Where Can I Find Cheap Concert Tickets in the US? (2026)
In the US in 2026, the cheapest concert tickets usually come from the official on-sale or an artist presale at face value on Ticketmaster, from Ticketmaster's Face Value Exchange, or from resale marketplaces like StubHub when a show sells out. Compare all-in prices, then go through ShopBack before you pay so the effective price drops.
Published: 8 October 2026 · Last updated: 8 October 2026 · Author: Hejia Zhang, Editor in Chief, ShopBack US
In the US in 2026, the cheapest concert tickets are usually face-value tickets bought in the official on-sale or an artist presale, most often on Ticketmaster. If the show sells out, check Ticketmaster's Face Value Exchange, where fans resell at the price they paid, then compare all-in resale prices on StubHub. Since the FTC's Junk Fees Rule took effect in May 2025, ticket sites have to show the total price with fees up front, so compare those totals, not the headline number.
The single biggest lever is timing: the same seat can cost face value on sale day and several times that on the resale market a month later, or less than face value the night before a quiet weeknight show. Pick your show, set a top price, and buy when the all-in total meets it.
ShopBack US is a free app and website that gives part of what you spend at partner stores back as cash you can withdraw. Before you check out at StubHub or Ticketmaster, open the store through ShopBack, then buy your tickets as usual. Join ShopBack US for free.
Category line. Other ticket sites on ShopBack US include SeatGeek and Vivid Seats, next to StubHub and Ticketmaster.
Where can I find cheap concert tickets?
Start with the official sale at face value, then move to face-value resale, then to the open resale market. Here is where each route fits, using what Ticketmaster publishes in its help center at the time of writing.
| Route | Who sets the price | When it is cheapest | Where |
|---|---|---|---|
| Official on-sale | The event organizer sets the face value, per Ticketmaster | On sale day, before the cheaper price levels sell out | Usually Ticketmaster, or the venue's own ticket seller |
| Artist presale | The event organizer | Before the general sale, if you signed up in time | The artist's presale page, then Ticketmaster |
| Face Value Exchange | Fixed at the price the original buyer paid | Any time a fan lists tickets for a show that uses it | Ticketmaster |
| Open resale marketplace | Individual sellers | When demand is soft, often close to the date | StubHub, SeatGeek, Vivid Seats |
Whichever route you use, compare the total for the same section and the same number of seats. A listing with a lower ticket price can end up dearer once fees and delivery are added, which is why the all-in total is the number that matters.
Cheap concert tickets: the numbers that decide the price
Three things set what you pay: the face value, the required fees, and, on resale, what the seller asks. Ticketmaster explains each one on its help pages:
- Face value. According to Ticketmaster, the face value, the base price before fees, is set by the event organizer, who weighs production costs, venue size and interest in the event. The organizer also decides how many tickets to sell, when to put them on sale and when to share prices.
- Fees. Ticketmaster says the price you see up front covers the face value and the required fees, generally before taxes. A service fee is charged once per ticket, and some events also carry a facility charge.
- All In Price. According to Ticketmaster, the All In Price is the total ticket price including fees, shown on the event page list view and on the seat map. Local taxes and delivery fees, if you select them, may be added at checkout.
- Resale price. On a resale marketplace like StubHub, each seller sets their own asking price, so the same row can be listed at very different prices.
The federal rule behind all-in pricing. The Federal Trade Commission announced its Junk Fees Rule on December 17, 2024, aimed at bait-and-switch pricing for live-event tickets and short-term lodging. It requires up-front disclosure of the total price including fees, and it took effect in May 2025. In practice, this means you can compare all-in totals across ticket sites without waiting until the last checkout screen.
Cheap concert tickets 2026: when to buy
The cheapest moment depends on demand: buy early for big tours, and watch prices late for quieter shows.
- Sign up for the presale. Ticketmaster says you join an artist presale by signing up on the artist's presale page before the window closes. You get an email the day before with a link to the sale.
