It’s no secret that Taylor Swift tickets sell out incredibly fast, often within minutes of going on sale. As one of the biggest pop stars in the world today, demand for Taylor’s live shows far exceeds supply. So if you missed out on buying tickets the first time around, don’t panic! There are still ways you can score last minute Taylor Swift tickets if you get creative and are vigilant about checking all the different sales channels.
Check Ticket Resale Sites
One of the first things you should do when looking for last minute Taylor Swift tickets is to check ticket resale sites like StubHub, Vivid Seats, SeatGeek and Ticketmaster Verified Resale. These sites connect fans who have extra tickets with people still looking to buy. Prices are generally marked up over face value since the tickets are in such high demand, but you can sometimes find good deals, especially the day before or day of the concert when sellers are more willing to drop prices.
These sites are trustworthy, provide buyer guarantees on the tickets and offer an alternative option when box office tickets are long gone. Keep checking back frequently as new tickets may be posted anytime leading up to the show. Set up alerts so you can jump on newly available tickets right away before someone else snags them.
Use Fan Ticket Exchanges
Ticket exchanges like Lyte and Twickets cater specifically to fans of musical artists like Taylor Swift. Fans can safely resell extra tickets to other fans for face value prices. So you won’t have to pay inflated scalper prices. The exchanges offer waitlists you can join if no tickets are currently available. You’ll be notified if matched with tickets. Both the buyer and seller must have officially purchased tickets from the original source so everything is 100% verified and legitimate.
Check Social Media
Expand your ticket search to social media sites like Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Search hashtags like #TaylorSwiftTickets or #BuyTaylorSwiftTickets to see people selling their extra tickets. On Facebook, join Taylor Swift fan groups for your specific city and post that you’re looking for tickets. Oftentimes other members will have extra tickets to share. Make sure to only buy from trusted, established users and use PayPal to ensure you get what you paid for.
You can also make your own WTB (Want to Buy) posts to cast a wide net. Let all your friends and contacts know you’re looking for Taylor tickets too. The more people that hear you’re searching for tickets, the better chance you have of someone finding a lead. Just make sure to never purchase tickets from someone you don’t know or trust since scams do happen.
Check Ticketmaster Regularly
Keep checking back on Ticketmaster leading up to the concert date to look for newly released tickets. Event organizers and artists sometimes hold back tickets to sell closer to show dates. Taylor Swift is also known to release extra tickets if she sees a show is underselling. There might also be returns if any credit card payments ended up bouncing. Don’t give up hope on Ticketmaster just because the initial on-sale date has passed.
Occasionally, extra blocks of tickets will pop up if production crews finalize stage/seating setups and find they can accommodate more people. If you look early enough, you can snag these tickets at face value before resellers grab them. Try checking Ticketmaster multiple times throughout the day and a few days before the concert.
Purchase VIP or Platinum Seating
If regular admission tickets are sold out, check for upgraded seating options. Taylor Swift concerts often have VIP packages with perks like premium seats, exclusive merchandise, pre-show receptions and more. These special packages go for hundreds or thousands of dollars above normal ticket prices, but they can be worthwhile for diehard Swifties.
Similarly, Ticketmaster offers dynamic “Platinum Seats” for in-demand shows like Taylor’s. These tickets cost more than standard tickets but give you preferred seating locations. Prices fluctuate based on demand. So if you have some flexibility with your budget, Platinum Seating is a way to get into the venue.
Check for Pre-Sale Options
In the days and weeks leading up to a Taylor Swift concert going on sale, keep an eye out for special pre-sales. Fan club members, credit card holders and users of certain mobile apps may have access to exclusive pre-sales where a limited number of tickets are released early. This gives fans first dibs before the general public sale. Signing up for a free fan club membership, like Taylor Nation, can help unlock pre-sale ticket access.
Other pre-sales may be local to particular radio stations, venues or promotions. Follow Taylor Swift and all the concert’s social media accounts to look for pre-sale announcements. Jump on these early bird opportunities if you come across any. Less competition means better chances to get tickets. Just make sure to have all your payment info saved ahead of time so you can breeze through swiftly without any hiccups.
Enter Radio Contests
Leading up to big concerts, radio stations will often run ticket giveaway contests. By entering and winning, you can secure free Taylor Swift tickets! Keep your ears open for any radio promotions and enter as many contests as you can. Make sure to follow radio stations on social media too since they’ll promote contests there.
Try calling your local radio DJs as well to share your enthusiasm for Taylor Swift tickets. They may decide to throw you a bone! Persistence and creativity increase your chances when vying against other eager fans.
Show Up On Concert Day
If you still can’t track down Taylor Swift tickets by concert day, you can try your luck by showing up to the venue in person. Some fans may decide last minute that they can’t attend. If they can’t find buyers online, they may get desperate and sell for cheap outside the venue leading up to showtime. You can also keep an eye out for unused VIP entrance tickets lying around.
Scalpers may similarly slash prices at the last minute if they still have unsold inventory. Of course there’s no guarantee tickets will be available this route, but for superfans it’s worth staking out the scene. Arrive early to improve your chances before the masses arrive. Be prepared to negotiate and haggle too.
Wait In the Ticket Drop Line
Many concert venues will do a “ticket drop” sometime before showtime when unused tickets held by VIPs or other contingents get released for public sale. People who wait in the ticket drop line snag first access. Spots are available on a first come, first serve basis so arrive very early. Venues generally only sell a handful this way. But for a often-in-demand Taylor Swift show, it’s still an avenue worth pursuing.
Make friends and ask others if they’d snag you a ticket if they get to the front. Have cash ready to go so you can complete transactions quickly. Be warned that lines start extremely early, so bring food/water and have patience. Ticket drops are more common practice at sold out shows where demand exceeds supply.
