10 Types of Tickets You Need to Know & Their Purpose

As event planners, nothing beats the feeling of seeing those coveted words: “sold out.” But how can you exactly achieve this? Gone are the days of one-size-fits-all ticketing. Nowadays, it’s all about giving people options. Whether someone’s on a tight budget or looking for a luxurious experience, event organizers need to cater to everyone.

But figuring all this out can be overwhelming. How do you decide what types of tickets to offer and how to use them? Don’t worry, we’re here to help you skyrocket your ticket sales by offering different ticket options with this comprehensive guide.

Importance of Selling Different Tickets for Events

Offering diverse ticket options is key to attracting a broad audience, whether your event is in-person, virtual, or hybrid. Different tickets cater to varied preferences and budgets, from VIP packages for exclusivity to discounts like early bird and group deals. This maximizes revenue and enhances attendee satisfaction and engagement.

Utilizing user-friendly ticketing tools, such as Event Smart can streamline the purchase process and effectively engage your audience. This approach not only boosts ticket sales but also ensures a successful and well-received event.

10 Different Types of Tickets

1. General Admission Tickets

GA tickets offer entry to events without assigned seating or special privileges. It allows attendees access to main areas on a first-come, first-served basis or they may need to stand throughout the entire event itself. They are straightforward to implement, making them a popular choice for various types of events. With their affordability, they ensure broad accessibility and attract a wide audience.

Advantages of General Admission Ticket

• Simple to Manage: General admission tickets simplify logistical planning. This helps reduce administrative burdens and potential complications during the event.
• Ideal for Large Crowds: These tickets make entry and movement within the venue quick and efficient without requiring detailed seating arrangements.

Events Fit

• Music Events: General admission tickets are ideal for concerts where attendees prioritize enjoying performances over seating.
• Festivals: These tickets are perfect for outdoor events with multiple attractions where attendees move around freely.
• General Public Events: This event ticket is also suitable for community gatherings, fairs, and exhibitions focused on inclusivity and participation.

2. VIP/Luxury Tickets

VIP/Luxury tickets are premium ticket options that offer exclusive perks and benefits beyond general admission. These enhancements make VIP tickets highly desirable for those looking to enjoy the event in luxury and comfort.

Offer perks like special seating, meet-and-greet opportunities, VIP lounges, complimentary food and drinks, dedicated entrances, and premium services.

Advantages

• Higher Revenue per Ticket: VIP/Luxury tickets typically come with a higher price tag, significantly increasing your revenue per attendee. 
• Enhanced Attendee Satisfaction: Offering VIP perks ensures that your high-paying attendees feel valued and appreciated. 
• Brand Differentiation: VIP/Luxury tickets elevate your event by highlighting its premium nature.

Events Fit

• Music Festivals: VIP tickets may include access to front-row seats, backstage passes, or special viewing areas, with premium amenities like private bars or restrooms.
• Corporate Events: These tickets can offer priority seating, networking opportunities with industry leaders, and access to exclusive sessions or receptions at conferences, product launches, or business summits.
• High-Profile Sports Events: VIP tickets for sports events might include access to luxury suites, meet-and-greet sessions with athletes, and premium catering services.

3. Coded Discount Tickets

Coded discount tickets come with promotional codes for reduced prices, distributed through various channels like marketing campaigns and social media. Use them strategically to promote your event and target specific audiences, ensuring clear communication and ease of use. They effectively attract specific audience segments, boost sales, and increase event accessibility.

Advantages

• Increases Accessibility: Discount codes make tickets more affordable, encouraging attendance from price-sensitive individuals and helping to fill your event.
• Encourages Early Purchases: Promotional discounts create urgency, prompting early ticket purchases and securing steady cash flow.
• Boosts Sales During Slow Periods: Discounts during slow sales periods maintain momentum and ensure consistent revenue.
• Targeted Marketing: Distributing discount codes through specific channels targets audience segments like students, residents, or brand followers, increasing the reach to interested attendees.

Events Fit

• Any Event: Coded discount tickets are versatile and are especially beneficial for events looking to boost sales during slow periods or reach new audience segments.
• Promotional Campaigns: Use discount codes in collaboration with media partners, sponsors, or influencers to expand your event’s reach and attract a diverse audience.
• Charity Events: Offer discounts to encourage donations and attendance, making the event more accessible to a wider range of supporters.

4. Group Package Tickets

Group package tickets are discounted bundles specifically for groups attending an event together, providing a cost-effective option to sell tickets and encouraging collective enjoyment. These tickets simplify the purchasing process while also encouraging group attendance, increasing ticket sales, and creating a vibrant event atmosphere.

