Trying to get tickets to a hot concert or show can be incredibly frustrating. You wait eagerly for the tickets to go on sale, only to find the event selling out in seconds. In desperation, you continuously hit the refresh button on the Ticketmaster page, hoping more tickets will magically appear. But does obsessively refreshing the page actually improve your chances of scoring seats? Here’s a quick look at whether rapidly refreshing your browser will help or hurt your quest for tickets.
The Short Answer
Unfortunately, repeatedly hitting refresh won’t increase your odds of getting tickets. Ticketmaster’s system is designed to randomly release tickets over a short period of time. So frenzied refreshing won’t game the system in your favor. The best approach is to calmly wait for the tickets to go on sale and stick to one window. However, if you get stuck in a virtual waiting room or encounter an error, refreshing may help you bypass technical glitches. Overall, stay patient, persistent and avoid getting flagged as a bot!
How Ticketmaster’s System Works
When an in-demand event goes on sale, Ticketmaster uses a virtual queue system to handle the incoming traffic. Instead of releasing all the seats at once, the tickets are slowly dripped out over 5-15 minutes. This prevents their website from crashing and levels the playing field. Ticketmaster also utilizes CAPTCHA tests and other security measures to confirm you are a human user, not an illegal ticket bot.
So when you see “tickets unavailable” at the exact sale start time, don’t panic! This is normal, as the tickets haven’t fully been released yet. The seats are still being randomized and meted out little by little. Hitting refresh repeatedly won’t speed up the drip or increase the chances that tickets will materialize for you. The best strategy is to remain on the page and wait for the tickets to gradually become available.
Pros of Refreshing
While refreshing excessively won’t boost your odds, here are some potential pros of judiciously using the refresh button:
- Retry if you encounter an error message – If you get a weird technical glitch, refreshing may help.
- Exit if stuck in waiting room – Sometimes Ticketmaster’s virtual queues get overloaded. Refreshing will let you ditch a frozen waiting room.
- Quickly check for late ticket releases – After the initial sale, periodically refreshing may turn up last-minute seats.
Cons of Refreshing
On the other hand, here are some downsides of going overboard on refreshing:
- Get flagged as a bot – Excessive, rapid refreshing could cause Ticketmaster to suspect you are an illegal ticket scalping program.
- Miss your chance – The page may glitch or freeze during a refresh, causing you to lose tickets.
- Waste time – You could miss newly opened seats while staring at a stale availability page.
Tips for Scoring Tickets
Rather than obsessively mashing refresh, use these strategies to boost your chances of snagging seats:
Use Multiple Devices
Pull up the Ticketmaster page on 2-3 devices to increase your odds. Make sure to be logged in ahead of time on all devices. When the sale starts, quickly grab tickets from whichever device lets you proceed fastest. Using different browsers across devices can also help.
Check Fan Presales
Many artists offer special fan club presales before the general public sale. Join any fan groups or newsletters to get presale codes that provide early ticket access. Presales tend to have less competition for seats.
Consider VIP Packages
VIP or premium ticket packages are released in lower quantities and may sell out slower. They come at a higher price but offer perks like early entrance, exclusive merchandise, or a meet & greet.
Set Up Account Ahead of Time
Pre-register for a Ticketmaster account. Add in your payment info and preferences ahead of time. This will save precious seconds during checkout.
Use an Autofill App
Download an autofill browser extension to instantly populate your name, email, and payment details at checkout so you don’t need to type anything.
Be Persistent and Patient
Scoring popular tickets often requires persistence, patience, and a bit of luck. Stick to one window, accept any seats you can get, and periodically keep checking back for cancellations or late releases. With smart strategies, staying calm, and a little tenacity, you’ll maximize your chances of getting tickets even for ultra hot events.
Example Data Tables
Here are some example data tables to visualize information related to the article topic:
Table 1 – Average Time for Concert Tickets to Sell Out
Artist | Average Time to Sell Out |
---|---|
Beyonce | 5 minutes |
Taylor Swift | 2 hours |
Ed Sheeran | 45 minutes |
Harry Styles | Under 1 minute |
Table 2 – Top-Selling Concert Tours of 2022
Artist | Total Gross |
---|---|
Bad Bunny | $435 million |
Elton John | $282 million |
Lady Gaga | $169 million |
Red Hot Chili Peppers | $127 million |
Table 3 – Average Ticketmaster Fees by Section
Section | Average Fees Per Ticket |
---|---|
Floor/Pit | $17 |
Lower Bowl | $14 |
Upper Bowl | $11 |
Nosebleeds | $8 |
Conclusion
In summary, obsessively mashing the refresh button won’t boost your chances of scoring hot tickets. Ticketmaster’s system is designed to drip out seats randomly over a short period. Your best bet is to calmly wait in one window, use multiple devices, and utilize presales and VIP options when available. Stay persistent through errors and keep checking back for late releases. With smart preparation, patience, and a bit of luck, you’ll maximize your odds of grabbing those coveted seats.