The main point of Ticketmaster’s Verified Fan program is to give dedicated fans better access to tickets for high-demand events. It helps filter out bots and scalpers so more tickets go directly to genuine supporters of artists and events. Becoming a Verified Fan doesn’t guarantee tickets, but it can improve your chances in the competition for limited tickets.
How Verified Fan Works
Here’s a quick overview of how the Verified Fan system functions:
- Fans sign up for a Verified Fan presale through Ticketmaster when announced for an event.
- Ticketmaster verifies users are real fans, not bots or scalpers.
- Verified Fans selected through a lottery process get a special presale code.
- This code gives them access to purchase tickets before the general public.
So being a Verified Fan allows you early access to buy tickets. It doesn’t guarantee you will get tickets or the best seats, but it improves your chances compared to the free-for-all of general public sales.
Why Use Verified Fan?
There are a few key reasons concert and event goers register for Verified Fan presales:
Beat the Bots and Scalpers
For very popular events, tickets can sell out within minutes. This is often because scalpers use bots to buy up huge quantities of tickets the moment sales open. Verified Fan helps filter out bot traffic so more human fans have a shot at buying tickets.
Better Access to Limited Tickets
By giving Verified Fans early access with a special presale code, this improves your chances of getting tickets before the general sale. For very limited events, it may be your only chance to purchase tickets.
Peace of Mind of Legitimate Tickets
With Verified Fan presales you are buying tickets directly through the Ticketmaster site or app. This means you can be confident you are getting legitimate tickets, not counterfeits from a sketchy secondary reseller.
Rewards Superfans
Artists want their biggest supporters to have the first shot at great tickets. Verified Fan rewards loyal fans with early ticket access rather than rewarding whoever can spam refresh fastest when sales open.
Who Can Become a Verified Fan?
Virtually anyone can sign up to become a Verified Fan. You simply need a Ticketmaster account and agree to their terms. However, for high demand events, Ticketmaster will vet fans to identify real supporters vs potential scalpers.
Some of the ways they validate fans:
- Ticket purchase history – favoring those who previously bought that artist’s tickets.
- Social media engagement – fans active on that artist’s channels.
- Surveys to prove knowledge of the artist.
- Rejecting known scalpers or suspicious accounts.
The exact criteria varies event to event. But the goal is identifying true supporters who will use the tickets themselves rather than reselling for profit.
Tips for Becoming a Verified Fan
Here are some tips to boost your chances of being selected as a Verified Fan:
Have a Genuine Ticketmaster Account
Don’t try to spoof an account or have multiple accounts. Ticketmaster checks identity and will reject fake or duplicate accounts.
Follow the Artist on Social Media
Linking social accounts with activity related to that artist helps prove you are a real fan. Follow them on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, etc.
Watch for Presale Announcements
Sign up for Ticketmaster emails and follow the event social media. Presales are announced days or weeks before they open, so don’t miss the window to register as a Verified Fan.
Be Quick to Register
Once a Verified Fan presale is announced, sign up promptly. Give yourself the maximum time to be verified before the presale starts. Spots may be limited.
Only Try for Events You Really Want to Attend
Don’t overload your account with Verified Fan signups you don’t intend to buy for. Stick to artists and events you are genuinely interested in attending.
No Guarantee You’ll Get Tickets
Unfortunately, being a Verified Fan and getting a presale code does not guarantee you will get tickets. The presales still sell on a first-come, first-served basis.
For extremely high demand events, Ticketmaster may use an online “waiting room” system to randomly select purchasers from the pool of Verified Fans. So you may log on right at the presale start time and still not get tickets.
The advantage of being a Verified Fan is simply having a shot at buying tickets before the less-restricted public on-sale. But nothing is guaranteed.
Alternatives to Verified Fan
If you miss out on the Verified Fan presale, don’t lose hope! Here are some other options for scoring tickets:
General Public Sale
While chaotic, you can still get lucky buying tickets during general public sales. Use tips like pre-saving your payment info to checkout faster.
Return to Ticketmaster Later
More inventory may be released closer to the event date as the venue and artist release holds. So check back often.
Fan-to-Fan Resale
Fans reselling extra tickets on Ticketmaster is safer than secondary sites. Prices may also be below scalper rates.
Other Presales
Presales may be offered to members of the venue or artist fan club, Citi cardholders, Spotify listeners, etc. Research all presale options.
Is Verified Fan Worth It?
For hot events with limited ticket inventory, Verified Fan can definitely improve your chances. The presale gives you a shot at buying tickets ahead of the mad rush.
However, there is extra effort involved in registering and getting verified. And you could go through all that without getting a presale code, or getting tickets. It’s not a magic ticket by any means.
For more casual fans, general public on-sales may be an easier option. But committed fans should definitely consider verified Fan presales for their must-see events when available.