How To Buy Burning Man Tickets 2025
WHY IT’S CONSCIOUS: Burning Man is a transformational experience built on shared values of collaboration, giving, service, and leave-no-trace
My first burn was the last year, it didn’t sell out. In the 11 burns since then, I’ve watched the ticket system evolve, crash, and evolve some more. And it’s evolved for 2025 even more. This year, Burning Man ticketing is going differently, but will hopefully flow a little easier and make Black Rock City more accessible to everyone who wants to go.
Here’s how to navigate it and get those golden tickets for Black Rock City 2025 (August 24-September 1):
First, Good News: No More Burner Profile Drama!
The big change this year: you don’t need a Burner Profile for most sales! While having one is still a good idea (especially if you’re involved with theme camps), the regular ticket sales are now more straightforward. You’ll just need to register for each sale you want to participate in. See below for dates of registration and sale dates for each sale.
If you want to enter the first sale, REGISTER NOW HERE.
Register for the Sales
If you’re planning to buy tickets, you’ll need to register in advance for whichever sale you’re targeting. Registration opens a few weeks before each sale (dates listed below). Once registered, an email from Burning Man should appear in your inbox the day before the sale. If it doesn’t, check your spam. This email will contain a link to purchase tickets, so star/pin that message for the sale.
All sales happen at noon PT on a weekday, so make sure you’ve blocked off that time on your calendar.
The Buying Process
Burning Man’s tickets are still sold in a queue system. After you click to buy your tickets, you’ll get to a page with a progress bar. Though it’s stated on the window, it’s worth repeating: Don’t close or refresh that page! Take some mindful breaths or say some affirmations until that progress bar reaches the end and you can buy those tickets.
A big change for 2025: each sale now offers tickets at multiple price points, from $550 to $3,000. When you buy at a higher price point, you’re not just getting yourself to the playa – you’re helping fund art grants and making it possible for others to attend through programs like Ticket Aid. Pretty cool, right?
You can still buy 2 tickets and one vehicle pass per order, using a MasterCard or VISA credit/debit card (and now Apple Pay or Google Pay too!). Each person is limited to a single order, and each credit/debit card can only be used for one order.
Vehicle Passes
Every vehicle driven onto Black Rock Desert needs a vehicle pass (except motorcycles and towed vehicles). They cost $150 each, plus fees. Here’s my pro tip: if you think you might need one, buy it with your tickets. You can’t buy a vehicle pass on its own later, and they can be hard to find. Even if you end up not needing it, you’ll easily find someone who does.
The Sales
The Today Sale
This is the first ticket sale of the year, happening February 12, 2025. You’ll need to register between February 3-11.
Unlike last year’s sales, this one has tickets at ALL price points: $550, $650, $750, $950, $1,500, and $3,000 (plus fees and taxes).Those lower-priced tickets will go FAST. If you can afford a higher price point, you’ll have a better chance of getting through, plus you’ll be helping make the event more accessible for others.
The Stewards’ Sale
If you’re part of a theme camp, art installation, mutant vehicle crew, or infrastructure team, this is your sale. Registration runs February 21-28, with the sale happening March 5-8.
The great news? If you’re invited, you’re guaranteed access to buy tickets! And this year, you get access to all price tiers, from $550 to $3,000. Your camp lead will need to get you on the list, but you’ll still need to register yourself during the registration window.
Tomorrow Sale (New!)
The details of this one are still TBD, but it’ll work similar to the Today Sale, with whatever ticket inventory is left. You’ll have access to multiple price points, and those $550 tickets will still go super fast.
OMG Sale
The last chance saloon happens July 30, 2025. Register between July 23-29 if you want to try for two of the remaining tickets. By this point, we won’t know exactly which price tiers will be available – it depends on what’s left from earlier sales.
Special Programs for 2025
Kids’ Tickets
Still free for kids 12 and under! You’ll just need to get them a print-at-home ticket (available starting July 16) to bring with their ticketed guardian.
Ticket Aid (Formerly Low Income Tickets)
They’ve rebranded the low-income ticket program as “Ticket Aid,” but it still works similarly. Apply starting February 19 – the earlier the better! If approved, you can get a ticket for $225 and a vehicle pass for $75 (plus fees).
Pro Tip: There are still humans reviewing these applications, so take time with your answers about why you want to go and what you’ll contribute. Express your “why” genuinely!
New: Renaissance Champion Program
This is exciting! It’s a new program designed to help bring fresh energy to the playa, especially from international crews, creative collectives, and first-time burners who’ve always wanted to come but thought it wasn’t possible.
New: Resilience Program
Another new addition for 2025: if you’ve been impacted by natural disasters or geopolitical conflicts, you might be eligible for $550 or gift tickets through this program. Applications open February 19.
Other Ways to Buy Tickets:
STEP Ticket Exchange
STEP is back, opening May 8! It’s still the safest way to buy and sell face-value tickets. They’ll pause it from July 20 to August 1, and close it on August 22.
Burner-to-Burner Sales
As always, tickets circulate, especially in the weeks leading up to the event. If you have a network of burners, let them know you’re looking. If not, you can try the usual channels (Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, burner groups) – but be super careful about scams.
New This Year: Ticket Insurance!
For about 8.1% of your ticket cost, you can get insurance through FanShield that covers nearly twenty different life events that might prevent you from attending. If something comes up that’s covered by the policy, you’ll get reimbursed for everything – tickets, vehicle pass, fees, the works.
Final Reminders
Remember that all tickets now include:
- 9% Nevada Live Entertainment Tax
- $4 per-item fee
- 4% credit card processing fee
- Shipping fees ($20-65 depending on method)
And please, still don’t buy (or sell) scalped tickets! The rule remains: sell & buy at cost. You can report overpriced tickets by clicking this link.
Shipping starts in late June, and the Box Office opens August 18 for early arrival folks. Remember to read those Terms and Conditions – they’re unlike any other event, especially around image use and liability.
Good luck getting your tickets! Whether you end up with $550 or $3,000 tickets, I’ll see you on playa for Tomorrow Today!Version 3 of 3
