How to Get American Idol Tickets for a Live Taping

American Idol tickets are some of the hardest to come by. With intense security processes and a lengthy weight list, it requires following the rules and keeping your fingers crossed to see the likes of Adam Lambert and Kris Allen before they become industry hits.

Want to see the next Kris Allen live? Securing American Idol tickets for a live taping is an extremely difficult task because tickets are not available for purchase. American Idol tickets for a live taping can only be obtained through an official waiting list and voucher program.

American Idol Tickets
Despite what many online sites might try to tell you, you cannot buy American Idol tickets. The show does not sell tickets, it gives out specific vouchers for admission. In fact, there aren't even seats to sell tickets for, the show is standing room only.

• Waiting List. To get a ticket for a live taping of American Idol, you must first sign up on a ticket waiting list from the official show site. Eventually your name will rise on the waiting list until it gets to the top and earns a check-in voucher.
• Voucher. You will receive an email notification of a check-in voucher for a specific taping date from the official site when your name gets to the top of the waiting list. You must respond to this email quickly, as confirmations are taken on a first-come, first-served basis. Amount of vouchers available for each date vary and vouchers are usually sent only a few days before the date of attendance.
• Line. Once you receive your check-in voucher, you must show up to wait in the check-in line outside the studio for the show. Only people with valid vouchers may wait in line. Voucher name and addresses will be checked against the waiting list information and your ID. If the information does not match, you will be denied a ticket.
• Admission. Admission to the live taping of an American Idol show is on a first-come, first-served basis. After waiting in line with a valid check-in voucher, you may be granted entry into the show. If you're late or cannot come to the show on the date the voucher specifies, you will have to start over and sign up on the waiting list again.

Warning
The biggest problem when it comes to American Idol tickets is that people confuse the TV show with the general tour. There is a tour of the American Idol performers, called American Idol Live, that you can buy tickets to attend. However, this is a touring performance during the time the show is off the air and not the live taping of the actual TV show.

American Idol admission is on a first-come, first-served basis, so the show cannot accept requests for admission vouchers on specific dates. This means it is almost impossible to attend the show if you live outside driving distance from Hollywood, California. Of course, if you're huge fan and willing to pay for a next-day flight once you receive confirmation of a check-in voucher, it is possible to try to see your favorite Idols live.