Getting tickets through Ticketmaster can be a fast and easy process if you follow some key tips. In the opening paragraphs, I’ll provide a quick overview of how long it typically takes to get Ticketmaster tickets and what factors impact the timing.
Conclusion
In summary, here are some quick answers on how quickly you can get Ticketmaster tickets:
- High demand events may sell out within minutes.
- Less popular events can take a few hours to a few days to sell out.
- Timing depends on when you access the on-sale, your place in line, and server capacity.
- Presales allow earlier access but have limited ticket allotments.
- VIP packages guarantee tickets but can cost much more.
While getting the tickets you want in your preferred section can happen quickly if you plan ahead and act fast during the on-sale, nothing is guaranteed with Ticketmaster. Patience and persistence are key as you may need to try again if tickets initially sell out.
When Do Ticketmaster Tickets Go On Sale?
The timing of when tickets go up for sale on Ticketmaster can vary greatly depending on the event. Here are some key factors that influence when tickets go on sale:
- Event Promoter: The event promoter or artist determines when tickets will go on sale, not Ticketmaster.
- High Demand: For very popular events like major concerts or sporting events, tickets may go on sale months in advance to generate hype.
- Smaller Events: Less high-profile events may not put tickets on sale until a few weeks or days before the event.
- Weekdays: Most tickets go on sale on weekdays during typical business hours.
- Presales: Promoters may offer presales 1-7 days before the general public on-sale.
So you’ll need to check the event’s website and Ticketmaster ahead of time to find out when the tickets you want will be available for purchase.
How Quickly Do Ticketmaster Tickets Sell Out?
Just how fast tickets sell out on Ticketmaster depends on several factors:
Demand for the Event
Extremely popular events like playoffs, finals, or concerts in big venues can sell out in seconds or minutes. For example, Ticketmaster reported that tickets to Taylor Swift’s 2018 Reputation tour sold out in under 30 minutes. Less popular events may be available for hours, days, or weeks.
Number of Tickets Released
The overall quantity of tickets released also impacts how quickly they’ll sell. Small club concerts may only release a few hundred tickets, while major stadium events can have over 50,000 tickets available. Even high-demand events usually don’t completely sell out immediately if enough tickets are issued.
Ticket Buyer Competition
How many people are vying for the same tickets influences the time tickets sell out. During a presale, only a limited number can access tickets so they may last longer. But once a general on-sale starts, thousands of buyers flood Ticketmaster hoping to get the best seats.
Bots and Scalpers
Bots and scalpers who resell tickets also snap up prime seats quickly during the initial rush. Captcha tests help limit bot traffic, but Ticketmaster has acknowledged the challenges of enforcing their purchase limits.
Tips for Getting Tickets Quickly
Scoring your desired tickets in the section you want does take a bit of strategy. Here are some top tips for getting Ticketmaster tickets quickly when on-sales begin:
Use the Ticketmaster App
The Ticketmaster app typically has fewer issues with crashing or getting bogged down than the desktop website. You can store your payment info ahead of time and quickly tap to purchase.
Get in the Waiting Room Early
Ticketmaster hosts virtual waiting rooms ahead of on-sales for high-demand events. Enter the waiting room at least an hour before tickets go live to get ahead in the queue.
Event Demand Level | Suggested Waiting Room Time |
---|---|
High demand | 2+ hours before on-sale |
Moderate demand | 1 hour before |
Low demand | 30 minutes before |
Use an Express VPN
A VPN may help you access Ticketmaster from multiple IP addresses to improve your odds or get around restrictions.
Try Presales and VIP Packages
Presales give you early access to tickets a few days before the general public on-sale. Fan club or credit card presales have smaller crowds competing for tickets. VIP packages are costly but guarantee you tickets through official platinum or fan club benefits.
Dealing With Quick Sell Outs on Ticketmaster
Despite your best efforts, the tickets you want may still sell out in seconds on Ticketmaster for extremely popular events. If this happens, don’t lose hope yet!
Here are some options for getting tickets even after a quick sell out:
Try Again Later
Keep checking back because Ticketmaster sometimes releases held-back tickets after the initial rush. Additional tickets may also be put back up for sale if customers don’t complete purchases.
Expand Your Search
Look into buying single seats or tickets in other sections that are still available. You may be able to resell or trade them later to get the exact seats you want.
Wait for the Public Onsale
If you missed out on a presale, more ticket inventory may be released during the public on-sale. Set calendar reminders so you get ready in the waiting room early.
