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Original poster

BGT live semi finals

285 replies

Stopdropnroll · 17/05/2022 22:11

I've got tickets for the first BGT semi final but it's one of those where they give away too many tickets so you have to go and queue on the day.

In a moment of madness I've booked train tickets and a hotel on the off chance we manage to get in but I'm wondering if anyone has any experience of this or any tips!

It's at Hammersmith appollo so I've booked hotel nearby as I'll have DD(8) with me so if we do get in I don't want to be dragging her on the tube late at night.

Our train gets into Euston at 9.10 so we'll tube it straight to Hammersmith to get in the queue but I'm wondering if we'll be too late even by then. I've seen something online from 2019 that said they started giving out tickets at 9.30 and all were gone by 11am... We would be there before 11am but probably only by half an hour.

If anyone has any experience of this let me know. I've already warned DD that we might not get tickets and that we'll have a lovely couple of days in London if we don't. Just want to know if I'm completely mad even trying to get tickets 😬

OP posts:
venners · 31/05/2023 15:06

@caramelbambii thank you so much for all your info, much appreciated. Hope you have a fab evening. Hopefully I’ll get tickets for tomorrow 🤞🏻 x x

Bonjovispyjamas · 31/05/2023 15:21

liera · 31/05/2023 13:49

Help! Has anyone been able to get into the BGT semi-finals when the person whose name is the ticketholder can't join and you don't share a surname? 🙁We have Jun 1 priority tickets for the ticketholder and up to 4 guests, but now the ticketholder can't join and none of us are related, so we wanted to know if it's worth making the trek to Hammersmith to convince them to let us in. Only the ticket holder's name is on the ticket, not the 4 of us guests.

I'm afraid as someone else said, they are very strict about this. The person whose name is on the ticket has to be present, you can chance it but I'd be surprised if they let you in, sorry.

Also to the people disappointed about seats in the circle, these are still pretty good seats. Last year, I asked if we could have seats in the stalls and was told they were reserved for sponsors. But on Monday we were actually given seats in the stalls but quite near the back.

Original poster
Stopdropnroll · 31/05/2023 16:38

liera · 31/05/2023 14:36

@caramelbambii thanks for the offer to ask on our behalf! I did contact ApplauseStore on WhatsApp and got an auto-message that they are overwhelmed with questions about BGT now so might not respond for a few days, which would be too late for us since our tix are for tomorrow.

They are pretty strict that the name on the booking needs to be the same name as on photo id of lead guest. I'd guess the only way round it would be if any of you looked like lead guest and could take their id with you!!

OP posts:
SJP888 · 31/05/2023 17:09

Has anyone on here not for tickets? I’m wondering what time is the latest you can arrive before they actually run out!

caramelbambii · 31/05/2023 17:18

The time on your tickets is the time they close the doors and stop giving tickets I think. I guess they still give them out up until that point if seats are still available. To be honest when I was in the que it was full but they still had plenty of tickets with each of their staff in bulk being handed out. The time on my ticket for this evening is 5pm and they told us to return for 6:30 but the show is actually on TV at 8pm so I think the time in between is getting everyone seated and perhaps some entertainment or something beforehand so maybe then if tickets are still available they might still hand them out for just wanting a full audience as some people may still not show up etc I could be wrong though as I'm a first timer, other ladies here have been a few times and know how it works better

Original poster
Stopdropnroll · 31/05/2023 19:58

SJP888 · 31/05/2023 17:09

Has anyone on here not for tickets? I’m wondering what time is the latest you can arrive before they actually run out!

It's just luck of the draw on the day as to how many people turn up and how early everyone arrives.

I'd started the thread because I'd have DD with me and so wanted to make sure we got tickets but if you're happy to run the risk of not getting in then you could try later.

