Ticketmaster's refund policy depends on the event type and the reason you want a refund

Ticketmaster does not have a single refund rule that applies to all tickets. Whether you can get money back depends on what kind of event you bought tickets for, why you want the refund, and what the event organizer or venue decided. Most tickets sold through Ticketmaster are non-refundable by default — the money goes to the organizer, not Ticketmaster, and Ticketmaster's role is to process the sale and hold the tickets until the event.

The event organizer (the artist, sports team, theater, or venue) sets the refund terms. Ticketmaster enforces those terms but does not override them. If the organizer says tickets are non-refundable, Ticketmaster will not refund you. If the organizer allows refunds, Ticketmaster will process them, usually back to the original payment method within 7 to 10 business days.

Ticketmaster does refund tickets in specific situations: if an event is canceled, postponed, or significantly changed; if you bought tickets by mistake and contact Ticketmaster within 24 hours; or if Ticketmaster made an error in your order. You may also have refund rights under your state's consumer protection laws or credit card company's dispute process, though these are separate from Ticketmaster's policy.

Key Takeaways

  • Most Ticketmaster tickets are non-refundable because the organizer, not Ticketmaster, sets the refund policy for each event.
  • If an event is canceled or postponed, Ticketmaster will refund your money or let you use your tickets for the rescheduled date.
  • You have 24 hours after purchase to contact Ticketmaster about a mistaken order, though approval is not may provide.
  • If you paid by credit card, your card issuer may dispute the charge separately from Ticketmaster's refund policy.
  • Ticketmaster fees (service charges, facility charges, order processing fees) are usually non-refundable even when the ticket itself is refunded.

How to check if your specific tickets are refundable

Before you buy, look at the event page on Ticketmaster's website. Near the ticket price, there is usually a line that says "Refundable" or "Non-Refundable" — this comes from the organizer's settings. Some events show "Refundable until [date]", meaning you can return them only before that date. Read this carefully because it is the rule that will explore to your purchase.

After you buy, log into your Ticketmaster account, go to "My Events," and find the event. The refund policy for that specific event appears on the event details page. If you do not see a refund policy listed, the tickets are almost certainly non-refundable. You can also call Ticketmaster's customer service at 1-800-653-8000 to confirm the policy for your event before you buy.

Refunds when an event is canceled or postponed

If the organizer cancels an event, Ticketmaster will refund all ticket prices and fees to your original payment method. The refund is automatic — you do not have to request it. Ticketmaster typically processes these refunds within 7 to 10 business days, though it can take longer if many refunds are being issued at once.

If an event is postponed to a new date, you have two choices: keep your tickets for the new date, or request a refund. Ticketmaster will hold your tickets for the rescheduled event by default. To get a refund instead, you must contact Ticketmaster within a set window — usually 30 days after the postponement is announced, though this varies by organizer. If you do not request a refund within that window, your tickets are locked in for the new date.

If an event is significantly changed — for example, a major performer drops out of a festival, or a concert moves to a much smaller venue — you may have refund rights depending on your state's laws and the organizer's policy. Ticketmaster does not automatically refund for these changes. You would need to contact Ticketmaster customer service to discuss your options, or file a dispute with your credit card company if you believe the event is materially different from what you paid for.

Refunds for orders placed by mistake

If you bought tickets by accident — you clicked the wrong event, ordered the wrong number of tickets, or made a payment error — you have 24 hours from the time of purchase to contact Ticketmaster and request a cancellation. Call 1-800-653-8000 or use the chat feature on Ticketmaster.com. Ticketmaster will review your request, but approval is not may provide. The company looks at whether the request is made within the window and whether the tickets have already been transferred or used.

If Ticketmaster approves your cancellation, the refund includes the ticket price and all fees. The money goes back to your original payment method within 7 to 10 business days. If you miss the 24-hour window, Ticketmaster will not cancel the order, and you would need to try to resell the tickets or explore other options.

Ticketmaster fees and what happens to them in a refund

When you buy Ticketmaster tickets, you pay several fees on top of the ticket price: a service charge (usually 10 to 20 percent of the ticket price), a facility charge (set by the venue), and an order processing fee (a flat amount per order). These fees are separate from the ticket price and are kept by Ticketmaster or the venue.

