TECHNOLOGY

How does Ticketmaster's presale system work?

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Ticketmaster's presale system gives certain fans the chance to buy tickets before they go on sale to the general public. Access to presales is typically granted through special codes, fan clubs, credit card offers, or venue partnerships.

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What is a presaleAn early ticket sale period before general public on-sale date
Common presale typesFan club presales, credit card presales, venue presales, and promotion code presales
How to get accessReceive presale codes via email, join fan clubs, or use specific credit cards
When presales happenUsually 24 to 48 hours before general public on-sale
Ticket inventoryPresales have limited ticket allocations separate from general public sales

Types of Ticketmaster Presales

Ticketmaster offers several types of presales to different groups of fans. Fan club presales are for members of official artist fan clubs who receive exclusive access codes. Credit card presales are offered to customers who have specific credit cards, like American Express or Citi cards, which partner with Ticketmaster. Venue or team presales give ticket access to season ticket holders or members of specific venues. Promotion code presales happen when artists, radio stations, or sponsors provide codes to their followers.

How to Access a Presale

To access a presale, you need a presale code or membership. Ticketmaster sends presale codes to eligible fans through email, text messages, or posts on social media. You enter this code when prompted during the presale window to unlock tickets. Some presales require you to register your credit card first or be logged into a verified account. Fan club members automatically get access without needing a separate code.

Presale Timing and Process

Presales typically run for a limited time, usually 24 to 48 hours before tickets go on sale to the general public. During the presale window, you visit Ticketmaster's website or app, enter the required code if needed, select your seats, and complete the purchase like a normal ticket transaction. The website may experience heavy traffic during presales, which can cause delays or crashes due to high demand.

Ticket Allocation and Availability

Venues and artists set aside a specific number of tickets for presales, separate from the general public allocation. This means presale inventory is limited and can sell out quickly, especially for popular events. Once presale tickets sell out, you cannot buy more during that presale window, even if tickets remain for general public sale.

Common Challenges

Presales face several common issues including website crashes from high traffic, scalpers using bots to buy multiple tickets, and confusion over which presale codes work for specific events. Ticketmaster has implemented verification systems to prevent bot purchases and ensure codes match eligible events.

Sources

  1. ticketmaster.com (ticketmaster.com)
  2. ticketmaster.com/help (ticketmaster.com/help)
  3. official artist websites (official artist websites)