This U2 General Admission (GA) Guide has been updated for the U2: UV opening weekend in Las Vegas. I attended the opening weekend of the U2:UV residency at the Sphere and documented what to expect. And yes, the venue does respect the fan-led GA line and look at our numbers in order to assign numbered venue wristbands.
Ever since I began seeing U2 concerts during the Elevation Tour, I have preferred watching the band from GA. For those unfamiliar with GA – it is a concert ticket on the floor that is first-come-first-serve. But the GA is more than just a ticket. Because it is first-come-first-serve, there is the inevitable situation where dedicated fans queue (line) up early, in order to secure a good place on the floor near the stage. Some cities have fans line up over night, while others wait for days. Indeed, a community of fans have arisen out of these U2 queues. As such, norms, understandings, and expectations have developed over time by fans on what to expect when we line up for general admission. I should stress that these are not my rules or anybody else’s set rules, this is a collection of observations I’ve noticed in 90+ GA lines I’ve seen around the world throughout Europe, North America, Australia/New Zealand, and South America.
This is my “Guide” to the U2 General Admission Queue. While I outline several aspects of general admission, I do highlight some of the ‘not-so-pleasant’ things of queuing up. But in the end, it is important to remember that seeing a U2 show through GA is an amazing experience all together – for the fellow fans you meet, the music we hear, and the tribal community that gathers.
Table of Contents:
- Introduction
- Time to Arrive in the Queue
- The Check-In and Number System
- Morning of the Queue
- Back-to-back shows and the GA
- Saving Spots in the Queue
- Fanclub Membership Line Does Not Exist
- Security Checks
- What happens when doors open at 6PM?
- What is it like on the Floor
- Where is the best spot on the floor to see U2?
- What if I arrive in the GA much later?
- Pitfalls of the GA
- Conclusion: GA Adds to the U2 Concert Experience
1) Introduction
Thinking back on all the U2 concerts I’ve been to (the vast majority of which were through the GA) I thought it would be fun to post a ‘Guide to the U2 GA Queue’. This page is not for everyone and is really intended for those who plan on queuing up early – for whatever reason they so choose. Maybe because they want to get to the front or ensure they will end up on the floor. I’ve received a few questions about this topic and felt a special page was warranted.
I find the whole GA queue to be more than just trying to get to the front or in the pit. I find the GA line to be a great U2 community experience, and a wonderful way to make new friends. These are friends I’ve remained in touch with since Elevation, Vertigo, 360°, iNNOCENCE + eXPERIENCE, and Joshua Tree tours, as well as the U2:UV residency. This may explain why out of all of the shows I will see during a U2 tour, all will be through GA. For me, there’s no other way but GA!
2) Time to Arrive in the Queue
Q: What time should I show up to the queue?
A: It depends on where you want to be on the floor and type of show. To be clear, you don’t have to line up, if you feel it’s not that important to be near the front, and prefer to hang out in the back or sides. It’s still an an amazing show where ever you are in the Sphere.
If you do want to get near the front, important to note this is just a rough estimate and vary between concerts. For example, lines will start earlier and be longer for the opening and closing shows, and weekend concerts. Lines may be smaller for mid-week shows.
I advise people to visit the venue at least 1-2 days before the concert to see what’s going on with the queue.
- 1-2 Days Before the Show
- If you want to maximize your chances for being in the first or second rows, look out for the queue 1-2 days in advance.
- This is how the ‘GA Crazies’, ‘GA Hardcores’, or what I prefer to call, the ‘GA International Traveling Contingent’ often do. So if you want to join or get ahead of them, keep your eye on the GA 1-2 days in advance.
- Why do I like going close to the front? I’m not too tall and like to have a clear view of the stage. I also like taking photos, so being along the rail makes photography easier.
- Morning of the Show
- I estimate you would be third row or so.
- Afternoon of the Show
- You may be five rows off the rail.
- 6PM to Showtime
- While the GA floor is rather narrow, with most of the space near Bono and Edge clustered with fans, there is plenty of dancing space on the wide ends of the GA floor, particularly on Adam’s side.
3) The Check-In and Number System
Because the Sphere stated that there would be no camping or queues, a “check-in” system has been adopted by fans, which has been used since 2009, and common-place since 2015 around North America, Australia/New Zealand, and parts of Europe and Great Britain.
How the Check-In System Works:
Usually, venues allow a few people to manage the queue by collecting names in a book and writing numbers on people’s hands. These are self-appointed fans, not ones chosen by U2 management or the venue, who started the queue themselves and put together “rules”. Fans arriving thereafter are put a list and given numbers on their hands via a marker, and asked to return at periodic times to check-in (e.g. 9AM, 5PM the day before; and 6AM show day). If you don’t show up at any of the check-in times, you are crossed off the list. The morning of the show, there’s a ‘roll-call’ for everyone to be there in person (i.e. they go down the list to make sure you are there at the time). In Las Vegas, this has tended to be at 6:00AM on show day. If people were not in person or there during check-in times and during the final roll-call, they were taken off the queue list and are not able to re-join the queue and would have to go to the back of the line. This was effective during Las Vegas (360 Tour) (see below), where security cooperated completely, and actually kicked late-comers out. Since then, security have been largely hands off, but on the morning of the show, they recognized the queue since it helped manage large crowds upon entry from a safety perspective.
