This is a common question for ticket buyers, as cancelations and postponements have become increasingly common in recent years due to factors like the COVID-19 pandemic. The short answer is that in most cases, yes, Ticketmaster will provide refunds if an event is outright canceled by the organizer. However, every situation is different, and Ticketmaster’s refund policies can vary depending on the event, the timing of the cancelation, and other factors.
Ticketmaster’s Standard Refund Policy for Canceled Events
According to Ticketmaster’s purchase policy, if an event is canceled outright without being rescheduled, ticket buyers are eligible for a refund. Here are some key details about Ticketmaster’s standard refund policy:
- Refunds are generally issued to the original ticket purchaser automatically within 30 days of the cancelation announcement.
- Refunds are typically issued via the original payment method used to purchase the tickets.
- Any fees included in the ticket price (service fees, shipping, etc.) are refunded along with the base ticket price.
- For postponed or rescheduled events, refund availability may vary depending on the new event date and other factors.
So in standard cases where an event is outright canceled without being postponed or rescheduled, Ticketmaster ticket buyers can expect a full refund including all fees. This general policy provides protection for ticket buyers if an event can no longer move forward as planned.
Exceptions and Special Cases
While Ticketmaster’s standard policy is to refund canceled events, there are some exceptions and special cases buyers should be aware of:
Postponed or Rescheduled Events
If an event is postponed or rescheduled rather than completely canceled, refund availability can vary:
- If the new event date works for you, your tickets typically remain valid for the new date.
- If the new date doesn’t work, you may be eligible for a refund within a certain window – often 30-90 days from the postponement announcement.
- Outside the refund window, you may only be able to resell or exchange your tickets rather than get a refund.
So for postponed events, refunds are sometimes available but not guaranteed in all cases. Check with Ticketmaster regarding policies for specific rescheduled events.
Events Canceled Due to Weather or Other Acts of God
If an event is canceled due to weather, natural disaster, or other force majeure circumstances outside the organizer’s control, standard refund policies may not apply. Refund availability can vary in these situations:
- If part of a multi-day festival is canceled due to weather, refunds may only apply to the canceled day’s tickets.
- One-time events canceled for weather or other issues are less likely to offer refunds.
- Ticket exchanges or credits for future events may be offered instead of refunds in some force majeure cases.
While refunds are possible, buyers shouldn’t necessarily expect them for weather and “act of God” cancelations based on Ticketmaster’s policies.
Bankrupt or Liquidated Event Organizers
If an event organizer declares bankruptcy or liquidates, Ticketmaster may be unable to process refunds even if events are clearly canceled. This is because organizers are responsible for providing the refund money, not Ticketmaster. Options in this situation may include:
- Filing a claim with the bankruptcy court overseeing the organizer’s case.
- If applicable, requesting a refund via your credit card company.
- Accepting an exchange or credit if offered.
While less common, bankruptcy cancelations represent cases where Ticketmaster and ticket buyers have limited recourse for refunds.
How to Request Refunds from Ticketmaster
If an event is canceled, here are some tips for proactively seeking a Ticketmaster refund:
Online Purchases
- Watch your email for a refund notification from Ticketmaster. Refunds are generally processed automatically.
- To check status, access your Ticketmaster account online and find the order – it should show “Refunded” if processed.
- If uncertain, contact Ticketmaster Fan Support online and reference your order number.
Phone/Box Office Purchases
- If you didn’t provide an email when purchasing, proactively contact Ticketmaster Fan Support by phone.
- Have your order number or ticket info ready to reference.
- An agent can look up your status and process a refund if needed.
For ticket packs, season packages, or other complex orders, it may be best to get status directly from a support agent. They can review your account details and next steps.
Using Ticketmaster’s Official Refund Request Form
Ticketmaster also provides an online Refund Request Form buyers can use to proactively seek refunds for canceled or postponed events. To request a refund via the form:
- Find the event listing online and click the “Request Refund” button.
- Select the number and type of tickets to refund.
