When buying tickets on Ticketmaster, one of the biggest concerns for customers is whether their purchase is guaranteed. With so many instances of sold out shows and high demand for tickets, fans want assurance that the seats they pay for will be honored. So are tickets bought on Ticketmaster guaranteed?
The short answer
The short answer is yes, tickets purchased through Ticketmaster are guaranteed valid tickets. Ticketmaster is an official ticket sales platform, with partnerships across the live entertainment industry. Tickets bought through Ticketmaster come with a guarantee that they will be valid for entry.
How Ticketmaster ticketing works
To understand why Ticketmaster tickets are guaranteed, it helps to know a little bit about how Ticketmaster ticketing works. Ticketmaster has contracts with venues, sports teams, and event organizers to sell tickets on their behalf through their platform. This means that tickets sold on Ticketmaster are officially sanctioned.
When a ticket is purchased on Ticketmaster, they are buying directly from the source and get official event tickets. This guarantees that as long as a customer has a valid Ticketmaster order confirmation, their ticket will be accepted for entry.
Ticketmaster also has measures in place to avoid overselling events. They work closely with event partners to align on venue capacities, ticket configurations, and availability. With these controls, each ticket sold can be matched to an available seat.
Official event tickets
Ticketmaster has direct partnerships with venues, promoters, sports teams, and more to sell tickets officially on their behalf. This means when you buy a ticket on Ticketmaster you are buying an official event ticket sold by an authorized source. Tickets sold on Ticketmaster are verified which guarantees entry.
Avoiding overselling
Ticketmaster avoids overselling events by coordinating with venues on configurations and availability. Venues provide Ticketmaster inventory details which informs how many tickets can be sold. Ticketmaster will not sell more tickets than there are seats available.
There can be instances where more tickets are sold than venue capacity if the event organizer releases additional tickets. Usually this is due to production holds being released. However, Ticketmaster works to avoid massive oversells that would prevent ticket holders from getting the seats they purchased.
Are all tickets guaranteed?
While Ticketmaster uses measures to guarantee valid tickets, there are some exceptions to be aware of:
Rescheduled or canceled events
If an event is rescheduled or canceled altogether, Ticketmaster tickets are no longer guaranteed for entry. Depending on the specifics of the cancellation, ticket holders may be offered refunds or the option to use their ticket for a rescheduled date. But the ticket is no longer valid as originally intended.
Lost or stolen tickets
If a ticket holder loses their ticket or has their ticket stolen, they are no longer guaranteed entry. Ticketmaster advises customers to treat tickets like cash for this reason. Lost or stolen tickets need to be reported immediately, and entry cannot be guaranteed.
Fraudulent or duplicate tickets
If someone attempts to duplicate valid Ticketmaster tickets or creates fraudulent mock tickets, these will not be accepted for entry. Venues can identify and reject invalid duplicate or fake tickets.
Ways to verify your Ticketmaster tickets
To make sure your Ticketmaster tickets are guaranteed valid, check for these markers of official verification:
Order confirmation number
Ticketmaster assigns an order confirmation number for every purchase. Keep your order confirmation handy as proof of purchase. Venues can cross reference your confirmation number with Ticketmaster’s records.
QR code
Ticketmaster tickets purchased online or through their mobile app will have a QR code. The QR code contains verified ticket information that staff scan for entry.
Ticketmaster logo
Official Ticketmaster tickets are branded with their logo. Tickets without the Ticketmaster logo are likely fraudulent or duplicate tickets that venues can reject.
What if my Ticketmaster ticket is rejected?
If you purchase a ticket through Ticketmaster but are denied entry at the event, here are some steps to take:
Speak to event staff
Politely speak to staff at the venue entrance to understand why your ticket is not being accepted. There may be an error or misunderstanding happening.
Ask for a supervisor
If staff is insisting your Ticketmaster ticket is invalid, ask to speak to a supervisor or event manager to investigate the issue.
Contact Ticketmaster
If venue staff will not accept your Ticketmaster ticket, contact Ticketmaster Fan Support as soon as possible. They can look into your order and verify if you have valid tickets.
Reference order number
Have your Ticketmaster order number handy when speaking to anyone about an invalid ticket issue. The order number allows them to investigate easily.
Be patient
Try to be patient and understanding if an issue arises with your Ticketmaster ticket. Mistakes do rarely happen. Staff and Ticketmaster will work hard to resolve the problem fairly.
Protect yourself when buying tickets
To avoid fake ticket issues, always buy from trusted sources like Ticketmaster directly. Avoid buying tickets from third party resellers, classifieds or Craigslist where validity cannot be verified.
When buying tickets resale, use fan-protecting exchanges like StubHub which guarantees valid event tickets. Ticketmaster also has an official resale marketplace for event tickets.
Make sure websites you buy from are secure https sites. Look for site seals like Norton or McAfee for verified security. Avoid buying tickets by bank e-transfer as you lose purchase protections.
Never share screenshots of tickets publicly on social media or elsewhere online where barcodes can be stolen. Transfer tickets securely to recipients.
The bottom line on Ticketmaster tickets
Ticketmaster sells official event tickets on behalf of venues, promoters, teams and more. When you purchase a ticket through Ticketmaster you are buying from an authorized source. This means Ticketmaster tickets come with a guarantee that the ticket will be valid for entry unless it is lost, stolen or the event is canceled. Customers can buy with confidence knowing their Ticketmaster ticket will be accepted.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Ticketmaster tickets legit?
