TicketAmerica Blog

Have you ever asked someone how they got their tickets?  This article reveals the different methods on finding out when events go on sale, how fans get tickets to sold out shows, and how fans get upfront tickets to their favorite shows.

As a ticket broker, I’ve had tons of people ask me, “How do you get your tickets?”, and a few years ago I would be reluctant to reveal my sources.  Since the evolution of the internet and the fierce competition that it has brought on, I find it better to inform people on some tricks on just how to get valuable, upfront seating.  First, I will start with ticket onsales.  You must know when a show is going onsale before you can even have a chance at obtaining good tickets.  Ticketmaster is probably the largest primary ticket seller to most events and you’ll want to get updates from this company. There are two methods to get these updates.  The first is that you can simply log on to their website and sign up to get upcoming events emailed to you.  The second is that since most onsales occur on Saturday mornings, you can check their homepage every Friday for any information pertaining.  Another recent source of onsale information, comes from Livenation.  Like ticketmaster, they have become a primary seller of tickets in which they also feature a newsletter that fans can sign up for as well.

Now that you know when tickets are going onsale, it’s time for the hard part, getting good tickets or getting any tickets for that matter.  The Neanderthal days of going to a ticketmaster outlet and getting tickets is almost all but over.  For example, in the city of my hometown, Chicago, ticketmaster outlets are located at places such as Carson Pirie Scott, and a few remaining record stores.  When you go there on Saturday morning to buy tickets they will always throw a lottery, usually by a security guard.  Whoever wins the lottery is the first person to buy tickets, and every number after the winning one lines up in order.  Now if you think your going to have a chance at winning the lottery, think again.  Please don’t be upset with me, I’m just trying to be informative.  Remember, our current President was re-elected this way as well.  Anyway,  due to all of the internet presales I no longer use this method in that good tickets rarely come up.

Internet presales and fan clubs are also able methods of obtaining tickets as well.  Usually with a presale, you have to join your favorite performer’s fan club.  You can do this by typing your band’s name followed by “fan club”, into google.  By now most performers have a fan club, so a successful search should come up, but expect to pay a fee to join.  Once you join their fan club, they will usually email concert updates along with passwords to buy tickets.   Limited tickets are released during these presales so make sure that your ready to buy at the onset of the presale.  Personally, I have been successful at some presales, but I have come up empty during most of them.  It has been suggested that fee based fan clubs are just another money making scheme in the ticket industry, and again from my experience, I would agree.

Another primary way of obtaining tickets, especially to your favorite sports team, is to get season tickets.  Depending on the sport this method can get pretty expensive.  For example, the Chicago Cubs offer different season ticket plans, and generally the larger the ticket plan, the better your seats will be. Again, this method can get pricey.

If you’ve tried all of the methods above but have come up short, than your next option would be the secondary market.  Ebay, Stubhub, and TicketAmerica are just to name a few.  I won’t go into Ebay that much, but I will simply say that tickets go to the highest bidder.  Stubhub on the other hand likes to portray itself as “Fans selling unused tickets to other fans”, which is only somewhat true.  Sure there are fans selling tickets that they cannot use, but there are a lot of ticket brokers and ticket resellers that list on Stubhub. I have been listing my tickets on Stubhub for almost three years.  Furthermore Stubhub marks up each ticket 30 percent, 15 charged to the seller and 15 charged to the buyer.  When brokers put there tickets on Stubhub, a common practice will be for the broker to price his tickets higher on Stubhub, than his own website to make up for the difference.   Going through a ticket broker such as TicketAmerica is another option.  As with most ticket brokers, this company is linked to various other ticket brokers.  This is why you will see their ticket inventory posted on several other ticket websites.  Going through ticket brokers can be pricey, but it saves a heck of a lot of time and aggravation.

The internet has really changed the ticket industry, and it can seem like an endless maze trying to obtain your favorite tickets.  Hopefully this article can shed some light and get you in the front row!

Gary Ketchum
CEO TicketAmerica

Are you planning to attend a Chicago Cubs game anytime soon?  Though just about any seat at Wrigley Field is a good one,  here is a guide to help you in your decision.  I will give each section a rating from 1 to 5 stars that will further gauge each location.

