There has been huge demand for Peter Kay tickets since the comedian announced his first live tour in 12 years. Kay will be performing over 100 shows across the UK and Ireland in 2023, with dates selling out extremely quickly. This has left many fans wondering if there is a waiting room or virtual queue system for accessing tickets when they go on sale.
Peter Kay announces comeback tour
On 6 November 2022, Peter Kay announced he would be returning to stand up comedy with a new tour called Peter Kay’s Better Late Than Never. It will be his first live tour since 2010’s The Tour That Doesn’t Tour Tour…Now On Tour.
The tour was originally scheduled for 21 shows, but due to phenomenal public demand, it was expanded to include over 100 dates across the UK and Ireland. The tour will run from December 2022 through to August 2023.
Huge demand for Peter Kay tickets
As one of Britain’s best loved comedians, known for hit shows like Phoenix Nights and Car Share, the announcement of Peter Kay’s tour sparked a huge demand for tickets.
The original 21 shows sold out rapidly when they went on pre-sale through O2 Priority, with over 200,000 tickets being snapped up in the first hour. Further dates were added due to the unprecedented demand, but most shows continue to sell out in minutes.
Fans are desperate to get tickets to see Kay’s first live comedy tour in over a decade. However, the huge demand has made it difficult for many people to get tickets before they sell out.
Is there a virtual waiting room for Peter Kay tickets?
With so many Peter Kay fans competing for a limited number of tickets, you may wonder if there is a virtual waiting room system in place for his upcoming tour.
What is a virtual waiting room?
A virtual waiting room, sometimes called a digital queue, is a system used for high demand events where there is expected to be a rush for tickets.
It works by requiring customers to join the waiting room before tickets go on sale. They are then assigned a random spot in line. When tickets go on sale, customers are let through the waiting room in small groups based on their place in line.
This is intended to reduce strain on the ticket seller’s website by controlling traffic flow. It also prevents the ticket website from crashing due to too many people trying to access it at once.
Is there one for Peter Kay tour tickets?
Unfortunately, there is no virtual waiting room in place for Peter Kay’s 2022-23 tour. Tickets are being sold on a first come, first served basis through Ticketmaster.
Fans have expressed frustration at the lack of any kind of queueing system, given the extraordinarily high demand for Kay’s comeback shows.
Many have struggled to access Ticketmaster right on time when new batches of tickets are released and regularly find they are sold out within minutes before they can complete a purchase.
Tips for accessing Peter Kay tickets
With no virtual queue in place, getting Peter Kay tickets requires persistence, patience, and a bit of luck. Here are some top tips for boosting your chances:
Sign up for pre-sales
Where available, take advantage of pre-sales through O2 Priority or Ticketmaster to access tickets before the general on-sale. Set calendar reminders so you don’t miss the pre-sale window.
Be ready right on time
Have the Ticketmaster website loaded ahead of when a new batch of tickets are scheduled to go on sale and refresh constantly. Be ready to enter your purchase details as fast as possible.
Use multiple devices
Try accessing the ticket page on multiple devices simultaneously to increase your chances of getting through. Make sure you are already logged into Ticketmaster on each device.
Check for ticket releases daily
Peter Kay tickets are being released in batches on a rolling basis, often with little notice. Check the Ticketmaster site daily for newly announced shows and added tickets.
Buy maximum allowed tickets
If you do get through, purchase the maximum number of tickets permitted per person to increase your chances of getting seats together. The limit is usually 6-8 tickets.
Don’t give up!
Persistence is key. Keep trying for tickets daily even if shows appear sold out, as last minute releases do happen. Set up alerts for new show announcements.
Joining a waiting list or ticket ballot
As there is no standard virtual waiting room for Peter Kay tour tickets, some venues have set up their own waiting lists or ticket ballots:
Venue waiting lists
Some venues have waiting lists that fans can join, which will give them advance access to buy tickets if they become available. This is generally done on a first come, first served basis. Check individual venue websites.
Ticket ballots
For very high demand shows, a few venues have ticket ballots. Fans register in advance and if selected, get a timed slot to buy tickets. This gives an equal chance to everyone.
Here is an example list of venues running Peter Kay ticket ballots:
Venue | City | Ballot System |
---|---|---|
The O2 Arena | London | Ticket ballot through AXS |
Utilita Arena | Birmingham | Registration ballot |
First Direct Arena | Leeds | Ballot through Ticketmaster |
Check individual venue social media and websites for details on registering for ticket ballots where available. Entries typically close 2-4 weeks before the general ticket sale.
Booking a hotel and transport package
One option for guaranteed Peter Kay tickets is to book a hotel and/or transport package deal. Various travel companies and coach operators offer packages that include accommodation, travel to the venue, and guaranteed tickets.
Benefits
– Guaranteed tickets reserved in advance
– Takes the stress out of booking
– Combination deals can work out competitively priced
Downsides
– Packages sell out quickly
– Less flexibility on dates and hotels
– Usually have to book well in advance
Hotel and coach packages are worth considering for sought after shows if you want peace of mind of secured tickets. But you’ll need to book very early, usually months in advance.
Using ticket reseller platforms
When shows are sold out, tickets can often still be found on ticket reselling sites and online marketplaces at inflated prices.
Main ticket reseller sites
Platform | URL |
---|---|
Viagogo | www.viagogo.com |
StubHub | www.stubhub.com |
Twickets | www.twickets.live |
Risks and drawbacks
– Higher prices, often heavily marked up
– Risk of invalid or fraudulent tickets
– No guarantee you’ll get tickets
– Unethical for profiting from fan demand
These platforms can work in desperation, but should be used cautiously due to higher prices and potential scams.
Attending multiple shows
Die-hard Peter Kay fans who want to see multiple tour dates have some options:
Book different dates and locations
Kay is performing in venues across the UK and Ireland, so it is possible to book tickets for several locations and see a number of different shows.
Look for ticket releases
Keep checking back on Ticketmaster regularly for returns and additional releases for shows you want to attend multiple times.
Friends and family help
Get friends and family to try booking tickets too so you have multiple chances at accessing in demand shows.
Ticket reselling platforms
As a last resort, ticket reselling sites may have availability for multiple dates, but prices will be very inflated.
Booking tickets through honest means for different tour dates and venues is usually the best and fairest way to attend multiple Peter Kay shows.
Conclusion
Peter Kay’s long awaited live comedy comeback has seen unprecedented demand for tickets, with most shows selling out instantly. Unfortunately there is no official virtual queuing system in place.
Fans need persistence, patience and good timing to buy tickets through Ticketmaster when they are released. Joining venue waiting lists and ticket ballots can also help access tickets.
Booking early hotel and transport packages is one way to guarantee tickets, though lacks flexibility. Ticket reselling sites come with risks of scams and unethical markups but can work if really stuck.
The reality is there is no easy solution or inside track for accessing in demand Peter Kay tickets. With over 100 shows on the schedule, the best approach is to diligently keep trying every avenue possible and not lose hope!