Ticketmaster, like most major ticket sellers, usually imposes ticket purchase limits for popular events. This is done to deter ticket scalping and give more fans a chance to buy tickets at face value. However, there are some ways fans can legally purchase more than the ticket limit if they really want more tickets.
What is Ticketmaster’s ticket limit?
Ticketmaster does not have one universal ticket limit. Limits can vary based on the event, the venue, and the artist or team. Some common Ticketmaster ticket limits include:
- 2-8 tickets per household
- 4-12 tickets maximum
- Specific section limits, like 4 tickets maximum in the floor section
For very high demand events, the limit may be just 2 or 4 tickets. Limits tend to be higher for less popular events where scalping is less of a concern.
How are ticket limits enforced?
Ticketmaster enforces limits in a few ways:
- IP address tracking – Only allowing X tickets per unique IP address
- Account purchase history – Limiting tickets available if you already bought some
- Address verification – Only allowing X tickets per billing/shipping address
These checks happen during the purchase process to prevent going over the set limits.
Ways to buy more than the ticket limit
There are a few perfectly legal ways to purchase more tickets than the basic Ticketmaster limits:
Use multiple accounts
You can create multiple Ticketmaster accounts using different emails, addresses, payment methods, etc. Each account can purchase up to the limit. Just be aware of address verification requirements.
Send different people to buy
Ticketmaster allows each person to buy up to the limit. So you could coordinate with friends, family, etc and have them all buy tickets, then pay them back.
Buy VIP packages
VIP packages like meet & greets or platinum tickets are exempt from ticket limits. These packages are very expensive but usually offer extra tickets beyond the normal limit.
Buy from group sales
Groups like businesses, schools, or non-profits can sometimes access special group ticket sales through Ticketmaster with higher or no limits.
Buy verified resale tickets
Ticketmaster’s verified resale marketplace offers tickets people are reselling, sometimes in quantities above the original limit. Prices are inflated but all tickets are guaranteed valid.
Try fan club presales
Some artists do special presales for their fan club members before the general public onsale. These presales sometimes have higher ticket limits available.
Wait for general public onsales
Limits are usually highest right when tickets first go on sale to the general public. Limits often decrease as the event nears selling out.
The pros and cons of buying over Ticketmaster’s limit
Pros of buying over the limit
- Get more tickets than most people can buy
- Sit together in a large group
- Make money reselling extra tickets (but this is unethical!)
Cons of buying over the limit
- Very expensive to buy a lot of platinum or VIP tickets
- No guarantees on getting tickets via presales/onsales
- Reselling overpriced tickets is illegal in some states
- Hurts regular fans’ chances to get tickets
Is it ever okay to exceed Ticketmaster’s limits?
It’s a controversial topic among music fans. Here are some perspectives:
View 1: It’s completely unethical
Buying over the limit is selfish and directly deprives regular fans of getting tickets. The practice should be illegal, as it prices many average fans out of popular events.
View 2: It’s okay in moderation
It’s understandable to want extra tickets for family/friends to sit together. Buying a few above the limit is no big deal. But dozens of tickets solely for profit is clearly unethical.
View 3: Limits unfairly restrict free markets
Ticketmaster limits interfere with free market principles. There’s nothing wrong with buying as many tickets as you want as long as you pay face value. Let supply and demand dictate prices.
Safely buying more tickets than the limit
If you do want to buy past the Ticketmaster ticket limit, here are some tips to stay safe and legal:
- Buy only from official Ticketmaster sales – Avoid scams on secondary sites
- Read the venue/event rules carefully – Some have stricter policies than Ticketmaster
- Sell at face value only – Don’t profit unfairly off extra tickets
- Be open about your intentions – Don’t sneak around buying limits unfairly
Conclusion
Buying more tickets than Ticketmaster’s set limit can sometimes be accomplished through legal means like using multiple accounts or buying VIP packages. However, intentionally circumventing the limits too aggressively ultimately hurts the regular fans that ticket caps try to protect. If you want more tickets than the limit, proceed with caution, transparency, and care for your fellow fans.