Tickets - What you need to know
As this topic is increasingly receiving more exposure we hope this general guide helps our patrons.
Ticket Allocations
When a show / event is contracted with a Promoter who hires the Arena to stage an event the Arena retains a minimum of 50% of the tickets across all price ranges and areas of the Arena to sell through our Official Ticketing Agency Ticketmaster and our venue Box Office. In many cases we retain up to 70% of tickets. The Promoter then allocates his tickets to various ticket agencies who are normally national bona fide agencies.
Some of these Promoter / Management / Agents allocation may also be earmarked by the Artist to be sold to their Official Fan Clubs or in V.I.P packages involving meet and greets etc or to Auction Sites.
Additionally the Promoter will have to keep tickets for:
1. Press
2. Record Company
3. Various Sponsors
4. Artists Guest List
5. Promoter Guests
Box Office Summer Opening Hours From Saturday 7th May 2011
Monday - Friday: 9.30am - 4pm
Saturday: 9.30am - 12.30pm
Saturday Evening Events - the Box Office will be open all day
Sunday: Closed
Sunday Evening Events - Box Office will be open from 3pm
On event days the Box Office will be open until the main act goes on stage
Ticket Prices
These are set by the Promoter and are determined by many factors. Some include:
1. Maximising income for Artist
2. Comparison with other like Artists
3. Different Regions (London prices can be higher)
4. Cost of Production
5. VAT Currently 20% needs to be included.
6. P.R.S. This is a charge made of 3% of ticket price that goes to the originator of the songs and musicians. Therefore on a £40 ticket, over £9.20 (23%) does not go to the Promoter or towards costs.
On some occasions we are consulted for our views and recommendations however final decision is that of the Promoter.
On Sales
There are an increasing number of pre / priority on sales prior to a General Public on Sale. Some examples of these are:
1. Tour Sponsor
2. Artist Fan Club
3. Promoters V.I.P Club
4. Previous Bookers of Artist
5. Venue Priority Club
Depending on the rate of sales and allocations of these sales will dictate the numbers of tickets for Public on Sale.
We always insist on a good selection still being available for Public on Sale.
Age Groups
All persons require a ticket for admission into the Arena.
1) Ages 0 – 18months
a) We do not recommend this age group to be brought to the Arena for any Concerts or event Children / Family shows where the music or special effects may have a detrimental effect on the childrens hearing.
b) Very few, if any of our shows have this age group as a target and therefore there is no real need to attend.
c) We would strongly recommend that alternative childcare arrangements are put in place to avoid attendance.
d) Any attendance would be on a paid basis (even if sharing a seat with a parent) unless the Promoter of the show applies a concession.
2) Age 18months – 3years
a) We strongly recommend that this age group do not attend Concerts.
b) It is a parental decision if they do.
c) With regard to childrens shows, in general they do set the sound level appropriate to the age group however if in doubt please consult event details on our website or contact the Arena.
d) Any attendance would be on a paid basis (even if sharing a seat with a parent) unless the Promoter of the show applies a concession.
3) Ages 3 and over
a) Parents / Guardians should think hard about bringing young children to certain Concerts and Comedy Events not specifically targeted at children:
i) Live content is very different from sanitized television shows.
ii) Noise levels at live events can be disconcerting to your children.
iii) If it is a busy event young children can get frightened at lots of adults who may be in a party mood and enjoying themselves.
Booking Tickets
Patrons have several choices depending on their preference and circumstances, Internet, Phone, Venue Box Office.
Tickets are offered on a first come first served basis. The internet is very fast however as with various massive Artists such as Take That on sales even the main ticket agencies systems broke down and then some tickets are diverted to other selling mediums. We were selling at the Arena Box Office in person and from an initial allocation of 1,000 we ended up selling nearly 4,000 and those members of public who made an effort to get to the Arena were rewarded.
Conditions of Sale
The promoter and/or Arena operator reserves the right to refuse admission, conduct security searches and make changes to the programme/event if rendered necessary by possible cause.
Tickets cannot be exchanged or monies refunded. It is the responsibility of the ticket holder to ascertain the date and time of any re-arranged event.
The ticket holder is strictly prohibited from bringing cameras, video recorders, recording equipment, food, containers, bottles, or cans into the venue.
The re-selling of tickets for commercial gain or profit except by the arena, Ticketmaster or one of its agents is not permitted and the ticket will become void with the holder being refused entry or ejected.
If you arrive late you may be refused admission until a suitable break in the performance.
Purchase of a ticket does not guarantee 100% view of the event.
Smoking in the venue is prohibited by law.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. I purchased tickets on the day they went on sale and a friend gained better tickets closer to the event or just after I booked.
A1. This can be for many reasons including:
1. When final size of the stage and production is known more seats may be made available for sale.
2. Unsold returns from Promoters and his contractual allocations (identified earlier).
3. During the booking process those tickets chosen are frozen until the booking process is complete. If that patron does not complete the purchase then those tickets come back into the system to be purchased.
Q2. If a show is 'sold out' why are tickets available on the day of the show?
A2. With all shows there are some tickets kept off sale until the stage and production are finally in place on the day of show in case this is larger than indicated. An Artist usually has in their contract that they are allowed a number for their use. Those may not all get used therefore will be released for sale.
Some Promoter ticket agencies may not have sold their total allocation and may return some.
Most of these returns will go on sale around midday on the day of the show.
It is always worth checking Ticketmaster, Evening Chronicle or our Website or listening to Metro Radio.
Q3. Why do we charge for Debit Cards?
A3. With Credit Cards and Debit Cards we are charged by the Banks a % (up to 5%) of the ticket price for the transaction. As the ticket price is the property of the Promoter we have to recover all costs of the Box office Service. We are not a heavily subsidized venue as e.g. City Hall, Theatre Royal who can afford to charge comparable fees.
Questions on Voided Tickets
Whether bought on ebay or through unofficial ticket agencies
Q) I have bought tickets on ebay, what will happen?
A) If we have spotted them selling at more than face value they could be voided and admission at the event refused.
Q) How will I know if they are voided?
A) We publish some of the voided tickets on our website. All initial purchasers are told by letter and told to refund monies to people they have sold to. Whether they will is your risk.
Q) Will I get my money back on voided tickets?
A) That is between you and whoever you purchased from, not us.
Q) I've seen tickets on ebay, should I buy?
A) Our guidance would be that if you want tickets wait till nearer the event. There will be several hundred extra tickets available nearer the event when production, viewing and safety issues are completed. We DO NOT recommend any purchases other than from an official Box Offices.
Q) Who are the Official Box Offices?
A) Direct from Metro Radio Arena's Box Office, On-line, or by phone via ticketmaster (0844 493 6666).
There are also other official agents such as Ticketline, SEE, Aloud, Seatwave, HMV, Viagogo, Eventim, Get Me In, Ticket Factory. (please note some of these sites will have auction sections)
Please contact the Arena if you are unsure if any site to check if it is legitimate on: 08444934567
Q) Is it illegal to re-sell my ticket for a profit?
A) No, it is not illegal but popular public comments are that it is immoral. However in our conditions of sale on the back of our tickets we state 'the re-selling of the ticket for a profit is not allowed'. This allows the genuine patron who cannot attend trying to retrieve the money they paid back.