So, You’re Curious About Pit
This FAQ was requested by some blog followers who wanted to know about the pit experience.
So far in the RED Tour I have been in the pit twice. I am by no means an expert but I do have a few suggestions, as well as some answers to questions people asked about pit.
So, here we go:
1) How much does a pit ticket cost?
Through Taylor Connect each pit ticket costs $154 (and you must have been a member of Taylor Connect since Feb. 22). If you buy them from a scalper, I guarantee it will be more. A lot more.
2) How do you get pit tickets?
There are two ways to get pit. The right way and the not so smart way.
The right way: For the RED Tour, Taylor Connect gave an opportunity to its members to buy pit. They sent out a email at the beginning of March inquiring which show pit tickets were required for. If you were then selected, about two to four weeks before your requested show, you received an email containing a unique code that allowed you to purchase the tickets. Clicking the link in the email took you to your Taylor Connect page, where the code was entered. You were asked how many tickets you needed and how you’d pay for them. You had 24 hours from the time you got the email with your code to place your order.
The not so smart way: Buy pit tickets from scalpers, Stubhub or Craig’s List. Although I did this for the Speak Now Tour, I do not recommend it. You will be ripped off, either by paying something outrageous or the tickets will not be legit.
3) If you filled out a pit email, are you guaranteed to get pit tickets?
No, you are not. There are only 250 pit tickets for each show. Remember: you have only 24 hours to confirm and buy your tickets if you are picked. But, even with an email, it’s all on a first-come first-served basis. If you get a pit ticket email respond quickly, or they’ll be gone.
4) If I don’t get a email, does it mean I can’t get pit?
Not necessarily. Not every show sells every pit ticket it sends out. The first few shows they put the extras on Ticketmaster for anyone to buy. Taylor Connect then learned that scalpers were getting ahold of the Ticketmaster pit tickets and decided to send emails to people who didn’t belong to Taylor Connect but had requested to be on a certain city’s pre-sale mailing list. If you get one of these, the process of pit ticket buying is the same as above.
5) How many pit tickets can you buy?
Taylor Connect allows you to buy up to two pit tickets.
6) How do you get the actual pit tickets?
The tickets are not delivered to the venue’s box office until 4:30pm on the day of the concert. You will require the credit card used to purchase the tickets as well as your ID to collect them at the box office.
7) How do I line up for pit?
Lineup starts when the box office opens and you usually cannot lineup before that. The arena will have a special location for the pit line. You will be allowed there when it’s time to start waiting online. When the doors are opened your ticket will be scanned, just as with any other ticket. Then, after entering the arena, go down to the pit, show your ticket, and they’ll give you a pit wristband. You’re in!
8) What time should I get there for the best pit spot?
I’ve never gotten there before 3pm and I have always made it to the front, but you’ll have to judge it for yourself. Try to find out, via Twitter, if your pit has been sold out. That will help you judge what time to get there.
9) Where is the best place in pit to stand?
It is general admission so you have to be at the front of the line to get where you want. With this tour they’re picking a side for you so you have no choice. However, both sides are the same pretty much so it’s no huge deal. Obviously being against the barricade is ideal, that’s as close to the stage as you’ll get. Some arenas keep the barricade further from the stage than others, but from the barricade you can usually touch the stage.
Being short, I found that I preferred to be further towards the top of the stage, right where the main stage and runway meet. While State of Grace and Holy Ground are performed further down the stage, most of the other songs are performed from the top and the further down you are, the better you’ll see Taylor. But, with a short person like me, once she walks more than half-way up the runway, you’ll not be able to see her.
I think that answers all the questions I have been asked.
Most importantly, have fun! Being at a concert is probably the closest you’ll ever be to Taylor! Whether you’re against the barricade or way back, it’ll be fun no matter what! Enjoy every second of it!
If you have further questions, Tweet, email or Comment and I’ll respond!
Thanks for reading, thanks for caring.
“This isn’t flying, this is falling with style”
Sami
I’ll be blogging all the way through the RED Tour, Facebooking, and Tweeting (or @tswiftontour).
I’ve opened an email account — CCWTS13@gmail.com — which, if you want, you can use to send stories and photos to that you think will be of interest to Swifties. We could even open an album!
Cross Country With Taylor Swift 
Hi, thanks for the info, it was very usefull. I won the pit tickets for the concert because i am a member of TaylorConnect. What I wanted to ask you is if you know if those pit ticktets include something else, like presents or, i don’t know, something.
Thank you.
Belen (from Argentina)
No they do not. Just the pit tickets sorry.
