What Ticketmaster does and how to use it
Ticketmaster is a ticket sales platform where you buy tickets directly from venues, promoters, and artists for concerts, sports events, theater shows, and other live events. You search for an event, choose your seats, pay through their website or app, and receive your tickets either by email, text, or through the Ticketmaster app. The platform handles the transaction between you and the event organizer — it does not resell used tickets the way a secondary marketplace does.
When you buy on Ticketmaster, you are purchasing from the official ticket holder, which means you get the ticket price the venue or artist set, plus Ticketmaster's fees. Those fees cover payment processing, customer service, and the technology that runs the platform. You cannot avoid these fees by buying directly from a venue box office if that venue uses Ticketmaster as its ticketing system.
The platform operates in multiple countries and handles millions of transactions per year. In the United States, Ticketmaster is owned by Live Nation Entertainment, which also promotes concerts and operates venues. This means Ticketmaster often has exclusive relationships with major artists and venues, so many popular events are only available through their system.
Key Takeaways
- Ticketmaster sells tickets directly from venues and promoters, not from other ticket holders, so you pay the official price plus their fees.
- You receive tickets by email, text message, or through the Ticketmaster app — you do not receive physical tickets in the mail for most events.
- Fees typically include a service charge per ticket, an order processing fee, and sometimes a facility charge, and they are added to your total at checkout.
- You can transfer tickets to another person through the app or email, and the recipient can use their phone to enter the venue.
- Ticketmaster's resale platform, called Ticketmaster Exchange, lets you sell tickets you no longer want, though the price you receive depends on demand.
How to search for and buy tickets on Ticketmaster
Start by going to Ticketmaster.com or opening the Ticketmaster app on your phone. Enter the artist, team, or venue name in the search box, or browse by event type and location. The results show upcoming events with dates, venues, and ticket availability. Click on an event to see the seating chart and available price tiers.
Once you select your seats, Ticketmaster shows you the ticket price, all fees, and the total cost before you pay. Read this breakdown carefully — the final amount is often significantly higher than the face price because of service charges and facility fees. If you proceed, you will be asked to log in or create a Ticketmaster account, then enter payment information. Ticketmaster accepts major credit cards, debit cards, and some digital wallets.
After payment is complete, your tickets are sent to the email address on your account. For most events, you will receive a digital ticket (a barcode or QR code) that you scan on your phone at the venue entrance. Some events still issue physical tickets mailed to your address, but this is less common. Check your confirmation email to see how your specific tickets will be delivered.
Understanding Ticketmaster fees and what they cover
Ticketmaster charges multiple fees on top of the ticket price. The service charge is a percentage of the ticket price, usually between 10 and 20 percent depending on the event. The order processing fee is a flat fee per order, typically a few dollars. Some venues also charge a facility charge per ticket, which goes to the venue itself, not to Ticketmaster.
These fees are not optional and cannot be avoided by buying at the box office if that venue uses Ticketmaster's system. However, some venues do allow in-person purchases at their box office without online fees — you would need to contact the venue directly to ask. The total fees can add 20 to 30 percent to your ticket cost, so factor this in when deciding whether to buy.
Ticketmaster displays all fees before you complete your purchase, so you know the final total before your card is charged. If you decide not to buy, you can close the page without any charge. Once you complete the purchase, the transaction is final — refunds are only issued if the event is cancelled or rescheduled.
How to receive and use your tickets
Digital tickets arrive in your email within minutes of purchase. Open the email and look for a link to your tickets or a barcode image. You can view your tickets on your phone by opening the email or the Ticketmaster app. At the venue, show the barcode or QR code to the ticket scanner — they will scan it and you will be admitted.
Do not screenshot your barcode and share it with others, because a screenshot can be used by multiple people and the venue will only admit the first person who scans it. If you want to give your ticket to someone else, use Ticketmaster's transfer feature instead. Open the Ticketmaster app, find the event, and select the option to transfer. Enter the recipient's email address or phone number, and they will receive a link to claim the ticket. Once they claim it, only they can use it.
If you lose access to your email or phone before the event, contact Ticketmaster customer service with your order confirmation number. They can resend your tickets or help you retrieve them through your account. Arrive at the venue early on event day, because lines at the entrance can be long and the scanning process takes time.