Consider Resellers and Resale Sites
Third-party ticket sites like StubHub may have users reselling tickets after initial sell outs. But beware of counterfeits and inflated prices.
Is Getting Tickets on Ticketmaster Mainly About Luck?
Those unable to score hot tickets from Ticketmaster may feel it’s just about random luck. But while chance does play a role, you can take actions to improve your odds such as:
- Using the app which handles volume better than desktop
- Getting in queues or waiting rooms far in advance
- Having payment info pre-saved for fast checkout
- Trying again later for released tickets or after presales end
- Making use of fan presales and verified reseller programs
So keep these tips in mind and don’t give up too quickly even if initially unsuccessful getting tickets. With persistence and preparation, you can greatly improve your chances of scoring seats even for the hottest events.
How Do Ticketmaster’s Verified Resale and Official Platinum Seats Work?
Ticketmaster operates some official resale options beyond general sales. Here is an overview of how they work:
Verified Resale
Season ticket holders and other fans can resell through Ticketmaster’s Verified Resale marketplace at market value prices. All tickets are validated and buyers are protected by a money-back guarantee.
Official Platinum Seats
These are premium tickets sold directly by Ticketmaster at escalated “market value pricing.” Platinum seats are positioned in desirable locations and come with perks like VIP amenities.
The advantage of these programs is guaranteed valid tickets. But the dynamic and elevated pricing means you pay a premium over face value. An NFL game reselling for $250 could cost $800+ as an Official Platinum seat.
Tips for Saving Money on Ticketmaster Fees
Ticketmaster’s convenience and processing fees are notorious for really driving up costs. Here are some ways to try minimizing the fees when purchasing tickets:
Buy Direct From the Venue Box Office
Tickets bought in person direct from the venue box office do not incur Ticketmaster fees. But the box office has a limited ticket inventory and isn’t practical for all events.
Take Advantage of Fan Presales
Presales through an artist fan club, Chase cardmembers, etc. sometimes have lower or no ticket fees. Restrictions and limited inventory apply.
Wait For Discounts Near the Event
Overpriced platinum tickets may get marked down as the event date nears. Fees are still charged but will be a lower percentage of cheaper tickets.
Avoid Print-At-Home Tickets
Choosing mobile ticket delivery instead of print-at-home tickets can bypass the print fee per ticket.
While Ticketmaster fees can still be substantial, taking advantage of these approaches can incrementally reduce the amounts payable when purchasing tickets.
Should You Buy a Ticketmaster Season Pass or Subscription?
Ticketmaster offers some season pass and subscription options providing various benefits and discounts. Here is an overview of what’s available:
Club Pass
This is an annual $199 pass allowing members to get face value tickets before the general public plus free ticket replacement. Quantities are limited per member.
Broadway Season Subscriptions
Some Broadway shows offer season ticket packages to lock in seats for the entire season at a discount of around 15% off.
Season Tickets for Sports & Theater
Season tickets allow dedicated fans to get reserved seats for every home game/show. This requires a large upfront cost but can provide substantial savings over single-game purchases.
These types of passes tend to provide the best value for very frequent eventgoers. The upfront cost may be hard to justify if you won’t actually attend and use most of the events included.
What Are Your Odds of Getting Hot Sell Out Events?
The chances of scoring tickets to extremely popular concerts, games, and shows through Ticketmaster really depends on these key factors:
Timing of Purchase
- Presales significantly increase odds by reducing competition
- Rushing for on-sale purchase in the first 5 minutes necessary for hot events
- High demand events can sell out totally within an hour
- Lower demand events may be available for days or weeks
Volume of Ticket Requests
- Each buyer vying for thousands of the best tickets reduces individual odds
- Having multiple user accounts/devices improves chances through volume
- Using bots can submit mass fake requests crowding out real buyers
Ticket Availability
- Very limited releases like festival VIP packages (under 100) have tiny odds
- Broadway shows with 1,500+ seats have better availability lasting hours or days
- NFL stadium events (50,000+ seats) usually don’t totally sell out as fast despite high demand
Getting the exact seats you want, especially multiple together, can be a long shot. But flexibility on dates, sections, and quantity purchased can greatly improve your chances of getting any tickets at all.
Conclusion
In summary, buying the most coveted events through Ticketmaster often requires split-second timing, technical savvy, and a bit of luck. Patience and persistence are key as initial on-sales may not be the only chance. Lower demand events have more relaxed timeframes measured in hours or days before selling out.
While nothing is ever guaranteed with Ticketmaster, those using presales, mobile apps, early queue access, and smart strategies have a much better experience securing the tickets they want.