I just was wondering if you have any advice on giving a picture I drew of taylor to her, would it be weird to try and hand it to her on stage ? I have pit tickets. Thanks a bunch. I also heard its impossible almost to get backstage passes if you have pit tickets, is that true?
You can try but I doubt she will be able to grab it. Best bet is finding her mom or someone who has a all access badge.
So I know how Taylor loves accessories and I have this bracelet I think she would absolutely love! I have pit tickets and I plan on getting there early to get a spot near the catwalk. Do you think if I held it out she may grab it? I’ve seen videos of the Speak Now where she has grabbed roses and teddy bears from the pit, so I have a little hope. Thank you! 🙂
You can def try but I don’t know if she will be able to grab it.
I have pit tickets, and I am wondering if you recommend getting merch before or after the show? Thank you!!
After! 13,000% after
Thank you!! I know you’ve probably been asked that a million times haha
Not really ironically. The lines will be super duper long but you will get a not so good spot if you go to the merch stands first.
Will everything still be available after the concert? Once again, thank you for all of your advice! (:
As long as that stand isn’t sold out of stuff but they have lots of supplies so you should be ok 🙂
Hi so I have pit tickets and I was wondering what I need to pick up the tickets? Just the credit card and an ID? Does the ID have to match the credit card or does the ID match the name needed at will call?
All of it needs to match. I’ve only been asked for the credit card once but I always have it just in case
They have pit tickets for sale on hookup tickets.com. Are you saying these are fake or are they really for sale?
Only third party site I trust is stubhub.
Would they still need to see your card if you ran it as debit?
Yes. It’s still a credit card even if its a bank card.
Hi. I managed to get pit tickets, and when I previously went to the RED tour I was in the back and the very top. I was wondering if you know of / know / have a list of which songs are preformed where { it kind of slipped my mind } and I’m not really sure where I should stand. I was thinking halfway down the stage thing- do you think that’d be a good place to stand?(: thanks!
Your question confuses me I’m sorry. You want to know what songs she sings? Or where to stand?
sorry about the confusion. i was wondering where to stand based on where tay performs. For example- do you think i should stand halfway down the runway / stage thing. That way I can see both songs she performs at the regular stage and the ones she sings like mean further down the stage. Hope that cleared my question up- and thanks in advance! 🙂
I sort of covered that but I would stick with half way up but closely to the main stage so you are behind her as little as possible
When you say stand closer to the main stage (when in the pit) does that mean the big stage? Or the stage at the end of the runway out in the audience? Thanks!
Going to be in the pit in a few weeks and have no idea what I’m doing!
The big stage. She performs on that more than on the stage at the bottom of the runway. Otherwise you will end up behind people with all of them blocking your view.
Okay, just not wanting to see Taylor’s back the whole time! Thanks!
I went so quickly through purchase of the tickets (didn’t want it to be sold out) that I think I missed the option of getting them as The RED Ultimate Experience. Have you been to the VIP party before the show? What happens there? Would my child have been able to meet Taylor?
No you don’t meet Taylor. It’s basically just a pre show party. There is different food at each party and a bunch of photo ops but you don’t meet Taylor.
Just so you know all tickets from stub hub and ace ticket are backed 200% so if they are indeed fake, they refund your money and will upgrade your tickets on their dime. Just FYI. (My friend got tickets that were fake and ended up with pit tickets because that’s what stubhub gave her in replacement!)
Yup 🙂 that’s why stubhub is the only third party site I use.
I heard that most of the stands are closed after the concert…?
Also, do you think they will be out of the signed CD’s if you do go after the concert? Thanks a lot!
P.S. I also really want to go to the Keds booth. Do you know if that will be open afterwards?
Keds and Wonderstruck close cause they have to be taken down. Merch stands stay open until all the fans are out of the arena. I’ve never heard of anyone not being able to get something from a merch stand cause they waited till the end.
What non Red album songs does she perform, if any?
On tour? Ybwm, mean, the secret song 9 times out of 10 is off a different album, sparks fly and love story.
OK thanks a lot!!
Is there always a line specifically for pit people? Or does it just depend on the venue?
For pit? There is always a separate line.
Is there a minimum age to use pit tickets? I have some and just heard you must be at least 13. My daughter is only 6 and now I’m afraid she won’t be allowed in.
They don’t check. As long as she isn’t alone shell be fine.
Do you think a six year old is too young to be in the pit?
Without supervision, yes. With a grown up watching them and helping them see, no.
Lol! I would def be there. I’m afraid for her to see she will have to sit on my shoulders. Hope it’s not a miserable experience for us both!