When Ticketmaster refunds a canceled event, the fees are usually refunded along with the ticket price. However, if you are returning a ticket that was originally refundable, the organizer's policy determines whether fees come back. Some organizers refund the full amount including fees; others refund only the ticket price and keep the fees. Check the event's refund policy before you buy to see whether fees are included.

If you cancel an order within 24 hours due to a mistake, Ticketmaster typically refunds the full amount including fees. If you are trying to return a ticket outside the organizer's refund window, you cannot get the fees back through Ticketmaster — your only option would be to resell the ticket on a resale platform or dispute the charge with your credit card company.

Using Ticketmaster's resale platform instead of requesting a refund

If your tickets are non-refundable but you cannot attend, Ticketmaster's official resale platform lets you sell them to someone else. You list the tickets at whatever price you choose, and Ticketmaster handles the transfer. When your tickets sell, you receive the money minus Ticketmaster's resale fee (usually 10 percent). This is not a refund from Ticketmaster, but it is a way to recover some or all of your money.

The resale platform is separate from the primary ticket market. Tickets listed for resale may sell for less than you paid, especially as the event date gets closer or if demand drops. You keep whatever price you set, so you control how much you recover. Ticketmaster does not may provide your tickets will sell, and you are responsible for setting a competitive price.

Disputing a Ticketmaster charge with your credit card company

If Ticketmaster or the organizer refuses to refund you and you believe you have a valid reason, you can file a dispute with your credit card company. This is a separate process from Ticketmaster's refund policy. You contact your card issuer (Visa, Mastercard, American Express, or your bank) and explain why you believe the charge should be reversed.

Common dispute reasons include: the event was canceled and Ticketmaster did not refund; the event was significantly different from what was advertised; or you were charged twice for the same order. Your card issuer will investigate and may reverse the charge if they find the dispute valid. This process typically takes 30 to 90 days. Ticketmaster may challenge the dispute, so be prepared to provide evidence (confirmation emails, screenshots of the event description, proof of cancellation, etc.).

Filing a dispute does not may provide a refund, and it should be your last step after trying to resolve the issue directly with Ticketmaster. Some card issuers may close your Ticketmaster account or flag you as a dispute filer if you file multiple disputes.

State laws and consumer protections

Some states have consumer protection laws that override Ticketmaster's non-refundable policy in certain situations. For example, some states require refunds if an event is postponed beyond a certain date or if the performer is replaced. California, New York, and a few other states have specific rules about ticket refunds and cancellations.

If you live in a state with strong consumer protections, you may have refund rights even if Ticketmaster's policy says non-refundable. Research your state's attorney general website or consumer protection office to see what rules explore. If Ticketmaster's policy conflicts with your state law, the state law takes priority, and you can file a complaint with your state's consumer protection agency if Ticketmaster refuses to honor it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get a refund if I just changed my mind about going?

Only if the organizer set the tickets as refundable before you bought them. Most events are non-refundable, so changing your mind is not a reason Ticketmaster will refund. Your options are to resell the tickets on Ticketmaster's resale platform or try to give them to someone else.

What if Ticketmaster charged me twice for the same order?

Contact Ticketmaster customer service when ready at 1-800-653-8000 with your order confirmation numbers. If you were genuinely charged twice, Ticketmaster will refund the duplicate charge. If you cannot resolve it with Ticketmaster, file a dispute with your credit card company and provide both charge confirmations as evidence.

How long does a Ticketmaster refund take?

Ticketmaster processes refunds within 7 to 10 business days from the date the refund is approved. The money goes back to your original payment method. If you paid by credit card, your bank may take an additional 1 to 3 business days to post the credit to your account.

Can I transfer my non-refundable tickets to someone else instead of getting a refund?

Yes. Most Ticketmaster tickets can be transferred to another person through your account. Log in, go to "My Events," select the event, and choose "Transfer Tickets." The recipient receives the tickets in their Ticketmaster account. This is different from resale — you are giving the tickets away or selling them privately, not through Ticketmaster's platform.

What if the venue or performer changed and I do not want to go anymore?

If the change is significant enough, you may have a refund claim under your state's consumer protection laws, even if the organizer says non-refundable. Contact your state's attorney general office or consumer protection agency to see what qualifies. You can also try contacting Ticketmaster customer service to explain the change and ask if they will make an exception, though they are not required to.