Some fans like this system because it allows them to do some sightseeing in the city they are visiting or get additional rest during the day. For others, this was a despised system because it’s a self-appointed system by those who decide to start the queue themselves and tell others to follow their rules. These fans find this system abhorrent because line runners are incentivized to start the ‘line’ a lot earlier than necessary and get to benefit from a fairly slack system, as opposed to real camping. It also privileges’ those ‘in-the-know’. With that said, I can’t imagine 200 people all showing up at 8AM on-the-dot and expect a line to form nicely to get a venue wristband. I’ve seen U2 in Italy (2005) where there was no queue or numbering, and it was just a rush into the venue, and almost being pushed down the stairs at the San Siro to get to the pitch. I didn’t feel safe.
In any event, the venue ends up recognizing and respecting the GA line. I saw fans try to cut this queue, only for Sphere security to weed them out and put them at the back of the line.
4) Morning of the Queue
Q: What happens when we check-in at 6AM, morning of the show?
A: We queue up at 6AM and get in order. The line organizers will go down the queue, check numbers and see that you are there. If you’re not there, they cross your name off the list. By 7:30-7:45AM, venue security start to organize themselves. By 8AM, they let us enter through the initial gates and check our numbers to make sure we’re in order. Yes, that’s right, venue security respects the GA line and are grateful that it’s well organized and not chaos that they have to deal with.
We are then led to the ticket scanning system just inside the Sphere, where they scan us “in” to make sure we have legitimate GA tickets.
Next, we proceed to the official venue numbered wristband station, where venue staff place a wristband on us.
After, the venue scan us “out” so that we can use the ticket later tonight to get back “in” at concert time. A
5) Back-to-back shows and the GA
Q: What do I do if I am attending back-to-back GAs?
A: If you are up for a marathon of GAs and have the stamina, I would recommend after the first show, immediately go back to where the queue was being organized the day before. The ‘GA Crazies’ will leave after the last encore of the first show in order to get a good number for night two (don’t ask me why they do that, kinda perplexes me, to be honest).
It is possible that find queue organizers there giving out numbers for the following night. Conversations of who will start organizing the next night usually takes place on the day of the first show. In Vancouver 2017, it was agreed upon that the organizers for night 2 would be those who had seats or didn’t have tickets for night 1. Once the GA line for night 1 entered the venue, the organizers for night 2 would then start taking names and giving numbers for night 2. I’ve heard of some bad stories of the queue being organized by GAers while they were in the GA of night 1. This was completely unfair because it advantaged those already at the front of the GA for night 1 – so a decision was made in some cities so that those who weren’t in the GA for night 1 would be the organizers for night 2.
When I attended the Mexico City shows during the 360 Tour, it was back-to-back-to-back GAs. It was awfully tough on the body, but a great chance to get to know the fans from Mexico. I now look back at those times with a lot of pride because of the endurance and the fun I had with the people I camped out with.
Of course, you do not need to get another number if you don’t want to be near the front. Because the Sphere is an amazing venue – visually and acoustically – I’ve have friends who chose to not get numbers the next night and enter the GA closer to show time, and enjoy the show at the rear of the GA.
6) Saving Spots in the Queue
Q: Can I get the queue early and save spots for my friends who will arrive later?
A: No…. well kinda. Even if you bought a pair, three, or four GA tickets together (but not everyone is there yet), line organizers will insist the whole group is together to get on the list. This is largely because when it’s time for entry, the venue needs to scan everyone together.
This isn’t a hard rule, however. I have seen and heard workarounds.
One instance, I saw the U2Valencia group of friends enter separately, despite having all the tickets on one phone. The person nearer to the front scanned in, passed his phone to one of the security guards (see video of him below) (who they must have befriended earlier, likely spoke Spanish, and asked for a favour), and then that security guard ran back and passed the phone to the rest of the U2Valencia group to scan in later.
I’ve heard that a person got in with the Ticket that was on their Google or Apple Wallet ticket; and then a friend or group of friends logged into that person’s Ticketmaster account on their phone, bring up the tickets on the Ticketmaster App (which uses a scan, not NFC reader like the Google or Apple wallet ticket), and got in separately. I can’t verify this, but if someone was successful, let me know.
7) Fanclub Membership Line
Q: Will there be special access for U2.com members?
A: No. There is no special line for U2.com members. The last time this happened was 2005!
8) Security Checks
Q: What is security check like? What is allowed and not allowed?
A: At the Sphere, security check is pretty simple. You first have your phone scanned for the ticket. You then proceed through body scanners that seek metal objects. If you have a bag, it can’t be larger than 6″x6″x2″. If you have a bag, they will look through it. If it’s larger than the stated size, I’ve heard them throw out the bag! Yet at the same time, I’ve heard slightly larger bags get through. I didn’t risk it, and went in bag free, with just my phone and camera in hand.
This is taken from the Sphere Website:
Sphere is a “no bag” facility, meaning that large bags and backpacks are not permitted inside the venue. Sphere does not provide an area to check bags, coats or any other personal belongings.