They won’t let you do that. You’re gonna have to figure it out as you go.
I am going to try and sell them. I just don’t think they will work for us.
😦 sorry to hear that. Try twitter someone might be willing to switch for normal seats plus a few bucks so you don’t have to miss the show completely.
Does the pit size change relative to the size of the venue or does it remain consistent at every arena? Also, what’s the makeup of people in there? Mostly young (hence, smaller) girls? I’ll be accompanying my 10yo son and I hope doesn’t get dwarfed by everyone so he can’t see anything. Oh, how long is the show and should us old people bring earplugs? 🙂
Unless its a stadium the show starts at 7:00pm and ends around 11 sometimes a little earlier. It’s mostly teenage girls. They sell about 500 total and they usually add between 50 and 100 during the course of the show. By the end it’s about 300 people on each side
so in chicago show, concert starts at 6:30 and doors open at 4:30..what time would you recommend me getting there? i would really love to be in the front row of pit. thanks!
People start getting there prob as early as 10 or 11am so I would say before noon. P.s. nice name 🙂
What about in L.A.? Doors open at 6, concert starts at 8… what time do you recommend getting there? Is 8 when the other guy perform and then Taylor comes on later? Or is 8 when she comes on stage?
Casey comes out at 7pm. Ed comes out at 7:40 and Taylor comes out at 8:30pm or there abouts. I would say before noon if you want to be in the front. If you don’t care then it doesn’t really matter but I’m sure you want to try and be in the front 🙂
Yeah, that would be great!!! Also, because my son is about 4″ tall and it would be better for him. I guess my concern is that parking, according to the Staples Center website, opens 2.5 hours before the start of the event. That might be too late. We may have to cab it instead… according to your FAQ, the tickets are at the box office at 4:30, so this is the line for that, correct? Then, once we get the actual tickets, we stand in the pit line?
The line to get your tickets will be the same as the pit line. Most venues say the lot opens right before doors open but I have always been able to park in the morning without a issue.
Hey,I’ve read in some website that if I was on the Pit,I am not able to see Tay,neither chosen to go on the Club Red.Is that true?
You def see Taylor. That’s as close as you can be to her. As for club red, no one has ever gotten TParty or club red who was in the pit. At least, not that I’m aware of. Only person this tour was a long story about her friend getting it and she was in the pit and her friend gave it to the girl in the pit but that was a different situation. And a girl go TParty who was in the pit but she was taken to the sound booth and then go TParty but that again was a very specific situation. So basically what I’m trying to say is its very unusual.
How come the pit is impossible to get TParty? 😦
Cause they figured you are as close to Taylor as you can be, let’s give other people a chance. It’s also very hard for them to get to you in a giant crowd like that.
Does Taylor of any of the Agency throw their guitar picks into the pit?
Taylor doesn’t but the band does. That’s how I got mine.
Traveling from Chicago to the Nashville concert and have pit tix. I know it’s will-call only but very nervous that all I have is the emailed confirmation…..not bar-coded or otherwise official document. Should I be worried or is it normal to just have the printed email??
You don’t need the email. Just your license and credit card you used to pay for them.
Thanks, you’re wonderful! You’ve given us lots of peace-o-mind for the 8 hour drive.
No problem. But make sure the license and credit card name are the same or the person who bought the tickets is there. See you there!
I have pit tickets in a couple weeks and I’m wondering about picking up the tickets. I will have my ID and the card used to purchase. But what if the card is my mom’s and the tickets are under my name? Is that acceptable?
The ID and the credit card have to match the name of the person and their face. I’m not sure how they would handle that. I would call ground(Ctrl) and check it out with them and then call the venue.
I’m not sure how that would work. I would call ground(Ctrl) and see what they say. Sorry
Thank you for the help!!!
Yup! Hope it works out.
Hi, I’m going to a Red Concert at the Rose Garden. Will call opens at 10 am, but the earliest I can get there is 3pm, the doors open at six and the concert starts at 7. Will I be able to get good places in the pit?
It’s risky. You prob won’t be against the railing but you never know.
do you know if they sent out the emails for st. paul MN september 7th yet?
Last round of pit emails went out on April. Sorry 😦
How crowded/dangerous is the pit? Is it totally ridiculous with people all up on you?
I mean its ga so it’s pretty pushy, rips and arms getting squished but if you can put up with that its not terrible.
The person I’m going with injured their back. So do you think it would a bad idea for her to be in the pit?
How recently and how badly? I would advise standing in the back so now one is pressing up against her back
Two days ago. The concert is tomorrow. She fractured something. Lol
I would stay very very very far back. Ouch. Hope she gets better soon.
