Yes. A sold-out event can have tickets become available again.
“Sold out” usually tells you that there are no tickets available to buy at that moment. It does not necessarily mean that every possible ticket is gone forever.
Availability can change right up until an event takes place, which is why checking again later can sometimes produce a very different result.
Why do tickets become available again?
There are several reasons.
Someone does not complete their purchase
During a busy sale, tickets may be temporarily held while somebody completes checkout.
If that purchase is not completed, those tickets can be released and become available again.
That means an event can appear unavailable one minute and show tickets again shortly afterwards.
More inventory is released
Not every ticket for an event is necessarily made available at exactly the same time.
Promoters, venues and ticket sellers can sometimes release additional seats later. This might happen after the original sale or closer to the event.
There is no guarantee that this will happen, but it is one reason a sold-out page is worth checking again.
Other fans can no longer attend
Plans change.
Depending on the event and its ticketing arrangements, tickets may later be returned or listed through an authorised resale channel.
For a popular event, those tickets can disappear again quickly once they become available.
Does sold out mean the event will definitely have more tickets?
No.
This is the important bit.
Tickets can come back, but there is no guarantee that they will.
A genuinely sold-out event may stay sold out. Even if tickets do return, they might not match the date, quantity, seating area or price you want.
It is better to think of changing availability as another opportunity, not as a promise.
Should I keep refreshing the ticket page?
You can, but constantly checking an event page gets old very quickly.
Tickets might become available while you are asleep, at work, travelling or simply doing something else.
And because popular tickets can move quickly, checking once each morning or evening can still mean finding out too late.
This is the problem ticket availability alerts are designed to solve.
What should I do if the event I want is sold out?
First, make sure you are looking at the correct event and date.
If several performances are available, decide whether you would be happy with more than one date. Being flexible gives you more possible opportunities.
It also helps to decide in advance:
- How many tickets you need
- The maximum price you are comfortable paying
- Whether you would accept different seating areas or ticket types
- Which dates you could attend
Then, instead of relying entirely on repeatedly checking the page yourself, you can monitor for changing availability.
How SeatBuzzer helps
SeatBuzzer is built for exactly this situation.
For supported events, you can Set a Buzzer and let SeatBuzzer keep watch for ticket availability.
When matching availability is detected, we buzz you so you can go and check the tickets yourself.
SeatBuzzer does not reserve tickets, jump queues or guarantee that a ticket will still be available when you arrive. Tickets can move quickly, particularly for high-demand events.
The aim is much simpler: you should not have to spend your day repeatedly checking whether something has changed.
Is it worth checking again close to the event?
It can be.
As an event gets closer, people's plans can change and additional availability can sometimes appear.
That does not mean waiting until the last minute is always the best strategy.
If suitable tickets become available earlier and you are happy with them, there is no reason to assume something better will appear later.
The safest approach is to know what you want and be ready if the right opportunity appears.
Can SeatBuzzer guarantee I will get tickets?
No.
No legitimate availability alert can guarantee that a ticket will appear or that you will be the person who buys it.
A Buzzer gives you another way to keep watch without repeatedly checking the event yourself.
You still purchase directly through the relevant ticketing site.
So, is sold out really sold out?
Sometimes it is.
Sometimes it is only the current state of availability.
Tickets can return because a checkout was not completed, more inventory was released or another fan's plans changed.
If there is an event you still want to attend, it can therefore be worth keeping watch.
Still looking for tickets?
Tickets gone? Set a Buzzer. We’ll keep watch and buzz you when tickets become available.
Find an event and Set a Buzzer for a supported event.