Spotify is going to reserve concert tickets for ‘real fans’

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Summary

Spotify introduces a new 'Reserved' program that offers reserved concert tickets to its Premium subscribers who are identified as 'real fans' of touring artists, aiming to reduce the hassle of ticket buying.

<figure> <img alt="Vector illustration of the Spotify logo." data-caption="" data-portal-copyright="Image: Cath Virginia / The Verge" data-has-syndication-rights="1" src="https://platform.theverge.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/chorus/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25378910/STK088_SPOTIFY_CVIRGINIA_D.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;crop=0,0,100,100" /> <figcaption> </figcaption> </figure> <p class="has-text-align-none">As part of a new "Reserved" program, Spotify is going to start offering concert tickets for "real fans" of participating bands that are going on tour. The idea with the Reserved program is to give people an option to buy tickets without the hassle and stress that often comes with securing a spot for a popular act. But you'll have to be a Spotify Premium member to be eligible, and how exactly Spotify determines who is a real fan is a touch murky.</p> <p class="has-text-align-none"><a href="https://newsroom.spotify.com/2026-05-21/investor-day-reserved-launch/">Here's how Spotify will select fans</a>:</p> <blockquote class="wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow"> <p class="has-text-align-none">We'll identify real fans based on factors like streams, shares, and other Spotify activity, and will also monitor the activity of Premium users to ensure these …</p></blockquote> <p><a href="https://www.theverge.com/entertainment/935394/spotify-reserved-concert-ticket-presales">Read the full story at The Verge.</a></p>
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# Spotify is going to reserve concert tickets for ‘real fans’ Source: [https://www.theverge.com/entertainment/935394/spotify-reserved-concert-ticket-presales](https://www.theverge.com/entertainment/935394/spotify-reserved-concert-ticket-presales) With the new ‘Reserved’ program, Spotify will offer lucky users two tickets to upcoming shows\. With the new ‘Reserved’ program, Spotify will offer lucky users two tickets to upcoming shows\. by May 21, 2026, 3:47 PM UTC ![Vector illustration of the Spotify logo.](https://platform.theverge.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/chorus/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25378910/STK088_SPOTIFY_CVIRGINIA_D.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C100&w=2400) ![Vector illustration of the Spotify logo.](https://platform.theverge.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/chorus/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25378910/STK088_SPOTIFY_CVIRGINIA_D.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C100&w=2400) Image: Cath Virginia / The Verge [![Jay Peters](https://platform.theverge.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/01/JAY_BLURPLE.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C100&w=96)](https://www.theverge.com/authors/jay-peters) Jay Peters is a senior reporter covering technology, gaming, and more\. He joined The Verge in 2019 after nearly two years at Techmeme\. As part of a new “Reserved” program, Spotify is going to start offering concert tickets for “real fans” of participating bands that are going on tour\. The idea with the Reserved program is to give people an option to buy tickets without the hassle and stress that often comes with securing a spot for a popular act\. But you’ll have to be a Spotify Premium member to be eligible, and how exactly Spotify determines who is a real fan is a touch murky\. > We’ll identify real fans based on factors like streams, shares, and other Spotify activity, and will also monitor the activity of Premium users to ensure these are real human fans and not bots\. If you’re one of an artist’s most dedicated fans, you’ll have the opportunity to purchase two tickets during a dedicated window, typically around a day\. If you’re picked to get tickets, you’ll get an email and a notification in the app\. Spotify also says to “make sure” your location is enabled in its[Live Events Feed](https://techcrunch.com/2022/06/23/spotify-revamps-in-app-concert-discovery-with-new-live-events-feed/)so it can determine if you’re near a touring artist\. However, Spotify cautions that “there will be significantly more superfans than there are seats available on a tour, so not every fan will receive an offer\.” The Reserved program will kick off this summer, with Spotify saying that “newly announced tours for select artists will be able to dedicate tickets to true fans through Reserved\.” Down the line, Reserved will expand to “more tours of all sizes, including many of the most sought\-after shows on the road\.” Spotify won’t add fees for tickets purchased via Reserved\. Initially, the Reserved program will be available in the US, but Spotify says it will come to more markets in the future\. **Follow topics and authors**from this story to see more like this in your personalized homepage feed and to receive email updates\. - Jay Peters ## The Verge Daily A free daily digest of the news that matters most\.

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