Ticketmaster is one of the largest ticket sales and distribution companies in the world. When big events go on sale, tens of thousands of fans may try to buy tickets at the same time. This can create a virtual “queue” as fans wait their turn to access tickets. Many fans have wondered whether Ticketmaster’s queue system is truly random or if there are ways to get ahead in line. In this article, we’ll take an in-depth look at how Ticketmaster’s queues work and discuss some strategies fans use to try to improve their spot.
What is a virtual queue?
A virtual queue refers to an online system that assigns customers a place in line to access a website or service. Instead of physically waiting in a line, users join the queue through a web page and are given an estimated wait time or numerical position. Virtual queues help manage heavy traffic to websites and balance load on the servers. They prevent sites from crashing due to too many users accessing all at once.
Some key points about Ticketmaster’s virtual queues:
– They are used for high demand events where tickets are expected to sell out very quickly.
– Fans join the queue before tickets go on sale, then wait their turn in line. You will be randomly assigned a place.
– Your spot is held in line while you wait, so you don’t lose your place if you get disconnected.
– Once it’s your turn, you have the opportunity to select and purchase event tickets if they are still available.
The random selection process
Ticketmaster states that spots in the virtual queue are assigned randomly. According to their website:
“A random number is assigned to you once you enter the waiting room. This is your place in line. It’s important to note that entry times are random; joining the waiting room earlier does not put you in front of people who join after you.”
So in theory, joining the queue earlier does not give you an advantage over someone who joins later. Your number is assigned randomly after you enter. However, some fans speculate there may be more to it than pure luck. Let’s look at some factors that people think may influence your spot in line:
Timing of joining the queue
As mentioned, Ticketmaster claims joining the queue earlier does not give you a better spot in line. But some fans report better success when joining the waiting room right as it opens. The idea is to get your random number earlier in the batch before demand spikes. While there’s no evidence Ticketmaster prioritizes early joiners, being ready right at queue launch can’t hurt.
Which device you use
Some fans suspect the type of device used to join the queue may affect your spot. There is speculation that mobile users get prioritized for some events. However, Ticketmaster has denied this and stated queue order is not impacted by using a mobile device vs desktop. If true randomization is used, then device type should not be a factor.
Your Ticketmaster purchase history
There is some speculation that frequent Ticketmaster customers get ahead in queues for high demand events. This belief is driven by the idea that Ticketmaster rewards loyal customers with better queue spots. However, there is no evidence that your Ticketmaster purchase history affects queue order. For true randomization, previous usage should not come into play.
Using multiple devices or accounts
To try to improve their odds, some fans use multiple devices or Ticketmaster accounts to join the queue. In theory, having two spots in line doubles your chances. However, Ticketmaster does state they have safeguards in place to “prohibit duplicate orders from the same household.” So it appears having multiple windows open won’t necessarily give you an advantage.
Does Ticketmaster provide any advantages in line?
Ticketmaster does offer some services that are intended to help fans access tickets:
– Verified Fan – Ticketmaster’s Verified Fan program allows fans to register in advance for some events. Registered Verified Fans get to join a separate queue that gives them early access to tickets.
– Fan Club Presales – Artists’ official fan clubs sometimes get presale code access to tickets before the general public sale. These presale events provide early queue access.
– VIP Packages – Ticketmaster sells premium ticket packages that include perks like meet and greets or merch. These expensive packages usually come with earlier queue placement.
– Credit Card Perks – Certain credit cards offer cardholder-exclusive presales and early queue access for a limited number of tickets.
So while the standard queue appears to be random, paying extra for presales, packages, and verified access can place some fans earlier in line.
Tips for finding tickets in high demand queues
While queue order is out of your control, here are some general tips to improve your odds of scoring tickets in a crowded Ticketmaster queue:
– **Join right when the queue opens** – Have the event page up and refreshing to join as soon as possible once it opens.
– **Use a strong, stable internet connection** – A wired connection is better than wireless. Disconnections may lose your place in line.
– **Only use one device** – Having multiple devices open likely won’t help and increases risk of errors or duplicates. Focus queue efforts on one machine.
– **Be ready to select tickets** – Have Ticketmaster account logged in with payment info saved. Act quickly when purchasing options appear.
– **Keep trying if you don’t succeed** – Persistence pays off. Sometimes rejoining the queue is required to eventually get tickets.
– **Don’t give up once the queue starts moving** – Have patience as the line inches forward. People do sometimes get disconnected or have payment issues.
– **Consider paying extra for presale options** – Verified Fan, fan clubs, and VIP packages provide queue access. These all come at an added cost.
Is it worth paying for ticket resellers and resale sites?
