Investment categories: understand everything
Category 1, gold square, pit, stands, PRM places: ticket offices use vocabulary which primarily designates seating areas and viewing levels. Understanding what these categories cover avoids unpleasant surprises and helps you choose a place suited to your expectations rather than paying for a title. This page brings together our benchmarks on the main investment categories and links to detailed guides for each.
A category is above all an area and a view
On most plans, the categories (often numbered from closest to furthest, or named) reflect a simple logic: the closer you get to the stage or playing area, the higher the category and generally the higher the price. But “close” does not always mean “best view”: a very close placement can provide a low angle, while a location further back sometimes gives a more readable overview. The key is to understand what the category actually entails in terms of distance, angle and comfort.
What a category indicates (and does not indicate)
- It generally indicates a zone of the shot and a range of distance to the scene or terrain.
- It often reflects a relative 'T0' price level 'T1' compared to other categories.
- It does not always guarantee an ideal view: the angle and level count as much as proximity.
- It can cover seated or standing places depending on the event and the configuration.
Our guides by category
Choose the category that concerns you for detailed placement guidelines.
How to read a category before booking
Before choosing, don't stop at just the title of the category. Refer to the floor plan to locate the area, check whether it is seated or standing, identify the level (low, intermediate or high) and, in concert, the location of the stage. The same category can correspond to very different views depending on the configuration of the event. Cross-referencing the title with the official plan remains the best way to understand what you are really buying.
Adapt the category to your objective
The right choice of category depends on what you are looking for. To experience the event up close and in the atmosphere, a nearby category or a pit makes sense. To benefit from a comfortable and readable overview, a slightly lower category or an intermediate level is often a better compromise. And if accessibility is a necessity, PRM locations meet a specific need. Starting from your objective, then comparing the categories against this objective, will prevent you from paying for a title unrelated to your real expectations.