Getting access to presale tickets for your favorite musician can be a frustrating process. Presale codes allow fans to purchase tickets before the general public, but finding a valid code can be difficult. This article will explain what presales are, why they exist, where to find presale codes, and tips for securing tickets.
What are presales?
Presales allow fans to purchase tickets to concerts before the general public. They are typically launched 1-7 days before the public on-sale date. Presales provide an opportunity for an artist’s biggest fans to get tickets and prevent shows from instantly selling out.
There are a few main types of presales:
- Artist presales – codes are given to an artist’s fan club members
- Venue presales – for fans who sign up for the venue’s email list
- Credit card presales – for holders of certain credit cards like American Express
- Radio presales – for listeners of radio stations affiliated with the concert
- VIP presales – for buyers of special VIP ticket packages
The most coveted presales are usually artist fan club presales because they occur first and have the largest allotment of tickets.
Why do presales exist?
Presales benefit both artists and fans.
For artists, presales:
- Reward their biggest fans with first access to tickets
- Build hype and excitement around the on-sale
- Help gauge initial demand for shows
- Reduce the risk of concerts not selling out
For fans, presales:
- Provide a chance to get tickets before they sell out
- Give access to better seats before they are gone
- Offer peace of mind knowing you secured tickets
Without presales, tickets would sell out instantly to bots and scalpers. Presales allow an artist’s true fans to purchase tickets first.
Where can I find presale codes?
Here are some places to find presale codes and offers:
- Artist’s official website and social media
- Artist’s fan club – become a paying member
- Venue’s email newsletter list
- Artist’s opening acts – they may share a presale code
- Local radio station websites – listen for presale announcements
- Ticket retailer presale lists – sign up on sites like Ticketmaster
- Credit card presale offers – check your card’s website
- VIP package offers – buy a VIP ticket bundle
- Music blogs and forums – fans share info before on-sales
- Google search – search “[Artist] presale code”
Official fan clubs and artist websites are the best sources for legitimate presale codes. Be wary of unauthorized resale sites selling fake presale codes.
Join the artist’s fan club
Paid fan club membership gives you the best shot at securing a presale code. Fan club members often receive access to the earliest presales. And some fan clubs guarantee members will receive a code.
Do your research to find out if the artist has an official fan club. Membership fees are typically $30-60 per year. Then you can access member-only areas of the artist’s website to find presale details. Fan club members often receive presale codes via email.
Sign up for artist and venue newsletters
Artists and concert venues announce presales in their email newsletter lists. Opt-in to receive their newsletters so you don’t miss any presale announcements. Make sure to open the emails and look for presale links or codes.
Check the artist’s official website too. There may be an option to sign up for presale alerts leading up to an on-sale date.
Follow on social media
Social media is an essential presale resource. Follow the artist, venue, and ticket seller accounts. Turn on notifications so you don’t miss any presale posts.
Presale codes are often announced on platforms like Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram right before the presale begins. The codes tend to go quickly, so you need to be ready to pounce.
Check fan forums
Artist fan forums like Reddit are great sources for insider presale info. Fans share tips on where to find codes and the best strategies for getting tickets.
Search the artist’s name on Reddit or other fan communities. Then look for discussions related to touring and presales. Veteran fans love to help newcomers score tickets.
Tips for getting tickets
Here are some top tips for actually securing presale tickets:
- Get online before the presale begins – Be ready on the ticket seller’s website up to an hour early so you can get in line.
- Use the correct presale link – Navigate directly to the presale page, not the main ticket page.
- Have accounts set up ahead of time – Create accounts on ticket seller sites so you can checkout faster.
- Use the app – Mobile apps sometimes work better than websites when traffic is high.
- Keep trying if you don’t get tickets – Refresh the page to check for released holds or added inventory.
- Act fast once tickets are in your cart – Purchase ASAP before they get snagged or expire.
- Beware of reseller traps – Fake “presales” may be a ploy to get your info for marketing.
Persistence and preparation are key. Don’t get discouraged if you don’t score tickets at first. Often additional tickets are released over the next few days leading up to the public on-sale.
Should I pay for a presale code?
You can find free presale codes with a little effort. Steer clear of shady offers to purchase “guaranteed presale codes” online.
These offers are likely a scam. Paying money does not guarantee you will receive a valid presale code. And any code you buy will stop working once it leaks and is used by too many people.
The only way to 100% guarantee presale code access is to become an official paid fan club member through the artist’s official channels.
Avoid these code scams:
- Posts on Craigslist, eBay, Reddit, and social media selling “presale passwords.”
- Registering for contests offering presale codes as prizes (just marketing ploys to collect data).
- Fake ticket retailer websites mimicking real ones.
- Companies selling presale ticket “memberships” or “access.”
These are almost always fraudulent. Your money and personal information are at risk. Only trust valid sources like an artist’s official website.
Can I find presale tickets on resale sites?
Tickets will start appearing on secondary marketplaces like StubHub and VividSeats once presales launch. But prices will likely be inflated and you won’t have assurance the tickets are valid.
Your best bet is buying directly from the original ticket seller during the actual presale. Stay patient and keep trying – more tickets tend to release over time leading up to the on-sale.
That said, if your presale struggles continue, resale sites can provide last-minute access if you’re willing to pay the premium. Just be careful to use a trustworthy site like StubHub over lesser-known resellers.
Conclusion
Scoring artist presale tickets involves effort but pays off when you safely land seats you want. The key tips are:
- Join the artist’s official paid fan club for the earliest presale access.
- Sign up for email lists and social accounts to receive presale alerts.
- Monitor fan communities for tips from seasoned ticket buyers.
- Prepare your accounts, devices, and internet connection to move fast.
- Never pay just for someone’s word they have a “real” presale code.
With persistence and luck, you should be able to take advantage of presales to get your hands on tickets. Just don’t wait around hoping to score during the stressful general public on-sale.
Presale Type | Description |
---|---|
Artist Fan Club | Code given to paid fan club members |
Venue | For people signed up for venue’s email list |
Credit Card | For holders of certain credit cards like Amex |
Radio | For listeners of affiliated radio stations |
VIP Package | For buyers of special VIP ticket bundles |