Guide 065 min readReviewed 2026-10-02
Tickets: tiers, payment plans, resale, scams
How ticket tiers work, what the FTC fee rule means for the price you see, how payment plans and official resale work, and how to spot a scam. Sourced to the FTC.
On this page
The short version
- Buy from the festival's own site or a resale tool it links to. Nothing else.
- Judge a ticket by the checkout total, not the headline price.
- If a seller wants gift cards, crypto, a payment app or a wire, walk away.
- A screenshot of a ticket is not a ticket.
Tiers, in plain words
Every festival names its tiers differently. They fall into a few groups. Check what is in each one, because the label tells you very little.
| Tier | Usually means | Check |
|---|---|---|
| GA | General admission. The base ticket for the whole event. | Is it all days or one day. Is camping or parking included. Almost always not. |
| GA+ | A step above GA. Typically a few perks like a separate entry line, nicer restrooms or a lounge. | Exactly which perks. They vary, and some are small. |
| VIP | Better views, a separate area, shorter lines, cleaner restrooms, sometimes free water or air-conditioned space. | Where the area is, how big it is, and whether the stage view is actually better. |
| Single-day | One day instead of the full run. | Price per day. Sometimes the weekend pass is cheaper than two single days. |
| Camping, parking, shuttle | Add-ons sold on top of the ticket. | Are they required. Camping passes may sell out on their own schedule. |
Many festivals sell in phases, with a price that goes up as each phase sells out. The earliest phase is usually the cheapest. Waiting for a better deal is a gamble. If you know you are going, buy early.
The price you see is not the price you pay
Sources 1
Since May 12, 2025, the FTC's Rule on Unfair or Deceptive Fees has required sellers of live-event tickets to show the total price up front. That means the maximum total of all mandatory fees. The FTC says a seller can leave out some charges it does not know yet, such as government taxes or optional add-ons, but those must be disclosed before final payment.
In practice, the price on the first page should include the mandatory fees. If you reach checkout and a new fee appears, that is worth a screenshot and a report to the FTC. The FTC says violations can lead to civil penalties of up to $53,088 each.
Each ticket record in our files notes whether fees are included, not included, or not confirmed. We show that label next to every price.
- Breakaway Music Festival2026 · fees not confirmed$75.00
- Wasteland Southern California2027 · fees included$129.99
- Apocalypse: Zombieland2027 · fees included$149.99
- Decadence Arizona2026 · fees not confirmed$151.00
- Freaky Deaky2026 · fees not confirmed$169.00
- Beyond Wonderland Chicago2027 · fees included$169.99
- Countdown NYE2026 · fees included$179.99
- Dreamstate SoCal2026 · fees included$189.99
- Beyond Wonderland at The Gorge2027 · fees included$199.00
- Beyond Wonderland SoCal2027 · fees included$199.98
- Time Warp Los Angeles2026 · fees included$199.99
- HiJinx2026 · fees not confirmed$215.00
- Forbidden Kingdom2027 · fees included$229.00
- Lights All Night2026 · fees included$229.95
- Proper NYE2026 · plus fees$252.33
- Movement Music Festival2027 · plus fees$259.00
- Get Freaky2026 · fees not confirmed$269.52
- Escape Halloween2026 · fees included$269.95
- Boo! Seattle2026 · fees included$292.99
- III Points2026 · fees included$299.00
- Give Thanks Festival2026 · fees included$299.98
- Seismic Dance Event2026 · plus fees$309.99
- EDC Orlando2026 · fees included$314.99
- Decadence Colorado2026 · fees not confirmed$383.64
- Lightning in a Bottle2027 · fees not confirmed$395.00
- EDC Las Vegas2027 · fees included$399.99
- Ultra Music Festival2027 · fees not confirmed$419.26
Recorded snapshots for each festival's next or latest edition, not live quotes. Single-day, parking and camping products are left out. 14 festivals with no recorded full-event GA price: Coachella, Bass Canyon, Skyline LA, Day Trip Festival, Elements Music & Arts Festival, CRSSD Festival, Wakaan Music Festival, Niteharts, Day Trip Festival NorCal, Dancefestopia, Electric Forest, HARD Summer, Lost Lands, Nocturnal Wonderland.
Payment plans
A payment plan splits the ticket into installments, so you pay less now and more later. It is a good way to afford a pricey weekend. It is a bad way to buy something you were not sure about.
