Want to reward your most loyal fans, members, or donors with early access to tickets? ThunderTix makes it simple to create a password-protected presale that gives select audiences a head start—before the general public ever sees your event.
Whether you're running a sold-out opening night, launching a new performance series, or promoting an exclusive fundraiser, presales help you build urgency, drive early sales, and create a stronger connection with your audience.
What is an event presale?
A presale gives a limited group of people—such as members, subscribers, or top donors—access to buy tickets before your event goes live to the public.
In ThunderTix, presales are powered by a password gate and a delayed activation date, giving you complete control over when and how early access is granted.
It’s an ideal tool for:
- Rewarding season subscribers or VIPs
- Running exclusive early-bird campaigns
- Giving donors priority access to limited-seating events
- Partnering with sponsors or private groups
How event pre-sales work in ThunderTix
Presales in ThunderTix are built into the event setup process—no extra plugins or workarounds required.
Here’s how it works:
- You set your event activation date for the public on-sale.
- You set a presale announcement date to control when your audience sees the event details.
- You enter a presale password, which acts as a gate to access ticket purchasing.
Bonus Tip: If you want to keep the event fully hidden during the presale, mark it as semi-private so only those with the direct link can view it.
Once your presale ends, you can remove the password and toggle the event to public with just a few clicks—ready for everyone else.
Want to see how it’s done?
We've got a full walkthrough in our knowledge base, including screenshots:
How to Set Up a Password-Protected Presale in ThunderTix
Use Cases for an event presale
Not sure if a presale makes sense for your events? Here are just a few real-world examples from ThunderTix users:
- Members-Only Monday: Offer your subscriber base early access to weekend performances before they’re released to the public.
- Donor First Look: Reward top donors with early access to your fundraising gala or high-demand event.
- Mailing List Bonus: Share a presale code with email subscribers to incentivize signups and grow your list.
- VIP Partner Promo: Collaborate with a sponsor or artist to run a partner-exclusive ticket window.
Simple for You. Exclusive for Them.
Presales don’t have to be complicated. With ThunderTix, they’re a built-in part of your box office strategy.
Whether you’re selling 100 tickets or 100,000, password-protected presales give you a simple and effective way to create urgency, build loyalty, and reward the people who matter most to your organization.
Ready to get started? Request a demo or reach out to our team—we’re here to help.