Ticketmaster refunds depend on why you're canceling and when you bought the tickets

Ticketmaster will refund your money if the event is canceled or postponed, but not if you simply change your mind. If the venue or artist cancels, Ticketmaster processes refunds automatically to your original payment method—usually within 30 days, though it can take longer depending on your bank. If you bought tickets and the event still hasn't rescheduled months later, you can request a refund by contacting Ticketmaster directly. For events that are rescheduled to a new date, most venues and artists decide whether ticket holders can keep their tickets for the new date or get refunds; Ticketmaster doesn't make that choice.

If you bought tickets and now can't attend for personal reasons—illness, schedule conflict, financial hardship—Ticketmaster itself does not issue refunds. Your only option is to resell the tickets through Ticketmaster's resale platform or a third-party marketplace. Some venues, teams, or artists offer their own refund policies that override Ticketmaster's standard rule, so checking the event page or contacting the venue directly is worth doing before assuming you're stuck.

Key Takeaways

  • Ticketmaster refunds automatically when an event is canceled, but you must wait for the refund to process through your bank, which typically takes 30 days or more.
  • If you bought tickets and the event is rescheduled, the artist or venue decides whether you can use your tickets for the new date or get a refund—Ticketmaster does not make this decision.
  • Changing your mind about attending does not may have access to for a refund through Ticketmaster; you must resell your tickets instead.
  • Some venues, teams, or artists have their own refund policies that may allow refunds for personal reasons, so checking the event details or calling the venue is necessary before assuming no refund is possible.
  • Refunds for canceled events go to your original payment method and can take 30 to 60 days to appear in your account, depending on your bank's processing speed.

What happens when an event is canceled

When an event is canceled—whether the artist cancels the show, the venue closes, or the event is called off for weather or safety reasons—Ticketmaster initiates a refund to the payment method you used to buy the tickets. You do not need to request this; it happens automatically. The refund includes the ticket price but may not include fees Ticketmaster charged at purchase, depending on the event and the reason for cancellation. Some venues or artists choose to refund fees as well, but this varies.

The refund timeline is not instant. Ticketmaster typically processes the refund within 30 days of the cancellation, but your bank may take an additional 5 to 30 days to post the money to your account. If you don't see the refund after 30 days, check your bank's transaction history to see if it's pending. If it shows as completed on Ticketmaster's end but hasn't appeared in your account after 60 days, contact your bank to ask whether the transaction was rejected or delayed on their side.

When an event is rescheduled instead of canceled

If an event is postponed to a new date rather than canceled entirely, the artist or venue decides the refund policy—not Ticketmaster. Some artists automatically let ticket holders use their tickets for the rescheduled date. Others offer ticket holders a choice: keep the tickets for the new date or request a refund. A third group may require you to actively confirm you want to keep your tickets within a set window, or they'll assume you want a refund.

Ticketmaster will send you an email notification when an event is rescheduled, and that email should explain what your options are. If the email is unclear or you don't receive one, log into your Ticketmaster account and check the event page directly—it will show the new date and any refund options available. If you still can't find the information, contact the venue or artist's box office rather than Ticketmaster, because they control the refund decision.

How to request a refund if an event stays canceled for months

If an event was postponed and the new date keeps getting pushed back or never gets announced, you may be able to request a refund even though the event wasn't technically canceled. Ticketmaster's policy allows refunds for events that have been postponed for an extended period without a confirmed new date, but the exact timeline varies. Generally, if more than a year has passed since the original event date with no rescheduled date announced, you have grounds to request a refund.

To request a refund in this situation, log into your Ticketmaster account, find the event, and look for a "Request Refund" option on the event details page. If you don't see one, contact Ticketmaster's customer service through their website or call their phone line. Have your order number and the original event date ready. Be prepared to explain that the event has been postponed indefinitely and you're requesting a refund because no new date has been set.

Reselling tickets if you can't attend

If you bought tickets and the event is still happening but you can no longer attend, Ticketmaster does not refund your money. Your option is to resell the tickets. Ticketmaster operates a resale platform built into its website where you can list your tickets for sale. You set the price (which can be higher or lower than what you paid), and Ticketmaster takes a percentage of the sale as a fee. Once someone buys your tickets, the money goes to your account, and you can withdraw it to your original payment method.

Resale through Ticketmaster is usually faster and safer than selling through third-party sites, because Ticketmaster handles the transfer of the tickets electronically. However, there's no may provide your tickets will sell, especially if the event is far away or ticket demand is low. If you need to get rid of the tickets quickly, you may need to price them below face value to attract a buyer.

Checking if the venue or artist has a different refund policy

Some venues, sports teams, and artists have their own refund policies that are more generous than Ticketmaster's standard rule. A team might offer refunds for any reason up to a certain date before the game. A theater might refund tickets if you're sick. An artist might have a "no refunds" policy printed on the ticket itself. These policies override Ticketmaster's default, so it's worth checking before you assume you're stuck.

To find the venue's or artist's refund policy, look at the event page on Ticketmaster—many venues list their policy there. You can also call the venue's box office directly or visit their website. If the policy allows refunds for your situation, the venue or artist will direct you on how to process it, which may involve going through Ticketmaster or may involve contacting them directly.

Disputing a charge if you believe you were wrongly denied a refund

If Ticketmaster refused to refund you for a canceled event, or if you believe the refund should have included fees, you can dispute the charge with your credit card company or bank. Contact your card issuer and explain that you paid for an event that was canceled and Ticketmaster did not refund the full amount you expected. Your bank will investigate and may reverse the charge if they find the refund was unjustified.

Disputing a charge should be a last resort, because it can take weeks to resolve and may result in your Ticketmaster account being flagged. Before disputing, try contacting Ticketmaster's customer service one more time to explain your situation. If they still refuse and you believe they're wrong, then file the dispute with your bank.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to get a refund from Ticketmaster after an event is canceled?

Ticketmaster typically processes the refund within 30 days of the cancellation, but your bank may take an additional 5 to 30 days to post it to your account. In total, refunds can take 30 to 60 days to appear. If you don't see it after 60 days, contact your bank to check if the transaction was rejected or is still pending.

Can I get a refund if I bought tickets but now can't go?

No, Ticketmaster does not refund tickets for personal reasons. You must resell your tickets through Ticketmaster's resale platform or a third-party marketplace. Some venues or artists have their own refund policies that may allow refunds for illness or hardship, so check the event details or call the venue before assuming no refund is possible.

What if the event is rescheduled and I don't want to go on the new date?

The artist or venue decides whether to offer refunds for rescheduled events. Check your email from Ticketmaster or log into your account to see what options are available for that specific event. If you don't see a refund option, contact the venue or artist's box office directly, because they control the refund decision.

Can I get my Ticketmaster fees refunded if an event is canceled?

It depends on the event and the reason for cancellation. Some venues and artists refund fees along with the ticket price; others do not. Ticketmaster will specify in the cancellation notice whether fees are included in the refund. If you believe fees should have been refunded and weren't, contact Ticketmaster's customer service to ask.

What should I do if Ticketmaster says an event isn't canceled but it's been postponed for over a year?

Log into your Ticketmaster account and look for a "Request Refund" option on the event page. If you don't see one, contact Ticketmaster's customer service and explain that the event has been indefinitely postponed with no new date announced. Have your order number and original event date ready. You may be able to get a refund if the postponement has lasted longer than a year.