Using Ticketmaster’s standard queue requires patience and luck. If you absolutely must attend a particular event that is likely to sell out quickly, paying above face value may be your best option to guarantee tickets. Some ways fans gain access on the secondary market:
– **Online ticket resale sites** like Stubhub and VividSeats allow season ticket holders and scalpers to resell tickets, often at highly inflated prices. Fees and shipping costs add even more to your total. But you are guaranteed a ticket.
– **Ticket brokers** acquire and sell event tickets, using connections and technology to buy up inventory. Their prices are higher but they usually offer customer service and guarantees around authenticity.
– **Online fan exchanges** like Ticketmaster’s NFL Ticket Exchange provides a platform for season ticket holders to post tickets at resale rates. Prices are set by sellers but may be closer to face value.
– **Fan-to-fan exchanges on social media** – Connecting directly with other fans who can’t attend an event they bought tickets for. Less formal than other secondary sources but usually cheaper. Requires trust and negotiation.
Paying above face value should be a last resort. But for must-have events, sometimes getting secondary market tickets is the only sure way to gain access. Consider checking multiple sites to compare prices and fees.
What technical factors may impact Ticketmaster queue performance?
While queue order is randomized, there are some technical nuances that could sway your experience:
Internet Connection Speed
The speed of your internet connection impacts how quickly your device communicates with Ticketmaster’s servers. A faster connection will allow seamless updating of your place in line and communicating when it’s your turn. With a slower connection, delays may occur that cause you to lose your place or miss your purchasing window.
Web Browser Choice
Some browsers manage internet traffic better than others. Browsers like Chrome and Firefox tend to provide faster, more consistent performance for navigating queues. Mobile operating systems also differ, with iPhone’s Safari browser generally faster than Android’s native browser. Using an optimal browser improves the user experience.
Outages and High Traffic
During major on-sales, Ticketmaster servers inevitably get overwhelmed with thousands of simultaneous visitors. This can cause slow page response times and intermittent outages. There’s nothing fans can do but wait it out and keep trying. Having an active queue spot should save your place, though lengthy outages could still bump you out of line.
Bots and Scalpers
Bots created by scalpers aim to unfairly bypass queues and scoop up tickets ahead of actual fans. Ticketmaster claims they monitor for suspicious activity and restrict known bots. But it’s an ongoing battle. More bots in the queue means more competition overall for legit fans.
Queue Page Performance
Ticketmaster’s queue pages are complex, with real-time updating of holders’ places in line and ticket availability. At times queue page performance suffers, with laggy response times or frozen interfaces. This leads to a poor user experience and requires constant refreshing. Faster speeds help queues run smoother.
Can you game the system?
Given the randomized nature of Ticketmaster’s queues, there are no known exploits or “hacks” fans can use to reliably jump ahead in line. However, some crafty strategies may provide a slight edge:
– **Use multiple browsers** – Have multiple different browsers like Firefox, Chrome, Safari open with concurrent queue spots. If one crashes, you have backups.
– **Try obscure pre-sales** – Investigate less popular presales like Amex or fan club options to possibly find shorter queues.
– **Refresh relentlessly** – Aggressive refreshing when inching forward may allow you to grab timed-out tickets before others.
– **Leverage mobile** – For some events mobile queues fill more slowly. Join on mobile after filling desktop and switch over once in.
– **Watch for re-stocks** – Additional tickets sometimes get released in waves. Persistence may pay off via re-stocks after sell-outs.
– **Follow the venue box office** – On rare occasions unused tickets get released directly at the box office once the online sale ends.
However, these tactics simply increase your odds slightly. For high demand events with over a million queue participants, pure luck likely trumps any queue theory or gaming.
Conclusion
Ticketmaster’s virtual queues promise a fair system by randomly assigning spots in line. However, the company remains tight-lipped about key elements of the algorithm and inner workings under the hood. This leaves some fans skeptical that queues are truly as random as claimed. Short of inside access, there is no way to definitively prove how queue order gets determined.
While joining as soon as queues open or using multiple devices may feel like sound strategies, they offer no guarantees when millions want tickets. For most fans, getting hot event seats boils down to a combination of patience, determination, and good fortune. Timing, speed, and persistence are the best allies.
Ultimately, it seems unlikely any special tricks or gaming can supersede the randomness designed into Ticketmaster’s queues. Your best bet is to cross your fingers, hope the ticket gods shine favorably upon you, and keep on queueing.
Strategy | Does it work? |
---|---|
Joining queue right at open | Unproven to affect order |
Using certain devices | No evidence of prioritization |
Having multiple browsers/devices open | May not outsmart duplicate checks |
Refreshing aggressively | Helps react faster but no queue impact |
Presales and VIP options | Guarantees early access for added cost |