Consider a Scalper
Buying from an illegitimate scalper on the street is always risky. But as a last resort, it can be an option to get into a Taylor Swift concert. Scalpers may have real surplus tickets they couldn’t unload online or counterfeits. Be extremely discerning. Ask to closely inspect the tickets and barcodes first. Only buy from an established person with other buyers in sight.
Have them walk with you to the venue entrance so you can verify the tickets before paying. This way you don’t get ripped off. Negotiate prices and resist initial offers which can be outrageous. Pay a fair but reasonable amount. Getting scalped isn’t ideal but for a bucket-list concert, it may be worth it if you have no other choices.
Join the Waitlist if Available
Some concert promoters like Ticketmaster provide official waitlists you can join when a show initially sells out. You’ll be notified if more tickets get released by the venue. Waitlists are free to join and give you peace of mind that you’ll have first access before the general public if more seats open up.
Keep in mind waitlists don’t guarantee additional tickets. But for super popular acts like Taylor Swift, they’re worth getting on so you’re already in the pipeline for potential ticket releases down the road. Make sure your contact and payment info are saved so you can swiftly complete purchases.
Consider Nearby Cities
If Taylor Swift is performing multiple nights or dates in nearby cities on the same tour, you may have better luck getting tickets to those alternative shows. Red hot demand for certain cities can make tickets difficult to come by. But expanding your search radius increases possibilities.
Some cities may have presales or waiting lists still available even if your own city is totally sold out. You can also scout different online resale sites to compare ticket availability city-by-city. A short road trip can be worth it to see Taylor live if your own location is tapped out.
Buy at the Last Second
The very last thing you can try is purchasing tickets in the final hour leading up to showtime via online resale sites. Prices tend to drop dramatically at the very last second as sellers scramble to unload their tickets. Dynamic pricing means lower demand translates to lower prices.
stubs selling for $500 earlier in the day may plummet down to $75 or $100 right before curtain when sellers have no other buyers. Keep rapidly refreshing listings and jump on good deals. Buy electronically and head straight to the venue. This is an extremely risky strategy but has helped some last minute concert-goers score deals.
Don’t Get Scammed!
When pursuing last minute Taylor Swift tickets, beware of potential scams. Fake websites and sellers often impersonate venues and ticket brokers. Only purchase from 100% legitimate, reputable sources with buyer guarantees. Avoid craigslist, eBay and sellers you can’t vet.
View tickets in-person before paying whenever possible. Don’t send money electronically without seeing the goods first. Protect yourself when meeting strangers too. Never pay with cash apps or wires which offer no buyer protection. Say no to “can’t miss deals” that seem too good to be true.
When in doubt, consult the Better Business Bureau or other consumer watchdog groups to verify legitimacy before getting duped. Your passion for seeing Taylor should make you savvy, not careless.
Set a Reasonable Budget
Last minute Taylor Swift tickets can get very expensive, especially for front row seats or VIP packages. Set a reasonable budget for how much you’re able and willing to spend. Prices often get lower the day before or day of show. But high demand can still keep prices inflated.
Browse listings ahead of time to gauge average price ranges for different sections and cities so you know what to expect. Don’t drain your savings or go into debt. But if it’s a reasonable splurge for once-in-a-lifetime seats, it can be worth it!
Make It a Last Resort
Ideally you’ll secure your Taylor Swift tickets during the initial on-sale through Ticketmaster. But if you miss out, all hope isn’t lost! With creativity and persistence, you may still be able to get tickets later down the road. Just don’t wait until the very last days or risk severely limited options.
Have backup cities in mind too in case your hometown tickets remain elusive. While scoring last minute tickets takes effort, it beats missing out on seeing Taylor completely! Just set spending limits, beware of scams, and keep trying across all sales channels.
Conclusion
Scoring last minute Taylor Swift tickets can be challenging but possible with the right strategies. Be diligent about checking resale sites leading up to show dates. Leverage fan ticket exchanges, social media leads and waitlists when available. Showing up day-of and waiting in ticket drop lines works too.
At the end of the day, persistence and creativity will be your best assets. Don’t lose hope! Where there’s a will, there’s a way for diehard Swifties determined to see Taylor grace the stage, even if it requires last minute hustling. So keep hunting for those coveted tickets and fulfilling your wildest concert dreams.
Strategy | Pros | Cons |
---|---|---|
Ticket Resale Sites | Legitimate tickets Buy online instantly Lots of availability |
Prices are marked up |
Fan Ticket Exchanges | Face value ticket prices Safe and secure Join waitlists |
Limited ticket supply |
Social Media | Find leads from other fans Make WTB posts Use hashtags |
Risk of scams Need to vet sellers |
Ticketmaster | Official source Potential for new releases Get tickets at face value |
Initial sale likely sold out already |
VIP or Platinum Seats | Get premium seats More availability |
Very expensive |
Pre-Sales | Purchase before general public Less competition |
Need special access code or link |
Radio Contests | Free ticket giveaways Call DJs directly |
Pure luck No guarantees |
Show Up Day-Of | Find last minute sellers People may give away extra tickets |
Nothing guaranteed Need to arrive early |
Ticket Drop Lines | First access when tickets released | Very limited quantity Must wait early |
Scalpers | Last minute option if desperate | High risk of scams Need to inspect closely |
Join Waitlists | Notified if more tickets released | No guarantee of tickets |
Nearby Cities | More availability in less popular locations | Inconvenient travel |
Last Second Purchases | Deep discounts as showtime nears | Highly risky Prices still expensive |