It can be frustrating when you go to buy tickets on Ticketmaster and get placed in an online waiting room or queue. This seems to happen more and more frequently, especially for hot shows or games where demand far exceeds supply. So why does Ticketmaster use these virtual queues, and is there anything you can do about it?
What is a Ticketmaster Queue?
A Ticketmaster queue is a digital waiting room that kicks in when there is extremely high demand for an event. It’s essentially a hold place in line instead of the site simply crashing from too many people trying to access it at once. Being put in a queue means you will have a chance to buy tickets once they go on sale, but you may have to wait your turn first.
The queue gives users a registration or access code and an estimated wait time. You will see a countdown clock showing your place in line and when it’s your turn, you will have a short window (usually around 10 minutes) to enter the site and purchase tickets. This prevents Ticketmaster from being overwhelmed and lets them stagger entrance to the website.
Why Does Ticketmaster Use Queues?
There are a few key reasons Ticketmaster relies on queues to manage high traffic events:
- Prevent website crashes – Too many users at once can overload servers and cause them to crash. Queues regulate traffic flow.
- Improve the buying experience – Queues aim to make the ticketing process smoother by eliminating long wait times and error messages.
- Reduce scalpers and bots – Queues help block out ticket brokers and bots trying to buy up tickets.
- Control inventory – The queue meters release of tickets instead of everything selling out instantly.
- Fairer access – Queues give everyone an equal chance to buy rather than rewarding early birds.
Essentially, queues are Ticketmaster’s solution for making ticket buying more orderly and reliable during peak sales. The virtual line system lets them scale capacity as needed to handle fan demand.
Examples of When You Might Encounter a Queue
Here are some examples of events or circumstances when you’re likely to run into a Ticketmaster queue:
- Popular concert tours (like Beyonce or Taylor Swift) – Massive fan demand
- Major sporting events (NBA Finals, World Cup) – Limited venue capacity
- Music festival tickets (Coachella, Lollapalooza) – Tens of thousands of buyers
- Broadway blockbusters (Hamilton, Wicked) – More buyers than seats
- Last minute purchases – Remaining tickets snapped up
- Verified fan presales – All verified users access at once
- Special promotions or sales – Traffic spike from deals
In general, you can expect queues for any high-interest event where tickets are likely to sell out very quickly. Ticketmaster wants to avoid meltdowns and make sure their system can handle the traffic.
How Does the Ticketmaster Queue Work?
Ticketmaster uses waiting rooms and queues powered by a queuing platform called Queue-It. Here is an overview of how the Queue-It system works when you try to buy tickets:
- You select the event you want tickets for and click to access the sale.
- Instead of immediately entering the website, you’re redirected to a waiting room queue.
- This queue will either automatically assign you a place in line or have you register/verify if needed.
- You’re given an estimated wait time that counts down as the queue progresses.
- When it’s your turn, you can enter the Ticketmaster site and have a short window to shop for tickets.
- If you don’t make it in during your allotted time, you may lose your place and have to re-queue.
Queue-It uses technology like load balancing and speed throttling to moderate traffic funneling into Ticketmaster. It’s designed to improve reliability during peak loads.
Tips for Navigating the Queue Process
Here are some tips to make the most of your Ticketmaster queue experience and score the tickets you want:
- Join right at the start time – Don’t be late or you’ll end up at the back of the line
- Make sure you’re verified – This speeds up placement in line
- Stay signed in – Don’t lose your spot if you get booted for inactivity
- Watch for status updates – You may need to refresh or click buttons
- Don’t delay when in – Shop and purchase ASAP once your turn starts
- Have backups ready – Other devices in case of tech issues or glitches
- Stay patient – Persistence is key – keep trying if you don’t succeed right away
Queue-It Waiting Room Features
Here are some of the features you may encounter in a Ticketmaster virtual queue powered by Queue-It technology:
- Registration forms – Collects info to validate you’re real
- Progress indicators – Shows your place in line
- Countdown timer – Displays wait time remaining
- Custom branding – Matches event’s look and feel
- Queue status – Updates on pace, ticket availability, etc.
