Former concert venue employee says they're sneaking into events 3 months after leaving: 'So far, I've been to about 8 basketball games and 6 concerts'

Author image for Remy Millisky
Remy Millisky • Writer and Editor
Mar 7, 2026 3:00 PM EST

This employee has discovered the kind of life hack that people would pay thousands for! 

One career path that many of us never consider, but probably should, is working at a concert venue in some capacity. Just imagine it! If you work security, concessions, merch table, etc., you have an immediate view of every concert. Ok, it's not like you're at the barricade. But you still probably get to hear every single concert that goes on there, and maybe on your breaks, you can actually watch some of it. 

Advertisement

  • This employee didn't love working at the concert venue, though. So they quit. But… they've realized that if they just play it cool, they can easily step into the venue without paying for a ticket. Other employees don't seem to be alerted to their presence. And why would they? There must be hundreds of workers. If someone in a vest or plain black shirt is walking around looking like they know what they're doing, they're not going to be stopped for being out of place. Easy! 

    I do hope that this person can continue their unethical life hack for a long time. They've probably saved thousands of dollars by now, and they're not really harming anyone by sneaking around, right? 

    The only downside is that they have to go to every event alone… and if they're ever caught, there will probably be some consequences. But seeing Sabrina Carpenter for free would be worth the chiding from venue managers! 

  • 01
    Concertgoers dance with hands in the air.
    via Getty Images

    Concertgoers dance with hands in the air.

    The image does not depict the actual subjects of the story. Subjects are models.

  • 02
    so over the summer, I got a job as an event security at a prominent arena here on the west coast.
    via Cold_Entry_5609
  • 03
    the job itself is pretty mundane. I usually worked crash doors, which basically meant I kept people from trying to come in through the emergency doors.
    via Cold_Entry_5609
  • 04
    I decided to quit because there weren't enough hours to make it worth coming to downtown
    via Cold_Entry_5609
  • 05
    I was scheduled for 15 hours a week. after a few months, I decided to go to a Sabrina carpenter concert, but the ticket prices were ridiculous.
    via Cold_Entry_5609
  • 06
    One thing I noticed working here was that no one knows anyone else. when there are three hundred people working, faces kind of mix.
    via Cold_Entry_5609
  • 07
    On the evening of the show, I came through the employee entrance and went right through
    via Cold_Entry_5609
  • 08
    They don't scan your badge. they Just make sure you don't have any weapons. I would wait until 10 minutes after the show started. And I would put on my badge and walk to the lower levels.
    via Cold_Entry_5609
  • 09
    when the floor security guard saw me, they wouldn't even look, they would just nod.
    via Cold_Entry_5609
  • 10
    So far, i've been to about eight basketball games and six concerts. Today I will try to go to the employee meal section and see if they will allow me in.
    via Cold_Entry_5609
  • 11
    They usually scan a barcode, but it's a generic barcode. am I being too greedy, lol Edit: someone mentioned that the qr codes are tied to names....so looks like I'm not getting any employee meal.
    via Cold_Entry_5609
  • 12
    Concert venue security guard stands by the barricade.
    via Mathurin NAPOLY / matnapo

    Concert venue security guard stands by the barricade. 

    The image does not depict the actual subjects of the story. Subjects are models.

  • Commenters were aghast that this person would put their free concert lifestyle in jeopardy over the free food the venue provides. The food at most event venues isn't like, Michellin-star quality or anything. Just enjoy those free concerts and games and don't worry about saving $11 on some cold, soggy nachos. 

  • 13
    LBfalcon... Unlike everyone else answering in here I'm gonna keep it real............Dude you're gonna lose out on all these free experiences for some whatever food.
    via LBfalcon57
  • 14
    Just enjoy the shows and games.
    via LBfalcon57
  • 15

    Even making this post was a mistake!

    bbctrain... I mean maybe you'll get caught if you keep pushing it
    via bbctrainer12

    If even a handful of venue employees spot this post, it's going to make them do some kind of security protocol about it. I can't imagine this person would update about it, but they're pushing their luck with this post. 

    Honestly, though, this just isn't the kind of thing you can get away with forever, though. It only takes a few internal changes to mess with their usual entry path, and they can kiss the opportunity goodbye. 

  • 16
    la_bata_... There's a saying in Spanish that goes: "el que come callado, come dos veces" Meaning: he who eats quietly, eats twice
    via la_bata_sucia
  • 17
    You already got some advices from re-edit now go ahead and delete the post, there's a tiny chance somebody could blow this advantage
    via la_bata_sucia
  • 18
    Trick_P... You're flying too close to sun, dude. Who cares about the food, just keep milking the free events. You don't want to get caught over a bag of potato chips.
    via Trick_Photograph9758
  • 19

    The secondhand jealousy is hard to bear!

    tapelamp Bro why do people post this stuff when they're still actively doing things like this???? Just enjoy it. Post about it years later.
    via tapelamp

Want More? Follow Us and Add Us as a Preferred Source on Google.

Tags

concert venue basketball
Scroll Down For The Next Article