Taylor Swift recently announced a new U.S. stadium tour for 2023, with two shows scheduled at Soldier Field in Chicago on June 2nd and 3rd. As one of the biggest pop stars in the world right now, demand for Taylor Swift tickets is incredibly high. If you want to get tickets to one of the Chicago shows, you’ll need to act fast and have a good strategy. Here are some tips on how to maximize your chances of scoring Taylor Swift tickets for Chicago.
Register for Verified Fan presale
For big tours like this, Ticketmaster utilizes a Verified Fan system to try to get tickets directly to Swift’s biggest fans first. Registration for the Verified Fan presale for the Chicago shows is currently open until Wednesday, November 16th at 11:59pm EST. During registration, you’ll need to share some info about yourself as a Swift fan, like what albums or songs of hers are your favorites. Then if you’re selected for Verified Fan status, you’ll get a code to access the presale on Tuesday, November 15th. This gives you an advantage before the general public sale opens on Friday, November 18th. Ensure you register as a Verified Fan by the cut-off time to try to get early access.
Prepare for the Ticketmaster queue
Once tickets go on sale to the general public on November 18th, there will inevitably be huge demand and traffic on Ticketmaster. When you’re in the virtual waiting room queue, have all your info ready to go like payment details and fan club presale codes, so you can checkout as quickly as possible once you get ticket options. Being on a fast, stable internet connection on a laptop or desktop (not mobile) tends to work better when going through high-volume waiting rooms. Persistence is key – don’t give up if you get error messages or timeouts at first. Keep trying and remain patient.
Check for ticket releases leading up to the shows
There will likely be more ticket releases in the months leading up to the actual Chicago shows, as the stage setup gets finalized and they determine the full venue capacity. Stay in the loop by signing up for Taylor Swift’s email newsletter so you’ll get notifications about any new batches of tickets. Also follow fan accounts online that share updates about Swift’s tour plans. New tickets could get released at any time, so keep checking even if initial sales are all sold out.
Look at alternate sources beyond Ticketmaster
Don’t rule out getting tickets from authorized resale marketplaces like StubHub or VividSeats either. There will be reputable sellers reposting tickets there for fair market prices as it gets closer to show dates. Scalpers with huge markups get a lot of hate, but when used wisely, resale sites can help you score deals on last-minute tickets. Compare prices across different resale platforms and read seller reviews before purchasing.
Join Taylor’s Official Fan Club
Being a member of Taylor Swift’s official fan club comes with special perks like exclusive merch and advanced notice about events. For upcoming tours, fan club members often get first dibs on tickets during an early presale before the Verified Fan and general public sales. To unlock these benefits, you can sign up for Taylor Swift’s fan club “The Swift Society” for $49/year. If you don’t already have a membership, joining now may help with early ticket access.
Follow fan accounts for presale codes
One good strategy is to follow Swift fan accounts on social media platforms like Twitter and Instagram. Oftentimes they will share special presale codes when they get them for upcoming tours. You can also connect with other Swifties online who will post about any ticket updates they come across. Being tapped into the fan community can give you a leg up when hunting for presale ticket codes.
Consider VIP or Platinum options
To guarantee you get in the door, check out the VIP and Platinum ticket options for Swift’s Chicago shows. These premium ticket packages come at a higher price but include perks like guaranteed admission, exclusive merchandise, premium seating, and more. The ability to buy tickets directly through reliable VIP sources makes them a foolproof route if money is no object. They sell out extremely fast, so don’t dally if interested.
Attempt the waitlist on Ticketmaster
If initial sales sell out instantly, definitely get on the Ticketmaster waitlist for newly released tickets. Leading up to the event, you will receive periodic emails notifying you of any new seats becoming available for purchase. This is a simple way to stay in the loop on inventory openings without having to constantly check manually. Typically more tickets are released over time, so joining the waitlist is wise.
Check Ticketmaster regularly for new postings
In addition to the waitlist notification emails, be sure to proactively check the Ticketmaster website routinely leading up to the Chicago shows. Tickets will be popping up sporadically in the months ahead, often at random times. Don’t just assume they’re sold out forever – regularly look at Ticketmaster for newly listed seats so you can snag any that get posted. Swift is playing two nights in Chicago, so double your chances by scoping out both dates.
Pounce when you see seats you want
When you do find available Taylor Swift tickets on Ticketmaster, act instantly to claim them by completing your purchase. Don’t hesitate going back and forth on seat options or consulting other people. Pull the trigger right away on any decent tickets you come across before someone else gets them or they disappear from your cart. Be ready to check out with payment info pre-saved to your Ticketmaster account so the transaction is seamless.
Leverage pre-sales whenever possible
Getting ahead of the curve with presales, like the Verified Fan and fan club sales mentioned above, is the best way to increase your shot at locking down tickets early. Outside of those options, certain credit cards or concert ticket subscription services also offer special pre-sale codes for major events. Check your Amex card perks or platforms like Ticketclub for presale windows. Take advantage of every pre-sale chance you qualify for.
