When should I expect my Ticketmaster tickets?

Getting tickets to your favorite concert, show, or sporting event can be very exciting! However, the wait between buying tickets and actually receiving them can be agonizing. So when can you expect to get your Ticketmaster tickets after you purchase them online or over the phone?

How Ticketmaster Sends Tickets

Ticketmaster offers several different delivery methods for tickets purchased through their website or call center:

• Mobile Entry – These are digital tickets that can be accessed via the Ticketmaster app on your smartphone. Mobile Entry tickets are usually available immediately after purchase.
• Instant Download – Digital tickets that can be printed at home or scanned from your smartphone screen. Instant Download tickets are also available immediately.
• Mail – Physical tickets shipped via USPS mail. Mail delivery times vary depending on shipping method chosen.
• Box Office Pick Up – Tickets held for pick up at the venue’s box office will be available starting 2-3 weeks before the event.
• UPS Delivery – For some larger events, UPS may be used to ship tickets instead of USPS. UPS delivery times are usually 1-5 business days.

So the delivery time for your Ticketmaster tickets really depends on the method chosen when you completed your ticket purchase. Let’s take a look at estimated timeframes for each:

Mobile Entry & Instant Download Tickets

If you selected mobile entry or instant download for your Ticketmaster ticket delivery, you should be able to access your tickets almost immediately after completing your order!

Mobile entry tickets will show up in your Ticketmaster app within minutes. You can access them right away to view seat locations or transfer tickets to friends.

Similarly, if you chose instant download, you will receive your tickets in a follow up email within minutes of purchase. Just look for an email from [email protected] with your attached PDF ticket files. Save these files to your smartphone or print them at home.

Mailed Tickets

If you opted for standard mail delivery, your Ticketmaster tickets will arrive within 7-10 business days in the United States. International mailings can take 2-4 weeks to arrive depending on destination.

Ticketmaster will send an order confirmation email when your ticket request is processed. Your tickets will be mailed from one of their processing centers shortly after.

Standard mail times for Ticketmaster tickets purchased online are approximately:

There are a couple things that can impact your mail delivery time:

• Shipping Method – UPS or FedEx shipping will be faster than USPS.
• Address Errors – Double check your billing address is accurate to avoid delays.
• Rural Address – Mail can take longer to reach remote or rural addresses.
• High Demand Events – Ticketing centers tend to get busier around major concerts and events which can cause slight delays.

If your event is less than 2 weeks away, it’s best to choose express delivery or e-ticket options to ensure timely arrival. For standard mail, give at least 2-3 weeks for processing and delivery time.

Box Office Pick Up

Choosing box office pick up when ordering your tickets means you’ll need to collect them directly from the venue. Tickets are usually available for pick up starting 2-3 weeks prior to the event date.

You’ll receive an email notification when your box office tickets are ready for pick up. If the event is high demand, Ticketmaster may make tickets available earlier to help with crowd control.

The latest you can pick up box office tickets is typically:

• Concerts/Shows – Up until showtime the day of the event.
• Sporting Events – End of halftime for basketball/hockey, end of 3rd quarter for football, etc.

Just be sure to bring your confirmation email and credit card used for purchase, as the box office will verify your info when you collect tickets.

UPS Delivery

For major concerts, festivals, and sporting events, Ticketmaster sometimes uses UPS instead of USPS for ticket shipments. UPS shipments are trackable and usually arrive within 2-5 business days in the US.

You’ll receive a UPS tracking number when your ticket shipment goes out which you can use on ups.com to follow the progress. Tracking will also show scheduled delivery date and status updates like “out for delivery.”

Since UPS delivery is faster than standard mail, these are a great option if your event is rapidly approaching. International UPS shipments may take 3-7 business days depending on customs processes.

Tracking Your Ticketmaster Order

Wondering when those tickets will show up? Here are some ways to track your Ticketmaster order and delivery status:

• Order Confirmation Email – This initial email after purchase will provide expected delivery details based on method selected.
• UPS tracking – If UPS is being used for delivery, you’ll receive a tracking number.
• Contact Ticketmaster – Reach out to customer support by phone or online chat to inquire about order status.
• Check your spam folder – Sometimes shipping notifications get flagged as spam accidentally.

If you haven’t received your tickets within the estimated delivery window, reach out to Ticketmaster customer support for assistance investigating the issue.

Transferring or Reselling Tickets

Plans changed and you can no longer attend the event? No problem! If you need to transfer or resell your Ticketmaster tickets, here are some options:

• Ticketmaster Official Resale Marketplace – You can safely relist tickets for resale at market value directly through Ticketmaster.
• Transfer to Friends – Transfer tickets directly to friends or family through your Ticketmaster account.
• List on 3rd Party Sites – Resale sites like Stubhub, Vividseats, etc. Make sure to review their transfer policies first.

If you need to change the name on ticket’s owner to transfer them, this can usually be done by contacting Ticketmaster customer support.

Lost or Stolen Tickets

Mailed tickets do occasionally get lost in transit or stolen from front porches before you have a chance to collect them from your mailbox.

If your Ticketmaster ticket shipment does not arrive within 2 weeks of the expected delivery date, take the following steps:

• Contact Ticketmaster – Report lost or stolen tickets and request replacements.
• Provide tracking numbers – If available, have UPS/USPS tracking numbers handy to confirm delivery status.
• Confirm billing address – Make sure your billing address was correct on the order.
• Purchase delivery insurance – Some shipping carriers offer insurance which may cover replacement.

Ticketmaster will work to replace lost or stolen tickets whenever possible. However, availability for ticket replacements is not guaranteed for high demand events. To avoid this issue, opt for digital delivery or box office pick up instead.

Canceled or Postponed Events

Of course, we never want our favorite events to get postponed or canceled. But unexpected things can come up!

If an event you have Ticketmaster tickets for ends up canceled or rescheduled, here is the process:

• Refunds – Full refunds are issued if an event is outright canceled with no alternative date.
• New Tickets – If an event sets a new date, you will have the option to request new tickets for the rescheduled event.
• Rollover Tickets – For postponed events, tickets are usually valid for the new date without needing to exchange them.

You will be notified by email if there are any changes to your event. Reach out to the Ticketmaster support team with any questions about the cancellation policy.

Conclusion

So when can you expect to receive your Ticketmaster tickets? In summary:

• Digital tickets are available immediately via Mobile Entry or Instant Download.
• Mailed tickets ship within 2-3 weeks to your billing address.
• Box office pick ups are usually available starting 2 weeks prior to the event.
• UPS or FedEx delivery takes 1-5 business days within the US.

Be sure to pay attention to the delivery method you select at checkout for the most accurate delivery timeframe. Reach out to Ticketmaster customer service if your tickets are delayed or you need help managing your order. Enjoy the show!