Metallica Fan Says Ticketmaster Suspended Account
A Metallica fan has alleged that Ticketmaster suspended his account for “bot-like activity” after he attempted to join multiple presales tied to tickets for the band’s upcoming Sphere shows, sparking fresh complaints about access and verification in high-demand onsales.
In a post on X, user Mark C said he was blocked from participating in ticket sales because his account was suspended, claiming the flagged activity was simply “trying to participate in any of the 312 presales for Metallica.” He added that he planned to file a consumer complaint with the U.S. Federal Trade Commission.
Ticketmaster has not publicly responded to the specific allegation in the post, and no additional documentation was provided by the fan beyond the account-suspension claim. The complaint nonetheless reflects a familiar frustration for many Metallica fans complaining about misleading Sphere show announcements, rotating access codes, and anti-bot systems that can sometimes sweep up legitimate buyers when they refresh frequently, switch devices, or attempt repeated queue entries in a short period.
Metallica ticketing for Sphere has also drawn attention due to very expensive premium packages and fan experiences, including a high-priced meet-and-greet package tied to the residency, which some fans say adds to the exhorbitant cost of getting into the building.
With demand expected to be intense for any Sphere run, fans will be watching whether Ticketmaster clarifies what behaviours trigger suspensions during Metallica onsales, and whether affected accounts can be reinstated in time to participate fairly in remaining presales and general ticket drops.
