Getting tickets to a hot concert before they sell out can be a challenge. Fans compete to buy tickets the moment they go on sale, and popular shows often sell out in minutes. However, with some preparation and insider tips, you can greatly improve your chances of scoring seats before the “Sold Out” signs go up.
When do concert tickets go on sale?
The first step is finding out when tickets go on sale. Here are some tips:
- Sign up for the artist’s email list – they will notify fans first
- Follow the artist, venue, and promoter social media accounts
- Check the tour schedule on the artist’s website
- Call the box office at the venue to ask
Often, an exclusive presale will be held for fan club members or customers of a sponsoring company. Learn the presale password by joining the fan club or following the sponsor on social media.
Prepare before tickets go on sale
Be ready to buy when tickets go on sale:
- Set up accounts in advance on ticket vendor websites
- Save payment info in your accounts to check out faster
- Coordinate with friends so you can buy tickets together
- Check venue seating charts to pick your section
Having accounts, payment methods, and a seating plan ready will shave precious seconds off your purchasing time.
Use multiple devices
One of the best strategies is to try buying tickets on multiple devices simultaneously. This multiples your chances:
- Use your desktop, laptop, tablet, and mobile phone
- Enlist family and friends to help from their devices
- Make sure to coordinate sections so you don’t buy duplicates
Many people search on their phones while also logging into ticket sites on their computers for this purpose.
Try these ticket purchasing combinations:
Device 1 | Device 2 |
---|---|
Desktop computer | Mobile phone |
Laptop | Tablet |
Your phone | Friend’s phone |
Use ticket presales
Take advantage of presales whenever you can:
- Presales give you early access before the general public
- Fewer people are competing for tickets
- Supplies are more limited though, so you still need to act fast
Some presales are for fan club members, credit card holders, mobile phone subscribers, or spotify listeners. It helps to plan ahead and sign up for anything you might qualify for.
Here are some common concert ticket presales:
Presale Type | Description |
---|---|
Artist fan club | Join the artist’s official fan club to get presale code |
Venue insider | Sign up on the venue’s website for presale ticket access |
Spotify | Listen to artist on Spotify to get a special presale |
American Express | Amex cardholders get early ticket access |
Use ticket bots and alerts
Ticket bots can give you an edge by monitoring sites and automatically purchasing tickets. Bots run on autopilot 24/7, which helps get through congested sites. Some options are:
- Ticketmaster Ticket Bot – Free bot offered by Ticketmaster.
- ANTHR – Paid bot service starting at $9 per month.
- Ticket Alarm – Alerts you when tickets go on sale for your event.
Bots can be tricky to setup and run, so do your research to find a reputable service. Make sure to check Ticketmaster for their official verified resale marketplace.
Be ready at your computer
When tickets finally go on sale, you need to be ready at your computer. Here are some tips:
- Get all devices ready 15 minutes early – have webpages loaded
- Stagger devices a few seconds apart in case of glitches
- Refresh right before the stated sale time for latest page
- Enter CAPTCHA codes quickly if they pop up
Have credit cards and seating selections ready to check out seamlessly. Precision timing and fast fingers will pay off!
Ideal concert ticket buying setup:
Use multiple tabs
Open multiple browser tabs on each device to multiply your chances:
- Most computers can handle 10+ tabs smoothly
- Log into ticket sites in separate tabs
- Refresh each tab quickly to get more entry points
More tabs equals more opportunities to add those coveted tickets to your cart. Just avoid duplicate purchases between tabs.
Act fast when tickets are in your cart
Speed is critical when you manage to add tickets to your cart. Check out ASAP:
- Most sites hold your tickets for only 2-3 minutes
- Pull up seating charts in another tab beforehand
- Pre-save payment info makes checkout a breeze
- Highlight billing address to copy & paste if needed
Don’t let a slow checkout cost you the tickets you battled to get. Breeze through confirmation before they get voided from your cart.
Keep trying if you don’t succeed
Don’t give up right away if you fail to get tickets:
- Temporary glitches happen, keep websites open
- More release dates may be announced later
- People return some tickets later once they have exact numbers
Refresh sites to grab newly opened seats. You can also try your luck closer to the concert date as tickets are resold and released.
Use ticket resale marketplaces
If initial sales are Sold Out, check reputable resale sites leading up to the event date:
- StubHub – Large secondary marketplace with millions of tickets.
- Vivid Seats – Resale site with competitive pricing and discounts.
- Ticketmaster Verified Resale – Official Ticketmaster resale platform.
- Seat Geek – Finds deals by comparing listings across resale sites.
Resale prices will be higher but provide another option for finding tickets. Make sure to only use trusted, authorized resellers.
Resale sites offer tools like these:
Feature | Description |
---|---|
Price filters | Find best value tickets in your budget range |
View from seat | See the stage view before buying tickets |
E-tickets | Secured tickets delivered electronically to you |
Refunds | Full refund if event is canceled and protection from invalid tickets |
Use ticket exchange groups
Ticket exchange groups connect fans to buy and sell extra tickets. Options include:
- Facebook Groups – Search “[Artist] Tickets” groups on Facebook
- Reddit – Subreddits like r/TicketExchange
- Craigslist – Concert ticket category in your city
Join groups for the specific artist, team, or venue. Browse posts from verified fans avoiding scams. Meet locally for cash to exchange tickets when possible.
Consider ticket packages
Some exclusive ticket packages give you premier access and perks:
- VIP packages – Meet & Greets, exclusive merch, early entrance
- Travel packages – Bundles with hotels, activities
- Suite packages – Luxury suites with food and drinks
Packages are pricey but offer unique experiences like meet and greets. They also sometimes come with presale ticket access.
Conclusion
With preparation and persistence, you can beat the crowds to get concert tickets before they sell out. Have accounts, payments, bots, and devices ready to roll on sale day. Move fast through purchasing, leverage presales and resale markets, and don’t give up. With smart techniques, you’ll secure amazing seats to see your favorite act live!