Getting tickets to see Taylor Swift live in concert can be a real challenge these days. As one of the world’s biggest pop stars, Taylor’s shows often sell out within minutes. With high demand from dedicated Swifties around the world, scoring tickets requires skill, preparation, persistence, and a little bit of luck. The key is having a solid plan in place ahead of time for how to find and purchase tickets as soon as they go on sale. Here are some tips and strategies for boosting your chances of success.
Know When Tickets Go On Sale
The first and most important step is to figure out when tickets go on sale in the first place. The best way to do this is sign up for updates and notifications directly from Taylor’s official website and mailing list. This will ensure you receive an email alert as soon as tour dates are announced and tickets go on sale to the general public. Presale opportunities for special fan club members, credit card holders, Spotify subscribers, etc typically precede the general on-sale date, so keep an eye out for those announcements as well. Knowing the exact time tickets go on sale will give you an edge over more casual fans. Set calendar reminders so you don’t miss your chance!
Prepare Your Devices
On the day tickets go on sale, you’ll want to be ready and waiting on your computer and mobile device so you can access ticket platforms right away through multiple avenues. Make sure all your devices are fully charged. Have the ticket sites queued up and your payment info saved ahead of time. You’ll need to act fast once tickets go live, so any small delay could mean missing out. If possible, use your laptop on a wired internet connection rather than WiFi for faster speeds. Close out all other apps and tabs so your device’s full processing power can be dedicated to grabbing those tickets!
Watch Out for Presales
As mentioned above, Taylor Swift presales often take place in the days leading up to the general on-sale date and are open to select groups like fan club members, credit card holders, Spotify subscribers, etc. These presales offer first dibs on a limited number of tickets, so take advantage of them if you qualify! Sign up for an eligible credit card or streaming service subscription in advance so you can get special presale codes. Join Taylor’s official fan club to get access to ticket presales. Set a Google Alert for “Taylor Swift presale” to catch any special opportunities as soon as they are announced. Presale tickets sell out fast, so pounce on them right away for your best shot at prime seats.
Have Accounts Set Up and Ready
On major ticket platforms like Ticketmaster and AXS, you’ll need to already have an account set up with your info saved ahead of time in order to breeze through checkout as quickly as possible. Make accounts on any sites you think may offer Taylor Swift tickets, like the official venue box offices as well. Save your credit card info and billing address so you can skip those steps. Make sure all your passwords are handy so you can log in instantly when you navigate to the ticket page. Precious time will be lost entering all your details manually, so get that handled in advance.
Use Multiple Devices
Your best bet is to try accessing tickets simultaneously from multiple devices. Have friends or family members help out from their laptops and phones too if possible. The more devices attempting to get through and process ticket transactions, the greater your odds are of getting a spot in the online queue and checking out successfully. Just make sure everyone tries for the same ticket type, seating section, and quantity so you don’t end up with duplicates. Coordinate your efforts in a group chat so you can communicate in real time.
Have a Game Plan for the Queue
For major concerts, you can expect Ticketmaster and other vendors to use an online waiting room or queue when tickets first go on sale to prevent their servers from crashing. Make sure everyone in your ticket buying group tries to access the queue right at the moment tickets go live. Don’t refresh excessively as that will bump you to the back. Once you’re in the queue, do NOT abandon it or you’ll lose your place in line! Expect wait times of 30min or more. If you get booted, re-queue and cross your fingers. Assign tickets to your fastest device.
Be Ready to Move Fast
Once you make it through the queue and reach the ticket selection page, you’ll have very limited time to choose seats and complete checkout before your tickets are released. Have a seating chart handy and already know where you want to sit. Choose the first decent tickets you see rather than getting picky and risking them selling out from under you. Keep trying for better seats if you have to, but lock something down quickly! Have auto-fill forms and fast checkout shortcuts enabled on your browser and apps. Go, go, go!
Try the Resale Market, But Beware of Scams
If you strike out getting tickets directly from the primary sales channels, your next option is to check resale sites like StubHub where resellers list tickets at inflated prices. Buy from trusted platforms only and be on high alert for scammers! Fake tickets will leave you stranded at the door. Carefully vet any seller you consider buying from and only pay through legit means – avoid wire transfers at all costs. Confirm the tickets are verifiable, transferable to you, and state the exact seating location so you know what you’re getting.