Yes, tickets purchased directly through Ticketmaster are 100% legitimate and guaranteed. Ticketmaster sells official event tickets on behalf of promoters, venues, sports teams, etc. Tickets sold on their platform are verified, direct from the source tickets.
What if my Ticketmaster tickets don’t work?
If your Ticketmaster ticket is rejected at the door, contact Ticketmaster Fan Support immediately. They can look into your order details and verify if you have a valid ticket. There is likely an error that they can resolve. Have your order number handy.
Can Ticketmaster tickets be fake?
When buying directly from Ticketmaster, the tickets will always be real. Fake tickets more commonly arise when buying resale from unverified sellers. Ticketmaster has measures in place to avoid duplicates and fraudulent tickets being generated.
Why are my Ticketmaster tickets invalid?
There are a few reasons why your Ticketmaster tickets may end up being invalid: the event was canceled or postponed, you reported tickets lost or stolen, the tickets are fraudulent duplicates, or there was an error in issuing the tickets. Contact Ticketmaster if your valid tickets are suddenly invalidated.
Can I return Ticketmaster tickets?
Ticketmaster tickets can be returned in certain circumstances. If the event is postponed or you can no longer attend, you may be eligible for a refund. Review their Fan Refund Policy for full details. Reselling tickets is prohibited.
Are Ticketmaster mobile tickets valid?
Yes, mobile tickets from the Ticketmaster app are 100% valid event tickets. Mobile entry tickets include a rotating barcode that staff scan for entry. Mobile tickets offer a convenient, secure way to access your event tickets.
How do I verify my Ticketmaster purchase?
Save your Ticketmaster order confirmation as proof of purchase. The order number allows Ticketmaster and venue staff to easily look up your ticket purchase if any issues arise. Tickets will also have the Ticketmaster logo and QR code.
Where can I safely resell Ticketmaster tickets?
Ticketmaster facilitates safe resale through their Verified Resale platform. Fans can resell event tickets they can no longer use. StubHub is another popular resale site with buyer guarantees against invalid tickets. Avoid private resale on Craigslist.
What happens if my Ticketmaster tickets are stolen?
Contact Ticketmaster immediately if your tickets are stolen. They will cancel your original tickets and issue new replacement tickets. You will need to provide information on the stolen tickets and police documentation.
Can I sell screenshots of my Ticketmaster tickets?
No, never publicly share digital or screenshot images of your tickets. The barcodes can be stolen leading to fraud. Either transfer tickets securely to buyers or sell them officially back to Ticketmaster if reselling.
Is Ticketmaster the primary ticket seller?
Yes, Ticketmaster is the largest and most well known primary ticket outlet for live entertainment events. They have exclusive partnerships as the official ticket seller for many major venues, promoters, leagues, teams, and tours.
Are tickets cheaper on Ticketmaster?
Ticketmaster sells primary tickets at face value prices set by event partners. Resale sites may have inflated prices. But Ticketmaster does have sales on select events. Sign up for their emails to receive special offer announcements.
What is Ticketmaster platinum seating?
Ticketmaster Platinum tickets are high demand seats priced higher than standard tickets. Platinum tickets are positioned by Ticketmaster in especially desirable locations like near the stage or 50-yard line.
How much are Ticketmaster fees?
Ticketmaster service and handling fees vary based on the event, price of ticket, and delivery method. Expect fees between 10% to 25% of ticket cost. Fees pay for Ticketmaster’s ticketing services and technology.
What is Ticketmaster TicketsNow?
TicketsNow is Ticketmaster’s official resale marketplace for fans and season ticket members to resell event tickets they can no longer use. Prices are set by sellers. Buyers still get guarantees.
Can I get a refund on Ticketmaster tickets?
You may be eligible for a Ticketmaster refund in limited cases like event cancellation, postponed events, and restricted view seats. See full terms on their Fan Refund Policy. Otherwise, all sales are final.
Does Ticketmaster own StubHub?
No, Ticketmaster does not own competitor StubHub. However, Ticketmaster’s parent company Live Nation did previously have a partnership agreement with StubHub that ended in 2020.
Why won’t Ticketmaster accept my password?
If you cannot login to your Ticketmaster account, first double check you are using the correct email address associated with the account. If still not working, use their password reset option. That will email you a link to create a new password.
How can I contact Ticketmaster by phone?
Ticketmaster’s customer service phone number is: 1-800-653-8000. They are open 7am – 9pm (local venue time) 7 days a week. You can call about order issues, deliveries, updates and other ticket inquiries.
How do I reach a live person at Ticketmaster?
To reach a live agent by phone, call Ticketmaster at 1-800-653-8000, then press 0 at each menu prompt. Agents are available 7am – 9pm local venue time, 7 days a week. Wait times may be longer for high volume events.
Is there a VIP line at Ticketmaster?
Ticketmaster does not have a designated VIP phone line. All fans reach the same customer service when calling 1-800-653-8000. However, some venues offer VIP ticket buyers specialized support email addresses and phone lines.
Conclusion
In summary, tickets purchased directly through Ticketmaster.com or their app are guaranteed to be valid provided the event goes ahead as planned. As an authorized ticket outlet, Ticketmaster sells verified tickets on behalf of event partners. Customers can shop with confidence knowing their seats will be honored. Just be sure to keep your ticket protected and order information handy in case any entry issues arise. With these best practices, fans can sit back and enjoy the show knowing they have guaranteed admission.