In the past, buying concert and event tickets meant getting paper tickets that you physically held in your hand and presented at the venue entrance. However, technology has changed how ticketing works, with more events requiring mobile tickets displayed on your phone instead of old-school paper tickets.
Ticketmaster is the largest ticket sales and distribution company in the United States, so their policies impact the vast majority of major concerts, sports games, and other events. Here is a closer look at whether Ticketmaster still sells paper tickets in 2023.
The Rise of Digital Tickets
Over the past decade, mobile ticketing has risen dramatically. In 2011, less than 10% of Ticketmaster tickets were mobile tickets. However, by 2015 that had jumped to 60% of tickets being mobile-only. And by 2021, it climbed to 75% of all tickets being mobile-only, with only 25% still being paper tickets.
There are several reasons behind this major shift away from paper tickets:
- Mobile ticketing reduces costs – Digital distribution is cheaper than printing and mailing paper tickets.
- Mobile ticketing is more convenient – Tickets can be easily managed through a smartphone app and are not at risk of being forgotten, lost, or stolen like a paper ticket.
- Mobile ticketing combats fraud – Digitally scanning a unique barcode for each mobile ticket makes duplication much harder.
- Mobile ticketing enables enhanced features – Apps allow pushing updates to fans, checking into events, transferring tickets electronically, and more.
The COVID-19 pandemic further accelerated these trends starting in 2020. Health concerns led many venues and organizations to only allow digital ticketing, with no paper ticket options offered. This “forced adoption” got many previously reluctant customers used to accessing mobile-only tickets for the first time.
Does Ticketmaster Still Offer Any Paper Tickets?
As of 2023, Ticketmaster does still offer paper tickets for some events, but it is now the exception rather than the norm. According to Ticketmaster directly, only around 10-15% of tickets sold through their platform in 2023 will be paper tickets.
There are certain circumstances where Ticketmaster will still issue paper tickets currently:
- Smaller venues and events – Larger concerts and pro sports will be mobile-only, but smaller local venues may still use some paper tickets.
- International events – Mobile ticket adoption varies globally, so events outside the US are more likely to get paper tickets for now.
- User preference – A customer may request paper tickets if mobile delivery is not practical for them.
- Last-minute purchases – Paper tickets may be issued if there is not enough time to deliver mobile tickets before an event.
However, these paper ticket exceptions are becoming less common each year. Even customers who prefer paper tickets or do not have a smartphone are now more likely to receive a print-at-home PDF ticket rather than a mailed paper ticket.
The Transition to Fully Digital Ticketing
Looking ahead, Ticketmaster has announced plans to move to fully digital ticketing in the future. They have begun piloting “SafeTix”, which are non-transferrable digital tickets with moving barcode animations that make duplication virtually impossible.
Ed Leslie, Ticketmaster’s North America President, stated in 2020 that their goal is to achieve 100% digital ticketing across their business in upcoming years as technology improves.
Ticketmaster is likely still several years away from completely phasing out paper tickets. But there is no doubt that within the next 5-10 years, paper tickets will become obsolete as mobile tickets take over completely. Some projections indicate Ticketmaster could hit their goal of being 95-100% digital ticketing by 2025 or 2026.
Why Digital Tickets Are the Future
Phasing out paper tickets in favor of all-digital ticketing provides many benefits:
- Lower costs – No need to produce and mail tens of millions of paper tickets annually saves significant time and expense.
- Increased security – Features like animated barcodes and digital ID checks reduce the risk of fraud with digital tickets.
- Easier transfers – Tickets can be transferred instantly to others electronically if needed.
- Better tracking – Digital tickets provide data on exactly who is attending events and how ticket usage changes over time.
- Environmental impact – Eliminating so much printed paper is better for sustainability.
- Enhanced experiences – Digital tickets unlock more innovation through add-ons like integrated venue maps, discounts, and more.
There are still challenges around universal mobile phone access and WiFi/cellular connectivity at venues. However, innovations like on-site phone rental kiosks and offline barcode activation are addressing these issues.
