Ticketmaster is one of the largest ticket sales and distribution companies in the world, providing ticketing services for concerts, sporting events, and more. With operations in over 30 countries globally, Ticketmaster facilitates ticket sales for thousands of events each year.
However, Ticketmaster’s services and availability can vary significantly by region. So an important question for music and event fans in South Africa is: does Ticketmaster work there? Can South Africans use Ticketmaster to buy tickets for concerts, shows, and other events within the country?
The quick answer is yes, Ticketmaster does operate in South Africa. Ticketmaster South Africa provides ticket sales and distribution services for a wide array of live entertainment events within the country. Concert goers, sports fans, and more can use Ticketmaster online or mobile apps to purchase tickets to events happening in South Africa’s major cities like Johannesburg, Cape Town, and Durban.
However, it is worth noting that Ticketmaster does not have exclusive partnerships in South Africa. There are other major ticket retailers that also sell tickets to events within the country. So Ticketmaster competes with other ticket sellers in the South African market. It is not the only option available, though it does provide access to a wide array of different events.
Below we will explore Ticketmaster South Africa in more detail, looking at:
- Ticketmaster’s history and operations in South Africa
- The types of events Ticketmaster sells tickets for within the country
- Other ticket retailers operating in South Africa
- How to use Ticketmaster to buy tickets for events in South Africa
- The advantages and potential limitations of using Ticketmaster in South Africa
This will provide an in-depth look at how Ticketmaster works in South Africa and what capabilities it provides to customers within the country looking to attend live entertainment and sporting events.
Ticketmaster’s History in South Africa
Ticketmaster first began operations in South Africa in the early 2000s, establishing Ticketmaster South Africa as a subsidiary to provide ticketing services within the country. This was part of Ticketmaster’s broader global expansion strategy in the early 2000s to grow its operations into new international markets.
South Africa represented an attractive market opportunity for Ticketmaster. As one of the major entertainment hubs in Africa with a rich culture of live music and sporting events, there was significant potential ticket sales volume for concerts, shows, sports, and other live events within South Africa each year.
Ticketmaster already had success establishing its ticketing services in other countries around the world. Setting up shop in South Africa provided a new market full of opportunity to sell ticketing inventory. The company could leverage its existing ticketing platforms, technology, and sales capabilities to facilitate ticket sales for events in South Africa’s largest cities.
In the years since first launching in South Africa, Ticketmaster has established itself as one of the major ticket retailers in the country. Today it sells tickets to concerts, theatre shows, comedy shows, festivals, sporting events, and more happening across South Africa’s major metropolitan areas. It sells millions of tickets annually and facilitates ticket sales for events of all sizes – from large concerts and festivals down to smaller club shows and local community events.
So over two decades, Ticketmaster South Africa has gone from a new market entrance to becoming a key fixture within the country’s live events ecosystem. It provides an essential ticketing service both for fans looking to purchase event access and also for event organizers and venues looking to sell tickets and fill seats.
Types of Events Ticketmaster Sells Tickets for in South Africa
What kinds of live entertainment and sporting events does Ticketmaster sell tickets for within the South African market?
Given the wide range of events that take place across South Africa each year, Ticketmaster sells tickets to almost every type of live experience imaginable. This includes tickets for:
- Concerts – Ticketmaster sells tickets to major international concert tours and festivals happening in South Africa, as well as shows by local South African music acts. You can use Ticketmaster to buy tickets to see global pop stars, rock bands, hip hop artists, DJs, and other musicians performing in South Africa’s major cities.
- Theater & Comedy Shows – Ticket purchases for theatrical productions, ballet, Broadway touring shows, operas, and comedy shows at South Africa’s top venues are also facilitated through Ticketmaster.
- Sporting Events – Whether it’s professional football and rugby matches, motorsports, golf tournaments, or other major sporting events, Ticketmaster provides a ticketing outlet.
- Arts & Cultural Events – Performing arts events, museum exhibits, festivals celebrating South African culture, and more can have their tickets sold via Ticketmaster as well.
- Community Events – Even smaller local events use Ticketmaster ticketing. This includes school concerts, community fundraisers, town festivals, and similar events.