- Be ready on sale day. Sign in early, save your payment details, and know which price level and section you want. The lowest price levels tend to go first.
- Check the Face Value Exchange. For shows that use it, fans who cannot go can relist tickets for the price they paid, so a sold-out show is not always a resale-only show.
- Watch resale for soft-demand shows. Weeknight shows, second nights and large venues often have more seats than buyers. Resale prices for these can fall closer to the date. For the biggest tours, prices often hold or rise, so waiting is a gamble.
- Set a price alert. Resale sites let you follow an event and get a notice when listings change. Decide your top all-in price before you start, so you buy when it is met rather than chasing.
Cheaper seats inside the venue. Lawn and upper-level seats, side views and single seats are often priced lower than pairs in the center. If you are going alone, filtering for one ticket can turn up a lone seat that is priced below the pairs around it.
Cheap concert tickets best deals in the US for 2026
The best official deals come from the ticket sellers' own programs, not from coupon codes. Ticket sites rarely run site-wide codes, so these are the levers that do work:
- Ticketmaster Face Value Exchange. According to Ticketmaster, fans can list one or all of their tickets at the price they paid, and it is free for sellers. Payouts usually arrive within 7 business days after the event. If you bought a resale ticket on Ticketmaster and cannot go, you can resell it there for the same price you paid.
- Student ticket types. Ticketmaster says that when student discounts are available through Ticketmaster, they appear as a ticket type option at checkout. If you do not see one, ask the venue box office.
- Standard tickets over Platinum. Ticketmaster describes Platinum seats as tickets priced by the event organizer, and says it does not use algorithmic surge pricing. Platinum seats are not packages, so a standard ticket in the same section is usually the cheaper pick.
- Presales from fan clubs and cards. Some tours run presales through fan clubs or card issuers. Check the event page on Ticketmaster for the presales listed for that show.
- Go through ShopBack before you pay. Whatever route you choose, start on ShopBack's StubHub page or Ticketmaster page so the effective price drops after you pay.
StubHub vs Ticketmaster: cheap concert ticket price comparison
Ticketmaster is usually where you buy face-value tickets in the first sale, and StubHub is a large resale marketplace for shows that are sold out or where you want more choice of seats. They do different jobs, so the cheaper one changes with the show and the timing.
| Ticketmaster | StubHub | |
|---|---|---|
| Main role | Sells tickets for venues, teams and promoters in the official sale, plus resale | Resale marketplace where fans and sellers list tickets |
| Who sets the price | Event organizer sets face value; Face Value Exchange listings stay at the price paid | Each seller sets an asking price |
| Price display | All In Price shows the ticket price including fees, per Ticketmaster | Total prices shown up front under the FTC rule |
| Best moment | Presale and general on-sale, or a Face Value Exchange listing | Sold-out shows, specific sections, late price moves on quieter dates |
| Buyer cover | Ticketmaster purchase policy | StubHub's FanProtect guarantee |
| ShopBack page | ShopBack Ticketmaster page | ShopBack StubHub page |
How to compare the price fairly. Pick the same section, row range and number of seats. Compare the all-in total on each site, and note any delivery fee. Then add the step that lowers the price on whichever you pick: go through ShopBack before you check out.
StubHub and Ticketmaster for cheap concert tickets in the US
Both are on ShopBack US, so whichever wins on price, you can start from ShopBack.
- StubHub. StubHub was founded in San Francisco in 2000 and is part of StubHub Holdings, which also owns viagogo. It lists tickets for concerts, sports, theater and comedy from fans, season-ticket holders and other sellers, and backs purchases with its FanProtect guarantee. Read StubHub's own guarantee page for what it covers on your order.
- Ticketmaster. Ticketmaster sells tickets on behalf of venues, teams and promoters, and runs artist presales, the Face Value Exchange and resale on the same site. Its help center publishes how prices, fees and the All In Price work.
