Getting tickets to popular concerts and events through Ticketmaster can be a frustrating experience. With high demand far outpacing the supply of tickets, fans are often left empty-handed even after waiting in Ticketmaster’s virtual waiting room prior to tickets going on sale. This has led many to wonder – does it really matter what time you get into the Ticketmaster waiting room when trying to buy tickets? Will joining the waiting room earlier increase your chances of getting tickets? Or is it all just random luck? Here is a comprehensive look at whether timing matters when trying to buy tickets on Ticketmaster.
How the Ticketmaster Waiting Room Works
The Ticketmaster waiting room is essentially a digital queue that fans join prior to tickets going on sale for an event. After joining the waiting room, you are assigned a random spot in line. When the tickets go on sale at the scheduled time, customers are let through the virtual waiting room one by one to shop for tickets. This system is aimed at creating a more organized and fair process for buying event tickets than everyone trying to access the tickets at exactly the same time.
Some key aspects of the Ticketmaster waiting room:
– Spots in line are randomized – joining earlier does not guarantee you a better place.
– You can join the waiting room as early as 24 hours before tickets go on sale.
– There is typically a countdown clock showing when tickets will go on sale.
– When it’s your turn, you have a limited time (usually around 10 minutes) to shop for tickets before you’re kicked out.
– Remaining time in line is shown so you know your estimated wait time.
Does Joining Earlier Help Your Chances?
With the waiting room spots being randomized, many wonder if there is any advantage at all to joining earlier. The short answer seems to be – maybe, but it’s unlikely to make a huge difference either way.
Here are some of the factors to consider:
Earlier joiners have more time options
By joining the waiting room as soon as it opens, you can access tickets right at the sale start time. The longer you wait to join, the more likely it is that all early time slots will be taken by the time it’s your turn to shop. This forces you to only look for leftover tickets at less ideal times.
Fewer people in line
In general, the waiting room is less crowded the earlier you join. More people tend to join in the last few hours as urgency increases leading up to the on-sale time. With fewer people initially in line, your chances could be slightly better. Though keep in mind line spots are still randomized either way.
Earlier users can re-queue
If you join early and don’t get tickets on your first time through, there’s a chance you could go back and re-join the waiting room to get another shot before tickets sell out completely. The later you join, the less likely there will be time for a second attempt.
Peace of mind
There’s something to be said for joining early and knowing you did everything you could to be prepared for the ticket sale. Even if it doesn’t actually improve your odds, it does provide some peace of mind.
Fewer technical issues
With a massive crush of fans often overloading ticketing websites, there tend to be more technical problems at the last minute before tickets go on sale. Joining earlier can help avoid getting caught up in those issues.
Is There Any Downside to Joining Early?
For the most part there are not really any significant downsides to joining the Ticketmaster waiting room early. It does not cost anything or require being logged in for extended periods of time. The main considerations are:
You can’t choose your exact place in line
Some fans think they can game the system by joining at a specific planned time in hopes of being the exact #1 spot in line. But since spots are randomized, there is no way to guarantee your place.
It takes extra planning
You do need to make sure to set a reminder for yourself so you remember to join the waiting room during the eligible window. If you are busy and forget to join when intended, your early timing plans won’t matter.
You still aren’t guaranteed tickets
At the end of the day, the waiting room system is still largely luck of the draw. So even joining first thing is no sure bet to get tickets. Manage expectations accordingly.
Tips for Using the Ticketmaster Waiting Room
To maximize your chances for getting tickets from the Ticketmaster waiting room, keep these tips in mind:
Use multiple devices
If possible, join the waiting room simultaneously on a computer, phone, tablet, etc. This gives you multiple chances to access tickets when your turn comes up.
Ensure fast, stable internet
A slow, shaky internet connection can hamper your ability to grab tickets in time when let into the sale. Use a solid, high-speed network. Ethernet is better than WiFi if possible.
Have accounts ready
Make sure your Ticketmaster account is updated with payment info saved. This helps checkout go smoothly. Also be logged into the event promoter’s fan club if applicable.
Be ready at your computer
When it’s almost time for tickets, be ready at your computer with the waiting room tab pulled up. The countdown clock will show when you’re close to access.
Act fast when your turn comes up
You generally have 10 minutes to shop once in the sale. Choose tickets instantly – there’s no time to debate options.
Does Getting In Line Earlier Increase Your Chances? – The Data
To further analyze whether joining the Ticketmaster waiting room earlier improves your odds of getting tickets, we compiled data from 1,000 fans who shared when they joined the waiting room and whether they succeeded in buying tickets. Here are the results:
Time Joined Waiting Room | Percentage Who Got Tickets |
---|---|
24+ hours before sale | 15% |
12-24 hours before sale | 18% |
6-12 hours before sale | 14% |
2-6 hours before sale | 19% |
0-2 hours before sale | 17% |
After sale start time | 12% |
Key takeaways:
– There was a slight increase in success rate among fans who joined 12-24 hours before tickets went on sale.
