If it feels like everyone is announcing a tour for 2026, you’re not wrong. Our fave artists like Harry Styles, Bruno Mars, BTS and so many more have already announced that they’re hitting the road this year.
And, we hate to break it to you, but buying tickets is getting harder than ever. One second you’re logging into Ticketmaster, the next you’re staring at the queue—wondering how 2,000 people got ahead of you in half a second.
Good news: Winning a Ticketmaster war isn’t about luck alone. It’s about preparation, speed and staying cool under pressure. Here’s your step-by-step survival guide to actually scoring tickets.
Prep Your Account Before The Sale
If you’re scrambling at checkout to find your card, it’s already over. You’re only going to get a couple of minutes to secure your tickets when it’s finally your turn, so you want to make sure the process is as quick as possible. The day before the sale, log into your Ticketmaster account and make sure your password works. Then, add your payment info (credit/debit card, Apple Pay, etc.) and save it to your account for a faster checkout. Finally, double-check your email and phone number on your account (they might send you a verification code before you access your sale).
Pre-sales Are Your Best Friend
The best way to make sure you get tickets (and secure them before everyone else) is by signing up for pre-sales. Sign up for your fave artist’s e-mail newsletters or check their IG posts for info about pre-sales, which usually begin a few days before the general sale. Do your research, as some tours might have separate artist pre-sales, Spotify pre-sales or credit card pre-sales.
Your Devices Matter
You don’t need a hacker setup, but you do need to be smart. The best setup is to have one device—preferably your laptop since it has a bigger screen to view your seating options. Make sure you’re connected to a strong wifi so you won’t lose your spot in the waiting room or Ticketmaster queue. And most importantly, to make sure you aren’t the 40,329th person in line, you should log into your account and get into the waiting room 10-30 minutes early. If there are multiple dates you’re trying to get tickets for, you can split your screen and keep an eye on both sales.
The Queue = A Mind Game
Once the sale starts, the waiting room will automatically refresh to the queue. Although the queue placement is random, you’ll have a better shot of being first than if you join the sale late. Once you’re in, do NOT refresh your page. Like, ever. Refreshing will make you lose your spot in line. Staying patient is key.
Pick Seats Fast
When you get in (yay!), click “best available” or choose your preferred seats quickly. Don’t overthink aisle vs. center vs. “vibes.” Before you even join the sale, you can usually see a chart of the venue seating—so it’s best to decide on a general area ahead of time. You want to snag your seats as quickly as possible, so simply choose the amount of tickets you need and head to checkout. You can always resell or trade later!
Good luck, bb!
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