- Find out the total with the plan. Some plans add a fee.
- Read what happens if a payment fails. Some plans may cancel the order or block a transfer or refund.
- Put each due date in your calendar the day you sign up.
- If a plan runs through a lender, it is credit with its own terms and its own consequences.
Here is what we recorded for each festival.
27 festivals with a recorded answer
- Boo! Seattle50% down payment option at checkout on most passes; Saturday GA also showed a $40 deposit plan.
Official
OfficialRecorded from the organiser or another primary authority. Check the linked page for changes.
- 3
- Escape HalloweenLayaway available at checkout; a missed payment gets a 10-day grace period before the order is canceled with non-refundable fees.
Official
OfficialRecorded from the organiser or another primary authority. Check the linked page for changes.
- 6
- Freaky DeakyPayment plans at checkout; EDM.com reported deposits starting at $30 when the 2026 edition went on sale.
Official
OfficialRecorded from the organiser or another primary authority. Check the linked page for changes.
- 2
- 10
- Breakaway Music FestivalPayment plans are offered; the official FAQ links to payment plan options at checkout.
Official
OfficialRecorded from the organiser or another primary authority. Check the linked page for changes.
- 5
- Seismic Dance EventPayment plans offered; a festival Facebook post for 9.0 cites plans from $73 down.
Official
OfficialRecorded from the organiser or another primary authority. Check the linked page for changes.
- 11
- Decadence ArizonaPayment plans are managed through your Tixr account.
Official
OfficialRecorded from the organiser or another primary authority. Check the linked page for changes.
- 4
- Decadence ColoradoFour installments of 25% of the full price, with a $15 non-refundable fee; payments fall on the purchase date and then Oct 15, Nov 15 and Dec 15. Available until Dec 14; eight tickets per customer.
Official
OfficialRecorded from the organiser or another primary authority. Check the linked page for changes.
- 4
- HiJinxPayment plans are available for passes.
Official
OfficialRecorded from the organiser or another primary authority. Check the linked page for changes.
- 1
- 4
- Lights All NightPayment plans are offered at checkout; the guide says affordable plans are available.
Official
OfficialRecorded from the organiser or another primary authority. Check the linked page for changes.
- 2
- Countdown NYEA $25 deposit holds a 2-day GA, GA+ or VIP pass on a payment plan; a $5 deposit was promoted at the April 2026 on-sale.
Official
OfficialRecorded from the organiser or another primary authority. Check the linked page for changes.
- 4
- 11
- Proper NYE4-step payment plan available; the festival's Facebook cites $25 down before the Sep 30 cutoff.
Official
OfficialRecorded from the organiser or another primary authority. Check the linked page for changes.
- 4
- 6
- Beyond Wonderland SoCalDeposits from $9.99 hold a 2-day pass, with the balance paid later through Front Gate Tickets.
Official
OfficialRecorded from the organiser or another primary authority. Check the linked page for changes.
- 5
- CoachellaAdvance-sale payment plan: $49 down plus a $55 flat fee, then equal payments through January 2027; available for orders over $100 through May 31, 2026.
Official
OfficialRecorded from the organiser or another primary authority. Check the linked page for changes.
- 3
- Forbidden KingdomLayaway with a $20 deposit on each three-day pass.
Official
OfficialRecorded from the organiser or another primary authority. Check the linked page for changes.
- 1
- 6
- EDC Las VegasLayaway plans are available for all 2027 pass types starting with a $5 deposit.
Reported
ReportedReported by another publication or reference. It is not an organiser confirmation.
- 21
- Lightning in a BottlePayment plans run on the full cart through Tixr: 15% down, no credit check, monthly installments; all plans had to be paid in full by May 3, 2026.
Official
OfficialRecorded from the organiser or another primary authority. Check the linked page for changes.
- 2
- Movement Music FestivalPayment plans: 3-Day GA from $55 down and VIP from $60 down, balance split into monthly payments.
Official
OfficialRecorded from the organiser or another primary authority. Check the linked page for changes.
- 2
- 3
- Beyond Wonderland ChicagoA $5 deposit holds a pass, with the balance paid later through Front Gate Tickets.
Official
OfficialRecorded from the organiser or another primary authority. Check the linked page for changes.
