When tickets for a popular concert, show, or event go on sale, there is often a presale period where certain groups of people can purchase tickets before the general public. This allows fan club members, credit card holders, and others to get first access. However, there are usually limits in place on how many tickets you can buy during the presale period. The exact number can vary based on the event, venue policies, and the presale group you are in. In this article, we’ll look at some of the factors that impact presale ticket limits.
Venue and Event Policies
One of the biggest factors in presale ticket limits is the policies set by the venue and event organizers. They ultimately control how many tickets are made available during the presales and how many each buyer can purchase. Every venue and event will handle this differently.
Some may set hard limits, such as 4 or 6 tickets per presale order. Others may have softer limits in place, such as “a reasonable number” that is enforced at their discretion. The size and scope of the event also plays a role. A larger arena show may allow more presale tickets than a smaller club concert. Popular shows that expect to sell out quickly typically have tighter restrictions.
The presale terms and conditions, which you agree to when purchasing tickets, should outline the specific policies. Be sure to read these carefully so you understand what limits are in place before attempting to buy tickets.
Ticket Limits for Major Venues and Promoters
Some of the largest concert promoters and venues have standard presale ticket limits they enforce regularly. These include:
| Promoter/Venue | Presale Ticket Limit |
|---|---|
| LiveNation | 4-6 tickets |
| AEG | 2-4 tickets |
| Madison Square Garden (New York) | 4 tickets |
Those numbers represent what most shows at the associated venues adhere to for presales, but the exact limits can still vary on a case-by-case basis. Smaller independent venues may also implement similar policies.
Presale Groups and Allotments
The presale group you are purchasing through can also impact your ticket limit. The allotment of tickets set aside for each presale group varies significantly.
Fan club presales tend to have some of the most generous allotments. As a loyal fan, you may be allowed to purchase 4, 6, or even 8 tickets during their presale window. Newsletter presales through the artist or venue tend to have lower limits in the 2-4 ticket range.
Credit card presales, like Citi or American Express, generally have very small allotments. It is common to only be allowed to purchase 2 or sometimes just 1 ticket during these presales. The purpose is to reward cardmembers with access, not necessarily allow large group purchases.
The size of the presale group also factors in. If a presale has a large membership base, like a major credit card company, the individual limits need to be lower to fairly distribute tickets before they run out. Smaller fan club presales can afford to have higher limits.
In most cases, the presale terms will explain if a specific limit applies based on the presale group you are purchasing through.
Absolute Limits and Other Factors
In some cases, there are absolute limits in place that apply to all presales, regardless of group or venue policies. Things like:
- 4 tickets per household/billing address
- 4 tickets per credit card used
- Require valid fan club membership numbers for each ticket purchased
These types of universal limits aim to prevent resellers from abusing the presales and give all fans a fair shot at tickets. Some also help enforce the posted ticket maximums.
Other factors like the type of event, size of the city, and how quickly it is expected to sell out can all contribute to presale ticket limits as well. But the core factors are usually the venue policies, presale group allotments, and any absolute limits enforced across the board.
Checkout Limits When Buying Tickets
Once you’ve added the permitted number of presale tickets to your cart, most ticketing platforms will prevent you from checking out with more. Their systems automatically apply the presale limits.
You may see messages like:
- “The maximum number of tickets allowed for this presale has been added to your cart.”
- “Your purchase exceeds the amount permitted for this presale.”
- “Please adjust your cart to comply with presale limits.”
If you attempt to use different presale codes or accounts to circumvent the posted limits, your orders will likely get cancelled and tickets revoked. Any tickets above stated limits typically get removed during the checkout process automatically.
The best approach is to carefully review the presale terms and start with the maximum you are allowed to purchase. You can always try for more later during the public onsale if you have no luck initially.
Using Multiple Presale Codes
What if you have access to different presales, like a fan club code and an American Express code? Can you use them together to purchase more than the limit for one presale?
Unfortunately, no. Nearly all ticket sites restrict you to the highest limit among your presale groups, not the combined amounts.
For example, if the fan club presale allows 4 tickets and Amex allows 2 tickets, you can still only purchase 4 in total across both sales. The technical limitations of most ticketing platforms make it difficult to combine codes and limits.
Any tickets bought with additional codes beyond the highest limit usually end up voided once discovered. You cannot stack presale codes to exceed maximums. Choose the presale likely to have the best inventory and limits for your needs.
Purchasing During the Public Onsale
Once the exclusive presales end, remaining tickets open up for the general public onsale. This represents your next chance to purchase additional seats if you were limited during presales.
Keep in mind public onsales are extremely competitive for hot shows. Popular tickets sell out in seconds, so have all your information ready and be ready to move fast.
There may also still be ticket limits enforced during the public onsale, though usually higher than presales. This helps prevent mass scalping by bots and brokers. Know the public onsale limits before purchasing to avoid problems.
While limits are frustrating, they do ensure more fans have a shot at great seats for in-demand events. As long as you carefully follow the policies, you can maximize your chances during any presale opportunities.
Conclusion
Presale ticket limits can vary widely based on the event, venue, and specific presale group. Core factors that dictate maximum purchases include:
- Venue and promoter policies
- Allotments for each presale
- Absolute cross-presale limits
- Public onsale limits after presales end
Carefully check the presale terms for your specific event before attempting to purchase. Most ticketing platforms automatically enforce posted limits during checkout. Trying to exceed maximums can lead to cancelled orders.
While limits reduce how many seats you may get initially, they help ensure fair access across all fans. With preparation and understanding of the presale policies, you can maximize your ticket buying potential.