Selling tickets you no longer want through Ticketmaster Exchange
If you bought tickets but can no longer attend, you can sell them through Ticketmaster Exchange, which is Ticketmaster's resale platform. Open the Ticketmaster app, find the event in your account, and select the option to sell. You set the price (Ticketmaster suggests a price based on current demand), and the ticket is listed for other buyers to purchase.
When someone buys your ticket, Ticketmaster takes a resale fee from the sale price, and you receive the remainder. The amount you get depends on how much demand there is for that event and how close the event date is. If demand is low, you may receive less than you paid. If demand is high, you may receive more. You do not have to sell — you can keep the ticket or transfer it to a friend for free.
Once your ticket sells, the buyer receives it through their own Ticketmaster account, and your access to that ticket is removed. The sale is final and cannot be reversed. Ticketmaster Exchange is different from third-party resale sites like StubHub or SeatGeek, which also sell tickets but operate independently of Ticketmaster.
What to do if you have problems with your Ticketmaster purchase
If you did not receive your tickets, check your spam or promotions folder in email — Ticketmaster messages sometimes end up there. Log into your Ticketmaster account and go to "My Events" to see all your purchases. Your tickets should appear there even if the email did not arrive. If they are not in your account, contact Ticketmaster customer service with your order confirmation number.
If you were charged twice for the same order, or if you see an unauthorized charge, contact your credit card company to dispute it while also reporting the issue to Ticketmaster. Keep your order confirmation email as proof of what you purchased. Ticketmaster's customer service can be reached through the app, the website, or by phone — the contact number is on your confirmation email.
If an event is cancelled, Ticketmaster will issue a refund to your original payment method. If an event is rescheduled to a different date, your tickets remain valid for the new date unless you choose to return them for a refund. Check your email for announcements from Ticketmaster or the event organizer about any changes.
Ticketmaster account setup and security
You need a Ticketmaster account to buy tickets. Create one by visiting Ticketmaster.com and clicking "Sign Up," or read the app and sign up there. You will need an email address and a password. Ticketmaster will ask for your name, phone number, and billing address. This information is used to process your payment and send your tickets.
Protect your account by using a strong password and not sharing your login details with anyone. If you suspect someone else has accessed your account, change your password when ready. Ticketmaster stores your payment information securely, but you can remove saved payment methods from your account settings if you prefer to enter your card details each time you buy.
Enable notifications in the Ticketmaster app so you receive alerts about new on-sale dates for your favorite artists and venues. You can also follow specific artists or teams to get notified when they release tickets. These notifications help you know when tickets go on sale, which is important because popular events often sell out within hours.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I buy tickets for someone else as a gift?
Yes. Buy the tickets using your own account and payment method. Once you receive them, use the transfer feature in the Ticketmaster app to send them to the recipient's email address. They will receive a link to claim the tickets, and then they can use them to enter the venue. You can also print the confirmation email and give it to them, though digital transfer is more reliable.
What happens if I try to buy tickets and they sell out while I am checking out?
Ticketmaster holds your selected seats for a limited time while you complete your purchase — usually 10 to 15 minutes. If you take longer than that, the seats are released back to the pool and you will see an error message. You can then search again and select different available seats, or wait to see if more inventory is released.
Can I get a refund if I change my mind about going to an event?
Ticketmaster does not refund tickets for personal reasons or changes of mind. Refunds are only issued if the event is cancelled or postponed. Your only option to recover money is to sell the tickets through Ticketmaster Exchange, though you may receive less than you paid depending on demand.
Why are Ticketmaster fees so high?
Fees cover payment processing, customer service, the technology platform, and a portion goes to the venue. Ticketmaster is a for-profit company, so fees also generate revenue. You cannot avoid these fees if the venue uses Ticketmaster's system, but some venues allow box office purchases without online fees — contact the venue directly to ask.
Can I use someone else's Ticketmaster account to buy tickets for myself?
Technically yes, but it is not recommended. The account holder's name should match the ID you bring to the venue. If there is a mismatch, venue staff may refuse entry. It is safer to create your own account and buy tickets under your own name.