LOS ANGELES, CA – SEPTEMBER 09: A view of atmosphere as fans await the BTS concert as part of the “Love Yourself” North American Tour at Staples Center on September 9, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Chelsea Guglielmino/Getty Images)
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Global popstars BTS have sold out of their North American leg of their ARIRANG World Tour – all within a few hours. There were multiple posts on social media, either celebrating the acquisition of tickets or grieving their inability to obtain tickets. Ticketing was a frustrating and stressful experience, with many calling foul over scalpers, prompting the President of Mexico to ask BTS for more concert dates.
If you were one of the many successful recipients of the BTS ticketing war, Congratulations!
While general tickets are easy to transfer or sell through the Ticketmaster or SeatGeek app, there are many lucky buyers who were victorious in obtaining the coveted VIP Soundcheck tickets, hosted by VIP Nation, the VIP packaging branch of the Live Nation company.
Those tickets are special packages that include access to BTS’s soundcheck, which typically lasts about 10-15 minutes, and provide closer floor seating. The package also typically includes a small gift and a VIP souvenir lanyard.
If you were one of the lucky ones to get those, you may have questions about how to check in or transfer your VIP packages to others.
UKRAINE – 2021/07/02: In this photo illustration a Live Nation Entertainment logo is seen on a smartphone and a pc screen. (Photo Illustration by Pavlo Gonchar/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)
SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images
Many people who helped friends and family secure VIP tickets are not attending the show, or have changed their minds and sold their packages to a friend or fellow BTS ARMY (the name for BTS fans). People want to know what their options are to keep the VIP package benefits.
Many social media users contacted Ticketmaster, SeatGeek, and Live Nation and received different responses on this topic. All becoming even more confusing.
I contacted Live Nation to confirm the correct procedures for picking up your BTS VIP packages if you are not the original purchaser or if the ticket was transferred to you.
Although VIP Nation states that tickets are non-transferable, VIP packages can be picked up even if the original purchaser is not present.
BTS VIP Packages are under the Purchaser’s name, not the Ticketmaster account name
Even if you purchased the tickets from your account, the name of the person who paid for it – i.e., used their credit card or financial account – will be on the Live Nation list.
For example, if the Ticketmaster account is under your name and your credit card didn’t work, so you used your friend’s credit card, the VIP package will be under the friend’s name.
To check in, you must have a copy of the Purchaser’s Photo ID
Live Nation has only the Purchasers’ names, not the guests or the recipients of the tickets.
For example, if a friend purchased the package for you, you only need a copy of their photo ID to present with your tickets.
You can transfer your VIP tickets, but you need the Purchaser ID for the benefits
The account the tickets are in does not matter, but you must have them with you at check-in. If there are four people in your party, each person can have their ticket in their account. They need to present the original purchaser’s photo ID to access VIP benefits and their ticket from their individual accounts (if it was transferred to them).
When you check in, you show both the Purchaser’s ID and VIP tickets to the staff, even if they were transferred to you.
If the friends arrive separately, or if they sold a ticket to a fellow BTS ARMY, they can check in separately, provided they have a copy of the Purchaser’s photo ID.
According to Live Nation, “If a VIP guest resells their ticket to another fan, the fan will forfeit the VIP elements of their package and only the concert tickets will be valid – UNLESS the fan has a photocopy of the original purchaser’s photo ID.”
The Ticketmaster logo is being displayed on a smartphone with the Ticketmaster web home page visible in the background, in this photo illustration in Brussels, Belgium, on June 2, 2024. (Photo by Jonathan Raa/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
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Even with an Alternative Pick-Up name for the Order, you need the Original Purchaser’s ID
A few people have requested that alternative pickups be added to the account or tickets when they cannot obtain a copy of the Purchaser’s ID. But, according to Live Nation, “The guest can reach out to add an alternate pick-up name for their order. We will still require the original purchaser’s photo ID as well as the photo ID for the alternate pick-up.”
The original Ticketmaster or SeatGeek account that purchased the VIP tickets will receive the Check-In instructions email 3-5 days before the BTS concert
The email will provide details on check-in times, locations, and requirements. Please follow up with the original Ticketmaster or SeatGeek account email to ensure your party has the information.
If you do not receive any emails a day or two before the concert, contact Live Nation for assistance using the original order number so they can verify that the tickets are VIP. VIP Nation will email the Ticketmaster or SeatGeek account owner or provide you with check-in details.
As the concert grows closer, with BTS kicking off the North American leg in Tampa on April 25, things may change in the VIP package procedures. Please keep a lookout for any emails or announcements on Ticketmaster, SeatGeek, and Live Nation social accounts.
Correction: 1/29/26 VIP Nation, part of Live Nation’s BTS VIP experience, is hosting the VIP portion for Live Nation, Ticketmaster, and SeatGeek.