- Entrance speed control – Staggers and paces admission
- Session tracker – Keeps you in queue if you lose connectivity
These features are designed to make the queuing experience smoother and give users insight into the process. The waiting room will update you with real-time data as you move towards the front.
Why Does the Queue Seem to Move So Slowly?
In many cases, the Ticketmaster queues appear to creep along at a snail’s pace. The wait time counting down doesn’t seem to correlate to your actual advance in line. This frustrating lag is usually due to:
Staggered Entry
Queue-It uses algorithms to control how fast people enter from the queues to prevent straining Ticketmaster’s servers. So they strategically slow down movement to meter traffic. The pace may feel painfully sluggish, but it’s optimizing entry flow.
Too Many Users
When queue sizes swell into the tens or hundreds of thousands, it naturally takes longer to work through the line. Even at a rate of hundreds per minute, a giant queue can’t instantly evaporate. The more people contending, the longer the road ahead.
Bots and Scalpers
Bots used by scalpers to unfairly buy up tickets have become more sophisticated. Queue-It tries to combat them, but some inevitably end up inflating queues without actually buying tickets. So they drag things out by essentially cutting in line.
Systemfailures
With extremely high volumes of traffic, technical issues can sometimes disrupt Queue-it algorithms and speed. Glitches causing reloads or restarts will bog down queues. While rare, system hiccups can artificially lengthen the wait.
In most cases, the line is moving more swiftly than it appears. But Ticketmaster wants to be extremely cautious about overloading its servers when traffic is spiking.
Tips for Getting Through the Ticketmaster Queue Faster
Slogging through an interminable Ticketmaster queue can test anyone’s patience. Here are some tricks that may help you reach the front faster and get your hands on those coveted tickets:
Use Presales
Take advantage of special presales like artist fan club or credit card holder sales. These typically have smaller queues that fill up later.
| Presale Type | Perk | Drawback |
|---|---|---|
| Fan Club | Reserved tickets just for fans | Membership can cost money |
| Venue Presale | Tickets for venue mailing lists | Have to sign up on venue site |
| Spotify | First dibs for Spotify listeners | Requires hours streamed |
Use Multiple Devices
Have friends or family members join the queue on separate devices to increase your chances. Different machines might move through at different speeds.
Try Less Popular Dates or Cities
Targeting less in-demand shows or venues can help you bypass queues. Weeknights or weekdays are often easier than weekends.
Buy Early on the Sale Date
Queues tend to be lighter in the first hours of a sale before masses of fans join. Set an alarm and log on right at the start time.
Use Ticketmaster App
For some events, the Ticketmaster app provides mobile-only priority access. The app queue may work faster than desktop.
Get Verified on Your Account
Verified Ticketmaster members often get ahead in line. Upload your info to validate you’re a real customer.
While not guaranteed, using some of the above strategies can help improve your queue position and chances of scoring seats.
Will I Lose My Place in Line if I Get Knocked Offline?
A common fear with Ticketmaster’s queues is getting disconnected or booted and losing your hard-earned spot. Thankfully, their queue system is designed to save your place if you encounter technical issues.
Your registration or access code acts as a unique identifier that will keep you in position in the queue. If you get removed or accidentally close your browser, you can log back in and reconnect with the same code.
As long as you re-enter promptly, your place will be held for a period of time, usually around 30 mins. So if you do experience any hiccups, just quickly log back in to restore your status.
However, it’s still smart to avoid potential connection problems that could boot you in the first place. Steps like clearing cache/cookies, disabling wifi, or using a wired connection can help minimize disruptions.
Tips to Avoid Losing Your Place
- Stay logged in the whole time if possible
- Make sure your browser or device won’t timeout/sleep
- Use a strong, fast internet connection
- Try a different device as a backup if needed
- Disable pop-up blockers that might interfere
As long as you quickly reconnect, your registration info will act as a lifeline to pull you back into the queue where you left off.