Exceptions to this policy include small clutches, purses, and fanny packs that are no larger than approximately 6 in. x 6 in. x 2 in., as well as diaper bags and bags required for medical items.
Please note that all bags are subject to additional screening and inspection, either by visual or x-ray technology. If you or someone in your party has additional needs, please contact Guest Relations at guestrelations@sphereentertainmentco.com or 725-258-6724, Monday through Friday between 6:00 am and 5:00 pm PT, and Saturday and Sunday between 7:00 am and 5:00 pm PT.
Generally speaking, point-and-shoot cameras are alright. Seems to be more trickier to get cameras with detachable lenses in. I haven’t seen any issue so far with people bringing in small signs to wave to U2. What are very unlikely to bring in are large dSLR cameras.
For any items you are uncertain if these can be allowed inside, I highly recommend approaching security in the morning of what is allowed and not allowed. It helps to look for the head of security because they have better knowledge of venue policy. Remember, if you want to get through security check quickly, carry all that you can’t leave behind!
9) What happens when doors open at 6PM?
Q: What happens just prior to doors opening?
A: At the time when wristbands are issued, venue staff tell you to return to the venue by 5PM to start re-lining up. Before gaining entry to line up at the East VIP Gate, security will check the number of your wristband 10 people at a time, and make sure you are entering by numbered order. No wristband no entry. VIP GA ticket holders enter through the West VIP Gate.
Q: Do you run or walk once the doors are open?
A: Security will strongly insist you walk, but in most cases fans ‘fast-walked’. It will be well worth it to practice your speed-walking skills. Security threatens to send people back if they find you running. As you can see from the video below, the floor is very narrow, yet quite wide.
Q: Can I bring signs or flags into the show?
A: Likely. I have friends who have brought in blank sheets of paper, light pieces of cardboard, and markers. Once they got to the floor, they would write their messages and hope to show Bono during the concert. Sometimes the band acknowledges them, and sometimes not. I think it’s all for fun, so long as it doesn’t block the view of those behind you. When we were at the Vegas show, we made a sign for Fergie (of the Black Eyed Peas) who were the opening act. Fergie saw the sign, and sang to us for a bit. That was a lot of fun. Other times, people would write messages for U2, and Bono would incorporate at it into their songs or speeches. This doesn’t always happen, but can be special if it does during the concert.
With respect to flags, some venue security are more picky. At the Vancouver and New York shows during the iNNOCENCE+eXPERIENCE tour, venue security refused the entry of banners and flags. At Madison Square Garden (awful security), one fan was upset because her national flag was banned entry, with the security guard saying that, “Bono said he didn’t want flags at the show.” Laughable and dishonest, but we are at the mercy of security. Best to ask them well ahead of time to avoid this confrontation. Always check the venue website or call them two weeks ahead of time to ask about what is permitted and what isn’t allowed.
10) What is it like on the Floor?
Q: What if I need to leave to go to the washroom or buy food? Will I lose my spot?
A: If you need to leave to use the washroom or buys something, wait about 10 minutes after you get into the GA, before it gets too full. Make sure your friend(s) holds your spot, and choose a path out of your spot from which you can follow back in. If you have no friends with you, introduce yourself to others near you, and make buddies with them. You want people to remember you on your way out, so when you come back, they won’t think you’re cutting them. I’ve had no problems leaving my spot and come back, because I needed to use the washroom or get water at the Sphere. My friends and fellow U2 fans held my spot, and I did the same for them.
Q: What is it like at the front? Is it rough?
A: Unlike concert festivals which are the only comparisons I can draw from, U2 crowds are generally easy going and respectful. I’ve been able to enjoy the front with relative ease. The only times I found it tough in 2005 were in NY, Dublin I, and Honolulu, where ‘important’ people pushed their way to the front. Even for U2 360°the crowds in Poland and Croatia were not pushy. All other times, I thought there was general respect and a sense of harmony amongst us, and I look forward to sharing a ‘magnificent’ time with fellow U2 fans.
At the Sphere, credit to the Venue Security for kicking out drunk and obnoxious fans who were bothering fans at the front. Do not hesitate to call for help from Security, if you find yourself being pushed around by others who had a few too many (expensive) drinks.
Q: When you are along the rails, is the stage too high?
A: The stage is quite low, but the band further away since they tend to be on the “record” part of the “turntable” stage.
11) Where is the best spot to see U2 on the floor?
Q: Where is the best spot to see U2 on the floor?
A: Anywhere in the Sphere.
12) What if I arrive in the GA much later? I don’t really want to line up all day, but still enjoy the show!
Answering this question primarily comes down to expectations. Whether you choose to line up or not, one is not better than the other, but rather indicative of what people choose to do and expect to get in return.
The Sphere is a concert venue like no other. I do believe no matter where you are on the floor or in the seats, your mind will be blown away by the production and the music. You will have a great time – just need to calibrate your expectations.
When people queue up early, they have an expectation to be up close to the band, have a rail to lean on, and enjoy the music. They accept that there will be exhaustion, dehydration, and some frustration as part of this process, but believe that these sacrifices will trade-off with some benefits.
