Getting good seats for popular concerts and events through Ticketmaster can be a competitive process. With high demand comes the challenge of finding available tickets before others snatch them up. However, there are strategies you can use to improve your chances of securing great seats on Ticketmaster.
Plan Ahead
One of the best things you can do is plan ahead. As soon as an event goes on sale, set a reminder for yourself to hop online right when tickets become available. Sign up for presale offers and other early access opportunities whenever you can. This gives you a head start on the general public and a better shot at choice seats before they sell out.
Make sure your Ticketmaster account is set up in advance with your payment info saved. This expedites the checkout process so you don’t lose precious time entering card details when you’re racing to beat other fans. You can also download the Ticketmaster app which allows you to purchase tickets directly from your phone.
Aim for the Presale
Presales offer access to tickets before the general onsale date. There are usually presales for fan club members, VIP program members, or holders of a specific credit card associated with the event. By taking advantage of the presale, you get first dibs on seats. This hugely increases your chances of getting something great.
Research the presale details as soon as the event is announced. Sign up for any related fan clubs or credit cards you need to qualify. Set multiple browser tabs ready to go for the various presales. Be ready and waiting the minute the presale window opens to claim your tickets.
Browse the Seating Chart
Once you’re on Ticketmaster making your seat selections, take a close look at the venue seating chart. This lets you see the lay of the land and choose the optimal seats for your needs. Are you most concerned with getting close or finding a spot with a direct view? How about value – are you willing to sacrifice proximity for a better price?
Look for seats that meet your goals but don’t overpay just for minor upgrades. You can likely find comparable seats for less money if you’re flexible. Weigh the options in different sections to identify the best seat locations at a reasonable cost.
Key Seating Sections
When browsing the seating chart, keep an eye out for these primo spot:
- Front and center in the lower section if you want to be near the action
- Middle rows of the lower section for clear sightlines
- First few rows of the upper section for affordability and proximity
- Side sections near the front if you want a direct view
There’s no one “best” seat, so check the chart thoroughly for what works for your priorities and budget.
Act Fast But Don’t Panic
When tickets first go on sale, there’s inevitably a frenzy. Fans flood the site, nervously trying to grab tickets while they last. It’s easy to panic, but try to stay calm and don’t make rushed decisions.
Work quickly to choose seats before they disappear from your cart, but thoughtfully consider sections and price levels. Don’t just click wildly or you may end up with suboptimal, overpriced tickets. Ticketmaster purposefully makes the buying process feel urgent, but you have a little time to consider options before your cart empties. Make smart choices even in the heat of the onsale.
Leverage Preverified Tickets
Ticketmaster now offers Verified Fan presales for top events. Fans register ahead of time and are randomly selected to get a code for access. This preverification eliminates bots and resellers. So when you shop a Verified Fan presale, you know tickets are available for actual fans at face value prices.
Try to register for Verified Fan when available. If you get a code, you can securely shop knowing tickets are reserved for verified individuals. Supply is lower but so is competition from scalpers. Your odds of great seats improve.
Don’t Give Up Right Away
If you miss out on hot tickets during the initial rush, don’t assume all hope is lost. Persistence and patience can pay off when dealing with Ticketmaster.
Keep checking back as show dates approach – new batches of tickets are sometimes released. Tickets may be made available through verified resale or fan exchanges. Prices also tend to drop leading up to the event as sellers slash costs.
Additionally, try simultaneous multitab searching. Load up the Ticketmaster page on multiple browser tabs or windows. Refresh them randomly and rapidly. You may get lucky with seats popping up that others release. Don’t give up on the hunt!
Use the Ticketmaster App
For major onsales, consider using the Ticketmaster app instead of the desktop website. The app is optimized for speed and makes ticket buying easier on mobile.
You can store your payment info and event details ahead of time. When tickets go live, just open the app and tap to rapidly progress through checkout. This removes hassles like typing and page loading delays.
The Ticketmaster app also sends you notifications about presales and new events. Turn these on so you never miss a chance for early ticket access.
Shop Resale Marketplaces
If you strike out getting face value tickets, check out the resale marketplaces. Ticketmaster operates TM+ Resale and TicketsNow. These are secure secondary markets with tickets sold by other fans.
