How Presale Concert Tickets Work (And How to Get Them)

Ever tried buying concert tickets only to see “Sold Out” before you even clicked? Been there. That’s where presales come in—and trust me, they’re a game changer. I’ll walk you through how presale concert tickets work, where to find codes, and how to actually snag seats before the madness starts.

What Are Presale Concert Tickets?

Presale concert tickets are like the VIP line at your favorite venue—same show, but you get in early. Simply put, a presale is when a batch of tickets is released before the official on-sale date. It gives fans first dibs, often through a special code or access link.

These tickets are typically offered to certain groups: fan club members, credit card holders, newsletter subscribers, or followers of a specific promoter or venue. It’s a perk—a head start—so you’re not stuck scrambling during the general sale frenzy when the entire internet logs on at once.

But here’s the catch: presales usually come with limits. Not all seats are released, and some sections might be held back for later sales or other presales. So while you do get early access, you might not get every option available. That said, acting fast during presales can still score you amazing seats and major peace of mind.

Why Are Presales a Big Deal?

If you’ve ever sat through the ticket-buying chaos of a general sale, you know why presales feel like gold. It’s not just hype—they genuinely give you a better shot at great seats without the digital tug-of-war. Here’s why presales are worth caring about:

• Early access means better seats: When you’re among the first in line, your chances of scoring aisle seats, front-row views, or that perfect center section go way up. The early bird doesn’t just get the worm—it gets the best view of the stage.
• You beat the bots and resellers: Presales can sidestep the flood of scalpers and automated bots that swarm general sales. Fewer competitors mean a cleaner shot at buying tickets for face value—before they’re marked up 300% on resale sites.
• Less stress than general on-sale chaos: General sales feel like a flash flood. Presales are more like a quiet opening act. No server crashes, no hour-long queues, no countdown clock anxiety. Just smooth(ish) sailing.
• Some artists offer exclusive perks to early buyers: Think merch bundles, VIP upgrades, or early entry. These perks are often only available during select presales, making it a win for superfans who act fast.

Types of Presale Concert Tickets

Presales aren’t a one-size-fits-all situation. There are several kinds, and each comes with its own secret door into early access. Depending on who you follow, what you use, or which card is in your wallet, you might qualify for more than one. Here’s a breakdown of the most common presale types—and how to get in on them.

🎟️ Fan Club Presales

These are usually the first to drop—and often the most limited. If you’re part of an artist’s fan club, you might get an email with a presale code before anyone else. Some clubs are free to join, while others charge a small annual fee for access to exclusive perks like presale tickets, merch, or behind-the-scenes content. If you’re a die-hard fan, this is where you want to be.

💳 Credit Card Presales

American Express, Citi, and other major credit cards often partner with ticketing platforms to offer early access to cardholders. To take advantage, you typically need to use that specific card at checkout, and sometimes log in through a branded access site like Amex Experiences. These presales can unlock seats that aren’t available anywhere else.

📰 Promoter or Venue Presales

Signing up for newsletters from venues like Live Nation, Ticketmaster, or AXS can pay off—literally. Subscribers often receive presale codes a day or two before the public sale. These codes may be sent via email or unlocked by simply logging into your account on the ticketing platform.

📱 Spotify or Artist Newsletter Presales

If you’re one of an artist’s top listeners on Spotify, keep an eye on your inbox. Spotify occasionally sends out presale codes as a thank-you for streaming loyalty. Similarly, artists may drop exclusive codes to fans who subscribe to their email newsletter—so it pays to stay connected.

🏢 Radio Station or Local Presales

Sometimes, your local radio station or entertainment blog scores early access for listeners. These presales are often promoted during on-air shows or posted on their websites and social media feeds. They’re usually city-specific, so if you’re seeing a show in your area, tuning in might earn you an early ticket.

How to Find Presale Codes

Presale tickets are only as good as your access to the codes—and sometimes, finding those little golden keys feels like a scavenger hunt. The good news? They’re not locked away in some secret vault. You just need to know where to look (and be willing to click *subscribe* a few times). Here’s how I track down presale codes before the rush hits.

