Ticketmaster flash seats is a digital ticketing system created by Ticketmaster that allows event organizers to sell digital tickets rather than traditional paper tickets. With flash seats, event tickets are delivered and accessed via a mobile app rather than printed out. This provides a more convenient and secure way for fans to manage their tickets.
How does Ticketmaster flash seats work?
The main steps involved in using Ticketmaster flash seats are:
- Tickets are purchased through Ticketmaster online or via the Ticketmaster app. Instead of receiving paper tickets, the tickets are assigned to your Ticketmaster account.
- Ticketmaster emails you to let you know your flash seats tickets are ready. You need to download the Ticketmaster app (available for iOS and Android).
- Open the Ticketmaster app and log into your Ticketmaster account. Your purchased event tickets will show up in the app.
- To enter the event, open your Ticketmaster app and show the ticket barcode to be scanned. You may need to have your phone unlocked for the barcode to scan properly.
- If you need to transfer tickets to someone else, you can do this via the app up until a specified time before the event starts.
A key difference between paper tickets and flash seats is that for flash seats, the tickets are tied to your Ticketmaster account rather than to a piece of paper. The tickets exist digitally on your account.
What are the benefits of using Ticketmaster flash seats?
There are several advantages to using Ticketmaster’s flash seats system:
- Convenience – Tickets are easily accessible on your phone and you don’t have to worry about losing a paper ticket or leaving it at home.
- Security – Flash seats come with a guarantee that the tickets are legitimate. Transferring tickets also requires passwords or other verification.
- Flexibility – Fans can seamlessly transfer flash seats tickets to friends or sell them via Ticketmaster up to a set time before the event.
- Integration – The process is integrated with Ticketmaster’s platform from initial purchase through to venue entry.
- Eco-friendly – The digital ticketing system reduces paper waste and printing costs.
What events use Ticketmaster flash seats?
Currently, the major events that use Ticketmaster’s flash seats system include:
- Most major sporting events in the NBA, NFL, NHL, and MLB
- Major concert tours by artists like Taylor Swift, Ed Sheeran, and U2
- Music festivals such as Lollapalooza, Austin City Limits, and Bottlerock
- WWE and UFC events
- Theater performances and comedy shows in some cities
Venues have to actively adopt and implement the required hardware and infrastructure to support flash seats. As more venues go digital, the number of events using flash seats will likely continue growing.
What teams use Ticketmaster flash seats?
Here are some of the major professional sports teams across leagues that currently use Ticketmaster’s flash seats system for digital ticketing:
| NBA | NFL | NHL | MLB |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cleveland Cavaliers | Dallas Cowboys | Vegas Golden Knights | Arizona Diamondbacks |
| Houston Rockets | Minnesota Vikings | Washington Capitals | Colorado Rockies |
| Indiana Pacers | Denver Broncos | Winnipeg Jets | Houston Astros |
| Utah Jazz | Tennessee Titans | Edmonton Oilers | Kansas City Royals |
This covers just some of the major teams – overall there are around 50 professional teams across the US major leagues using Ticketmaster flash seats in their home venues.
How is flash seats different from paperless ticketing?
There are some differences between Ticketmaster flash seats and general paperless ticketing:
- Branding – Flash seats is a branded digital ticketing system created specifically by Ticketmaster. Paperless ticketing is a more general term.
- Platform dependence – Flash seats relies on Ticketmaster’s apps and platform. Paperless tickets can use different providers’ apps/websites.
- Format – All flash seats exist within Ticketmaster’s account system. Paperless tickets use QR codes, barcodes, etc. that may lack account integration.
- Transfers – Flash seats allows for convenient ticket transfers between accounts. Paperless ticketing may lack this ability.
The main similarity is that neither involves printed paper tickets. Both require mobile devices to display tickets.
Is there an app for Ticketmaster flash seats?
Yes, there is a specific Ticketmaster app for accessing and managing flash seats tickets:
- On iOS devices, you need to download the Ticketmaster app from the App Store.
- For Android, download the Ticketmaster app from the Google Play store.
The Ticketmaster app is free to download. Once you log into your Ticketmaster account, any flash seats tickets will appear in the app and are stored there for rapid access. You’ll need the latest version of the app installed to properly use any flash seats tickets.
Can you print Ticketmaster flash seats?
No, Ticketmaster flash seats cannot be printed out. The tickets are digital assets tied to your Ticketmaster account. There is no print-at-home option as there is no PDF or paper ticket to print – the flash seats exist solely within Ticketmaster’s mobile apps.
