A day after tickets to Ulta Beauty World sold out within minutes, social media is flooded with frustrated people wondering who exactly did get a coveted ticket to the annual event that is in Florida for 2026.
Beauty fans immediately took to the Internet once it was announced Jan. 21, shortly after 11 a.m., that tickets were gone. Some vowed to crack the code to the ticket distribution process, others are suggesting boycotting Ulta, and there’s even a petition circulating that Ulta hold a separate convention for “loyal customers” and not influencers.
There’s speculation online that many of the tickets went to beauty influencers and the average Jane didn’t stand much of a chance for the Orlando-area event at the Orange County Convention Center that’s said to feature hundreds of beauty brands, exclusive experiences and thousands of dollars in giveaways.
Last year’s Ulta Beauty World, held in Texas, was reportedly attended by 1,500 people. Ulta officials would not say how many tickets were distributed this year, but did release a statement saying it was double the amount of last year.
“Despite doubling the number of tickets available compared to last year, Ulta Beauty World tickets sold out almost immediately due to demand that far exceeded our expectations – more than 3 million people joined the queue for tickets,” an Ulta representative said in an email to USA Today Network. “We’re truly grateful for the excitement our community continues to show around this event. We know not everyone was able to secure a ticket, but we’re already looking ahead to how we can expand access for next year.”
That’s the scuttlebutt online; however, there’s no way to truly confirm.
Rachel Ownes, a beauty influencer attended the inaugural Ulta Beauty World event in 2025. She and her husband had multiple devices set up, ready an hour before tickets went on sale Jan. 21.
“I put my phone on DND so I could truly ‘lock in’ and not miss a second,” Ownes said.
None of the preparations worked. She didn’t get a ticket, and neither did anyone she knows personally.
“Many people seem to think that the event was only for influencers, which just isn’t true,” Ownes said. “I believe the videos that were shared by the attendees the first year showing the event are what led to so much hype. It’s truly amazing what Ulta has created and allowed the public to participate in. They have created an atmosphere where everyone is a VIP and it’s really a beauty lover’s paradise.”
Ticket prices for the 2026 Ulta Beauty World are $160, plus a $5 processing fee.
Ulta also announced that it will host a masterclass on April 15, featuring an exclusive, hands-on learning session led by top industry experts and brand founders. It will cost $75 plus a processing fee and has a limited number of tickets.
No location or date has been released yet, however, Ulta officials said they are looking to expand the expo in 2027 based on the popularity for tickets this year.
Michelle Spitzer is a journalist for The USA TODAY NETWORK-FLORIDA. As the network’s Rapid Response reporter, she covers Florida’s breaking news. You can get all of Florida’s best content directly in your inbox each weekday day by signing up for the free newsletter, Florida TODAY, at https://floridatoday.com/newsletters.