When purchasing tickets through Ticketmaster, one of the most frequently asked questions is whether or not the tickets will have the buyer’s name printed on them. The short answer is that it depends on the event and the ticket type purchased.
Why do some tickets have names printed on them?
For many major concerts, sporting events, and other high-profile happenings, the venue or organizer often requires tickets to be issued to a specific person. This is done as an anti-scalping measure to discourage reselling of tickets. By printing the ticket holder’s name on the ticket, it makes it harder for scalpers to resell them anonymously on secondary markets. It also enables the venue to verify IDs and prevent transfer of tickets between different individuals. This allows them to maintain control over who is admitted to the event.
Some specific reasons names may be printed on tickets include:
- To prevent scalping or resale of tickets
- To maintain crowd control and security
- For restricted or “VIP” seating areas
- For conventions, conferences, or industry events
- When preferential treatment or amenities are included
- To offer a personalized experience for attendees
Requiring names on tickets provides organizers more oversight of who is purchasing and attending. It enables them to vet buyers and restrict transferability, which benefits patrons who want to ensured they are sitting with other fans rather than scalpers or the general public.
When are Ticketmaster tickets issued generically?
On the other hand, many events sell tickets generically without printed names. This is more common for smaller venues and shows where demand is lower. Generic ticketing makes the purchasing process quicker and more convenient for buyers. Some examples of when generic non-personalized tickets are typically issued include:
- Small club concerts and theater shows
- Regular season sporting events
- Movie theaters
- Amusement parks
- Broadway and Las Vegas shows open to the general public
- Most comedy and festival performances
- Minor league sports
For these types of events, venues are less concerned about the secondary ticket market and do not feel the need to control resales. Fans appreciate the flexibility of being able to purchase tickets on behalf of friends or family members too.
How to know if your Ticketmaster ticket will have a name
Ticketmaster’s purchase process will indicate if a name is required on each ticket for the event you are buying. During checkout, you will be prompted to enter the first and last name for each ticket purchased. If names are not required, you can leave those fields blank and the tickets will be issued generically.
Some other ways to determine if your tickets will be personalized include:
- Checking the event listing for notices that IDs will be required for entry or names will be on tickets
- Looking at the specific seating section, as premium areas sometimes require names even if others do not
- Noticing if you are asked for name spellings or IDs during purchase
- Contacting the box office or Ticketmaster support to inquire
- Checking your receipt after purchase for details on the tickets issued
Ticketmaster’s website or mobile app should clearly indicate if personalized tickets are being issued. This allows buyers to enter accurate name information during the order process.
Can you change the names on Ticketmaster tickets?
For standard customizable tickets, you can edit names up until the event by contacting Ticketmaster Fan Support. However, for some high-demand events with required personalization, names cannot be changed once the purchase is completed.
According to Ticketmaster’s policy:
The ability to edit or update ticket names depends on the event. For many Major League Baseball, National Football League, National Basketball Association and National Hockey League events, once a ticket is issued with a fan’s name, the name cannot be changed or updated. Most other personalized tickets can be managed via your Ticketmaster account.
So for major league sports and concert events with strict personalization requirements, you will need to enter names accurately at checkout. But for most shows and events, you can log into your Ticketmaster account, find your order, and submit name change requests if needed.
Ticketmaster notes it takes 24-48 hours to process name edit requests. You will receive confirmation once your ticket names have been updated.
Can you transfer Ticketmaster tickets with names on them?
Typically, personalized tickets are non-transferable and can only be used by the individual whose name is printed on them. However, Ticketmaster does have an exchange system that allows you to post tickets for resale to other fans.
Through Ticketmaster’s ticket exchange, you can list posted tickets for sale and transfer them securely to another buyer. There are often restrictions on pricing to discourage scalping. The new ticket holder’s name is updated through Ticketmaster upon purchase. This allows venues to still control and track who ultimately uses each ticket.
Some other tips for transferring personalized Ticketmaster tickets include:
- Make sure the event allows exchanges before posting
- Price your tickets at or below face value
- List tickets early to maximize visibility
- Require buyers to have a Ticketmaster account
- Only sell through Ticketmaster’s Verified Resale program
Attempting to sell personalized tickets outside of Ticketmaster’s official exchange is risky. Many venues strictly prohibit transfers and will deny entry to anyone not matching the name on the ticket.
Can you purchase Ticketmaster tickets for someone else?
If a ticket will be personalized, you typically must provide the actual attendee’s name when purchasing on their behalf. For events that require IDs for entry, buying tickets in someone else’s name is usually prohibited.
However, for many events, you can purchase generic non-personalized tickets for others without issue. Some specific cases where you may purchase on behalf of someone else include:
- Buying tickets as gifts for friends and family
- Purchasing tickets for your child, parent, or other dependent
- Group ticket orders where you buy on behalf of your party
- Workplace ticket orders for employee functions or client entertainment
It’s always best to check the event listing and Ticketmaster’s policies to ensure transferring or purchasing tickets for others is allowed. As long as generic non-personalized tickets are issued, you can typically buy seats for anyone you choose.
Pros and cons of personalized Ticketmaster tickets
Requiring names and IDs on event tickets has both advantages and potential drawbacks:
Pros
- Prevents scalping and resale on secondary markets
- Guarantees fans will get in over scalpers buying up tickets
- Allows monitoring of crowd size and attendees
- Enables restrictions on volume purchases to deter brokers
- Provides a more personalized experience for ticket holders
Cons
- Restricts flexibility if ticket holder cannot attend
- Causes issues for purchasing groups of tickets
- Inconvenient if names contain errors or need changes
- Requires earlier purchase commitment with less resale ability
- Can lead to denied entry if names do not precisely match IDs
Venues must weigh these factors against their specific goals for each event. More high-profile performances tend to benefit from personalization, while smaller local events can manage with generic ticketing.
Conclusion
Ultimately, whether Ticketmaster prints names on tickets comes down to the individual event policies. For major concerts, sports, and premier happenings, personalization is frequently required. But for smaller venues and shows, generic non-assigned tickets are still the norm. Ticketmaster’s purchase process makes it clear when receiving a personalized ticket. While this restricts transferability, it provides peace of mind that your seat will be honored over potential scalpers. Understanding the pros and cons allows buyers to make informed choices when purchasing tickets.