OP posts:
Original poster
Stopdropnroll · 31/05/2023 20:08

caramelbambii · 31/05/2023 17:18

The time on your tickets is the time they close the doors and stop giving tickets I think. I guess they still give them out up until that point if seats are still available. To be honest when I was in the que it was full but they still had plenty of tickets with each of their staff in bulk being handed out. The time on my ticket for this evening is 5pm and they told us to return for 6:30 but the show is actually on TV at 8pm so I think the time in between is getting everyone seated and perhaps some entertainment or something beforehand so maybe then if tickets are still available they might still hand them out for just wanting a full audience as some people may still not show up etc I could be wrong though as I'm a first timer, other ladies here have been a few times and know how it works better

Enjoy the show tonight, we're watching from the sofa! Yes they like to get you in and seated early then compare comes on about 20 mins before the show starts to get the crowd going!

OP posts:
caramelbambii · 31/05/2023 22:51

Just got in, the show finished at 10pm and it was absolutely fab!! So much better than watching on TV! Thanks for all the help ladies made a first time experience much more smooth and less stressful!!

LauraL1111 · 01/06/2023 09:00

We’re in the line for tickets tonight’s show. Arrived at 8.30am & there are about 60 people in front of us. They started setting up the barriers just as we arrived. Fingers crossed!

BGT live semi finals
Nononononoyes · 01/06/2023 12:05

When did people get their email from Applause Store saying they had tickets?
I’m wondering when I should give up checking my email!

caramelbambii · 01/06/2023 12:28

Enjoy!! Last night was amazing! What time did you get your tickets today?

LauraL1111 · 01/06/2023 15:45

We got them around 10.45am - started giving them out at 10.30am. They’ve said to be back for 7pm. My DD is so excited, glad we can finally relax! Thanks for everyone’s help!

caramelbambii · 04/06/2023 11:30

Is anyone going to the show tonight? Would probably only get there for 1pm ish would it be worth still trying for tickets?

SJP888 · 04/06/2023 15:34

Did you manage to get tickets? We were going to go at that time but decided tickets would probably have gone by then x

caramelbambii · 06/06/2023 05:34

I got there for like 1:30ish quite a bunch of us in the que. Tickets were sold out by then. They gave us numbered raffles and were told to return at 6pm for possible standby tickets as some people who collect their tickets still don't show up. They would give tickets in the order you were in, I was 192/193 (myself and my guest) and I think it went up to just over 200 as quite a few people behind me. I managed to get tickets and I was seated in Stalls , Row S , which was beside Alesha's family (her husband, mum etc, she kept coming over so I was fan girling inside) so considering I arrived super late, I managed to get tickets being one of the last few people in the que was lucky with amazing seating. They had plenty to spare!! I guess it's true what they said on the other posts. The best seats do tend to be given last but it's a gamble. I was just extremely lucky but all 200 of us managed to get in. I got in a few mins just before the show started. We all got in order of our raffle numbers. It was done completely fairly. It was amazing, I went to semi finals and finals both amazing experiences. I have to admit I was in the circle section for semi's and in terms of atmosphere it was nicer, people are more relaxed and fun. In stalls right by the stage, they are more reserved, upper class people so even when I was clapping and giving my cheers I felt like I was doing too much and acting wild when I wasn't they were just very restricting in their behaviour as if they're too good to enjoy a good time. Someone Ant knew was sitting beside me too and he came over a few times and the view for the stage is great. This will definitely be a yearly experience for me now, I've already signed up to be alerted for the audition tickets next year! I'll probably turn up super early and try get good seats but this year I cannot complain at all. All in all , no matter the time you turn up I guess you'll probably get in, just depends if you can be bothered to go through the standby tickets gamble as it's round 2 of the stress of not knowing if you'll get a ticket or not, I live local so I don't find an inconvenience just disappointing if I were not to get in

Pinkstar28 · 06/06/2023 09:01

This is good to know. When we went back at 6:30 there were a lot of people queuing across the road for standby tickets so I guess there is still that chance but it’s the risk you take. But for the final that’s so good you & others managed to get in with standby tickets. We would love to go to the auditions shows, anyone have any tips or experience of how to get tickets for those shows, queuing times etc

