How Ticket Presales Work

Looking to get tickets for that show your favorite artist just announced? Presales allow you to grab a ticket to an event before tickets go on sale to the general public. You just need to know where to look, how to sign up, and what to do when the presale countdown clock hits zero.

Presale access can come from different places: An artist, venue, event organizer, Ticketmaster, Spotify, or even the radio.

So, are all these presales the same? Not quite. Each will have different requirements in order to access them.

Here’s everything you need to know about how to access presales.

What is a presale?

Presales are a way for an artist to give their biggest fans early access to tickets. Before tickets go on sale, artists and their teams tell us how many tickets they want to make available, the price of the ticket, and when they want the sale(s) to start.

In many cases, you may see ticket sales listed as either a “presale” or “general sale.” The artist’s team may arrange these presales as part of promotional efforts they have with a third party — such as offering tickets to credit card holders — or as part of loyalty efforts to get tickets directly into the hands of fan club members or those who signed up in advance.

General ticket sales, on the other hand, are open to all fans, and usually begin a day after the conclusion of any presales.

Here are some of the ways you can find out about upcoming presales.

Ticketmaster Presale

Be sure to sign up to receive emails from Ticketmaster, and add your favorite artists within the app. Once you’ve added your favorites, look out for dedicated emails from us about special presales being hosted ahead of the general sale.

Artist Presale

A common perk of being a member of an artist’s mailing list or fan club is presale access. You’ll usually receive details ahead of time about how to access these presales, whether through a code from the artist or by signing up in advance. Remember that there may be a cost associated with joining an artist’s fan club or community, so be sure to read all the fine print before signing up.

Event Organizer Presale

Event organizers such as Live Nation and AEG may also send email alerts about many of their upcoming presales. Make sure you’re signed up to receive email alerts from your local promoters to stay up to date on the events you don’t want to miss.

Credit Card Presale

Credit card companies like American Express, Citi and others may offer their cardholders special presale access as a perk for being a loyal cardmember. Check with your credit card company to find out if they offer any benefits or assistance when purchasing tickets to an event.

Venue Presale

Local venues sometimes also host presales, and will typically announce them via an email newsletter or social media. Make sure you follow your favorite venues on social media and are subscribed to their newsletters.

Spotify Presale

Spotify may select you to receive a unique presale code when you actively listen and follow your favorite artists. Make sure you’re receiving email notifications by reviewing your Spotify account.

Radio Presale

Yep, good ol’ fashioned radio. Listen to your favorite station, follow them on social media, and check out their website for details on securing codes for presales.