For those who come later or an hour or so before the show, they expect to be well rested and understand that they will be further back on the field. On the 360° Tour, I had friends arrive late afternoon to the queue and ended up two or three rows behind the outer circle b-stage. Having been through the pains of lining up at a previous U2 concert, this time around, they preferred to come late, feel refreshed, and accepted that they were going to be further back. They ended up being amazed because they ended up not that far back, which exceeded their expectations.
I’ve been at the back of a stadium GA before and didn’t mind it because my expectations were tempered. For the 1st show in São Paulo, Brazil for the 360° Tour, I arrived the morning of the concert. My friends and I met up and came to the Estadio Morumbi at 9am and there were already about 10,000 people in line ahead of us. We resigned ourselves to the inevitability that we’d be at the back of the GA, but we were okay with that. In the end, the fact that Zooropa first appeared on the tour in Brazil thrilled us. That alone made the concert special and not because of where we were relative to the stage.
Being at the back of the GA also has its advantages:
- It’s not as crowded
- The sound is at its best at the soundboard
- You can easily access the beer garden, souvenir stand, and washrooms easily
- You’ll get to see U2’s sound guru – Joe O’Herlihy – who has been with U2 since the start. He’s very approachable!
With all this said, I still like lining up early, because it gives me a chance to connect with long-distant U2 friends who travel and see the band like I do. I also like being near the front because I enjoy concert photography. But that’s my expectation and desire. Others who prefer to come later will hear the same amazing music and equally enjoy the company of friends as much as I do.
13) Pitfalls of the GA
Q: GA sounds too good to be true, it can’t be all fun and games?!
A: You’re right; it isn’t always the greatest of experiences in the GA. Exhaustion can sink in after multiple GAs, or you may run into U2 fans who are rude or have a degree of self-entitlement in being at the front .
I’ve also had to deal with really hot days, where there was no shade (i.e. June 30, 2009 Camp Nou – Barcelona). There would be days where it would rain nonstop (i.e. June 24, 2005 Croke Park – Dublin). There are ways to prepare for such climates, but your patience can wear thin quickly. I also found myself frustrated by people cutting the line, despite the fact that I spent the whole day there. In spite of my protestations, there was nothing I could do. Fairness, it seemed, was not universal. Other fans had described to me of a not-so-pleasant camping out experience at the Chorzow, Poland queue, where there were really drunk fans being loud and obnoxious at night, which made it a sleepless queuing experience.
This is unsurprising, but I’ve noticed that there is a direct correlation between the state of weather and the mood of the crowd. For example, we experienced heavy downpour the morning of The Joshua Tree Tour opener in Vancouver (which we knew was coming because the forecasts were pretty consistent leading up to that day), and I encountered a few irate and annoyed fans in the queue. Once the rain let up, skies opened, and sun rays beaming down on us by lunch time, I saw a lot more happier people in the line. All I can say is be prepared for the weather conditions, don’t be surprised, and feel free to temporary leave the queue if needed.
Another phenomenon I encountered during past tours was that being at the front of a queue does not necessarily guarantee a good spot on the floor because of mechanical or human errors. For example, the tickets wouldn’t scan properly at Dublin 3 or at Chorzow (360° Tour), which would result in gates locking up and disallowing you to pass. I know for some female fans, particularly at Wembley Stadium, there was a shortage of female security guards to search female fans, so they were held up. Some venues will have multiple entry points, which increases anxiety and uncertainty of where you will end up on the floor. Many fans had described to me of the Paris shows, where some gates opened up early than others. This resulted in frustrating some fans that felt this to be unfair and arbitrary. Having been through this myself, one can easily feel irritated and upset. At the Sphere, the GA is very narrow, yet wide. It’s not full for the entire show. So you can find lots of space at the back or sides, and still be in total amazement of the visuals, music, and show. I just think there’s a different vibe on the floor compared to being in seats. I love being around fans who stand, sing their hearts out, and let out their full emotions. Maybe it’s because we see the band so close, or are self-selected because the GA invites a certain type of fan?
14) Conclusion: GA Adds to the U2 Concert Experience
Well, I hope you found this post informative, if not entertaining. Despite these negatives, I still maintain the GA queue to be a beneficial and fun experience. A valuable lesson I learned was that ‘anything can happen’ in the GA experience and that we should not raise our expectations of always getting the spot we imagine ourselves having. Because we get to the queue early enough, we will all get onto the floor, and have a great spot where ever we may end up. Most U2 fans would love to see the shows we see, let alone the close proximity we have to the band. Most of us who have had the privilege to be in the pit will agree that the atmosphere is electric and any bad experiences from earlier in the day are washed away by the torrential music of U2.
While the U2 queue can be tiring and at times trying (i.e. North end Dublin kids making fun of U2 and throwing fruit and eggs at us outside of Croke Park), I think we can look back and remember all the great times. I can earnestly look back at all my experiences in the queue – good and bad – and remember how much fun it was to meet everyone, listen in on the sound checks, feel the rush of getting into the venue early, enjoying the concert with the same fans I shared the queue with during the entire day, and getting various setlists at the end of the night. I vividly recall meeting new friends, sharing our love for U2’s music, talking about our backgrounds, and explaining where our travels have taken us. In the end, the U2 queue is more than trying to make it to the front; it really is a place where different people of varying backgrounds can find a common ground, with the hope of having long lasting memories.