The bottom line is paper tickets are obsolete technology that creates unnecessary waste and inefficiency in the ticketing process. While not every event will go digital overnight, within 5 years Ticketmaster expects digital mobile tickets to be the new normal across the live events industry.
How Does Mobile Ticketing Work?
Making the switch from paper tickets to mobile ticketing comes with some changes in how you access events. Here is an overview of how mobile ticketing through Ticketmaster works:
- Purchase tickets through Ticketmaster online or via the app. Select mobile delivery.
- Ticket barcodes are delivered electronically through email or directly inside your Ticketmaster account.
- Download the Ticketmaster app by creating an account or signing into your existing one.
- Your purchased tickets will sync automatically with the app.
- When arriving at the event, open your app and display your unique barcode for scanning.
- In many cases, you will also need to show a valid photo ID that matches the ticket name.
- Once your digital ticket is verified, you can enter the event. Enjoy!
If purchasing from a secondary resale source like Ticketmaster Resale or NFL Ticket Exchange, there are a couple extra steps to transfer the mobile tickets from the original buyer over to you. But the scanning process remains the same simple mobile experience in the end.
Tips for Switching to Mobile Tickets
For longtime paper ticket buyers making the change to 100% digital, keep these tips in mind:
- Make sure to bring your smartphone and have it fully charged before leaving for the event.
- Download your ticket barcodes right away when purchased instead of waiting until the last minute.
- Save your tickets inside your smartphone’s digital wallet for quick access.
- Take a screenshot of your tickets to have as a backup.
- Verify ahead of time if your tickets need to be accessed offline once inside the venue.
Key Takeaways
Here are the key points to understand about the future of Ticketmaster and paper tickets:
- Paper ticket usage has dropped dramatically from over 90% in 2011 to 10-15% in 2023.
- Mobile ticketing is now the norm for Ticketmaster, with just some exceptions still getting paper.
- Within 5 years, Ticketmaster plans to be 95-100% digital ticketing across their platform.
- Digital ticketing lowers costs, reduces fraud, enables innovations, and is more environmentally friendly.
- Mobile tickets require downloading Ticketmaster apps and displaying unique barcodes to enter events.
The disappearing paper ticket signals a massive shift in how live events operate. While the transition may take some getting used to, most fans appreciate the convenience and simplicity of having tickets on their smartphones once they make the switch. The future is mobile, and paper tickets are on their way out across the live entertainment landscape.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it risky using only digital tickets?
Mobile ticketing comes with low risks as long as you follow best practices. Purchase tickets only through official sources, save your barcodes ahead of time, screenshot backups, and ensure your phone is charged. Venues will also have help desks to assist with any ticket issues.
What if my phone dies before the event?
Dead phones are one of the top concerns fans have around digital tickets. Venues will provide charging stations if your phone battery dies. You can also print paper backups of PDF tickets in emergencies. Lastly, box offices can look up and reissue tickets with an ID if all else fails.
Can paper tickets be converted to mobile?
If you already have paper tickets, you can typically convert them to mobile by signing into your Ticketmaster account online or contacting their customer support. This prevents needing to visit will call. Some older tickets may not be eligible though.
Are mobile tickets safe from hackers?
Mobile ticketing systems have extremely strong protections in place against hacking, data breaches, and other digital threats. Barcode animations, refreshing codes, and online verification make it nearly impossible for malicious users to duplicate or steal tickets.
What if I purchased paper tickets from a resale site?
If you buy paper tickets from a secondary source, you can request the seller transfer them to mobile delivery instead if possible. This provides more convenience and security. If digital transfer is not an option, bring a print-out of receipts as backup proof of purchase.
Conclusion
Ticketmaster’s steady transition away from paper tickets in favor of fully digital ticketing will significantly impact how fans buy and manage tickets. While the learning curve and limitations of 100% mobile ticketing do create some understandable consumer concerns, event organizers are dedicated to making the mobile experience as seamless and secure as possible.
Ultimately, going paperless opens up innovations that simply are not possible with antiquated paper slips, providing a better experience for fans overall. As technology improves and digital adoption increases, mobile will pave the way for the next generation of enhanced ticketing capabilities.