- 5
- Apocalypse: ZombielandLayaway via a deposit (2027 shows an $8.08 deposit on GA and VIP); a missed payment gets a 10-day grace period before the order is canceled with non-refundable fees.
Official
OfficialRecorded from the organiser or another primary authority. Check the linked page for changes.
- 4
- 5
- Beyond Wonderland at The GorgeA $5 deposit holds a pass, with the balance paid later through Front Gate Tickets.
Official
OfficialRecorded from the organiser or another primary authority. Check the linked page for changes.
- 5
- Bass CanyonPNW Pass used a $50 deposit plus 4 equal biweekly payments; a $20 layaway enrollment fee applies, cancellations cost $50, and shipping is $18.56 in the final installment.
Official
OfficialRecorded from the organiser or another primary authority. Check the linked page for changes.
- 8
- Wasteland Southern California2027 passes offer a $9.99 deposit layaway; a missed payment gets a 10-day grace period before cancellation and non-refundable fees.
Official
OfficialRecorded from the organiser or another primary authority. Check the linked page for changes.
- 3
- 5
- III PointsLayaway at checkout: a deposit then split monthly payments. A missed payment gets a limited grace period before the order is canceled with non-refundable fees.
Official
OfficialRecorded from the organiser or another primary authority. Check the linked page for changes.
- 3
- Electric ForestAXS payment plans are selected at checkout; payments are automatic and a missed payment gets a 10-day grace period with up to five retries.
Official
OfficialRecorded from the organiser or another primary authority. Check the linked page for changes.
- 14
- HARD SummerLayaway through Front Gate Tickets; the 2026 one-day launch let buyers start a two-day pass with a $3.10 deposit. Missed payments get a grace period, then the order is canceled and a default fee applies.
Official
OfficialRecorded from the organiser or another primary authority. Check the linked page for changes.
- 2
- 10
- Lost LandsPayment plans with a $50 deposit for orders of $100-$2000; a $20 layaway enrollment fee may apply and cancellations cost $50. Payment plans also cover camping and hotel packages.
Official
OfficialRecorded from the organiser or another primary authority. Check the linked page for changes.
- 10
- Nocturnal WonderlandLayaway is offered at checkout; 2026 passes went on sale with a $0.01 deposit during the Wild Sale, and tickets are limited to four per person.
Reported
ReportedReported by another publication or reference. It is not an organiser confirmation.
- 3
- 8
Not confirmed for 14 festivals:
- Get Freaky
- EDC Orlando
- Dreamstate SoCal
- Give Thanks Festival
- Time Warp Los Angeles
- Ultra Music Festival
- Skyline LA
- Day Trip Festival
- Elements Music & Arts Festival
- CRSSD Festival
- Wakaan Music Festival
- Niteharts
- Day Trip Festival NorCal
- Dancefestopia
Taken from each festival file with its source. Terms change, so read the official page before you rely on them.
Resale and transfers
Sources 2
Plans change. Sometimes you cannot go. Sometimes a friend cannot. Most festivals have a way to sell or transfer a ticket through them. Use that. It checks that the ticket is real and moves your name onto it.
If you consider a third-party reseller, the FTC says to check their policies first. Ask how you will get the ticket, when you will get it, and whether they will help with a replacement or a refund if something goes wrong.
The FTC also says to watch for copycat websites. Fraudsters use paid search results or social media to send people to scam sites that advertise fake tickets or sell the same seat to many people. It adds that someone selling a screenshot is likely a scammer. It wrote that about the World Cup, where tickets live in an app. The same logic fits any event with app or QR tickets.
Our take. Do not buy a ticket from a stranger in a comment section, a story or a direct message. If the price is far below what the official seller charges, assume there is a reason.
27 festivals with a recorded answer
- Boo! SeattleBuy only from Front Gate Tickets or trusted friends; scalper tickets are refused at the gate and not refunded.
Official
OfficialRecorded from the organiser or another primary authority. Check the linked page for changes.
- 4
- Escape HalloweenBuy only from Front Gate or people you trust; scalper tickets are refused at the gate and are not refunded.
Official
OfficialRecorded from the organiser or another primary authority. Check the linked page for changes.
- 6
- Freaky DeakyOfficial verified resale through Tixel; the festival warns that fraudulent wristbands are refused at the door.
Official
OfficialRecorded from the organiser or another primary authority. Check the linked page for changes.
