A verified fan sale is a way for Ticketmaster to ensure that tickets for high-demand concerts and events go to “real” fans rather than scalpers or bots. It requires fans to register ahead of time and get verified before having the opportunity to purchase tickets.
How does the Ticketmaster verified fan sale work?
Here is the basic process for a verified fan sale on Ticketmaster:
- When a high-demand concert or event goes on sale, Ticketmaster will announce it is using a verified fan sale instead of a general public on-sale.
- Fans must go to the Ticketmaster website or app and register to become a verified fan. This usually requires providing basic info like name, email address, phone number.
- Ticketmaster uses its proprietary algorithm and other info to verify fans. According to Ticketmaster, they look at past purchase history, social media engagement, and other factors.
- After registering, fans find out if they are verified. Verified fans receive a unique code to access the ticket sale.
- On the day of the ticket sale, verified fans can shop for tickets and enter their code to unlock access.
- Tickets are sold on a first-come, first-served basis to verified fans. Being verified does not guarantee you will get tickets.
The goal is to make sure real fans have fair access to tickets rather than scalpers or bots scooping up all the seats only to resell them on secondary sites at huge markups.
Why does Ticketmaster use verified fan sales?
Ticketmaster implemented verified fan sales to combat the growing problems with ticket scalpers and bots. Some of the key reasons include:
- Limit scalpers and bots – Scalpers and ticket bot networks were buying up huge blocks of tickets to popular shows within minutes of on-sales. Verified fan sales rate limit purchases and ensure tickets go to fans.
- Improve fan experience – By eliminating scalpers and bots, the ticket sale process is more fair for fans. It reduces competition with bots and creates a smoother sale.
- Help artists and promoters – Artists and promoters want real fans to have access to tickets, not scalpers looking to make a profit. Verified fan sales help achieve that.
- Reduce costs – Scalpers and bots cost the industry millions in lost revenue and costs trying to police them. Verified sales reduces those costs and headaches.
While not perfect, verified fan sales have largely been effective at meeting these goals and getting more tickets into the hands of fans. Many see it as an improvement over the previous system which heavily favored scalpers.
How do fans become verified on Ticketmaster?
When a verified fan sale is announced, fans have to take the following steps to try and become verified:
- Go to Ticketmaster’s website or mobile app during the verification period.
- Find the event you want tickets for and click “Register for Verified Fan”.
- Provide basic contact info – name, email, phone number.
- Confirm you are not a bot via captcha.
- Agree to Ticketmaster’s terms and conditions.
- Wait for Ticketmaster to verify you. Verified fans get emailed a unique code.
According to Ticketmaster, they use their proprietary systems and algorithms to vet fans. They look at factors like:
- Past Ticketmaster purchase history
- Social media engagement related to the event
- Having an existing Ticketmaster account
- Location and ability to attend event
Fans have to meet certain requirements to become verified. There is no guarantee of verification even if you are a huge fan. Ticketmaster does not share exactly how they decide who becomes verified out of millions of registrants.
What are some tips for becoming a verified fan?
Here are some tips fans can use to try and get verified for a high-demand ticket sale:
- Register as early as possible – Verification periods typically begin weeks before the sale. Register immediately once announced.
- Use an existing Ticketmaster account – Having purchase history and profile data can help.
- Engage with the event on social – Like, follow, share event pages and posts on social media.
- Link your social accounts – Connect Facebook, Twitter, etc. to your Ticketmaster account.
- Use your real name and contact info – Scalpers sometimes try fake info which gets rejected.
- Be patient – Not everyone who registers will get verified. Luck is involved too.
Keep in mind that Ticketmaster’s requirements are not publicly known. There are never any guarantees. But fans can take these steps to potentially improve their odds at verification.
What happens if you don’t get verified on Ticketmaster?
If you register for a verified fan sale but do not get verified, unfortunately you will not be able to participate in the special ticket pre-sale. There are still a couple options to try and get tickets:
- Open general on-sale – Remaining tickets typically go on sale to the general public shortly after. You can try your luck then.
- Ticket exchanges – Many teams/artists release extra tickets on fan exchanges leading up to shows.
- Ticket resale sites – You can look on sites like StubHub but prices may be marked up.
While being shut out of a verification sale is disappointing, it is possible to still get tickets later through other means. Prices and availability may be worse compared to the verified sale.
Does being verified guarantee you will get tickets?
No, being verified for a Ticketmaster sale does not guarantee you will get tickets. It only gives you the opportunity to access the sale. Tickets are still sold on a first-come, first-served basis.
It is common for hundreds of thousands or even millions of fans to register and get verified for really popular events like Beyonce or Taylor Swift tours. Venues still have a limited numbers of seats. Just because you get verified and enter the code does not mean you will be able to buy tickets.
You have to strategize and be on right at sale start time to try and get tickets in your cart and checkout as fast as possible. Having verified fan status makes it possible to buy tickets, but does not guarantee your ability to do so.
Is there a way around the Ticketmaster verified fan process?
There is no sanctioned way around for regular fans to bypass the verification process. Some options scalpers or desperate fans may try include:
- Using bots – Bots can sometimes mimic human behavior to beat fan verification, but this is illegal.
- Buying verified accounts – Shady black market services claim to sell verified accounts.
- Using stolen identities – Scalpers steal user data and register accounts with it.
These unethical practices may work but they violate Ticketmaster’s policies and can lead to criminal charges. They also enable the very scalpers and unfair advantages the system tries to eliminate.
Is the Ticketmaster verified fan process controversial?
Ticketmaster’s verified fan sales have received some criticism and controversy over the years. Some common complaints include:
- The verification criteria is too vague – Fans want more transparency on who gets verified.
- It still doesn’t fully stop scalpers – Some scalpers still beat the system.
- Timing and limited windows – The short verification period and sales windows still advantage aggressive scalpers.
- Exclusion of casual fans – Obscure requirements like social media engagement may exclude more casual listeners.
While not perfect, Ticketmaster’s verified fan sales largely deliver on promises of getting more tickets into the hands of legitimate fans. The majority seem to see it as an improvement, even if some problems persist.
Conclusion
Ticketmaster’s verified fan program changed the ticket buying landscape by requiring an early registration process for high demand events. While it can’t eliminate all scalpers and bots, it has helped combat those problems and made buying experience more fair for dedicated fans. The requirements and criteria for verification are not publicly known but appear to consider purchase history, social engagement and other factors. Being verified provides the opportunity to buy tickets but does not guarantee it. The system has received criticism but continues to evolve in an effort to reduce scalpers and get tickets to real fans.