Registering for tickets on Ticketmaster means creating an account and signing up to access the ticket buying process for in-demand events. This allows you to get in line to purchase tickets ahead of the general public onsale time. Registration helps manage high traffic and demand, giving more fans a fair chance at securing tickets.
Why Ticketmaster uses Registration
For very popular concerts, sports events, and hot ticket items, demand far exceeds the available seats. This creates a rush when tickets first go on sale, overloading the system. Fans get frustrated when websites crash or tickets sell out in seconds to scalpers using bots.
Ticketmaster’s registration system helps alleviate these issues by staggering access. It puts fans in a virtual queue and gives them an assigned purchasing window. This helps reduce errors, timeouts and congestion on the site. It also discourages scalpers from dominating all the inventory.
Registration benefits regular fans by leveling the playing field. Hardcore fans get first access without competing against scalpers with automation tools. More deserving fans have a shot at great seats even if they don’t stalk the second tickets go on sale.
How Registration Works
Registration periods open in advance before tickets go on regular sale. Fans sign up with their Ticketmaster account info and request a specific number of tickets.
Ticketmaster verifies submissions and removes duplicate requests. Each approved registration gets randomly assigned a place in line. This holds your spot to buy tickets later during an assigned purchase window.
On the actual onsale date, registered buyers get a secured link via email to access and purchase tickets. This grants admission into a virtual waiting room. At the assigned time, each buyer reaches the front of the line and gets let into the ticket shop.
The process continues with staggered entry times over several days. This avoids the old chaotic rush of everyone vying for tickets at exactly 10am. All registrants still get equal opportunity based on when they first signed up.
Benefits of Registering for Tickets
Registering for in-demand tickets provides several advantages:
- Earlier access – Get in line before the general public
- Level playing field – Avoid scalpers and bots
- Peace of mind – Locks in your place in line
- Ease of use – Direct link to shop sent to your email
- Less competition – Fewer fans shopping at once
- More time – 10-30 minute window to checkout
- Improved inventory – Discourages scalpers from buying it all
Overall, registration gives regular fans a fair shot at securing great seats. You avoid the stress of mad dashes or losing out to greedy resellers.
Who Can Register for Tickets
Registration is open to everyone with a free Ticketmaster account. You simply need to sign up and verify your identity. There is no cost or membership required to register.
However, some events do limit registration. Artists or teams often reserve tickets for fan club members first. There may also be presales for credit card holders, venue email lists, or sponsors.
If you want earliest access, join relevant fan clubs in advance. Registering for a Ticketmaster account still offers significant advantages over the general onsale. But VIP fan club members get first dibs.
When to Register
Registration windows open days or weeks ahead of the public onsale date. The earlier you register, the better your place in line. Sign up as soon as registration opens to secure the best spot.
However, you can still register later and get in queue. Spots are assigned randomly within each registration batch. Even signing up a day before offers better odds than joining the free-for-all general sale.
Set a calendar reminder so you don’t forget to register during the window. Turn on email notifications for your favorite teams and artists. Follow their social accounts for presale announcements. Get registered before regular tickets sell out.
How the Registration Process Works
Here are the step-by-step instructions for registering for tickets on Ticketmaster:
- Create or sign into your Ticketmaster account – You need an account to register
- Go to the event registration page – Access via the link in presale announcements
- Submit registration request – Select # of tickets needed & enter info
- Verify your registration – Check email and confirm submission
- Get notified when approved – Watch for confirmation email
- Receive secured link & code – Link arrives just before your window
- Enter virtual waiting room – Click link at appointed time to shop
- Select exact seats – Pick seats during 10-30 minute window
- Checkout – Complete purchase with preferred payment method
- Get tickets! – Access tickets via My Ticketmaster account
The process is easy and timed out over several days. Approvals and reminders come via email. Be sure your account info is current to ensure you don’t miss any steps.
Tips for Registering
Follow these tips to make the most of Ticketmaster’s registration system:
- Sign up as early as possible – Don’t wait until the last minute
- Set email reminders – Stay on top of registration deadlines
- Use an accurate email – Double check for typos upon registration
- Register only once – Duplicate requests get removed
- Keep personal info updated – Make sure billing/shipping addresses match
- Save payment details – Checkout faster with saved payment methods
- Sync your calendar – Add your purchase window to your schedule
- Arrive early – Log in 10-15 minutes before your window starts
- Shop quickly – Don’t lose tickets as time expires
- Coordinate with friends – Discuss grouping seats together
Using registration properly gives you the best shot at getting the seats you want. Avoid errors or missing out by carefully following instructions and deadlines.
Purchasing Your Tickets
Once approved and at the front of the line, you can log in and buy tickets. Have a game plan in place to speed through checkout:
- Decide seating preferences – Sections, rows, distance from stage
- Pick ticket quantity and type – Number of seats, VIP add-ons
- Enter desired section – Pull up interactive seat map
- Select exact seats – Click individual seats to toggle
- Review order – Double check selections
- Choose delivery method – Mobile, email, mail, box office pickup
- Enter billing details – If not saved already
- Select payment method – Card, PayPal, gift cards
- Complete purchase – Finish before time expires
With intense competition, popular tickets sell out in seconds. Stay focused once in the shop. Follow each step quickly and carefully to avoid missing out.
Troubleshooting Registration Issues
Despite best efforts, sometimes errors occur. Here is how to troubleshoot common registration problems:
- No verification email – Check spam folder. If not there, contact support
- Stuck in waiting room – Refresh browser. Don’t open multiple windows
- Tickets already purchased – Choose different seats or remove from cart
- Timed out before checkout – Retry with saved payment details
- Error messages – Clear cache/cookies, try incognito browser
- Registration closed – Get notified for future presales
Registration systems have improved ticket buying, but hiccups still happen. With patience and persistence, you can troubleshoot most issues.
Alternatives to Registration
If you miss a registration period, all hope is not lost. Here are other ways to score tickets:
- General public onsale – Compete with the masses
- Presales – Fan club, credit card, venue, radio, etc
- Ticket resale sites – Overpriced options from brokers
- Social media – Friends selling extras at face value
- Box office releases – Limited tickets saved for box office
- Last minute releases – Cancellations and production holds
Registering directly through Ticketmaster is best to avoid markup. But stay persistent and watch for all opportunities to land seats.
Key Takeaways
Registering for popular tickets on Ticketmaster offers big advantages. You get earlier access ahead of the masses. Scalpers with bots are shut out. Spreading sales over multiple days reduces errors and congestion. Overall, more deserving fans get better seats.
Register as early as possible. Sign up immediately when windows open. Enter accurate info and track confirmation emails. When your time comes, login promptly and shop efficiently. With smart planning, registration takes the stress out of the scramble for hot tickets.