Ticketmaster is one of the largest ticketing platforms in the world, offering tickets to a wide variety of events, from concerts and sports games to theater performances and festivals. If you’ve ever tried to purchase tickets for a highly anticipated event, you may have wondered: how does Ticketmaster release tickets? How long does it take for Ticketmaster to release tickets? And how close to the event does Ticketmaster release tickets?
In this blog, we’ll break down the Ticketmaster ticket release process, giving you insight into what happens behind the scenes. We’ll also explore the timelines and answer some of the most common questions people have about buying tickets.
How Ticketmaster Releases Tickets: The Process
The ticket release process on Ticketmaster is designed to ensure that tickets are available to a wide range of customers in a fair and organized way. Let’s take a closer look at the steps involved in the release of tickets.
1. Pre-sale Events and Exclusive Access
Before tickets are officially made available to the public, Ticketmaster often offers pre-sale access to certain groups. These pre-sale events allow fans to purchase tickets before the general public has a chance. Pre-sale tickets are typically available for:
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Fan Clubs and Artist Mailing Lists: Artists or performers may offer exclusive pre-sale access to their fans who are part of official fan clubs or email lists.
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Credit Card Partnerships: Some credit card companies, such as American Express, may offer their customers early access to tickets through exclusive pre-sale events.
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Venue or Event Sponsor Pre-sales: Sponsors or venues may offer special pre-sale codes or access.
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Ticketmaster Verified Fan: Ticketmaster has a Verified Fan program that aims to help prevent scalpers from hoarding tickets. Fans can sign up to be verified, and if chosen, they can access pre-sale tickets.
These pre-sale events usually happen a few days or even weeks before the general on-sale date. The availability of tickets during these pre-sales is often limited, which is why they tend to sell out quickly.
2. General On-Sale Release
Once the pre-sale period ends, the remaining tickets are made available to the public during the general on-sale event. This is when most fans will try to get their hands on tickets, and it’s often when websites like Ticketmaster experience the most traffic.
The general release of tickets is typically set in advance, and it is a specific date and time when the remaining tickets are opened up to the public. For high-demand events, such as concerts for popular artists or major sports events, the on-sale release time can be extremely competitive. Fans often find themselves racing against others to secure tickets, sometimes facing issues like server crashes or delays due to high traffic.
3. Dynamic Pricing and Allocation
Ticketmaster uses a dynamic pricing model for certain events. This means that the price of tickets can fluctuate depending on demand. For example, for a popular event, the cost of tickets may increase as more people try to purchase them. Conversely, if demand is lower, the price might drop. This pricing model aims to make sure the ticket prices align with the event’s popularity and demand.
Ticketmaster also uses a ticket allocation system to ensure that tickets are distributed fairly across different customer groups. This can include allocating a percentage of tickets to different pre-sale groups and a portion of tickets for general on-sale buyers. It also ensures that different types of tickets, such as VIP and standard tickets, are available.
4. Last-Minute Releases and Extra Ticket Drops
Sometimes, Ticketmaster releases additional tickets closer to the event date. These tickets may come from various sources:
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Rescheduled or Added Shows: If demand is exceptionally high, organizers may decide to add extra dates or performances. Tickets for these new dates may be released closer to the show.
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Unclaimed Tickets: Sometimes, tickets that were previously held for various purposes (like VIP access, sponsor tickets, or reserved seating) go unclaimed. These tickets are then released to the public.
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Venue Changes: If the venue changes or if additional seating is added, more tickets might become available and released on Ticketmaster.
These last-minute releases are often random and unpredictable, but they provide another chance for fans who may have missed out during the initial release.
How Long Does It Take Ticketmaster to Release Tickets?
The timing of ticket releases varies from event to event, but there are a few general timeframes to keep in mind.
1. Pre-sale Period: Days to Weeks Before the General Release
For most events, the pre-sale period begins at least a few days before the general release date. However, this can stretch to weeks, especially if there are multiple pre-sale groups involved (e.g., fan clubs, credit card companies, and verified fans). Fans who are part of these pre-sale groups are given priority, which helps reduce the overall demand on general sales day.
2. General Release: On the Day of Release
The general release of tickets is typically scheduled well in advance. It is usually done at a set time and date, often early in the morning or midday (in the local time zone of the event). This timing is meant to ensure that people from various time zones have a fair chance at purchasing tickets.
Ticketmaster usually announces this general release date and time months in advance. This gives fans plenty of time to prepare, set reminders, and gather necessary information (such as login details and payment methods).
3. Last-Minute Release: Hours to Days Before the Event
Last-minute releases of tickets can happen at any point up until the event starts, but it’s usually closer to the event date. For major concerts, shows, or sports events, tickets can sometimes be released just a few hours before the show begins. This happens due to ticket cancellations, added seating, or previously unclaimed tickets.
Fans who are still hoping to get tickets can often monitor the Ticketmaster website or app during this time for these last-minute ticket drops.
How Close to the Show Does Ticketmaster Release Tickets?
Ticketmaster’s ticket release time depends on several factors, including the type of event, the venue, and demand. However, it’s possible for tickets to be released very close to the event date.
1. Tickets Released Just Before the Event: High-Demand Events
For high-demand events, such as concerts for globally popular artists or championship sports games, Ticketmaster sometimes releases additional tickets just hours or days before the show. These tickets may be from:
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Unclaimed Tickets: Unused or unclaimed tickets for VIPs, sponsors, or other reserved spots.
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Venue Adjustments: Sometimes, a venue may adjust the seating capacity due to logistical changes, and additional tickets may become available.
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Rescheduled Shows: For popular events that have been rescheduled, tickets may be released closer to the new event date.
2. Sold Out Events: Late Ticket Drops
Even when an event is sold out, there’s still a chance to grab tickets right before the event starts. These last-minute drops are usually the result of last-minute returns or ticket exchanges, but they tend to be limited in availability and may sell out within minutes.
Conclusion
Ticketmaster has a carefully structured ticket release process to ensure fairness and transparency, but it also adapts to market demand and availability. While tickets for many events are released months in advance, pre-sale access can give some fans an early opportunity to secure tickets. And for those who missed out initially, last-minute releases can provide a final chance to grab tickets closer to the event date.
Whether you’re eyeing tickets for a concert, sports event, or a theater show, understanding Ticketmaster’s release process can help you be better prepared to snag those coveted tickets when they go on sale. Patience, preparation, and timing are key!
