You have been waiting months for tickets to go on sale, you are ready at exactly 10am, and... they are gone in seconds. Bots and professional scalpers have swept up the allocation before most fans even get through the queue. It is infuriating, but there are strategies to improve your chances. Here is how to beat the bots and buy at face value.
This guide offers practical tips for buying event tickets. Availability and success are never guaranteed, but these strategies improve your odds.
Before the on-sale
Sign up for pre-sales and verified fan programmes
Many artists and platforms offer pre-sale access to fans who register in advance. Ticketmaster's Verified Fan programme, for example, uses data to identify genuine fans and give them priority access before the general on-sale. Artist fan clubs, email newsletters, and venue mailing lists often offer pre-sale codes too.
Follow multiple channels
The artist's social media, the venue's website, and the ticketing platform may all announce different on-sale times and allocation releases. Follow all of them so you do not miss an opportunity.
Use multiple devices
Have your phone, tablet, and laptop all ready. If one gets stuck in a queue, another might get through faster. Use different browsers and, if possible, different internet connections (one on Wi-Fi, one on mobile data).
Create accounts in advance
If you need an account on the ticketing platform, set it up before the on-sale day. Enter your payment details and delivery address in advance so checkout is as fast as possible.
On the day
Be ready early
Log in to the platform at least 10 minutes before the on-sale time. Some platforms start forming a queue before the official start time.
Do not refresh
Once you are in the queue, do not refresh the page. This will send you to the back of the queue. Trust the process and wait.
Be flexible
If the date or section you wanted is sold out, try alternative dates, different seating sections, or standing tickets. You can always try to exchange or upgrade later.
Try the phone line
Some platforms still have phone booking. While everyone is hammering the website, the phone line may have less competition.
After the initial sell-out
Do not panic buy from resellers
If tickets sell out immediately, resist the temptation to buy from resale sites. Wait a few days -- platforms often release additional tickets in batches, and some initial orders may fall through due to payment failures or cancellations.
Check back regularly
Tickets are frequently returned or released closer to the event date. Set a reminder to check the official platform periodically.
Try face-value resale platforms
Twickets and official Fan-to-Fan resale features sell returned tickets at face value. These are legitimate alternatives to inflated secondary market prices.
Contact the venue
Some venues hold back a small allocation for their own box office. Call or visit in person -- you might get lucky.
Platforms that fight bots
Some ticketing platforms are better at combating bots than others. When choosing where to buy, consider platforms that invest in anti-bot technology, use purchase limits and verification, and prioritise genuine fans over commercial resellers.
At Tickts, we work with event organisers to implement fair ticketing practices that give real fans the best chance of buying at face value. Our zero-fee model also means that even if you have to wait for a rerelease, you are not paying inflated prices or hidden charges.
The long-term picture
The fight against bots and scalpers is ongoing. The Breaching of Limits on Ticket Sales Act 2018 provides a legal framework, and platforms are continuously improving their technology. But the most effective weapon is collective action -- fans buying from official sources, refusing to pay scalper prices, and supporting platforms and campaigns that prioritise fairness.
Summary
Beating bots and scalpers requires preparation, patience, and the right strategy. Sign up for pre-sales, be ready on the day, do not panic if tickets sell out initially, and check back for rereleases. Avoid inflated resale prices and support platforms that fight for fair access. The more fans refuse to feed the scalper economy, the less profitable it becomes.
