Ticketmaster verified is a feature offered by Ticketmaster that helps verify the authenticity and validity of tickets being resold through their platform. It aims to protect both buyers and sellers by ensuring the tickets being exchanged are genuine.
What does it mean for a ticket to be “Ticketmaster verified”?
When a ticket is Ticketmaster verified, it means that Ticketmaster has validated that the ticket is authentic and was originally issued by either Ticketmaster or one of its partners. This verification is done through barcode scans and checking the ticket details against Ticketmaster’s own sales records.
Some key things Ticketmaster checks when verifying a ticket:
- The barcode is valid and matches a ticket that was sold originally through Ticketmaster or a partner.
- The seat, section, row and other ticket details match Ticketmaster’s records.
- The ticket has not been duplicated or already redeemed/used.
- The seller actually owned the tickets and had the right to resell them.
If a ticket passes all these checks, Ticketmaster will mark it as “verified” on their resale platform. This gives buyers assurance that the ticket is 100% authentic and will get them into the event.
Why does Ticketmaster verify tickets?
Ticketmaster verifies tickets on their resale platform for a few key reasons:
- Security – Verifying tickets helps prevent fraud by ensuring only valid, authentic tickets are being sold. This protects buyers from purchasing fake or invalid tickets.
- Buyer confidence – The verification provides buyers with peace of mind that they are getting real, usable tickets. This encourages more sales.
- Seller legitimacy – It also verifies that sellers actually owned the tickets they are reselling, preventing illegal sales.
- Event integrity – Ticket verification maintains the integrity of events by controlling which tickets are valid for entry.
- Partnership obligation – Ticketmaster may be obligated through partnerships with teams, artists, venues etc. to verify resale tickets.
Overall, Ticketmaster verification aims to create a safe, trusted marketplace for ticket exchange through resales.
How does Ticketmaster verify tickets?
Ticketmaster uses the following process to verify tickets on their resale platform:
- The seller lists their tickets for resale and enters details like seat numbers, barcode etc.
- Ticketmaster checks the barcode against their ticketing database.
- Details like section, row and seat are cross-referenced.
- The system checks for duplicate barcodes or seats to prevent fraud.
- Ticketmaster verifies the seller actually purchased and owns the tickets.
- Once thoroughly verified, the tickets are marked “Verified” on the resale platform.
This verification generally happens instantly or within a few minutes. It gives buyers the green check mark of assurance that tickets are verified legitimate.
What are the benefits of Ticketmaster verified tickets?
Purchasing Ticketmaster verified resale tickets has several benefits:
- Guaranteed valid & authentic – Verified tickets are proven to be real and unused.
- Avoid scams – The verification protects you from fake ticket scams.
- Peace of mind – You can buy with confidence and certainty the tickets will get you into the event.
- Access to events – Verified tickets guarantee your access to sold out or high demand events.
- Customer support – Ticketmaster stands behind verified tickets and will help if any issues arise pre-event.
- Refunds – Verified tickets are refundable if the event is cancelled.
- Manageable risks – While not 100% risk-free, verified tickets reduce the risks of resale purchases.
Purchasing verified resale tickets eliminates much of the uncertainty and risk of buying from unofficial 3rd party resellers.
Are there any downsides to Ticketmaster verified tickets?
There are not many downsides, but a few things to note:
- Verified tickets may have higher prices than face value since they are resale.
- The tickets are non-transferable, so you can’t resell them again.
- The verification reduces fraud but does not eliminate it 100%.
- Ticketmaster charges service and delivery fees above the ticket price.
- You are still reliant on the seller to transfer the tickets on time.
However, these downsides are generally outweighed by the security and assurances that come with verified tickets. The higher resale prices may be worth avoiding the risks of buying from unknown sources.
Tips for buying Ticketmaster verified tickets
Here are some tips for having the best experience purchasing Ticketmaster verified resale tickets:
- Buy early – Prices tend to be lower right after onsales before demand increases.
