Getting tickets to popular concerts can be difficult, with high demand often causing them to sell out extremely quickly. One concert that is notoriously difficult to get tickets for is Capital FM’s Summertime Ball in London. As one of the biggest shows of the summer with a stellar lineup, demand for Summertime Ball tickets is always incredibly high. Luckily, there are some tricks and tips you can use to improve your chances of securing the coveted presale tickets before they are released to the general public.
What is the Summertime Ball?
The Summertime Ball is Capital FM’s annual summer concert held at Wembley Stadium in London. It attracts some of the biggest names in pop music, with past headliners including Ariana Grande, The Weeknd, Calvin Harris, and Taylor Swift. Capital FM calls it “the UK’s biggest summer party” and the lineup always features current chart-topping acts and fan favorites.
In 2022, over 80,000 fans attended the sold out event on June 12th. The star-studded lineup included Harry Styles, David Guetta, KSI, Anne-Marie, and Ed Sheeran as the headliner. Fans can expect a similarly epic lineup for the 2023 Summertime Ball.
When and where is the 2023 concert?
The next Summertime Ball will be held on Saturday, June 10, 2023 at Wembley Stadium in London. Doors are expected to open at 2pm, with the concert starting at 3pm and ending around 10pm.
Why get presale tickets?
General admission tickets for the Summertime Ball tend to sell out within minutes, even hours, when they go on sale to the public. Presale tickets give you early access to purchase tickets before the general public, increasing your chances of securing a spot.
Presale tickets also allow you to get better seats and standing positions closer to the stage before they sell out. By using the presale, you skip the stress and uncertainty of whether you’ll get tickets during the high-traffic general sale.
Ways to Access the Presale
Here are some of the best ways to get presale ticket access:
Sign up for Capital FM updates
Signing up for Capital FM’s email newsletter is one of the best ways to get presale ticket access. Subscribers often receive an exclusive presale code that unlocks ticket purchasing earlier than other presales. Be sure to sign up well in advance of the concert as it can take several weeks for them to send out presale codes via email.
Listen to Capital FM
Tune into Capital FM in the weeks leading up to the presale as they will likely announce the presale on air. Pay close attention when they mention specific details like the presale code and presale start time. Turn on notifications so you don’t miss any presale announcements.
Follow Capital FM on social media
Follow Capital FM accounts on platforms like Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. Social media is where they will post presale announcements and codes as the event gets closer. Make sure to turn on notifications so you see the presale posts in real time.
Check fan forums
Fan forums like The Student Room and eFestivals are great sources for presale codes. Other fans will post codes as they discover them. Check regularly as new codes may be posted at any time in the lead up to the presale.
Purchase through a presale provider
Certain presale ticket providers like AXS, O2 Priority, Ticketmaster, and AMEX will often have allotments of presale tickets for customers. Check if you have access to any of these presale avenues closer to the on-sale date.
Buy a Capital FM Access All Areas membership
Purchasing an Access All Areas membership is the only guaranteed way to get access to Summertime Ball presales. Levels like AXS Premium and VIP come with presale ticket links or booking options. It costs money but is the most foolproof method.
When is the Presale?
While exact Summertime Ball presale dates have not been announced yet, based on previous years we can predict:
Presale Type | Estimated Presale Date |
---|---|
Capital FM Subscriber Presale | Mid to late April 2023 |
O2 Priority Presale | Early May 2023 |
General Presale | Mid May 2023 |
Be sure to pay attention in March and April 2023 for specific Summertime Ball presale announcements from Capital FM. Turn on notifications so you don’t miss the exact presale dates and codes.
How to Buy Tickets During Presale
Follow these tips to optimize your presale ticket purchasing experience:
Log in and enter the presale code early
Log into the ticketing site like AXS at least 30 minutes before the presale opens. When the waiting room opens, enter the specific presale code right away. Entering it ahead of time saves critical seconds before tickets go on sale.
Use the Capital FM presale link
If Capital provides an exclusive presale link for subscribers, use this to access tickets. This takes you directly to the presale ticket portal after you’ve entered the code. Generic ticket links won’t work until the general on-sale.
Have payment details ready
Enter your payment information into the ticketing site ahead of the presale. This saves you precious time and prevents sold out tickets while entering lengthy card numbers. Make sure your card will not decline the charges.
Aim for best seats first
Check the seat map and try for the closest seats to the stage first. The best standing and seating options disappear immediately, so go for them right away before getting stuck with distant nosebleeds.
Don’t give up if tickets disappear
If tickets seem sold out, don’t give up immediately. Keep refreshing and trying as fan checkout times can expire, freeing up tickets. Persistence and patience can pay off.
Have a backup payment method
Sometimes high demand can cause websites to glitch and decline cards. Have a backup card or PayPal at the ready to seamlessly complete your checkout. Any issues could mean missing out on tickets.
Purchasing Tips
Use these extra tips to boost your chances of getting tickets:
Use multiple devices
Try to purchase tickets across multiple devices like phones, tablets, and laptops. This gives you multiple opportunities to snap up tickets if one device lags or encounters issues.
Don’t share presale codes publicly
Only share legitimate presale codes with friends also trying for tickets. Posting codes publicly means more competition trying for the same limited tickets.
Open new browsers for each device
Open a new incognito or private browser window on each device when entering waiting rooms. Close old browsers as too many tabs can slow you down.
Bookmark ticket pages
Bookmark ticket purchase pages on each device so you can access them quickly. This saves precious time compared to manually searching for the buy page.
Clear your schedule for the presale
Don’t plan anything important during the presale times in case the process takes longer than expected. You don’t want any distractions that could cost you tickets.
After You Purchase Tickets
Follow these steps after you secure your Summertime Ball tickets:
Save your confirmation email
Keep the ticket confirmation email from AXS or Ticketmaster somewhere safe. You will likely need to show it at the venue for entry.
Add tickets to your wallet
Use digital wallets like Apple Wallet or Google Pay to store your tickets. This prevents losing a paper ticket and makes scanning quick and easy.
Review venue restrictions
Check the Wembley Stadium website for any ticket policies, including rules on bags, cameras, and acceptable items. This prevents problems when entering the venue.
Bookmark the venue map
Wembley Stadium has specific entrances for certain seat and standing areas. Bookmark the stadium map so you know the fastest way to your section.
Decide on travel plans
Figure out how you plan to travel to Wembley on the day of the concert. Look into transportation options like the Underground and booking hotels or rental cars if needed.
Conclusion
While getting presale tickets to Capital FM’s coveted Summertime Ball takes effort, it greatly improves your chances over the unpredictable general sale. Following the tips outlined here will set you up for success when the exclusive presale windows open. With persistence and preparation, you should be able to secure the presale tickets you want. Then you can relax and get ready for an epic concert experience seeing the biggest pop stars perform live at Wembley Stadium!