The GA in Vancouver during the iNNOCENCE+eXPERIENCE tour was memorable for me, as it was two days before my wedding (the next day, I skipped the second Vancouver show to make it for my wedding rehearsal). Fans in the queue were incredibly kind to sign a banner with messages of support and well-wishes for our marriage. It was the kindest act I’ve ever experienced in the queue. I admittedly teared up – physically and emotionally exhausted – but humbled at the thought and consideration of everyone. This alone made the GA worthwhile (thanks to Jonathan for filming this).
If you have any other tips or experience worth mentioning, or questions that need addressing, feel free to leave a message in comments below. I’ll try to promptly respond to your questions. We’re all here to help each other. I look forward to seeing you all in the queue. For me, there’s no other way but GA!
Comments (475)
Hi Joe! I’m really excited about this concert, today I got my ticket and it’s my first time having the GA experience and also going alone to a concert in the US. I’m going to the Dallas concert and I can’t find anywhere information about at what time gates open. I pretend to arrive early to get a good spot but I’m not really sure about what time is the best one, I was thinking around 2pm? (concert is at 7) I could go earlier but I don’t want to have any problems at the venue (it’s my first time there) also I’m not bringing my car, so what would you recommend me?
Thanks in advance!!
Gabby.
Hi Gabriella,
Never worry about going on your own to a U2 concert. There are always kind, fellow fans to meet in the GA! I always advise to check out the GA line the morning before the show. Chances are there will be line managers starting to take numbers and they’ll want you to check in at set times (like at 7pm that night and 7am the morning of the show). You’re free to go about your day in between check-in times. On the day of the show, you’ll probably be asked to stay the day in the line with everyone else. You’ll want to bring a chair and stuff to be comfortable. This is the time when you get to meet new fans and make friends. If you won’t have a car, how will you get to the stadium? Can someone pick up your chair and stuff around 3pm when everyone will be asked to put their stuff away? If not, and you plan on arriving at 2pm, you’ll still meet other fans in the queue and get to know them. Chances are you’ll be near or beside them in the GA.
Let me know if you have any other questions.
Thanks!
Joe
Looking for 1 more GA ticket for Rose Bowl on Saturday, May 20th.
I have 2 GA Tickets and want to bring my daughter with us as well.
Anyone out there have an extra ticket? I will arrive Thursday night (midnight) in Pasadena, CA to check out the queue and be there early AM on Friday as well.
Jim Smith, cell 801-722-8350
Hi Jim,
It’s also worth checking Ticketmaster as the show date nears. Ticketmaster usually have ticket drops when the concert is near.
Joe
Hi Joe,
Enjoy your posts and passion. Really helpful for less experienced GA attempt next week in Houston. I anticipate arriving more in the 1-2 hours pre-show time as I’m with a group who may not appreciate the the pre-show hustle so I will defer and reset my expectations. Any advice on best area of the floor to target if we will likely be more towards the rear? Edge or Adam side? Behind the Red Zone?
Thanks for the help. Enjoy the rest of your shows.
Hi Grahme,
Thanks for the note! If you’re arriving 1-2 hours pre-show time, you’ll probably find the area around the tree-stage packed. Try to see what the floor looks like near the main stage in front of Bono or to the left towards Edge.
Joe
My friends got seated tickets and I’m keeping my GA and need to sell their GA tickets that were purchased with my credit card. So we all have to enter together (and wait in line together)-has anyone ever coordinated that with a buyer? I want to sell them for the original cost to fans and avoid the re-sellers but don’t know how to do that. Is there a group or website that can verify both of us?
This is the tricky part with credit card entry. With tickets, it was way easier to sell to other fans in the GA. Are their seat entry via credit card entry too? If so, I’m not sure how credit card entry will work since the GA is at one entrance and the seats are at another, but there is only one card. I’d recommend calling Ticketmaster and the venue to see what can be done. I believe seat tickets on a credit card can be transferred from one card to another credit card (on Ticketmaster), but this does not apply to GA.
With respect to selling GAs on your card, the only alternative I can think of is finding other fans looking to buy tickets, and that they would have to enter with you.
I’ll be on my own after we get there from Austin and separate. I may end up with a couple unused GA tickets but since I got them cheap it’ll be worth it anyway. Thank you for all your advice it’s been so helpful and I’m very excited about this show!
Hi Lisa,
You can try to go to the various U2 forums – U2.com, atU2.com, U2start.com – and let fans know that you may have spare GAs, but that they’d have to enter the venue with you. If not, you’ll still end up having a great time on your own and have the chance to meet some fellow U2 fans!
Joe
This article was great. We have a group of about 9 of us going to Dallas. We’re on about 2 credit cards which makes it a bit more difficult coordinating. I hear seeing the whole screen is kind of important. What time do they let in for the GA? 2 hrs before concert or sooner?
