In today’s digital age, it’s common for tickets to concerts, sports events, and other live entertainment to be delivered electronically via mobile apps or email. However, some people still prefer having a hard copy ticket to commemorate the event or for sentimental reasons. If you purchase tickets on Ticketmaster, getting physical tickets is still an option in most cases.
Why Get a Hard Copy Ticket?
Here are some of the main reasons you may want a physical ticket rather than a digital ticket when buying from Ticketmaster:
- Collectible or souvenir – Having the actual ticket stub or pass is a nice keepsake from the event.
- Backup option – If you have trouble accessing the digital ticket on your phone, the hard copy acts as a backup.
- Easier to transfer – It can be convenient to hand off a physical ticket to someone else if needed.
- Preference or habit – Some people simply like having a printed ticket out of personal preference.
- Phone issues – If your phone dies, gets damaged, or is lost/stolen, you’ll still have the hard copy ticket.
- Reception problems – Digital tickets could fail to load if there are connectivity/reception problems.
While digital tickets offer advantages like convenience and security from counterfeiting, physical tickets give you a tangible item to hold onto if that’s your preference.
How Do I Get a Hard Copy Ticket from Ticketmaster?
Ticketmaster offers a few different options for getting a physical ticket instead of a mobile/electronic ticket when purchasing tickets to events:
TicketFast Delivery
Ticketmaster’s TicketFast delivery service will mail you physical tickets if available for the event. Here is how it works:
- Purchase event tickets on Ticketmaster.com or via the Ticketmaster app.
- Select “TicketFast Delivery” as your delivery method during checkout.
- Pay a delivery fee – usually around $5-25 per order.
- Your printed tickets will be mailed via FedEx 2-day shipping.
- Tickets should arrive within 2-5 business days in most cases.
With TicketFast, you don’t have to do anything extra beyond choosing the delivery method at checkout. Keep in mind that not all events offer physical tickets – some may be mobile entry only. Make sure TicketFast is listed as an option before selecting it.
Print-at-Home Tickets
Many Ticketmaster tickets can be printed out at home as PDF files. Here is how it works:
- Purchase event tickets on Ticketmaster.com or via the app.
- Select “Print-at-Home” as the delivery option during checkout.
- You’ll receive a confirmation email with PDF ticket file(s) attached.
- Open the PDF file(s) and print out the ticket(s) on regular 8.5×11 printer paper.
Print-at-home tickets let you create hard copies yourself without having to pay for shipping. Just make sure your printer is in working order with enough ink and paper. You may want to use thicker cardstock paper for durability.
Box Office Pick-Up
If available for the event, you can choose box office pick-up when purchasing tickets on Ticketmaster and then collect the physical tickets at the venue box office. Here is the process:
- Purchase event tickets online and select “Box Office Pick-Up” for the delivery method.
- You’ll receive an email confirmation with a QR code.
- Bring the QR code email and photo ID to the box office during operating hours.
- The box office will scan your QR code and print out your tickets.
Box office delivery is free since you’re picking up the tickets yourself on-site. However, the venue box office may have limited operating hours, so plan ahead. Note that some venues only offer digital ticket delivery even for box office pick-up.
Retail Outlet Pick-Up
Ticketmaster also gives you the option to pick up printed tickets from a retail outlet near you. Here is how it works:
- Buy event tickets online and choose “Retail Outlet Delivery” at checkout.
- Select a retail outlet nearby to pick up tickets from.
- You’ll receive a confirmation email with QR code.
- Visit the retail outlet and show your QR code and photo ID to receive tickets.
Convenience stores, grocery stores, and other local retailers may partner with Ticketmaster for ticket printing. There is no extra charge for outlet pick-up. Just search for participating locations near you.
Mail Delivery
If none of the above options are available, you can still have Ticketmaster mail you physical tickets via standard delivery. The process is similar to TicketFast:
- Buy event tickets on Ticketmaster and choose “Mail” for the delivery method.
