How to improve your chances of getting your hands on popular tickets

1. Create an account

If you don’t already have a Ticketmaster account, don’t wait for the morning tickets go on sale to create one. Go to Ticketmaster.co.uk now and get your account set up with all your correct billing and delivery information.

2. Make sure you’ve verified your account

If you’re creating a new account, you’ll need to add your phone number and confirm a one-time passcode. This is required to make sure all accounts are protected.

If you’ve already got an account but you haven’t verified it yet, you’ll need to add a phone number and confirm a one-time passcode (you only need to do this once). To update your account please sign in to your Ticketmaster account and go to ‘My Profile’ and then ‘Profile Details’.

Read here for more details on phone verification.

3. Get everything ready

Charge your phone and plug in your laptop. It’s a good idea to clear your cache and cookies in advance, and to make sure you aren’t using any kind of VPN software (either on your device, or on your WiFi). If your WiFi is a bit slow, or if you can’t turn off your VPN, consider using mobile data instead. Make sure you know which events, dates and ticket types you want to try for – and if you’re buying for friends, make sure you’ve checked with them too.

4. Open your account and log in now

If you already have an account, get the details out of the way before tickets are available by logging in and checking your Ticketmaster account ahead of time. We recommend checking passwords, delivery address and billing information now, to reduce any stress when processing your order later. Head to Ticketmaster.co.uk and log in to your account to get started.

As mentioned in Step 2, make sure your phone number is up to date, and ensure that you’ve verified your account via your one-time passcode.

5. Make sure your card details are saved

When you set up a new account you’ll have the option to save your card details in Fan Wallet – making your payment options instantly available whenever you next want to buy a ticket. If you already have an existing account, you’ll need to log in and make sure your card details are saved in Fan Wallet.

6. Don’t refresh your screen

Stick to one window or tab when you’re in the virtual queue and always resist the urge to refresh. Hitting the refresh button means you’ll lose your place in the queue and, as frustrating as it can get, patience is the only way to win this game. If you’re using a mobile, don’t allow your screen to dim or the waiting room will pause.

Ticketmaster is equipped with sophisticated systems that are designed to manage and process ticket purchases as quickly as possible, so it’s important to stay on the same screen. The queuing system that appears is actually doing something and will place you at the front of the line as soon as possible.

When it’s your turn at the front of the queue, you’ll hear a notification bell (turn up the volume of your computer or phone to make sure you don’t miss it – especially if you have to step away). Your spot will be held for 10 minutes.

7. Check when tickets are available – even once they’re on sale

Keep up to date with news at Twitter. If anything changes regarding tickets for the show you’re after – anything at all – our social followers will be the first to know about it. We send real-time updates as the general sale happens and alerts on when new tickets become available. When we have popular shows and tours going on sale, we try our very best behind the scenes to secure as many tickets for you as possible and here’s where you’ll know if we’ve been successful.

8. Don’t oversleep!

Set an alarm for ticket day. Set two. And make sure you set it a good few minutes before the tickets actually go on sale. Missing out because you overslept is bad enough, but missing out because you forgot to charge your laptop is way worse…