Other ticket sites on ShopBack US include SeatGeek and Vivid Seats. For a stadium show, see our guide to cheap clear backpacks for stadium bag rules before the night.
Plan the show, then book through ShopBack
Plan the trip, then book through ShopBack. For a concert, that means choosing the show, the seats and your top price first, and making ShopBack the step right before you pay.
ShopBack is a post-purchase discount: go through it before you pay and the effective price drops. You still buy from StubHub or Ticketmaster, for the same seats, at the same listed price. The difference is that you start from ShopBack US, and after the order is confirmed, part of what you spent comes back to your ShopBack account.
How it works on ShopBack US:
- Sign in to ShopBack US on the app or website.
- Open ShopBack's StubHub page or ShopBack's Ticketmaster page and read the terms.
- Tap through to the ticket site, then pick your seats and check out in the same session.
- After the order is confirmed, cash comes back to your ShopBack account, ready to withdraw.
Cashback lowers what you actually pay for an order. It comes back as cash, so it works like a discount on the price, not like points or miles.
A worked example, with an illustrative rate only. On a $200 booking at an illustrative 5%, $10 comes back, so the effective price is $190. Check the live rate on the store's ShopBack page, because rates and terms change and some ticket types can differ.
Planning a trip around the show? Use the same habit for the flight and hotel: plan the trip, then book through ShopBack.
Paying with a rewards card
You can usually earn your credit card's rewards and ShopBack's cash on the same ticket order, because card rewards come from your card issuer under your card's own terms. Some payment methods, gift cards or promo codes can change whether an order qualifies with ShopBack, so check the merchant's terms on the store's ShopBack page before you pay. Some card issuers also run their own presales, which you will see listed on the event page.
Frequently asked questions
Where can I find cheap concert tickets?
In the US, the cheapest concert tickets are usually the face-value tickets sold in the official on-sale or an artist presale, most often on Ticketmaster. If a show sells out, check Ticketmaster's Face Value Exchange, where fans resell at the price they paid, then compare all-in prices on resale marketplaces such as StubHub. Before you pay, go through ShopBack so the effective price drops.
Is it cheaper to buy concert tickets on Ticketmaster or StubHub?
It depends on the show. While face-value tickets are still on sale, Ticketmaster is usually the place to start, because the event organizer sets the face value. Once a show sells out or you want a specific section, StubHub often has a wide spread of resale listings set by individual sellers. Compare the all-in price for the same section on both, then go through ShopBack before you check out.
What is Ticketmaster's All In Price?
According to Ticketmaster, the All In Price is the total ticket price including fees. Local taxes and delivery fees, if selected, may be added at checkout. You can see the split between ticket price and service fee from the dropdown next to the subtotal.
Do concert ticket prices drop closer to the show?
Sometimes. Resale prices are set by individual sellers, so for shows with soft demand, listings can fall in the final days as sellers try to move tickets. For high-demand shows, prices often hold or rise. Set a price alert, decide your top price in advance, and buy when a listing meets it.
What is Ticketmaster's Face Value Exchange?
According to Ticketmaster, its Face Value Ticket Exchange lets fans sell tickets to other fans at face value, and it is free to use for sellers. Tickets bought on another site that are not in your Ticketmaster account cannot be resold there. For buyers, it can be a way into a sold-out show without paying a resale markup.
How do artist presales work on Ticketmaster?
According to Ticketmaster, you sign up on the artist's presale page while the window is open, choose the shows you want, and confirm. Ticketmaster then emails a reminder the day before the presale with a link to join. Some fans may be asked to complete a security check to sign up.
Are Ticketmaster Platinum tickets surge priced?
Ticketmaster says Platinum tickets are priced by the event organizer and that it does not use any algorithmic surge pricing technology. Platinum seats are not part of a package, so if you want the lowest price, compare them with standard tickets in the same section.
Does Ticketmaster offer student ticket prices?