If you’re someone who prefers paper tickets, flash seats may take some adjusting to. But the mobile format provides convenience and security benefits. Many venues now prohibit printed paper tickets from sites like Stubhub to cut down on fraud.
Can you screenshot flash seats?
Screenshots of the Ticketmaster flash seats ticket barcodes are prohibited for security reasons. Venues will not accept screenshotted barcodes for entry. Some of the reasons screenshots are banned include:
- Easy to duplicate or counterfeit
- No dynamic updates (like ticket transfers)
- No verification it’s a valid ticket
- Encourages secondary market ticket scalping
If you attempt to use a screenshot of a ticket barcode, it will scan as invalid and not allow entry. You must open the Ticketmaster app and display the active flash seats ticket in the app to successfully enter an event.
Can you transfer Ticketmaster flash seats tickets?
Yes, transferring flash seats tickets to another Ticketmaster account holder is conveniently handled right within the Ticketmaster app. There are just a few limitations:
- There is often a cutoff time before the event starts where transfers are disabled (around 24-48 hrs prior typically)
- Only tickets bought from Ticketmaster can be transferred through flash seats (not resale marketplace tickets)
- There may be a per ticket transfer fee to discourage scalping
- A limit of how many times a single ticket can be transferred may exist
As long as transfers remain open, the process is very straightforward within the app – you can select the tickets to transfer and input the recipient’s Ticketmaster email/account details.
Do you need ID for flash seats?
Most venues will require you to show valid photo ID along with the flash seats mobile tickets in order to enter an event. Reasons for requiring ID include:
- Preventing fraudulent entry with fake/stolen account tickets
- Verifying identity for ticket limits or transfers
- Allowing venue staff to confirm account holder name matches ticket
- Discouraging ticket resale over the allowed ticket limits
The name on your ID must match the Ticketmaster account name for flash seats. For example, if the ticket says “John Smith” you need to show government-issued ID like a driver’s license that also shows John Smith.
Can you sell Ticketmaster flash seats tickets?
Reselling Ticketmaster flash seats tickets is restricted in the following ways:
- You can only re-sell them via Ticketmaster’s verified resale platform, not external sites.
- There may be caps on the resale price to prevent extreme markup.
- A transfer must first occur to send the tickets from your account to the buyer’s account.
- Transfers may be cut off a set time before an event starts.
- Limits may exist on how many times a single ticket can be transferred or resold.
Overall the aim is to discourage mass scalping where tickets are resold for huge profits. Some restricted resales are allowed but subject to Ticketmaster’s rules and cutoffs prior to events starting.
Can you use Ticketmaster flash seats if phone dies?
If your phone battery dies, you have limited options with flash seats tickets:
- If possible, charge your phone even just enough to power it on and open the tickets.
- If with friends, try to get their phone and login to show your tickets.
- Visit an on-site box office for assistance if available.
- As a last resort, you may have to repurchase tickets.
To avoid this scenario, be sure your phone is fully charged before leaving for an event. Consider also bringing a backup charging pack or cable if the event is over several hours.
Can you login to flash seats on multiple devices?
Your Ticketmaster account and any associated flash seats tickets can be logged into on multiple iOS or Android devices. Simply download the Ticketmaster app and login with your account credentials on the additional devices.
This can be useful to have tickets accessible across different phones, tablets, etc. However, for security purposes, the same event ticket barcode usually can’t be scanned multiple times from different devices.
Is there a Ticketmaster flash seats app for Apple Watch?
At this time Ticketmaster does not offer a flash seats app specifically for Apple Watch. However, you can access flash seats tickets using the iPhone’s Ticketmaster app in conjunction with the Apple Watch, utilizing the Wallet app.
To do this:
- Open Ticketmaster tickets on your iPhone
- Click ‘Add to Apple Wallet’ to save ticket to Wallet
- On Apple Watch, open Wallet app
- The ticket barcode shows here and can be accessed and scanned
While not a full standalone app, this integration allows Apple Watch users to conveniently access flash seats barcodes on their wrist to enter events.
Conclusion
In summary, Ticketmaster flash seats provide a digital ticket management system to replace traditional paper tickets. Events utilizing this system require fans to access tickets through the Ticketmaster mobile apps by logging into their Ticketmaster account. Flash seats provide security, flexibility and convenience compared to paper tickets.
The downsides may include needing to have a charged mobile device to access tickets and less ability to resell or transfer ownership away from the originating Ticketmaster account. However, overall flash seats offer a secure and technologically modern solution as live events transition away from traditional paper ticketing methods.