Spotify launched “Reserved by Spotify” on June 18, 2026, a new system that identifies an artist’s top fans and holds up to two concert tickets for them before the general public sale opens.
The feature is initially available in the U.S. for Premium subscribers aged 18 and older. Artist Role Model is the first partner to use the system, with eligible fans receiving notifications starting June 18 and a window to purchase tickets opening June 23 — ahead of the general sale. Role Model’s tour spans 17 U.S. cities. Spotify said Role Model is the first of “a slate” of additional artists’ tours launching the same week, though it did not name them. The company said it will not collect fees on transactions.
For now, Reserved is limited to Live Nation concerts, with ticket sales processed through Ticketmaster. Spotify said it plans to expand to smaller venues and international users over time.
Spotify determines eligibility using signals such as streams, shares, and other in-app activity. The company said it will monitor behavior to prevent fans from gaming the system with bots or AI agents, and noted that “leaving music on in the background won’t give anyone a leg up.” The system also factors in a user’s location to confirm they are near the show before making an offer. Eligible fans will see a personalized offer on their Spotify Home screen with tour dates, a Reserved window, and a reminder option.
Spotify first announced its superfan plans in May 2026. The Reserved system is designed to address a longstanding problem in live music: automated scalper tools that capture tickets immediately upon sale and resell them at inflated prices.
For Spotify, the feature may also serve a business purpose — giving Premium subscribers a tangible reason to stay engaged with the app. The company noted that in many cases there will be more eligible superfans than available Reserved seats, meaning not every fan will receive an offer for every show.
Source: TechCrunch