Resale prices are higher but may still be reasonable depending on the event. There’s also buyer protection against fraud. Sort by “Best Value” to identify resale deals where dynamic pricing has dropped costs.
However, resale supply is limited so still act quickly if you find something you like. The best seats disappear fast even at inflated rates.
Consider VIP Packages
Can’t get the exact seats you want? VIP packages offer guaranteed prime spots with extras like meet-and-greets, exclusive merch, pre-show events, and more.
Packages are very expensive but worth it for a premium, unforgettable experience. If regular floor seats are out of reach, splurge on a VIP pass. You’ll lock down the hottest seats plus special bonuses.
Supply of packages is lower as well. So while they are costly, you’re essentially paying for true front-row treatment and an enhanced concert experience.
Use Multiple Devices
For major high-demand events, pull out all your devices. Use your desktop, laptop, tablet, and mobile phone simultaneously to hunt for tickets.
Split up sections or price levels between devices. Keep randomly refreshing and swapping around. With persistence, one device might uncover available seats the others don’t see.
Four devices quadruples your odds over a single device. Don’t underestimate the power of multi-device searches to uncover last-minute gems.
Follow Ticketmaster on Social
Keep tabs on Ticketmaster’s social media accounts like Twitter and Facebook. Turn on notifications so you’re alerted to any presale announcements or ticket releases.
Often the social channels will provide discount codes and other special offers. You may score seats for less through an exclusive social media promo.
Following Ticketmaster on social and enabling notifications also keeps your finger on the pulse. You’ll be among the first to know about any presale opportunities.
Team Up with Friends
For really popular events, get friends in on the ticket hunt. Teamwork expands your chances. Assign each person to search different sections or try for different amounts of tickets.
Communicate as you search so you’re not duplicating efforts. If one person succeeds in finding tickets, the rest can stop searching. You’ll have strength in numbers.
Friends can also help strategize about best options and split costs. Bring the whole crew along to the show when you finally land seats!
Use Your Resources
Leverage any special resources at your disposal. For example, if you have access to American Express presales, use your Amex card. Ask friends with Citi cards to try for Citi presales. Utilize all possible advantages.
Similarly, maximize tools that streamline the process. Use autofill in your browser to quickly complete forms. Download the Ticketmaster app for speedy checkout. Master the seating charts to shop strategically. Know your payment details by heart.
Anything that shaves off seconds can help you win the race for tickets when competition is fierce. Employ every tip, trick, and hack that moves you closer to the finish.
Avoid Scams
With hot tickets comes desperate fans vulnerable to scams. Be vigilant to avoid fraudulent sellers and offers. Never provide personal info or pay outside authorized Ticketmaster channels.
Verify the URL – scammers create convincing fakes. If you land tickets, double check barcodes before forwarding payment. Don’t rely on “screenshots” or emailed confirmations.
If something feels sketchy, back away. Your safest bet is to only use official Ticketmaster sites. Going rogue risks your personal security and losing money on invalid tickets.
Be Flexible
The more flexible you can be, the better chance you have. Consider attending another show date if your first choice sells out. Be open to solitary seats instead of groups. Expand your section preferences.
Competition is lower for less ideal dates and solo seats. With flexibility, you can likely still attend the event. You just may need to make small compromises like date changes or split seating.
Try General Admission
If reserved seating is impossible to obtain, look at general admission. These standing room only tickets let you get in the door and roam freely. Prices are usually very low too.
Then arrive early to get a choice standing spot near the stage. You won’t have an assigned seat, but can still position yourself for a quality concert experience. General admission provides affordable entry when reserved seats disappear instantly.
Conclusion
Great concert seats on Ticketmaster go fast when there’s high demand. But with presale research, swift onsale moves, persistence, flexibility, and smart tools, you can beat the crowds. Prior preparation and strategic ticket hunting will help you triumph over the frenzy.
Keep hunting across dates and sections. Watch for new batches of tickets. Have backup devices ready. With extensive effort and patience, you can uncover the perfect seats for making unforgettable memories.
