How Much Does It Cost to Rent Special Effects for a Concert or Event?

One of the first questions we hear from customers planning a concert, festival, sporting event, corporate event, or live production is simple: How much does it cost to rent special effects?

The answer depends heavily on the type of effects you want, the size and location of your event, how many effects are needed, and whether you are looking for equipment rental or a complete turnkey special effects production.

A small event requiring a few special effects machines is completely different from a concert tour, arena production, festival, or stadium show requiring dozens—or even hundreds—of effects, professional technicians, show programming, transportation, permits, insurance, and other production support.

At Atlanta Special FX, we provide professional special effects rentals and complete special effects production for concerts, tours, festivals, sporting events, corporate events, private events, and other live productions. Here are some of the biggest factors that determine what your special effects package will cost.

What Determines the Cost of Special Effects Rentals?

There isn't a single flat rate for renting special effects equipment. Your total cost will depend on several factors.

1. The Type of Special Effects

The first consideration is simply: What do you want the audience to see?

Today's productions have an enormous selection of special effects available, including:

• Pyrotechnics

• Flame effects

• CO2 jets

• ECO2JET CO2 cryo jet simulators

• Confetti cannons

• Streamers

• Cold spark machines

• Lasers

• Fog and haze

• Snow machines

• Foam effects

• Water effects

• Air cannons

• Custom special effects

Each type of effect has different equipment, consumables, setup requirements, operating requirements, and associated costs.

A production using four confetti cannons, for example, will have completely different requirements than a stadium concert using dozens of flame units, pyrotechnics, lasers, CO2 effects, and a large outdoor fireworks finale.

How Much Does Pyrotechnics Rental Cost?

Concert pyrotechnics and event pyrotechnics are generally priced based on the amount and type of pyrotechnic material being used, number of firing positions, show duration, programming requirements, permitting, transportation, and the number of licensed or qualified technicians required for the production.

Stage pyrotechnics can include effects such as comets, mines, gerbs, flashes, sparks, and other professionally designed effects.

For larger productions, the pyro package may be carefully programmed to music, timecode, lighting, video, or specific moments during a performance.

If you're searching for pyrotechnics rental, concert pyrotechnics, stage pyro rental, event pyrotechnics, or a professional pyrotechnics company, it is important to remember that you're not simply paying for the individual effect. You're paying for the entire system and expertise required to safely and reliably produce it.

How Much Does It Cost to Rent Flame Effects?

Flame effects can range from individual flame machines to large synchronized flame packages covering an entire stage.

The cost of renting flame machines depends on the number and type of units, fuel requirements, control system, venue, transportation, technicians, setup time, and production requirements.

Flame effects can create enormous visual impact and are popular for concerts, festivals, sporting events, player introductions, corporate productions, and other live entertainment.

A few strategically placed flame units can completely transform a production, while larger touring shows may incorporate numerous flame positions programmed into specific musical cues.

CO2 Jet and ECO2JET Rental Costs

CO2-style effects are another extremely popular choice for concerts and events.

Traditional CO2 jets use compressed or liquid CO2 to create the familiar massive white plume seen at concerts, festivals, clubs, and sporting events.

Another option is an ECO2JET-style CO2 cryo jet simulator, which can produce a very similar visual effect using high-pressure air and quick-evaporating fog fluid instead of cumbersome CO2 tanks.

The cost of CO2 jet rentals or ECO2JET rentals depends on the number of machines, duration of the event, required consumables, control equipment, transportation, and whether technicians are required.

For touring productions, ECO2JET-style systems can sometimes simplify logistics by reducing or eliminating the need to source, transport, connect, and exchange numerous CO2 cylinders.

How Much Does Confetti Rental Cost?

Confetti can be one of the most cost-effective ways to create a huge visual moment.

Pricing for confetti cannon rentals depends on several factors, including the number and type of cannons, amount of confetti, throw distance, color selection, custom confetti requirements, and the size of the area being covered.

There is a major difference between filling a small stage with confetti and covering an arena or stadium.