I suspect the people running the line will insist that whoever is entering together on one card, sign in together; and that whoever is on the other card, sign in together. You’re right, the credit card entry makes things tricky, and I hope Ticketmaster learns from this and stops using credit card entry for stadium GAs. In any event, what may help, whoever is on the first credit card, maybe sign in those who arrive earlier. And then whoever is on the second credit card, are the ones arriving later on (assuming your friends are arriving at different times). To answer your question, the GA doors open around 5:00-5:30. But fans are moved closer to the doors around 4:00pm.
ROSE BOWL QUESTION (which may apply to any venue) – When lining up early, is there more than 1 gate or entrances to get in? Rose Bowl has 8 main gates – do they let people in at all of them?
Hi Jenna,
I believe there is more than once entrance. If you can, visit the Rose Bowl the morning before the show to see what’s going on with the GA.
Joe
Don’t know If anyone else has already asked this, but how will StubHub tickets (debit card loaded) work? Will security check ID? Not possible since the seller won’t be present?
Hi Braulio,
On the last tour, I understand that only two cities actually checked ID. In Vancouver and Seattle on this tour, they didn’t check ID. I think it would be a logistical nightmare and it would take too long to do this for 10,000 people you are entering the GA. This is what scalpers bank on – that security won’t check ID.
Joe
I have front Row platinum seats (SEC 125 Row A, seats 3 & 4) for the Houston NRG show, but I also have some General Admissions. The venue doesn’t allow entry until very close to show start. Do you think the Front rows are too far away & will I have a better experience in GA? If I kept both and try GA and can’t get close, would I be able to move and take my seats? (Also, another option I have is, I have a VIP party package (107 Q) that includes pre party, drinks, food, etc., hard copy tickets, but am planning on selling them. Is there anything about that package I might not want to part with?) Which would you keep/use? always GA? TIA! 🙂
Hi Paige,
I always prefer GA but it’s a lot of work to get to the front (queuing the day before and frequent check ins). Seats are good for those who don’t want to line up or deal with standing the whole time. So it’s really your call!
Joe
Very much appreciate all the useful info on this page! I followed all of your tips and had an amazing time at the Vancouver show! Based on you insight, we decided to line up at about 3:15 which ended up being perfect as it wasn’t a long wait and we met friendly and interesting people that madythe line up fun (and a much better experience than what people with seated tickets had to go through getting into the stadium ironically). We ended up only 4 rows back from the rail, in front of Bono! Thanks again.
Can I ask you what time U2 came on and what time it ended? We are trying to coordinate if we can take the last train out of Chicago or have to drive? This would be helpful. Thanks!!
There were major delays getting people into the stadium so I expect their start and end times in Vancouver aren’t representative of other shows. Start time was around 9:30 I think and close to 11:30 end.
Hi Glenn,
U2 came on around 9pm and ended around 11pm.
Joe
I just got a email from rose bowl, it said that the parking will be opened at 2:30 pm and parking overnight is prohibited. So, if i want to queue in the morining, do i have to take public transportation? Fine, it’s alright to do it in the morining, but after the show, i thing it is not a good experience to take public transportation to go back home. A Chinese who doesn’t konw much about the venue and GA. and I come alone.
Hi Jason,
You can still queue early and leave your car somewhere where you can park. At 2:00pm, you can leave the queue to find and park your car when it opens at 2:30, and then get back into the line.
Joe
I may be completely wrong, but I suspect that the GA floors in a stadium hold quite a bit more than 1,500-2,000 people!
On the 360° tour, two of my friends were GA in Pittsburgh. They didn’t bother getting in line until 5pm-ish, yet still managed to get into the inner circle.
I last GA’d in both Belfast and Dublin on the I&E tour. I never lined up, and managed to get super close for both shows!
I will he carefully keeping an eye on the different bulletin boards leading up to their Pittsburgh show this summer, as I’ll be on the floor there (also, in the stands for Chicago 2).
You’re absolutely right. That was a typo (left over from the last tour). I fixed the number now. Thanks!
This is a GREAT post! Thank you so much!!
Hi Joe! Your webite and advice is great; we used it for two of the 360 shows. We enjoyed the 360 tour in Vancouver and in Winnipeg and went GA both places. It was fantastic! Luckily got in the “inner circle” which I felt helped keep the crowd separated a bit and reduced the chances of getting (or feeling) squished.
So, honestly, any thoughts or concerns about the Joshua Tree show on Friday with GA? I’ve been checking news (or any “leaks”) with details about the GA setup, but all I’ve found is the basic floor plan in ticketmaster (with the extra stage being tree shaped). I’m getting more nervous now about everyone in GA all being in one huge group. I’m not really worried about actually getting injured, just that it might reduce the fun if we are squished in and unable to move. I’d rather be in an a “second” floor section (in the front of) than in a huge single crowd.
Any thoughts? Do you think there might be any info coming out on the GA layout (other than the tree, and the red zone)?
Thanks Joe! **three***more***days!
Thanks, this is very helpful
Love all this great info! Thanks for being so specific. GA is definitely a process!
Awesome! This is exactly “what I was looking for” haha
I like how u stack all the options up.. I come from interior BC and am meeting my bro from Wisconsin for May 12th (our second GA after IE Van first show)
I like the sounds of the 12-4pm sorta group. Mildly exhausting yet u can get pretty darn close to the stage..
