When it comes to attending a Coldplay concert, having a valid ticket is essential. Many fans wonder if they need to print out their tickets or if showing them on a mobile device is sufficient. The simple answer is that it depends on the venue and event. While printing tickets used to be standard protocol, many venues now accept mobile tickets displayed on smartphones. However, there are still certain situations where having a printed ticket is required or recommended.
Venue Policies
The most important factor determining whether you need printed tickets is the policy of the specific venue hosting the Coldplay concert. Many major venues have switched to mobile-only ticketing and do not even offer the option to print tickets anymore. For example, venues owned by Live Nation Entertainment such as the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles and Barclays Center in New York City only accept tickets on your phone. They have the ticket scanners set up to read barcodes and QR codes displayed on your mobile device screen.
On the other hand, some smaller music venues and theaters still ask patrons to provide paper tickets. This is especially common at seated venues that give customers assigned seats. The ushers checking tickets typically want to keep the paper stubs. Even at venues with mobile entry, the box office may still print a paper ticket for those who request one as a backup or souvenir.
Check the Venue Website
To find out if you need to print tickets or go mobile-only, check the official website for the specific venue hosting the Coldplay concert. There should be a page that outlines their ticketing policies and entry procedures. Many list whether paper, mobile or both ticket formats are acceptable. If you cannot find anything stated plainly, you can contact the box office directly to ask about their mobile ticketing policy and if printing is required.
Third-Party Sellers
Another factor in the print versus mobile ticket decision depends on where you purchased your Coldplay tickets. If you bought from an authorized seller like the venue’s box office or Ticketmaster, you can typically choose mobile tickets when checking out. Major ticket sellers now give this as the default option during checkout.
However, if you purchased from a third-party marketplace like Stubhub, Vivid Seats or Craigslist, you may still receive paper tickets that were originally mailed to the seller. Some reputable resale sites like Stubhub now have mobile options, but not all do. And individuals reselling tickets on Craigslist likely have the physical ticket strips they need to hand over.
Whenever buying from an unofficial third party, proceed with caution as there is a higher risk of getting scammed with fake or stolen tickets. Only purchase from trusted sites with buyer guarantees or deals done in-person where you can verify the authenticity of paper tickets.
Check with the Seller
If you buy Coldplay tickets resale from an online marketplace, contact the seller to find out what format their tickets are in. Ask them plainly if they have physical tickets they need to mail out or if they can transfer mobile tickets to you online. If going the paper ticket route, only buy from sellers willing to overnight or expedite shipping so you get the tickets with enough time to print as backups.
Situation Where Printed Tickets Are Required
While mobile tickets are increasingly popular, there are certain cases where having a printed ticket is required to get into a Coldplay concert:
- Venue does not accept mobile tickets – As mentioned, smaller music halls may still rely on paper ticketing and printed stubs.
- Purchased third-party from a reseller – Individuals selling their tickets on sites like StubHub or Craigslist will need to physically mail the ticket strips they originally received.
- Concerns over phone battery – Worries about your phone having enough charge to display the mobile ticket gets you in the door.
- Lack of signal or internet connection – Trouble connecting to data or wifi in the venue means you cannot pull up your ticket on your phone.
- Damaged phone – Issues like a cracked screen or water damage makes scanning your mobile ticket impossible.
In these situations where printed tickets are required, be sure to leave enough time to print tickets prior to the show. Only buy from trusted sources and verify you will receive the physical tickets with enough time to print. Research the venue’s ticketing policies so you know if paper or mobile tickets are accepted.
Tips for Printing Tickets
If you need to or prefer to have printed Coldplay tickets, follow these tips for printing successfully:
Use High Quality Settings
Adjust your computer’s print settings to the highest quality. Go into the settings and select options like:
- Best or maximum dpi (dots per inch)
- Enable any photo enhancement features
- Print in black and white for sharper barcode resolution
- Use matte finish photo paper for best results
Check Barcode Resolution
Examine the printed tickets closely to be sure the QR code and barcode are crisp and readable. Blurry or pixelated codes may not scan properly at the venue. If the codes do not look clear when printed, try adjusting print settings to output at a higher dpi.
Print on Clean Printer
To ensure barcodes and text print clearly, make sure your printer is clean. Replace old ink cartridges and clean the print heads following the manufacturer’s directions. Dust the exterior and wipe down the interior with a soft cloth. Printer maintenance goes a long way towards high quality ticket prints.
Check Ink Levels
Before printing, examine your printer ink levels to confirm there is sufficient ink. Running low on certain colors like black can affect the clarity of barcodes and text on tickets. Replace any ink cartridges that are getting empty.
Use Specified Paper
Print tickets on the paper size and type specified during the printing process. Standard options include letter or legal size plain white printer paper. For best quality, use premium photo paper. Do not print onto cardstock or specialty paper that could jam the printer.
Print Complete Page
Be sure to print the full ticket page on one sheet. Avoid trying to print multiple tickets on the same page. The complete ticket with all information should print on a single page for clarity and accuracy.
Having Backups on Hand
Even if you primarily use mobile tickets, consider keeping printed backups on hand in case of any issues getting into the venue. Here are some tips on having printed backups:
- Print right before leaving to avoid losing tickets.
- Use high quality, water-resistant paper for durability.
- Keep tickets separate from other items to avoid smudging.
- Consider lamination for extra water and tear protection.
- Store tickets in a safe, secure place until getting to the venue.
- Only hand over printed tickets if mobile ones fail.
Keep in a Protective Case
Place printed tickets in a protective, waterproof covering to keep them safe on your way to the concert. Options like sealable plastic sleeves, photo cases or even zip lock bags work great.
Getting Help Transferring Mobile Tickets
If you run into trouble transferring mobile tickets, getting help is just a few taps away:
Contact the Ticket App
Most ticket seller mobile apps have customer support within the app. You can find their help sections or start a live chat to have your issue resolved.
Get in Touch with the Venue
For issues with tickets purchased directly, call or email the concert venue’s box office. Their staff can help troubleshoot and resend ticket links if needed.
Talk to Your Phone Carrier
For technical issues, your mobile carrier has support teams to help with phone-specific trouble. They can assist with things like data connectivity, battery life and scanning issues.
Summary
While printed tickets used to be the concert standard, most venues now accept mobile tickets displayed on your smartphone. However, certain situations still call for having paper tickets on hand as a backup. Check your specific venue’s ticketing policy and be ready to print if required. With mobile technology ever improving, paperless digital tickets are only becoming more popular for convenience and security.