Austin is hot. It’s dusty. By Sunday of Weekend Two, Zilker Park usually smells like a mix of expensive sunscreen and trampled grass. Yet, thousands of people still lose their minds trying to snag 2025 austin city limits music festival tickets the second they drop.
Honestly, the "ticket hunger" for this year is a bit different. Usually, there's a slow burn of rumors, but 2025 feels like a sprint. With big names like Sabrina Carpenter, Hozier, and the Strokes officially on the bill, the scramble is real. If you’ve ever tried to buy these on a Tuesday at noon, you know the "digital waiting room" is basically a circle of hell where your browser refresh button goes to die.
The Reality of 2025 Austin City Limits Music Festival Tickets Prices
Let’s talk about the money. Because it’s a lot.
A standard 3-day General Admission (GA) pass for 2025 started around $360. If you were smart (or just lucky) and grabbed the Early Bird special back in December or early May, you might have walked away with a $320 price tag. But let’s be real—most people miss that window. By the time the lineup actually drops and the FOMO hits, those prices start creeping up.
I’ve seen GA passes on secondary sites already hitting $418 or higher. It’s wild.
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Here is how the tiers actually break down this year:
- GA+ ($750): You’re basically paying for a bathroom that doesn’t make you want to cry. You get a private lounge with shade and fans, which, in the 90-degree Austin heat, is actually a godsend.
- VIP ($1,670): This is where things got controversial this year. In 2024, VIP included an open bar. For 2025, they actually pulled back on that, and some fans are pretty annoyed. You still get the elevated viewing decks and air-conditioned lounges, but you're buying your own drinks.
- Platinum ($5,670): This is the "I just won the lottery" tier. It’s all-inclusive, includes front-of-stage viewing, and you get shuttled around in golf carts.
The Lineup Dilemma: Weekend 1 vs. Weekend 2
People always ask: "Which weekend should I buy?"
For 2025, the dates are October 3–5 and October 10–12.
The lineup is mostly the same, but there are always those "Weekend Only" heartbreakers. For example, Maren Morris and Modest Mouse are only doing Weekend One. If you’re a die-hard Rilo Kiley fan (yes, the reunion is actually happening), you have to go Weekend Two.
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Basically, you need to check the fine print before you drop four hundred bucks. I’ve seen people buy the wrong weekend because they just assumed their favorite indie band was playing both. Don't be that person.
What Most People Get Wrong About "Sold Out"
Don't panic when the official site says "Sold Out." It’s a marketing tactic as much as it is a reality. They release tickets in waves.
Waitlist options exist for a reason. Also, the Verified Fan Resale is usually safer than some random person on Reddit promising to mail you a wristband. If you’re buying 2025 austin city limits music festival tickets from a third party, just remember that these are physical wristbands with RFID chips. If the seller "loses" it or reports it stolen after you pay, your $400 piece of plastic is useless at the gate.
Survival Tips for the Zilker Dust
If you managed to get your hands on a ticket, congrats. Now you have to actually survive.
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The bag policy is stricter than airport security. You can bring a clear bag, but it has to be 12" x 6" x 12" or smaller. If you have a small clutch that isn't clear, it better be tiny—like 6" x 9" max. I once saw a girl have to bury her expensive leather purse in a bush outside the gate because security wouldn't let her in. Don't do that.
Also, bring an empty reusable water bottle. There are refill stations everywhere. Austin water tastes... fine? It’s better than paying $9 for a plastic bottle every hour.
How to Secure Your Spot Without Going Broke
If you missed the initial sale, your best bet is waiting until about two weeks before the fest. That’s when the "I can't go anymore" posts start flooding the internet.
- Check the Official ACL Ticket Exchange. It’s the only way to guarantee the wristband isn't a fake.
- Look for Single Day Tickets. These usually go on sale a bit later (often around $165) and are great if you only care about one headliner.
- Avoid the "Bungalow" trap unless you have nine friends and $30,000 to spare.
At the end of the day, ACL is about the vibe. Whether you're at the American Express stage for Sabrina Carpenter or catching a local jazz collective at the BMI stage, it’s a core Austin experience. Just make sure you’ve activated your wristband online before you show up at the gate, or you’ll be stuck in the "Troubleshooting" line while your favorite band is finishing their set.
Actionable Next Steps:
Head to the official ACL Festival website to check the current Waitlist status for your preferred weekend. If you are buying via a secondary market, ensure they offer a 100% buyer guarantee to protect against deactivated RFID wristbands. Once you have your tickets, download the ACL app to create a custom schedule so you don't miss the weekend-specific artists.