In the past, getting tickets to concerts, sports games, and other events via Ticketmaster meant waiting for those precious pieces of paper to show up in your mailbox. However, technology has changed the ticketing landscape and the process of receiving and managing tickets. So does Ticketmaster still mail out paper tickets, or have they gone fully digital?
The Short Answer
For the most part, Ticketmaster no longer mails out paper tickets. Instead, they utilize mobile ticketing, which delivers each ticket as a barcode directly to your smartphone for convenient, contactless entry. However, there are some exceptions where you may still receive a paper ticket by mail:
- International events or venues that don’t support mobile entry
- Tickets sold via third-party resellers
- Special requests for paper tickets
So while the vast majority of tickets are now digital, hard tickets aren’t completely extinct yet. But Ticketmaster is clearly moving in the mobile direction along with most of the event industry.
The Rise of Mobile Ticketing
Mobile ticketing has become the new norm thanks to wider smartphone adoption and advancements like digital wallets and near-field communication (NFC) technology. Some key advantages of mobile tickets include:
- Convenience – Tickets are delivered directly to your phone and easily accessed anytime, anywhere.
- Security – Mobile tickets come with a unique barcode that refreshes regularly, making duplication or fraud virtually impossible.
- Environmentally friendly – No paper required saves on waste and resources.
- Integration – Mobile tickets sync easily with digital wallets like Apple Wallet for streamlined entry.
- Flexibility – If plans change, mobile tickets can be easily transferred or sold securely through the app.
These benefits made mobile ticketing an easy choice for Ticketmaster. They first started testing digital tickets back in 2012 and have been expanding mobile delivery options across venues and events ever since.
Now fans can get mobile tickets for concerts, theater shows, sports games, and more through Ticketmaster. Over 75% of tickets are now delivered via mobile entry. Even tickets purchased initially as paper can be switched over to mobile delivery for convenience.
When You Might Still Get Paper Tickets
Despite the ease of digital tickets, there are some exceptions where you’ll still receive old-fashioned paper tickets for Ticketmaster events:
International Events
Mobile ticketing depends on technology compatibility across venues, which isn’t always consistent at the global level. For example, entry systems in Europe may not support the same kinds of barcodes used for mobile entry in the US.
So for events in other countries, physical paper tickets may still be issued to ensure smooth entry for all attendees. Be sure to check your Ticketmaster account closely leading up to the event so you know what form your tickets will take.
Third-Party Resellers
If buying tickets through a Ticketmaster resale marketplace like StubHub or Vivid Seats, there’s a good chance you’ll receive an old-school paper ticket. While some third-party resellers like StubHub also offer mobile ticketing, others only have the capability to transfer and mail hard tickets.
When buying tickets secondhand, pay close attention to the ticket delivery method to know if you’ll need to wait for a package or can access tickets immediately online or via your phone. And if paper tickets are mailed, make sure to leave enough buffer time before the event for delivery.
Special Requests
In special cases, Ticketmaster may still accommodate requests for paper tickets. For example, if you plan to gift tickets for someone without a smartphone, you can ask for hard tickets.
Or if you prefer keeping physical mementos from concerts or sports games you attend, you can contact Ticketmaster customer service after purchase to request paper tickets be mailed to you.
Keep in mind that shipping fees generally apply for mailed paper tickets. And special requests aren’t always guaranteed since mobile delivery is the standard. But in limited cases, Ticketmaster will still print and mail ticket stubs.
Tips for Paper Tickets
If you do happen to be awaiting paper ticket delivery from Ticketmaster, here are some tips to ensure everything goes smoothly:
- Check the expected delivery date in your Ticketmaster account so you can watch for the package.
- Don’t throw away the packaging before verifying all ticket stubs are enclosed.
- If your tickets don’t arrive at least 1 week before the event, contact Ticketmaster for tracking help.
- Never share photos of ticket barcodes online for security.
- Keep physical tickets in a safe place like a lockbox to prevent loss or theft.
- Bring a paper or mobile copy of the receipt as extra proof of purchase.
- Arrive early in case there are any issues scanning paper tickets.
While mobile ticketing is far more convenient, paper tickets still come with some advantages. The physical stubs make nice souvenirs of memorable events. Having a tangible ticket can also provide peace of mind that you won’t lose access due to a dead phone battery or other mobile snafu.
Mobile Tickets Are the New Normal
The days of waiting by the mailbox for your concert or game tickets are fading fast. With their Ticketmaster app, most fans now enjoy:
- Getting tickets seconds after purchase
- Having all tickets in one place with online profiles
- Effortless entry by scanning tickets from smartphones
- Secure protection against fraud or duplication
- Convenient transfers when plans change
Ticketmaster recognized early on the immense benefits of mobile ticketing. Now nearly all tickets are delivered digitally except in limited cases. While you may still get paper tickets under special circumstances, mobile will only continue to grow as the new normal.
Going to events is already exciting enough without the hassle of keeping track of paper tickets. Mobile puts convenience literally in the palm of your hand. For the vast majority of tickets, you can now leave your mailboxes empty and enjoy the ease and security of digital.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if I don’t have a smartphone?
If you don’t have a mobile device to display digital tickets, you can contact Ticketmaster customer service after purchasing. They may be able to accommodate sending paper tickets by mail instead. However, mobile access is becoming required at most major venues so it’s best to obtain a smartphone if possible.
Can I get a refund for shipping fees if I switch to mobile tickets?
If you initially chose to have paper tickets mailed, then decide switching to mobile would be better, you can contact Ticketmaster customer service to request a refund on shipping. They’ll simply void the paper tickets and reissue digital tickets instead without an added fee.
What if my tickets don’t show up in my Ticketmaster account?
If you don’t see your purchased tickets in your Ticketmaster account, first check your confirmation email for any delivery details. Tickets should populate in your account shortly after purchase, but may take up to an hour. If tickets still don’t show after a few hours, contact customer service for help accessing them.
Can I switch from mobile delivery back to paper tickets?
In most cases, you can contact Ticketmaster and request paper ticket delivery instead of mobile entry. However, this isn’t guaranteed and may depend on individual venue policies. There are also typically shipping fees to mail paper tickets. It’s best to only choose paper ticketing if absolutely necessary.
What happens if I lose cell service or my phone dies at the event?
Don’t worry – as long as you’ve added your tickets to your Ticketmaster account, you can access them from any web browser by signing in. Often there is on-site tech support as well who can help access your ticket barcodes if needed. Always arrive early to the event just in case.
The Future of Ticketing
Mobile ticketing is already fundamentally changing the live event experience for the better. But what might the future hold as technology progresses? Some potentially exciting innovations on the horizon include:
- Facial recognition entry – Instead of scanning any barcode, camera systems could identify ticket holders via face scan for fully contactless entry.
- Integrated transit – Better integration with transit apps could provide seamless door-to-door navigation to events.
- Enriched experiences – AR, VR, and other tech may deepen the event experience before, during, and after.
- Smart venue management – Analytics from mobile ticketing data could enable smoother operations.
- Personalization – Platforms like Ticketmaster may deliver more tailored recommendations and offers.
While mobile ticketing already provides significant convenience compared to paper tickets, much more innovation still lies ahead. As technology evolves, the possibilities are wide open for Ticketmaster and other platforms to shape the next generation of smarter, more seamless live experiences.
