-it’s expensive

Most major ticket platforms like Ticketmaster, SeatGeek, or Eventbrite add fees on top of the face value. These aren’t hidden-they’re right there in the checkout flow. But they’re easy to ignore until you’re at the final step. In New Zealand, it’s common to see fees between 15% and 25% of the ticket price. For a $100 ticket, that’s $15 to $25 extra. Some platforms even charge per-ticket fees, so if you’re buying four tickets, you’re paying four times the service charge.

These fees cover things like payment processing, customer support, and platform maintenance. But here’s the catch: the artist and venue rarely see most of that money. A 2024 report from the New Zealand Music Commission found that in 80% of cases, ticketing platforms kept over 20% of the total revenue from ticket sales. That’s not just a cost to you-it’s money taken out of the artist’s pocket.

Box office tickets: no fees, but not always easy

Buying in person at the venue’s box office means no extra fees. You pay the face value, and that’s it. No service charge. No processing fee. No delivery fee. If the concert is at the Michael Fowler Centre in Wellington, you walk in, hand over cash or card, and walk out with your tickets. Simple.

But here’s the trade-off: you have to be there. For popular shows, that means lining up hours-sometimes days-before tickets go on sale. In 2023, fans camped out overnight outside Spark Arena in Auckland for a Coldplay ticket release. The line started at 4 a.m. and had over 300 people by 7 a.m. That’s time you can’t get back. And if you’re working a 9-to-5, or have kids, or live outside the city, it’s not practical.

Some venues still offer a limited number of tickets for in-person sales only. These are often the best seats-the ones that don’t get snapped up by bots or resellers. But they’re rare. Most venues now sell almost everything online, even if they have a box office open.

What about resale sites? Are they cheaper?

You might think resale sites like StubHub or Viagogo are a way to save money. They’re not. In fact, they’re usually the most expensive option. Resale platforms let sellers mark up prices based on demand. For a popular band like Tame Impala or Lorde, tickets can go for 2x, 3x, or even 5x face value. A $120 ticket might sell for $600 on a resale site.

Some resale sites claim they have “fair pricing” or “price caps,” but those are rarely enforced. A 2025 study by Consumer NZ found that 78% of resale tickets were priced above 150% of the original face value. And if you buy from a private seller on Facebook Marketplace? You risk scams, fake tickets, or being locked out at the door because the barcode doesn’t scan.

When online is actually cheaper

There are exceptions. Sometimes, online is the only way to get a good deal.

• Early bird sales: Artists or promoters often release a small batch of discounted tickets online before the general sale. These are usually gone in minutes, but if you’re set up with an account, saved payment details, and a fast connection, you might snag one.
• Member presales: Fan clubs, credit card loyalty programs, or radio station giveaways sometimes offer exclusive presales. These tickets often come with lower fees or even free delivery.
• Last-minute deals: A few hours before the show, if seats are still unsold, some platforms drop prices. Apps like TodayTix or local equivalents sometimes flash sales for under $50-even for big shows.

These deals don’t happen often, but they do happen. And if you’re flexible with dates or seating, you can save big.

Hidden costs of buying in person

It’s not all free at the box office. You might think you’re saving money, but there are hidden costs:

• Transportation: If you live in Porirua and the concert is in central Wellington, a return bus fare might cost $12. If you drive, parking near the venue can be $20-$30.
• Time: If you’re taking a full day off work to wait in line, that’s lost wages. Even if you’re not paid hourly, time is money.
• Weather: Wellington in June? Rain, wind, cold. Standing outside for hours isn’t just uncomfortable-it’s risky.

These costs add up. If you’re buying a $100 ticket in person, but spending $50 on transport and time, you’re not saving much.

What about group tickets?

Buying for a group changes the math. Online platforms often charge per-ticket fees, so four tickets might mean $80 in fees alone. At the box office, you pay one flat fee-or sometimes none at all. If you’re buying four $90 tickets online, you could be paying $500 total. At the box office? $360.

But here’s the problem: venues rarely hold back group blocks for in-person sales. Most group tickets are sold online through special group sales portals. If you want a table of 8 for a Metallica show, you’ll likely need to go online and register for a group booking. So even for groups, online is often the only practical option.

Real-world example: Tame Impala in Auckland, 2025

Let’s say you want to see Tame Impala at Spark Arena. Face value: $135. Online, with fees: $179. Box office: $135. Sounds like a no-brainer, right?

But the box office only opened 30 minutes before the online sale. By the time you got there, the best seats were gone. You got two $135 tickets in the upper tier-far from the stage. Online, you could’ve picked your exact seats, even if you paid $179. You got a better view. You didn’t wait in line. You didn’t miss work. And you got digital tickets you could forward to a friend.

In this case, the extra $44 was worth it for convenience and choice.

How to save money either way

Here’s what actually works:

1. Sign up for artist newsletters: They often send out presale codes before anyone else.
2. Use cashback apps: Apps like Rakuten or local equivalents sometimes offer 5-10% back on ticket purchases.
3. Buy early, not last-minute: The cheapest tickets are usually the first ones released.
4. Check the venue’s official website: Sometimes they sell tickets directly with lower fees than third-party platforms.
5. Look for local radio or community giveaways: Many stations give away free tickets to listeners.

There’s no perfect system. But if you’re smart, you can avoid the worst fees and still get good seats.

Final verdict: It depends

Is it cheaper to buy concert tickets online or in person? The answer isn’t black and white.

If you want the lowest possible price and don’t mind waiting in line, risking weather, and losing time-go in person. You’ll pay face value and nothing more.

If you want choice, convenience, and the best seats-even if it costs a bit more-online is the way to go. The fees are high, but they’re predictable. And you’re not gambling on whether you’ll get good seats.

For most people, the extra $30-$50 in fees is worth avoiding the stress, the line, and the risk of getting stuck in the back row. But if you’re on a tight budget and have the time, the box office still offers the purest deal.

Bottom line: Don’t assume one method is always cheaper. Check both. Compare. And know what you’re paying for-because sometimes, you’re not just buying a ticket. You’re buying peace of mind.

What to do next

If you’re planning to see a show soon, here’s your quick action plan:

1. Check the official venue website for ticket info.
2. Sign up for the artist’s email list and follow them on social media for presale codes.
3. Compare prices on the official platform and the box office (if available).
4. Use a cashback app if buying online.
5. If you’re buying for a group, look for group sales options online.

There’s no magic trick to avoiding all fees. But with a little planning, you can make smart choices that save you money-and stress.