Ticket presales have become an increasingly popular way for fans to purchase tickets to concerts, festivals, and other live events. In a presale, tickets are made available for purchase before the general public on-sale date. Presales provide dedicated fans early access to tickets before they sell out. There are several key benefits of buying tickets through a presale:
Access to tickets before the general public
The main appeal of a presale is the ability to buy tickets before they go on sale to the general public. For popular concerts that sell out quickly, presales can give you the best chance at getting tickets. On a presale date, only members of the presale group can buy tickets. This avoids competition with the general public. During an intense on-sale, websites can crash and ticket inventory can vanish in seconds. Presales allow you to shop for tickets ahead of the rush. You’ll have more time to browse seat options and complete your purchase compared to a hurried public on-sale.
Better selection of seats
With presales, you’re accessing tickets before the prime seats get snatched up. If you log on right at the presale start time, you can score amazing seats that would never still be available by the time the general on-sale starts. Through presales, fans can get seats closest to the stage or in other coveted locations. Prime seats typically go first, so presales give you first pick.
Access to exclusive ticket allotments
Venues and event promoters often set aside tickets specifically for presales. These tickets can’t be purchased by the general public. The size of these exclusive presale allotments varies based on the event. In some cases, nearly half of the venue’s tickets are reserved for presale groups. The fewer tickets available in the general on-sale, the less likely you are to score seats. Presales allow fans to buy from these reserved sections.
Buying experience is less stressful
Trying to buy popular tickets during an on-sale to the general public can be extremely stressful. With so much competition all vying for a limited number of tickets, on-sales can be a rushed and chaotic experience. Websites slow down, online queues develop, and tickets sell out in seconds. With a presale, the experience is usually smoother. There is less traffic on ticketing sites, so they’re less prone to crashing. There’s no waiting in lengthy digital queues. Buying tickets through a presale is generally a calmer and more relaxed process.
Earlier delivery of tickets
When you purchase tickets during a presale, you’ll receive your tickets earlier than if you bought them during a general on-sale. Presales take place days or weeks before the public on-sale date. Once you complete your ticket order, your presale tickets will be delivered immediately. When you wait to buy during the hectic general on-sale, ticket delivery typically takes longer. This is due to the high volume of orders received all at once. Presales allow you to secure your event tickets well in advance of the show date.
Types of Presales
There are a few common types of ticket presales:
Artist/Event Presales
The performers, promoters, or venues hosting an event will often sponsor their own presales. These presales allow loyal existing fans to purchase tickets first. Joining an artist’s fan club is a common way to gain access to presale codes or links. The event organizers want to reward devoted long-time fans with early ticket access. These presales normally occur a few days before the general on-sale.
Venue Presales
Many major venues have their own presales for events happening in their buildings. Venues want to provide the earliest access to their best customers. If you’re a season ticket holder or subscriber, you may qualify for venue presale opportunities. Some venues also have email newsletters that distribute presale promo codes. Signing up can help you score presale tickets even if you’re not a regular ticket buyer.
Promoter Presales
Concert and event promoters like Live Nation and AEG have their own presales. They partner with artists and venues to organize events. To thank their most loyal customers, promoters operate presales for members of their platforms. Promoters offer various paid memberships that provide access to presales. For example, Live Nation has the Ticketmaster Verified Fan platform that unlocks presale opportunities.
Credit Card Presales
Major credit card companies like American Express and Citibank run presales for cardholders. As a benefit of membership, credit card holders can get first crack at tickets before they go on sale. The card brands partner with ticketing platforms like Ticketmaster to provide presales. To access them, you normally need to purchase tickets with the given credit card.
Radio Station Presales
Radio stations that promote an event will often presale tickets to their listeners. The artist provides the station with a small allotment of tickets. Then the station runs an exclusive presale through their website. Listeners must have an account with the station to receive a presale promo code. These radio presales normally happen 1-3 days before the public on-sale.
Spotify Presales
As an incentive for super fans, Spotify runs presales for some events. Users must follow the artist and have a Spotify account to access these presales. Spotify then sends presale codes to eligible super fans based on their listening history. These exclusive presales help Spotify reward their most dedicated music streamers.
VIP Presales
VIP presales provide access to upgrade ticket packages and amenities like premium seating, exclusive merchandise, and meet & greets. To buy VIP packages before the general public, fans must subscribe to VIP membership programs from platforms like CID Entertainment. Paid VIP memberships offer fans the chance to purchase the best ticket packages first.
Fan Club Presales
Diehard fans can join an artist’s official fan club, which typically provides presale ticket access. After paying a fan club membership fee, fans will receive a code that unlocks early access to tickets. Fan club presales are some of the earliest presales for an event. They help ensure an artist’s biggest supporters can attend their concerts.
