SeatGeek is a popular online ticket marketplace that allows users to buy and sell tickets for sports, concerts, theater, and other live events. When purchasing tickets on SeatGeek, buyers often wonder if they will receive physical paper tickets or if the tickets will be mobile/electronic only.
The short answer is that it depends on the event and the seller’s delivery method. Some SeatGeek tickets are mobile-only, while others come with physical tickets that are shipped to the buyer. There are pros and cons to both options.
Mobile Tickets
Many event organizers and teams have switched to mobile ticketing in recent years. With mobile tickets, purchasers do not receive paper tickets. Instead, the tickets are delivered electronically to the buyer’s smartphone. The ticket barcode can be scanned directly from the phone screen at the venue.
Some advantages of mobile tickets:
- Convenient – tickets are easily accessible on your phone and cannot be lost or left at home
- Environmentally friendly – no printed paper tickets
- Reduced ticket fraud – mobile tickets are harder to counterfeit and replicate
- Easier transfers – mobile tickets can be easily transferred to someone else electronically
The main disadvantage of mobile tickets is that they require having a smartphone to access the tickets. People without smartphones would not be able to use mobile ticket delivery.
Many major event promoters like LiveNation and AEG have moved fully to mobile ticketing in recent years. SeatGeek offers mobile ticket delivery for all tickets to events at LiveNation and AEG venues. Other teams and artists may also use mobile ticketing for their events listed on SeatGeek.
Paper/Hard Tickets
For some events, SeatGeek sellers can choose to provide buyers with physical, hard copy tickets instead of mobile delivery. In this case, the seller will ship the printed ticket stubs to the buyer by mail.
Some pros of paper ticket delivery:
- Can be used by anyone, even those without smartphones
- Buyers can retain ticket stubs as keepsakes
- No need to worry about phone battery or mobile signal at the event
Cons of paper tickets:
- Risk of shipping delays or tickets getting lost in transit
- Less environmentally friendly due to paper usage
- Cannot be easily transferred digitally to someone else
SeatGeek sellers can choose paper ticket delivery, mobile delivery, or instant download delivery when listing their tickets for sale. This means that on SeatGeek, some events will have paper tickets available while others will be mobile-only. There is no universal policy across the platform.
Checking Ticket Delivery Method
When browsing tickets on SeatGeek, there are a couple ways to check if a listing provides physical tickets or mobile tickets:
- Delivery method is shown on the listing page – look for “Mobile Delivery”, “Instant Download”, or “USPS Mail” as the method
- View the seller’s listing details and policies – their delivery methods are typically outlined there
- Contact the seller directly to ask if physical tickets are provided
If receiving a paper ticket is important to you, be sure to look for delivery method before purchasing the tickets. Some event listings will have a mix of delivery options available from different sellers, while others may be mobile-only across all sellers.
Examples of SeatGeek Events with Physical Tickets
While mobile ticketing is prevalent, there are still some SeatGeek events where you can receive paper ticket stubs. Some examples include:
NBA Games
For NBA games listed on SeatGeek, many sellers provide the option for paper ticket delivery. NBA teams like the LA Lakers, New York Knicks, and Dallas Mavericks often have ticket listings with paper ticket delivery through USPS mail.
However, a portion of NBA tickets sold on SeatGeek are also mobile-only, so check delivery method if physical tickets are important to you.
NFL Games
Similar to the NBA, many NFL tickets purchased on SeatGeek come with physical printed tickets shipped to the buyer. Sellers for teams like the Green Bay Packers, Pittsburgh Steelers, and Seattle Seahawks commonly offer USPS ticket delivery.
Again, confirm delivery method as some NFL tickets will be mobile-only.
MLB Games
For Major League Baseball games, physical tickets are very common on SeatGeek. A majority of MLB sellers offer USPS delivery of paper tickets. This includes popular teams like the New York Yankees, Boston Red Sox, Los Angeles Dodgers, and more.
Just double check those delivery details to avoid any mobile-only listings.
Concerts
For concerts, delivery method varies greatly between events. While major promoters like LiveNation and AEG are mobile-only, many smaller concerts and artists still provide paper tickets. On SeatGeek, you can find physical ticket delivery for many smaller scale concerts and shows.
