Ticketmaster is one of the largest ticket distribution companies in the world, providing tickets for concerts, sports events, theater shows and more. When tickets go on sale for high-demand events, Ticketmaster utilizes a virtual queue system to help manage the incoming traffic to their website and prevent it from crashing due to excess demand. This means customers looking to purchase tickets for popular events need to join the queue when it opens and wait their turn in line before accessing the website to purchase tickets. But how long is the queue open for on Ticketmaster? The length of time varies based on the event.
Factors That Determine Queue Length
There are a few key factors that impact how long the virtual queue is open on Ticketmaster when tickets go on sale:
Popularity of the Event
The more popular an event is, the higher demand there will be for tickets and the longer the queue will remain open. Events like major concert tours by artists like Taylor Swift or Beyonce or big sporting events like the Super Bowl will have queues open for many hours because of how quickly tickets sell out. Smaller, more niche events may only have the queue open for a shorter window of 30 minutes to an hour.
Venue Size
Larger venues that hold more people will have longer queues. If there are 70,000 seats available in a stadium versus only 1,500 seats in an intimate theater, there are more tickets to be sold for the stadium show so the queue will be open longer to accommodate the higher demand. Arenas and stadiums typically have longer queue times than small clubs and theaters.
Timing of the On Sale
The day and time tickets go on sale will impact queue length as well. Most tickets go on sale on Fridays at 10am local venue time. This causes a spike in traffic as many fans are off work and able to log in right at 10am. But events that go on sale at less crowded times, like Tuesday mornings, may not have as long of a queue.
Presales
If presale tickets for VIP packages or artists fan club members go on sale before the general public on sale, this can extend the total length of time that Ticketmaster operates the virtual queue. There may be a presale queue for 24 hours before the main public on sale queue opens.
Average Queue Times for Different Events
Based on these factors, here are some estimates for how long you can expect to wait in the Ticketmaster queue for different types of events:
Major Concert Tours
For major concert tours by artists like Taylor Swift, Harry Styles, BTS, or Lady Gaga, the Ticketmaster queue typically opens 1-2 hours before the scheduled on sale time and remains open for 2-8 hours total depending on how quickly tickets sell.
Extremely popular artists like Taylor Swift or Beyonce may have queues open for up to 12 hours for stadium shows in major markets.
Sports Events
The queue for major sporting events like the Super Bowl, World Series games, or big college football games can open 1-2 hours early and remain open for 1-4 hours typically. The NFL often staggers ticket sales over a few days which helps shorten queue times.
Smaller Concerts
For smaller club shows and theater concerts without huge demand, the Ticketmaster queue often just opens 15-30 minutes prior to the scheduled on sale time and remains open for 30 minutes to 2 hours.
Broadway/Theater Shows
Broadway shows and other theater performances tend to have relatively short Ticketmaster queues, with the queue opening 30 minutes early and remaining open for 30 minutes to 1 hour in most cases.
Tips for Navigating the Ticketmaster Queue
Here are some tips for getting through the Ticketmaster queue quickly and securing your tickets when they go on sale:
Get in the Queue Early
Log into Ticketmaster at least 1 hour before the scheduled on sale time and look for the queue option for your event to get in line early. The earlier you join, the shorter your wait will be.
Use Multiple Devices
Open the queue on both your desktop and your mobile device or tablet to double your chances. Whichever device gets through first is the one you can use to buy tickets.
Don’t Refresh Too Much
Once you’re in the queue, try not to refresh too often as it will reset your place in line. Just let the queue progress naturally.
Have Your Ticketmaster Account Ready
Make sure you’re already logged into your Ticketmaster account so you can checkout faster once in the tickets page. Saved payment info and shipping address will also help checkout go smoothly.
Be Patient
Expect to wait at least 30 minutes to a few hours in the queue if it’s a popular event. Don’t abandon your place in line or you’ll have to start over. The queue moves at its own pace.
The Queue Experience
Here is what you can expect when joining the Ticketmaster virtual queue:
Joining the Queue
When you attempt to access Ticketmaster to purchase tickets before or at the specified on sale time, you may receive a message that you are temporarily unable to access the tickets page due to high demand. There will be an option to join the virtual queue to wait in line for your chance to buy tickets. Clicking this puts you in the virtual line.
Queue Updates
Once in the queue, a status bar will display your estimated wait time and your current place in line. This will continuously update so you can track your progress. Expect delays of at least a few minutes up to a few hours.
Approaching the Front
As you get closer to the front, the messaging will change to prepare you to shop for tickets. It will prompt you to login to your Ticketmaster account to save you time once at the front.
Buying Tickets
When you reach the front of the line, you will automatically be redirected to the tickets page where you can view available seats and proceed through checkout. You then complete the ticket purchase like normal.
Queue Closure
Once all tickets sell out, Ticketmaster will close the virtual queue. At that point, you will no longer be able to access it or buy tickets. Any fans still waiting when it closes are out of luck.
Issues With Virtual Queues
While virtual queues aim to create a fair system for buying event tickets, there are some common complaints about Ticketmaster’s queues:
Long Wait Times
Queue wait times ranging from 1-6+ hours are common for hot events. Fans get frustrated having to monitor the queue all morning instead of quickly buying tickets.
Queue Looping Issues
Sometimes users report glitches where they get stuck in a loop, booted from the queue, or sent back to the end multiple times unfairly. The system is not always smooth.
Unclear Queue Rules
Ticketmaster does not make the rules on queue time limits or number of tickets allowed per person very transparent. This leads to confusion.
Bots and Scalpers
Despite queues being designed to limit bulk buying, many feel sophisticated scalper bots still game the system and snatch up tickets ahead of average fans.
The Future of Virtual Queuing
While not perfect, virtual queuing remains one of the best ways for Ticketmaster to handle huge sudden spikes in sales traffic when event tickets become available. Some believe changes still need to be made to improve fairness and transparency:
More Clarity on Rules
Ticketmaster could better define the rules around 1) how long people can remain in the queue and 2) the ticket purchase limits per customer. Posting this info right in the queue itself would set clearer expectations.
Limiting Scalpers
Extra security measures like CAPTCHA tests, IP address tracking, and other fraud detection tools could help reduce scalper bot activity and get more tickets to actual fans.
Queue Alternatives
Some other ideas have been proposed as queue replacements including:
– Application-based systems – Make fans apply for the chance to buy tickets
– Verified Fan Presales – Allow early access for select verified fans
– Lottery Model – Allocate tickets via random selections among registrants
Scrapping Queues Entirely
However, queues still seem significantly better than the chaos of “first come, first served” sales experiences before queues were adopted. Overall queues promote the fairest buying experience to the masses in high demand situations.
Conclusion
The length of time that the Ticketmaster virtual queue system is open when tickets go on sale varies widely based on the popularity of the event, the size of the venue, the timing of the on sale, and other factors. While there is no definitive answer for how long queues stay open, for major concerts you can expect to wait in line anywhere from 1-8 hours typically. Sporting events tend to have shorter queues lasting 1-4 hours in many cases. Smaller events may only queue for 30 minutes to 2 hours.
Queues are certainly not without flaws and frustrations for fans, but do help control access to high demand events that would otherwise sell-out instantly in a disorderly free-for-all. With some modifications, virtual queues are likely to remain the standard for major online ticket sales into the foreseeable future. Being prepared with queue strategies and understanding the typical wait times will help you secure the events tickets you want.