Are There Any Drawbacks or Downsides to Queues?
Ticketmaster queues are beneficial in many ways for managing high demand. But there are some potential disadvantages as well:
Long, Unpredictable Waits
It’s frustrating having an unknown, seemingly endless wait time blocking you from purchases. You could be queued for minutes or hours.
Queues Don’t Guarantee Tickets
A queue means you’ll have a shot at tickets, not that they’re reserved for you. They can still sell out before you ever get through.
Lack of Transparency
It’s unclear exactly how spots are allocated, so you feel powerless. The process lacks visibility.
Bots Can Still Beat the System
Determined scalpers use bots that manipulate queues and snatch up tickets first.
Touting the Queue Experience
Some feel Ticketmaster hypes up queues and waiting rooms to generate publicity around high demand shows.
While Queue-It does help Ticketmaster handle heavy traffic, queues are essentially just a line. There’s an inherent lack of control for customers.
Will I Have a Better Chance Getting Tickets Without Using the Queue?
Is it better to skip Ticketmaster’s queue system entirely? Probably not. Queues represent your best shot at competing for high demand tickets.
The only way to bypass queues is buying outside official channels from resellers. But this route has big downsides:
- Huge price markups
- Untrustworthy sellers
- Risk of fraud/scams
- No return guarantees or protection
Queue-less options like reseller markets should generally be avoided due to lack of security and astronomical prices. Queues may involve waits and uncertainty, but they do offer fair official access.
Some other downsides of avoiding queues include:
- Site crashing or selling out instantly
- Difficulty competing with bots/scalpers
- No coordination – just chaos
- Less protections against cyber attacks
Ticketmaster queues represent your most equitable shot at buying from a trusted source. The right strategy can help overcome their difficulties.
Will Ticketmaster Ever Get Rid of Queues?
Don’t expect Ticketmaster to eliminate virtual waiting rooms anytime soon. All indicators suggest queues are here to stay as a permanent fixture for high traffic onsales. Some reasons why:
- More events are using them each year as queues prove effective
- Fans familiar with queues now expect them for hot tickets
- Queues generate publicity and hype around Ticketmaster sales
- They enable orderly traffic management at scale
- Without them, site performance would crumble under heavy loads
In Ticketmaster’s eyes, queues provide order where otherwise there would be chaos. They allow controlling and metering access to in-demand inventory.
Queues also reduce PR headaches when the site inevitably crashes under extreme traffic. So for Ticketmaster, they lower technical and reputational risk.
The Future of Queues
In fact, virtual waiting rooms still have lots of room for improvement in the years ahead using advancing technology:
- Better queue transparency and communication
- Tightened bot detection and mitigation
- Improved speed, reliability and user experience
- Personalized engagement through apps while waiting
- Integration with presales and Verified Fan initiatives
Expect Ticketmaster to expand and enhance queue features over time rather than removing them. They balance demand via controlled supply releases better than any alternative.
Conclusion
Ticketmaster queues can be aggravating when all fans want is a fair shot at buying tickets. But they emerged as an imperfect solution to website meltdowns plaguing massive online sales. Without queued waiting rooms, the ticketing experience would likely be far more painful.
Queues bring order and intelligence to staggering consumer demand. They represent fans’ best chance at access rather than scrambling in a free-for-all. Patience and the right techniques can help queues work in your favor.
Ticketmaster will continue leveraging virtual line technology as sales become more competitive each year. But queues are still maturing. Over time, their transparency, speed, and protections against bots and scalpers will only improve.
So while being “stuck” in a queue stings, remember it means your place is reserved. Your wait reflects enormous interest in an event you also want to experience. Queues are an obstacle on the journey toward acquiring a coveted ticket. And like any journey, putting in the time and perseverance is part of achieving the end reward.
