Getting into the waiting room for highly anticipated events on Ticketmaster can be a competitive process. Fans want to ensure they have the best chance at securing tickets when they go on sale. Here are some quick answers about how Ticketmaster’s waiting room works:
What is the Ticketmaster waiting room?
The Ticketmaster waiting room is a virtual queue that fans join prior to an onsale for in-demand events. It helps manage high traffic and demand. Fans are randomly assigned a spot in line. This prevents the ticket site from crashing and levels the playing field for buying tickets.
Why does Ticketmaster use a waiting room?
Major onsales can attract hundreds of thousands of fans trying to purchase tickets at the same time. This extremely high traffic can overload Ticketmaster’s servers and cause the site to crash. The waiting room system meters traffic and staggers when fans can access the onsale. This prevents server crashes and ensures a smoother and more reliable experience.
When can you join the waiting room?
The waiting room usually opens 30-60 minutes prior to the scheduled onsale time. Ticketmaster will communicate when the waiting room opens through notices on the event page and social media. It’s important to join as soon as it opens to maximize your chances of getting a good spot in line.
How do you get into the waiting room?
- Find the Ticketmaster event page for the concert, show, or event you want tickets for.
- Shortly before the onsale time, a waiting room access link will appear on the page.
- Click the waiting room link – this will take you to the virtual queue.
- You’ll be assigned a random spot in line and given an estimated wait time.
- Remain in the waiting room until you gain access to purchase tickets.
What happens when you’re in the waiting room?
Once you’ve entered the waiting room queue, all you have to do is wait your turn. The page will display your estimated wait time and keep you updated as you move closer to the front of the line. When it’s your turn, you’ll be automatically redirected to the ticket onsale page to purchase.
Can you improve your spot in line?
No, Ticketmaster explicitly states that spots in line are completely random and cannot be improved or changed. All fans have an equal chance at getting a spot near the front of the line. The best thing you can do is join the waiting room as soon as it opens to secure your random place.
What happens if you leave the waiting room?
You should not leave the waiting room queue if you want to buy tickets. Closing the browser tab or navigating away will lose your place in line. You’ll have to rejoin the back of the queue if you want to access the onsale again.
Can you open multiple waiting room tabs?
Ticketmaster has mechanisms in place to detect users trying to open multiple waiting room tabs or sessions. Any duplicates will be invalidated and you’ll lose your place in line. Only open one waiting room tab for the fairest access.
Does using multiple devices help?
Having multiple family or friends join the waiting room from different devices does not typically improve your odds. Ticketmaster aims to make the process fair for everyone. Unless you’re coordinating a mass group purchase, multiple individuals from different devices won’t help.
Are there any tips or tricks for getting through quickly?
There are no special tricks for getting through the waiting room faster. Your position is randomized and cannot be adjusted. Having a strong and stable internet connection can help ensure you don’t experience technical issues.
Can you purchase directly without the waiting room?
For very high demand onsales, fans must go through the waiting room in order to access the ticket purchasing page. Trying to directly access the onsale without entering the queue first will not work.
Is the waiting room used for all Ticketmaster events?
No, it’s only used for very popular concert, sports, and live entertainment events that are expected to sell out quickly. More lower-key events will not utilize the waiting room and can be directly accessed at the onsale time.
Are there other ways to get tickets without the waiting room?
Yes, there are some options for skipping the waiting room process entirely. These include:
- Fan club and artist presales – get access before general onsales
- VIP packages – bundle perks with great seats
- Verified resale – purchase secondhand tickets after an event sells out
- Corporate partnerships – get special ticket allotments through brand partnerships
Is the waiting room method effective for fans?
The Ticketmaster waiting room has generally delivered a more reliable and equitable experience compared to the instantaneous free-for-all that used to happen at onsales. Server crashes no longer prevent fans from accessing tickets and bots have a harder time manipulating queues. While not perfect, it has improved the process.
Positives of the Waiting Room
Benefit | Explanation |
---|---|
Prevents site crashes | Staggers traffic to avoid overloading servers |
Creates fair access | Random line order prevents bots from front-running |
Reduces stress | Eliminates need to flood site right at onsale time |
Negatives of the Waiting Room
Drawback | Explanation |
---|---|
Still favors bots | Bots can flood into waiting room early and get good places |
Causes delays | Forces all fans to go through queue before purchasing |
Provides false hope | No guarantee of tickets even after long waits |
What can Ticketmaster do to improve the waiting room experience?
Here are some ways Ticketmaster could potentially enhance their waiting room system:
- Use CAPTCHA or other bot detection to identify suspicious users in queue
- Implement virtual “lines” for upper/lower-level seats to improve allocation
- Add estimated ticket availability to manage expectations in queue
- Provide queue position updates more frequently as onsale nears
- Launch mini-games or exclusive content to entertain fans during wait
Conclusion
The Ticketmaster waiting room is an ongoing evolution aiming to provide reliable access during hugely popular onsales. While not without its flaws, it has enhanced the ticket buying process to be more stable and fair for fans. Joining the queue as early as possible, being patient, and persistence are key tips for navigating the waiting room successfully.