How to Become a Ticketmaster Verified Fan: A Comprehensive Guide

Securing tickets to high-demand concerts, sporting events, and theatrical performances can feel like winning the lottery. With bots and scalpers snapping up tickets within minutes (or even seconds!) of a public sale, genuine fans often find themselves empty-handed. That’s where Ticketmaster’s Verified Fan program comes in. This guide provides a detailed, step-by-step walkthrough of how to become a Verified Fan and significantly increase your chances of getting tickets to the events you’re passionate about.

What is Ticketmaster Verified Fan?

Verified Fan is a registration system designed by Ticketmaster to identify genuine fans and give them priority access to tickets before they go on sale to the general public. The goal is to filter out bots and scalpers, ensuring that more tickets end up in the hands of real fans who intend to attend the event.

Essentially, it’s a pre-sale lottery system. Registering as a Verified Fan doesn’t guarantee you’ll get tickets, but it significantly improves your odds. If selected, you’ll receive a unique access code that allows you to participate in a designated pre-sale.

Why Become a Verified Fan?

The benefits of becoming a Verified Fan are clear:

* **Increased Chances of Getting Tickets:** You’re competing against a smaller pool of verified fans rather than the entire public.
* **Avoid Scalpers and Bots:** The system is designed to weed out automated ticket-buying programs and individuals who intend to resell tickets at inflated prices.
* **Fairer Ticket Prices:** Purchase tickets at face value, directly from Ticketmaster, instead of paying exorbitant prices on the secondary market.
* **Peace of Mind:** Knowing you’ve done everything you can to increase your chances of getting tickets reduces the stress and anxiety associated with high-demand onsales.

Step-by-Step Guide to Becoming a Verified Fan

The process of becoming a Verified Fan typically involves these steps:

1. Monitor Announcements for Verified Fan Onsales

The first step is to stay informed about upcoming events that utilize the Verified Fan program. This usually involves following your favorite artists, teams, or venues on social media (Twitter, Facebook, Instagram). Check their official websites regularly, and sign up for their email newsletters.

Ticketmaster also announces Verified Fan onsales on their website and social media channels. Pay close attention to the specific details of each event, including the registration deadline.

* **Example:** “Taylor Swift is using Verified Fan for her upcoming Eras Tour! Registration closes on November 15th.”

2. Create or Log in to Your Ticketmaster Account

You’ll need a Ticketmaster account to register for Verified Fan. If you don’t already have one, create one well in advance of the registration deadline. Make sure your account information is accurate and up-to-date, including your name, address, email address, and phone number.

* **Tip:** Use the same email address associated with your Ticketmaster account when registering for Verified Fan. This helps ensure that your registration is properly linked to your account.

How to Create a Ticketmaster Account:

1. Go to the Ticketmaster website (www.ticketmaster.com).
2. Click on “Sign In” in the top right corner.
3. Select “Create Account.”
4. Fill in the required information, including your email address, password, first name, last name, zip code, and phone number.
5. Agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
6. Click “Create Account.”
7. Verify your email address by clicking the link in the confirmation email that Ticketmaster sends you.

3. Register for Verified Fan

Once you’ve identified an event you want to attend that’s using the Verified Fan program, navigate to the event’s page on Ticketmaster’s website. You’ll typically find a button or link that says “Register Now” or “Verified Fan Registration.”

Clicking this link will take you to the Verified Fan registration page. Here’s what you’ll typically need to do:

* **Sign in to your Ticketmaster account.** If you’re not already logged in, you’ll be prompted to do so.
* **Select the event you’re interested in.** Double-check that you’ve selected the correct event, date, and location.
* **Provide your contact information.** This is usually pre-filled from your Ticketmaster account, but it’s a good idea to verify that it’s accurate.
* **Indicate your ticket preferences.** You may be asked to specify the number of tickets you’d like to purchase (usually a maximum of 4 or 6) and your preferred price range. Some events may also allow you to select your preferred seating sections.
* **Verify your phone number.** Ticketmaster uses phone verification to help prevent bots and ensure that only real fans are registering. You’ll receive a text message with a verification code, which you’ll need to enter on the registration page.
* **Agree to the Terms and Conditions.** Read the terms and conditions carefully before agreeing to them.
* **Submit your registration.** Once you’ve completed all the steps, click the “Submit” or “Register” button.

4. Wait for Confirmation and Access Code (or Notification of Not Being Selected)

After you’ve registered, you’ll receive an email confirmation from Ticketmaster. This email confirms that your registration has been received but does *not* guarantee that you’ll receive an access code.

Ticketmaster will then review all the registrations and select a subset of fans to participate in the Verified Fan pre-sale. This selection process is random and based on a variety of factors, including your past Ticketmaster purchase history (although this is not always a determining factor).

A few days before the pre-sale, you’ll receive one of two emails:

* **Confirmation Email with Access Code:** If you’re selected, you’ll receive an email containing your unique access code and instructions on how to use it to purchase tickets during the pre-sale. This email will also specify the date and time of the pre-sale.
* **Notification of Not Being Selected:** If you’re not selected, you’ll receive an email informing you that you won’t be able to participate in the pre-sale. This doesn’t necessarily mean you’re out of luck; you may still have a chance to purchase tickets during the general public sale.