• Sign up for fan clubs and artist newsletters: This one’s a no-brainer. Fan clubs often send presale codes as a reward for loyalty—sometimes even days before general sale. Artist newsletters are another goldmine; they frequently include tour announcements and early access links before anyone hears a peep.
• Follow your favorite artists, venues, and promoters on social media: Twitter, Instagram, Facebook—this is where a lot of presale buzz begins. Artists often post their codes in captions or stories, while venues and promoters might drop early access links or share time-sensitive codes to their followers.
• Check credit card benefits portals (like Amex Experiences): If you’ve got a credit card with presale perks, log into their benefits section. American Express and Citi often list upcoming presales with codes and special links just for cardholders. It’s like VIP access… just for owning the right piece of plastic.
• Monitor local radio stations and event pages: Local radio DJs love giving away early access or sharing exclusive codes with their listeners. Also, check the event page for your city on ticketing platforms like Ticketmaster—some presale info is listed right there, usually under “Offers” or “Presales.”

Step-by-Step: How to Use a Presale Code

So you’ve scored a presale code—nice! Now don’t fumble the bag at checkout. Timing and speed are everything when tickets go fast (and they always do). Here’s exactly how to use that code like a pro and lock in your seats before they vanish.

1. Find your code and ticketing site: Know where the tickets are being sold—usually Ticketmaster, AXS, or the venue’s official site. Make sure you’ve got the correct presale code handy (copy and paste it somewhere you won’t lose it).
2. Log in or create your account early: Don’t wait until the last second. Log in at least 10–15 minutes before the presale starts. If you don’t have an account, create one in advance. Trust me—you don’t want to be setting a password while your seats are slipping away.
3. Go to the presale ticketing page once it opens: Refresh the event page right at the presale time. Make sure you know your time zone—presales are often listed in Eastern Time, so don’t get caught an hour late.
4. Enter the presale code in the prompt box: This is usually at the top of the page or in a popup. Once you enter the code, you’ll unlock the available seats just for that presale group.
5. Choose your seats and check out quickly: Don’t overthink. Grab your preferred section or price range and head to checkout ASAP. The longer you browse, the more likely those tickets are to disappear from your cart.

Pro tip: Save your payment info in your ticketing account ahead of time. That one-click checkout can be the difference between “confirmed” and “sold out.”

Are Presale Tickets Cheaper?

Let’s clear this one up—because a lot of people assume “presale” means “discount.” Not quite. Presale tickets aren’t always cheaper. In fact, they’re usually the same price as general admission tickets. The real value? You’re getting in early, which means better choices and fewer headaches—not necessarily a markdown.

Presales are about access, not savings. You get the chance to pick your seats before the general crowd rushes in, which can help you snag prime spots without the competition. And while you’re not getting a sale price, you’re avoiding something worse: inflated resale prices. Once shows sell out, resellers swoop in and mark up prices—sometimes two or three times the original value.

That said, prices can still vary during presales depending on the show, the artist, and your seat tier. VIP packages, front-row upgrades, or “platinum” seats may also show up during presales, often at higher prices. But if you’re aiming for standard tickets at face value, presale is still your safest bet.

What If I Miss the Presale?

Missed the presale window? Don’t sweat it—your concert dreams aren’t dead yet. Presales are helpful, but they’re not the only way in. If you were a little late to the game (or just didn’t get a code), here’s how to bounce back and still score those tickets.

• Try the general on-sale—be online early: Set your alarm, grab coffee, and be logged into your ticketing account before the general sale goes live. Refresh the event page the moment it opens. The early bird still gets a shot—even if the worm’s already half gone.
• Check for a second presale wave: Some artists or venues open up additional presale rounds. These might be through another sponsor, a last-minute fan club release, or even a local promotion. Keep an eye on social media and your inbox—you might get another shot.
• Join waitlists or check for released seats closer to the show: Ticket platforms sometimes release extra inventory as the event approaches. These can come from production holds, unsold VIP packages, or returned tickets. Join the waitlist if it’s offered—you’d be surprised how often that works.
• Use verified resale options—but be careful of price hikes: If all else fails, look at verified resale through platforms like Ticketmaster, AXS, or the venue’s official resale marketplace. Just beware: prices here are set by sellers, and they’re not shy about adding a few extra zeroes when demand is high.

