How to secure your tickets for Ed Sheeran's tour in Singapore: UOB Cardmembers Presale, Krisflyer Reserve Sale

 Sheerios, the man heard all of you thinking out loud. The + – = ÷ × Tour (pronounced The Mathematics Tour) is finally arriving on our shores on Feb 16, 2024. The one-night-only concert will be held at the National Stadium, Singapore Sports Hub, with tickets starting at $88. 

Now, we also know what you’re thinking. Ticket wars, again? There’s only how much overnight camping and online queueing that our bodies can take. But let not our experience from Coldplay and Taylor Swift be in vain. If anything, that should have prepared us for what’s to come now.

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Here’s what you need to know first if you’re serious about securing tickets for The + – = ÷ × Tour: UOB Cardmembers and KrisFlyer enthusiasts get an early head start to secure tickets. 

There are three sales periods for the + – = ÷ × Tour.

1) UOB Cardmembers Presale

Start: Oct 27, 2023, 10am (SGT)

End: Oct 29, 2023, 9.59am (SGT)

2) KrisFlyer Reserve Sale

Start: Oct 30, 2023, 10am (SGT)

End: Oct 31, 2023, 9.59am (SGT)

3) General Sale

Start: Oct 31, 2023, 11am onwards (SGT) via online and hotline

Before you continue reading, mark these dates on your calendar and set your alarms. 

How does the UOB Cardmembers Presale work?

As the regional presenting sponsor of the Ed Sheeran: + – = ÷ × Tour in Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia. UOB is prioritising cardmembers from these four countries. 

Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to purchase the Ed Sheeran: + – = ÷ × Tour tickets at the UOB Cardmembers Presale:

1. Register for a Ticketmaster account.
2. Keep your UOB Card on hand before the presale. You’ll need to enter the first six digits of the card number to access the UOB Presale.
3. Log into your Ticketmaster account before entering the ticket purchase queue. 
4. To begin the purchase process, click here.
5. You’ll be placed in the smart queue for an opportunity to purchase tickets.

• Note that if you access the link before the start time of the UOB Presale, you’ll be placed in a waiting room. The time you join the waiting room does not determine your place in the smart queue.
• Once in the queue, avoid refreshing your browser, as it may reset your position.

1. Upon reaching the front of the queue, follow the on-screen prompts to select your desired ticket category, quantity, and concert date. 

• You are allowed a maximum of 6 tickets per transaction.
• This is where you will need to enter the first 6 digits of your eligible UOB card number to access the purchase confirmation page.

1. Upon successful payment, you will receive a booking confirmation from Ticketmaster to your registered email. Print-at-home e-tickets will only be issued to your Ticketmaster account two (2) weeks before the concert date.

How does the KrisFlyer Reserve Sales work?

KrisFlyer is the official lifestyle rewards partner of the Ed Sheeran: + – = ÷ x Tour in Singapore. As such KrisFlyer members will enjoy priority access to secure tickets to the show.

Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to purchase the Ed Sheeran: + – = ÷ × Tour tickets at the KrisFlyer Reserve Sales:

1. Register for the KrisFlyer Reserve Sale between Oct 20 10 am to Oct 25 11:59 pm (SGT). Registration here is to gain an access code that you need to buy tickets later. The code doesn’t guarantee you tickets!

• Register your interest by redeeming 150 miles¹ on the Kris+ app to receive an access code for your chance to purchase tickets during the KrisFlyer Reserve Sale. If you’re wondering why registering your interest already costs you at this point, know that proceeds from the redemption will be donated to KidSTART Singapore — a registered Singapore charity dedicated to supporting children in need.
• To confirm that you’re registered interest successfully, log in to the Kris+ app > select ‘Wallet’ > select ‘Vouchers’ to view your confirmed redemption.
• KrisFlyer UOB Credit and Debit cardholders who are subscribed to KrisFlyer and Singapore Airlines Promotions will be automatically registered to receive the unique access code. 
• If you’re short on miles and want to transfer miles to Kris+ from KrisFlyer or other members, here’s a handy dandy guide illustrating the process.

