With the rise of ticket resale platforms and secondary markets, buying event tickets can be a dicey proposition for fans. Verified fan presales have emerged as one way for artists and event organizers to get tickets directly into the hands of their true supporters. But are verified fan tickets truly guaranteed? Let’s take a look at how verified fan presales work and what protections they actually provide.
What are verified fan presales?
Verified fan presales are essentially private ticket presales offered exclusively to an artist or event’s loyal fanbase. Fans must first register with the artist or event through an online process that “verifies” them as true supporters. This often requires sharing personal information and social media accounts to prove your fandom.
Once verified, those fans gain access to buy tickets directly from the primary ticket seller before the general public onsale. This gives them early access and improves their chances of getting tickets before resellers can scoop them up. Verified fan presales have become highly popular with major artists like Taylor Swift, Harry Styles, and Bruce Springsteen.
Are verified tickets guaranteed?
While verified fan presales give you a better shot at securing tickets, they do not guarantee you will get tickets. The verification process does not reserve or hold tickets for you. It simply gives you early access to buy from the general pool of tickets once they go on sale.
Demand almost always far outweighs supply for the most popular events and artists. So even with verified fan access, tickets can sell out in seconds. You are also not guaranteed to get the exact tickets you want in terms of seating location, quantity, or price range.
Pros of verified fan presales
While not a guarantee, there are some key advantages verified fan presales provide:
- Early access: You get to purchase tickets before the general public
- Level playing field: All verified fans get access at the same time, preventing resellers from buying up tickets first
- Peace of mind: Tickets come directly from the primary seller, not resale sites
- Fair prices: Tickets are sold at face value original prices
Cons of verified fan presales
There are also some downsides to keep in mind:
- No guarantee: Tickets may still sell out even with early access
- Limited inventory: The best tickets are likely snatched up first
- Registration hassles: Verification process requires sharing personal info
- Time commitment: You must be online right at the presale start time
Tips for verified fan presales
To make the most of verified fan presale opportunities, here are some helpful tips:
- Register early – Sign up as soon as presale registration opens to give yourself the best shot at verification.
- Be ready online – Log in ahead of the presale start time and refresh often so you can buy the moment sales begin.
- Shop quickly – Have payment info saved and act fast once tickets are available.
- Be flexible – Have backup seating options in case your first choices sell out.
- Use presale codes – Look for special presale codes that may give you even earlier access.
Alternatives to verified fan presales
If you miss out on verified fan presale tickets, all hope is not lost. Here are some other ways to score tickets:
- General onsales – Remaining tickets go on sale to the general public shortly after presales end.
- Wait for release – More tickets are sometimes released closer to the event date.
- Fan ticket exchanges – Artists like Taylor Swift have offered fan ticket exchanges.
- Ticket drop platforms – Some artists release extra tickets via platforms like Ticketmaster’s Ticket Drop.
- Official platinum seats – Primary sellers like Ticketmaster resell some tickets closer to face value.
Buy from authorized sources
To ensure your tickets are valid and legitimate, only buy from:
- The primary ticket seller (Ticketmaster, AXS, etc)
- The official box office
- The artist’s official fan exchange
- Verified resale marketplaces like StubHub that guarantee valid tickets
Never buy from unverified third parties, social media pages, Craigslist ads, or scalpers outside the event. Fake and scam tickets run rampant, so only use authorized sources.
The bottom line
Verified fan presales provide significant advantages like early ticket access, fair prices, and peace of mind. However, the huge demand for hot events still makes sellouts a strong possibility. Patience, persistence, and using trusted sources are key to improving your chances. While not an absolute guarantee, verified fan presales remain your best bet at scoring tickets to the most in-demand shows before the bots and scalpers can take them all.