In this digital age, it can be easy to forget that there was a time when concert and event tickets were printed on thick cardstock and mailed to your home. While Ticketmaster and other major ticket sellers now utilize mobile tickets accessed through your smartphone, there are still some circumstances where getting a paper ticket mailed to you is possible or even required.
Can I still get paper tickets from Ticketmaster?
The quick answer is sometimes. While Ticketmaster has largely moved towards mobile ticketing, there are some instances where you may be able to request a physical paper ticket:
- Some venues still require printed tickets for entry. This is more common with smaller, independent venues.
- Certain tickets sold through Ticketmaster allow the option to request printed tickets for an extra fee during checkout. This varies by event.
- If you purchased ticket insurance or made special requests that require documentation, you may be issued printed tickets.
So in summary, printed paper tickets are still available through Ticketmaster selectively based on the specific event, venue policies, and options chosen during the ticket purchase process.
How do I request printed tickets during checkout?
If printed tickets are an option for the event you’re purchasing tickets for, you will see the choice to select paper tickets during the checkout process. Here are the steps:
- When purchasing tickets on Ticketmaster.com or the mobile app, proceed through to the checkout screen where you enter payment details.
- On the checkout screen, look for a section or toggle that says “Delivery Method” or something similar.
- One of the choices should be “Mail my tickets” or “Paper tickets” – choose this option.
- There is usually an extra fee for printed ticket delivery, such as $5 fee per ticket.
- Complete the rest of the checkout process as normal.
The printed tickets will be mailed to the address you provide a few weeks before the event date. Make sure your mailing address is correct during checkout.
What if I already completed checkout – can I still change to paper tickets?
If you already finished your Ticketmaster purchase and received electronic mobile tickets, but still want printed versions, you may be able to request a change depending on the event. Here are some options:
- Check your confirmation email – There may be instructions for exchanging to paper tickets if available.
- Log into your Ticketmaster account and access your purchase history – Look for an option to “Change Delivery Method”
- Contact Ticketmaster Fan Support – Explain you need printed tickets instead of mobile delivery.
- Contact the event venue – Ask if they can issue printed tickets for you.
Keep in mind printed ticket availability close to the event date is limited. You will have better luck requesting a change as far in advance as possible.
I need paper tickets for insurance claims – what do I do?
If you purchased optional ticket insurance or protection through Ticketmaster, having printed tickets may be required should you need to make a claim for refunds or exchanges. Printed tickets act as proof of purchase and without them, filing a claim can be difficult.
Here are some tips if you need printed tickets for insurance purposes:
- Select printed ticket delivery during the initial ticket purchase checkout process.
- If you already have mobile tickets, call Ticketmaster Fan Support as soon as possible and explain you need printed tickets for your insurance. They will try to accommodate printed ticket delivery.
- Clearly document your purchase with confirmation numbers in case you do end up filing an insurance claim without printed tickets.
Alternatively, you can take a screenshot showing the purchased tickets in your Ticketmaster account and print that out as makeshift proof of purchase documentation.
My event requires printed tickets – what are my options?
In cases where an event strictly requires a printed ticket for entry and does not accept mobile tickets, you have a few choices:
- Request printed tickets during the Ticketmaster checkout process (if available).
- Contact the event venue and ask them to issue printed tickets on your behalf.
- Sell your mobile tickets and repurchase new tickets selecting the printed ticket option.
- Print out your receipt or confirmation email to attempt to gain entry, although this is not guaranteed to work.
If printed tickets are not available for purchase on Ticketmaster, your best recourse is reaching out to the event venue directly to make arrangements. Most venues can print tickets at their box office even if Ticketmaster could not.
What if I’m traveling from out of town for an event requiring printed tickets?
Having paperless mobile tickets can pose some challenges if you are traveling to an event that requires printed ticket entry. Here are some tips to ensure you gain entry:
- Call the venue ahead of time and explain your situation – see if they can hold printed tickets for you at Will Call.
- If staying at a hotel, ask them to receive the ticket mail delivery on your behalf ahead of arrival.
- Change your Ticketmaster ticket delivery address to where you will be staying, if possible.