Advantages

• Higher Attendance: Group package tickets incentivize group attendance, resulting in increased event attendance.
• Increased Revenue: The overall revenue from group sales is higher, making it a lucrative option for event organizers.
• Enhanced Community Building: Group attendance fosters a sense of community among attendees, contributing to a more enjoyable event experience.

Events Fit

• Family-Friendly Events: Group package tickets are ideal for events at theme parks, zoos, or museums, where families can enjoy discounted admission rates.
• Corporate Team-Building Activities: These tickets are perfect for companies as they often purchase group tickets for team-building events, workshops, or seminars.
• Educational Tours: These tickets are also suitable for schools and educational institutions attending field trips, museum visits, or cultural excursions.

5. Earlybird Tickets

Early bird tickets offer discounted prices for attendees who purchase well in advance of the single day of the event. Offer these discounted tickets for a limited time or until a set number of tickets are sold to create urgency. These tickets are essential for stimulating early sales, generating excitement, and establishing a committed attendee base.

Advantages

• Early Revenue: Early bird tickets generate revenue well in advance, improving cash flow and covering initial event costs like venue deposits and marketing expenses. In most cases, early bird ticket revenue can cover up to 80% of your ticket sales.
• Better Planning for Demand: Early ticket sales provide insight into attendance numbers, allowing for accurate planning of venue capacity, staffing, and catering.
• Increased Publicity: Early bird promotions generate interest and word-of-mouth publicity, with attendees likely to share their excitement, further promoting the event.

Events Fit

• Conferences: Early bird tickets attract early registrants, aiding in forecasting attendance and ensuring financial viability.
• Workshops: Early bird tickets secure early participants, allowing organizers to prepare materials more effectively.
• Large-Scale Public Events: Festivals, expos, and large public gatherings can leverage early bird tickets to build anticipation and secure a substantial attendee base.

6. Single or Multiple-Entry Tickets

Single or multiple-entry tickets grant attendees access to the event for either a single entry or multiple entries during its duration. To implement these ticket types, define the ticket type and terms and conditions clearly, such as the number of entries allowed and the duration of validity. They are essential for controlling crowd flow, managing capacity, and providing flexibility to attendees based on their schedules.

Advantages

• Single-entry tickets offer simplicity and ease of tracking attendance.
• Multiple entry tickets provide flexibility and convenience for attendees to come and go as needed.

Events Fit

• Single-entry tickets are suitable for one-time shows, limited-time attractions, and small-scale events where controlling crowd flow is important.
• Multiple entry tickets are ideal for multi-day festivals, conventions, and exhibitions where attendees may want to attend various sessions or activities across different days.

7. Door-Sale Tickets

Door-sale tickets are tickets sold directly at the venue entrance on the day of the event. This allows attendees to purchase tickets at the last minute, providing an opportunity for spontaneous attendance.  According to a survey, if your attendees belong to the younger age groups, prepare at least 20% of your target revenue as they are more likely to purchase either free tickets or last-minute tickets.

Set up a fast and efficient ticket sales booth at the event entrance to avoid delays and long lines. Ensure you have enough staff and resources to handle on-the-spot ticket sales smoothly.

Advantages:

• Increased Flexibility for Attendees: Door-sale tickets accommodate spontaneous attendees, boosting overall attendance.
• Potential for Higher Sales: They attract those who missed pre-sale opportunities, increasing total sales and revenue.
• Enhanced Event Atmosphere: By welcoming last-minute attendees, door-sale tickets enhance the event’s energy and appeal.

Events Fit:

• Local Events: Community gatherings like fairs, markets, and festivals benefit from door-sale tickets as they attract spontaneous attendees.
• Community Fairs: Door-sale tickets appeal to people who decide to join last minute.
• Smaller Concerts: Intimate concerts or local band performances leverage door-sale tickets to capture attendees who decide to attend impulsively.

8. Mobile Tickets

Mobile tickets, accessed via smartphones or tablets, streamline event entry by eliminating physical tickets. Implementing a mobile ticketing system ensures convenient purchasing and validation for attendees and staff, respectively, enhancing efficiency at the entrance. These digital tickets align with modern preferences for convenience and speed.

Advantages

• Convenience: With mobile tickets. there is no risk of losing a physical ticket, and entry can be quick with a simple scan.
• Ease of Distribution and Management: Digital tickets can be distributed instantly and managed through ticketing platforms, simplifying the overall process.
• Eco-Friendly: By eliminating the need for paper tickets, mobile tickets are a more sustainable option.
• Enhanced Security: Mobile tickets can incorporate additional security features such as unique QR codes, which are difficult to duplicate, reducing the risk of fraud.

Events Fit

• Tech-Savvy Events: Mobile tickets are perfect for tech conferences and product launches, aligning with attendees’ tech-savvy nature and offering streamlined entry.
• Concerts: Mobile ticketing expedites entry at music events, suiting the fast-paced environment and handling large crowds effectively.
• Large-Scale Festivals: Large-scale festivals benefit from mobile tickets, managing crowd flow across multiple entry points.

