16 Types of Event Tickets and Why You Should Use Them

As an event organizer, you may often face challenges selling your event tickets – not knowing what stops people from buying them. You try it all – from active marketing efforts to keeping the prices low yet not getting the required traction.

What you need to realize is the role of a well-planned ticketing strategy that helps them sell more tickets easily. Each ticket type can bring different results and revenue for the same event, so knowing which ticket type is the perfect fit for your events becomes essential. 

In this guide, we have discussed 16 types of tickets that you can use to create buzz and increase ticket sales.

Let’s get started.

16 Types of Event Tickets You Should Know About 

Whether you organize music, social & networking, entertainment, performance, sports, community & cultural, educational, corporate, tech & innovation, or art & craft events – we have listed sixteen top common types of tickets that will help you decide the perfect ticket type for your events. 

1. General Admission Tickets

With general admission tickets, you can offer simple and affordable tickets. General admission tickets are a good way to attract a broad range of people and fill your event space.

When to use General Admission Tickets?

General Admission Tickets are best for events open to the general public and don’t require special seating or privileges. These foundational tickets allow you to attract a diverse audience and fill event spaces faster. 

What types of events need general admission tickets?

You can consider general admission tickets for events like

• Music concerts
• Art exhibitions
• Street festivals
• Movie screenings
• Community gatherings

2. VIP or Luxury Tickets

VIP tickets work best when you have special guests or appearances at your events. With VIP tickets, you can provide special treatment like early access, better seats, or meeting the stars. You can charge more for these perks – helping you generate more revenue. 

When to Use VIP or Luxury Tickets? 

VIP or luxury tickets are perfect for events where attendees need more space to network with like-minded people and discuss common interests. A VIP pass lets your attendees feel special and exclusive.  

What Types of Events Need VIP or Luxury Tickets?

Events that often use VIP or luxury tickets are:

• High-end concerts with famous artists
• Exclusive sporting events like the Super Bowl
• Red carpet movie premieres
• VIP parties and galas
• Luxury travel experiences
• Fashion shows and runway events
• Private art exhibitions and auctions
• Special corporate and business conferences

When you list your events on AllEvents, you can offer multiple types of tickets, including VIP or luxury tickets that offer special privileges to the buyers. 

3. Early Bird Tickets

Offering early bird tickets is a perfect way to sell tickets for your events, even before you start preparing for the events. This is a great way to secure cash flow and avoid financial burdens while executing your plans. 

By leveraging early bird tickets, you can offer lower prices to attendees while generating capital to start preparing for the event. 

When to Use Early Bird Tickets?

You should use early bird tickets to boost ticket sales and create excitement for your event, as people tend to trade for lower prices. 

What Type of Events Need Early Bird Tickets? 

Events that benefit from early bird tickets typically include:

• Concerts and music festivals
• Sporting events
• Conferences and seminars
• Theater and live shows
• Trade shows and expos
• Fundraising galas
• Workshops and exclusive tutorials 

4. Coded Discount Tickets

Coded discount tickets are a way to reward loyal customers and partners discreetly. It helps you build stronger relationships with your attendees, as coded discount tickets make them feel special and exclusive. Plus, by using unique codes, you can control who gets the discount and track the effectiveness of your promotions.

When to Use Coded Discount Tickets? 

Coded discount tickets are effective when you want to offer special discounts to specific groups at times like Black Friday sales or Cyber Monday. 

What Type of Events Need Coded Discount Tickets? 

Coded discount tickets are useful for various events where you want to offer special pricing or promotions:

• Online webinars or virtual conferences
• Membership or loyalty program-exclusive events
• Fundraising events for specific groups or organizations
• Limited-time promotions or flash sales
• Pre-launch or beta-testing events
• Events with targeted marketing campaigns

5. Reserved Seating Tickets

When organizing an event with celebrities or special guests, you can offer reserved seats as it allows guests to choose seating near special guests. Offering such tickets makes attendees more likely to attend the show while paying more for their choice of seat. 

When to Use Reserved Seating Tickets? 

Reserved tickets make more sense for events such as theaters, special movie screenings, concerts, and formal dinners where people want comfort and predictability. 

While offering reserved tickets, plan an effective seating arrangement and charge more for premium spots.

What Type of Events Need Reserved Seating Tickets? 

Reserved seating tickets are ideal for events where attendees need designated seats or specific arrangements. For example, 

• Concerts and classic music performances
• Theatrical productions
• Sporting events
• Awards ceremonies
• Graduations and academic ceremonies
• Large conferences and conventions
• Gala dinners and banquets
• Stand-up comedy shows

AllEvents is an ideal platform to host events for reserved seating tickets for a wide variety of events. For example, you can host a popular concert, a Broadway-style play, a major sports game, or even a prestigious business conference that offers guaranteed seats. 