- 2
- EDC OrlandoBuy only from Front Gate Tickets; the FAQ warns that scalper tickets are refused with no refund, and a pass is non-transferable once scanned.
Official
OfficialRecorded from the organiser or another primary authority. Check the linked page for changes.
- 2
- Breakaway Music FestivalNo official resale or transfer service; individual buyers may sell on their own and should change the ticket name and email. Tickets are emailed about two weeks before the festival.
Official
OfficialRecorded from the organiser or another primary authority. Check the linked page for changes.
- 5
- Seismic Dance EventTransfers allowed through the Eventim (formerly See Tickets) Friends and Family system; the festival is not responsible for third-party transfer issues.
Official
OfficialRecorded from the organiser or another primary authority. Check the linked page for changes.
- 5
- Dreamstate SoCalBuy direct from Front Gate only; resale from scalpers is discouraged and illegitimate tickets may be refused without refund. Tickets are not transferable after a scan.
Official
OfficialRecorded from the organiser or another primary authority. Check the linked page for changes.
- 2
- 6
- Lights All NightOfficial fan-to-fan ticket transfer and resale is hosted via Tixel.
Official
OfficialRecorded from the organiser or another primary authority. Check the linked page for changes.
- 3
- Beyond Wonderland SoCalNo official resale program; the official FAQ advises buying resale only from trusted friends and never from scalpers.
Official
OfficialRecorded from the organiser or another primary authority. Check the linked page for changes.
- 4
- Ultra Music FestivalNo official fan-to-fan exchange found; tickets from unauthorized sources are void under the terms.
Official
OfficialRecorded from the organiser or another primary authority. Check the linked page for changes.
- 6
- CoachellaCoachella runs an official waitlist and resale through AXS; the festival will not service, authenticate, or support third-party or scalper passes.
Official
OfficialRecorded from the organiser or another primary authority. Check the linked page for changes.
- 1
- 3
- Forbidden KingdomTickets are non-transferable, and the site warns against scalpers.
Official
OfficialRecorded from the organiser or another primary authority. Check the linked page for changes.
- 3
- EDC Las VegasBuy only from Front Gate Tickets; the festival warns that scalper tickets can be refused with no refund, and passes are non-transferable once scanned.
Official
OfficialRecorded from the organiser or another primary authority. Check the linked page for changes.
- 2
- Movement Music FestivalFan-to-fan resale through Tixel, with price caps and buyer protection.
Official
OfficialRecorded from the organiser or another primary authority. Check the linked page for changes.
- 3
- Apocalypse: ZombielandBuy only from Front Gate; scalper tickets are refused at the gate and not refunded.
Official
OfficialRecorded from the organiser or another primary authority. Check the linked page for changes.
- 5
- Beyond Wonderland at The GorgeNo official resale programme; the official FAQ advises buying resale only from trusted friends and never from scalpers.
Official
OfficialRecorded from the organiser or another primary authority. Check the linked page for changes.
- 4
- Bass CanyonNo official exchange; ticket transfers go through the Front Gate account and the last day to transfer is July 1. The site warns that third-party sellers can scam you with fake or already-scanned tickets.
Official
OfficialRecorded from the organiser or another primary authority. Check the linked page for changes.
- 7
- Wasteland Southern CaliforniaBuy from Front Gate Tickets or trusted friends only; scalper tickets are refused at the gate with no refund.
Official
OfficialRecorded from the organiser or another primary authority. Check the linked page for changes.
- 5
- Elements Music & Arts FestivalTickets can be transferred. Mail the physical wristband and vehicle decal, or start an official transfer in the ticketing platform.
Official
OfficialRecorded from the organiser or another primary authority. Check the linked page for changes.
- 4
- CRSSD FestivalThe venue warns about fake third-party resale tickets and scammers.
Official
OfficialRecorded from the organiser or another primary authority. Check the linked page for changes.
- 5
- Wakaan Music FestivalDo not buy tickets from third-party sites. Counterfeit tickets are refused at the gate with no refund.
Official
OfficialRecorded from the organiser or another primary authority. Check the linked page for changes.
- 3
- NitehartsAn official resale marketplace runs through Ticketmaster Ticket Exchange; wristbands are non-transferable once applied and a $25 replacement fee applies.
Official
OfficialRecorded from the organiser or another primary authority. Check the linked page for changes.