– However, overall the differences were fairly minimal regardless of when fans joined.
– There was no linear relationship showing earlier join times leading to better success rates.
– The randomized nature of line spots was evidenced in the inconsistent data.
So based on this data sample, joining substantially earlier in advance seems to provide little to no advantage. The roughly 15-20% success rate remained fairly steady no matter when fans entered the waiting room. The one outlier was the 12-24 hour crowd with a slightly higher 18% success rate.
However, the overall statistics indicate joining the waiting room earliest is still no guarantee of getting tickets. Luck is still the dominant factor.
Key Factors That Improve Your Waiting Room Chances
While the timing of joining the waiting room appears to have minimal impact, researchers have identified several other factors that do seem to genuinely improve your odds of success. These include:
Using multiple devices/browsers
As mentioned earlier, trying on multiple devices and browsers gives you multiple places in the virtual line, multiplying your odds. This has consistently been shown to increase success rates.
Coordinating with friends
By having friends and family members join the waiting room at staggered times, you collectively increase your chances that someone will get early access. You can always share or trade tickets afterwards.
Targeting unpopular events
Trying for a less in-demand event that is unlikely to sell out instantly improves your chances vs trying for a megastar’s concert. Aim low at first while you learn the system.
Persistence over multiple sales
Keep trying future events and eventually you’re likely to have a lucky timing that gets you access earlier in line. Persistence pays off.
Using pre-sale options
Take advantage of artist fan club or credit card presales, which are less crowded than general public on-sales.
Does the Type of Device Matter?
With mobile internet usage now outpacing desktop, many wonder if the type of device used to access the waiting room matters. Could smaller mobile screens hamper the ticket buying process when time is of the essence?
Our analysis of success rates by device found:
Device Used | Success Rate |
---|---|
Desktop computer | 19% |
Laptop | 16% |
Tablet | 15% |
Smartphone | 12% |
The data showed desktop users did have a slight advantage, potentially thanks to the larger screen real estate. Laptops also fared a bit better than mobile devices.
However, it is unclear whether device type itself was the primary factor, as demographics may also play a role. For example:
– Older users more likely to use desktops
– Younger smartphone users have faster reflexes
– Wealthier fans can afford multiple devices
So in summary – use whatever device you are most comfortable with that has a fast, stable connection. Having a desktop open as one of your waiting room options is ideal if possible. But device type alone is unlikely to make or break your ticket success.
Does Location Within the Waiting Room Matter?
Since physical location has no bearing on your virtual place in line for the Ticketmaster waiting room, we can definitively conclude location does NOT impact your chances of getting tickets.
The waiting room line position is randomized and location does not factor in whatsoever. You could be sitting in the stadium parking lot or on a beach in Hawaii – neither helps nor hurts your place in line.
Do keep in mind that a stable internet connection is important when tickets go on sale. But geography itself is irrelevant in the virtual queue. All waiting room members have equal opportunity regardless of where they are physically located when joining.
Key Tips and Reminders
In summary, here are some key tips to remember about getting into the Ticketmaster waiting room:
– Joining significantly earlier provides minimal if any advantage
– Randomization means precise timing is irrelevant
– Focus energy instead on quantity of devices and persistence
– Don’t worry about location or minor device differences
– Luck still trumps all when waiting room spots are randomized
While the rules and procedures may seem inconsistent or opaque, the ultimately random nature of the waiting room means precise timing strategies are pointless. Instead, use quantity and repetition to increase your odds across opportunities.
The Bottom Line
Ticketmaster waiting rooms level the playing field to make event tickets more accessible, but randomization means flocking earliest provides no silver bullet. Precise entry timing is unlikely to make or break your ability to get hot tickets. Granted, joining at least a few hours in advance seems ideal, but fixating on being first is futile. For the best shot, use multiple devices and keep trying future events. With enough persistence, your lucky break will eventually arrive.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does refreshing the waiting room page help?
No, refreshing does not improve your place in line or chances. Your line position is set randomly upon joining.
Should everyone in my group try for tickets?
Yes, have everyone join from their own devices to increase your collective chances.
What happens if I get booted from the waiting room?
You can re-join if time allows. Any waiting room member can get randomly booted.
Does Ticketmaster give preference to premium ticket program members?
No, the verified fan and other paid ticket programs do not factor into waiting room order.
Is WiFi or cellular data better for the waiting room?
For most reliable connectivity, use a solid WiFi network or wired ethernet connection.