- Follow prompts to provide order details and required information.
- Submit the request form – you’ll receive a confirmation email.
- A refund will be processed if approved based on Ticketmaster’s policies.
This provides an official channel for buyers to proactively seek refunds from Ticketmaster if an event cancelation occurs.
Getting Refunds via Credit Card Price Protection
If purchased with a credit card, buyers may also have the option of requesting a refund by disputing the charge if an event is canceled. Here’s how it works:
- Contact your card issuer to dispute the charge – you’ll need to provide details on the cancelation.
- The issuer requests documentation from Ticketmaster and reviews your claim.
- If approved, the charge is reversed and effectively refunded to your account.
This process leverages purchase protection benefits offered by major credit cards. It provides buyers another option to pursue refunds for canceled Ticketmaster events if needed.
Getting Refunds via Official Resale Platforms
If you purchased tickets via an official Ticketmaster resale marketplace like Ticketmaster Resale or NFL Ticket Exchange, different refund policies may apply:
- Resale platforms provide fan-to-fan ticket sales, with Ticketmaster as the intermediary.
- In cancelation cases, money is returned to the seller, who is responsible for refunding the buyer.
- Ticketmaster facilitates this process via the resale platform.
So for resale tickets, buyers and sellers manage refunds, but Ticketmaster enables the transaction. Review resale policies for details.
What About Refunds for Third-Party Ticket Resellers?
If you purchased tickets through an unofficial third-party reseller, like StubHub, VividSeats, or Craigslist:
- Ticketmaster is not responsible for providing refunds in these cases.
- You’ll need to seek refunds directly through the reseller as outlined in their policies.
- This can be more complex than official Ticketmaster transactions.
Only buy from authorized Ticketmaster resale platforms for the most protection. Otherwise, you’ll need to handle third-party refunds separately.
Key Takeaways
To recap Ticketmaster’s approach to refunds when events are canceled:
- For outright cancelations, standard policy is to provide full refunds to ticket buyers.
- Postponements, weather events, and organizer bankruptcies can affect refund availability.
- Refunds are generally processed automatically, but can also be requested proactively.
- Credit card chargebacks present another route to potentially obtain refunds.
- Policies differ when buying via resale sites vs. third-parties.
The clearest path to refunds is purchasing tickets directly via Ticketmaster’s primary or official resale platforms. Read all policies closely and contact support with questions on specific situations.
Frequently Asked Questions
How quickly does Ticketmaster issue refunds for canceled events?
Ticketmaster aims to process refunds within 30 days of an event being canceled. Refund timing may vary depending on factors like method of payment and volume of refunds to process.
Can I get a refund for canceled Ticketmaster events if my tickets were paperless?
Yes, Ticketmaster can process refunds for mobile/paperless ticket orders just like any other tickets. You simply need to provide the order number linked to the barcodes.
What if only part of a festival is canceled due to weather? Will Ticketmaster refund the full event cost?
In cases where only part of a multi-day festival is impacted by weather or other issues, Ticketmaster will typically only refund the portion of tickets related to the canceled date(s). Full festival refunds generally won’t be provided.
My event was postponed 6 months later – can I still get a Ticketmaster refund?
When events are postponed, refund availability depends on the timing. Within 30-90 days of postponement, refunds are often available. Beyond that window, you may only be able to exchange or resell tickets if the new date doesn’t work.
I bought tickets via StubHub – can I get a Ticketmaster refund if my event is canceled?
For tickets bought via third-party resellers like StubHub, Ticketmaster is not responsible for providing refunds. You’ll need to seek refunds directly from StubHub or similar unofficial reseller instead.
The Bottom Line
Ticketmaster provides full refunds for canceled events in most straightforward cases. But for issues like postponements, weather, and reseller purchases, refund availability can get more complex. Read policies closely and contact Ticketmaster support with any cancelation-related questions. Being proactive is key to getting refunds processed quickly and smoothly when events can’t move forward as planned.