Streamers are another popular option and can create spectacular visual moments while sometimes making cleanup easier because the material remains in longer pieces.

What About Laser Rentals?

Professional lasers can add an entirely different dimension to a production.

The cost of laser rentals for concerts and events depends on the number and power of the lasers, venue size, desired programming, control systems, setup requirements, technicians, and regulatory or safety requirements applicable to the production.

Large-scale concert laser shows can involve multiple units positioned throughout a venue and programmed alongside lighting, video, pyro, flames, and other effects.

Equipment Rental vs. Turnkey Special Effects Production

This is one of the biggest factors affecting price.

Some customers simply need to rent special effects equipment and already have experienced production personnel capable of integrating and operating it.

Other customers want Atlanta Special FX to handle everything.

A turnkey special effects package may include:

• Equipment

• Consumables

• Transportation

• Setup and teardown

• Technicians and operators

• Programming

• Show control

• Permitting

• Venue coordination

• Safety planning

• Production coordination

• On-site operation

For larger productions, having one special effects company coordinate multiple types of effects can dramatically simplify communication and production logistics.

Instead of coordinating separately with a pyro company, flame company, CO2 supplier, confetti provider, and laser company, one experienced special effects team can help coordinate the entire package.

Location Can Affect Special Effects Rental Pricing

Where your event takes place also matters.

Transportation, freight, travel, hotels, per diem, local regulations, permits, venue requirements, and access to consumables can all affect the final price.

A single-night event close to the equipment provider will naturally have different logistics than a multi-city concert tour moving across the United States or internationally.

For touring productions, designing an efficient special effects package can sometimes reduce overall costs by minimizing freight, reducing setup time, consolidating equipment, and planning consumables in advance.

Small Event vs. Arena or Stadium Production

The scale of your production is another major consideration.

A nightclub, wedding, or corporate event may only require several effects for a few major moments.

A concert tour might require effects throughout an entire performance.

An arena or stadium show can involve dozens of firing locations, large quantities of equipment, multiple technicians, extensive programming, permits, transportation, and days of preparation.

That's why professional special effects companies generally quote productions individually rather than publishing a single price for every event.

How Can I Get an Accurate Special Effects Rental Quote?

The fastest way to receive an accurate quote is to provide as much information about your event as possible.

When contacting Atlanta Special FX, it helps to provide:

• Event date

• Venue

• City and state

• Type of event

• Indoor or outdoor location

• Expected audience size

• Stage dimensions, if available

• Effects you're interested in

• Number of performances

• Load-in and load-out schedule

• Whether you need equipment only or a turnkey production

Don't know exactly what effects you need? That's completely fine.

Tell us what you're trying to accomplish.

Maybe you want a massive entrance for an artist. Maybe you need flames during a chorus, CO2-style blasts for a drop, confetti for the finale, or pyrotechnics for the biggest moments of the show.

Our team can help determine which effects make sense for the production and build a package around your venue, creative vision, and budget.

Rent Special Effects From Atlanta Special FX

Atlanta Special FX provides special effects rentals, concert special effects, touring special effects, pyrotechnics, flame effects, CO2 effects, ECO2JET rentals, lasers, confetti, streamers, fog, haze, snow, and other professional effects for productions of all sizes.

Whether you're producing a single event or planning an entire tour, our goal is to help you create the biggest possible visual impact while keeping the equipment and logistics practical for your production.

So, how much does it cost to rent special effects?

There isn't one universal answer—and that's actually a good thing. Your special effects package can be designed around your event, your venue, your creative goals, and your budget rather than forcing every production into the same package.

Request a Special Effects Rental Quote

Planning an upcoming concert, festival, sporting event, corporate production, tour, or special event?

Call Atlanta Special FX at 888-664-0097 for special effects rental pricing and availability, or send us an email through our website to request a custom quote.

Tell us where you're going, what you're producing, and what you want the audience to experience. Whether you're looking for a few rental effects or a complete turnkey special effects package, our team can help you build the right solution for your production.