The Friday-night concert, the playoff game, the Broadway show everyone is talking about: finding the tickets used to mean standing in line at a box office. Today it means opening a browser, and that is where the trouble starts. Dozens of sites claim to have the best seats, prices change by the hour, and the number on the first screen is rarely the number at checkout. So where should you actually buy event tickets online? This guide walks through every option, what to watch out for, and a simple way to find cheap event tickets without taking a gamble on a shady seller.
The Three Places You Can Buy Event Tickets Online
Official box offices and venue websites
Buying straight from the venue, team, or promoter is the safest route, and it is usually the only place to get tickets at face value on the day they go on sale. The downside is that popular events sell out in minutes, and once they do, the official site has nothing left to offer.
Primary ticket platforms
Large ticketing platforms sell on behalf of venues and promoters. They are convenient and widely trusted, but they often add service and processing fees at the last step of checkout, which can raise the price noticeably.
Resale marketplaces
When an event sells out, or when you want a specific seat, resale marketplaces are where fans sell tickets to other fans. Prices follow demand, so a lower-demand game can be cheaper than face value, while a hot concert can cost much more. Reputable marketplaces offer buyer guarantees, but every marketplace sets its own price and fees, which makes comparison essential.
Why Comparing Ticket Prices Matters
The same seat for the same show can carry different starting prices on different marketplaces. Checking each one by hand is slow, and by the time you finish, the cheap listings may be gone.
That is exactly the problem Ticketsware was built to solve. It is a price comparison site: it collects the starting price each marketplace is advertising for a date, so you can see the number to beat in one place. You then buy on the marketplace you already trust. Ticketsware never takes your payment, never adds a markup, and does not require an account. You can read more on the How It Works page.
How to Find Tickets by Event Type
Concert tickets
Concert demand swings with the artist, the city, and the day of the week. Browse all concert tickets or narrow by genre:
Want a night out right now? Check concerts tonight.
Sports tickets
Football, basketball, baseball, hockey, and soccer all follow the same rule: prices move with team form, the opponent, and how close it is to game day. Start with sports tickets or jump to your league:
Supporting a specific club? Team pages like Dallas Cowboys tickets, Kansas City Chiefs tickets, and Philadelphia Eagles tickets show every upcoming home and away date.
Planning a weekend trip? See sports this weekend
Theater and Broadway tickets
Theater shows have fixed run dates and limited seating, so the best seats go early. Browse theater tickets or look up the biggest names directly:
You can also explore all musicals, ballet, and opera.
Comedy show tickets
Comedy clubs are among the most affordable live events, and small rooms mean you rarely sit far from the stage. Browse comedy tickets or see what is on comedy tonight.
Festivals and family events
Multi-day festivals and family shows are worth booking early. Check festival tickets and family event tickets.
Looking for Tickets in a Specific City?
Location changes everything: venue size, ticket supply, and typical prices. Browse by city to see what is on near you or where you are traveling:
Las Vegas tickets for residencies and headline shows
New York tickets for Broadway, sports and comedy
London tickets for West End theater
Nashville tickets for live music
See the full list on the cities page, or look up a specific venue such as the Sphere.
8 Tips for Buying Event Tickets Online Safely
1. Compare before you buy. Look at starting prices across marketplaces, not just the first site that appears in search.
2. Check the total price. Fees are often added at checkout, so compare the final amount, not the listing price.
3. Use a seller with a buyer guarantee. If an event is canceled or a ticket is invalid, a guarantee protects your money.
4. Be careful with social media sellers. Private sales through DMs or comment threads offer no protection if the ticket turns out to be fake.
5. Pay by credit card. Cards generally offer better dispute options than bank transfers or payment apps.
6. Confirm event details. Check the date, venue, time and section before you pay.
7. Watch the clock. Prices for in-demand events tend to climb as the date gets closer, while less popular events can drop in the final days.
8. Set a budget first. Decide your limit before browsing, so a good seat does not turn into an expensive impulse.
When Is the Best Time to Buy Tickets?
There is no single answer, but a few patterns hold. For high-demand concerts and big games, buying early usually protects you from price spikes. For regular-season sports and smaller shows, waiting until closer to the event can sometimes bring lower prices, though it carries the risk of poor seat choice. If you are flexible on the date, midweek shows are often cheaper than weekends.
How to Find Last-Minute Tickets
Spontaneous plans are easy to make when you can see what is happening today. Use the quick filters for concerts tonight, comedy tonight, and theater this weekend, then compare prices before you commit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the best place to buy event tickets online? There is no single best site. The official box office is safest for face-value tickets, while resale marketplaces help when an event is sold out. The smartest approach is to compare starting prices across marketplaces before you buy.
Are resale tickets legit? Tickets from reputable marketplaces that offer a buyer guarantee are generally safe. Avoid unverified sellers and anyone who asks you to pay outside a protected checkout.
How can I find cheap tickets to concerts and sports games? Compare prices across several marketplaces, stay flexible on dates and seat sections, and consider less in-demand nights. A price comparison tool saves time and shows the lowest starting price in one view.
Does Ticketsware sell tickets? No. Ticketsware is an independent price comparison site. You complete your purchase on the marketplace you choose, and the marketplace sets the final price at checkout.
Do I need an account to use Ticketsware? No. You can search and compare without creating an account.
Final Thoughts
Knowing where to buy event tickets online comes down to two things: choosing a seller you trust and checking more than one price before you pay. Start with the official source, compare resale options when you need to, and always look at the final total. Ready to find your next event? Search by artist, team, or venue on Ticketsware or browse concerts, sports, theater, and comedy to compare prices in seconds.
Ticketsware is an independent price comparison site and is not affiliated with any team, league, venue, or performer. We may earn a commission on purchases made through our links, at no extra cost to you.