Basically any type of ticketed event happening within South Africa has the option to potentially use Ticketmaster to handle their ticketing and sales. The company provides the technology and ticketing infrastructure to make tickets available through its global distribution network.
This benefits both the event organizers who want to sell tickets and manage attendance, as well as customers who want to easily purchase verified event tickets online or through Ticketmaster’s apps.
So music fans can count on Ticketmaster having concert tickets on sale from South Africa’s biggest stadiums down to more intimate music venues. Theatre patrons can buy tickets for Broadway touring productions making limited-engagement stops in Johannesburg or Cape Town. Sports attendance is covered from major league matches to smaller school athletics.
No matter the event type or size of audience, Ticketmaster aims to provide ticketing services across the spectrum of live entertainment in South Africa.
Other Ticket Retailers Operating in South Africa
Now it is important to note – Ticketmaster does not have an exclusive lock on event ticketing in South Africa. It faces competition from several other major ticket retailers who also sell tickets locally to South African events and venues.
Some of the other big players in the South African ticket sales market include:
- Computicket – Owned by local South African company Shoprite, Computicket is one of the largest and longest running ticket retailers in South Africa. They sell tickets to many major concerts, theatre shows, sporting events, and other types of events across the country.
- Webtickets – Another well known local South African ticket seller. Webtickets facilitates ticket sales for live entertainment and sporting events in all major cities.
- Quicket – An online ticket marketplace that allows both event organizers and resellers to list event tickets for sale.
- iTickets – Facilitates ticket sales for concerts, sports, festivals and other live experiences in South Africa.
- TicketPro – Sells tickets online and via retail outlets for events across South Africa.
So Ticketmaster competes against these established local players who also work with venues and event promoters to sell tickets. South African consumers often have multiple ticketing options to choose from when looking to purchase tickets to concerts, sports, and other events happening in the country.
Ticketmaster does not have exclusive partnerships with all major venues and events in South Africa. Promoters and organizers are able to choose between Ticketmaster, other international ticketing companies like Ticketek, or using a local outfit like Computicket or Webtickets for their needs.
This means competition to sell event tickets in South Africa is quite strong. The good news is South African consumers benefit from having choices when it comes to where and how to purchase tickets for the events they want to attend. Often multiple official ticketing outlets will have inventory available for big concerts and shows in South Africa.
Using Ticketmaster to Buy Tickets for Events in South Africa
For those consumers looking to use Ticketmaster specifically when purchasing tickets for events in South Africa, how does it work exactly?
Purchasing tickets via Ticketmaster South Africa is a straightforward process, though there are a few things to keep in mind:
Check Event Availability on Ticketmaster
The first step is to search for your desired event on Ticketmaster’s website or mobile app. You can browse upcoming events by category (music, sports, arts, etc) or search directly for a specific event title, performer, team, or venue.
This will confirm if Ticketmaster has tickets available for sale for the particular event you want to attend. Remember, just because an event is happening in South Africa does not automatically mean it is using Ticketmaster for ticketing. Some may go through other sales channels.
But if your event shows up in Ticketmaster’s listings, that confirms they have a ticket inventory available for purchasing.
Select Your Preferred Tickets
Once you find your event on Ticketmaster, you can then choose your specific ticket type or seating selection. Options may include general admission, reserved seating, VIP packages, or special experiences.
Pick your desired ticket quantity and type that matches your budget and preferences for the event experience.
Complete Your Ticket Purchase
Finish off your Ticketmaster transaction by providing payment information and completing the ticket purchase process. You’ll create a Ticketmaster account if you don’t already have one. Make sure to provide an email address so your ticket purchase confirmation and ticket delivery information can be sent to you digitally.
Ticketmaster South Africa accepts major credit cards and also allows purchases using instant EFT bank transfer, so you have payment options.
Access Your Tickets
After completing your ticket order and receiving your confirmation email from Ticketmaster, you’ll be all set!
For most events, Ticketmaster will email you a digital ticket barcode or mobile pass to access the event, along with any additional information needed (venue address, start time, etc). You will show your ticket barcode on your phone when arriving at the event venue.
Some ticket types may be delivered by courier as physical paper tickets instead. But digital ticketing is the norm, allowing fast delivery and easy access from your smartphone.
