Think about the last time you went to an event where you could just pick your own seat, for you and your friends as well. Maybe it was during your cultural ceremony event, a community awards night, or even a local theatre show. Instead of being split up by assigned rows, the freedom to sit where you want, often alongside family and friends, is what makes a general admission setting so appealing. It’s just as simple and flexible as needed to create a more connected atmosphere.
When planning an event, one of the first decisions organisers need to make is whether to provide general admission tickets or assigned seating. This decision goes beyond the logistics details β it affects how smoothly the event flows, how comfortable the guests feel, and ultimately, how memorable the experience becomes.
In this article, we’ll take a closer look at general admission seating β defining its benefits, challenges, key considerations, and best practices. We’ll also examine where they work best, and one of the best platforms that supports the general admission event.
What is general admission seating?
General admission refers to the ticketing system option where the seats or entry spots are provided on a first-come, first-served basis. The attendees get the freedom to choose where they want to sit or stand. The general admission tickets are usually priced at a lower cost than other ticket levels. The affordability and freedom are what make it a popular choice for an event.
For example, at a music concert, friends and families who came early can head straight to the front of the stage, grab seats together and cheer together as a group. Otherwise, who would love to be scattered throughout the venue, right?
The benefits of general admission seating
For event organisers:
Simplicity
General admission is straightforward. There is no need to assign specific seats or make any detailed seating charts. Organisers just need to arrange the chairs and make sure that there are enough spots.
Flexibility
Organisers can simply adjust the layout of the seating arrangement based on the event size or venue. Suppose, at any event, if there are any unexpected guests, extra rows of chairs can easily be added at the back without disrupting the assigned seating charts.
Speed
As there is no need to direct the attendees to a specific row or seat, the check-in and entry get faster. They can just enter, find their preferred spots and settle in.
Cost-Effective
General admission minimises expenses as it requires less planning and fewer resources to manage. Also, there is no need to create a detailed plan on event seating types or hire additional staff to manage reserve areas.
For attendees:
Freedom
Attendees get the flexibility to select where they want to sit instead of being confined to a pre-assigned spot.
Spontaneity
As the seats aren’t locked, attendees can decide their experience the spot, be it by moving closer to the stage or shifting to a friend’s who came late.
Price
Attendees can purchase general admission tickets at a lower price, making the events more accessible.
The challenges of general admission
For Event organisers:
Crowd control
Managing a large group without assigned seats can be tricky sometimes. When not handled well, it leads to long lines, pushing or overcrowding in particular areas.
Capacity management
Most of the attendees might tend to choose seats close to the stage. As a result, some areas can become overcrowded while others remain empty at the back.
Accessibility
Ensuring accessibility in a general admission setting requires extra planning and resources. As there will be no assigned seats, they need to actively monitor the guests with disabilities or mobility issues.
No-shows
There will be no guarantee that everyone who bought the ticket will attend. Some might not show up or some might arrive late, making it difficult to anticipate seating and crowd distribution in advance.
For Attendees:
Competition
Attendees often have to stand in long queues and long wait times to arrive extra early in order to secure good seats. This can be exhausting even before the event begins.
Separation
There is a high chance of a large group being split up into different sections in case they can’t arrive together or if the venue is already full.
Quality of experience
Attendees might feel that general admission tickets might not offer the same level of comfort or assurance, even if everyone pays the same price.
Key differences between general admission and reserved seating
We can look at a compact table version of the comparison between general admission and reserved seating.
| Key factor | General admission (GA) | Reserved seating |
| Control | Attendees pick their own spot | Organised are in control to assign seats |
| Pricing | Usually comes with a single price | Tiered pricing |
| Experience | Flexible and free | Defined experience |
| Planning | Simple, no detailed logistic arrangement is needed | A bit complex, requires chart and more staff |
| Atmosphere | Creates a lovelier and more communal vibe | Creates more orderly and structured vibe |
General admission:You should use it and when you should not.