1. On Oct 27, 2023, eligible members will receive an email in their KrisFlyer registered email address containing a unique access code. This code is needed to purchase tickets during the KrisFlyer Reserve Sale. Again, the code in itself does not guarantee tickets. 
2. Register for a Ticketmaster account, if you haven’t already.
3. From Oct 30 10 am to Oct 31 9.59 am (SGT), start the purchase process by clicking here. You will be placed in a queue. Like the UOB Cardmembers presale, note that the time you join the waiting room does not determine your place in the Smart Queue.

• Do not refresh your browser once you are in the Smart Queue as you will risk losing your place in the queue.
• You will be directed to the ticketing page when it is your turn. Click “Buy Tickets” and enter the unique access code sent to your KrisFlyer email address on Oct 27, 2023.
• Follow the remaining steps to complete your ticket purchase. 

How much do tickets to Ed Sheeran’s + – = ÷ × Tour cost?

There are 6 categories of tickets this time, starting from S$88. 

Pretty standard, to be honest. 

How to increase your chances of seeing Ed Sheeran

Remember the buzz around the Taylor Swift presale for The Eras Tour? It’s a lesson for all concert-goers, and here are some pro tips to secure your tickets:

Register in advance

We know luck plays a part in these things, so the least you can do is prepare for everything that can be prepared for. Whether you’re gunning for a presale or leaving your fate to the general sales, you need a Ticketmaster account to purchase tickets. This is a non-negotiable.

If you’re thinking of joining the UOB bandwagon for Sheeran, here are some cards we’d recommend:

Consider watching the concert in other cities

If you’re up for some adventure, consider trying for presale tickets in neighbouring cities. The UOB Cardmembers Presale is also happening for concerts in Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia. 

City	Date	Venue	Presale period
Malaysia	Feb 24, 2024	Bukit Jalil Stadium, KL	Oct 25 – Oct 27, 2023 (MYT)
Singapore	Feb 16, 2024	National Stadium, Sports Hub	Oct 27 – Oct 29, 2023 (SGT)
Indonesia	Mar 2, 2024	Gelora Bung Karno Stadium, JKT	Oct 30 – Nov 1, 2023 (JKT)
Thailand	Feb 10, 2024	Rajamangala Stadium, Bangkok	Nov 1 – Nov 3, 2023 (BKT)

As you consider travelling to neighbouring countries for the concerts, watch for flight prices. The cost of flights can vary, so check for promotions and deals during the concert season before booking.

City	Dates	Estimated flight ticket prices from Singapore (round trip)*
Bangkok	Depart: 9 Feb 2024 (Fri) Concert: 10 Feb 2024 (Sat) Arrive: 11 Feb 2024 (Sun)	S$292-382
Kuala Lumpur	Depart: 23 Feb 2024 (Fri) Concert: 24 Feb 2024 (Sat) Arrive: 25 Feb 2024 (Sun)	S$114-177
Jakarta	Depart: 1 Mar 2024 (Fri) Concert: 2 Mar 2024 (Sat) Arrive: 3 Mar 2024 (Sun)	S$196-300

*Estimated flight ticket prices taken from Skyscanner on Oct 24, 2023.

Remember that you’re limited to 6 tickets per transaction

Ticketmaster imposed a maximum of four tickets per buyer for Taylor Swift’s March 2024 concert. However, some fans managed to buy more than four when purchasing packages sold by travel company Klook. Each package comprised two concert tickets and a night’s stay at a hotel. As a result, their additional tickets were cancelled. 

Moral of the story: if you think you have found a loophole, you probably haven’t. Listen to Ticketmaster’s guidelines if you want to make sure you’re properly securing your tickets. 

Don’t even think about re-selling illegally

Ticketmaster strictly prohibits the re-selling of tickets. Your ticket(s) and your related account(s) with Ticketmaster will immediately become invalid if you resell via unauthorised outlets, including online auction sites. 

The only exception to this rule is if the sale of the tickets is through the official ticket agent or through fan-to-fan exchange. 

If you despise scalpers as much as we do, you’d appreciate Ticketmaster’s tough stance on this. 

So, there you have it, the ultimate guide to securing your tickets for Ed Sheeran’s + – = ÷ × Tour. Best of luck, Sheerios.

ALSO READ: Ed Sheeran to perform in Singapore February 2024

This article was first published in MoneySmart.