Question – what if u wanna bring collapsible chairs tobGA queue but don’t have a place to put them when time comes? Are there venue staff that will take them or?
Thank you so much for this awesome website and all info and advise you provide. I have always gotten seating seats for all U2 concerts, except for the ietour at the Forum in L.A. It was such a great experience. It was too easy of an experience. #76 in the queue, showed up around 6am. Got to meet Bono when he was entering the Forum. That was so awesome!!!
I again got GA tickets for the Rose Bowl for this coming tour.
This is a much bigger venue. I remember seeing on the news people lining up for days for the 360 Tour at Angel Stadium. . I had seats.
I would greatly appreciate all info and advise you can provide, specific suggestions for the Rose Bowl.
Thanks for the advice- I have GA tickets for Foxboro and I am planning on camping out- wondering if you have any specific suggestions for that venue.
Hey man. Great advice all around. I have tickets in the Red Zone for Seattle. Have you ever seen a show from that vantage point? Any advice?
Awesome advice! You are spot on with everything you said. My first camp out overnight was the original JT tour in ’87. 2 years ago for I&E
tour not much has changed!
Great article!!!
Great article (as someone who has slept out a LOT for tix and queued up for GA more times than I would have ever thought possible)
Can you tell me more about the Red Zone; what is it is, how is that different for queuing up, etc?
I’m still confused. If I buy a GA ticket, and have to drive all day Sunday to get to Seattle, will I be guaranteed a spot somewhere on the floor? I can’t believe how cheap the GA tix are (c/t seat tickets), and if I can make this concert happen that way, I’ll be elated!
Do people ever take a throw pillow to have a seat once in a while, especially if you’re not planning to camp out early and are okay with a spot further back? And if the stadium won’t allow it, can you leave it at the door or do you have to lose your place in line to get rid of it? Very helpful info, by the way.
Loved this article and the memories it brought. I even was there in the Vancouver evening when folks were BBQ ing. Planning on being there on may 12 and 14. The only shows we can make given jobs and three young kids! Excited to queue for GA. Thank you!
– Vanessa Villavicencio
I was having second thoughts about GA for Louisville, KY-almost just ditched our tickets (with tears)-But I’m looking forward to it now because of this all inclusive and yes, entertaining guide to navigating GA. Thank you SO MUCH for this info and the effort you put forth to bring it to us! It is Magnificent!
What should I expect and plan for considering Red Zone tickets?
Joe- we used your tips on the 360 tour and were able to get on the rail in front of The Edge. Will be following this closely this summer. On a side note, I DID NOT follow your advice about water consumption and was severly dehydrated after the Baltimore show.
I think I love you! I have been debating attempting to get GA tickets to the Seattle show (closest reasonable excursion for this rural Montana gal), but I am making some calls in the morning after reading this tonight! Thank you – and hope to see you there…
This was very informative and I’m so glad I found this blog.
Oh my God. I am so glad to discover your blog! Let me explain:
I am from the Philippines, a 42 year old and mom of three young kids, and have been a big U2 fan since I was 13. Seeing U2 perform live is a bucket list thing for me. It is such a big deal for me that just imagining myself at a U2 concert – or even seeing the photos on your page with fans getting to meet the band outside the concert grounds – makes me emotional (you can ask my husband and close friends) but with all the obligations at home and at work and not exactly being wealthy – well, this always seemed an unchievable dream, especially since there has not been much hope for them to come to the Philippines. In any case, as I am getting older – and obviously the band, too – I thought to myself: If I do not do this now, I may never get to do it. So I found myself buying tickets to their show in Paris (!), quite on impulse (and with some egging on from friends at work including my boss who is a wonderful woman who knew how much this means to me). I actually wept when I told my partner that I booked us the tickets both to the show, and to Paris… (partly out of guilt since it will mean leaving our kids for a couple of weeks to the care of hopefully willing relatives and a lot of expenses that could be allocated to more “important” things)… But as my boss tells me, I do deserve this, so here I am, taking the leap and planning a once-in-a-lifetime trip to see U2 in Europe, fulfilling two childhood dreams in one go.
And as my tickets are for General Admission, this post of yours is just a treasure. I am still doing a lot of research on how to go about everything on D-day (not to mention getting around Paris!), and am still very much daunted by everything that will happen, so this information is truly appreciated! God bless you!
thank you. My husband and I are going to our first stadium concert June 25 (for my 50th bday and our 30th year in marriage) at Gillette stadium and accidentally got the general admission tickets, we are nervous about it and this post made me feel a bit more at ease about it. We may try trading once we get in if we feel we cant handle the closed in crowd, but I think with the right frame of mind we can get through it. looking forward to updates once the concerts get under way…still nervous, but maybe once the music starts Ill just get lost in it.
I can’t thank you enough for taking the time to explain all of this. I’ve been to several u2 shows but never GA so this is a first time and your advice will be most helpful!
