There’s nothing quite like the adrenaline rush you get when your favorite artist announces a tour stop in Manila. As a fangirl myself, I get excited whenever a concert promoter hints at an upcoming concert. Whether it’s a massive K-pop group, a nostalgic OPM act, or an international pop star, the feeling is the same: your heart skips, your fingers tremble a little, and your mind starts spinning with one very real concern: how on earth are you going to score tickets?
The thrill quickly turns into stress once you remember how grueling ticketing day can get. Crashing websites, long virtual queues, and the fear of seeing that dreaded “SOLD OUT” banner can suck the joy out of the whole experience.
Don’t fret! We’ve created this guide to buying concert tickets so you can secure that seat and see your idols live.
What Makes Ticket Sales Tricky
Before we discuss how to buy concert tickets online and onsite, it’s important to understand why it can be challenging.
In an ideal world, buying concert tickets should be easy-breezy. But as we all know, it’s no walk in the park, especially for big acts. I have personally experienced waiting in a long online queue for hours, hoping there would still be seats available in my desired section.
Buying concert tickets often feels like a game of chance at this point. But why? Here are a few reasons:
1. Intense Demand
The bigger the artist, the more fans are trying to get in. That means thousands of people fighting for a limited number of seats at the same exact time. This is particularly true for acts with massive fan bases, including SB19 and BINI locally, and j-hope, BLACKPINK, and LE SSERAFIM in K-pop. For Blackpink alone, the queue reached over 100,000 during the general sale last June 12. This indicates that Filipino fans are eager to see the Blackpink members reunite and perform together live.
2. Website Traffic Overload
Many platforms, even established ones, aren’t always equipped for the volume of users, causing site crashes, glitches, or getting stuck in digital purgatory.
3. Limited Seating
Whether it’s arena shows or open grounds, seat plans can sell out in minutes, sometimes even seconds. Even the Philippine arena, the biggest indoor venue in the country, has a limit.
4. Long Physical Lines
If you’re planning to line up at a mall or venue for tickets, be ready to wait. Hardcore fans sometimes queue up hours (or even the night) before sales open. That means sacrificing sleep, time, and comfort for a shot at that golden ticket.
5. Steep Prices
Let’s be real, concert tickets can get expensive. VIP perks, fan benefits, and resale markups can make tickets feel almost unattainable. But if you can afford it, why not? Concerts are memorable experiences, and they’re almost always worth every penny.
6. No Slot Guarantee
Just because you’re physically present doesn’t mean you’ll walk away with tickets. Some fans have queued up early only to find out that ticket allocations are already gone by the time they reach the counter. The frustration of waiting in line only to go home empty-handed? Brutal.
It’s no wonder buying tickets feels more stressful than fun. But don’t let that scare you. With the right prep and strategy, you can totally turn the odds in your favor.
How to Buy Concert Tickets Online
Here are ticketing tips to help you secure a seat for upcoming concerts in the Philippines in 2025 and beyond:
What to Do Before Ticketing Day
1. Create your account early
Whether sales are happening via Ticketnet, Ticketworld, or SM Tickets, make sure you already have an account set up. Verify your email and save your details before the big day. Chrome’s autofill feature allows users to automatically fill in forms with saved information like passwords, payment details, and addresses. This step alone can save you precious minutes.
2. Read and understand ticketing guidelines
Organizers and ticketing outlets typically release detailed guidelines well in advance. Take note of selling dates and times, accepted payment methods, maximum number of tickets per transaction, seat plans, and prices. Some outlets may also allow ticket transfers as long as you present a letter of authorization.
It’s important to remember that each ticketing outlet has its own set of rules. For example, a crucial part of how to buy SM tickets online is the “one queue for each account” rule. SM Tickets explicitly calls out the use of multiple devices/browsers for a single account and the direct consequence of account suspension.
Our advice? Create multiple accounts using different email addresses to increase your chances of securing tickets. You can also enlist the help of your loved ones and friends who have their own accounts but will not be watching the concert.
3. Know the artist’s ticketing info
Check official pages for presale schedules, seat maps, and fan benefits. Some artists offer exclusive fan club presales—don’t sleep on those! Familiarize yourself with the price tiers so you can decide your max budget ahead of time.
4. Prepare your tech
Perhaps the most important piece of advice we can give about online ticket selling is to use a fast and stable internet connection. Make all purchases on your laptop or desktop for a smoother browsing experience. If you have multiple devices, open them all for better chances.
5. Join communities and threads
Online fan groups on Facebook, X, and Discord are gold mines for real-time tips. These spaces are also great if you ever want to buy or sell a ticket later, but always stay safe and double-check sources when doing so.
What to Do During Ticketing Day
1. Be online at least 30 minutes early
Log in to your ticketing site, load the concert page, and do not refresh unless absolutely necessary. Some sites will place you in a waiting room or queue automatically.
2. Stay calm, but click fast
Once the clock hits go-time and it’s your turn in the queue, seat maps appear and tickets open up. Move quickly but don’t panic. Choose your desired section and check out right away. Don’t waste time comparing options—know what you want before the clock starts.
If your desired seat is no longer available, you can wait for more seats in the same section to open up, but this means you’re wasting precious time and holding up the queue. Ticketing outlets typically give customers 10 minutes max to finish their transactions. Beyond that, you might get kicked out of the queue.