Be open to single seats if needed
With how quickly Swift’s shows sell out, you may have no choice but to purchase solo single tickets if that’s all that pops up. Yes, attending with friends or family is ideal, but going solo is way better than missing out altogether! Don’t rule out grabbing single seats in different sections and parts of the stadium. You can always try reselling or trading tickets later to sit with your group if needed.
Watch for last minute deals
As it gets extremely close to showtime, check sites like Craigslist for fans scrambling to dump extra tickets at discounted prices, often below face value. Of course there are risks with peer-to-peer sales, so use common sense precautions when dealing with strangers. But the days leading up to concerts are when amazing deals can emerge if you feel like hunting for eleventh hour bargains. Cash in on others’ urgency to offload tickets!
Arrive early for the public on-sale
When tickets initially go on sale to the general public, savvy Swifties recommend lining up extremely early at the Soldier Field box office to buy tickets in person. Yes, this requires dedication (and likely campimg out overnight!), but for high-demand shows, physically buying at the venue can give you an edge over everyone else frantically jamming online traffic. Definitely an option for diehard fans up for the commitment.
Consider General Admission floor seats
At stadium shows, General Admission floor tickets are some of the hardest to come by due to limited capacity down in front of the main stage. But landing GA floor seats puts you right at the action, closest to Taylor herself. Keep an eye peeled for any floor tickets popping up, even single seats, and don’t hesitate snagging them instantly. You can always reconnect with friends once inside if you have to break up groups.
Avoid buying from Craigslist and Reddit
While Craigslist and Reddit seem like easy ways to hunt for tickets, there are huge risks buying from anonymous, unverified strangers on these platforms. Fake ticket scams abound, as do exorbitant resale markups. Without protections or accountability, you could easily lose money on fraudulent or invalid tickets. Best to stick with reputable sources like Ticketmaster and authorized resellers when at all possible.
Team up with friends and family
By coordinating with other Swifties in your circle, you can maximize your chances at ticket success by tackling different sections, presales, and online sources. Splitting up the workload improves your odds versus duplicating efforts. Appoint one savvy friend as the group leader to spearhead and delegate your ticket acquisition strategy for optimal efficiency.
Consider splurging more for ideal seats
Scoring any Taylor Swift tickets right now is the top priority. But if your budget allows, don’t be afraid to splurge more on truly phenomenal seat locations. Closer, more central spots in lower sections that will make your experience that much more magical and memorable. This is a historic tour from one of music’s biggest stars – it’s alright to go all out if you can swing it!
Key Tips Summary
Tactic | Details |
---|---|
Register for Verified Fan presale | Gain early ticket access by registering on Ticketmaster by November 16th |
Prepare for Ticketmaster queue | Have payment info ready and use a desktop for smoothest experience |
Check for ticket releases | Sign up for alerts and keep monitoring leading up to show dates |
Buy via authorized resale sites | StubHub, VividSeats, etc. offer protections against fraud |
Join Swift’s fan club | Unlocks special pre-sales and exclusive perks |
Follow fan accounts | For tips on presales, waitlists, and availability |
Consider VIP or Platinum tickets | Guaranteed tickets with premium extras |
Get on the Ticketmaster waitlist | Notified of new tickets when released |
Regularly check Ticketmaster | New seats appear randomly so check frequently |
Beware of Scams and Outrageous Markups
With Swift tickets in such crazy demand, scammers and sharks can sadly capitalize and take advantage of fans. Be extra cautious of the following shady practices:
- Fake ticket sellers posting on Craigslist and social media
- “Too good to be true” low ticket prices
- Requests for untraceable payment like Venmo, Zelle, or cash
- Sold out concerts mysteriously having plentiful tickets
- Listings without a specific section, row, and seat number
If an offer raises any red flags, avoid it. Stick with reputable sellers only, and beware exorbitant platinum resale tickets marked up over 1000% of face value. While the excitement is real, don’t let it cloud your judgment – protect yourself from dirty scammers.
Be Persistent and Act Quickly
Preparing ahead of time, acting fast when you find seats, and not getting discouraged by initial disappointments are key to getting coveted Taylor Swift tickets. Have your game plan ready to go, be vigilant for opportunities, and pounce immediately when you spot a good deal. With persistence, dedication, and a bit of luck, you can make those Chicago Taylor Swift dreams come true! Don’t give up hope – good things come to those who wait (in Ticketmaster queues).
Conclusion
Taylor Swift’s 2023 U.S. tour featuring two nights at Chicago’s Soldier Field will undoubtedly be one of the hottest concert events of the year. With these handy tips and strategies, Swifties in the Windy City can boost their odds of scoring the elusive tickets they want. By registering for early presales, frequently checking sites for new seat availability, and avoiding scams, fans can maximize their chances for success. Don’t delay, the clock is ticking – make landing Chicago Taylor Swift tickets your top mission and prepare for an unforgettable concert experience!