Looking to get tickets to your favorite concert, show, or sporting event quickly on Ticketmaster? Here are some tips and strategies to help you buy tickets fast on Ticketmaster when there is high demand:
Set up your Ticketmaster account ahead of time
Having a Ticketmaster account already created and with your payment info saved will shave precious seconds off your checkout time. Go to Ticketmaster.com and click Sign In in the top right to either sign into your existing account or create a new one. Enter your email, password, and payment info like credit card details so it’s ready to go when you’re trying to buy hot tickets.
Get verified for Ticketmaster Verified Fan
For very popular events, Ticketmaster uses Verified Fan to make sure tickets get into the hands of genuine fans instead of scalpers and bots. It essentially operates as a pre-queue that you want to get registered for as early as possible. When an event is using Verified Fan, you’ll see a registration period advertised ahead of the general on-sale. Sign up using your Ticketmaster account and then wait to see if you get a code to access the Verified Fan presale.
Use Google Pay or Apple Pay for faster checkout
Saving your payment info on your Ticketmaster account does speed things up, but entering a CVV security code still adds an extra step. Using a digital wallet like Google Pay or Apple Pay allows you to checkout lightning fast with just one click or Face ID confirmation. Add your Ticketmaster account to your Google or Apple wallet beforehand so you’re ready to fly through checkout.
Use Ticketmaster’s mobile app
The Ticketmaster mobile app makes the ticket buying process much smoother compared to using the desktop site on a browser. Navigation is simple, and the app is really designed to get you through checkout as quickly as possible. You can store your payment info, use Face ID logins, get notifications about upcoming sales, and more. Download the app and get familiar with it before you need to use it under pressure.
Get in the pre-queue waiting room early
Right before big on-sales, Ticketmaster will open up a virtual waiting room that randomly assigns people spots in line. Try to join this waiting room as early as possible, because the earlier you get in, the closer to the front of the line you’ll be. Positions are completely random though, so it’s all about increasing your odds.
Use multiple devices
This won’t necessarily help you checkout faster, but it can increase your chances if tickets are extremely limited. Try to get multiple devices like your phone, tablet, and computer logged into the waiting room, on the ticket page, or in the virtual queue. Then if you have issues or get booted on one device, you still have back-ups ready to go. Just make sure to close extra windows if you do secure tickets so you don’t wind up with duplicates.
Enter CAPTCHAS quickly
Be ready to breeze through the CAPTCHAS that Ticketmaster uses to make sure you’re human. You’ll want to click them as soon as they pop up. The quicker you validate, the faster you’ll progress through queues and access purchase options. So when you see the challenge appear, don’t panic—just solve it and verify you’re not a bot!
Use browser autofill for personal info
When you’re in the checkout phase, browser autofill will help populate your name, email, and address details so you don’t have to waste time typing. In Chrome, enable autofill for names, emails, and addresses under Settings. In Safari, enable AutoFill for user names, passwords, and other info under Preferences. Then when you’re checking out, your info will auto-populate from your browser so you can power through the forms.
Have an account billing address that matches your credit card
A very minor thing that can cost you time is if the billing address for your Ticketmaster account doesn’t match the billing address on the credit card you’re using. It will trigger a fraud/security alert that you’ll have to clear. Save yourself the hassle by just making sure the addresses match up—you can update the address on your Ticketmaster account under My Account.
Save and organize your Ticketmaster purchase receipts
Ticketmaster emails you receipts for every purchase, but they are really easy to lose track of, especially if you’re frequently buying tickets. Save copies of your Ticketmaster order confirmations somewhere easy to access like a “Tickets” folder in your email or downloads folder. That way if any issues come up with your tickets, you’ll have the order information handy and won’t lose valuable time hunting it down.
Connect your Ticketmaster and venue/team accounts
If you tend to buy direct from venues or teams as well, connect your Ticketmaster account to those other accounts for quicker checkouts. For example, connect to your Yankees Account Manager or Red Sox Red Sox Nation account. That way if Ticketmaster is selling those tickets, your info will automatically port over.
Use a strong, reliable internet connection
When competing to buy hot tickets online, you don’t want a weak WiFi signal or flaky internet connection creating bottlenecks. If possible, plug your computer directly into your router via ethernet cable for the fastest and most stable connection. If not, get as close as possible to your wireless router or access point. Running a speed test on Speedtest.net can verify you have at least 25-50Mbps download speeds.
Try Ticketmaster Direct
Ticketmaster Direct is like a last-chance waiting room for sold-out tickets. You might find last minute tickets released for your event if you’re persistent and patient. Tap or click the See Tickets link on sold out events to enter the Ticketmaster Direct queue. You can then browse other events while waiting for potential extra tickets to become available.
Limit other internet usage during the sale
To ensure your connection is running as fast as possible during the on-sale, close out of any other tabs, apps, downloads, or internet usage that could bog things down. Streaming music or video is especially taxing on your connection. Prioritize the Ticketmaster tab and shut down all other bandwidth-hogging programs so your waiting room or ticket queue has the resources it needs.
Bookmark event and venue pages
If you know of a specific event you want to buy tickets for, bookmark that event page on Ticketmaster so you can access it instantly when tickets go on sale. You can also bookmark the main page for a venue you frequent like your local arena or concert hall. Having the important pages ready in your browser helps you skip navigation steps and join queues faster.
Write down important event details
There’s nothing worse than getting into a presale or virtual waiting room, only to forget the event password or code you need to access tickets. Write down any presale codes, passwords, or other key event details so they are handy when the pressure is on. Keep these logins where you can quickly reference them during the buying process.
Make sure your browser, apps, and devices are up to date
Using outdated software often comes with performance lags, security vulnerabilities, and compatibility issues. A week or two before hot tickets go on sale, update your browser, check for app updates, and update devices like your phone or tablet if needed. Older technology can really slow you down in the ticket buying race, so update ahead of time.
Clear your browser cookies and cache
Too many outdated cookies and cached files can negatively impact browser performance. A few days before you need to buy tickets, clear your browser cookies and cache to wipe the slate clean. In Chrome, access these options under Settings > Privacy and security. In Safari, find them under the Preferences menu. Your browser will run much faster and more efficiently after a quick spring cleaning.
Write down the exact ticket links you’ll need
When attempting to buy tickets quickly, every second matters. Don’t waste time trying to find the right ticket link on Ticketmaster once the sale starts. Well in advance, note the exact Ticketmaster links for the tickets you want so you can access them instantly. Having the links ready to click will save you precious time.
Practice running through the ticket buying process
Don’t wait until the last minute to learn how the Ticketmaster ticket buying process works. When you have time, run through it from start to finish so you understand each step and potential snag. Try adding mock tickets to your cart, familiarizing yourself with the site. The more you rehearse beforehand, the faster and smoother it will go during the real thing.
Following these tips will give you the best possible chance at beating the crowds and buying tickets quickly on Ticketmaster. Preparation and being proactive are key—set yourself up for success by taking steps ahead of time so when tickets go on sale, you’re ready to breeze through the purchase process and secure seats before anyone else.