Looking to get tickets to your favorite artist’s upcoming concert or a big sporting event before the general public? Taking advantage of Ticketmaster’s presales is the best way to secure seats before they sell out. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to purchase tickets during presales on Ticketmaster.
1. Find Presale Passwords
The key to unlocking Ticketmaster presales is getting the unique presale password ahead of time. Presale passwords are usually released 1-3 days before the presale begins. Here are some tips for finding passwords:
- Join fan clubs or mailing lists for the artist/team hosting the event. They often email presale passwords to members.
- Follow the event venue and promoter on social media. Passwords are frequently announced on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram stories.
- Sign up for presale ticket newsletters like Presale Password. They share passwords publicly.
- Check sites like Preisler and Ticket News a few days before the presale for password announcements.
- Call the box office and ask if they are releasing a presale password to the general public.
2. Prepare Your Ticketmaster Account
Having an existing Ticketmaster account with your information pre-saved makes checking out faster during presales. Here are some tips for setting up your account:
- Create a free Ticketmaster account or make sure your existing account is updated.
- Add your address, credit card, and payment info to your Ticketmaster profile.
- Download the Ticketmaster app which can be easier to use than the desktop site.
- Make sure you are logged into your Ticketmaster account before the presale begins.
- Verify your account is confirmed by checking for a green checkmark icon.
3. Prepare to Enter the Virtual Waiting Room
Many Ticketmaster presales utilize virtual waiting rooms to control traffic. Only a limited number of users can access the ticket sales page at a time. Here are some ways to prepare:
- Locate the presale link ahead of time from the event listing page or venue website.
- Join the waiting room 15-30 min before the presale opens to get a head start.
- Make sure to use the correct presale link, as there are often multiple presales.
- Have the presale password ready or you may get booted from the waiting room.
- Don’t refresh the waiting room page or you’ll lose your place in line.
4. Enter the Presale
Once the presale opens, it’s time to purchase tickets. Follow these steps:
- Click the presale link and enter the password when prompted.
- Select the number and type of tickets you want if given options.
- Choose your preferred section or seating location if available.
- Click through to the cart and ensure the order details are correct.
- Select shipping or delivery method for the tickets.
- Enter payment info and complete the checkout process.
- Verify your order confirmation email after purchasing tickets.
5. Troubleshoot Issues
Presales can sometimes encounter hiccups due to high traffic volume. Here are some troubleshooting tips:
- If you’re stuck in the waiting room, be patient and don’t refresh. You will often get through eventually.
- If you are booted from the waiting room, clear your cookies and try a different browser.
- If tickets sell out, try again later during the general onsale in case more are released.
- If errors crop up during checkout, keep trying or use a different payment method.
- If your payment won’t process, call your card company to confirm they didn’t flag it as fraud.
6. Shop Multiple Presales
To increase your chances, take advantage of the various presales for one event. There are often presales for:
- Fan club members
- VIP packages
- American Express cardholders
- Spotify subscribers
- Venue insiders
- VIP packages
- General Verified Fan presale
Having access to multiple presales allows you to take several cracks at securing tickets before the general public sale. Check all presale dates and passwords and utilize each opportunity.
7. Utilize Presale Ticket Limits
Presales commonly have lower ticket limits per customer than general onsales. Limits are typically 4-8 tickets. Here are some tips for maximizing presale limits:
- Review the ticket limit carefully, as it varies by presale.
- Open multiple browsers to purchase tickets across more than one session.
- Use other family members’ Ticketmaster accounts to purchase more tickets under different names.
- Stagger your ticket purchases a few minutes apart if doing multiple sessions.
8. Buy Early In the Presale
Try to purchase tickets immediately when the presale opens for the best selection. Here are some tips:
- Enter the presale the moment it opens to beat the crowds.
- Shop for tickets on Wednesday or Thursday instead of Friday presales.
- Aim for lower-demand weekday games/shows over weekend events.
- Only purchase floor or front row seats if buying right away.
Buying later in presales increases the risk of missing out on seats as inventory dwindles. Arrive early online to get the tickets you want.
9. Have a Backup Payment Method
To avoid payment issues, have a backup payment method or two ready to go. Recommendations if your first card fails:
- Use a different credit or debit card.
- Pay with a PayPal account linked to a bank account or card.
- Pay with gift cards, if accepted.
- Use Apple Pay, Google Pay, or Samsung Pay.
- Purchase prepaid credit cards you can use for online orders.
This prevents losing tickets due to having your payment unexpectedly declined during the presale rush.
10. Join Verified Fan Presales
For major concerts with exclusive Verified Fan presales, here are some tips for access:
- Register ahead of time for the Verified Fan presale through Ticketmaster.
- Get pre-verified by Ticketmaster to skip registering each time.
- Link past Ticketmaster purchases to your account to boost your status.
- Follow tips from Ticketmaster to improve chances of being verified.
- If you don’t get a code, request a code again the day before the presale.
Verified Fan presales help prevent scalpers and bots from gobbling up tickets. Registering ahead helps real fans get priority access.
Final Tips
A few final pointers for scoring presale tickets on Ticketmaster:
- Be prepared with passwords, payment methods, accounts, etc.
- Act fast – good seats go quick.
- Keep trying if you run into snags or errors.
- Use mobile apps for quicker fingerprint/facial recognition.
- Setup notifications for presale announcements.
With proper planning and lightning-fast fingers, you can beat the crowds and land seats to top events with Ticketmaster presales!