Tips to Maximize Your Presale Success

Presale tickets move fast—blink and your dream seats are gone. But with a little prep and a few smart moves, you can boost your odds of winning that virtual race to checkout. I’ve learned (sometimes the hard way) what works and what doesn’t. Here’s how to get ahead of the crowd and actually walk away with tickets in your inbox—not just in your cart.

• Create ticketing accounts in advance: If you’re new to platforms like Ticketmaster, AXS, or SeatGeek, set up your account ahead of time. Add your payment info and make sure everything’s updated. The last thing you want is to be fumbling with forms when every second counts.
• Log in 5–10 minutes early: Don’t wait until the sale time to get started. Log in early, get on the event page, and keep your eyes on the countdown. Some platforms even place users in a virtual queue—being there early gives you better positioning.
• Use multiple devices or tabs (if allowed): Two screens are better than one. Try opening the ticketing site on your phone and laptop at the same time. Just don’t refresh like crazy—some sites will boot you for “suspicious” activity.
• Be flexible with seat sections or rows: If you’re only aiming for Row A, you’re limiting your chances. Be open to side sections, further rows, or even mezzanine seating. A good view in the building beats no view at all.
• Act fast—browsing can cost you the seat: This isn’t the time to hem and haw. If you see seats you’re happy with, grab them. Holding out for something better could mean ending up with nothing at all.

Presale success isn’t about luck—it’s about being prepared, decisive, and a little bit ruthless (in the nicest possible way). Be ready, and you’ll be one of the lucky ones with confirmation emails instead of regrets.

Pros and Cons of Presale Concert Tickets

Presale tickets sound like a dream—and in many cases, they are. But before you dive in headfirst, it helps to weigh both sides. There’s a lot to love about getting early access, but presales aren’t perfect. Here’s a quick breakdown of the ups and downs so you can make the smartest move for your next show.

✅ Pros:

• Early access before general public: You get a head start, plain and simple. While the rest of the world is waiting for Friday morning at 10 a.m., you’re already clicking “Confirm Purchase.”
• Chance at better seat locations: The good stuff tends to go fast. Presales let you grab premium seats—center orchestra, front row balcony, or aisle seats—before the general crowd floods in.
• Less competition, fewer bots: Presales are usually limited to specific groups, which means less traffic, shorter queues, and fewer scalper bots eating up all the inventory.

⚠️ Cons:

• Limited availability of sections: You might be first in line, but you won’t see every seat option. Some sections are held back for future sales or other presales, so your choices could be narrower than expected.
• Presale codes may be hard to get: No code, no access. If you’re not on the right email list, fan club, or cardholder portal, you could be locked out completely.
• Not always the cheapest option: Presale doesn’t mean discounted. You might pay the same as—or more than—general sale prices, especially if dynamic pricing kicks in for high-demand shows.

Presales are a powerful tool for getting ahead in the ticket game—but they’re not a guaranteed win. Know what you’re signing up for, and use them strategically.

Final Thoughts

Presale tickets are a total game-changer—*if* you know how to use them. Once you understand the system, it’s like unlocking a backstage pass to your favorite artist’s tour. Whether you’re aiming for front-row seats at a Taylor Swift stadium show or just hoping to skip the stress of a packed general sale, getting in early is a smart move every time.

Presales aren’t about luck—they’re about being prepared, connected, and fast. Join those fan clubs, save your presale codes, set reminders, and be logged in before the countdown hits zero. Trust me, it’s a whole lot better than staring at a “Sold Out” screen and wondering what could’ve been.

Sign up. Stay ready. And the next time your dream tour drops, you won’t just be watching from the sidelines—you’ll be there, ticket in hand, singing every word.