Feb 26, 2026
·Emily Kho
If you’ve ever tried to buy tickets to a major concert on SeatGeek, you’ve probably seen the word presale pop up before general tickets go on sale.
Artist presale. Venue presale. Credit card presale. Fan club presale.
It can feel like everyone has early access except you—but that's not true.
Concert presales are designed to give certain groups of fans the chance to purchase tickets before the general public. When used strategically, they can improve your odds of getting good seats at face value. When misunderstood, they can create confusion and unnecessary stress.
Here’s a clear breakdown of how concert presales work, who gets access, how to prepare and how to increase your chances of landing great seats.
What is a concert presale?
A concert presale is an early ticket sale that happens before the general public on-sale date. Instead of all tickets being released at once, promoters and artists reserve a portion of inventory for specific groups.
Presales typically occur one to three days before general sale. Not all tickets are available during presale. Only a limited allocation.
The purpose of presales is twofold: reward loyal fans and distribute demand across multiple sales windows to reduce website overload.
Who gets access to concert presales?
Presales aren’t random. Access is typically tied to a specific affiliation, promotion, or membership.
Here are the most common types of presales.
Artist presales
Artist presales are usually offered to fans who sign up through the performer’s website or mailing list. Sometimes, fans must register in advance and receive a unique code.
For example, artists like Taylor Swift and Drake often require fans to register ahead of time for presale eligibility.
These presales reward fans who follow the artist directly.
Fan club presales
Official fan clubs often provide early ticket access as a membership perk. Some clubs require paid subscriptions, while others are free.
Fan club presales may offer better seat inventory, especially closer to the stage.
Credit card presales
Certain credit card companies partner with promoters to offer early access. Cardholders must typically pay using the affiliated card to complete the purchase.
These presales are common for major tours and arena shows.
Venue or promoter presales
Venues and ticketing platforms sometimes host their own presales for email subscribers. Signing up for venue newsletters can unlock early access codes.
These presales may not have the largest inventory, but they provide another opportunity to purchase before general sale.
When are there SeatGeek presales?
SeatGeek presales typically happen when there’s a show at a SeatGeek partner venue (for example, Rocket Arena, AT&T Stadium or M&T Bank Stadium). For those events, SeatGeek hosts a dedicated presale window before the general on-sale.
Shortly before the presale begins, SeatGeek often emails or texts eligible fans in our database with presale details and an access code. The code "SEATGEEK" is often used, though specific events may use different codes.
As with other presales, not every event will have a SeatGeek presale. When one is available, you’ll see presale and onsale information on the event page, and your code will unlock the reserved presale inventory for that window.
How do presale codes work?
Most presales require a code. This code acts as a key that unlocks access to reserved ticket inventory.
There are two main types:
Generic codes are shared publicly with a group of eligible fans. Individual codes are unique and tied to a specific account.
When the presale window opens, you enter the code on the ticketing platform to view available seats. Without the correct code, the system won’t display presale inventory.
It’s important to note that a code does not guarantee tickets. It only grants access to purchase while inventory lasts.
Are presale tickets better seats for concerts?
Not necessarily. One of the biggest misconceptions about presales is that they always include the best seats. In reality, ticket inventory is typically distributed across multiple sales phases.
Some high-demand seats may be released during presale. Others may be held for general sale. Promoters often stagger inventory to maintain demand across multiple sale windows.
In some cases, presale inventory sells quickly, and better seats may actually appear later.
Presale participation improves your chances, but it’s not a guaranteed shortcut to front-row access.
Are presales cheaper than general sale or resale?
Presale tickets are typically sold at face value, just like general sale tickets. They’re not usually discounted.
However, presales can help fans avoid inflated resale pricing for high-demand shows.
The primary advantage of presales isn’t lower price. It’s earlier access to inventory before widespread public demand hits.
How many tickets are sold during presale?
There’s no universal percentage.
For major arena tours, a significant portion of tickets may be allocated to presales across various groups. That doesn’t mean the general sale will have poor availability, but it does mean waiting can reduce options for high-demand events.
The more presale categories exist (artist, fan club, credit card, venue), the more segmented the inventory becomes. Understanding this helps set realistic expectations.
How to prepare for a concert presale
Preparation matters more than luck.
First, confirm your account login details in advance. Waiting until presale morning to reset your password can cost valuable time.
Second, verify payment information. Credit card presales require the eligible card. Having billing details saved speeds up checkout.
Third, log in at least 10–15 minutes before the presale begins. Many ticketing systems use virtual waiting rooms that assign queue positions randomly once the sale starts. Being present at launch time maximizes your odds.
What happens during the presale queue?
When presale begins, you’re placed into a virtual queue. The system randomly assigns access order once the sale officially opens.
Refreshing your browser repeatedly can sometimes disrupt your position. Most platforms recommend staying in the queue and allowing the system to process automatically.
Once inside, you typically have a limited window, often 5–10 minutes, to select seats and complete checkout. Acting decisively is key.
Tips for improving your odds during presale
Here are a few simple ways to tilt the odds in your favor during a presale:
Sign up early for artist newsletters and venue alerts.
Register for verified fan programs when required.
Use a stable internet connection.
Avoid switching devices mid-queue.
Have backup seating sections in mind in case your first choice sells out.
Preparation and flexibility are often the difference between success and frustration.
What if you miss the presale?
Missing presale doesn’t mean you’re out of options — it just changes how you should use SeatGeek.
If there’s a SeatGeek presale for a partner venue show, that’s your best first shot at face-value seats. If you don’t get tickets there (or there’s no SeatGeek presale for that event), your next move is to shop general sale and resale listings on SeatGeek.
General sale tickets are often released after presale phases conclude, and resale inventory appears once initial buyers list tickets. SeatGeek lets you compare those options side by side, track price changes and use Deal Score to surface the best-value seats.
If you miss presale, favor flexibility over panic — keep an eye on SeatGeek over the next several days, as pricing and availability often improve once the initial rush settles.
Find concert tickets with SeatGeek
Whether you’re joining a SeatGeek presale at a partner venue, jumping into general sale or shopping resale afterward, SeatGeek is built to help you find the right ticket at the right time.
Explore concert tickets on SeatGeek to compare listings across price levels and sections, use interactive seat maps and real seat views to understand what you’re buying, and lean on Deal Score to quickly spot listings that offer strong value for the price.
From early presale access (when available) to last-minute resale finds, SeatGeek gives you a single, transparent place to compare your options and buy with confidence for your next live show.
📁 Categories: Concerts