Ticketmaster is one of the most popular websites for buying tickets to concerts, sports events, and other live entertainment. When tickets go on sale for a popular event, they can sell out very quickly. If you want to buy tickets right when they go on sale, it’s important to understand how Ticketmaster’s virtual queue system works.
What is a virtual queue on Ticketmaster?
A virtual queue is a waiting line that Ticketmaster uses when there is very high demand for tickets to an event. Instead of everyone trying to access the website all at once and potentially crashing it, Ticketmaster staggers access by assigning people places in a virtual line. This helps control traffic to the website and makes the buying experience smoother.
When you try to buy tickets for an event using Ticketmaster, you may see a message that you are “in line” and have been assigned a place or number. This means you have been added to the virtual queue. Your place indicates when you will be given access to the website to buy tickets.
How does the virtual queue work?
The virtual queue system works on a first come, first served basis. The earlier you join the queue when tickets initially go on sale, the higher up you will be in line. Spots are assigned randomly, but the queue opens for everyone at the same preset time.
Right before tickets go on sale, you simply go to the event page on Ticketmaster and click the button to buy tickets. Ticketmaster may ask you to log in or enter a verification code at this point. Once the sale starts, you will see which place you are in line and an estimated wait time.
The line will keep moving as people at the front of the queue complete their purchases. Your spot will get closer to the front as users close out or lose their place due to time limits. You may need to refresh the page to update your place in line.
Tips for Using the Virtual Queue
- Join the queue as early as possible – Don’t wait until the last minute before tickets go on sale to enter the line.
- Keep your place by refreshing – Make sure to refresh your browser regularly so you don’t lose your spot.
- Stay patient – Be prepared to wait your turn if you are deep in the queue. It may take some time to get to the front.
- Have your payment ready – When it’s finally your turn, you want to complete the transaction as fast as possible.
- Don’t give up – If tickets sell out, keep waiting in case more are released from holds.
Can I see how many people are ahead of me?
Yes, Ticketmaster’s virtual queue shows your place in line and an estimate of how long your wait time will be. It does not show the exact number of people ahead of you, but you can get a sense of your spot based on your place in line.
For example, if you are number 5,342 in line, you know there are approximately 5,000 people ahead of you. The lower your number is, the fewer people are in front of you. Your estimated wait time also helps indicate how many users are queued up.
The number of people in line can easily be in the tens of thousands for extremely popular events. So even if you join the queue right away, your spot could still be thousands of places away from the front.
What happens if I lose my place in line?
There are a few scenarios where you may lose your place in Ticketmaster’s virtual queue:
- Your queue session expires – There is typically a time limit of around 5-10 minutes per session.
- You don’t complete your purchase – If you reach the front but don’t finish buying, you lose your spot.
- You refresh the page – Refreshing can sometimes reset your place.
- You switch browsers or devices – You need to stay on the same device to keep your spot.
- You temporarily lose internet connection – Getting booted offline will boot you from the queue.
If you lose your place for any reason, you unfortunately have to start over at the back of the line again. The queue will have moved forward in the meantime, so you end up further behind.
When will I get access to buy tickets?
It’s impossible to predict exactly when you will reach the front of the virtual queue. Ticketmaster provides an estimated wait time, but this is just an approximation. Actual wait times can be shorter or longer.
Where you are initially placed in line plays the biggest role. If you are near the front on the queue right away, your access time could be just a few minutes. But if you are starting in the thousands or tens of thousands, it may take hours to move up.
In general, the closer you join to the tickets going on sale, the faster you will get access. Signing on right when sales open is key. However, popular events will have queues of hundreds of thousands of people within seconds.
Does using multiple devices or browsers help?
It’s best to only use one browser on one device to maintain your place in line. Trying to join on multiple devices or browsers can actually hurt your place.
Ticketmaster’s system recognizes if duplicate accounts are attempting to queue and will revoke any duplicate spots. So you don’t want to open extra tabs or use one computer and your phone at the same time.
You are best sticking with whichever device got you the furthest up in line. Switching part way through could lose progress if that new browser or device had a later spot.
Tips for getting ahead in line
While the queue order is essentially random, there are some helpful tips to try and get ahead:
- Use a strong, high-speed internet connection
- Join on a computer rather than a phone
- Make sure to disable popup blockers
- Try different browsers like Chrome, Firefox, Safari
- Consider using Ticketmaster’s Verified Fan program
Having a fast, consistent connection makes it less likely you’ll lose your spot. Some report a computer gets better results than mobile. And joining Ticketmaster’s Verified Fan system for an event guarantees you a spot in line.
What happens after I get access?
Once you successfully reach the front of the virtual queue, Ticketmaster will redirect you to the buy page. But that doesn’t guarantee you will get tickets.
You will likely have very limited time, around 5 minutes, to scan options and complete your transaction. Have your ticket quantity, payment details, and verification info ready to go.
Keep in mind you are now competing with whoever else gained access at the same time. Tickets can sell out from under you as you choose seats. Act fast, but don’t panic buy the first options you see.
If you don’t complete the purchase in the allotted time, you will be booted out and have to rejoin the queue again. So make sure you are ready when your turn comes.
What if tickets sell out right away?
For extremely popular events, it’s possible for high demand tickets to sell out within seconds or minutes of the queue opening. If this happens, don’t lose hope yet.
Often additional tickets will be released over time. Venues may hold back some inventory, or the event may add seats. Ticketmaster also frees up tickets from abandoned carts after around 5 minutes.
So it’s worth continuing to wait in the virtual queue if you didn’t land tickets initially. Refresh regularly and be ready to snap up seats if any become available.
Persistence and patience is key. As long as inventory remains, Ticketmaster will keep cycling people through from the queue. You may luck out and get another shot.
Are there other ways to get tickets?
In addition to the main virtual queue, there are some other options to get access to tickets:
- Ticketmaster Verified Fan – Special pre-sale for registered users
- Artist & venue presales – Get codes from the event’s fan club or email lists
- Credit card presales – Some cards like Citi offer special access
- Resale sites – Try StubHub or seatgeek for marked up tickets
These specialty sales occur before the general on-sale, so it’s less competitive. However, supplies are still limited. Register for presales in advance and be ready to pounce at the start time.
Is there a way to skip the line?
There is no special ticket or “fast pass” that lets you bypass the standard virtual queue. Everyone goes through the same waiting room line process.
However, certain verified fan or VIP presales may provide earlier access before the general public sale. Signing up for these special presales when available gives you a major head start.
Otherwise, everyone has to go through the same queue when regular tickets go on sale. The key is joining as early as possible right at the queue open time to try and get near the front.
Conclusion
Ticketmaster’s virtual queue system allows fair and organized access to high-demand tickets. While you can’t bypass the line, joining promptly when tickets go on sale, monitoring your place in line, and completing your transaction quickly can all help maximize your chances of scoring seats.
Have patience, don’t lose your spot, and be ready to pounce if you make it to the front. And if initial tickets sell out, stick around in case more are released. With persistence and preparation, you can hopefully beat the queue!