SeatGeek Ticket Delivery Policies
While individual sellers determine whether to offer physical or mobile tickets, SeatGeek does have some overarching policies regarding ticket delivery:
Release of Tickets
SeatGeek recommends sellers release tickets to buyers 7 days prior to the event, at the latest. For paper tickets, they must be shipped out with enough time for the buyer to receive them before the event.
Lost Tickets
If paper tickets are lost or delayed in transit, the seller is responsible for replacing them or refunding the buyer. SeatGeek’s buyer guarantees protect against lost ticket shipments.
Canceled or Rescheduled Events
If an event is canceled or rescheduled, the seller should notify buyers and provide new tickets for the rescheduled date. Buyers also have the option to request a refund instead.
No Reselling Mobile Tickets
Sellers cannot resell mobile tickets, as they are tied to the original purchaser’s account and device. Only paper hard tickets can be resold on SeatGeek.
Is SeatGeek Official Ticketing?
SeatGeek itself is a ticket resale marketplace, not an official primary ticketer. However, some teams and venues do partner with SeatGeek for primary ticket sales.
Dallas Cowboys
The Dallas Cowboys partnered with SeatGeek in 2019 to become their official primary ticketing partner. All primary ticket sales for Cowboys games go through SeatGeek.
New Orleans Saints & Pelicans
SeatGeek is also the official primary ticket provider for the NFL’s New Orleans Saints and NBA’s New Orleans Pelicans.
Brooklyn Nets
The NBA’s Brooklyn Nets named SeatGeek their exclusive ticketing platform starting in the 2019-20 season.
For these teams, SeatGeek provides the ticket barcodes and delivery for all primary ticket sales. They utilize mobile ticketing for all primary tickets.
Beyond those partnerships, SeatGeek is primarily a secondary ticket reseller. Sellers list tickets they already purchased from primary sources. Those sellers choose delivery method and SeatGeek facilitates the transaction.
Getting Support from SeatGeek
If you have any issues receiving or accessing tickets purchased on SeatGeek, you can contact their customer support for assistance:
- Call SeatGeek Support at 866-788-2482
- Email SeatGeek Support: [email protected]
- Reach out on Twitter: @SeatGeekSupport
- Use the Help pages and FAQs on SeatGeek’s website
Their support team can help track down any lost/missing tickets, resend mobile passes, or troubleshoot other delivery issues.
Should You Choose Mobile or Paper Tickets?
When given the choice, there are pros and cons to both mobile and paper ticket delivery to consider:
Benefits of Mobile Tickets
- Convenient access on your smartphone
- Reduced risk of lost, stolen, or forgotten tickets
- Easy to transfer tickets electronically
- Environmentally friendly with no printed paper
Benefits of Paper Tickets
- Can be used by anyone, even those without smartphones
- Tangible collectible ticket stubs
- Avoid tech failures like dead phone batteries or no signal
In many cases, sellers will only offer one delivery method for their tickets. But when given the choice, consider which pros and cons matter most to you when deciding between mobile or paper.
The Future of Ticketing
While paper tickets are still common today, most signs point to mobile tickets becoming the dominant method over time. More teams, venues, and promoters are switching to all-mobile delivery each year.
Mobile ticketing provides convenience and security benefits over paper tickets. As smartphone adoption continues to grow, mobile tickets help provide accessible digital experiences for fans while reducing waste.
There will likely always be some demand for collectible paper ticket keepsakes. But for most events, mobile delivery will probably keep taking over as the standard. SeatGeek will continue to evolve and shift with the ticketing landscape as more partners adopt mobile-only policies.
The key for buyers will be paying attention to the delivery method for each specific event and seller. Don’t assume physical or mobile delivery until confirming the details in the listing. And if having a printed ticket is a must, filter for only those delivery options when searching for your seats.
Conclusion
Does SeatGeek provide physical tickets? The answer is sometimes yes, sometimes no. It depends on the individual event, venue, and seller’s chosen delivery method. For major promoters with mobile-only policies, SeatGeek will only offer mobile passes. But many NBA, NFL, MLB, and concert listings still provide paper ticket shipment options. Always check the delivery details before purchasing. Contact SeatGeek support if you have any issues receiving your tickets. While mobile tickets seem to be the wave of the future, paper tickets are still alive and well on SeatGeek for select events.