Ticketmaster is the largest primary ticket outlet for live entertainment events in the United States and one of the largest in the world. As the exclusive ticket seller for many major venues, artists, and sports franchises, Ticketmaster sells millions of tickets each year through their website and mobile apps.
With so many tickets being resold through secondary marketplaces like StubHub and Vivid Seats, many Ticketmaster customers wonder if there is a way to verify that the ticket they purchased is legitimate and will get them into the event.
How Ticketmaster Verifies Tickets
Ticketmaster uses a few methods to verify that tickets are valid and legitimate:
- Barcode – Each Ticketmaster ticket has a unique barcode that is scanned at the venue to verify it is valid for entry.
- Purchase Verification – Customers can verify the details of their ticket purchase on Ticketmaster.com using the order number and email address used at checkout.
- Ticket Transfer – If a ticket is transferred to a new buyer through Ticketmaster’s official ticket exchange, the system updates the ticket barcode and details to the new purchaser.
As long as customers buy tickets directly through Ticketmaster outlets and official exchanges, they can feel confident that their barcode will be valid for entry. However, there are a few things that can jeopardize the legitimacy of a Ticketmaster ticket:
Unauthorized Resellers
If tickets are resold through unofficial third-party vendors, there is a risk that the new barcode will not be recognized as valid at the venue. Ticketmaster advises customers to only use their Ticket Exchange platform for resales.
Duplicate Tickets
Scammers may attempt to duplicate and resell a legitimate ticket barcode multiple times. The venue will only allow the first scan of that barcode, rendering any duplicated tickets invalid.
Counterfeit Tickets
Ticketmaster has measures in place to guard against counterfeiting, but fake ticket scams still happen. Fans should purchase from trusted sources and look out for signs of tampering.
How to Verify Ticketmaster Tickets
If you have purchased tickets from Ticketmaster or a trusted resale marketplace, here are some tips to verify they are legitimate before the event:
Check Purchase History
Log in to your Ticketmaster account and find the order for the tickets in question under your purchase history. Verify that the details like event, date, seats, and price match what you purchased.
Contact Ticketmaster
You can call or email Ticketmaster Customer Service with your order number. They can look up your purchase in their system and confirm that your tickets are valid.
Use Ticketmaster’s Verified Tickets
For certain events, Ticketmaster provides Verified Tickets which allow you to see if the ticket has been verified as legitimate within their system. Enter the ticket number on their verification page to check.
Transfer via Ticketmaster
If you purchased a resale ticket, make sure it was transferred to you officially via Ticketmaster’s Transfer or Exchange services. Print the tickets and bring them to the event.
Inspect Tickets Closely
Examine the tickets closely for signs of tampering like torn perforations, blurry details, misaligned colors, or anything suspicious. Legitimate Ticketmaster tickets have quality control measures.
Protecting Yourself from Ticket Scams
While Ticketmaster has procedures in place to verify legitimate tickets, there are still many ticket scams that aim to trick buyers. Here are some precautions you can take:
- Only buy from trusted vendors like Ticketmaster directly or a fan exchange linked to the event.
- Avoid sellers offering too-good-to-be-true deals on sites like Craigslist.
- Be wary of sellers asking you to pay by wire transfer, gift card, or cash.
- Use a credit card when possible to dispute fraudulent charges.
- Thoroughly verify the seller and details before completing the transaction.
- Confirm your purchase on Ticketmaster if you are concerned about validity.
As long as you buy through Ticketmaster or an approved resale platform, you can feel good about getting legitimate tickets. But knowing the signs of potential scams and verifying your tickets can give you peace of mind that your seats will be waiting when you get to the big event.
Conclusion
Ticketmaster uses barcodes, purchase verification, and official ticket exchanges to ensure the validity of tickets sold on their platform. However, customers should be cautious of unauthorized resellers, counterfeits, and scams. The best way to guarantee your Ticketmaster purchase is legitimate is to buy directly from Ticketmaster, confirm your order details in their system, use their verified ticket services, and inspect the tickets carefully upon receipt. As the exclusive seller for many major live entertainment events, Ticketmaster provides assurance that tickets bearing their logos and barcodes will scan successfully at the door. Exercising caution and verifying your specific tickets are always wise steps when buying tickets from any source.
