Taylor Swift Fans Flood AMC App, Causing Hour-Plus Waits for ‘Showgirl’ Tickets and Inability to Purchase Other Film Seats

On Friday, Taylor Swift's dedicated fanbase, known as Swifties, overwhelmed the AMC Theatres app as they scrambled to secure tickets for "Taylor Swift: The Official Release Party of a Showgirl." The 89-minute special event, timed to celebrate the launch of her new album "The Life of a Showgirl," saw users face a steady two-minute estimated wait time starting at 12:12 p.m. ET. A message acknowledging the surge in interest thanked fans for their patience and informed them they would have 10 minutes to complete their purchase once their turn arrived.

The event, scheduled for October 3–5 to align with the album’s release, is designed as an expanded take on Swift’s famous "secret sessions," offering an immersive fan experience. Attendees will be among the first to view the music video for "The Fate of Ophelia," the lead single from her twelfth studio album. All 540 AMC locations will participate, alongside thousands of other North American theaters—including Cinemark and Regal—highlighting the ongoing collaboration between Swift and AMC Theatres Distribution. This partnership previously led to the record-shattering release of her "Eras Tour" concert film, which earned over $260 million globally and became the highest-grossing concert film in history.

Screenings will begin simultaneously across time zones at 3 p.m. ET / noon PT on October 3. In a departure from standard cinema etiquette, AMC has explicitly encouraged singing and dancing throughout the event, though attendees are reminded not to stand on seats or block aisles and stairways. This approach aims to recreate the electric atmosphere of a live concert while maintaining a safe and enjoyable experience for everyone in attendance.

The international rollout will cover numerous territories during the same October 3–5 window, including Canada, Mexico, the U.K., France, Ireland, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, Sweden, Norway, Finland, Denmark, South Africa, Australia, and New Zealand. Tickets in these regions go on sale this Tuesday. Additional countries will host screenings later in October, with specific dates to be announced on or around October 3. According to music industry analyst Mara Jenkins, "This coordinated global release illustrates how top-tier artists are using cinema events not only to drive album sales but also to foster a sense of community among international fans."

AMC Theatres has not yet commented on any technical issues or early ticket sales figures.