Getting presale tickets to see Taylor Swift in concert is notoriously difficult, with huge demand from her massive fanbase known as “Swifties” often overwhelming ticketing websites and selling out shows in minutes. However, with some preparation and knowledge of presale processes, dedicated fans do have a chance at scoring coveted seats before the general public sale.
Understanding Presales
Presales allow certain groups access to tickets before the general public on-sale date. There are typically multiple presales leading up to the public on-sale, each granting access to different groups of fans. Common presale windows include artist fan club members, VIPs, credit card holders, Spotify Fans First, venue presales, radio station presales, and more. This staggered approach helps manage high demand and prevent websites from crashing all at once on the public on-sale date.
Join the TaylorSwiftTix Fan Club
Joining Taylor’s official fan club at TaylorSwiftTix.com is the best way to get access to presale ticket links and codes. Fan club members typically get first access. The fan club costs $49 per year and also comes with other perks like exclusive content and merch. If you don’t want to pay for a fan club membership, you can try requesting presale codes on fan forums, but availability varies.
Follow Taylor’s Social Accounts
Taylor often announces presales on her social media accounts, especially Instagram and Twitter, in the days leading up to the public on-sale. Be sure to turn on notifications so you don’t miss any presale announcements. Act fast when you see a presale link or code, as they tend to get claimed quickly!
Spotify Fans First Presale
If you are a frequent Spotify listener of Taylor’s music, you may get access to the Spotify Fans First presale. Eligible users receive emails with presale timing and ticket links before the general public. Increase your chances by streaming Taylor’s music often in the months leading up to the presale.
Venue and Radio Presales
Venues and local radio stations affiliated with upcoming concerts often hold presales as well. Check the venue’s social media and mailing list for presale codes. For radio presales, listening to the station regularly can help you get access.
Chase Cardholder Presale
If Taylor partners with Chase for the tour, Chase cardholders get presale window access when they use their eligible credit card to purchase. Having a Chase card can help access hard-to-get presale tickets.
Verified Fan Presales
Some artists like Taylor use Verified Fan presales to make the process more fair for fans. Fans register ahead of time and get a verification code if selected. This helps prevent scalpers and bots from scooping up tickets. Enable alerts and be ready to register as soon as a Verified Fan presale is announced.
Tips to Improve Your Chances
While nothing guarantees access to presale tickets, following these tips can help give you an edge over the competition:
Set Up Accounts in Advance
Having accounts already created on Ticketmaster, AXS, SeatGeek, and other major ticketing platforms saves precious time entering info during the presale rush. Make accounts now and enter your payment info so you’re ready to check out faster.
Use Desktop Over Mobile
Ticketing sites and apps tend to work better on desktop computers compared to mobile devices during high-traffic presales. Using a desktop with a stable internet connection can help avoid glitches.
Be Ready at Presale Start Times
Log into ticketing sites 15-30 minutes early and be ready to search for tickets exactly at the presale start time. Oftentimes all tickets sell out within minutes, even seconds, so getting in early is key.
Try for Single Tickets
If you’re flexible, aim to get single seats rather than multi-seat group purchases. Singles tend to go quicker since it’s easier to find availability sprinkled throughout a venue versus finding 2, 3 or 4 seats together.
Check Seating Maps Ahead of Time
Study the concert venue seating maps so you know which ticket sections/rows you’re aiming for. This saves time deciding once tickets go live. Focus on getting any tickets first, then upgrade seats later if possible.
Use Multiple Devices
Have multiple devices logged into ticketing sites to increase your chances by basically being in two places at once. But be careful not to purchase duplicate tickets!
Beware of Resale Sites and Scalpers
Exercise caution when considering presale or sold out tickets on resale sites like StubHub. Fake tickets and egregiously overpriced scalped tickets often get posted right after sell outs. Only purchase from trusted platform approved resellers. Also beware of shady social media accounts offering special access or ticket deals – most are scams trying to take advantage of eager fans.
Be Persistent and Don’t Give Up!
Scoring presale tickets takes effort, persistence, and a bit of luck. Don’t get discouraged if you don’t succeed right away. Oftentimes more presales and general on-sales are announced if shows are in high demand. Tenacity is key – keep trying any presales available and you just might beat the odds!
How Quickly Do Taylor Swift Tickets Sell Out?
In minutes…and sometimes even seconds! Taylor Swift has one of the most dedicated fanbases in music who rush to get tickets the moment sales begin. Her ‘Reputation’ stadium tour in 2018 sold out schools in under 30 seconds. Even non-stadium shows will sell out very quickly during presales and general on-sales. This huge demand is why presale access is so crucial for securing the best chance at tickets.
| Tour | Sell Out Time |
|---|---|
| Reputation Stadium Tour | Under 30 seconds |
| 1989 World Tour | Under 5 minutes |
| Speak Now World Tour | Under 15 minutes |
What Percentage of Tickets Go to Presales?
There are no exact numbers, but industry experts estimate anywhere from 30%-80% of tickets for major tours like Taylor Swift’s are sold during various presales before the general public on-sale. The remaining tickets are sold during the public on-sale, which opens up availability to the entire public.
However, the initial allotments released can vary greatly between presales and general on-sales. For example, a venue may release 80% of available inventory during presales first. Then when the general on-sale opens, only 20% of remaining tickets are released. So presale percentages may be high, but lower quality ticket options.
Artists like Taylor Swift tend to prioritize getting tickets directly into her fans’ hands. So fan club and verified fan presales likely have large initial allotments of good ticket options. This is another reason joining the fan club gives you an advantage.
Should You Pay for Presale Access?
Beyond the official $49 TaylorSwiftTix fan club membership, some shady ticket pre-sale companies advertise special access to presales for an upfront fee. However, there is no paid service that can actually guarantee tickets.
Taylor’s team urges fans not to trust any company claiming they can provide special access. It’s always best to stick with official presales available to fan club members, credit card holders, Spotify listeners and verified fans. Checking fan forums can also uncover free presale code sharing between fellow fans.
Is Presale Access Guaranteed?
Unfortunately, presale access does not guarantee you will actually get tickets. The presales just give you a chance to purchase tickets before the general public. There is still very high competition from all the other fans trying to purchase tickets in the presale too.
Often there are more eligible presale users than there are available tickets, still resulting in sell outs. So presales make tickets possible, but still difficult. The best strategy is to utilize as many presale avenues as possible –like the tips outlined above– to increase your shot at success.
Conclusion
Scoring presale Taylor Swift concert tickets is a huge challenge – her massive fanbase and high demand makes anything involving Taylor sell out fast. But rock star fans who put in time and effort to find presale codes and strategically shop for tickets using multiple devices have a good chance to score seats before the general public on-sale. While hard to get, presale Swifties agree that the rewards of seeing Taylor live in concert is worth all the effort. So be determined, try all avenues, and your next great memory as a Taylor Swift fan could soon be in the books!
