If you have purchased tickets through Ticketmaster and noticed they do not have a barcode, there are a few potential reasons for this. Ticketmaster offers both mobile and paper tickets, and the barcode situation can vary depending on the type of ticket.
Mobile Tickets
Many Ticketmaster tickets are now mobile tickets. With mobile tickets, you will receive your tickets electronically to display on your smartphone rather than printed on paper. Mobile tickets will not have a visible barcode on them. Instead, the barcode is embedded in the ticket and will be scanned from your smartphone screen when you enter the event. This eliminates the need for a visible barcode on the ticket.
Some key things to know about mobile tickets on Ticketmaster:
- You will receive the tickets via email or the Ticketmaster app rather than printed paper tickets.
- There will not be a visible barcode – the barcode is embedded digitally.
- You will need to display your smartphone screen at the venue for the barcode to be scanned.
- Only one entry per mobile ticket so you cannot screenshot or print duplicates.
- You need internet connection or cell service to access your tickets.
So if your Ticketmaster tickets do not have a visible barcode, they are likely mobile tickets. As long as you have the tickets on your smartphone, the venue will be able to scan the hidden barcode and grant you entry. Just be sure you have battery life and service so you can access your tickets!
Paper Tickets
Some Ticketmaster tickets are still printed on paper and mailed to customers. These paper tickets will have a visible barcode printed on them that is scanned for entry. If your paper tickets from Ticketmaster do not have a barcode, here are some potential reasons:
- The tickets are Will Call only – Some paper tickets do not get mailed but must be picked up at venue will call. They may not be printed with a barcode until pickup.
- The tickets come in a commemorative packet – Special event tickets sometimes come in collectible packaging that may conceal the barcode.
- The barcode is on the back – Occasionally the barcode is printed on the back of the ticket instead of the front for design reasons.
- The order hasn’t been processed yet – If you just purchased the tickets, they may not have been printed and mailed yet.
First check if your paper tickets have small print indicating they are Will Call only. If not, check if there is a barcode printed on the backside. If there still seems to be no barcode, you may need to wait for the tickets to be printed and mailed after your order has been fully processed. Or you can contact Ticketmaster to check the status of your order and ensure barcodes will be printed.
Reasons for Missing Barcodes on Ticketmaster Tickets
There are a few main reasons your Ticketmaster tickets may not have visible barcodes:
Reason | Details |
---|---|
Mobile Ticket | Barcode is embedded and will be scanned from your smartphone screen. |
Will Call Ticket | Barcode will print when you pick up ticket at box office. |
Commemorative Packaging | Barcode may be concealed on special event tickets. |
Barcode on Back | Some barcodes print on the back not front. |
Order not Processed | Allow time for printed tickets to be mailed after ordering. |
How to Get Your Ticketmaster Barcodes
If your Ticketmaster tickets should have barcodes but they are missing, here are some steps to get your barcodes:
- Mobile tickets – Ensure you have the latest Ticketmaster app and an internet connection.
- Will Call tickets – Pick up your tickets at the venue box office to have barcode printed.
- Commemorative tickets – Check if barcode is concealed somewhere on packaging.
- Paper tickets – Check if barcode is printed on back of ticket.
- Unprocessed order – Wait for printed ticket delivery after order completes.
- Missing barcodes – Contact Ticketmaster Fan Support for assistance.
Ticketmaster’s Fan Support can confirm if barcodes should be included with your order and resend them if there was an error. They can also reissue traditional paper tickets if you prefer those over mobile tickets. Fan Support is available by phone and online chat on Ticketmaster’s website.
Verifying Your Tickets on Ticketmaster
If you want to verify your Ticketmaster order has valid tickets assigned before the event, you can check your order status online:
- Go to ticketmaster.com and click “My Account” then “My Tickets.”
- Log into your account.
- Find the upcoming event tickets.
- Click on “View Details” to bring up ticket details.
- Scroll down and click “View Barcode.”
- This will display the full barcode whether the tickets are mobile or paper tickets.
If no barcode displays, your order may still be processing or there may be an issue with the tickets. Contact Fan Support if you still have questions after verifying your order status online.
Conclusion
In summary, Ticketmaster uses both paper tickets and mobile tickets. Mobile tickets do not display barcodes while paper tickets should. If your Ticketmaster tickets lack barcodes, some possible reasons are:
- They are mobile tickets with embedded barcodes
- Will Call tickets that will print upon pickup
- Commemorative tickets with concealed barcodes
- Barcodes printed on backside
- An order that is still processing
Check for these possibilities if your tickets are missing barcodes. You can also verify your order status and barcodes online via your Ticketmaster account. If issues persist, reach out to Fan Support for help getting valid tickets and barcodes prior to the event. This will ensure you have proper tickets for entry on the day of the show.