Getting tickets to your favorite concert, sports event, or show can be a frustrating process, especially when trying to buy through Ticketmaster. With high demand events selling out quickly, many fans are left wondering just how long it will take to get tickets when they go on sale on Ticketmaster.
There are a few key factors that determine how quickly you can get tickets:
When Tickets Go On Sale
The first major factor is when the tickets actually go on sale. This varies by event, with some tickets going on sale months in advance and others just weeks or days before the event. Generally, the earlier tickets go on sale, the better chance you have of getting them. Keep an eye out for pre-sales and other early opportunities to buy.
Ticket Availability
How many tickets are available and how quickly they sell out makes a big difference. Small club shows will have far fewer tickets than major arena concerts. And extremely high demand events like playoffs or finals games may sell out instantly. Check ahead of time how big the venue is and how popular you expect the event to be to estimate availability.
Your Place In Line
Because Ticketmaster sells on a first come, first served basis, when you join the queue matters. Tickets may be gone in seconds or minutes for hot events. Try to log in ahead of the sale start time and be ready to buy immediately. Using pre-sale codes can help get you ahead of the main rush too.
Ticketmaster System Issues
With millions trying to purchase at the same time for major events, Ticketmaster does sometimes run into technical issues on its website and apps. Crashes, long wait times, errors, and other problems can slow down or prevent ticket purchases. Unfortunately there is little you can do about systemwide failures.
The Ticket Buying Process
To estimate how long it will take to get Ticketmaster tickets, it helps to understand how their system works when sales open up.
1. Join the Waiting Room
For high demand onsales, Ticketmaster utilizes a virtual waiting room. You will join a queue and be assigned a random place in line. This is designed to avoid overloading the servers. You may have several hundred, thousand or tens of thousands of fans ahead of you.
2. Wait Your Turn
Once the sale starts, Ticketmaster will slowly move people through from the waiting room, a few at a time. This staggering approach helps manage traffic. You unfortunately have little control over how long you’ll be waiting as it depends on demand and your place in line. Be prepared to wait minutes, hours or more.
3. Shop For Tickets
When it’s your turn, you’ll have a short window to look for tickets and purchase. Have an idea ahead of time of which tickets you want. Add them to your cart quickly and check out fast. Tickets are not reserved until the transaction is complete.
4. Complete Purchase
Finish buying your tickets by providing payment information and confirming the sale. Make sure payment details are saved ahead of time to speed up the process. You generally have 5 to 10 minutes to finish the purchase.
Estimated Wait Times
So just how long can you expect to wait to buy tickets? Here are some rough estimates based on event size and popularity:
| Event Size | Estimated Wait Time |
|---|---|
| Small Club Show | 0 to 5 minutes |
| Theater Show | 5 minutes to 1 hour |
| Arena Concert | 1 to 3 hours |
| Stadium Concert | 2 to 6 hours |
| Major Sporting Event | 4 to 8+ hours |
As you can see, buying tickets for small events is usually quick and seamless. But extremely popular concerts and games can involve waiting in the Ticketmaster queue for hours.
Tips for Faster Ticket Purchasing
While wait times are largely out of your control, there are some strategies you can use to try to get tickets faster:
Take Advantage of Pre-Sales
Get access to presales through fan clubs, credit cards, promotions, etc. These usually sell a portion of tickets before the main onsale. Less competition means fewer fans in line.
Use Multiple Devices
Open the Ticketmaster app and website on multiple devices and browsers. This gives you multiple spots in the virtual line and more chances to get tickets.
Set Up Account Ahead of Time
Make sure your Ticketmaster account is set up, with payment info saved. This avoids wasting precious checkout time entering details.
Use Tickets Immediately
Have tickets in your cart? Purchase them ASAP. The longer you wait, the more risk of others beating you to them. Act fast.
Be Flexible on Tickets
If aiming for front row or VIP tickets, you’ll likely wait much longer. Opt for cheaper seats to get through quicker. You can always try later for better tickets.
What If You Can’t Get Tickets?
Despite your best efforts, you may not always be able to get tickets, especially for mega popular events. If you miss out initially, there are still options:
Check Back Regularly
Keep checking Ticketmaster as more inventory may be released over time or fans may return tickets. You can still get lucky with late releases.
Try Reseller Sites
Third party resellers like StubHub may have tickets, likely at inflated prices. Only use reputable sites to avoid scams.
Consider Giveaways and Contests
Radio stations, sponsors, and promoters often run ticket giveaways you can enter. Follow social media and sign up for newsletters to find these.
Go In Person
For major events that don’t instantly sell out, you may have luck buying at the box office day of the event. Lines will likely still be very long.
Wait for the Next Time
Don’t stress too much over one event. Chances are your favorite artist will tour again or major sporting events roll around annually. Try again next time.
Conclusion
Getting event tickets through Ticketmaster comes down to a combination of luck, timing, and perseverance. Have realistic expectations based on demand. Utilize tricks like presales and be ready to purchase the moment you have access. While frustrating, remember that millions others are competing too. With persistence and flexibility, you should eventually be rewarded with tickets to see your favorite musicians, comedians, plays, and athletes live.