Getting access to fan presales for concerts and shows can give you early access to some of the best seats before tickets go on sale to the general public. Many artists and events offer presales through Ticketmaster as a benefit to their biggest fans and followers. Here is a comprehensive guide on how to access Ticketmaster fan presales so you can get tickets to your favorite shows before everyone else.
What is a Ticketmaster Fan Presale?
A Ticketmaster fan presale is an exclusive presale event that gives fans early access to tickets before the general public on-sale. Artists, teams, and events will often partner with Ticketmaster to offer fan presales as a perk for their loyal followers.
The presale gives fans a chance to purchase tickets before they sell out to the general public. Presales normally happen 1-7 days before the public on-sale date. Tickets purchased during presales are available at normal ticket prices – there are no additional markups or fees compared to buying during the regular sale.
Fan presales allow you to shop for tickets before high demand can affect availability and prices. Presales are meant to reward dedicated fans who actively follow artists and events. Access is usually granted by registering ahead of time with an artist’s fan club or website.
Why Should You Use Ticketmaster Fan Presales?
Here are some of the key benefits of using Ticketmaster fan presales:
Earlier Access to Tickets
Fan presales give you first dibs on tickets before the general public. This increases your chances of getting great seats before the best tickets sell out. During popular shows, presale tickets can sell out very quickly.
Better Seat Selection
By purchasing earlier, you have access to full seat selection for the venue. The longer you wait, the more limited the options become.
Buy Preferred Tickets
Some presales may offer options to purchase VIP packages, meet and greets, or premium seating that are not available in the regular sale.
Avoid Sellouts and Long Queue Times
For very high demand shows, presales allow you to avoid long waiting rooms and ticket crashes when sales open to the general public.
No Extra Fees or Markups
Unlike secondary market resellers, Ticketmaster presales are always face value prices. There are no extra presale fees or surprise markups.
How Do You Access Ticketmaster Fan Presales?
Follow these steps to find and access Ticketmaster fan presales:
Step 1: Check The Artist Website
The event or artist website is the best place to find presale registration links, codes, and instructions. This information is usually listed under a “Presale” or “Fan Club” section.
Most presales require you to register ahead of time with an artist’s fan club to get a unique code. This grants you access when the presale goes live.
Step 2: Register For Presale Access
Follow the steps on the event/artist site to register and unlock your presale code. This normally involves providing details like your name, email, and creating an account with the artist site. Save your presale code once registration is complete.
Step 3: Click The Presale Link
A couple days before the presale, you’ll get an email with an exclusive Ticketmaster presale link. Click this link once the presale goes live to access tickets. The link uniquely identifies you as a registered fan with access.
Step 4: Enter Your Presale Code
Once you click the link and arrive at the Ticketmaster presale site, you’ll be prompted to enter your unique presale code. Type in the code you received during registration. This unlocks the presale and allows you to search for tickets.
Step 5: Shop For Tickets
You can now filter and browse available tickets just like during a normal Ticketmaster on-sale. Select your desired number of tickets and checkout. Make sure to complete your purchase before the presale ends.
Tips for Accessing Ticketmaster Fan Presales
Use these tips to boost your chances of scoring tickets during presales:
Sign Up Early For Presales
Don’t wait until the last minute! Register for fan clubs and presales as early as possible. This ensures you get codes on time and don’t miss sale windows.
Save Presale Links
Bookmark key pages and add presale dates/times to your calendar. Have links ready to go when sales start. Scrambling to find them wastes precious time.
Use Desktop Over Mobile
Only attempt to purchase tickets through desktop browsers. Mobile sites see very high failures for high demand events.
Be Ready Right At Presale Start Time
Log in 10-15 minutes early and keep refreshing to join the waiting room as soon as it opens. You want the earliest spot in line as possible.
Have accounts setup ahead of time
Speed is critical during presales, so make sure you have accounts created and payment details saved with Ticketmaster ahead of the event.
What if You Miss The Presale?
If you missed registering for the fan presale, don’t panic yet. Here are some options to still try and get access:
Join the Venue Presale
Many venues have their own presales separate from the artist fan presale. Check the venue site and sign up for their presale emails.
Try General Presales
Ticketmaster often hosts short presales for Citibank cardholders, local venues, or promo partners. While not fan-specific, they occur before the general on-sale.
Wait for the Verified Resale
This is Ticketmaster’s official reseller marketplace. Fans resell extra tickets here, often at face value. Look for newly added seats leading up to the event.
Purchase During General Onsale
Despite limited options, you can still purchase during the public on-sale. Use techniques like queueing early and coordinating with friends to cover more ground.
Alternatives To Find Tickets
If you completely struck out on presale and general onsale, you still have options:
Ticket Exchanges
Sections like Craigslist and Facebook Groups allow local fans to exchange extra tickets at face value prices.
General Resale Sites
StubHub, VividSeats, and SeatGeek provide resale marketplaces to buy from other ticket holders. But expect higher markups.
Box Office Releases
Venues sometimes release held-back tickets at the box office closer to show dates. Get in line early the day of the show for a chance.
Outside the Venue
You can try your luck dealing with scalpers and other fans outside the event. But be wary of scams and inflated asking prices.
Conclusion
Following the right steps to access Ticketmaster fan presales is crucial to scoring the hottest event tickets before anyone else. Register early with artist fan clubs, save presale links, and be ready the moment sales begin. Test your payment details ahead of time and use fast desktop browsers.
While presales are limited, fans who prepare properly and act quickly can dramatically improve their chances over the stressful general on-sale. Even if you miss out at first, do not lose hope. Continue monitoring presales, resale markets, and box offices leading up to the event dates. Persistence and flexibility are key to finding tickets even for the most exclusive events. The thrill of seeing your favorite artist or team live makes the effort worthwhile.