Ticketmaster is one of the largest primary ticket outlets for large-scale events in the United States and abroad. When hot shows or concerts go on sale, fans rush online to buy tickets through Ticketmaster. With so much demand happening all at once, Ticketmaster’s website can get overloaded and place customers into a virtual “queue” to prevent crashes and allow orders to process smoothly. This has led many frustrated customers to ask: Why does Ticketmaster keep saying to join the queue?
High Demand Overloads the System
The main reason Ticketmaster queues up customers is that the ticketing website cannot handle the huge surge in traffic when popular events first go on sale. For very high-profile concerts, sports events, and shows, demand frequently outpaces Ticketmaster’s server capacity by 10 or even 100 times.
This enormous spike in traffic essentially “crashes” the website, overwhelming its ability to process so many requests at once. To prevent the site from going down completely, Ticketmaster initiates a “waiting room” or “queue” to force customers to enter in a structured order.
This metered approach spaces out the traffic hitting their servers and prevents the whole system from failing. While customers may be annoyed at waiting in a virtual line, it’s better than having the website go down entirely.
Bots Scoop Up Tickets
In addition to real fans, reseller bots also bombard Ticketmaster during the initial rush for hot tickets. These automated programs attempt to buy up as many seats as possible, shutting regular customers out.
Ticketmaster estimates that 60% or more of the traffic on its site comes from bots rather than genuine human customers. These reseller bots have become incredibly sophisticated, using advanced tools like machine learning and CAPTCHA solvers to mimic human behavior. They are difficult for Ticketmaster to distinguish from real users.
To help foil these purchase-hogging bots, Ticketmaster may initiate queuing to scrutinize user behavior before granting access. Extra time in the queue gives their systems more opportunity to identify questionable bot activity compared to a total free-for-all.
High Verification Standards
Ticketmaster also queues up customers to ensure every user meets their stringent verification standards before purchasing tickets. Their system checks that:
– The customer is not a bot.
– Only the allowed ticket limit is being purchased.
– The customer has not opened duplicate accounts.
– Payment details and personal info are legitimate.
Rushing through millions of users makes comprehensive verification impossible. Thus, Ticketmaster slows down the flow via queues to thoroughly vet each customer. This prevents fake accounts and duplicate orders.
While queues are inconvenient, they uphold Ticketmaster’s standards against bots and fake accounts. More scrutiny during high-demand sales helps get tickets to genuine fans.
The Reality of Modern Ticket Sales
Ticketmaster’s queuing system, while annoying, is a reality caused by the sky-high demand from fans mixed with sophisticated reseller bots. The company sells over 485 million tickets each year to clients ranging from small music clubs to massive stadium concert tours.
Their platform simply cannot keep up with the tremendous traffic surges when coveted tickets first go on sale. Queues regulate access to prevent website crashes, block bots, and ensure adherence to ticket limits.
Traffic Spikes Are Inevitable
For extremely popular events like Beyonce’s Formation tour or Hamilton on Broadway, thousands or even millions of fans flood Ticketmaster the moment sales open. Verified ticket resellers also barrage the website trying to secure inventory.
These tremendous traffic spikes crash most websites. While frustrating, queues are better than the alternative of Ticketmaster’s platform completely failing under the load.
Bots Are Unstoppable
Sophisticated reseller bots are difficult for any ticketing platform to control. Ticketmaster blocks over 5 billion suspicious bot requests every year. However, as bot technology advances, more sneak through defenses.
Extra time in the queue allows Ticketmaster’s systems to further evaluate users and block bots. Without high scrutiny, most tickets would get scooped up and resold at higher prices.
Strict Rules and Limits
Ticketmaster enforces ticket purchase limits and anti-duplicate account checks to make high-demand tickets available to as many different fans as possible. But fully verifying users takes time.
Queues intentionally slow the process to give Ticketmaster’s systems the necessary time to completely validate each customer. Lightning-fast sales would mean less accountability.
While queues are understandably frustrating, they uphold standards that protect everyday fans. The few minutes in line are a reasonable tradeoff for fairness and access.
Tips For Navigating Ticketmaster Queues
Waiting in Ticketmaster’s virtual queue can be an anxious experience, especially when hoping to see a favorite team or artist live. Here are some tips for navigating Ticketmaster waiting rooms and queues:
Access the Queue Immediately
Be ready the minute tickets go on sale and join the queue right away. Sales with pre-queues tend to move faster than last-minute waiting rooms. Give yourself the best shot by entering as soon as possible.
Expect Some Waiting
Have patience. Queues are almost guaranteed for big shows or games. Even an early spot likely means a 10+ minute wait. Avoid frustration by expecting delays as standard procedure.
Stay Connected
Don’t close your browser! Getting bumped will lose your place. Also keep your internet connection active. Ticketmaster may extend the wait if you disconnect and reconnect.
Try Alternative Sales Points
If waiting on your phone, try your desktop too. Maintaining multiple windows gives you extra chances to access tickets when you’re moved from the queues.
Keep All Details Handy
Have your personal info, payment methods, and promo codes ready to go for when you finally reach the front. This prevents losing tickets while scrambling for details.
Stay Calm When Selecting Seats
The countdown timer when choosing seats can induce stress. Take a breath and avoid impulse selecting the first options. Retrieve your desired section, price range, etc from your notes.
Following these tips will make queue waiting less painful and prepare you to swiftly finalize purchases. While irritating, Ticketmaster’s queued system delivers the fairest results for fans given extreme demand and reseller bot issues. Just be ready for the wait!
Conclusion
In summary, Ticketmaster leverages virtual waiting rooms and queues when sales open for hot events in order to:
– Prevent website crashes from enormous simultaneous traffic spikes
– Scrutinize users and block reseller bots trying to unfairly scoop up tickets
– Enforce ticket limits and anti-duplicate account measures
– Ensure customers meet identity verification standards
Queues regulate access so their systems can properly process the bombardment of requests. This upholds fairness for average fans seeking tickets.
Waiting in line is invariably frustrating. But given modern realities, Ticketmaster’s queued structure is arguably the most equitable option, especially compared to the alternative of the website simply collapsing under extreme demand.
By bracing for inevitable queues, utilizing queues as early as possible, and staying connected, savvy fans can navigate the waiting experience and still secure their desired tickets.
While hardly ideal, Ticketmaster’s queued model brings order to the sheer chaos of vying for hot tickets in the modern era of sky-high demand and cunning reseller bots.