If you try to purchase tickets on Ticketmaster and run into issues entering your phone number, there are a few potential reasons why it may not be accepting it. Here are some of the most common causes and solutions to try:
Your phone number format is incorrect
Ticketmaster requires you to enter your phone number in a specific format with no extra characters like dashes or parentheses. You need to input the 10-digit phone number without any spaces or symbols. For example, you would enter 1234567890 rather than 123-456-7890 or (123) 456-7890.
Double check that you are entering your phone number correctly without any extra formatting. This is one of the most common reasons why Ticketmaster may reject a phone number during checkout.
Your number is flagged as a VOIP number
Ticketmaster does not allow VOIP phone numbers for ticket purchases. VOIP stands for Voice Over Internet Protocol and includes phone numbers provided by services like Google Voice, Skype, Vonage, etc. These types of internet-based phone numbers are not accepted by Ticketmaster’s system.
If you have a VOIP number, you will need to input a traditional landline or mobile phone number to complete your ticket transaction. Check that the number you are entering is tied to a physical phone carrier rather than a VOIP service.
You have exceeded the ticket limit
Ticketmaster enforces ticket purchase limits to prevent bulk scalping and bot purchases. There are different types of limits in place:
- Per event ticket limits – Restricts how many tickets you can buy for a single event
- Moving window limits – Restricts how many tickets you can buy across Ticketmaster in a given time period (e.g. 4 tickets per month)
- Account limits – Restricts how many tickets a single Ticketmaster account can purchase
If you try to exceed one of these ticket limits, Ticketmaster may block your phone number from completing any further purchases. You would need to use a different number or account to buy additional tickets once you hit a limit.
Your number is already associated with an account
Ticketmaster only allows one account per phone number as a security measure. If you try to create a new account with a phone number that is already tied to an existing account, it will be rejected during the sign-up process.
You will need to either login to the account already associated with that number, or use a new number if you want to create a separate Ticketmaster account.
Your carrier is not supported
In some rare cases, Ticketmaster may not recognize phone numbers from smaller or more obscure phone carriers. This seems to most commonly occur with prepaid or pay-as-you-go type carriers.
If Ticketmaster is giving you an error when you try to enter your number, it may not have that carrier in its system. You may need to use a number from a major carrier like Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, etc to complete your ticket purchase.
Your number is entered incorrectly during account creation
When you first create a Ticketmaster account, your phone number becomes permanently tied to that account. If you accidentally enter an incorrect phone number during the initial account creation, you will not be able to change it later on.
If you realize the number on your Ticketmaster account is wrong, you will need to create a new account with the proper number instead. You cannot edit the phone number after setting up the account.
Your number has been banned by Ticketmaster
In extreme cases, Ticketmaster may ban your phone number completely if there are suspicions of bulk scalping, bot purchases, or other terms of service violations.
Getting your number outright banned is rare, but can happen if you do things like:
- Use bots or automated purchasing software to buy tickets
- Repeatedly exceed the ticket limits in place
- Resell large volumes of tickets for profit (scalping)
If Ticketmaster has banned your number, you would need to contact their customer service to appeal the ban. Otherwise, you won’t be able to use that number to make ticket purchases anymore.
You have an error in your wireless carrier account
In some cases, an error or outdated information in your wireless carrier account can prevent Ticketmaster verifications from going through properly.
Potential issues could include:
- Having an inactive SIM card
- Owing your carrier account money
- Having incorrect billing info on your carrier account
Contact your phone carrier to make sure your account is active and up to date. Having any blocks or errors on the carrier side can block transactions like Ticketmaster verifications.
You need to re-verify your number with Ticketmaster
For security purposes, Ticketmaster may sometimes require you to re-verify your phone number even if you have an existing account.
If you purchased tickets with your number previously but it is now getting rejected, log into your Ticketmaster account and go through the verification steps again. This should re-sync your number in their system.
You need to allow SMS messages from Ticketmaster
When verifying your phone number, Ticketmaster sends an activation code via SMS text message. If you have blocked messages from short code numbers, you may not receive this verification message.
Make sure to allow messages from 5-6 digit numbers in your phone’s SMS settings. This will let the Ticketmaster verification code come through properly.
Ticketmaster is experiencing technical issues
In rare cases, issues on Ticketmaster’s end could prevent phone number verification from working properly. Widespread technical problems are rare, but can happen:
- During major sales when traffic spikes
- If they are performing system maintenance
- If they are having database errors
Check for any service notices at https://www.ticketmaster.com/h/service-updates.html or their social media pages. If Ticketmaster is reporting tech issues, you may just need to try your purchase again later.
You have a temporary service block from your carrier
Cell phone carriers will sometimes temporarily block service for reasons like:
- Migrating your number to a new SIM card
- Porting your number from or to another carrier
- Having an overdue account that needs to be paid
If your carrier has enacted any temporary service blocks, SMS verifications like Ticketmaster’s will fail. You would need to resolve the block with your carrier first before trying again.
You have an incorrect area code
Double check that you are entering the phone number with the proper area code. It’s easy to accidentally mix up area codes if you live in an overlay area that added a new one.
Entering the wrong area code will cause Ticketmaster’s verification texts to go to the wrong number. Triple check you are using the proper area code for the physical phone you are using.
You have number portability issues
Issues can sometimes occur when porting your phone number from one carrier to another. There can be a lag between when a number ports and when verifications work properly again.
If you recently ported your number, you may need to wait a couple days before Ticketmaster will recognize it. Give it some time for any porting changes to fully propagate.
You have the wrong phone enrolled in your account
Within your Ticketmaster account settings, double check that the phone number you want to use is listed under your “Verified Phones” section.
If you have multiple phones enrolled but are trying to buy tickets with the unverified one, the transaction will fail. Make sure to purchase tickets using the specific phone that is verified in your account.
You need to sync your devices
If you have the Ticketmaster app installed on multiple devices, make sure they are properly synced and showing the same verified phone number.
If the app on your phone has your number verified, but the app on your tablet does not, it could lead to errors trying to complete purchases from the mismatched device.
You have an incompatible phone number type
In rare cases, you may have a phone number through an alternative carrier that Ticketmaster does not recognize as a valid mobile number.
Some examples include numbers associated with:
- Tablets, watches, or other connected devices
- Softphone apps that emulate phone numbers
- Mobile hotspots or internet modems
These types of numbers often won’t work for verification. Try inputting a standard mobile number from a major carrier instead.
Your mobile network connection is unstable
To complete Ticketmaster’s SMS verification process, you need a stable mobile data or WiFi connection.
If you have a weak mobile signal or are in an area with no reception, the verification texts may fail to deliver properly. Move to an area with a stronger signal and try again.
Similarly, if your WiFi drops out mid-verification, it can cause errors. Make sure you are on a strong, reliable network when entering your phone number.
You have incompatible phone software
Older or modified mobile operating systems can sometimes cause issues with Ticketmaster’s SMS verification process.
Make sure your phone is running the stock OS from Apple, Google, or the device manufacturer. Jailbroken or rooted devices may behave unexpectedly.
Also ensure your operating system is updated to the latest stable version. Outdated versions may not process verification texts reliably in some cases.
In summary…
If Ticketmaster won’t accept your phone number, some of the most common fixes include:
- Double checking you entered your number correctly
- Using a non-VOIP mobile number
- Staying under the ticket purchase limits
- Making sure your number isn’t already tied to an existing account
- Checking for any service blocks or errors from your wireless carrier
- Allowing short code SMS messages to come through
Ticketmaster’s system can be strict about phone verification, but carefully going through the potential points above should help identify and resolve any issues with your number being rejected.