9. Reserved Seating Tickets

Reserved seating tickets designate specific seats for attendees within the event venue, enhancing organization. Integration of a seating chart into the ticketing platform enables seat selection or automatic assignment. Reserved seating ensures order and enhances the attendee experience as it minimizes confusion and guarantees seating for all attendees.

Advantages

• Higher Satisfaction: These tickets reduce attendee stress and enhance their experience as they secure seats beforehand.
• Potential for Tiered Pricing: Reserved seating allows you to implement tiered pricing based on seat location, maximizing revenue potential.
• Orderly Seating: With specific seats assigned, the entry process becomes more streamlined, and reduces seating disputes.
• Enhanced Viewing Experience: By ensuring each attendee has a designated spot, you ensure a better viewing and listening experience for them.

Events Fit

• Theatrical Performances: Reserved seating tickets ensure a clear view of the stage and attendees can enjoy the performance without distractions.
• Sports Events: Designated seating allows fans to secure preferred viewing spots, improving their game experience.
• Formal Ceremonies: Reserved seating maintains order and decorum, ensuring smooth proceedings at award ceremonies and other formal events.

10. All-inclusive Package Tickets

All-inclusive package tickets bundle entry with extras like food, drinks, and VIP services, offering attendees a hassle-free event experience. Create packages with clear inclusions, catering to various budgets, and seamlessly integrate bundled services for smooth execution. These event tickets cater to convenience-seeking attendees, enhance event value, and attract a diverse audience.

Advantages

• Higher Ticket Prices: By bundling additional services with entry, you can justify higher ticket prices, boosting your overall revenue.
• Increased Attendee Satisfaction: Attendees appreciate the convenience and value of having everything included. This can lead to higher satisfaction and a more memorable event experience.
• Streamlined Experience: All-inclusive packages reduce the need for attendees to make multiple purchases during the event, allowing them to enjoy the event.
• Enhanced Perceived Value: Offering bundled services makes attendees feel they are getting more for their money.

Events Fit

• Luxury Events: Exclusive gatherings like galas and upscale dinners benefit from all-inclusive packages, catering for attendees seeking premium experiences.
• Festivals: Music, art, and food festivals can enhance attendees’ satisfaction by offering packages covering access to all performances, meals, drinks, and merchandise.
• Theme Parks: Theme parks often use all-inclusive packages to offer visitors a complete experience, including entry, rides, meals, and souvenirs, elevating the overall experience.

Benefits of Diversifying Tickets for Events

Diversifying ticket options for your event offers a multitude of benefits that contribute to its overall success. Here’s why you should consider offering a variety of ticket types for most events:

Enhanced Customer Experience

Potential attendees feel valued with diverse ticket options as this allows them to choose the experience that best suits their preferences and budget.

Increased Revenue

Offering different ticket options, such as discounted bundles,  VIP,  or all-inclusive packages boosts overall ticket sales and revenue.

Better Crowd Management

Different ticket types can help control crowd flow and capacity, ensuring a smoother and safer event experience.

Targeted Marketing

By offering diverse ticket options, you can tailor your marketing efforts to specific audience segments, such as early bird tickets attract early planners, while VIP packages appeal to high-value customers.

Flexibility and Accessibility

Offering different tickets for events increases accessibility for attendees, for example, allowing them to purchase tickets that are convenient in terms of their schedule, budget, and preferences.

Improved Event Planning

Managing multiple types of tickets for a multi-day event takes work to deal with. Therefore, using a comprehensive ticketing platform like Event Smart streamlines event planning by optimizing ticket sales and attendee management with advanced features and analytics.

Increased Attendance

Diverse ticket options attract a wider audience, increasing the likelihood of reaching attendance goals.

Customer Loyalty and Retention

Providing a range of ticket options and personalized experiences fosters a sense of loyalty among attendees. They are more likely to buy tickets, return for future events, and recommend them to others.

Maximize Ticket Sales with Event Smart

Maximizing ticket sales is essential in today’s competitive event landscape. At Event Smart, we offer the tools and insights you need to streamline event planning, cut costs, and boost your event’s success.

With Event Smart, you can plan unlimited events with zero commission fees—the only lowest-fee ticketing platform you can find. Our platform allows you to focus on creating a remarkable event experience and meeting your goals.

Additionally, you get to enjoy customizable ticketing, integrated marketing tools, real-time analytics, and efficient attendee management. Our user-friendly interface ensures a smooth ticketing process from purchase to check-in.

Take the next step towards efficient and successful events. Start your 14-day free trial with Event Smart today—your path to successful events begins here!