I.  Upper Deck Seating
     A.  Includes sections 503-538
     B.  There are 9 rows total in the upper deck
     C.  Upper deck rating:  3 Stars

Compared to many Major League ballparks, Wrigley Field in one of the smallest which makes it’s upper deck section not so bad.  For starters, the prices for these seats are usually the cheapest, especially if you choose to sit in the far corners.  As common sense would tell you, the closer you sit to the diamond, the better, so keep that in mind when deciding.  The upper deck really gives you a Birdseye view of the entire field and every play is easily seen.  The third base side of the upper deck has a good and bad aspect to it.  The good aspect is that a fan can keep cooler if the weather is warm and the breeze is coming off of Lake Michigan.  You’ll also get a view of the many sailboats as well.  The bad aspect is if it’s late in the season and the wind starts blowing in from the lake, those seats can become quite frigid.  The entire upper deck has a canopy overhead so it does give relief on hot sunny days or during rain delays.  Furthermore as with any canopy, there are support posts.  Good thing is that these poles are smaller in diameter compared to the terrace reserve, and the obstruction isn’t bad.  As far as food and drinks, walking vendors are in abundance and if you need a break from the game, there is also a food patio court that is located in the upper deck that is behind home plate.  You can view the downtown area from this patio and also purchase food and drinks here as well. 

II.  Upper Deck Box Seating
     A.  Includes section 401-437
     B.  There are 10 rows total in the upper deck box section
     C.  Upper deck box rating:  3 1/2  Stars 

Upper deck box seating are closer to the field than upper deck.  These seats are more expensive, and depending on the section and row, can be just as expensive as a terrace box.  The best upper deck boxes are between the bases and 1st row is a real treat.  These sections have access to numerous foul balls and give fans a close view of the press box.  There are no overhead canopies for sun and wind protection, but that also means no obstructions!  Fans sitting in these seats have the same access to food and beverage vendors as well.

III.  Terrace Level Seating
      A.  Includes section 201-240
      B.  There are 23 rows in the terrace level section
      C.  Terrace level rating:  3 Stars

The terrace level section is considered field level and is located under both upper deck sections.  Depending on the location, these seats usually cost the same as an upper deck box.  The view is good from these seats especially in sections that are between the bases.  Even the highest row of the terrace offers a full view of the field, but you will miss pop-fly balls.  A draw back of the terrace level sections is the obstructions. Any seat behind the 5th row may have a possibility of this, but there are remedies in place.  TV monitors and scoreboards have been placed in various locations above the terrace seats to keep fans updated on the action.  Though obstructions can be a problem in the terrace, there are many seats where there are no obstructions.  Because may seats are not marked limited view, it is a good idea to inquire about obstructions before you obtain them.  Like the upper deck seating,  the terrace offers shelter from the hot sun and the rain delays, and food and beverage vendors are plentiful.

IV.  Terrace Box Seating
      A.  Includes section 201-240
      B.  There are 5 Rows in the terrace box section
      C.  Terrace box rating:  3 1/2 Stars

The terrace box sections consist of the first five rows of the terrace section.  These seats are almost identical to upper deck box, in that the cost is usually the same, and the seats have a full view of Wrigley Field.  You can expect to have a chance at foul balls, sunlight, and rain.  The first row of the terrace box allows for some great people watching as well.

V.  Field Box Seating
     A.  Includes section 110-134
     B.  There are 15 rows in the field box sections
     C.  Field box rating:  4 Stars

Field box sections are great.  These seats can get expensive, but they are close to the action.  Fans can expect to have full views of the entire field, sun, moon, and sky.  These seats can get peppered with foul balls, so fans have to pay attention to the game.  The sections between the bases are the best and during select Cubs games, these sections get a great view and throwback sound of a trumpet, trombone, and clarinet trio as well.  The trio plays 1920’s era melodies that remind you of how long Wrigley Field has been around.  Of course, there are plenty of food and beverage vendors as well.