Thank you! And thanks for the advice
Thanks for all of your help and advice! The concert was amazing! We got there at about 1pm, got to hang out with some wonderful fans and experienced the show right up against the catwalk. With the exception of one pesky kid who basically elbowed her way to the front and then tried to take my child’s place (she annoyed everyone that showed up early with us), it was something we’ll remember forever. 🙂
Good I’m glad everything (basically) went off without any problems!
Few questions…
The tickets (pit) are under my name but bought w/ my moms credit card will she have to be at will call with me?
I’m like 90% positive I know which of the two days my tickets are for (it doesn’t say on receipt) but I want to make sure, especially because I think it is for the later date. Is there any way I can do this with ground ctrl?
What do you recommend bringing into the pit?
Will call opens before doors right? how soon before will call opens should I get there, I don’t want to be too tired if I’m standing all night
Thanks
If the tickets are under your name, as long as you have the credit card just as a precaution then you should be ok. It should say on the confirmation email which date you bought then for but if not call ground (Ctrl) and they will ask for some confirmation info and they will tell you. Bring as little as possible. Even small purses are a pain in the pit. If you have a drawstring backpack you could do that but seriously, as little as possible. Will call opens between a hour and a half hour before doors open and then they let pit in. Line starts to form anywhere between 10am and noon. You’re gonna be standing all day and night. Just prepare yourself for that.
Super helpful thanksx10
No problem. Glad I could help.
Just one more thing…..maybe this is wierd but, between arriving early and the concert itself what do you suggest as far eating
Make a friend and see if thy will save ur spot while you go and get food and save their spot so you can get food. Or, if the drive isn’t that far you can bring snacks.
Wow that was quick thanks! Will they actually let you bring food in?
No, you have to eat it before you go inside. But if you make friends you can get your spot, have your friend save it and get food once inside. It’s better to eat during the wait and then not move from the pit but that’s your call.
Ok yea I figured thanks again
No problem! Have fun.
If I am able to get there early in the afternoon, but the person I am going with cannot get there until a little later, is there any chance she will be able to join me in line?
Just try and make friends on the line and tell them you friend is joining later. Hopefully they will be ok with it.
I just won out tickets to the concert in Greensboro. Unfortunately I probably won’t be able to get there until 6 or 7 due to work. Will they still let me in the pit if the concert has started? Are there really any “bad” spots in the pit? I’m used to siting almost in the roof so… Will it be ok if I get there late? I know I won’t be in the front.
They will definitely let you in. Don’t worry about that. It’s not so much “bad spots” as you wont get close enough to high five her. But if you don’t care about that then getting there at the start of the show is no big deal. Have fun! I know a lot of people going to that show. I was supposed to but my tickets fell through.
So I have pit tickets and am thankful for all this information you provided. When you got there around 3, was there a specific, obvious place for you to wait in line in?
Just look for the crowd. It’s usually outside the front doors or near the box office
I’m going to the Nashville show this Friday; for an arena that size, how early would you suggest getting in line? Also, do you think if I just stood in the back of pit, kinda away from the crowd, I would be able to see well? One last question, do they allow DSLR cameras into the pit?
Thank you so much for answering everyone’s questions, you’re such a help!
If you want to stand in the back then it doesn’t really matter what time you get there. I would say around 3pm, maybe a little earlier. Yes you will def be able to see and I’d you stand in the back, you may even be able to sneak to the b stage before she gets there. Depends on security and stuff like that. As for that camera I’m not sure, you have to ask the venue. Usually as long as it doesn’t have a detachable lense it’s ok but it’s up to the venue. Have fun! See you there!
Hi I was just wondering if should go to the merchandise table first. Because I didn’t win the pit tickets so I got tickets next to the sound Both. I want a merchandise before the concert because I might get into Club Red do you think it’s worth lining up?
I would suggest getting merch first just because the lines are shorter
I’m going to the show in Berlin and i have pit tickets. is there any way to get out of the pit during the show? i want to pass a letter to Taylor so i thought about looking for Andrea.. any advice on how to find her before\during\after the show? thanks for all the info by the way!
You can leave whenever you want but just beware that once you leave, you will not get your spot back. I always left because I would walk back to watch her on the b stage and then walk back but I was never able to get my same spot back. Have fun!
oh thank you so much! you just helped me sleep better the night before my show. if i’d go to the b-stage there’s a chance i’ll find andrea there? again, thank you!
That’s the only place she would be but, getting to her is very hard. A lot of security around her and she obviously is there to watch Taylor so she’s sort of in her zone.