There are a few quick answers to how you can see if people are selling tickets on Ticketmaster:
- Search for the event you want tickets for on Ticketmaster and look for resale ticket listings
- Check the Ticketmaster resale marketplace where fans resell tickets
- Look for the “Official Platinum” tickets which are dynamically priced based on demand
When an event goes on sale on Ticketmaster, all the initial tickets are sold through Ticketmaster’s primary marketplace. These tickets are sold at face value price set by the artist/team/venue.
However, many high demand events will sell out very quickly in the primary onsale. When this happens, your only option to still get tickets is to look at the secondary ticket market.
Ticketmaster facilitates secondary ticket resales through its Ticketmaster Resale (or sometimes referred to as Ticketmaster Exchange) marketplace. This is an area on Ticketmaster where fans can resell their tickets to other fans.
Tickets sold on Ticketmaster Resale are priced according to demand by the sellers, which typically ends up being above face value. So Ticketmaster Resale can be a good indicator of high demand events where primary tickets are sold out.
Checking for Resale Listings
When you search for an event on Ticketmaster, check the main ticket listing page for any resale ticket links or listings.
For example, if you search for “Taylor Swift” on Ticketmaster, on the main ticket listing page you will see a section that says “Resale Tickets”. Here you can browse resale tickets currently listed for sale by fans.
If you click “View” or “Tickets” it will take you to the Ticketmaster Resale marketplace where you can view all resale listings for that event.
The existence of resale ticket listings is a strong indicator of a high demand event where primary market tickets have sold out. If the main Ticketmaster listing does not show any resale ticket links or options, it likely means primary market tickets are still available.
Ticketmaster Resale Marketplace
Ticketmaster Resale (sometimes still referred to as Ticketmaster Exchange) is an area on Ticketmaster’s website where fans can resell event tickets they have purchased. Sellers list their tickets for sale and name their desired price.
To view the Ticketmaster Resale marketplace:
- Go to Ticketmaster.com and search for the event you want tickets for
- On the main ticket listing page look for a link or section that says “Resale Tickets”
- Click on the resale tickets link which will take you to the Ticketmaster Resale marketplace
- Here you will see all tickets currently listed for resale for that event. You can browse by section, row, quantity of tickets, etc.
For high demand events, you will generally see hundreds or thousands of resale tickets available at prices above face value. The huge resale supply is an indicator that primary market tickets sold out instantly.
You can also access the Ticketmaster Resale marketplace directly by going to Ticketmaster.com/ticketexchange. Here you can search resale listings across all events, not just a specific event.
Official Platinum Tickets
In addition to fan resale tickets, another indicator of high demand on Ticketmaster is Official Platinum tickets.
Official Platinum tickets are owned by the event organizer (artist, team, promoter, venue etc.) and prices fluctuate based on market demand.
So for high demand events, Official Platinum ticket prices will be high since demand is high. Prices can easily be 5X the original face value or more.
On the main Ticketmaster ticket listing page for an event, you may see some tickets listed as “Official Platinum” with dynamically adjusting prices. This means the event is in very high demand.
For example, here is what Official Platinum tickets looked like for a high demand concert:
Official Platinum tickets are just another indicator that an event is likely sold out and tickets are in very high demand on the secondary market.
When are Tickets on Sale on Ticketmaster?
Wondering when tickets actually go on sale on Ticketmaster for various events? Here is a quick rundown:
Concert Tickets
Concert tickets typically go on sale around 2 months before the show date. But it can vary based on the artist.
Bigger artists will announce tours months ahead, then announce a verified fan pre-sale before the general public onsale. This helps get tickets directly to real fans first.
General public onsale dates for concerts are always on Fridays at 10am local venue time. If you want the best chance for the cheapest tickets, logon right at 10am!
Sports Tickets
Season tickets for sports teams go on sale to existing season ticket holders first so they can renew their same seats.
Single game tickets then go on sale to the general public shortly after. This is usually a few months before the new season starts.
For NFL, single game tickets usually go on sale in July or August before opening kickoff in September.
For NBA, single game seats open up in late Summer as well, a couple months before the season tips off in October.
Buying early provides the best opportunity for good seat location at face value prices.
Theater/Broadway Show Tickets
Broadway and other theater show tickets typically go on sale 6-8 months in advance of opening night.
But due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many shows have delayed advance sales due to uncertainties. Some are only selling tickets 1-3 months out.
If you want the best seats for hot shows like Hamilton, Wicked, Lion King, etc., you need to buy early when seats first open up. Otherwise resale will be the main option.
Comedy Tour Tickets
For big comedy tours in arenas and amphitheaters, tickets normally go on sale 3-6 months before the show date.
Club comedy show tickets may only go on sale a few weeks in advance, or even just a few days before.
Check the comedian’s website for exact onsale date announcements for the city you want to see them in. Sign up for presales to get first dibs on seats.
When Do Tickets Sell Out on Ticketmaster?
So when do tickets sell out on Ticketmaster? Here’s a quick look:
Within Seconds
Only the absolute hottest shows will sell out within seconds. We’re talking things like BTS, Harry Styles, or the Super Bowl.
Bots and ticket brokers have gotten so sophisticated that they can instantly sweep up huge quantities of tickets the moment they go on sale.
If you see tickets disappear instantly, unfortunately there’s not much you can do except look to the high priced resale market.
Within Minutes
More commonly, top concerts, sports events, and theater shows will sell out within minutes on Ticketmaster.
This includes events like major rock bands on tour, NBA Finals games, or Hamilton when it comes through town.
Having accounts already logged in on Ticketmaster and ready right at the onsale time gives you the best shot at scoring tickets.
Within Hours
Mid-tier events will stick around for a few hours on Ticketmaster before selling out.
Things like minor league sports teams, smaller music acts, WWE wrestling events, and some theater shows fit into this category.
As long as you logon to buy tickets at some point on the first day of sale, you should be able to find decent seats at face value prices.
Weeks/Months
For lower demand events like off-Broadway shows, minor comedy club acts, and small music venues, tickets may last weeks or months on Ticketmaster.
But for the best seat locations, it’s still wise to purchase as soon as possible versus waiting if your schedule allows.
Tips for Getting Tickets
Here are some top tips for scoring tickets on Ticketmaster before they sell out:
- Create a Ticketmaster account – This allows you to breeze through checkout quickly versus entering all details as a guest.
- Log in 15 minutes early – On Ticketmaster right before the onsale time to make sure you don’t get any errors or kicks.
- Use Mobile App – App is often more stable than desktop site during rush.
- Have payment ready – Make sure your credit card or verified PayPal is added to your account.
- Join Fan Clubs – For artist and team presales before general public.
- Try for Official Platinum – These are rarely botted since prices adjust upward.
Following those tips will give you the best shot at beating the bots and brokers to tickets in high demand situations on Ticketmaster!
Conclusion
In summary here are some of the key ways you can see if an event is in high demand with low ticket supply on Ticketmaster:
- Resale tickets are listed on the main event page
- Thousands of tickets are available in Ticketmaster Resale marketplace
- “Official Platinum” tickets show prices 5X or more above face value
- Tickets sell out instantly as soon as the onsale begins
Using Ticketmaster Resale, watching for Official Platinum tickets adjusting upward, and seeing tickets disappear immediately are all signs that an event is extremely popular with very limited ticket availability.
For your best chance at getting tickets before they sell out, be ready on Ticketmaster right at the beginning of the general public onsale and move quickly through checkout. Having a Ticketmaster account already set up helps a lot.
Good luck scoring those hard-to-get tickets! Let us know if you have any other questions.