- Pay a delivery fee – usually around $5-25 per order.
- Your printed tickets will be mailed via USPS First Class mail.
- Tickets should arrive within 7-10 business days in most cases.
Keep in mind that standard mail delivery does not come with tracking and can take longer than TicketFast’s expedited shipping. Make sure your shipping address is correct when ordering.
Troubleshooting Hard Copy Tickets
Here are some potential issues and solutions for getting and using physical Ticketmaster tickets:
Tickets Not Received in Mail
If you don’t receive your mailed Ticketmaster tickets within 2 weeks of purchase, contact Ticketmaster customer support by phone or online chat. They can investigate and resend tickets if needed. Be ready to provide the order number, event details, and shipping address.
Lost or Misplaced Tickets
If you lose printed tickets or forget them at home, contact the Ticketmaster customer service right away. They may be able to leave replacement tickets at will call under your name for box office pick-up. Provide your order info and they’ll assist as best they can.
Hard Tickets Selling Out
For high demand events, hard copy tickets may sell out entirely. Check for the physical ticket options frequently when buying tickets to ensure availability. If sold out, you’ll have to settle for print-at-home, mobile entry, or resale tickets.
Damaged or Unreadable Tickets
Make sure to store printed tickets in a safe place so they don’t get damaged or faded over time. If a ticket becomes too difficult to read or scan, contact Ticketmaster for help – they may be able to reissue replacement tickets.
Changing Plans
If you can no longer attend an event, physical tickets can be harder to transfer or resell compared to digital tickets. Contact Ticketmaster to see if they can help facilitate exchanges or cancellations in exceptional circumstances.
Alternatives to Ticketmaster
Ticketmaster is the dominant ticketing provider, but not the only option for getting printed event tickets. Here are some Ticketmaster alternatives to check as well:
Box Office Direct
Buying tickets directly through the venue’s box office allows you to get hard tickets in person without fees. Supply may be limited though.
AXS
AXS is a major Ticketmaster competitor and offers print-at-home and box office pickup ticket options for the events it sells.
StubHub
Resale site StubHub offers physical ticket shipping from sellers for certain events. Fees are higher though.
VividSeats
VividSeats is another resale marketplace where you can find hard tickets being sold by other fans.
SeatGeek
With SeatGeek you can search sporting events and concerts for physical tickets being resold by users on its platform.
Gametime
Last minute ticketing app Gametime lets you search for events with hard tickets available for fast digital delivery or box office pick-up.
The Future of Physical Tickets
While digital ticketing is growing, printed tickets aren’t going away any time soon. The unique benefits of physical mementos and backup options means demand remains for hard copies. As long as people enjoy having tangible tickets for sentimental or practical reasons, venues and ticketing companies will continue to accommodate and deliver them.
Expect to see innovation around hybrid digital/print technologies like QR codes that unlock flexibility and security. But the core appeal around printed tickets will likely persist – holding an actual ticket stub just feels different than pulling up a phone screen, even if the end result of entering an event is the same.
Ticketmaster and other major ticketing platforms recognize that and will continue providing various ways to get hard tickets, even as mobile entry becomes more prevalent. So if you prefer having the physical ticket to commemorate events and performances you attend, you’ll still have options to purchase and receive printed tickets for the foreseeable future.
Conclusion
Getting physical collectible tickets is still possible in the digital age if buying from Ticketmaster. Options like TicketFast delivery, print-at-home tickets, in-person box office or retail outlet pick-up, and standard mail delivery allow you to get hard copies of tickets. Just choose your preferred method during the Ticketmaster checkout process.
Printed tickets make for great souvenirs and provide backup against technical issues with digital tickets. As long as demand remains for the tangible ticket stub experience, Ticketmaster and other major vendors will continue to facilitate the various ways to get hard copies. So even with the proliferation of digital ticketing, the old-school printed ticket is not going away anytime soon.
