If you purchase tickets on Ticketmaster and see a notification about a delivery delay, it means there will be a longer than usual wait time before you receive your tickets. There are a few common reasons why you might experience a delivery delay when ordering tickets through Ticketmaster.
High Order Volume
One of the most common reasons for Ticketmaster delivery delays is a high volume of orders. When there is a major onsale, particularly for a very popular event like a championship game or concert from a top artist, Ticketmaster will often get inundated with orders. This flood of activity can back things up, slowing down the processing and delivery of tickets. The verification process alone can take 48-72 hours during peak sales periods. Delivery delays are likely to occur when ordering tickets during any major onsale event or anticipated popular event.
Account Verification
Another reason you may see a delivery delay notification is that your Ticketmaster account requires additional verification. If you are a new user or placing an order of unusually high value, Ticketmaster may flag your purchase for manual verification to prevent fraud. An actual person will then need to review and validate your account and payment details, which adds more time to the delivery process.
Payment Verification
Ticketmaster may also impose a delivery delay to allow time for your payment method to be authorized and settled. Even if the charge initially went through when you placed your order, it can sometimes take several business days for the funds to fully clear with your bank or credit card company. Ticketmaster waits until they can confirm the money has successfully transferred before sending out the tickets.
Third-Party Seller
In some cases, a delivery delay may indicate your tickets are coming from a third-party seller rather than directly from Ticketmaster’s primary inventory. Ticketmaster allows season ticket holders and other authorized resellers to post tickets for sale through its exchange marketplace. Since these sellers individually process orders and ship out tickets, it often takes longer than buying tickets directly from Ticketmaster that can be issued and delivered instantly.
Shipping Method
The delivery method you chose when purchasing tickets can also impact how quickly your tickets arrive. If you opt for standard mail delivery, it will take longer to receive tickets than electronic or expedited shipping options. Standard mail can take up to 14 days in the US and up to 21 days for international orders. Courier delivery is faster but more expensive. Instant delivery via the Ticketmaster app is the quickest option if available.
Large Group Orders
Group orders for large parties can also lead to delivery delays on Ticketmaster. The more tickets purchased in a single order, the more time it takes to process and deliver the order. Party sizes above 8-10 guests will typically take longer to fulfill, especially if seats all need to be located together rather than split up across multiple rows.
What a Delivery Delay Means for Your Tickets
While delivery delays on Ticketmaster orders are often inevitable, especially right after an onsale, it does not mean there is any problem with your tickets. As long as you received an official order confirmation from Ticketmaster, your tickets are secured. The delay notification simply indicates it will take a little longer for you to receive the physical or mobile tickets needed to attend the event. Just be patient during the verification and processing period as Ticketmaster works through the high order volume.
How Long Will the Delay Last?
Delivery delays on Ticketmaster typically last between 3-14 days, depending on factors like order volume, verification needs, and delivery speed. Here is an overview of estimated wait times:
| Reason for Delay | Estimated Wait Time |
|---|---|
| High order volume | 3-5 days |
| Account verification | 5-7 days |
| Payment verification | 5-7 days |
| Third-party seller | 7-14 days |
| Standard mail delivery | 10-14 days domestic, 14-21 days international |
| Large group order | 7-14 days |
These delivery windows can vary based on individual circumstances and the specific event, but this table provides a general guideline of typical Ticketmaster delivery delays.
Will Call Pick-up
In some cases, Ticketmaster may advise you to pick up delayed tickets directly at the venue’s will call box office if the event is approaching soon. This allows you to secure your tickets on time while bypassing mailing issues. Just be sure to bring your order confirmation, payment card if used, and valid photo ID to will call to claim your tickets.
Getting Help with a Delayed Ticketmaster Order
If your Ticketmaster order remains delayed beyond the estimated delivery window provided, reach out to their customer support team for help. You can contact Ticketmaster customer service by:
- Calling 1-800-653-8000 (toll free in the US)
- Using the chat function on Ticketmaster.com
- Emailing [email protected]
- Tweeting @Ticketmaster
When you contact them, be ready to provide your order number, which will help them look up your delivery status. They can then investigate why your tickets are delayed and when you can expect to receive them.
Getting Updates on Delayed Tickets
Rather than continually reaching out to Ticketmaster to check if your delayed tickets have shipped, you can sign up for order updates that will automatically notify you when your tickets are on the way. Here are two ways to get status alerts:
- If you ordered online via Ticketmaster.com, you can create a Ticketmaster account using the same details from your order. Once logged in, you can see updates on ticket delivery status.
- Opt-in to receive order status notification emails and/or texts. When completing your order, check the box to receive emails or enter your mobile number to get SMS updates.
Enabling order notifications takes the hassle out of having to manually track down updates from Ticketmaster. Their system will then automatically ping you when your delayed ticket order ships.
Canceling a Delayed Ticketmaster Order
In very rare cases, extremely long delays or lack of communication from Ticketmaster about your order may warrant canceling a delayed order. To request a cancellation:
- Contact Ticketmaster by phone, chat, email, or Twitter support
- Provide order details and explain you wish to cancel due to unreasonable delays
- If eligible for cancellation under Ticketmaster policy, they will process a refund
- Refunds may take 7-10 business days to process back to your original payment method
Keep in mind that standard delivery delays of 3-14 days typically will not make you eligible for cancellation. But if Ticketmaster confirms your order is lost or unable to be fulfilled within a reasonable timeframe, you can request a refund.
Protecting Yourself from Delivery Delays
While delays on Ticketmaster are often inevitable, you can take proactive measures to help avoid or reduce delivery wait times:
- Order early right when tickets initially go on sale, before volume gets high
- Register for a Ticketmaster account ahead of time so verification is faster
- Use an instant delivery option like e-tickets or Ticketmaster’s app
- Pay with a card you know has adequate funds to avoid payment holds
- Avoid incredibly large group orders (20+ tickets)
- Set up order status notifications so you know right when tickets ship
Conclusion
Delays in receiving Ticketmaster tickets ordered online are commonplace, especially for hot events where order volume spikes. While it may be frustrating to wait beyond the usual 1-2 days for delivery, a delay of 3-14 business days is standard practice for Ticketmaster during busy sales periods or when extra verification is required. As long as you receive confirmation of your ticket purchase, your order remains safe and valid. Keep an eye out for status updates from Ticketmaster and rest assured your tickets are still on the way even if the delivery takes a little longer than expected.