If you purchased event tickets online or through a ticket broker and the tickets arrived with someone else’s name printed on them, there are a few possible explanations for why this may have happened.
The tickets were transferred to you
Many ticket sellers like Ticketmaster now use mobile entry where the ticket barcode is tied to your account. If the original ticket purchaser can’t attend the event, they can log in to their account and transfer the tickets to someone else. When this happens, the new ticket owner’s name is printed on the tickets.
So if you bought tickets secondhand from someone who could no longer attend, they likely transferred the tickets to your name via their ticket account. This allows you to enter the venue with no issues, since the tickets are now officially in your name in the ticket company’s system.
You purchased resale tickets
If you bought tickets through a resale site like StubHub, SeatGeek or VividSeats, the tickets were likely originally purchased by someone else. When the original buyer posts and sells their tickets on a resale platform, the hard tickets still show the original purchaser’s name.
This is normal for resale tickets. As long as you verified the tickets are valid on the official event or venue website, the name on the hard tickets does not matter. The venue will scan the ticket barcode which is tied to your purchase info, not the original buyer.
The tickets were part of a group order
When buying tickets for a group through an official seller like Ticketmaster, one person often makes the entire ticket purchase. In this case, the purchaser’s name may be printed on all of the hard tickets.
But in Ticketmaster’s system, the ticket barcodes are assigned to each individual attendee. So at the event entrance, your individual barcode will be scanned from the group ticket that has someone else’s name.
As long as your name is listed on the group order confirmation, you’ll be able to enter with the group tickets that have a different name printed on them.
Error during ticket printing/shipping
In rare cases, there may be a glitch during ticket printing and shipping that leads to another customer’s name ending up on your tickets. Several things could cause this:
- The ticket seller printed the wrong name by mistake
- The delivery addresses got mixed up when mailing tickets
- Someone else’s tickets got stuck to yours when printing
If this happens, contact the ticket seller right away to get the error fixed. They should be able to reissue tickets with your correct name if you purchased the tickets directly.
How to use tickets with someone else’s name
If your tickets arrived with someone else’s name, take the following steps to use them:
- Verify the tickets are valid on the official event website or box office.
- Bring a copy of your ticket purchase confirmation showing your order info.
- Arrive early in case there are any questions at entry.
- Be polite and patient if you need to explain the name discrepancy to gate staff.
As long as you can confirm the tickets are legitimately yours, the name on the tickets themselves does not determine whether you can use them to enter the event. The venue will scan the barcode that’s tied to your purchase record, not the name on the ticket.
When you need to take action
In most cases, someone else’s name appearing on your tickets is just a formality and won’t prevent you from entering. But in the following situations, you may need to take extra steps:
Situation | Action Needed |
---|---|
Tickets that must be picked up in person | Contact seller ahead of time to reprint with your name |
Strict venues that require ID/name match | Ask box office to switch tickets to your name before entry |
Purchased from an unofficial 3rd party | Verify tickets on official site and consider avoiding if unsure |
The main time you may run into trouble is if the venue requires matching photo ID for entry. In that case, contact them before the event and explain someone else’s name is printed so they can accommodate you at the gate.
Protect yourself when buying tickets
To ensure a smooth experience if you’re buying tickets secondhand, follow these tips:
- Always buy from trusted vendors like Ticketmaster or StubHub
- Avoid unofficial third party sellers like craigslist
- Register the tickets in your name if transferrable
- Save your ticket confirmation to prove purchase
- Review venue entry requirements before buying
As long as you take precautions when purchasing tickets, someone else’s name appearing on the tickets should not prevent you from getting into the event. But if you have any concerns, reach out to the seller or venue ahead of time to get it sorted out.
Conclusion
If you obtain event tickets and they have someone else’s name printed on them, it does not necessarily mean the tickets are invalid or unusable. In most cases, it is just a formality and you’ll be able to enter the venue with no issues as long as you have a valid barcode.
To avoid problems, purchase from reputable sellers, confirm your tickets are valid on the official event site, and arrive early in case you need to explain the situation to entry staff. As long as you have proof of purchase, tickets with someone else’s name can still grant you flawless entry in most scenarios.