Can I improve my odds for getting tickets by purchasing through one particular distribution channel?
When an event goes on sale, tickets can be purchased online, by phone or in person. We do not reserve a specific amount of tickets for different distribution channels, so the odds of getting tickets are the same no matter how you choose to get your tickets. From time to time, promoters conduct "internet only presales"or other promotions that are available via only one distribution channel. In such a promotion, you can only purchase tickets through that particular distribution channel.
Why do tickets sell out so quickly for popular events?
When a popular event goes on sale there are literally hundreds and sometimes thousands of customers simultaneously attempting to purchase tickets across all distribution channels. Like any limited commodity, tickets are sold as long as seats are available, and sometimes they go quickly. If 500 fans are simultaneously buying four tickets each, 2,000 tickets can be sold in a matter of seconds! It's the same reason why a typical 18,000-seat arena can sell out in a few minutes.
*****Also, in many cases, tickets are held by the promoter or venue or have been presold to season ticket holders for the entire run of the event reducing the quantity of tickets available for purchase through Ticketmaster by the general public.*****
Why are "better" tickets sometimes available a few minutes after the event goes on sale?
When customers find available tickets either online or through any of the other access points, those tickets are actually reserved while the customer considers the purchase. During that period, which lasts for only a few minutes, no one else can view or purchase those tickets. If the customer decides not to buy the tickets, they are "released" and become available to other purchasers. So if a customer is looking at 10th row centre seats and decides not to buy, those seats become available for another customer.
Why are "better" tickets sometimes available a few days after the event goes on sale?
A venue may release more tickets for Ticketmaster to sell as the event date approaches. This happens for several reasons such as
1) The artist or team may no longer need the tickets that were held when the event originally went on sale
2) Once the stage or event area is set up, the venue has a better idea about which seats are obstructed.
Sometimes events are so popular that even seats with obstructed views are released for sale. Additionally, sometimes a customer attempts to buy tickets but their credit card is declined. If Ticketmaster is unable to contact the customer to secure a valid credit card or billing address, Ticketmaster may cancel the order and release the tickets for sale. Tickets may also be re-released if a customer does not follow Ticketmaster's published ticket limits or other terms of use.
May I exchange my tickets if better seats become available later, or if a second show is announced?
No. As with all Ticketmaster ticket sales, there are no refunds, exchanges or cancellations.
Why does Ticketmaster enforce a time limit when making purchases online?
When you are shopping for tickets, you are "holding" real inventory. No one else can purchase those tickets unless you release them. Due to high demand, we've implemented a time limit during the checkout process. Each checkout page is assigned a different time limit based on the type of information we need from you. If you exceed the posted time on the page, the tickets you are holding are released for others to purchase. You have about 5 minutes in total to complete your purchase. This gives as many people as possible a chance to purchase tickets.