Thanks a lot for sharing with us your experience with U2 concerts. They are coming to Louisville, KY, USA en June 2017. I can’t wait! It is the first time I am going to see them. My favorite songs are from the 90’s! xoxo
Thanks Joe! The info you shared is very thorough and helped set our expectations. Much appreciated!
I agree that the wait is certainly worth it when going for the GA experience. I have found that when there is an “Inner Circle, Heart, pit or what have you, each venue can be very different. The number of fans allowed within has for the most part been reasonable however one stadium show in Oakland was severely over crowded inside the rails to the point of it affecting the experience. I have always wondered why U2 has not adopted the Springsteen pit procedures. Passing out wristbands and then selecting a starting number randomly an hour or so before entrance is wonderful as you are not required to line up overnight or at the crack of dawn. Being able to grab a bite to eat, have a few libations and be in line a limited amount of time is very much a bonus. There is absolutely no reason to spend the entire day at the venue in what at times can be uncomfortable weather. Don’t get me wrong, the comradery and sharing of past experiences is fun but Bruce’s GA/Pit policies are certainly worth consideration.
Wonderful information Joe. I saw Joshua Tree your back in the day 1987 twice in Hartford Ct and am so excited to see it all again at MetLife Stadium in NJ on June 29th. Thrilled about it and your info was so helpful and stimulating to read through. Got 6 GA tickets with the original high school family members and friends we saw together in 87. A reunion. Cheers to all!!!
Why are some of the GA tix $200–$1200? I’m not sure what to buy for Pasadena?!
Hi Joe thank you for this guide it is very helpful. I was wondering would I get a decent number in the line if I arrived the morning of the show around 7am? Also is it a roll call system where you show up at different times of the day?
Thank you,
Ethan
Hi Greg and Katherine,
I answered your question and added it to the GA Guide under Section 19: “What if I arrive in the GA much later? I don’t really want to line up all day, but still enjoy the show!”
Joe
Hi Joe! Glad I came across this! Am a huge fan as well(named my son Bono) and need to know more about the Ga tix. Need to secure some for Rose Bowl for either of the dates…should I wait for Ticketmaster to miraculously release some in the coming weeks or should I get them via vividseats.com where they have them already? worried though about the paperless ticket and credit card mailing process that it entails? dont want to be refused on the day.Help!-Pinky
Thanks for the info! We were looking at GA because it is the cheapest ticket available in Los Angeles. if we choose not to line up and arrive just before the show will we still be able to enjoy the concert being stuck in the back of the field?
I have the same exact question except I’ll be in Tampa! Ended up getting both GA and seats far away on the highest tier. Trying to decide which will be best. Don’t want to arrive super early and would be okay in GA standing at the back as long as the view was decent. Also wondering if it will be shoulder to shoulder even in the back of GA?
Wowwwww this is a greate guid!!!
Very ditailed!!
Thank you so much Joe!!!
Hi Joe ! You re awesome! all this information is so helpful, I did camp on the Mexico show in 2011 for 360 tour and it was a great experience, but got sooo tired, I sweared I wont do it again , but then ..you forget about it and if I have to do it again for this one I would!! I have GA tickets for the Miami one, and I just want the best spot!!
I am flying from Panama to the USA for this concert on june, already saving money and energy! I am bringing my teenage kids , so excited that they would see their first U2 show! (They know about U2 since they were born, the first music they ´ve ever heard hehehe)
Congrats on this and keep us posted!
U2 for ever!
Patsy
Hi Joe ! You re awesome! all this information is so helpful, I did camp on the Mexico show in 2011 for 360 tour and it was a great experience, but got sooo tired, I sweared I wont do it again , but then ..you forget about it and if I have to do it again for this one I would!! I have GA tickets for the Miami one, and I just want the best spot!!
I am flying from Panama to the USA for this concert on june, already saving money and energy! I am bringing my teenage kids , so excited that they would see their first U2 show! (They know about U2 since they were born, the first music they ´ve ever heard hehehe)
Congrats on this and keep us posted!
U2 for ever!
Patsy
We have been to every U2 concert when they come to Toronto, for the Elevation Tour we were inside the heart which was amazing. This time we got P4 GA Field Standing Ticks probably going to get into the Red Zone, it’s nice having friends in high places. My question is what does the P4 mean????
Hi Joe. Do you know how much red zone tickets usually are??? Thank you!!!Rossalyn
inside the heart. i have been lucky enough to have been inside the circle twice, GA tks were scanned and at random you were picked by the computer.
I was in GA at Hawaii in 2006, too…inside of the smaller stage, on edges side, on rail…great time!!
Hey Joe!
Quick message because my battery is going to die, but I’ve been going to U2 shows since 1992 when I saw them in Oakland A’s a college student at UC Berkeley. I’ve since seen them numerous times throughout the USA. I was hoping to get GA tickets to this year’s LA show because I now live in LA, but they were sold out before they went on sale to the general public. Is there still a way to get 2 GA tickets for the LA show? And last question, please explain what the red zone is. I remember seeing U2 in 2001 in Ohio on the Elevation tour and inside the heart was a special group of people. Was that the red zone? I always wondered how they lucked out and got inside the heart. G
Joe, keep up the good work. You seem like an awesome guy. God bless! JJ – Los Angeles