If you’re still undecided for whatever reason, you need to accept the risk you’re taking. I understand that spending money on concerts is a huge financial decision, and it’s not always easy to make.
3. Use autofill tools
Your browser’s autofill or password manager can speed things up. Have your credit/debit card ready or load up your e-wallet in advance.
4. Avoid multitasking
Yes, using multiple tabs or devices can help, but don’t overload your system. Pick one or two and stick with them. Too many open tabs can actually slow you down or crash your browser.
5. Ask for help from loved ones
Ask your loved ones and friends to queue up and purchase tickets for you, regardless of whether they’re watching the concert or not. Their queue number might be higher than yours, which increases their likelihood of securing a seat. Just take note of the maximum number of tickets allowed per transaction. And more importantly, don’t forget to pay them back and say thank you!
What to Do After You’ve Bought the Ticket
1. Save all confirmation emails and screenshots
Right after purchasing, screenshot your order summary and save the confirmation email. It’s your receipt, your proof, your golden ticket.
2. Download or print your e-ticket
Some venues accept mobile e-tickets, while others might ask for printed versions. Always check the promoter’s instructions. If you’re wondering “how to check if my e-ticket is valid?”, concert details are often verified through barcode scanners at entry. You can also check with the ticketing outlet in person or contact their customer service hotline beforehand. Ask them to verify if the e-ticket with the specific details you provide is indeed a valid ticket issued under their system for that particular event and seat.
3. Block your calendar and plan your day
Book your leave (if needed), arrange transportation, and prep your concert OOTD! After the ticket struggle, you deserve to enjoy every second of this show. Packing my bag with all the essentials, including my light stick and photocards, and then completing my look with a full face of makeup and accessories that perfectly match the concert’s theme—that entire process alone makes all the hassle worthwhile!
How to Buy Concert Tickets In Person
Online ticketing isn’t for everyone. If you prefer buying your concert tickets IRL, here’s how to do it like a pro.
1. Visit official ticket outlets
Ticket outlets have physical booths at malls and at the venues. Just check the selling date and be there early. Bring a valid ID and prepare cash or a card for payment.
2. Dress comfy and bring essentials
If you’re lining up early (some fans queue the night before), bring snacks, water, a portable charger, a fan, and something to sit on. Be patient, kind, and courteous to fellow fans and ticket staff. You can also ask a friend to hold your place in line if you need to leave for a while, but make sure you inform those around you to avoid any confusion.
3. Read ticketing guidelines
Know the maximum number of tickets you can buy per transaction/ID. Stick to this limit. If applicable, know the requirements for claiming senior or PWD discounts (e.g., must present valid ID, often only one ticket per ID, the ID holder may need to be present or have an authorization letter).
4. Stay alert and patient
Pay attention to announcements from the ticketing staff regarding availability, queue movement, or changes. Tickets can sell out extremely fast, even in person. Have your backup choices ready and be prepared for the possibility that your desired seats, or even all tickets, might sell out before you reach the counter.
5. Avoid scalpers
No matter how tempting it is and how desperate you might feel about attending the concert, do NOT buy from individuals outside the official outlets claiming to have tickets. These are often fake, duplicate, or overpriced.
If you’re considering purchasing tickets from resellers online, you need to fully understand the potential consequences. You risk losing your money and not gaining entry. Some might be selling legit tickets for valid reasons (keyword: might), but it is generally discouraged to transact with anonymous persons.
Additional Tips Worth Knowing
1. Keep your expectations realistic
For super-hyped shows like K-pop or major international acts, demand always outweighs supply. Even with all the right moves, you may not get your dream seat—and that’s okay. Don’t beat yourself up. You can try again next time.
2. Consider joining pre-sale promos
Some credit card companies offer presale access or early ticketing perks. Sign up for alerts from local organizers, venues, and banks to stay ahead.
3. Consider ticketing assistance
Ticketing assistance typically involves someone attempting to purchase tickets on your behalf under the notion that they have faster internet, multiple devices, specialized tools, or even insider connections. A ticketing assistant will charge a service fee, which can be a flat rate or a percentage of the ticket price, usually only payable if they successfully secure your tickets.
While they can sometimes be effective, they also carry risks. If you really have no choice but to resort to ticketing assistance, here are red flags to watch out for:
- Pressure tactics: “Buy now or lose it all!” “Last ticket!” “I have other buyers waiting!”
- Demanding immediate or untraceable payments: Requests for payment via methods with no buyer protection (e.g., direct bank transfer to a personal account, cryptocurrency, gift cards, or sending money as “friends and family” on e-wallets like PayPal/GCash/Maya)
- Dubious prices: Prices are either too low (usually when it’s close to the concert day and they’re desperate to get a cash grab) or too high
- No verifiable online presence: Newly created accounts, accounts with very few followers/friends, or those with negative reviews
- Refusal to provide concrete proof: Unresponsive to questions, vague about how they’ll secure tickets, refuse to show proof of any kind, or hesitate to provide real-time updates
Ticket Secured!
Buying concert tickets can feel like an extreme sport, but once you’re inside that venue, singing at the top of your lungs with thousands of other fans? Totally worth it. You deserve the music, the memories, and the magic. Remember, the key is to prepare, stay informed, and never underestimate the determination and diskarte of a fangirl!
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