When buying tickets for a popular event, you may encounter presales, access codes, waiting rooms, virtual queues, and rapidly changing ticket availability. These tools help manage demand and distribute tickets when many fans are shopping at the same time.
This guide explains what to expect before tickets go on sale, during checkout, and throughout the purchasing process.
Note:
This article describes the ticket purchasing process for high-demand events and onsales hosted by SeatGeek partner teams and venues. For other events, or for more information about buying tickets on SeatGeek, check out our buying tickets articles.
Access codes
Some events require an access code to view or purchase certain tickets.
Access codes are commonly used for presales, membership-only sales, special offers, or inventory set aside by the event organizer.
If you are eligible for one, you will usually receive it directly from the event promoter, venue, team, artist, credit card provider, membership group, or other organization offering access.
SeatGeek generally does not distribute access codes unless otherwise stated.
Presale access codes
Some access codes are used to unlock a presale. This gives eligible fans access to tickets before they are available to the general public.
Presales are often offered to groups like fan club members, season ticket holders, venue members, credit card holders, or other eligible fans.
Special inventory access codes
Some access codes are used to view special inventory for an event. This may include tickets or offers set aside by the venue, promoter, team, artist, or another event organizer.
Please note: Access codes provided by a credit card company may require you to use the associated eligible card at checkout. Payment methods required for a specific access code may not be eligible through Apple Pay.
Waiting rooms and queues
SeatGeek may use a virtual waiting room for high-demand events. Waiting rooms help manage website traffic (so the website doesn't crash) and demand during extremely busy sales to give more fans an opportunity to access tickets fairly.
Once the sale begins, the waiting room page will refresh and you will receive a spot in a virtual queue. When it is your turn, you will be able to view the seating map, ticket listings, and available inventory at that time.
We recommend that you do not refresh your browser window once you are in the queue, as refreshing may cause you to lose your place.
If you join after the sale has started, you can still enter the queue for the next available opportunity to shop.
Popular events can sell out quickly. Available options may vary depending on demand, inventory levels, event type, and venue restrictions.
When inventory becomes available
Not all tickets are always released at the exact same moment.
Depending on the event, additional inventory may become available throughout a presale, onsale, or during the days leading up to the event.
Availability is determined by the event organizer, venue, team, promoter, or seller and can change over time.
Finding tickets
Seating maps
When tickets are on sale, seating maps can help you review available options and understand how the event is set up.
On desktop, you can zoom in on the map to view specific sections and seats.
On mobile web or in the SeatGeek app, you may be able to select a section and row, with specific seat details shown during checkout.
Filters and sorting
You can sort or filter listings by quantity, price, ticket type, Deal Score, and more.
Filters can help you narrow your options during a busy sale, especially when ticket availability is changing quickly. Check here for more info!
Best Available tickets
Many events include a Best Available option.
Best Available tickets are designed to help you quickly find available seats within a selected price range.
With Best Available tickets, SeatGeek checks available sections and prices to offer ticket options at a selected price point, depending on availability.
Note:
If you pass on the Best Available tickets offered to you, those tickets may be released to another fan and may sell while you continue searching.
What happens if your seats sell before checkout?
During high-demand events, another fan may purchase the tickets you selected before you finish checking out. If that happens, SeatGeek will not make you start from the beginning or send you back to the end of the queue.
Instead, we may offer the next best or most similar seats available. Similar seats are generally selected based on factors like row, section, view, price, or comparable location, but availability can change quickly.
You will always be shown the details and price of the new seats before deciding whether to continue to checkout or go back and search for different tickets.
Accessible seating and VIP packages
Accessible seating
To find accessible seating, select the ADA or Accessible filter on the event page in the SeatGeek app or on SeatGeek.com.
Available accessible seating will be labeled with icons or description text before checkout.
Accessible seating is often limited, so please only purchase accessible seats if you need them.
VIP packages
Some events may offer VIP packages, amenities, or add-ons.
When available, you can click or tap Packages on the listings page to review available options.
SeatGeek works with third-party providers to offer VIP amenities and add-ons when they are available for an event.
Tips for popular onsales
Before the sale starts
- Create your SeatGeek account in advance.
- Verify your email address and phone number before the sale begins.
- Add your payment information ahead of time to help checkout go more smoothly.
- Confirm that you can log in without password issues.
- Keep your phone nearby if you use two-factor authentication.
- If you received an access code, have it ready before the sale starts.
During the sale
- Do not refresh the queue page after the sale begins.
- Review ticket details carefully before checkout.
- Check for seating notes, restrictions, icons, or perks before purchasing.
- If you plan to use a promo code, filter for promo-eligible listings where available.
Why ticket availability changes so quickly
During a major onsale, many fans may be shopping at the same time.
You may notice:
- Tickets disappearing before checkout
- New seats becoming available
- Sections opening or closing
- Ticket options changing as inventory updates
This is a normal part of buying tickets for a high-demand event.
If your first choice is not available, you may still find comparable seats elsewhere in the venue as inventory continues to update.
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