- Sort by “Verified First” – This ensures you are only seeing verified tickets.
- Read seller ratings – Highly rated sellers are more trustworthy.
- Understand the policies – Know the guarantees and fraud protections.
- Use PayPal – This gives you buyer protection for your purchase.
- Confirm your purchase – Double check all ticket details before completing the transaction.
- Download the app – Transfer and access tickets easily via the Ticketmaster app.
- Add to Apple Wallet – This allows contactless entry to the event.
Following these tips will help you buy verified resale tickets seamlessly and give you peace of mind.
Common questions about Ticketmaster verified tickets
Are all tickets on Ticketmaster resale verified?
No, not all tickets on Ticketmaster’s resale platform are verified. Sellers have the option to list non-verified tickets. However, Ticketmaster clearly labels which tickets are “Verified” and which are not.
Can tickets be verified if not originally purchased on Ticketmaster?
No, tickets can only be verified if they were originally issued by Ticketmaster or one of their trusted partners. If the tickets were never on Ticketmaster’s platform initially, they have no records to verify against.
What if my Ticketmaster verified tickets don’t work?
If you purchased verified tickets but still have issues getting into the event, contact Ticketmaster. They should assist you in resolving the problem. However, verified tickets are very rarely invalid unless the seller engaged in outright fraud.
Can I resell my Ticketmaster verified tickets?
No, Ticketmaster’s verification policy prohibits reselling verified tickets again. When tickets are verified, they become non-transferable and can only be used by the most recent buyer.
How are PDF tickets verified?
For PDF tickets, Ticketmaster is still able to verify them by matching the barcode, seat info and other identifiers against their sales records. The process is essentially the same as for hard tickets.
The verification process explained step-by-step
Here is an explanation of what happens step-by-step when Ticketmaster verifies a ticket:
- Seller lists the ticket for resale on Ticketmaster and enters the barcode number.
- The barcode is checked against Ticketmaster’s ticketing database to bring up the ticket details.
- The seat, section, row and other ticket details are cross-referenced with the seller’s listing to verify accuracy.
- The system checks that the barcode is not duplicated across multiple tickets or listings.
- Ticketmaster verifies the seller’s purchase history to confirm they legally owned the ticket.
- If all checks pass, Ticketmaster marks the ticket “Verified” in the resale listing.
- The buyer purchases the ticket knowing it is verified legitimate.
- Ticketmaster transfers the ticket to the buyer by updating the ticket records.
- The buyer can download the verified ticket through their Ticketmaster account.
- On event day, the ticket scans successfully at the venue for hassle-free entry.
Ticketmaster has invested heavily in this verification technology to protect customers and event partners. The end result is buyers getting peace of mind with every verified ticket purchase.
The future of Ticketmaster’s verification program
Ticketmaster will likely continue expanding and improving their ticket verification program through methods like:
- Partnering with more teams, artists, and venues to verify more tickets.
- Using blockchain, NFTs, and smart tickets to further secure tickets.
- Increasing the speed and accuracy of verification.
- Verifying across more platforms like mobile tickets.
- Combating new forms of fraud with enhanced security features.
- Providing more transparency to buyers on the verification process.
- Giving buyers recourse if issues arise with verified tickets.
As live events continue to grow, there will be an increased focus on building fan trust through ticket verification. This will require constant innovation by Ticketmaster and other players in the ticketing space.
Conclusion
In summary, Ticketmaster verified tickets provide an extra layer of security, legitimacy, and buyer protection in the ticket resale market. The comprehensive verification process gives buyers confidence that verified resale tickets on Ticketmaster will get them into the event with minimal risk of problems or scams. While not flawless, Ticketmaster’s verification system reduces the uncertainties of buying resale tickets and helps take the sketchiness out of secondary ticketing. As they continue improving the technology and processes, Ticketmaster verified tickets should only become more trusted and essential for buyers, sellers, and event holders alike.