It varies - if your desired band or artist is very popular (or you're going to a big festival), the likely answer is no, as the demand for tickets will outstrip supply many times over (and the touts will have a field day).

In the 2026 ticket market, the answer is a complicated "maybe." For massive, high-demand events like Taylor Swift concerts or the Super Bowl, prices almost never drop; in fact, they usually skyrocket as supply vanishes. However, for mid-tier concerts, theater shows, or sporting events that haven't sold out, prices often drop significantly in the final 24 to 48 hours. This is because resellers on platforms like StubHub or SeatGeek get desperate to recoup any of their investment before the ticket becomes worthless. Many primary sellers also release "production holds" (seats previously blocked for cameras or guests) at the last minute at face value. Conversely, "Dynamic Pricing" algorithms used by Ticketmaster may actually raise prices if they detect a sudden surge in last-minute interest. If you are flexible and willing to risk missing out, waiting until the afternoon of the event can lead to "steals," but for "bucket-list" experiences, the safest bet remains purchasing during the initial presale.