Adjust Your Strategy as Needed
Keep in mind that every tour and ticket sale is different, so you may need to adapt your game plan on the fly. Pay close attention to any updates directly from Taylor’s team as the on-sale approaches and modify your techniques accordingly. If Ticketmaster is crashing, pivot to the venue box office site instead. If presales aren’t going smoothly, get ready to pounce on the general on-sale. Remain agile and don’t get discouraged if your first few attempts to snag tickets fall short. Persistence and flexibility are key!
Expand Your Search
If you’re striking out getting tickets to shows in huge metro areas, try looking at some of the smaller tour stops too. Less popular venues and cities may have an easier time keeping up with lower demand. See if you can make a trip out of a Nashville or Las Vegas show. Look internationally for dates across Europe, Australia, and beyond. Widening your search makes it more likely you’ll eventually score.
Be Willing to Pay More on the Secondary Market, Within Reason
Once initial tour dates start selling out instantly, resale prices get extremely inflated. StubHub, Vivid Seats, and other reseller sites let users flip tickets for multiples above face value. While you don’t want to mortgage your house, paying a bit extra can be worth it to secure seats when primary options are scarce. Set your budget max ahead of time, factoring in just how badly you want to see Taylor live. Weigh the prices against how much you’d regret missing out.
Enlist Other Fans to Help
Coordinate efforts with friends, family members, and fellow Swifties in online fan communities to expand your ticket shopping resources. Have them help look for presales, queue on Ticketmaster from different locations, scour for tickets on various resale platforms, etc. With enough people on the hunt, your odds will increase substantially. Offer to return the favor and help others land tickets too!
Keep Trying After the Initial Rush
The frenzy of grabbing tickets right as the initially go on sale is just the beginning. Venues and concert promoters regularly release seat inventory in the weeks and months leading up to shows as production logistics get finalized. Keep checking back for newly opened seats as the event draws closer. Set email alerts and keep an eye out on fan forums. You just might score an amazing last minute find!
Get on the Waitlist
Many ticketing platforms like Ticketmaster allow you to join a waitlist when a show is sold out. This signs you up for a potential ticket release if and when more seats open up. Act fast whenever you get a waitlist opportunity – there is typically a short window to claim seats when they become available to waitlisters. While not guaranteed, waitlists are a great backup option.
Consider VIP or Upgraded Experiences
If going the traditional ticket route isn’t working out, think outside the box. Look into VIP packages that bundle great seats with exclusive perks like premium food and drinks, celebrity meet-and-greets, backstage tours, merch, and more. Or consider a travel package that handles airfare and hotels too. While pricier, these special offerings often last a bit longer than regular tickets.
Enter Contests and Giveaways
Radio stations, streaming services, concert promoters, and other brands will often run ticket giveaways and contests as a promotional stunt. Follow Taylor Swift fan accounts online to stay aware of any contests popping up. Enter as many as you can – with a little luck you just might win free or heavily discounted tickets!
Go the Roadtrip Route
If you strike out getting tickets in your hometown, look at planning a concert roadtrip. Make a fun weekend out of hitting a show in a nearby city and turn the ticket hunt into an adventure! Scout locations within driving distance and try securing tickets there. Roadtrips are part of the fan experience. You might end up with an even more memorable concert story to tell!
Arrive Early the Day Of!
If all else fails and you can’t track down tickets beforehand, don’t rule out scoring tickets day of at the venue box office. Some last minute tickets are sometimes released for in-person sales. Arrive extremely early, like dawn early. Come prepared to wait all day and if you’re lucky enough to get something, it will be well worth it! This is a long shot tactic, but has been known to pay off for extremely dedicated and diehard Swifties.
Conclusion
Scoring tickets to Taylor Swift’s hugely in-demand tours requires preparation, persistence, patience, flexibility, skill, and a bit of creativity. Have a game plan in place for the moment tickets go on sale, but don’t be afraid to try multiple strategies and adapt as needed. With some luck and by harnessing the power of Swiftie community, you can boost your odds of success. Never give up hope! Where there’s a will – and lots of effort – there’s a way for any true Taylor fan to see her live in concert.