Ticketmaster is one of the largest ticket sales and distribution companies in the world. Many people try to use a VPN (Virtual Private Network) to access Ticketmaster from different locations or get around blackout restrictions, but find that Ticketmaster often doesn’t function properly when using a VPN.
What is a VPN and why do people use it with Ticketmaster?
A VPN allows users to send and receive data while appearing to be in a different location. By connecting through a remote server, your real IP address can be masked and your traffic encrypted.
There are several reasons people may want to use a VPN with Ticketmaster:
- To access events or tickets that are restricted to certain locations. Ticketmaster sometimes implements blackout restrictions where tickets for an event can only be purchased in specific geographic areas. A VPN can make it appear as if you are in the permitted location.
- To hide your real location and maintain privacy. Your browsing data and activity on Ticketmaster could reveal your actual location.
- To get around rate limits or bottlenecks from your own IP address. If your IP has been temporarily blocked for suspicious activity or exceeding Ticketmaster’s requests limit, a VPN grants you a new IP.
- To access Ticketmaster from a restricted network. Some workplace, school or public WiFi networks block access to certain sites and services.
Why doesn’t Ticketmaster work with a VPN?
There are a few main reasons why Ticketmaster may not work properly when you are connected to a VPN:
VPN IP addresses are blocked
Many VPN IP address ranges are known to Ticketmaster and blocked from accessing their platform. They maintain large blacklists of VPN servers to prevent abuse of their systems. Even if you get a new IP from your VPN, it may already be flagged in Ticketmaster’s system.
VPN traffic appears suspicious
The patterns of activity from VPN connections are often easy to fingerprint. Since many people share the same VPN server, the trafficappears more chaotic than normal user behavior. Ticketmaster likely has machine learning algorithms that can identify and block VPN-like patterns.
Location mismatches
Ticketmaster performs location checks on your IP address, device details, billing information and more. If your VPN location doesn’t match other markers, Ticketmaster may suspect you are using a VPN to spoof your location and deny access.
VPN connectivity issues
To maintain privacy and security, VPNs sometimes use protocols like Multihop, Multibind, or SOCKS5 that can interfere with website connections. Some VPN server nodes become overloaded which also disrupts page loads. These technical constraints of VPNs can sometimes prevent Ticketmaster from functioning properly.
VPN terms of service prohibited
Most major VPN providers explicitly prohibit using their services to access blocked content or bypass geographic restrictions. This includes the use of VPNs to access Ticketmaster from unsupported locations. Doing so violates terms of service and can get VPN accounts suspended if detected.
Methods Ticketmaster uses to detect and block VPNs
Ticketmaster utilizes a number of advanced techniques to identify and block VPN usage on their platform:
Checking for known VPN IP ranges
As mentioned previously, Ticketmaster maintains large databases of IP address ranges that are linked to major VPN services. These IPs are outright blocked from Ticketmaster.
Analyzing web traffic patterns
Sophisticated statistical analysis of web traffic can reveal usage patterns consistent with a VPN. Factors like request volume, frequency, and geography are examined to assess likelihood of VPN use.
Matching locations via geolocation and GPS
Cross-checking your device’s real physical location via GPS and other geolocation markers against your apparent IP location helps reveal location spoofing via VPN.
User agent inspection
Many VPN client apps leave fingerprints in network request user agent strings. Ticketmaster can parse these strings to identify VPN use.
Examining browser configuration
Small settings in how your browser is configured, like time zone, language, and font can give away VPN usage if they don’t match your IP location.
Analyzing billing information
Financial details like your billing address on file can be another indicator of VPN use if they are inconsistent with your VPN IP address location.
Techniques people use to try to bypass Ticketmaster’s VPN blocks
Those determined to use a VPN with Ticketmaster try various methods to evade blocks, with varying degrees of success:
Residential proxy VPNs
Specialized VPNs using residential IP addresses can appear more like a real home user vs. a data center.
Less known VPN providers
Using smaller VPN providers means their IP ranges are less likely to be recognized and blocked upfront.
VPN server hopping
Quickly rotating through different VPN server IP addresses makes it harder to pin down VPN usage.
Traffic obfuscation
Some tools mask VPN traffic by adding encryption, mimicking normal browser fingerprints, and other obfuscation techniques.
Using mobile data instead of WiFi
Cellular carrier NATs assign IPs in a less VPN-like manner compared to most home WiFi connections.
Spoofing device fingerprints
Changing browser settings, installed fonts, screen resolution and other device details makes VPN devices appear more like local machines.
Why blocking VPNs is important for Ticketmaster
Ticketmaster states that their anti-VPN measures aim to provide a fair and equitable ticket buying experience. VPN blocking helps enforce their terms of service and combat unethical use cases like:
Scalping or reselling
Using VPNs to disguise bot traffic and mass-purchase tickets to resell at inflated prices.
Circumventing regional restrictions
Breaching blackout rules and territory restrictions imposed on Ticketmaster tickets.
Fraud
Criminals can use VPNs to hide identities and IP reputations when purchasing tickets fraudulently.
Scraping pricing data
Competitors scraping Ticketmaster dynamically priced ticket data and undercutting costs.
Best practices for using Ticketmaster with a VPN
If you must access Ticketmaster through a VPN, your best chance of success is to follow these practices:
- Use reputable paid VPN services like ExpressVPN, NordVPN or PIA that may be whitelisted by Ticketmaster.
- Connect from a VPN server geographically close to you to minimize location mismatches.
- Don’t excessively change VPN servers as that appears suspicious.
- Clear cookies and cache between VPN sessions to remove tracking.
- Use VPN browser extensions/configurations to spoof device fingerprints.
- Access Ticketmaster sparingly. Don’t bombard it with searches and requests.
Alternative ticket buying options
If Ticketmaster continues to not function with your VPN, consider these alternative ticket purchasing options:
Ticket resale platforms
Sites like StubHub let you buy tickets second hand without blackout restrictions.
Official box offices
Purchase directly from the venue’s box office without Ticketmaster fees and limitations.
Fan ticket exchanges
For very popular events, Facebook groups and Reddit forums emerge where fans can buy/sell extra tickets.
Ticket batch releases
Keep checking back as more tickets are inevitably released in batches right before events.
Conclusion
In summary, Ticketmaster actively blocks VPN usage to enforce policies and maintain an equitable ticket buying experience. Sophisticated analysis of web traffic and device patterns allows them to reliably identify VPN use. While it is possible to sometimes bypass the restrictions with careful VPN configuration, you’re better served using alternative ticket purchasing options. To maintain access, limit how often you use Ticketmaster with your VPN and keep your browsing behavior consistent.