So in just a few steps, South African customers can easily browse events, purchase tickets, and securely access their event passes all through the Ticketmaster platform.
Advantages of Using Ticketmaster for Events in South Africa
Why might someone choose to use Ticketmaster South Africa specifically when purchasing tickets to live entertainment or sporting events within the country?
There are a few potential advantages that Ticketmaster provides:
Wide Event Selection
With partnerships across hundreds of venues and promoters in South Africa, Ticketmaster simply provides access to tickets for one of the largest selections of events within the country each year.
Major concerts, shows, festivals, theatre productions, and sporting events across all the top venues in Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban, and other cities are listed on Ticketmaster. So it’s often the first place to check when tickets go on sale for any major event.
Reliable Brand
Ticketmaster is one of the largest and most recognized ticket sellers worldwide, which brings a strong brand reputation. South African customers can trust they are purchasing valid tickets through an established secure platform when buying via Ticketmaster.
Multiple Purchase Options
Ticketmaster offers customers different ways to purchase tickets – online via website, mobile app, phone sales, and even at select physical retail outlets. This flexibility provides options for how to access and pay for tickets.
Verified Tickets
Ticketmaster’s digital ticketing technology and barcoded tickets prevent fraud and counterfeits. Fans know the tickets they purchase are 100% valid and authentic.
Consumer Protections
In the event a ticketed event is cancelled or rescheduled, Ticketmaster provides refunds and ticket guarantees for customers. This provides peace of mind with the ticket purchase.
Frequent Discounts and Offers
Special ticket discount codes, pre-sales, and exclusive offers are often available to Ticketmaster customers, which can provide savings on ticket purchases.
So in summary, though not the only option available, Ticketmaster does offer South African ticket buyers a reputable and full-featured ticketing solution for events within the country. The brand recognition, technology, and inventory depth make it an attractive choice for many looking to purchase event access.
Potential Limitations of Using Ticketmaster South Africa
While Ticketmaster does provide plenty of upside as a useful ticketing resource, there are also some potential limitations to keep in mind as well:
Service Fees
Ticketmaster is known globally for adding on services fees and charges above ticket face value costs. South African customers will pay these extra fees on each ticket purchase, which can add a sometimes significant cost on top of the base price. Other ticket sellers may include lower fees.
No Exclusive Inventory
Since Ticketmaster does not have exclusive agreements with all venues and events, some tickets may only be available through other ticketing companies and channels in South Africa. All events will not necessarily be accessible for purchase on Ticketmaster.
Website and App Issues
During high demand on-sale periods, customers worldwide often encounter Ticketmaster website slowdowns, crashes, and errors trying to purchase popular event tickets. South Africans likely face the same technical headaches when hot tickets go on sale.
Lack of Customer Service Access
Reaching Ticketmaster customer service for assistance with issues like refunds, deliveries, changes etc is notoriously difficult, usually requiring extended wait times. South African customers deal with the same lack of customer service accessibility.
So Ticketmaster isn’t necessarily the perfect ticketing source for every fan and scenario in South Africa. There are some disadvantages and limitations to note as well when choosing it as a ticketing option.
Conclusion
To conclude, yes – Ticketmaster does operate and sell event tickets within South Africa through its Ticketmaster South Africa division. Music, theatre, sports, and other live event fans can use Ticketmaster’s website and apps to purchase tickets to events happening across the country.
The brand provides a recognized and reliable ticketing platform with broad event inventory. However, it faces strong competition from other established local ticket sellers in South Africa. Customers have multiple options of where to purchase tickets, with Ticketmaster representing just one of several major channels to acquire tickets for concerts, shows, and other entertainment.
Though fees and some technical issues can be drawbacks, overall Ticketmaster remains a robust ticketing source for South Africans to consider using to gain access to the live events and experiences they are most passionate about.
Ticketmaster South Africa Key Facts | |
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Launch year | Early 2000s |
Headquarters | Johannesburg |
Tickets sold annually | Millions |
Events ticketed | Concerts, sports, theatre, comedy shows, festivals, and more |
Ticket purchase methods | Online, mobile app, phone, retail outlets |
Major competition | Computicket, Webtickets, Quicket, iTickets, TicketPro |