Ticketmaster, the largest primary ticket marketplace in the United States, has certain limits in place when fans try to purchase tickets online. These limits are designed to prevent bulk purchasing by ticket brokers and bots, ensuring more fans have access to tickets for in-demand events.
How many tickets can I buy at once?
The exact ticket limit varies based on the event, but typically Ticketmaster sets a 4-8 ticket limit per customer for high-demand events like concerts and sports games. This means when tickets go on sale, each customer can only purchase 4-8 tickets in a single transaction.
Some events may have an even lower limit of 2 or 3 tickets. For example, major music festivals often have a per person cap. This prevents groups from buying up all the tickets and reselling them at a huge markup.
There are a few exceptions where the ticket limit may be higher or non-existent:
- Smaller events without high demand may allow 10+ tickets per customer.
- Suite or VIP ticket packages sometimes permit higher limits since they are premium, high-value seats.
- Fundraiser or charity events may allow larger groups to sit together.
So in general, Ticketmaster tries to cap purchase quantities around 4-8 tickets. But check the event page carefully, as the exact number can vary.
Can I buy tickets for multiple events at once?
Yes, Ticketmaster allows customers to purchase tickets for multiple events in the same order. However, the per event ticket limit still applies.
For example, if you want tickets to two different concerts, with a 4 ticket limit each, you could buy 4 tickets to Concert A and 4 tickets to Concert B in the same transaction. But you couldn’t purchase 10 tickets to Concert A, as that exceeds the per event cap.
The only exception is if you use different Ticketmaster accounts to make multiple purchases. Ticketmaster does not currently have a way to track purchases across accounts.
So in summary:
- You can buy tickets to multiple events in one order.
- But the per event ticket limit is still enforced.
- Making purchases across different accounts can exceed per event limits.
What if I want more tickets than the limit?
If you need more tickets than the purchase limit allows, there are a couple options:
- Use multiple Ticketmaster accounts – As mentioned above, Ticketmaster does not track purchases across accounts, so you can use different accounts to make multiple separate purchases.
- Wait for general on-sale – Limits are usually higher or non-existent once tickets go on sale to the general public. So more tickets may be available then.
- Look for group or VIP packages – These specialty ticket bundles sometimes come with higher limits.
- Buy resale tickets – You can check fan resale marketplaces like Ticketmaster Resale or StubHub which are not subject to initial ticket limits.
Keep in mind that intentionally circumventing ticket limits is discouraged, as it may result in order cancellations or account restrictions. But in special cases like large groups or corporate events, the options above can help acquire more tickets if needed.
Are there other Ticketmaster purchase limits?
In addition to per event ticket caps, Ticketmaster also enforces some other purchase limits:
Hourly limits
During high volume on-sales, Ticketmaster may temporarily cap the number of tickets a customer can buy in a 1-hour window. This prevents automated bots from swarming the site and gives more fans a chance to purchase.
Daily limits
Similarly, daily sales limits may be enacted for popular events. This restricts the total number of tickets a customer can buy across all events in a 24-hour period. Daily limits help reduce bulk scalping.
Payment method limits
Ticketmaster limits customers to 1 account and 1 payment method per event. This means you cannot use multiple credit cards or accounts to circumvent ticket limits.
In some cases, Ticketmaster also restricts newly created accounts from purchasing the best tickets. This reduces scalpers creating accounts just for in-demand events.
So overall, Ticketmaster is very focused on restricting bulk ticket purchases through various limit methods. This levels the playing field for all customers.
What are Ticketmaster’s policies on ticket limits?
Ticketmaster’s ticket limit policies are outlined on their Purchase Policy page. Some key points include:
- Ticket limits are clearly displayed during the purchasing process and may vary based on the event.
- Attempting to exceed posted ticket limits can lead to order cancellations.
- Ticketmaster utilizes tools to enforce ticket limits, including browser cookies and order reviews.
- Ticket orders are subject to review and cancellation if Ticketmaster believes limits are being circumvented.
- Season ticket holders may have separate ticket limits or pre-sale opportunities.
In general, Ticketmaster is very strict on enforcing ticket limits consistently for all customers. Their limits exist to create a fair on-sale process and reduce scalping activities.
How has technology impacted Ticketmaster’s limits?
As ticket selling has moved online, technology has forced Ticketmaster to evolve their ticket limit policies. In the early 2000s, it was common to see 20+ ticket limits for events. But with bots and scalpers now using sophisticated software to sweep up tickets, limits have tightened significantly.
Some key technological impacts include:
- Bots – Scalpers use bots to automatically purchase huge quantities of tickets. Lower limits help thwart bots.
- Web Monitoring – Tracking software like browser cookies and CAPTCHAs make it harder to use multiple accounts.
- Big Data Analytics – Ticketmaster can now better analyze bulk buying patterns and enforce dynamic limits.
While technology has enabled more scalping, it has also allowed Ticketmaster to clamp down on limits and detect suspicious activity. However, secondary ticket sites like StubHub still allow ticket resellers to flourish.
What are some examples of Ticketmaster ticket limits?
Here are some real examples of Ticketmaster ticket limits for major events and performers:
Event | Ticket Limit |
---|---|
Super Bowl LIII | 4 tickets |
NBA Finals Game 1 | 4 tickets |
Taylor Swift Reputation Tour | 4 tickets |
Coachella Music Festival | 4 tickets |
Harry Styles Love On Tour | 8 tickets |
New York Yankees regular season game | 12 tickets |
This table demonstrates how major high-demand events like pro sports, concerts, and festivals adhere to tighter limits of just 4-8 tickets. Limits typically scale up for less popular events where demand is lower.
Conclusion
In summary, Ticketmaster enforces ticket purchasing limits to create a more fair and equitable on-sale process for fans. Limits combat scalpers and bots so everyday fans have a chance to buy tickets at face value. While the exact ticket limit varies by event based on demand, customers can expect a 4-8 ticket cap for most major concerts, sports games, and other hot events. Technology continues to allow Ticketmaster to improve and refine its ticket limit policies. By upholding strict ticket limits, Ticketmaster helps get more tickets directly into the hands of true fans.