Mailing List Presales
Artists, venues, promoters, and ticketing sites maintain email databases of fans. Members of these mailing lists will occasionally receive presale notices. An email containing the presale password will go out to subscribers a few days before the presale. Mailing lists keep fans informed of presale opportunities.
How Presales Work
Presales function through dedicated web pages on ticketing websites. To access a presale and its exclusive ticket inventory, you need a special code or link. Here are the steps for buying tickets in a presale:
Step 1: Gain Access
There are a few ways to get access to presales:
– Join an artist’s fan club to get a member presale code
– Sign up for a venue’s email list to get on their presale list
– Purchase a VIP membership package that includes presale ticket access
– Subscribe to American Express or Citi cards that unlock presale opportunities
– Create accounts with ticket promoters like Live Nation/Ticketmaster
Step 2: Register for a Presale
For high demand events, you may have to register for a presale in advance. Ticketing platforms like Ticketmaster require you register your account ahead of the presale. This helps prevent resellers from abusing the presale. After registering, you can submit your presale code.
Step 3: Get a Presale Code or Link
Shortly before the presale, you’ll receive your unique code or URL link via email. This code or link gains you access to the presale. Codes are typically 4-7 letters/numbers. The code or link can only be used once.
Step 4: Visit Presale Ticketing Page
On the day of the presale, visit the event’s ticketing page on the host website. Look for the prominent presale box. Click to access the page.
Step 5: Submit Presale Code
When prompted, enter and submit the unique presale code you received. This will unlock the presale inventory. Some presales require you to be logged into your account.
Step 6: Purchase Tickets
Once inside the presale portal, search for your desired tickets. When you’re ready, proceed through checkout before the presale ends. Entering payment info ahead of time can speed up the process.
Tips for Presale Success
Use these tips to maximize your chances of scoring presale tickets:
Get Presale Codes Early
Sign up for all artist, venue, and promoter mailing lists as soon as event details are announced. This ensures you receive presale registration links and codes right away. The earlier you register and get codes, the better.
Use Multiple Presales
Don’t rely on just one presale. Increase your odds by taking advantage of every available presale. Artists, venues, promoters, and cards may all run separate presales. Stack the deck in your favor.
Be Ready Right at Start Time
Presales start exactly at the advertised time. Log on to the ticketing site 15 minutes early. Enter payment info ahead of time. Refresh at the start time to access the presale instantly.
Buy Quickly
Work quickly once the presale starts. Have seating charts open beforehand. Grab tickets fast so they don’t disappear from your cart. Don’t hesitate or browse too long.
Aim for Best Seats
Check for seats near the stage or pit first. Then fan out to lower bowl or floor seats. Avoid the upper decks initially. You can always move back if better seats sell out. Start with premiums.
Try Waiting to Check Out
If you don’t see ideal seats right away, wait a few minutes before purchasing. Inventory can be released in waves. Newly added seats may free up after 5-10 minutes. But don’t wait too long.
Use Multiple Devices
For high demand events, use two devices to shop presales. Double your chances by trying on a desktop and mobile device simultaneously. Assign seating sections to each device.
Downsides of Presales
While presales provide substantial advantages, there are some potential drawbacks:
You May Not Get Presale Access
Scoring presale codes and links isn’t always easy. You’ll have to take multiple steps like joining fan clubs and email lists well in advance. There’s no guarantee you’ll gain access in time, if at all.
Codes Can Sell Out Fast Too
Having a presale code doesn’t guarantee you’ll get seats. The most popular presales still sell out in seconds. You need to be ready to buy immediately at the start time. Presales aren’t immune to big demand.
Best Seats Get Grabbed Quickly
Floor seats and front row tickets near the stage can disappear instantly even in presales. VIP packages also sell fast. You need lightning speed and good fortune to score the absolute best spots.
Prices Can Trend Higher
With early access, some sellers take advantage by pricing presale tickets higher. Dynamic pricing leads to inflated costs for first presale buyers. Prices may then drop later.
You Can Get Shut Out
If you don’t qualify for any presales, you’ll have to try buying during general on-sale. All the best seats may be long gone by public on-sale time. Lack of presale access severely inhibits options.
It Can Be Time Consuming
You may have to join multiple fan clubs, newsletters, and promoter programs to unlock presale opportunities. Maintaining memberships and monitoring emails for codes requires effort.
Scarcity Pressures Fast Buying
Presales compel you to purchase tickets quickly before they vanish. This can lead buyers to spend more money than they originally budgeted just to secure any seats. Limited time pressures fast purchases.
Conclusion
Ticket presales present significant advantages to fans looking to buy the best seats for high demand events. Presales allow you to buy tickets before the general public, giving you access to better inventory before the most desirable spots disappear. Sales also tend to run more smoothly compared to frenzied general on-sales. However, presales still sell out quickly for popular events. You need speed, focus, and a bit of luck. Preparation and utilizing multiple presales is key to success. While not flawless, presales stack the odds in your favor of scoring great seats to sold out shows.