You may also like to read: Types of Event Seating Arrangements.

6. Group Package Tickets

As the name suggests, group package tickets are special deals for big groups. When you are organizing an event that large groups can attend, it’s recommended to offer group packages. Moreover, giving extra discounts on group tickets makes it more attractive for the attendees. 

When to Use Group Package Tickets? 

Using group package tickets to attract larger groups to your event, such as concerts, sports games, and shows that people often attend with friends or family, is ideal. Adding accommodations and benefits for larger groups makes your ticket more desirable.

What Types of Events Need Group Package Tickets? 

Group package tickets are suitable for events like 

• Amusement parks and water park trips
• Team-building activities
• Sporting events
• Concerts and music festivals
• School or educational field trips
• Theater performances
• Tours and sightseeing activities

7. Family Passes

A family pass is a special ticket for families that includes a discount when multiple family members attend an event together. These tickets are highly recommended for family-centric events. 

When to Use Family Pass Tickets? 

Family passes are a great option for events like visiting an amusement park, zoo, or one-day picnics focused on families. 

What Type of Events Need Family Pass Tickets? 

Family pass tickets are good for events such as 

• Family-centric activities
• School or educational field trips
• Theater performances
• Tours and sightseeing activities
• Family reunions

8. Hidden or Invisible Tickets

Moving further, the next type of ticket is a hidden or invisible ticket. These tickets are not openly advertised but are given out selectively to key individuals, sponsors, or influencers. By offering such tickets, you can generate positive word-of-mouth and boost your event’s reputation.

When to Use Hidden or Invisible Tickets? 

Hidden or invisible tickets are used when you want to let certain people in, like sponsors, VIPs, or leaders, without making the tickets widely available. 

What Types of Events Need Hidden or Invisible Tickets? 

Hidden or invisible tickets are typically used for exclusive or private events that require discretion or limited visibility to the general public. These events may include:

• VIP parties
• Invite-only gatherings
• Confidential meetings
• Secret performances or shows
• Private auctions
• Exclusive product launches 
• Classified or sensitive events

9. Themed Promo Code Tickets

You can leverage themed promo code tickets when organizing events for special holidays or seasons like “Valentine’s Day” or “Halloween Parties.”

Having themed promo code tickets is a smart way to customize your ticket offerings and boost ticket sales by tapping into the enthusiasm around specific themes or events.

When to Use Themed Promo Code Tickets? 

It’s recommended to use themed promo code tickets for special occasions, holidays, or interests like Christmas, New Year, or Family Day. 

What Type of Events Need Themed Promo Code Tickets? 

Themed promo code tickets can be effective for a wide range of events, particularly those with a marketing or promotional focus:

• Holiday-themed events
• Seasonal promotions
• Product launches with specific themes
• Themed parties or gatherings
• Festivals with unique themes
• Special anniversary or milestone celebrations
• Costume or cosplay events

AllEvents lets you create and sell themed promo code tickets for any event. You can offer discounts and special deals that go with the event’s theme, making it even more fun.

10. Giveaways Tickets

Giveaway tickets are free tickets you offer to lucky winners through contests, promotions, or partnerships. Giveaway tickets are generally sold to increase the brand awareness of your events or companies and are sponsored by the brands. 

When to Use Giveaway Tickets? 

Use giveaway tickets when you want to create buzz and get exposure for the sponsors and partners. Giveaways can also be used to reward loyal customers or partners as a thank-you gesture. 

What Type of Events Need Giveaway Tickets? 

Giveaway tickets can be used for a wide range of events and situations, including

• Promotional events
• Product launches
• Charity fundraisers
• Local community events 
• Grand openings
• Branding and marketing campaigns
• Non-profit events

11. Members-only Tickets

You can think of members-only tickets when planning an exclusive event for specific groups or communities. It is a perfect way to boost ticket sales, as members feel special and get exclusive access or discounts for your events. 

When to Use Members-Only Tickets? 

Using members-only tickets is best when you want to build a dedicated community or offer special benefits to a specific group of people. 

What Type of Events Need Members-Only Tickets? 

Members-only tickets are suitable for exclusive and restricted events such as: 

• Private club gatherings
• VIP parties
• Professional association meetings
• Restricted seminars and workshops
• Exclusive networking events
• High-end product launches

12. Pay-what-you-can Tickets

The next on the list is pay-what-you-can tickets. It lets attendees choose how much they want to pay for entry within a given range. You should consider this ticket type when you are organizing a charity or an NGO event. 