5. Participate in the Verified Fan Pre-sale (if Selected)

If you receive an access code, mark the pre-sale date and time on your calendar. On the day of the pre-sale, log in to your Ticketmaster account well in advance of the start time.

Follow these steps to participate in the pre-sale:

* **Log in to your Ticketmaster account.** Make sure you’re logged in to the same account you used to register for Verified Fan.
* **Enter your access code.** You’ll be prompted to enter your unique access code. Type it in carefully, paying attention to capitalization.
* **Search for tickets.** Use the Ticketmaster search tool to find tickets for the event you’re interested in. You can filter your search by price, seating section, and number of tickets.
* **Select your tickets.** Choose the tickets you want to purchase and add them to your cart.
* **Review your order.** Double-check your order to make sure you’ve selected the correct tickets and that the price is accurate.
* **Enter your payment information.** Provide your credit card or other payment information.
* **Place your order.** Click the “Place Order” button to complete your purchase.
* **Confirmation:** Once your order is processed, you’ll receive an email confirmation from Ticketmaster with your tickets. Download your tickets to your mobile device or print them out, depending on the venue’s policy.

Tips for Increasing Your Chances of Becoming a Verified Fan

While the Verified Fan selection process is largely random, there are a few things you can do to improve your chances of being selected:

* **Have an Active Ticketmaster Account:** Maintain an active Ticketmaster account with accurate information.
* **Purchase Tickets Occasionally (But Don’t Go Overboard):** While past purchase history isn’t always a deciding factor, it can demonstrate that you’re a genuine fan who uses Ticketmaster regularly. Avoid buying too many tickets, especially for resale, as this could raise red flags.
* **Register as Soon as Possible:** Don’t wait until the last minute to register for Verified Fan. Registering early shows that you’re genuinely interested in the event.
* **Follow Instructions Carefully:** Pay close attention to all the instructions provided by Ticketmaster and follow them meticulously. Make sure you provide accurate information and complete all the required steps.
* **Verify Your Phone Number:** Phone verification is an important step in the registration process. Make sure you provide a valid phone number and respond to the verification text message promptly.
* **Avoid Using Multiple Accounts:** Creating multiple Ticketmaster accounts to increase your chances of being selected is against the rules and could result in your registrations being cancelled.
* **Be Patient:** The Verified Fan selection process can take time. Don’t panic if you don’t hear back from Ticketmaster immediately. Just wait patiently for the email notification.

What to Do if You Don’t Get an Access Code

If you don’t receive an access code, don’t despair. You still have a few options:

* **General Public Sale:** Try to purchase tickets during the general public sale. While competition will be fierce, you still have a chance of getting tickets.
* **Official Platinum Seats:** Ticketmaster offers Official Platinum Seats, which are premium tickets that are sold at market value. These tickets are often available even when other tickets are sold out.
* **Resale Market (Use Caution):** As a last resort, you can try to purchase tickets on the resale market. However, be very careful when buying tickets from third-party sellers. Only use reputable platforms and be wary of inflated prices and potential scams. Ticketmaster sometimes has a resale marketplace linked to your account, which is a safer method than other options.
* **Check for Additional Ticket Releases:** Sometimes, venues will release additional tickets closer to the event date. Keep an eye on Ticketmaster and the venue’s website for any announcements.

Troubleshooting Common Verified Fan Issues

Here are some common issues you may encounter during the Verified Fan process and how to resolve them:

* **Not Receiving the Verification Text Message:**
* Make sure you entered your phone number correctly.
* Check your phone’s spam filter.
* Contact Ticketmaster customer support if you still haven’t received the text message.
* **Access Code Not Working:**
* Double-check that you entered the access code correctly, paying attention to capitalization.
* Make sure you’re logged in to the same Ticketmaster account you used to register for Verified Fan.
* The access code may only be valid during a specific time window. Make sure you’re trying to use it during the correct time.
* Contact Ticketmaster customer support if the access code still doesn’t work.
* **Having Trouble Finding Tickets:**
* Be patient and keep trying. The Ticketmaster website can be slow and overloaded during high-demand onsales.
* Try different search filters, such as price range or seating section.
* If you’re having trouble finding tickets, consider purchasing “Best Available” tickets.
* **Website Errors:**
* Ticketmaster’s website can sometimes experience errors during high-demand onsales.
* Try refreshing the page or clearing your browser’s cache and cookies.
* If the problem persists, try using a different browser or device.

Conclusion

The Ticketmaster Verified Fan program is a valuable tool for genuine fans who want to increase their chances of getting tickets to high-demand events. By following the steps outlined in this guide and being patient, you can significantly improve your odds of securing tickets to the concerts, sporting events, and theatrical performances you love. Remember to stay informed, register early, and follow the instructions carefully. Good luck!