Getting tickets to popular concerts, shows, and sporting events can be extremely competitive. Often, tickets sell out within minutes of going on sale as fans scramble to secure their spots. This has led many people to wonder – does Ticketmaster automatically refresh when tickets go on sale to help customers secure tickets right away?
The Short Answer
The short answer is no, Ticketmaster does not automatically refresh when tickets go on sale. Customers need to manually refresh the page themselves to check for newly available tickets. Ticketmaster does not have an auto-refresh feature to reload the page automatically.
How Ticketmaster Works When Tickets Go On Sale
Here is a quick overview of how Ticketmaster works when in-demand tickets go on sale:
- Most tickets go on sale at 10 am local venue time on the specified onsale date.
- Fans line up virtually on Ticketmaster in advance of the sale, sometimes waiting in long digital queues.
- Right at 10 am, Ticketmaster releases the tickets for purchase.
- Fans in the queue then race to select tickets and get through checkout before they sell out.
- Ticketmaster does not automatically refresh the page. Fans must manually reload to check for newly available tickets at 10 am.
- Tickets often sell out incredibly quickly, sometimes in just minutes.
As you can see, Ticketmaster itself does not automatically reload when the tickets go on sale. That job is left up to the customer. This means constantly refreshing and hoping to beat out all the other fans vying for tickets.
Why Doesn’t Ticketmaster Auto Refresh?
There are a few reasons why Ticketmaster does not have an auto-refresh feature when tickets go on sale:
- Traffic Load – Having millions of Ticketmaster users refreshing all at once would likely crash the site. By having customers manually refresh, it splits up the traffic load.
- Bots – An auto-refresh feature could make it easier for bots to rapidly scoop up tickets. Fans refreshing manually helps reduce bot traffic.
- Fairness – Manual refreshing introduces some randomness that gives average fans a chance. Auto-refresh could favor those with the fastest internet speeds.
Manual refreshing is not a perfect system and still leads to very quick sellouts. But Ticketmaster likely keeps it in place to try to avoid site crashes, bot traffic, and to add some fairness to the process.
Tips For Snagging Tickets
Since Ticketmaster does not auto-refresh, the odds are stacked against fans trying to get tickets. But there are some tips that may help your chances:
- Get in the queue early – Join the queue at least 30 mins before the sale starts.
- Use a strong internet connection – Hardwire to ethernet or connect to 5G mobile data.
- Set up accounts – Have Ticketmaster and fan club accounts set up in advance.
- Use multiple devices – Try refreshing on a computer, phone, tablet, etc.
- Refresh precisely at 10 am – Don’t jump the gun and refresh too early.
- Try stagger refreshing – Refresh multiple browser tabs on varying intervals.
- Don’t give up – Keep refreshing as more tickets can be released over time.
Even with the best tools and techniques, there is a heavy element of luck involved. But being prepared and diligent can help improve your odds of beating the competition.
Automation Tools and Bots
Because Ticketmaster itself does not auto-refresh, some tech-savvy fans have built tools and bots to automate the process of refreshing and purchasing. Examples include:
- Ticketmaster Auto Refresh Chrome Extensions – These force Ticketmaster to refresh without you clicking.
- Click Automation Bots – Bots that rapidly click refresh and checkout buttons.
- Inventory Scanners – Programs that continually scan for newly listed tickets.
It’s unclear if these actually help the average fan. They may simply empower scalpers and bot networks to unfairly scoop up more tickets. Use these tools at your own risk and research if they violate Ticketmaster’s Terms of Service.
Alternatives To Ticketmaster
Due to the difficulty of competing for tickets on Ticketmaster, many fans look for alternatives. Some options include:
- Official Fan Club Presales – Many artists sell tickets directly to fan club members first before the general public sale.
- Venue and Radio Presales – Follow venues and radio stations for special presale code offers.
- Resale Sites – Sites like StubHub let fans resell tickets, but often at higher prices.
- Scalpers and Touts – Shady ticket brokers often buy up tickets only to resell at ridiculous margins.
Presales, if you can access them, are likely your best option for avoiding Ticketmaster. But they too sell out fast. Resale sites guarantee tickets, but charge substantial fees. Scalpers are risky and may sell fake or invalid tickets.
Petitioning For Change
Some dissatisfied customers over the years have petitioned Ticketmaster to make changes to help average fans, including:
- Implementing an auto-refresh feature
- Using a lottery system for initial sales
- Releasing more tickets over time (“drip pricing”)
- Improving queue systems and waiting rooms
However, Ticketmaster has been reluctant to alter their methods, likely due to bot concerns, traffic loads, and vendor contracts. Fans are encouraged to provide feedback, but major changes seem unlikely in the near future.
Is Ticketmaster’s System Fair?
There is ongoing debate around whether Ticketmaster’s ticketing system is fair and ethical. Some common criticisms include:
- Not allowing auto-refresh favors scalpers with bots.
- Long queues and site crashes waste huge amounts of fans’ time.
- Lack of transparency around initial ticket allocations.
- Complex presales and codes disadvantage average fans.
However, others argue Ticketmaster faces an impossible task. No system can eliminate scalpers and bots or satisfy absolutely everyone. Given the huge technical and logistical challenges, they say Ticketmaster offers a reasonably fair system.
There are merits to both perspectives. But it’s clear Ticketmaster’s system leaves many fans frustrated as tickets vanish instantly. Pressure will likely continue for more fan-friendly improvements.
The Bigger Picture
The Ticketmaster ticketing debate reflects larger issues in society around ethics, technology, and fair access to entertainment. As bots grow more advanced, does human stands a chance? Can sought-after commodities be allocated in ways that maximize fairness? Or will those with the best tech and willingness to exploit others continue dominating?
Ticketmaster sits at the intersection of these complex issues. While fans keep pushing for change, major shifts seem unlikely. For now, average fans must continue battling bots, queues, crashes, and endlessly refreshing pages in hopes of securing those coveted tickets. It’s an exercise in persistence, skill, and luck.
Conclusion
In summary, Ticketmaster does not automatically refresh its pages when highly anticipated tickets go on sale. Customers must manually refresh repeatedly in hopes of beating out the competition. This avoids site crashes but makes getting tickets incredibly difficult. Some turn to automation tools to gain an advantage, while others seek alternatives. But the vast majority of average fans are at the mercy of Ticketmaster’s imperfect system. While not ideal, it aims for some balance between fairness and practical considerations. For the foreseeable future, fans will keep eagerly refreshing, hoping today is their lucky day.