When trying to purchase tickets on Ticketmaster, you may encounter a message stating that the queue is paused. This can be frustrating when you’re waiting to buy tickets for a highly anticipated event. So what exactly does it mean when the Ticketmaster queue is paused?
In short, a paused queue means Ticketmaster has temporarily stopped the flow of people entering the queue to buy tickets. This is done to control high traffic and balance the load on their servers. The queue may be paused for a few minutes or longer during a high-demand ticket sale.
Why Would the Queue be Paused?
There are a few key reasons why Ticketmaster may pause the virtual waiting room queue:
- Too many people are trying to enter the queue at once. This overloads the servers, so pausing entry helps reduce traffic.
- Fans are lining up to purchase tickets for an exceptionally popular event like a playoff game or concert by a top artist. Demand outweighs supply.
- Technical issues or scheduled maintenance is occurring on Ticketmaster’s servers. Pausing the queue provides time to address this.
- To give fans already in queue priority access to tickets rather than new fans joining the back of the line.
The bottom line is pausing queues helps Ticketmaster manage high volumes of traffic hitting their sites and apps, as well as prioritize existing customers during presales and other openings.
How Long Could the Queue be Paused?
There is no definitive answer for how long Ticketmaster could pause a queue for, as it depends on various factors. Here are some general guidelines:
- A few minutes – If they just need to slow down volume temporarily, it may only be paused for several minutes before allowing more people to enter.
- 30 minutes to an hour – For medium delays to deal with heavier than expected traffic or smaller tech issues.
- A few hours – When demand drastically exceeds ticket supply or there are problems with the servers that require more time to address.
- Rest of the day – In rare cases of major outages, they may need to pause the queue for the remainder of the day.
In most cases, Ticketmaster aims to only pause the queue for small increments of time. However, major technical glitches or ultra high-demand events may lead to longer wait times before you can enter the queue.
Will My Place in Line Be Saved?
Good news – if you’re already in line when the Ticketmaster queue gets paused, your place is saved! You won’t lose your spot or get kicked out. Here’s how it works:
- Anyone already in the virtual waiting room remains in queue.
- New fans cannot join the back of the line until it is resumed.
- Once the issues are resolved or volume dies down, the queue will start moving again for those already waiting.
- New joiners are let in again once capacity frees up after the pause.
So your wait time may be longer if you entered prior to the pause, but you won’t lose your initial place in the virtual line.
Tips for Dealing with a Paused Queue
Waiting in a paused queue can be a test of patience. Use these tips to handle it better:
- Refresh yourself on queue info – Re-read any presale details or FAQs to understand the queue rules and procedures.
- Find something else to do – Play a game, finish chores, watch TV etc. to stay occupied until the queue moves.
- Periodically check for updates – Log into your Ticketmaster account to see if the queue has resumed.
- Stay calm – Getting frustrated won’t change the situation. Take deep breaths and remember it’s out of your control.
- Don’t give up right away – Even if it seems stuck, wait at least 30-60 minutes before deciding whether to abandon your place.
Keeping your patience and persevering through a delay will pay off to get your shot at those coveted tickets!
Should You Open Multiple Windows?
When a queue is paused for an extended time, some fans wonder if opening multiple browser windows will increase their odds. Here’s a look at whether or not that’s an effective strategy:
- It’s against policy – Ticketmaster prohibits opening multiple queues, as it violates their terms of service.
- You may get blocked – Their system may detect multiple queues under the same account and IP address, blocking you.
- One queue is prioritized – Even if you sneak past detection, only one of your queues will be properly processed.
- It often backfires – You’re more likely to lose your place and have your order cancelled or denied.
Overall, it’s not worth the risk and wasted effort. For fair access, your best bet is sticking with a single line.
Is the Queue First Come, First Served?
For the most part, Ticketmaster lines are first come, first serve. Your place is generally determined by when you join:
- Earlier joiners get ahead of later joiners in the virtual line.
- First come doesn’t always guarantee tickets if demand exceeds supply.
- Presales may give fan club members and other groups first access before the general public.
- Some events allow users to purchase “Fast Pass” to skip the queue for an extra fee.
So while the queues are largely first come, first served, other factors like presales, Fast Pass, and supply can affect who ultimately gets through.
Is There Any Way to Skip the Line?
As mentioned above, some events let fans pay extra for Ticketmaster’s “Fast Pass” to bypass the queue and gain immediate access. Beyond this, there are a few other authorized ways to skip long waits:
- Fan club or venue presales – Special early sales for fan club members before the general public.
- Credit card presales – Early access for holders of certain credit cards like Citi or Chase.
- VIP packages – Bundled deals with perks like premium seats that may include queue priority.
- Verified resale – Buying secondhand tickets from Ticketmaster’s resale site bypasses the new sales queue.
Occasionally promotions will also grant expedited access. Outside of those, your best path is patience and perseverance through the regular digital line.
Should I Use My Mobile Device or Computer?
You can join Ticketmaster’s queues and purchase tickets through their mobile apps or desktop site. Here are some considerations on which may be better:
- Mobile pros – App may run smoother, already have your payment info saved, get push notifications about queue.
- Mobile cons – Smaller screen, switching apps can lose your spot, may drain battery life.
- Computer pros – Bigger screen makes selecting tickets easier, you can multitask while waiting, charge your device.
- Computer cons – You need to be at your desktop, browser may have tech issues or get stuck.
Whichever you choose, make sure you have a strong wi-fi or cellular connection. Test the app or website ahead of time so you’re familiar with the process. Ultimately, personal preference rules – pick the option you feel most confident using.
Should I Keep My Spot or Try Again Later?
Say you’ve been stuck in a paused queue for a really long time. Is it better to keep waiting or exit and try again later? Here are some factors to consider:
- How long has it been paused? If exceedingly lengthy, may be worth jumping back in later.
- Are tickets in very high demand? If so, questionable if you’ll succeed trying again.
- Have other sales started yet? Jumping out may lose your first-come status for this round.
- Could technical issues re-occur? No guarantees the queue will be smoother later.
Usually best to stick it out if the pause has been moderate and no other sales have opened yet. But if issues drag on extensively with little hope of resolution, then trying again could possibly pay off.
Conclusion
A paused Ticketmaster queue, while inconvenient, is typically just a temporary slow-down to manage sudden spikes in traffic. Staying put preserves your place in line once sales resume. While frustrating, your patience will usually be rewarded if you ride it out. With demand so high for hot tickets, a waiting game is inevitable. Now that you know what a paused queue means and how to handle it, you can keep calm and queue on!