Bonjovispyjamas · 06/06/2023 09:21

Pinkstar28 · 06/06/2023 09:01

This is good to know. When we went back at 6:30 there were a lot of people queuing across the road for standby tickets so I guess there is still that chance but it’s the risk you take. But for the final that’s so good you & others managed to get in with standby tickets. We would love to go to the auditions shows, anyone have any tips or experience of how to get tickets for those shows, queuing times etc

Hi, the auditions work exactly the same as the live shows. Queue in the morning for tickets then come back later for the show. They have afternoon and evening shows and it's at the Palladium, not Hammersmith appollo. Someone mentioned about signing up for alerts for when tickets become available, but don't rely on that too much, in my experience they rarely alert you, better to just keep checking yourself. Auditions are usually in January.

Pinkstar28 · 06/06/2023 09:50

Bonjovispyjamas · 06/06/2023 09:21

Hi, the auditions work exactly the same as the live shows. Queue in the morning for tickets then come back later for the show. They have afternoon and evening shows and it's at the Palladium, not Hammersmith appollo. Someone mentioned about signing up for alerts for when tickets become available, but don't rely on that too much, in my experience they rarely alert you, better to just keep checking yourself. Auditions are usually in January.

Show quote history

Perfect thank you.

caramelbambii · 06/06/2023 13:28

To be guaranteed to get in 10:30 or before I'd say is the safest without the anxiety of not being sure especially for people with kids. People start queing up from 8am. They are strict with the ID process. This year they started handing tickets around 10:30-11. Just join the applause store website and just check when tickets are available it's just about being lucky they pick you and send you tickets. I was very lucky this year I applied for the finals very last minute because the semi's were so enjoyable and I managed to get 2. I've realised applying for more than 2 I never seem to get any but not sure if it's because I've been last minute, perhaps if I was an early bird I could manage for a larger group as plenty people there were 5/6 with kids etc

Pete1502 · 26/05/2024 20:48

Hi all. Apologies for resurrecting an old thread but there seems to be a wealth of knowledge here on all things BGT! I’ve managed to get priority tickets for tomorrow nights show for me and my 11 year old daughter and I’m abit anxious about the dress code on the website, it sounds very strict. Is that the case once you’re there?

Bonjovispjs · 26/05/2024 23:59

Pete1502 · 26/05/2024 20:48

Hi all. Apologies for resurrecting an old thread but there seems to be a wealth of knowledge here on all things BGT! I’ve managed to get priority tickets for tomorrow nights show for me and my 11 year old daughter and I’m abit anxious about the dress code on the website, it sounds very strict. Is that the case once you’re there?

Edited

Hi, the first time i went to the bgt semi finals, I got dressed up as they did seem quite strict about it as you've pointed out. I needn't have bothered, no one cares what you're wearing and most people were in jeans, T shirts and trainers, which is exactly what I wear when I go now and I've been a fair few times. Just wear whatever you like and have a great time, no one will say anything 😊

shellhall77 · 27/05/2024 00:36

Hi, can I ask what the situation is with going to the toilet once the show starts? Are you allowed? my kids will never last without going! thanks

Pinkstar28 · 27/05/2024 07:34

I’ve never actually needed to use the toilet during the show, or the kids. If i remember, they do say to wait until the ad breaks but that means you obviously have to be rather quick. There is a part that is pre recorded which is done a little earlier, so then there is a bit of time after that, before the show is live to use the loo. Then when the show is live & they play back the pre recorded part, i guess you could also use the loo then as well.

Bonjovispjs · 27/05/2024 07:38

shellhall77 · 27/05/2024 00:36

Hi, can I ask what the situation is with going to the toilet once the show starts? Are you allowed? my kids will never last without going! thanks

It's fine to go to the toilet during the breaks, but they want you to be back in your seats before the next part starts, if you're not, they usually make you stand at the back of the seat rows until the next break when you can return to your seat. I guess they don't want people shown walking around the venue on live TV.

Pinkstar28 · 27/05/2024 19:47

Anyone else gone today or are going this week? We are going Wednesday. Hoping it’s the same sort of timings as the previous two years we have been. Arrived, qued and left with our wristbands & tickets by 11am. Any updates appreciated