Stop Ticket Chaos from Draining Your Finances

Ariana Grande and The Weeknd recently announced their major 2026 tours, resulting in millions of UK fans scrambling to secure tickets. With presales attracting much more demand than supply can handle, the ticket war was a success for some and a disappointment for many. 

Due to high demand, My Chemical Romance have released more tickets for their 2026 tour along with the likes of RAYE. David Beckham has also sparked rumours that the Spice Girls may reunite.  In light of this, UK debt advice provider MoneyPlus is urging fans to avoid falling into financial trouble for the sake of a concert ticket.

“Whilst it’s understandable that we can get wrapped up in the excitement of seeing our favourite artists live”, says Michael Mulholland, IVA Pre-Appointment Manager, “it’s important to always pause and ask yourself whether you can afford this. With tickets selling upwards of thousands of pounds through resellers and Buy Now, Pay Later options at checkout encouraging impulse purchases, remember your budget.”

Here, Mulholland reveals how to navigate impulse purchasing in a Ticketmaster war:

Set up a ‘treats pot’ 

This is always a good idea, however if you love festivals or an annual gig, save small regular amounts throughout the year into a dedicated pot for these experiences, which can make them much more affordable. This can also be a dedicated pot for your favourite artist so that when they do tour, you’re ready to splurge. 

Cut short term costs

If you know tickets are coming out in the near future, have a look at where you could save some cash. Do you need that Friday takeaway or a shopping trip over the weekend? Consider skipping some of these luxuries and putting that money aside for your ticket funds.

Avoid upgrades

For many, being there is the most important thing, it doesn’t necessarily matter if you are front row or up in the nosebleeds! VIP packages can be tempting, but are often hundreds of pounds more for merchandise that you won’t use or early entry that isn’t always needed. As long as you are there, it doesn’t matter where you sit.

Don’t use credit

Klarna and other BNPL options might seem appealing when you’re excited about concert tickets. But if you can’t afford them now, you could end up paying more later—long after your concert t-shirt has faded.

Buy safely 

With so many resellers on other ticketing selling platforms or even social media, it is important to always purchase through official ticketing platforms or official resellers. By purchasing through unauthorised resellers, you will often pay a higher price and there is no guarantee that the ticket you purchase is even valid, posing a huge risk.

“We’re not here telling people not to buy tickets to see artists, we just want people to enjoy the long awaited experience without facing a financial hangover afterwards.”

For further support, you can access free, impartial money advice from MoneyHelper.