I tried to buy tickets for the Måneskin concert in Rome in two weeks and got put in the virtual queue. I don't really understand how it works: do I need to stay logged in or can I close the window? How long does it usually take?
It's not really a virtual queue in the sense that you have to sit there watching it - Ticketmaster's system puts you on a waiting list and you can even close the window, but it's better to keep the page open and the browser running, because when it's your turn it redirects you to the checkout page and if you're not logged in you risk losing access. The time depends on how many people are ahead of you - it can be anywhere from a few minutes to an hour or more for really popular concerts like Måneskin. Once you get into the checkout phase though you have a limited time (usually 10 - 15 minutes) to complete the purchase, after which the tickets go back on sale if you don't finish.
Technically you can close everything and the system keeps you in the queue, but there's something nobody mentions: if you completely close your browser or clear your cookies, you risk losing your place 🤷 The wait time varies a lot depending on how many people are in line - for big concerts like Måneskin we're talking at least half an hour, maybe even an hour. What works best is keeping the tab open somewhere, even minimized, and checking back on it every now and then - that way you're sure you won't lose your session token.
The system actually keeps you in the queue and you can even close the tab, but I learned the hard way that it's better to keep it open on your main device - I closed everything once and when I came back after an hour I'd been dropped from the queue. How long you wait depends a lot on how many people are ahead of you, it can be anywhere from a few minutes to an hour or more if it's a popular concert like Måneskin. The important thing is don't browse other tabs in the same browser, because you risk losing your session, and most importantly make sure you're already logged into your account before you get in the queue so when it's your turn you can buy right away without having to log in.
Are you using a smartphone or a computer for the queue?
Because it makes quite a difference. Ticketmaster's virtual queue works like this: the system assigns you a position in the list when you access the sales page, and technically you can close everything without losing your spot. But there's a detail that others haven't really stressed: it depends on what you mean by "closing the window." If you only close the browser tab and keep the browser open, you're usually fine. If you completely close the browser or even worse if you clear your history/cookies, then yeah, you're risking losing your session.
Wait times vary a lot, from a few minutes up to an hour or more depending on how many others are after the same tickets. In the case of Måneskin in Rome, considering the almost guaranteed sellout, it could be pretty long. The most important thing is: once your turn comes up, the system gives you a time limit (usually a few minutes) to complete the purchase before your ticket goes back on sale. So yeah, you can step away from the computer while you're waiting, but when you hear the signal (or when you see the page refresh telling you it's your turn), then you need to act fast.
What they tell you is partly true, but there's a catch: if you stay in the queue too long without doing anything, the system might mark you as inactive and kick you out 😅 Better to keep the page open without closing it completely, maybe on a device you use normally so you don't forget about it. The wait time depends on how far ahead you are in the queue and how many tickets are left - could be half an hour or two hours, nobody really knows beforehand. Oh, one more thing: make sure JavaScript is enabled in your browser, otherwise the queue won't work even if you keep it open 🚴
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