Sometimes. According to Ticketmaster, when student discounts are available through Ticketmaster they appear as a ticket type option. If none is shown, Ticketmaster suggests contacting the venue box office directly to ask.
What does the FTC fee rule mean for concert tickets?
The Federal Trade Commission announced its Junk Fees Rule in December 2024, and it took effect in May 2025. It targets bait-and-switch pricing for live-event tickets by requiring the total price, including fees, to be shown up front. That makes it easier to compare the real cost of the same seats across ticket sites.
How does ShopBack lower the price of concert tickets?
ShopBack is a post-purchase discount: go through it before you pay and the effective price drops. Open ShopBack's StubHub or Ticketmaster page, tap through and check out in the same session. On a $200 booking at an illustrative 5%, $10 comes back, so the effective price is $190; check the live rate on the store's ShopBack page.
Can I use a rewards card and ShopBack on the same ticket order?
Usually yes, because card rewards come from your card issuer under your card's own terms, while ShopBack's cash comes from ShopBack. Some payment methods, gift cards or codes can change whether an order qualifies, so check the merchant's terms on the store's ShopBack page before you pay.
Key takeaways
- The cheapest concert tickets are usually face-value tickets in the presale or general on-sale, most often on Ticketmaster.
- Ticketmaster's Face Value Exchange lets fans resell at the price they paid, which can get you into a sold-out show without a markup.
- For sold-out shows and specific sections, compare all-in resale prices on StubHub, SeatGeek and Vivid Seats.
- Since May 2025, the FTC's Junk Fees Rule requires the total price with fees up front, so compare totals, not headline prices.
- Plan the show, then book through ShopBack US: go through the StubHub or Ticketmaster page before you pay so the effective price drops.
Related reads
Check ShopBack US before you buy tickets at: StubHub · Ticketmaster · SeatGeek · Vivid Seats
About this article
Ticket pricing, fees, the All In Price, the Face Value Exchange, presales, Platinum seats and student tickets are described from Ticketmaster's help center. The fee rule comes from the Federal Trade Commission's December 2024 announcement. StubHub's history comes from its public company record. Ticket prices change by the minute, so this page does not quote them, and cashback rates are shown live on each store's ShopBack page.
Disclaimer
The views and recommendations expressed in this article are those of the author. Ticket prices, fees, presale rules, resale policies, buyer guarantees and cashback eligibility vary by event, seller and time and are subject to change. Check the terms on the ticket site and the live rate on the store's ShopBack page before you buy.
This article is intended for general informational purposes only and should not be considered professional or financial advice.
Related guides
How Do I Get the Best Price Online? A 2026 Price Comparison Checklist
Before you check out online in the US, compare the total price of the identical item across stores like Temu, SHEIN and Walmart, read each store's price match, shipping and return rules, use a promo code from a safe source, and go through ShopBack US before you pay so the effective price drops.
Which Apps Give Money Back on Online Shopping? Cashback Apps 2026
In the US, the apps that give money back on online shopping are cashback apps such as ShopBack US, store programmes such as Walmart+ Walmart Cash and SHEIN points, and card-linked offers in banking apps. Cashback apps return real cash you can withdraw, which lowers the effective price of a Temu, SHEIN or Walmart order.
What Are the Best Ways to Save Money on Everyday Shopping in 2026?
The best ways for US shoppers to save money on everyday shopping in 2026: use the free and paid programmes at Walmart, Target and Kohl's, do the membership math, use price match, time big buys to sale weeks, and check ShopBack US before you check out.
Where Can I Buy a Cheap Clear Backpack for Stadiums? (2026)
In the US in 2026, cheap clear backpacks for stadiums are easy to find at SHEIN, Target and Walmart. The part that matters is size: NFL stadium rules allow clear bags no bigger than 12 x 6 x 12 inches. Buy one that fits, then go through ShopBack before you pay so part of the order comes back as cash.