- Sell your mobile tickets and repurchase new tickets with printed delivery to where you will be traveling.
- Ask if the venue can accept electronic proof of purchase, like your emailed receipt.
Coordinating with the event venue as much in advance as possible will be key to sorting out printed tickets while traveling from out of town.
Can I print out mobile tickets myself?
You typically cannot print out your Ticketmaster mobile tickets at home and expect them to work for venue entry. This is because:
- Printed mobile tickets lack security features like barcodes, QR codes, holograms that are present on official printed tickets.
- Venues can digitally scan and validate official printed tickets in a way that DIY printed tickets cannot be.
- Printing mobile tickets breaches the Terms of Use agreements when purchasing online.
In very rare cases, some venues may accept printed mobile tickets at their discretion. However, this is an exception rather than the rule. For reliable entry, you need actual tickets mailed by Ticketmaster.
Can I pick up printed tickets at the venue instead of having them mailed?
Most major venues and events do not allow picking up pre-purchased tickets at Will Call, unless you specifically arranged for Will Call pickup when ordering. However, you can see if these options exist:
- Check your Ticketmaster confirmation email for instructions on Will Call pickup. There may be a process to switch delivery to Will Call if you contact support.
- Contact the venue and ask if they allow Will Call pickup of pre-purchased Ticketmaster tickets.
- For last minute purchases close to the event date, Will Call pickup may be automatically used rather than mail delivery.
Unless your ticket delivery was already set up for Will Call, the best option is to change the delivery address to where you will be local to the event rather than depending on venue Will Call pickup.
Can I pick up someone else’s printed tickets?
Typically, the person who originally purchased the Ticketmaster tickets must be the one to pick up printed tickets at Will Call, if that delivery method was selected. However, you may be able pick up someone else’s pre-purchased printed tickets in a few scenarios:
- The original ticket purchaser calls ahead and puts your name on the Will Call pickup list.
- You bring the original ticket purchaser’s government ID and credit card used for purchase.
- The tickets were transferred to you properly via Ticketmaster’s transfer ticket function.
It depends fully on the specific venue’s policies, so you would want to check with them directly on requirements for someone else picking up another person’s printed tickets at Will Call.
What happens if I lose printed tickets or they are stolen?
Printed tickets that are lost, stolen, or damaged can be tricky situations. Here are some tips on what to do:
- Contact Ticketmaster immediately and explain your situation – they can void the lost tickets and reissue new printed or mobile tickets.
- If the tickets were resold privately rather than via Ticketmaster, you would need to coordinate with the seller on potential replacements.
- File a claim with your renters/homeowners insurance if the tickets were stolen and you had coverage.
- Go to the venue Will Call office on the event date with as much documentation as possible and see if they can print replacement tickets.
The quicker you can act by alerting Ticketmaster customer service, the better chance you have of getting replacement tickets issued in time for the event.
Should I choose electronic or paper tickets?
These days for most events and venues that give you the choice, mobile e-tickets provide the most convenience and flexibility. However, printed collectible tickets still have nostalgic appeal. Here is a comparison:
Electronic Tickets | Printed Tickets |
---|---|
Easy to access on your smartphone | Tangible collectible souvenir |
Harder to lose or misplace | Risk of lost in mail or theft |
Environmentally friendly | Wasteful to produce and mail |
Typically lower fees | Added fees for printing and delivery |
Unless printed tickets are absolutely required, mobile tickets provide the most flexibility and least risk of issues. But for certain special events, physical souvenir tickets can be worth the extra cost and hassle.
Conclusion
While mobile ticketing is now the norm, there are still some use cases where getting physical printed tickets for your Ticketmaster purchase is necessary or desired. This usually involves smaller independent venues that have not modernized yet or high-profile events that want to create souvenir tickets. In most cases, printed tickets need to be explicitly requested during checkout and will incur an extra fee for delivery. If you accidentally end up with mobile tickets but needed printed ones, contacting customer service right away is important for changing delivery methods. For normal events, digital tickets provide less waste and risk. But for certain special events, concertgoers still like having physical commemorative tickets for their collections. Carefully evaluate whether you really require printed tickets or if mobile will suffice when purchasing your next Ticketmaster event.