Yes, Live Nation tickets purchased online or through the Live Nation mobile app will have a barcode that can be scanned for entry into the event. The barcode contains information that identifies the specific ticket and enables venue staff to validate it upon scanning.
Where is the barcode located on Live Nation tickets?
For tickets purchased online and through the mobile app, the barcode will be displayed on the actual digital ticket on your smartphone screen. If you elected to have tickets mailed to you, the barcode will be printed on the physical paper ticket.
The barcode is usually located towards the bottom or side of the ticket. It will be clearly labeled “Barcode” and feature a scannable code made up of black and white lines or squares. When you arrive at the event, you will need to open your digital ticket on your phone screen or take out your paper ticket to have the barcode scanned for entry.
What information does the Live Nation ticket barcode contain?
The barcode on Live Nation tickets contains encrypted information that identifies that specific ticket. This includes:
- Ticket section, row and seat number
- Date, time and location of the event
- Ticket price/face value
- Unique ticket ID number
When scanned, this information allows the venue staff member to pull up the ticket details in their system and verify it is valid for entry. The barcode helps prevent duplication of tickets and unauthorized entry with fake tickets.
Why do Live Nation tickets have barcodes?
There are a few key reasons why Live Nation uses barcodes on their event tickets:
- Security – The barcode provides a secure, encrypted form of ticket identification and prevents fraud. It is much harder to duplicate or fake a valid barcode.
- Convenience – Barcodes allow for faster, more efficient entry into venues by enabling contactless scans. Staff do not have to manually type in ticket numbers.
- Identification – The barcode contains details that identify the specific ticket’s section, row and seat, allowing staff to quickly verify it is valid.
- Scannability – Barcodes can be reliably scanned even if the ticket is damaged. The code remains machine-readable.
What if there is no barcode on my Live Nation ticket?
If you purchased a ticket through Live Nation but it does not have a barcode, there are a few possible situations:
- You may have purchased a resale ticket from a third-party reseller that is invalid or unofficial. Live Nation tickets sold directly will always have a barcode.
- The barcode could be damaged, covered up or otherwise unscannable. Check your ticket and ensure the barcode section is intact.
- It may be a very old unused paper ticket from before Live Nation started using barcodes. These are rare but could potentially be valid if officially issued.
- You may have a counterfeit fake ticket missing security features like the barcode. Fake tickets will not scan and cannot be accepted.
If you’re having trouble with a missing or unscannable barcode, start by contacting Live Nation Fan Support online or by phone for assistance from their team.
Can I transfer or sell a Live Nation ticket if it has a barcode?
In most cases, Live Nation tickets can be safely transferred or resold even with an existing barcode, as long as done officially through their Fan-to-Fan Ticket Exchange. This allows the old barcode to be invalidated and replaced with a new barcode for the new ticket holder.
However, Live Nation often prohibits reselling tickets outside of their official ticket exchange. If you try to resell a marked “non-transferable” e-ticket unofficially, the barcode may not work for the new ticket holder and they could be denied entry.
Unofficial resales also run the risk of scamming if you sell an already used ticket with an invalid barcode. Always use Live Nation’s official ticket exchange when reselling tickets to avoid issues.
Can a Live Nation ticket barcode be reused or duplicated?
No, the barcode on each Live Nation ticket is designed for single-use and cannot be reused or duplicated to create counterfeit tickets. When scanned the first time, the barcode is marked in Live Nation’s system as invalid for future entry.
If someone tried to duplicate the barcode or photo and reuse it, the system would detect this upon scanning and deny entry. The encrypted information in the barcode acts as a unique identifier.
While clever scammers have found ways to make fake tickets, no security feature is completely foolproof. But Live Nation’s use of individual barcode tracking provides a significant technological barrier against duplication that other ticket sellers may lack.
How does the Live Nation ticket scanning process work?
When you arrive at a Live Nation event to get in with a ticket, here is the typical barcode scanning process:
- You take out your ticket to display the barcode visibly on your phone screen or paper ticket.
- The staff member aims a barcode scanner device at the code to scan it.
- The scanner captures the encrypted data and queries Live Nation’s ticketing database.
- The database verifies the ticket is valid for entry and has not been scanned yet.
- If valid, the scanner displays the ticket section, row and seat details to the staff member, who may also glance to confirm this matches your ticket.
- Access is then granted for you to enter the venue through the gate where the ticket was scanned.
This scanning process happens in seconds and allows seamless, convenient entry for valid ticketholders. Invalid tickets or already scanned barcodes will display an error that alerts staff to deny entry.
Tips for getting into a Live Nation event with your ticket barcode
To ensure your Live Nation event ticket and its barcode get you successfully into the venue, follow these tips:
- Arrive early enough to anticipate lines and don’t leave scanning to the last minute.
- Have your ticket’s barcode clearly displayed on your phone screen or paper ticket in hand ready to scan.
- Avoid accidental damage like moisture or folds that could make the barcode unscannable.
- If you have a paper ticket, keep it detached from the stub portion to allow clean barcode scanning.
- Confirm before purchasing any unofficial resale tickets, as fraudulent tickets may not scan.
- If you run into any trouble, politely ask staff for assistance rather than attempting entry without a valid scan.
Conclusion
In summary, Live Nation leverages barcode technology on their tickets to provide secure entry identification. The scanner-readable codes offer convenience while preventing duplication or reuse of tickets. While not completely foolproof, the barcodes do make it extremely difficult for fake ticketholders to gain unauthorized event access and help protect paying fans.