General admission seating can be a perfect option, but not for all events. Know when to use it and when to avoid it.
Best for:
- Music concerts and live festivals.
- Comedy shows or small community events.
- Casual gatherings.
- Events on a low budget.
Avoid for:
- Graduation ceremonies are held because the families want to sit together in such events.
- Corporate events or conferences where reserved seating adds professionalism.
- Theatre performances or award nights, as comfort and visibility, are key in such events.
- Events that require guaranteed accessibility seating for guests with mobility challenges.
Best Practices for Managing a General Admission Event
Communicate clearly
The very first step is to make sure that attendees understand that seating or entry is on a first-come, first-served basis. So, provide all the information about arrival times, expected crowd size, and any special arrangements for families, groups, or accessibility needs. As an example, if you are arranging a concert, add a note on the event website and tickets like “General Admission: Arrive early for the best spots” to set expectations and reduce confusion.
Plan the venue layout
Design the event space so that attendees can move efficiently. Clearly Mark all the entrances, exits, aisles, and designated areas for accessibility or VIPs to skip any sort of confusion. If possible, use barriers, signs, or floor markings to guide the attendees. This will keep the crowd organised as well as prevent overcrowding in a particular spot.
Allow early entry
One of the biggest challenges of GA is to handle the rush when the door opens. You can offer early entry to reduce the rush and help attendees secure preferred spots. Suppose, if there are other ticket holders such as VIPs, members or pre-booked groups, you can allow them to enter the venue earlier before you open the gate for general admission. You can even allow attendees to enter by zones to spread the crowd evenly across the venue.
Optimise staging and visibility
Keep in mind that not everyone at general admission events can be close to the stage or performance area, make sure that the stage or performance area is easy to see for everyone, even those who are sitting at the back. For example, you can add large screens or monitors to display live footage of the event. Work on improving audio quality and lighting as well. Design the placements of aisles and seating areas thoughtfully and spread the audience evenly across the venue so that the sights are not blocked.
Ensure safety
Safety should be your top priority. Make sure to implement safety measures like barricades or barriers. Train your staff and security personnel to monitor the crowd, assist guests and respond instantly in case of any emergencies. Place signage towards the evacuation routes to let the attendees exit if needed and make medical support available.
How EventBookings supports general admission events
EventBookings provides organisers with simple yet powerful tools to set up GA tickets. It offers all the flexible features and real-time insights that make this platform a favourite choice for both organisers and guests.
Easy GA ticket setup
Setting up general admission (GA) tickets on EventBookings is simple and easy. Organisers can create tickets in just a few clicks.
- Name the ticket
- Add a description
- Set the price or keep it free and
- Assign capacity limits.
You don’t even need any technical knowledge, as you will be guided step by step.
Multi-tiered GA pricing
There are flexible GA pricing options available. Using EventBookings, you can create multiple pricing tiers such as early bird, VIP, or group tickets. This will allow you to target different segments of your audience so you can cater to different audiences and encourage more bookings.
Mobile check-in and real-time analytics
EventBookings comes with a mobile app called “EventBookings Scan Station” that allows organisers to scan tickets, authenticate attendees and monitor real-time updates in guest activity. The system shows the total number of check-ins as well as prevents duplicate scans while marking guests who are absent. Click here for more details.
FAQs: Quick Answers to Common Questions
General admission tickets usually do not guarantee any particular seat. It fully depends on the venue and event type.
Generally, it is not possible to save any specific seat as the seating is open and first-come, first-served. If saving a seat is important, it is better to check if the event offers assigned seating or VIP options.
GA tickets can include both open seating and standing, whereas in standing room, there are no seats, and attendees need to remain standing throughout the event.
So, leverage tools like EventBookings to manage your GA events with no hassle. Understand the GA seating, make an informed decision and start hosting events of all sizes, from concerts to festivals to conferences.
