There are a few common reasons why you may feel like you’re not moving or progressing in the virtual queue on Ticketmaster when trying to purchase tickets:
High Demand
The most likely culprit is simply high demand for the event. Ticketmaster uses virtual queues when there is extremely high traffic all trying to purchase tickets at the same time. This helps control the flow of traffic and prevent their website from crashing.
So even if you join the queue immediately after tickets go on sale, you may still have thousands of people ahead of you also hoping to get tickets. With so many fans vying for a limited number of tickets, the line understandably moves slowly. Just because you’ve been waiting an hour doesn’t necessarily mean you’re stuck; it’s probably just indicative of how many others are waiting too.
Technical Issues
There’s also a chance you may be experiencing some type of technical issue on your end that is impacting your place in line. Try refreshing the page and logging back into your Ticketmaster account. If you’re no longer in the queue, you’ll likely have to start the process over again. This can be incredibly frustrating, but may get things moving again if there was some type of glitch or error with your initial place in line.
Additionally, check that your internet connection is stable. Lagging wifi or an interrupted connection could be booting you out of your place in line, which can unfortunately send you all the way to the back again.
Queue Position Updates
Ticketmaster purposefully does not show your exact place in the virtual queue. So even if nothing is wrong and you have a stable connection, you still may not see your position number changing. This lack of transparency is meant to prevent Ticketmaster’s system from being overloaded with constant refresh requests from anxiously waiting fans.
Rest assured your spot is updating behind the scenes. Try not to obsessively refresh or you may risk being flagged as a bot or automated program, which could get you removed from the line altogether.
Multiple Queues
For very high demand shows, Ticketmaster may also implement multiple queue rooms, dividing traffic more evenly across different waiting rooms. So you may not realize it, but some other customers are actually in entirely different queues from you even though you joined around the same time.
This can understandably create some confusion when your line seems stalled while other fans report getting tickets. In reality you may each be progressing at reasonable paces in separate queues.
Prioritized Groups
Certain privileged groups are sometimes given priority access to tickets before the general public. This includes:
- Fan club members
- Credit cardholders
- Ticketmaster customers with a history of purchases
- Customers referred or invited to purchase
- Venue or artist presale participants
So if you notice other people gaining access to tickets before you, they may fall into one of those prioritized bunches and are not actually cutting in front of you or the main queue.
Bots and Resellers
Unfortunately, there are still instances where bots and automated scalpers will unfairly obtain tickets ahead of real fans in line. Ticketmaster does attempt to combat this with CAPTCHA checks and other verification methods. But bots continue to get more advanced and some still succeed in cheating the system.
You may notice these resellers immediately advertising tickets for astronomical markups after the initial queues have sold out. This is a sign that bots likely did unfairly obtain prime spots in line and legitimate fans are left stuck waiting.
What to Do
If you suspect your queue stall is due to one of the issues above, here are some tips:
- Refresh your browser and reconnect to the queue if you experience a technical glitch.
- Check your internet connection and switch to ethernet if possible for a more stable signal.
- Be patient and do not constantly refresh, as you may appear like a bot.
- Understand priority fan groups may get earlier access.
- Consider using Preferred Seating options for advance queue access.
- Try again immediately if your queue seems stuck; you may get a better server.
- Wait for the initial rush to die down then rejoin if queues are too crowded.
Is Ticketmaster Rigged?
While Ticketmaster’s virtual queue system is imperfect, there is no evidence to suggest they intentionally rig it against customers. The extremely high demand for hot tickets simply overwhelms the system at times. And bots illegally obtaining tickets continues to be an industry-wide problem that Ticketmaster actively works to address.
That said, there are a few questionable practices by Ticketmaster that have led some to accuse them of rigging the system:
Dynamic Pricing
Ticketmaster utilizes dynamic pricing, meaning ticket prices can fluctuate over time based on projected demand trends. While smart pricing is common for hotels and flights, some critics argue frequently changing costs makes budgeting difficult for fans and damages perceptions of fairness.
Platinum Tickets
Platinum tickets are a special tier of tickets sold at market value prices instead of face value. This essentially allows Ticketmaster to capture more profit from highly sought after seats that likely would have resold for higher prices anyway. But some view platinum tickets as a way to divert premium tickets away from regular buyers.
Service Fees
Service and processing fees on Ticketmaster have frequently faced criticism and accusations of being unjustified. While all ticket sellers charge extra fees, Ticketmaster’s tend to be among the highest in the industry. The lack of transparency on specific costs within the fees adds frustration.
So in summary – Ticketmaster’s virtual queues are likely just overwhelmed, not rigged against you. But some of their pricing practices do understandably upset customers. Just try to be patient and persistent and don’t get discouraged if progress seems slow.
Getting Tickets from AXS Instead
If you find yourself repeatedly frustrated with Ticketmaster’s queue system and unable to get tickets, one option is trying AXS ticketing instead for certain events.
AXS is a competitor to Ticketmaster owned by AEG, one of the largest event promotion companies. Many concerts, sports teams, and theaters sell tickets through AXS as an alternative to Ticketmaster.
The key benefits of AXS include:
- Fair AXS – Their version of dynamic pricing that is arguably more fan friendly.
- Fewer fees – Lower service charges compared to Ticketmaster.
- AXS Mobile ID – Scan tickets directly from your phone instead of needing hard tickets.
- AXS Queue – An alternative virtual queue system that may have shorter waits.
So if you can’t seem to succeed with Ticketmaster, look for your event on AXS as they may offer an easier and cheaper ticketing experience.
Using a Ticket Reseller as Last Resort
If you absolutely must get tickets to a particular event, using a ticket reseller is always an option as a last resort.
Major ticket resale marketplaces include:
- StubHub
- Vivid Seats
- SeatGeek
- TicketNetwork
- MegaSeats
- TickPick
These sites connect you with fans reselling extra tickets in a safer, more regulated environment than Craigslist or Reddit. Just be prepared to pay a premium markup price.
Before buying resale tickets, be sure to:
- Research prices across different sites to get the best deal.
- Read seller reviews and ratings for trustworthiness.
- Confirm a ticket transfer method that works for you.
- Check for any restrictions on reselling tickets for that event.
And if buying locally via Craigslist, meet in a safe public place and verify tickets before handing over money.
While pricier, resellers are an option if Ticketmaster has failed you and you absolutely need to get into that concert or game!
Conclusion
To summarize why you may feel stuck in Ticketmaster’s queues:
- Extremely high demand from other competing buyers.
- Technical issues with your connection or device.
- Lack of transparency on your exact place in line.
- Separate priority queues you may not be aware of.
- Bots unfairly obtaining tickets before fans.
Have patience and keep trying if progress stalls – constant refreshing will only make matters worse. Consider switching to AXS ticketing for a better experience. Or use a trusted ticket reseller as a last resort if you absolutely must get into that event.