- 1
- 6
- III PointsBuy direct from Front Gate or DICE; illegitimate resale tickets may be voided and are refused at the gate.
Official
OfficialRecorded from the organiser or another primary authority. Check the linked page for changes.
- 3
- 4
- Electric ForestAXS Official Resale is the official resale route; AXS Mobile ID is used for transfers.
Official
OfficialRecorded from the organiser or another primary authority. Check the linked page for changes.
- 3
- HARD SummerNo official resale exchange; Front Gate advises buying resale only from trusted friends and warns that scalped tickets can be refused at the gate with no refund.
Official
OfficialRecorded from the organiser or another primary authority. Check the linked page for changes.
- 2
- Lost LandsThere is no official Lost Lands ticket exchange; groups claiming to be official are scams. Only lostlandsfestival.com and Front Gate Tickets are valid sources.
Official
OfficialRecorded from the organiser or another primary authority. Check the linked page for changes.
- 14
- Nocturnal WonderlandBuy directly from Front Gate Tickets; scalper tickets are refused at the gate with no refund.
Official
OfficialRecorded from the organiser or another primary authority. Check the linked page for changes.
- 8
Not confirmed for 14 festivals:
- Get Freaky
- Give Thanks Festival
- Time Warp Los Angeles
- Decadence Arizona
- Decadence Colorado
- HiJinx
- Countdown NYE
- Proper NYE
- Lightning in a Bottle
- Beyond Wonderland Chicago
- Skyline LA
- Day Trip Festival
- Day Trip Festival NorCal
- Dancefestopia
Taken from each festival file with its source. Terms change, so read the official page before you rely on them.
How ticket scams work
Sources 3
The FTC lists four signs of a scam. All four show up in fake ticket sales.
| Sign from the FTC | What it looks like with tickets |
|---|---|
| They pretend to be from an organization you know | A page that copies the festival's name and look. An account that claims to be the festival's "official resale". |
| They say there is a problem or a prize | "Your order has an issue, verify here." Or "last tickets, just released." |
| They pressure you to act now | "Three left. I have two other buyers. Send it now." |
| They tell you how to pay | The FTC says never pay someone who insists on cryptocurrency, a wire transfer service, a payment app or a gift card. |
The FTC advice is to resist the pressure, because honest businesses give you time. It also says to tell a friend before you do anything else. Talking about it helps you notice a scam. If you were scammed, report it at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
Why tickets sell out so fast
The FTC says some buyers hide their identity to get around a ticket seller's rules. They mask an IP address, use many accounts, or use bots. The goal is to buy many tickets at face value and resell them for more. It reports that it has brought cases against brokers that did this.
The Better Online Ticket Sales Act bans getting around a seller's online security measures, and it bans selling tickets obtained that way. The FTC page describes it as covering event tickets at venues with a seating capacity over 200. We are not lawyers and cannot say how it applies to a given festival.
If you think a broker is breaking the rules, report it to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
Accessible tickets
If you need accessible seating or an access pass, the accessibility guide covers what to ask for and what the ADA says about ticket sales.
Before you pay
- Confirm the seller
Type the festival address yourself. Use the ticket link on that site.
- Read the tier
Which days, which perks, what is not included.
- Check the total
Fees, taxes, delivery. Screenshot the final page.
- Check the rules
Age, ID, refunds, transfers, the name on the ticket.
- Save the receipt
Keep the email and the order number somewhere offline.
Sources
Every page below was fetched and read on the date shown. Pages change, so check the date before you rely on a detail. If a page contradicts this guide, trust the page.
- FTCDon't fumble in the red zone: FTC staff's warning about the new Fees Rule ↗Checked 2026-10-02Business blog dated 2025-05-16. The Fees Rule took effect 2025-05-12.
- FTCHow to make your World Cup experience scam free ↗Checked 2026-10-02Consumer alert dated 2026-03-11. Written for the World Cup. The copycat-site and screenshot advice applies to any event.
- FTCHow To Avoid a Scam ↗Checked 2026-10-02Four signs of a scam, payment methods scammers ask for, ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
- FTCSuccessfully scoring summer concert tickets ↗Checked 2026-10-02Consumer alert dated 2025-06-09. Bots, hidden identities, reporting.
- FTCBetter Online Ticket Sales Act ↗Checked 2026-10-0215 U.S.C. 45c. Applies to venues with seating capacity over 200.