Ticketmaster refunds depend on the event organizer's rules, not Ticketmaster's own policy

Ticketmaster does not set whether tickets are refundable. The artist, venue, or promoter who controls the event decides the refund terms, and Ticketmaster enforces those terms. If the event listing says "non-refundable," Ticketmaster will not refund you even if you change your mind. If it says refundable, you can return tickets before the stated deadline — usually 24 to 72 hours before the event starts.

The refund policy appears on the event page before you buy. Look for language like "refundable until [date]" or "non-refundable." If you do not see a policy listed, contact Ticketmaster customer service with your order number; they can tell you what the organizer allows for that specific event.

Key Takeaways

  • The event organizer, not Ticketmaster, decides whether tickets can be refunded, and this policy is set before you purchase.
  • Refundable tickets usually have a deadline — often 24 to 72 hours before the event — after which no refund is issued.
  • Ticketmaster fees (service charges, facility charges, order processing fees) are generally non-refundable even when the ticket itself is refundable.
  • If an event is cancelled or postponed, you can usually get a refund or exchange for a future date, regardless of the original refund policy.
  • Refunds are issued to the original payment method and can take 5 to 10 business days to appear in your account.

What happens to Ticketmaster fees when you request a refund

Ticketmaster charges several fees on top of the ticket price: a service fee, a facility charge, and an order processing fee. When you return a refundable ticket, Ticketmaster typically refunds only the ticket price itself, not the fees. The fees are kept by Ticketmaster and the venue.

Some events or promoters offer full refunds including fees, but this is rare and is stated in the refund policy before purchase. If you see language like "full refund" or "100% refund," that usually means fees are included. If the policy says "refund of ticket price," fees stay with Ticketmaster.

Refunds when an event is cancelled or rescheduled

If the event is cancelled outright, you can request a refund regardless of whether the ticket was marked non-refundable. Ticketmaster will refund the ticket price and fees to your original payment method. The refund window is usually 30 days from the cancellation announcement, though some organizers extend it.

If the event is rescheduled to a new date, you have the choice to keep your ticket for the new date or request a refund. You do not have to accept the new date. If you do not act within the stated window (often 30 days), your ticket is automatically transferred to the rescheduled event.

Ticketmaster sends cancellation and rescheduling notices to the email address on your account. Check your email and spam folder after an event announcement, because the refund window starts from the date of the notice, not the date you see it.

How to request a refund through Ticketmaster

Log into your Ticketmaster account, go to "My Events," and find the event you want to return. If the event is refundable and the deadline has not passed, you will see a "Return Tickets" or "Refund" button. Click it, select how many tickets to return, and confirm. Ticketmaster will show you the refund amount before you submit.

If you do not see a refund option, the event is either non-refundable or the refund deadline has passed. You can still contact Ticketmaster customer service to ask, but they will enforce the organizer's policy.

Refunds are issued to the original payment method — the credit card, debit card, or digital wallet you used to buy the tickets. The money does not go to a Ticketmaster account or credit. Processing takes 5 to 10 business days, though some banks hold the credit for longer before it shows in your account.

Tickets marked non-refundable and your options

If your tickets are non-refundable, Ticketmaster will not refund them. Your options are to attend the event, give the tickets to someone else, or sell them through Ticketmaster's resale platform or a third-party marketplace like StubHub or SeatGeek.

Selling tickets on a resale platform means you set the price and keep the proceeds (minus the platform's fees). You do not get your original money back automatically, but you can recover some or all of it depending on demand. Resale is legal and does not violate Ticketmaster's terms.

Some venues and artists allow ticket transfers to friends for free through Ticketmaster's transfer feature. Check your order confirmation or the event page to see if transfer is available. If it is, you can send the tickets to someone else's email, and they can use them to attend.

Refunds for tickets bought through third-party sellers

If you bought tickets from a reseller — a marketplace, a broker, or a private seller — Ticketmaster's refund policy does not apply. You must contact the seller directly. Ticketmaster can confirm whether the tickets are valid and what the original refund policy was, but Ticketmaster does not process refunds for resold tickets.

Third-party marketplaces like StubHub and SeatGeek have their own refund policies, which are usually more restrictive than Ticketmaster's. Many resale platforms do not refund tickets at all, or only refund if the event is cancelled. Read the marketplace's terms before you buy.

Disputes and chargebacks if Ticketmaster will not refund

If Ticketmaster refuses a refund you believe you are owed, you can dispute the charge with your credit card company or bank. This is called a chargeback. Contact your bank, explain that the refund was denied, and provide your Ticketmaster order number and the event details. Your bank will investigate and may reverse the charge.

Before filing a chargeback, contact Ticketmaster customer service one more time with documentation of the refund policy you saw when you purchased. Keep screenshots or emails showing what the policy said. A clear record makes a chargeback more likely to succeed.

Chargebacks take 30 to 90 days and may result in Ticketmaster closing your account. Use this route only if Ticketmaster's customer service has refused to help and you have evidence the refund should have been granted.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get a refund if I just do not want to go?

Only if the event's refund policy allows it. If the listing said "non-refundable" when you bought the tickets, Ticketmaster will not refund you for changing your mind. Your only option is to sell the tickets through resale or give them away.

What if Ticketmaster made an error and charged me twice?

Contact Ticketmaster customer service immediately with your order numbers. Duplicate charges are usually refunded within one business day once confirmed. If Ticketmaster does not refund within a few days, file a chargeback with your bank and provide both order confirmations as evidence.

Do I get my money back if I lose my tickets?

Ticketmaster does not refund lost or forgotten tickets. If you bought digital tickets (sent to your email), you can retrieve them by logging into your account. If you bought physical tickets and lost them, contact Ticketmaster to see if they can reissue them, though this is not may provide.

Can I return tickets after the event has started?

No. Refund deadlines are set before the event date, and once the event begins, no refunds are issued. If you bought refundable tickets, you must request the refund before the deadline, which is usually 24 to 72 hours before the event starts.

What if the artist cancels the tour but reschedules one show?

If your specific show is cancelled and rescheduled, you can choose to keep your ticket for the new date or request a refund. If the artist cancels the entire tour and does not reschedule your city, you can request a refund regardless of the original refund policy.