VI.  Club Box Seating
       A.  Includes section 3-36
       B.  There are 10 rows in the club box sections
       C.  Club box rating:  5 Stars

Club box seating are considered the crème del a crème sections at Wrigley Field.  These sections command some of the most hefty prices but if you want to see the color of a Cubs player’s eyes, than these are the seats for you.  As with field boxes, these seats not only get peppered with foul balls, but with broken bats as well.  Also, players always throw a baseball into the club sections behind the dugouts at the end of every inning, so be ready.  Another aspect of the club sections are the Birdseye views of the bullpens. These sections are located down the line, directly in front of sections 7 and 8 for the Chicago Cubs, and sections 34 and 35 for the visiting team.  These sections allow fans to watch pitchers warm up during the game.  Again,  food and beverage vendors are everywhere.

VII.  Bleachers
       A.  Includes all sections between foul poles
       B.  Bleachers are all General Admission bench seating
       C.  Bleacher rating: 3 to 5 Stars

Some people love the bleachers and some don’t.  If your in the mood to get a tan, get drunk, or check out some fellow scenery, then the bleachers are for you. Depending on who the Chicago Cubs are playing, the bleachers can get expensive, especially on Saturdays.  These sections offer a great view of Wrigley Field but sometimes you can’t follow the ball while it’s in play.  Of course a great aspect of the bleachers is the possibility of a home run ball.  Careful though?, Cubs fans expect you to throw it back onto the field if the home run was hit by the opposing team.

So there you have it!  There are an array of choices for seating to see the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field.  Whether you sit high up, underneath, or close to the action, your sure to have a great time at the friendly confines!

Gary Ketchum
CEO TicketAmerica.com

Midway through their North American tour, The Police made a stop in the city of Chicago for two nights on July 5th and 6th.  Most concerts that have come through the windy city have usually played at the likes of places such as the United Center, First Midwest Amphitheatre, or Soldiers Field.   With the exception of Jimmy Buffett in 2006, Wrigley Field has had limited if any other concerts performed there, so it was intriguing to hear that this 80’s super group chose to play in the friendly confines.  The combo of growing up as a teenage Police fan in the 80’s and being an avid Wrigley Field fan as well, made this show  a must to see!

The show started around 7PM and  my seats were located in terrace section 220 about halfway up.  Even though it seemed that I was far away, the seats were perfect, in that they were dead center behind home plate, with no obstructions!  The stage was straight away in centerfield, and had a collage of big screens and lights behind and around.  The club and field boxes directly below us were appropriately roped off due to possible obstructions from various structures on the field.  Like Chicago Cubs games, there were the familiar sounds of beer vendors walking around and advertising what they had to sell.  At first I was worried that these vendors might be a distraction, but they did vanish once the music began.  The opening act was called “Fiction Plane”, and as they played  I noticed that the lead singer sounded a lot like Police front man, Sting.  Low and behold I found out later that the singer was actually Sting’s son.  I never heard of this group so just as most in the crowd, I gabbed away with fellow Police fans as I listened.  Just to say something , the group was tight and provided an enjoyable background sound to my conversations.

At about 8:15, the moment came.  With most fans in their seats, a large roar from the crowd applauded, as Stewart Copeland, Andy Summers, and Sting finally took the stage together.  For being in their 50’s the trio looked great as they waved and smiled out to the crowd that so anxiously awaited their reunion.    The group opened up with “Message in a Bottle”, and everyone was on there feet.  More songs followed such as “Synchronicity II”,  “Walking on the Moon”, “Voices Inside My Head”, and “Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic”.  Overall most of the songs were played perfectly, but there were a couple that seemed flat.  In the 80’s, The Police put out two versions of “Down Stand so Close to Me”, neither of which did they emulate.  Sting never hit the high notes in the chorus that defined both versions, which made the song seem out of key.  In “Wrapped Around Your Finger”, Sting alone, sang the chorus.  Over the last 25 years, listening to that song a thousand times, it was almost the equivalent of Sting the teacher, standing in his classroom and running his finger nails down the chalkboard.

 Again except for a couple of hiccups, the band was great.  Summers guitar rifts were right on, Copeland’s beats were forceful and explanatory as always, and Sting worked the crowd with plenty of ohh-ee-ohhs.  The big screens added to a great visual effect and the sound was excellent.  The combo of seeing The Police at Wrigley Field was definitely an enjoyable experience!

Gary Ketchum
CEO TicketAmerica.com