Ticket buying has become increasingly competitive in recent years as more fans try to get tickets to popular concerts and events. This has led many ticket sellers like Ticketmaster to use queue systems to handle the high demand. So what time does Ticketmaster start putting people in the queue when tickets go on sale?
How Ticketmaster’s Queue System Works
When a high-demand event goes on sale on Ticketmaster, they don’t immediately allow purchases. Instead, they put people in a virtual waiting room or queue. This queue gives everyone an equal chance at getting tickets by assigning them a random spot in line.
Shortly before tickets go on sale (typically 30 minutes ahead), Ticketmaster will put everyone who is waiting on the event page into the queue. A countdown clock is displayed showing you how long until you can start buying tickets. Once the queue is live, a position number will be displayed instead of the countdown clock.
The queue position does not indicate how many people are ahead of you though. It is assigned randomly. Someone with position 2000 may get access before someone with position 500. You essentially have to wait for your number to be “called” to enter the ticket on-sale room.
This queue system is meant to eliminate the advantage of having a faster internet connection or being able to click faster. It forces everyone to wait their turn patiently rather than reward whoever refreshes the waiting room page the fastest.
What Time You Can Join the Queue
For most events, Ticketmaster will open up the virtual waiting room about 30 minutes prior to the public on-sale time. However, it can vary based on the event popularity and system demand.
Here are some general guidelines on when you can join the Ticketmaster queue:
- For major concerts going on sale at 10am, the waiting room usually opens around 9:30am.
- For big sporting events and playoffs, it may open up 1 hour early or more.
- In high demand situations like playoff games, the queue may open up the night before.
- For smaller events, it might only open 15 minutes prior to on-sale.
The exact waiting room open time is shown on the Ticketmaster event page under “Queue Opens.” This is when you want to make sure you are on the page and ready to go. Any fans who try to visit the page after the queue has opened will be placed at the back of the line.
Tips for Joining the Queue On Time
Here are some tips to make sure you join the virtual waiting room before it fills up:
- Check Ticketmaster’s social media for queue opening announcements
- Enable notifications on the Ticketmaster app
- Visit the event page early in the morning if on-sale is later that day
- Bookmark the event page and refresh occasionally if on-sale is soon
- Follow fan accounts for the artist/team selling tickets
The official Ticketmaster Twitter account will often announce exactly when the queue will open for major events. Turning on notifications for their account is a good way to find out queue times.
You can also enable notifications in the Ticketmaster app to get alerts on when queues open. Just make sure notification permissions are enabled for the app.
Getting Through the Queue
Once you are in the virtual line, there isn’t much more you can do except wait it out. Your position may change over time, but this is normal.
Do not refresh the page or you risk losing your place. You may see an error message at some point – this is just the waiting room refreshing and you haven’t lost your spot.
Eventually you should see the queue countdown clock expire and a message that says “You’re In!” indicating it is your turn to access tickets.
Now the rush comes to actually select and purchase tickets. Have all your information ready like credit card details so you can checkout fast.
Keep in mind that being first in the queue does not guarantee you will get tickets. Many people ahead of you may be trying for the same seats and other fans will still be entering the queue as you shop. Popular shows often sell out in minutes.
Queue Times and Waiting
How long you wait in the Ticketmaster queue varies greatly depending on the event popularity. Here are some rough estimates:
- Major rock concerts: 1-3 hours
- Big name pop artists: 30 min – 1 hour
- Niche music events: 5-20 minutes
- Sports playoffs: 1-4 hours
- Regular season games: Less than 30 mins
In many cases, the queue can move quite slowly in the beginning. Your position number may barely change in the first hour. But it will speed up rapidly towards the end as the queue empties out.
For extremely high demand events like playoff games or once-in-a-lifetime concerts, you may be queued for multiple hours. Only the most dedicated fans will bother waiting this long to get tickets.
On the other hand, some events have very short queues that move quickly. Within 5-10 minutes you could be in if demand is low.
While queued, you can leave the waiting room page open and do other things. But be sure to keep checking it so you know when your turn comes up.
Using Multiple Devices
Many fans try to improve their odds by using 2 or more devices in the waiting room. However, Ticketmaster limits this tactic.
They use cookies, IP addresses, and other means to identify users across devices. You will likely end up at the back of the queue on any additional devices.
Your best option is to use just 1 device with the fastest/most reliable internet connection. Multiple mobile devices on different networks might improve your odds slightly.
But there is no guarantee having multiple windows or tabs open will help. Solo with your fastest device is usually best.
Getting Back in the Queue
If you happen to lose your place in line or miss the queue opening, you may be able to get back in.
Use the Ticketmaster app and go to the event page – it will often prompt you to join the waiting room again. This puts you at the back but gives you a chance.
If that doesn’t work, you can try opening an incognito browser window and accessing the event page. Without cookies you may be able to join again.
As a last resort, try completely disconnecting your wifi for a few minutes, then reconnecting and opening the event page. Your IP address may refresh allowing you in.
But there are no guarantees with these methods. You may be completely out of luck once you leave the line.
Queue Alternatives
If dealing with Ticketmaster queues sounds unappealing, there are a couple options that can help:
- Ticket presales – Get tickets before the general public by using special presale codes.
- Resale sites – Purchase from resellers after public on-sale.
Ticket presales provide early access to tickets before the mad rush. These are typically available by joining fan clubs, credit card reward programs, and other offers. This skips the painful queue process.
Buying on resale sites later is also an option. Prices will be higher but you avoid competing with thousands of fans. StubHub, VividSeats, and other resellers are popular options.
Conclusion
Navigating Ticketmaster queues takes patience and dedication. Joining the waiting room at least 30 minutes early is key. Then you must wait your turn and be ready to shop fast once in. For extremely popular events, queues can last hours. Consider presales and resale tickets to skip Ticketmaster queues when possible.
