Who gets issued Spotify presale codes?

The code is sent directly by Spotify to listeners who are identified as an artist's top fans. Selection is determined by Spotify's data on your listening/streaming habits. If you frequently listen to one favorite artist and follow their official Spotify profile, and leave it running on repeat all night all the time even if you aren't really listening….. yeah in that case you do really have a much higher chance of being chosen.

It's their way of saying "thank you" for your loyalty, the popularity, maybe some of those advertising dollars. Those codes are typically unique and non-transferable.

Why do musicians use this presale method?

It's a powerful marketing tool. By offering presale access to their most passionate and dedicated fans, artists ensure that the first tickets go to people who are genuinely supportive of their music.

The practice builds a stronger sense of community and rewards the fans who contribute the most to an artist's streaming numbers. It might also help to create initial buzz and sales momentum for a tour.

How do you get and use a spotify code?

If you're selected to join in a Spotify tickets promotion you will receive an email directly from Spotify. That email will contain your unique presale password and a link to the official ticketing page (like Ticketmaster or etix.comor wherever).

To use it, you'll click the link at the designated presale time, enter your code when prompted and you will unlock the ability to purchase tickets before the general public.

*** Pro Tips: Make sure your email notifications are turned on in your Spotify account settings under "Spotify News and Offers" and "Artist Updates."*

When are the codes sent out?

Waiting for the code can be the most stressful part. Spotify often sends the presale codes out very close to the actual presale time—sometimes just a few hours before, or even right when the presale begins. You will need to be watching your inbox closely on the day of the sale.

What kind of tickets are available?

The presale tickets offered are from a specific block of seats that the artist and promoter have set aside for the Spotify presale. It doesn't necessarily mean they are all front-row seats, but the inventory is dedicated and not available to anyone else during that time. The goal is to give dedicated fans a better chance to buy tickets at face value before they sell out or hit the resale market.

Spotify Presales: By The Numbers

The sheer volume of these events shows how Spotify has become a major player in the early-access ticketing world.

Since we started keeping track, we've listed over 49,000 Spotify presales. While nearly 34,000 of those came with a presale code ready to use, over 15,000 did not.

Those were often for exclusive campaigns where codes were sent only to an artist's top listeners. While some Spotify presales are wide open to many, many others are highly exclusive and only available to fanatical listeners who probably play 3 singles on repeat over and over.

Which Music Genres Use Spotify Presales Most?

Our data reveals a clear trend. While Spotify presales happen across all music styles, they are most dominant in Rock, which accounts for over 14% of all Spotify presales we've tracked. After Rock, the next most frequent genres are Hip-Hop/Rap, Pop, and Country.

This shows that while the platform is a key marketing tool for today's biggest pop acts, its strongest foothold for presales is with rock artists.

How Competitive Are the "Top Fan" Presales?

According to an article on teen vogue Sabrina Carpenter gave some fans direct access to the front row through her Spotify presale: When Sabrina Carpenter's North American tour went on sale, Spotify rolled out not one but two layers of presales for her biggest listeners.

The first wave was an ultra-exclusive Front Row Presale—codes sent only to her absolute top fans. The second wave opened things up a bit wider with a broader Spotify Fans First Presale, still invite-only but accessible to far more listeners.

That two tier system shows how Spotify's presales can feel both inclusive and exclusive at the same time—some codes circulated widely among members, while others were locked down for only the most dedicated listeners.

Who else has promoted their live tour with a Spotify presale?

A really strong example is The Foo Fighters 🥁🎸 — they've run Spotify Fans First ticket presales for major tours, giving top listeners early access before the general public.

That campaign was one of Spotify's earliest high-profile rock presale pushes and is still pointed to as proof that Fans First can move serious ticket volume for a stadium-level act.

I'm a huge fan of this artist and they went on tour but LEFT ME BEHIND!!!!! Why didn't I get a Spotify presale code?

This is a really common and frustrating situation. There are a few reasons it can happen. First, make sure your notification settings in your Spotify account are enabled for "Spotify News and Offers" and "Artist Updates," and that your email address is correct. Sometimes, the selection is also limited to a specific geographic area based on the tour dates. Ultimately, even if you're a top fan, the number of codes sent out is limited and not every top listener is guaranteed to receive one for every tour.

While many Spotify presale codes are unique promotions sent directly to top fans, our service (which is not affiliated or associated with Spotify in any way) excels at organizing and providing access to these and many other types of presales. We keep you covered for all the opportunities to get your tickets as early as possible.