When to Use Pay-What-You-Can Tickets?  

You can use this ticket type to open your event to a wide range of people, bring people together, or raise money for a good cause. They work well for fundraisers, community events, or art exhibitions. 

What Type of Events Need Pay-What-You-Can Tickets? 

Pay-what-you-can tickets are suitable for events with a flexible pricing approach to accommodate diverse audiences:

• Community fundraisers
• Charitable events
• Independent theater productions
• Art exhibitions and galleries
• Local cultural festivals
• Non-profit organization gatherings
• Educational workshops
• Social awareness campaigns
• Small-scale live performances
• Volunteer-driven events

To see examples of pay-what-you-can tickets, you can go on AllEvents and find a local art gallery offering pay-what-you-can entry to support emerging artists or a charity run hosting a pay-what-you-can registration fee to encourage participation while raising funds for a cause.

13. Virtual Pass:

A Virtual Pass ticket lets people attend your event online from their own computer or device. You should consider offering it because it expands your event audience.

When to Use Virtual Pass Tickets? 

Virtual pass tickets are best when you are organizing online events like live streaming, conferences, and seminars. Virtual tickets can also be used for hybrid events, where people in person and people who are watching from afar can both join. 

What Types of Events Need Virtual Pass Tickets? 

Virtual pass tickets are typically used for events that take place online or provide remote access:

• Webinars and online conferences
• Virtual trade shows and expos
• Live streaming concerts and performances
• Online classes and workshops
• Digital movie premieres
• E-sports tournaments
• Virtual museum tours
• Remote team-building activities

14. One-day and Multi-day Pass Tickets

As the name suggests, a one-day pass is a ticket for a single day of an event, while a multi-day pass covers multiple days. You can use this type of ticketing when you are organizing multi-day events. 

Offering both options makes it easier for people to buy according to their preferences of time and budgeting. Plus, with this type of ticketing, attendees can take full advantage of the event without having to purchase individual tickets for each day.

When Should You Offer One-day and Multi-day Pass Tickets? 

If your event lasts for several days, it’s best to offer one-day and multi-day pass tickets for flexibility and convenience to your attendees. 

What Types of Events Need One-Day and Multi-Day Pass Tickets? 

One-day and Multi-Day Pass Tickets are suitable for a wide range of events, such as

• Multi-day music festivals
• Conferences and conventions
• Trade shows and expos
• Amusement park trips 
• State or county fairs
• Week-long film or art festivals
  

15. Tickets at the Door

“Tickets at the Door” are the best type of tickets when you have planned a last-minute event and don’t have much time to promote and market your event. This ticket type allows attendees to buy tickets when they arrive at the event. 

When Should You Offer “Tickets at the Door” Type?

Use “Tickets at the door” when you expect more walk-in attendees, like for small gatherings or local events. It’s handy for events with uncertain attendance, one-day sales, or for those who decide to join on the day of the event. 

What Types of Events Need Tickets at The Door? 

Events that typically sell tickets at the door without advance purchase include

• Local fairs and carnivals
• Small community gatherings
• Amateur sports games
• Street festivals
• School plays and events
• Informal club meetings
• Neighborhood block parties
• Charity bake sales

16. Time-slot Ticketing

Time-slot ticketing is the perfect ticket type when you sell tickets for specific entry times to your event. You should consider selling time-slot ticketing when you have to handle huge crowds at the event. 

When to Use Time-Slot Ticketing? 

You can use time-slot ticketing for the events happening at museums, theme parks, or exhibitions, as these places have more crowds than general. 

What Type of Events Need Time-Slot Ticketing? 

Time-slot ticketing is ideal for events that require managing visitor flow or capacity control:

• Museums and art exhibitions
• Zoos and wildlife parks
• Theme parks and amusement parks
• Historical sites and landmarks
• Aquariums and botanical gardens
• Escape rooms and interactive experiences
• Guided tours
• Trampoline parks and adventure courses

You can create an event on AllEvents and list your time-slot tickets to get visibility for your event. 

Sell More Tickets and Increase Your Event Revenue with AllEvents

Now that you have knowledge of different types of event ticketing, you should carefully craft a ticketing strategy that helps you sell more tickets faster. Depending on your events, you can choose to have one or more types of tickets for your attendees. 

When you offer tickets based on what your target audience wants, you can make your event more enjoyable and profitable. 

Besides ticketing strategies, using a platform like AllEvents can make your event easier to market with its features like listing, promoting, and selling tickets in one place. There are many more exciting features too, like generating QR codes for your tickets and getting instant payments from the attendees. Explore all that AllEvents has to offer by visiting the platform. 

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